A homemade bomb has been discovered near Auckland’s new Maungawhau City Rail Link station, prompting police to call in a New Zealand Defence Force explosives team.

The suspicious object was found near Maungawhau Station on Monday, with the Defence Force later confirming specialists had identified it as an improvised explosive device (IED).

An explosive ordnance disposal team attended the scene, removed the device and safely disposed of it.

No injuries have been reported in connection with the discovery.

Authorities have not disclosed details about the construction or potential destructive capability of the device.

It also remains unclear who discovered it, how long it had been at the site or how it came to be there.

No arrests had been announced in connection with the discovery when the incident was reported on Tuesday.

The discovery comes at a particularly sensitive location as Maungawhau is one of the key stations associated with Auckland’s major City Rail Link project.

The NZ Defence Force warned members of the public not to touch suspicious objects and to keep their distance until specialists have determined they are safe.

“Anyone who discovers a potentially dangerous item should always exercise caution until the item is deemed safe by an expert,” the Defence Force said.

People who encounter a suspicious or potentially dangerous object should move away from it and contact police.

Further information about the circumstances surrounding the discovery has yet to be released.

Source: NZ Herald/NZME