Attributable to Inspector Wade Jennings, Hutt Valley Area Commander:

Two Police officers have been injured and one officer nearly hit by a vehicle following an incident in Lower Hutt this morning.

At around 11.20am, Police were conducting a checkpoint on Gracefield Road where a vehicle has failed to stop.

The vehicle has narrowly missed a police officer while attempting to avoid the checkpoint.

Police did not initiate a pursuit however kept observations on the vehicle.

Some time later, the man and the vehicle were located on Randwick Road.

Police can now confirm the name of the victim of the homicide on Trigg Avenue on Wednesday (20 August).

He was 41-year-old, Temutu Vincent Ehau, of Rotorua.

Police continue to support Mr Ehau’s whānau during this difficult time.

We continue to ask for anyone that may have seen what happened to please get in touch.

We are also keen to review any CCTV or dashcam footage from the Trigg Ave area around midday Wednesday 20 August.

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson:

Hamilton Police are seeking information on a serious assault that has left a youth in critical condition in Waikato Hospital.

A 17-year-old male was stabbed during an altercation outside an address on Slim Street, Melville around 5pm yesterday.

Approximately seven people are thought to have been involved, and enquiries are ongoing to identify and locate them.

A scene examination is being conducted today.

A driver wanted by Police is now facing a raft of charges after allegedly failing to stop in Waterview last night.

At about 10pm, a motorways unit signalled for the driver of a Lexus travelling on State Highway 20 to stop, however it failed to do so and allegedly took off at sped.

Auckland Motorways Manager, Senior Sergeant Scott Cunningham, says the vehicle was not pursued and the Police Air Support Unit was called in to assist.

“Eagle has the provided commentary as the vehicle has continued travelling south to Manukau before turning back north on State Highway 1.

Levin residents can expect to see a significant Police presence in the area following a series of firearms incidents.

Additional officers have been deployed across Horowhenua to conduct patrols and support the dedicated staff already investigating recent gang-related offending.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham says those responsible for the offending are on notice, with a Gang Conflict Warrant now in place.

Police have charged 12 people for the murder of a Rotorua man last month – seven of them in a small Bay of Plenty town.

Two men have been arrested as part of Operation Hawk, which targeted illegal hunters and associated criminal activity.

Police arrested two men and seized a large amount of methamphetamine and cash during search warrants executed in Christchurch and Dunedin this week.

Police have made four arrests after an operation unfolded across two regions following an aggravated robbery in Flat Bush this morning.

Counties Manukau CIB are investigating with charges being confirmed for those allegedly involved.

At around 5am, a group of men arrived at a Kerrykeel Drive property.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright, from Counties Manukau CIB, says the men reportedly were carrying weapons.

“It was reported that one of these men were in possession of a firearm, before they have taken property and stolen a vehicle from the address.”

Please attribute to Acting Sergeant Danny Schaare: 

Canterbury Police have charged six people with wilful damage following an incident where hundreds of stickers were placed on a store window during a protest on 2 August.

The store has recently seen a number of similar incidents, and the cost of clean up and removal of the stickers is around $1000.

The six charged have also been trespassed from the store and its surrounding complex.

Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Glen Lindup:

Police have laid a new charge in relation to the death of a man in Westport last month.

About 3:10pm on 31 July, Police were called to a reported altercation at a Palmerston Street motel. The victim was located critically injured and flown to Greymouth Hospital, where he died later that evening.

The victim can now be named as 31-year-old Dylan James Coleman, of Westport. Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them support.

Police are making enquiries into an incident in Levin today where a person appears to have sustained a gunshot wound.

Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger says there’s been an increase in the manufacture and supply of synthetic cannabis across the district over the past month.

Emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12:20pm on Wednesday. A man was located in a critical condition but died at the scene.

Police are working to locate Ethan Hatata, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Hatata, 22, is wanted for retail offending and is believed to be in the wider Auckland region.

If you have seen Hatata or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250716/0533.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Extra Police are on patrol in Levin after several firearm-related incidents in two days.

Manawatu Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham described recent shooting events in the area as “brainless violence” that put people at risk of harm.

Police are investigating several reports of shootings in the area, including a man who presented at a healthcare centre with a gunshot wound to his thigh on Monday morning. He was transferred to Palmerston North Hospital in a serious condition and enquiries are ongoing.

A couple have been gifted charges on multiple offences after initially trying to get away with shoplifting in Pukekohe.

On Monday at 10.15am, Police were called to the Pukekohe Train Station after a man and woman were stopped by security as they attempted to take a trolley full of groceries onto a departing train.

Counties Manukau South Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Matt Hoyes, says when Police arrived the male tried to hide the trolley in a toilet cubicle.

Attribute to Inspector Angela Hallett:

Police have arrested a man after multiple 111 calls reporting motor vehicle offences in the Hastings area this morning.

At around 8.30am the man has allegedly stolen a vehicle from outside a business address on Taradale Road.

Police then received multiple 111 calls reporting dangerous driving and numerous collisions with other vehicles, which officers were able to use to keep track of the driver’s locations.

Police are renewing their appeal for information on the whereabouts of Michael Tautari who has a Warrant to Arrest.

The 27-year-old is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions and we believe someone may have information on his whereabouts.

Tautari is known to frequent the wider Auckland and Waikato regions and is currently avoiding Police.

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead to call 111 immediately and quote file number 250625/2113.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

A group of offenders were left with a sour taste in the mouth, after their failed attempt at stealing backpacks stuffed with chocolate.

Four teenagers were arrested after Police found nearly $700 worth of chocolate, when called out to a supermarket at Highland Park on Sunday evening.

Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook says supermarket staff reported a group filling bags with products at around 5pm.

“A Police unit arrived within minutes, as the group was allegedly filling backpacks with chocolate and meat,” he says.

NZ Police will be hosting the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police annual conference in Waitangi, on 20-22 August.

The conference features Chiefs of Police (or their delegates) from the PCIP’s 22 member countries.

Media are invited to attend an opportunity for photography and/or filming at the pōwhiri and opening ceremony, on Wednesday 20 August, at the Upper Treaty Grounds from 8.30am.

The conference itself is closed to media. 

NZ Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will be available for interviews on request after the opening ceremony.

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on the corner of Pohlen Road and Waharoa Road East in Matamata on 16 August.

She was 79-year-old Martje Gezina Eastment, of Putaruru.

Investigations to determine the cause of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Police are appealing for information and witnesses following an aggravated robbery of a man on Thursday 14 August.

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross: 

Police have charged a man with two counts of arson, attempted arson and unlawfully possessing an offensive weapon following a house fire on Main Street yesterday afternoon (17 August).

Police were called to the fire, which affected three residential properties, at around 4pm.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody at the scene by the Police – and received medical treatment at the police station for smoke inhalation.

He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.

One person has died and two people have been critically injured following a crash north of Matamata.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road remains closed.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Forty-five years ago, Alicia O’Reilly was tragically raped and murdered in her Avondale family home.

Police continue to investigate the events on Canal Road in the early hours of 16 August 1980.

No one has yet been held accountable for the 6-year-old girl’s death.

In 2020, Police began a re-investigation into the homicide under Operation Sturbridge.

In recent years a trial has been under way for a new genetic investigative tool, which may provide new leads after a DNA sample was obtained.

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Ōamaru Police and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are executing a joint investigation into the cruel shooting of three endangered sea lions at Waitaki River on Saturday 9 August.

Two of the sea lions died, and a third wounded sea lion sadly had to be euthanised. Local iwi were notified of the situation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh says the incident has upset the community, DOC, and Police.

“This is a senseless act against a protected species and we’re eager to find those responsible and hold them to account,” he says.

Attribute to Senior Sergeant John Stapleford: 

Rotorua Police arrested a man in Glenhome yesterday morning, after he failed to stop for Police when signalled for dangerous driving in the Mangakakahi area.

The man was seen by Police driving a trail bike recklessly on Biak Street and has fled when signalled by Police.

Due to the nature of driving staff did not pursue. Enquiries were then made at the registered address of the bike.

The 29-year-old man was located at the address and arrested. Police have also seized the mans bike.

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Two alleged burglars who broke into a vacant restaurant have bitten off more than they could chew after being caught in the act.

At about 2.47am, Police were alerted to a possible break-in at a commercial premises on Beach Road.

Senior Sergeant Tony Turner, Auckland City Police, says a nearby security guard had witnessed two people inside the building and raised the alarm.

“Officers quickly arrived and located one man carrying a black suitcase filled with property.

“A search of the building then located another man, attempting to hide from Police,” he says.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye, Tasman Organised Crime Unit:

Police executed a warrant earlier today at a Wanaka address and charged a 28-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman with defrauding a person of $1,044,500 over the past two years.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said the Tasman Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has been investigating two suspects who first lived on the West Coast and have recently moved to Wanaka where they have been living the high life with rented properties and high end European cars.

New Zealand Police is congratulating Fijian Police Officer Corporal Sailasa Kerekere and his dog Villain on their graduation from the Police Dog Training Centre (DTC) in Trentham today.

Corporal Kerekere marked the occasion in front of Fiji Police training Sergeant Nuimaia Lawanicina and training staff from the DTC.

This is Corporal Kerekere’s second operational dog, and he now heads back to the front line with an explosives specialist, a black Labrador called Villain.

Police have made two arrests over an aggravated robbery in Onerahi on Monday afternoon.

Whangārei CIB have been investigating after a woman’s bag was taken from her near an alleyway on Ross Street on 11 August, around 3pm.

“A woman’s bag was taken after a weapon was allegedly presented at her,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says.

“Enquiries have been underway to locate the two young males allegedly involved in this crime.

“This resulted in us locating two males, aged 14 and 16, yesterday.”

Police can today release the name of a man who died in Ruakākā on Monday.

He was local man, 29-year-old Matthew George Taylor.

Matthew leaves behind a partner and three young children.

“They are all struggling to come to terms with their loss,” Sergeant Simon Craig, from Ruakākā Station, says.

“What should have been morning exercise in good conditions has turned into a tragedy.”

His family have asked for privacy as they continue to grieve.

Police have established that Matthew had gone kayaking in the sheltered Ruakākā estuary.

Late last night, Police shot two people following a report of a family harm incident at an address in Clyde Street, Bryndwr.

A teenager will appear in court next week, charged over a fatal crash in Kumeū in late June.

Police have been investigating the single vehicle crash that occurred on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway at 8.20pm on 27 June.

The vehicle had failed to stop for Police a short time earlier.

Sixteen-year-old Elliot New, a passenger in the vehicle, was critically injured and died in hospital on 1 July.

Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan says Police interviewed the alleged driver of the vehicle today.

A carload of out-of-town teenagers have had their return plans halted after Police stopped their stolen vehicle in south Auckland.

Just before 6am, Police received information a stolen Toyota Hilux was travelling south on the Southern Motorway.

Senior Sergeant Simon Cornish, of Counties Manukau East Police, says the vehicle had been reported stolen from the Hamilton area.

“It is alleged the vehicle was stolen overnight, and the Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area,” he says.

Police can now confirm the name of the man who died following a crash on SH6, Okaramio on 19 July.

He was Tachyon Hutt, 23, from Picton.

Police extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on the Dunedin Northern Motorway on 12 April.

He was 35-year-old Charles Chen Cheing, of Waitati, Dunedin.

Our condolences are with his friends and family at this time.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police are now treating as suspicious the fire at the old Hokitika Seaview hospital complex early on Sunday 10 August.

To be attributed to Detective Inspector Daryl Smith:

Two further men have been arrested and charged with murder in relation to the death of Tyreece Te Pairi in Hamilton late last month.

Tyreece, 20, was fatally injured during an altercation on Alexandra Street shortly after midnight on 20 July.

Earlier this month, two 19-year-old men appeared in Hamilton District Court on murder charges.

Police are now in a position to release the name of the woman who died following a crash in Waitahuna on 24 July.

She was 41-year-old Erin Lee Van De Water, of Dunedin.

Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on State Highway 1, Desert Road on 7 June.

She was 71-year-old Karen Jennifer King, from Cambridge.

Our thoughts remain with those close to her at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who died several days after the two-vehicle crash on Taurikura Drive, Tauriko on 9 May.

He was 88-year-old, Robert William Norman MacGibbon.

Police extends our condolences to his family and friends during this time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police can now release the name of the man who died in a crash on Rotowaro Road, Huntly on 24 July.

He was 28-year-old Kash McCuish, of Rongotaro.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this time.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police are commending the selfless actions of a member of the public following an incident in Pine Harbour yesterday afternoon, which narrowly avoided a tragic outcome.

Police were called to the Pine Harbour Marina at about 4.20pm following a report of a woman in distress in the water.

Relieving Counties Manukau East Area Commander, Inspector Nga-Wati Chaplow, says the Police Air Support Unit, Deodar and Coastguard were dispatched.

Police can now release the name of the person who died in the single vehicle crash on State Highway 23 in Whatawhata on Saturday 9 August.

She was Julia Organ, 55, of Te Awamutu.

Police’s thoughts are with her family at this time.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police are now able to release the name of the man who died following a crash on Maniatutu Road, Pongakawa on 4 June.

He was 27-year-old Amarjit Singh, of Te Puke.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

A 40-year-old man is set to reappear in the Tauranga District Court on 29 August, charged with driving in a dangerous manner and dangerous driving causing death.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

A disturbance in the night prompted a Police callout, resulting in arrests and stolen property being recovered.

A resident called Police around 10.51pm, after he heard floorboards creaking inside his property.

“The caller said he’d gone to investigate and could see the outline of a man in the darkness,” Inspector Wayne Kitcher, Area Prevention Manager, Auckland City West Area says.

“He’d disturbed the intruder, who got a fright and fled the scene.”

A 111 call-taker took all the available information, and Police were deployed to the area.

Auckland City Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding a woman’s death in Parnell.

Police were called to Cracroft Street on the night of 7 August, after a woman was found unresponsive inside an apartment.

Today, Police can name the woman as 59-year-old Leiann Rae Davis.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend, Auckland Central Area Investigations Manager, says Leiann’s death remains unexplained.

“A post-mortem examination was carried out on Friday, the results of which are inconclusive,” he says.

A man has died after being pulled from the water on Tamaki Drive, Parnell, this afternoon.

Emergency services were notified about 3.35pm that the man had gone into the water from a boat at the marina.

Sadly, he was not able to be revived, and died at the scene.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

An investigation is under way following the discovery of human remains at a beach in Waihau Bay, Ōpōtiki on Friday.

Two men who allegedly attempted to hide guns, drugs and cash in the engine bay of a car before Police arrived are now reconsidering their actions.

Please attribute to Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill:

Canterbury Police has been consulting internally with staff on a proposal to redesign its structure.

Our goal is to deliver a better service to our communities by boosting core policing services and strengthening our ability to meet demand, now and in the future.

We are focussed on the safety of our communities and our Police team.

As the proposal concerns changes that directly impact our staff, we have an obligation to consult with them first.

At around 6.30am on 7 August, Police were called to an Ōtāhuhu address where a male allegedly confronted another male and presented a firearm.

Police approached, secured the scene and detained three occupants.

A statutory search was invoked and during the search firearms, illicit drugs and cash were located within the property.

A 32-year-old and a 28-year-old male were arrested and charged with firearms and drug related offences. They are appearing in the Manukau District Court today.

One person has died following a house fire in Eltham this morning.

Emergency services were called to the property on Derby Street just before 5am, where the house was fully ablaze.

One person was found deceased at the property.

A scene guard is in place and enquiries to determine the cause of the fire are underway.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

After several weeks of training, four Police patrol handlers and dogs and four New Zealand Customs officers and their detector dogs took part in the ceremony formally recognising their graduation as operational teams.

“It’s a proud day for the graduates of both our agencies, highlighting the value we place on working together to protect our borders and our communities. “The training has been a busy and demanding for the handlers, but they’ve risen to the challenges,” says Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator of New Zealand Police Dogs.

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Louie, who has been reported missing from the North Shore area.

The 16-year-old was last seen on 27 July in the Unsworth Heights area.

Police and Louie’s family have concerns for his welfare and would like to find him as soon as possible.

If you have seen Louie or have information that might help us find him, please call 111 and quote reference number 250730/7761.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Attributable to Inspector Nicholas Thom, Wairarapa Area Commander:

A 49-year-old man has been taken into custody following an incident in Masterton this morning.

About 11.37am, a man entered Masterton Police Station and presented a knife at a staff member on the front counter.

The staff member acted swiftly and immediately placed the station into lockdown.

Officers attempted to speak to the man, however he continued to act in a threatening way.

The altercation later moved outside the police station where staff continued to speak with the man.

Police are continuing enquiries into a man’s death at a Mt Wellington reserve early this morning.

We are continuing to conduct enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.

A post-mortem examination will now place tomorrow, which will inform any next steps in our enquiries.

Today, Police also completed a scene examination at Sir Woolf Fisher Reserve where the man was located.

Police enquiries into a nearby burglary at a hardware retail store on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway remain ongoing.

Police will provide a further update once we are in a position to do so.

Attributable to Detective Inspector Darryl Smith:

Two men have appeared in Hamilton District Court today charged with the murder of Tyreece Te Pairi in Hamilton CBD on 20 July.

The pair, both aged 19, were arrested at addresses in Hamilton and South Auckland last evening (Tuesday).

They have been remanded in custody without plea to reappear on 26 August.

Tyreece, 20, was fatally wounded during an altercation on Alexandra Street shortly after midnight on 20 July.

Investigators are still working on holding all those involved in the violent murder of Kyle Whorrall at an Auckland bus stop to account.

Kyle, a 33-year-old US national, was tragically killed in St Johns on 19 April 2025 during Easter Weekend.

Two people remain before the court after being arrested by the Operation Aberfeldy investigation team in late April.

Today a renewed appeal is being issued to the public.

“It’s time to do the right thing,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB says.

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash in Kaikohe this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 12.41pm near the intersection of Ōmāpere and Hillcrest Roads.

Police are still working to confirm the number of people injured, but at this stage we can advise at least two people have sustained serious injuries.

Motorists are advised of a number of road closures in the area – at the intersections of Hillcrest and Park Roads.

Tawanui and Hillcrest Roads, Monument and Orrs Roads and at the scene on Hillcrest Road itself. 

Wellington Police’s Child Protection Team has arrested and charged a 23-year-old man after a three-month-old baby was injured in the Hutt Valley.