The 16-year-old allegedly responsible for Tuesday's lockdown at Bayfield High School in Dunedin, was trying to get his girlfriend, a student, a day off

The Otago Daily Times is reporting a text message exchange it has seen that shows the girlfriend messaging her boyfriend just after 8am that she was cold and wanted to go back to bed.

It reports he responded he would sent a threat to the school, so she wouldn't have to go.

Around 550 students and staff were escorted from the school premises after a threatening email was sent.