A New Zealand man has allegedly been caught with an arsenal of weapons including an AK47 assault rifle, a homemade bomb and a semi-automatic rifle.

Whangārei man Daniel Paul Van Houten, 36, was charged with unlawful possession of an explosive device and unlawful possession of a .223 AK47 at Whangārei District Court on Monday, according to the NZ Herald.

Armed police allegedly found the weapons when they raided a house Otaika Road, Whangārei on the North Island from 8am on Friday to Saturday.

Whangārei man Daniel Paul Van Houten, 36, was charged with unlawful possession of an explosive device and unlawful possession of a .223 AK47 (stock image)

Police had a search warrant in relation to the unlawful possession of firearms.

'The Armed Offenders Squad were involved as a precautionary measure,' said Inspector Al Symonds from Northland Police.

'Four firearms have been located at the address.'

The bomb was an improvised explosive device (IED), which is a makeshift bomb made of military and non-military parts commonly used as roadside bombs, police said.

The bomb was an improvised explosive device (IED), which is a makeshift bomb made of military and non-military parts commonly used as roadside bombs (stock image)

Van Houten was also charged with unlawful possession of a semi-automatic .308 rifle, unlawful possession of a pistol Comet Flare gun, unlawful possession of .308 ammunition and unlawful possession of .223 ammunition.

He was denied bail and remanded in custody to appear again later this month.

'Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to the search and at this time there is not thought to be any ongoing risk to the public,' Inspector Symonds said.

Gun owners on a New Zealand hunting and shooting forum said that police officers have been turning up at homes and businesses.

'A mate of mine had the cops turn up at his house on Saturday after an image a friend of his had posted to Instagram holding his CAT AR-15 got reported,' one person said.

Rounds of .233 ammunition used for AK47s and AR-15s (stock image). Van Houten was charged with unlawful possession of .223 and .308 ammunition



