Katikati Lockdown: Man Faces Kidnapping Charges After Schools Secured

A 30-year-old Katikati man appeared in Tauranga District Court on Tuesday, 25 November, facing charges of kidnapping and wounding with intent, following a police operation the previous Friday that placed several local institutions into lockdown.

Reports began emerging shortly after 11am on Friday, 21 November, that police had cordoned off Beach Road and armed officers were stationed at intersections with Polley Crescent and Park Road, with traffic diverted around those streets. Katikati Primary School, Katikati College, and Katikati Medical Centre were among the sites placed into lockdown, along with at least one early childhood centre.

Western Bay of Plenty CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Natalie Flowerdew-Brown confirmed police had launched their search that morning and advised schools and centres to enter lockdown as a precaution. She noted that armed officers were present to help ensure public safety, and thanked the community for their co-operation throughout the operation.

The owner of Robins Nest early childhood centre on Beach Road, Zoë Farnath, described how the lockdown unfolded for her centre, which had 20 children and five staff on site that morning. She said everything had been normal until a phone call from police instructed them to activate their lockdown procedure just after 11am. With the matter now before the courts, police indicated they would not be making further comment.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).