A man is facing six weapon-related charges after a package with a suspected bomb and ammunition was found in an empty Christchurch house.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King
The 33-year-old man appeared in the Christchurch District Court via video link before a community magistrate.
He is charged with unlawfully carrying or possessing firearms, and possessing an offensive weapon.
Due to the nature of the charges the magistrate decided the man should appear before a district court judge this afternoon.
Police are opposing bail.
The suspected explosive device was found yesterday at Newcastle Street in Phillipstown. Cordons were put up and several houses were evacuated while Defence Force explosives experts dealt with the package.
