The Defence Force has exploded a pipe bomb found at a property in Whangārei.

The pipe bomb was found by police at a property on Weaver St on Thursday morning.

The search warrant was conducted as part of a fraud investigation, police said in a statement.

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“The area was cordoned off and evacuated and Defence Force personnel were brought in to dispose of the item.

“It was taken to a remote location in Parua Bay and detonated safely.”

There was no risk to the wider Whangārei community, police said.

The New Zealand Defence Force has been approached for comment.