Police have launched an investigation after a number of emailed threats were sent to schools and other institutions across the country today.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, Auckland City CIB, said police were aware of the threats.

“At this stage, Police perceive the threats to be low risk.”

Baldwin said the Cybercrime team, supported by staff in other police districts, had started an investigation and was working to determine the source of the emails.

Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to contact 105 online or by phone.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ara Institute of Canterbury campuses were evacuated after a bomb threat was received.

In a text message sent to Ara students at 10.58am, the institute said it had received a threat and was working with police to assess it.

“Ara has received a threat and is working with Police to assess it,” the message said.

“We are evacuating all campuses. Please leave your building now. Do not use the fire alarm.”

Students were told further information would be provided through official Ara channels.

“Please follow instructions from Ara staff and emergency services.”

An Ara spokeswoman told chrislynchmedia.com the evacuation included all campuses in Christchurch and Timaru, as well as student accommodation provider O House on Madras Street.

She said the threat was not specific, so the institute made the decision to evacuate all campuses as a precaution.

Emergency services were at all campuses.

“We are working closely with New Zealand Police and following their instructions. The safety of our students and staff is our absolute priority.

“We have evacuated all campuses and advised tenants and other campus users to go home as a precautionary measure.

We are not able to provide further details at this time as the police are leading the response. We will provide updates on our website and via official staff and student channels as confirmed information becomes available.”

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A student said they were initially moved to another block before the decision was made to evacuate the entire campus.

Threats had been received by multiple organisations across the country this morning, including educational sites and media organisations.

A student on site said “staff of the two Ara preschools did an excellent job of calmly and quickly evacuating all children across a busy road with the help of other Ara staff.

“They are currently waiting in the Barbadoes Street car park for parents to pick them up.”

Whangaparāoa School in Auckland told parents it had received an anonymous bomb threat and asked parents and caregivers to collect their children.

In Christchurch, Christchurch Girls’ High School was earlier placed into lockdown after being advised by the Ministry of Education as a precautionary measure.

That lockdown has since been lifted.

Acting principal Sonja Bailey saying all students, staff and people on site had been safely accounted for.

More to come.