Residents off the southwest coast of the Barrier were given a major surprise on Friday when two powerful explosions occurred just a minute apart off Whangara Island. The blasts sent plumes of white smoke hundreds of feet into the air, dwarfing the nearby rocky outcrops.
Video of the event filmed by local resident Hilde Hoven shows massive debris clouds rising from the waterline. The force of the detonations was felt well inland, with shockwaves reportedly shaking houses as far away as Awana.
“First one shook my house, powerful blasts thought they came from out to sea,” said Mike Toseland.
A police vessel was seen departing Whangaparapara wharf shortly before the noise, leading many to assume a controlled detonation of old munitions was underway. While the community is used to occasional disposal operations, one resident noted the lack of prior warning caused widespread shock. Another questioned why the activity was conducted so close to the coastline rather than further out to sea.
Authorities have been slow to provide details. Police Media initially stated they had no record of the event. “I don’t see anything in our system that looks like it might relate to this,” a spokesperson said on Saturday morning. Following the provision of eyewitness evidence, police suggested the inquiry be directed to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The NZDF and the Navy have been approached for comment regarding the nature of the material destroyed and why no public notification was issued.
