Robin's Nest Tamariki Evacuated During Katikati Lockdown

When police established a cordon in Katikati and directed local schools into lockdown, the early childhood centre Robin's Nest — located within the cordoned area — also followed lockdown procedures. Staff brought all children inside and locked themselves into a room while awaiting further instructions from police.

Around midday, police knocked on the centre's window and advised staff that the location may not be the safest place to shelter. Centre director Farnath, who had five staff and approximately 20 children in her care that morning, said everything had been running normally until a phone call from police just after 11am set their lockdown protocols in motion.

Police escorted the tamariki and staff, along with a parent who happened to be nearby, down Beach Road and into the college buildings. Farnath then contacted Robin's Nest parents to keep them informed. She said the children stayed happy and settled at the college, eating ice blocks and watching Bluey on television.

"We have really strong procedures in place for this type of event but we were hoping we never had to use them," Farnath said. "But that's why we have them — and I'm pretty confident in our procedures and we followed them and the police instructions." Shortly before 3pm, police confirmed the person they had been searching for was in custody.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).