Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A man has been charged with carrying an offensive weapon after surprised police found a machete down his pants.
Inspector Dean Robinson, of Northland police, said officers spotted a wanted man walking along Selwyn Street in Paihia on Sunday afternoon.
He was promptly arrested by staff who discovered a machete shoved down the inside his pants.
Robinson said police opposed bail when he appeared in court in Whangārei.
The 31-year-old man was remanded in custody and was due back in court on 19 February.
Robinson said the officers were patrolling the Bay of Islands tourist town as part of Operation Waitangi.
"This is a great result and another example that we are committed to keeping offensive weapons such as these out of the community," he said.
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