The Defence Force bomb squad ensured the remaining explosives were safely detonated (file image). Photo: Supplied / NZ Defence Force

A Southland man died trying to destroy old commercial explosives that he had not been able to safely dispose of elsewhere, a coroner has found.

Donald Woodford tried to return the Powergel to the manufacturer and then hand it to police after years storing the explosives in a shed on his Mossburn property.

In findings released on Monday, Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame said the manufacturer and police refused to take the Powergel and neither told him that he needed to contact the Defence Force to safely dispose of it.

Woodford died on his 79th birthday from blast and shrapnel injuries while trying to detonate the explosives near a remote hut on 1 February 2024.

The coroner said he had previously used the Powergel to blow up rocks in the ground while working as a fencing contractor.

"After he upgraded his equipment and no longer needed explosives, Mr Woodford stored the Powergel in a shed for many years," she said.

When Woodford and his wife decided to relocate the shed to store firewood, they discussed a plan to move the explosives.

"As a child Mr Woodford had helped his father build a hut at Waterloo Station. The family had been going there ever since. Although they did not discuss it explicitly, Mrs Woodford understood that was where Mr Woodford planned to deal with the explosives from the shed," she said.

Woodford left home on 31 January and planned to return the following day after 1pm, the coroner said.

When he did not return as expected, Woodford's brother drove to the station where he found him lying a metre-and-a-half from a large hole in the ground.

"Most of the injuries were concentrated on the head and chest and the front of the thighs suggesting that Mr Woodford had the explosive in front of his chest while he was crouching down or sitting. Injuries to the left hand suggested that he was holding the explosive in that hand," the coroner said.

The Defence Force bomb squad ensured the remaining explosives were safely detonated.

They told police that explosives deteriorate over time, becoming less stable and more volatile and more sensitive to heat, shock and friction as they age.

"Had he taken advice from the NZDF Mr Woodford would not have tried to detonate the Powergel himself and the tragic consequence could have been avoided," the coroner said.

Cunninghame said Woodford's family wanted others to learn from the tragedy to prevent it happening again.

She wanted police staff to be reminded of the correct procedure for unused explosives.

When a member of the public sought advice on how to dispose of explosives, the Defence Force's explosive ordnance disposal squadron should be contacted, she said.

Cunninghame said police advised they were developing all-staff guidance on police-issued devices, with an advisory notice also shared on the police intranet.

She commended the proactive approach.

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The person was found by a specialist search team at the Manapouri house.

Police say they are still working to account for all residents.

Emergency services were trying to find out how many people might have been in the house.

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