Police are praising rescue staff who have retrieved two climbers from a precarious mountainside near Sabre Peak in Fiordland National Park today.

About 4.30pm on Wednesday, a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) was activated in the Sabre Peak area. 

A Southern Lakes Helicopter was dispatched, however, due to heavy rain and low cloud, a rescue was unable to be carried out. The Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) passed information to Police so they could launch a search and rescue operation.

Police have now arrested eight people in relation to a fight at the Common Room bar on 8 March.

Detective Sergeant Heath Jones says more than 30 charges have been laid amongst those arrested.

“We are pleased to have held some of those responsible to account. Our team of three investigations staff have worked incredibly hard to bring about this result.

“This was a violent incident that was understandably traumatising for the victims and those who witnessed it.

“Our enquiries are ongoing, and we are likely to lay further charges.”

A speeding motorist has led Auckland Police to discovering a loaded firearm and nitrous oxide.

On Thursday evening, a road policing unit was carrying out usual patrols in Epsom when a speeding saloon caught an officer’s attention.

Senior Sergeant Dave Plunkett, from Auckland City Road Policing, says a traffic stop was carried out on Green Lane West around 5.30pm.

“As an officer was approaching the vehicle, he has observed the two occupants allegedly trying to hide balloons,” he says.

One person has died following a crash in Lower Moutere this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash involving a car and a cyclist at the intersection of Edwards Road and Central Road was reported just after 12:40pm.

The cyclist died at the scene.

Road closures remain in place while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Attribute to Hutt Valley Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Haley Ryan:

Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man was located unresponsive in Lower Hutt yesterday.

At 8.15am, Police were called to Malone Road, Waterloo, after a man was reported to be lying on the ground outside an address.

Upon emergency services’ arrival, the man was confirmed to be deceased.

Enquiries are ongoing to establish what exactly has occurred, however Police are now treating the death as a homicide.

Police are in attendance at a sudden death on Malone Road.

At 8.15am, a report was received of a man being located on the ground outside an address.

Emergency services at the scene have confirmed the man has died.

The immediate area has been cordoned off as inquiries are undertaken.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

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A Police dog unit was hot on the scent of four young males this morning in Miramar, which saw them taken into custody within an hour.

Police were called shortly after 2:10am to reports of multiple alarm activations minutes earlier at a store on Tauhinu Road.

Officers were on scene within five minutes, and upon arrival saw the front door smashed in and a vehicle dumped at the scene.

Another vehicle of interest was subsequently identified on traffic cameras.

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Rebecca Podmore: 

The post-mortem examination for the person who died in Papanui, Christchurch, yesterday has been completed.

Police can confirm that the death was not of a suspicious nature and has been referred to the Coroner.

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Police are investigating two assaults believed to have occurred in Sydenham and are seeking information from the public as part of ongoing enquiries.

On Wednesday 18 March at around 10:15pm, Police were notified of a stabbing at Bradford Park.

The victim was transported to hospital for treatment and was released shortly after.

Enquiries to date indicate a second assault occurred earlier that evening on Colombo Street, just south of Fisher Avenue, at around 9:30pm.

Police believe the two incidents are linked.

Dunedin Southern Motorway, Burnside, has reopened following an incident this morning and Police are now asking the public for information.

At around 10.40am, Police responded to reports that a digger had partially come off the back of a truck and was blocking multiple lanes.

Dunedin Southern Motorway was closed in both directions, between the Main South Road on-ramp and Caversham Valley Road, while the digger was uplifted, and it re-opened around 1.40pm.

Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny says we are continuing to monitor fuel thefts, and we have started to see an increase in diesel thefts.

Police can now release the name of the woman who died following an e-scooter crash in Twizel on 28 February.

She was Amber Rose Young, 42, from Geraldine.

Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time.

The death was referred to the Coroner.

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Police delivered an early Easter surprise to a Christchurch gang member, who was arrested and charged in relation to drug supply last week.

Police in Christchurch remain committed in their efforts to locate missing woman Rowena Walker, nearly eight months after her last confirmed sighting.

Attributable to Inspector Kai Shao:

Police are making enquiries following a crash involving an unmarked Police vehicle in Newton Road, Eden Terrace last night.

The two-vehicle crash was reported just before 8:50pm.

Two people sustained minor injuries in the crash, the driver of the second vehicle involved, and a Police officer.

Two other Police officers in the unmarked vehicle were uninjured, however both vehicles have sustained extensive damage.

Newton Road was closed for a period of time following the crash, re-opening at around midnight.

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott McKenzie:

A man has been arrested this morning in relation to an incident in West Huntly on Thursday 2 April.

At around 7pm, a group of men approached an address armed with firearms. A verbal altercation with the occupants of the address followed.

A firearm was then discharged from within the address towards the group that had approached the property, before that group returned fire into the house.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

One person has died following a crash on State Highway 1, Waipu this morning.

The single vehicle crash involving a motorcycle, near the intersection with Waipu Gorge Road was reported just before 9:40am.

The rider died at the scene.

State Highway 1 remains open.

The Serious Crash Unit have conducted a scene examination and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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Four people have been arrested, two vehicles seized and dozens of infringements issued after an anti-social road user event in Manawatū.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Matenga Gray says two patrol cars were damaged after the group launched projectiles, but the 200 vehicles involved in the event “spent their night dealing with Police rather than tearing up local roads and causing distress to communities”.

Ahead of the planned event, Police launched Operation Golf in order to disrupt dangerous and anti-social driving activity before it could escalate.

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash in Kaitaia overnight.

Emergency services were alerted to a vehicle hitting a tree, near the intersection of North Road and Farrimond Place, about 10.30pm.

Sadly, the driver, the sole occupant, died at the scene.

Police are providing their family with support.

Enquiries into the cause of the crash are ongoing.

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One person has died following a crash in Tasman yesterday.

The two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Coastal Highway (SH60) and Easton Loop was reported at around 2:45pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person sustained moderate injuries.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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Attributable to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard, Wellington District Crime Manager:

A young person has been arrested in relation to the death of a man in Wainuiomata yesterday.

Police were called to Wainuiomata Road about 9am after a report of the man having been found unresponsive.

He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.

While his death was initially being treated as unexplained, Police are now investigating the matter as a homicide.

The young person has been charged with assault with a weapon, and enquiries are ongoing.

Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey, Officer in Charge Counties Manukau East CIB: 

Police have arrested and charged two people following a kidnapping and aggravated robbery in Botany earlier this week.

On Tuesday 31 March, a woman was allegedly kidnapped in her own vehicle from outside a shopping centre on Chapel Road, Botany.

Following Police enquiries, Officers have arrested and charged two women in relation to the incident.

Police responding to reports of a possible firearm sighted on East Street in Petone have taken three people into custody.

Emergency services were called around 7.20am to the Lower Hutt suburb, and armed police were quickly deployed as a matter of precaution.

Roads from East Street to Waione Street were closed in the area to ensure safety during the incident but are open now with cordons and diversions removed.

Police will continue to investigate the matter.

Appropriate charges are being considered.

Attribute to Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler, Field Crime Manager:

Police are investigating the deaths of two people in Hamilton East this evening.

Police were notified around 4pm after two people were found deceased at an address on York Street.

Enquiries into what exactly has occurred at the address are ongoing, however at this stage the deaths are being treated as unexplained.

Cordons remain in place at York Street while Police carry out a scene examination and a scene guard will remain in place overnight.

Police are urging sports and community clubs across Hawke’s Bay to be vigilant following a number of burglaries targeting club premises.

Since February, Police have investigated nine burglaries at clubs across the region, with offenders causing damage and stealing items including cash, alcohol, and equipment.

While enquiries into these incidents are ongoing, Police are reminding clubs and community organisations to take proactive steps to reduce the risk of becoming a target.

Here are some ways to keep your premises safe:

An offender who fled Northland Police in a stolen vehicle was located drenched, defiant and in possession of methamphetamine yesterday.

At around 1pm, an officer in Kaeo sighted a vehicle reported stolen following a burglary.

Mid/Far North Area Prevention Manager, Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong, says the driver saw Police and took off.

“The driver fled but was not pursued.”

A short time later, the vehicle was sighted on Waiare Road, Kaeo. The vehicle was then abandoned, and a man was seen running into the bush.

Police want to thank Southland locals and visitors for excellent behaviour on the roads and at events over the Waitangi weekend.

“We’re pleased to say there have been no real issues throughout the Burt Munro event, which is outstanding,” says Southland Area Commander, Inspector Mike Bowman.

“We want to thank our community and people that travelled to Southland for playing their part in keeping our roads safe.”

As the weekend comes to an end, Police are reminding people to take their time and drive to the conditions.

One person has died after a single-motorcycle crash on Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat, early this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene about 1.30am.

Sadly, the sole rider died at the scene.

The scene has been examined by the Serious Crash Unit and the road has now reopened.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

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One person has died following a water related incident in Thames.

Emergency services were called to Tararu Road just before midday.

The person was pulled from the water unresponsive, and despite emergency medical treatment they died at the scene.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

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Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley of Hawke’s Bay Crime Squad:

An investigation has been launched into the water-related death of a five-year-old boy who went missing in Napier’s Westshore area sometime between the hours of 6.00 and 8.30pm on Thursday night 5 February.

The boy was located deceased in the water at 1.30am, this morning [6 February] by emergency services.

In a desperate bid for freedom, a Porirua man fled from Police in a boat today, only to be pursued across the water by Wellington Maritime Unit’s vessel Lady Elizabeth IV.

Officers had gone to the Mana Twin Bridges public boat ramp about 8.30am and told the 27-year-old Porirua man he was under arrest for breaching bail conditions. Rather than face the consequences of his actions on a public holiday, the man jumped into his boat and fled towards the horizon.

The quick action of Police has resulted in the arrest of one person following an investigation into a suspicious fire at a commercial premises on Oruanui Street in Taupō.

The fire was reported to emergency services around 10.30pm on Tuesday 3 February.

One property sustained substantial damage, and spread to the adjoining building, which sustained minor fire damage.

Thankfully, the premises were unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.

A fire investigator inspected the scene on Wednesday morning, indicating the fire was lit deliberately.

Police have thwarted a small crime wave across a west Auckland suburb, with a man facing a raft of burglary charges.

Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit has been investigating the spree of offending in recent weeks in Glen Eden.

Police have laid four burglary charges, with a further 10 burglaries still under investigation.

Detective Sergeant Mike Mead says Police first became aware of an increase in reports of property crime in Glen Eden in late January.

“Our team started looking into instances of burglary and shoplifting around the area,” he says.

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash in Springston on 4 February.

He was 10-year-old Alexander Bennett, of Springston.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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A brazen offender allegedly ripping off elderly people across Hamilton and Auckland communities will face court.

Police executed a search warrant at a Rānui property today, investigating fraud and burglary offending between December 2025 and January 2026.

A 37-year-old woman has been arrested and now faces court, as enquiries continue.

Detective Sergeant Mike Mead, from the Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says thousands of dollars had allegedly been stolen from the victim’s accounts.

Friends and family members from all over New Zealand celebrated with their loved ones at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua today, when Wing 392 graduated from their initial course.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Pannett addressed the wing alongside members of the police executive and wing patron, Raelene Castle, Ngāpuhi ONZM.

“Once you’re in your district and in your community, you will be focusing on being visible, reassuring and responsive. Through this you will deliver on our mission – to prevent crime and harm.

Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh:  

Police investigating a homicide in Crichton, Clutha, have arrested one person following the death of a woman on Friday 23 January.

Emergency services were called to Adams Flats Road around 6.10pm where a woman found deceased, and a second person was critically injured.

A man has now been charged with murder following a bedside hearing today.

One person has sadly died following a serious crash on Leeston Road, Springston, this afternoon.

Police were notified of the crash, which involved a car and a pedestrian, around 3.30pm today [Wednesday 4 February].

Police can confirm that the pedestrian was a child, who, despite best efforts of emergency services, sadly died at the scene.

Leeston Road remains closed between Goulds Road and Bethels Road, while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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Three alleged offenders had getaway plans foiled after an aggravated robbery in Manurewa this morning.

The Counties Manukau Major Crime Team have charged three teenagers after the incident which first occurred at around 7.15am.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Paea says three offenders entered the superette on Mahia Road.

“One of these offenders was allegedly carrying a hammer and threatened a worker at the store,” he says.

“After stealing the till and other products, the offenders fled in a stolen vehicle and dumped it in a nearby street.”

Two men linked to the Comanchero Motorcycle Club will face serious drugs and firearms charges, after searches at south-east Auckland properties.

Investigators from the Motorcycle Gang Unit, part of the wider National Gang Unit, executed three search warrants across Flat Bush this morning.

Detective Inspector Wayne Gray, from the National Gang Unit, says two men were arrested at separate addresses.

“Today’s enforcement activity targeted a patched member and an associate of the Comancheros,” he says.

One person has died following a crash involving a car and a pedestrian on Mapuia Road on Friday 30 January. 

Police were notified of the crash around 4.40pm, on a private driveway.

Sadly, the victim passed away yesterday from their injuries.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.

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Police can advise the 45-year-old woman previously reported as missing from the Manurewa area has been located safe and well.

We would like to thank those people who provided information.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Police are appealing for information following a firearms incident in Napier today.

At around 3am this morning [Wednesday 4 February], Police responded to an incident where it was reported that a firearm had been discharged on Thackeray Street, Napier.

Police attended and found one person nearby, with injuries consistent with a gunshot wound. They were transported to hospital in moderate condition.

The alleged offender fled the scene in a vehicle but was located later at a Barker Street address.

Please attribute to Inspector Will Loughrin, acting Waikato District Commander:

A man is in Waikato Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot at by Police in Hamilton this morning.

Police responded to reports of a vehicle driving erratically on Cambridge Road, Te Awamutu just before 9am.

Initial information suggested the driver was wanted by Police in relation to prior serious incidents.

Police monitored the vehicle’s movements, and deployed units to Ulster Street, where the vehicle was located trying to leave a carpark.

Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Will Loughrin will be available to speak to media about a critical incident in Whitiora, Hamilton this morning.

The stand-up will be held at 2pm.

Media area asked to RSVP to [email protected] for the specific location.

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Jackie Wheeler’s family have provided the following photo for media to use.

The family will not be providing further comment and ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.

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Please attribute to Superintendent Naila Hassan, Waitematā District Commander:

Two protest groups gathered in central Auckland have now dispersed.

From the outset, Police have been clear that there would be no unlawful access on to the motorway network or Auckland Harbour Bridge.

In Victoria Park, at its peak Police estimate 1,200 people gathered and marched to our Fanshawe Street cordon, before dispersing.

No arrests have been made today.

The following is a statement on behalf of the family of Susan Knowles.

Sue was a mother, sister, aunty, grandmother, and loving wife. Her grandkids called her Granna, she was a friend to many and loved by all.

In many ways she was larger than life and will be dearly missed.

Sue had a positive impact on so many people’s lives, through her work and her hobbies outside of work.

We like to refer to her as an active relaxer, somebody who was always on the go and looking for her next adventure.

The following is a statement on behalf of Natallia and Carmine, Sharon’s mum and dad:

Our hearts are broken following the passing of our beautiful daughter Sharon Maccanico.

Sharon was born in Italy. At age 3, she moved to Australia and at age 8, moved to New Zealand.

This was where her passion for dance began. Sharon wanted to be a professional dancer, and she would often practice for hours every day.

She participated in seven solo competitions at regional and national level and won all seven. Last year she also won an international competition in Belarus.

The recovery effort at Mount Maunganui following last week’s landslide remains ongoing today, as the operation moves into week two.

Superintendent Tim Anderson, Bay of Plenty District Commander says this has been a challenging operation for everybody involved.

“As this operation reaches week two, it gives a great indication of the sheer scale of what we are working with here.”

Police continue to call on staff from out of district

The following is a statement on behalf of Lisa’s husband, Travis:

We are absolutely devastated following the loss of our beloved Lisa.

Lisa was a cherished daughter, mother, aunty, sister, grandmother (Nan Nan) and wife, and we all loved her dearly.

Lisa was very spontaneous and adventurous. She was always looking for new things to do and would never shy away from a challenge.

Aucklanders are advised of possible delays on part of the motorway network and roads near the central city, on Saturday, due to protest activity.

A large-scale Police operation will be running to prevent any unpermitted pedestrian access to the Auckland Harbour Bridge or motorway network.

The Freedom and Rights Coalition’s permit to march on the bridge was declined in December by New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

Police have clearly advised the group that it will not facilitate access for the group.

Attributable to Detective Kelsey Smith:

Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to patched Mongrel Mob member Lou Daniel Harmer today in Napier District Court.

Mr Harmer was sentenced to 12 years and 6 months imprisonment for significant sexual offending, after being found guilty on 14 counts of charges relating to sexual offending against multiple young girls.

We are pleased to see justice done for his victims who had the bravery to come forward and tell their stories.

Standing up to an abuser to relate their account requires a huge amount of courage.

A statement on behalf of Nils and Anders, dad and uncle of Måns Loke Bernhardsson:

Måns was a super kind and loveable member of our family.

Back home in Sweden, he had many friends and was loved by all those friends and family very deeply.

He was a fantastic artist and was extremely talented. Måns was artistic, which was one of the many things we loved about him.

He was incredibly athletic and loved downhill skiing and gymnastics.

Måns was on holiday in New Zealand on what was a ‘hastily’ booked trip with two of his friends.

Attributable to Investigations Manager Tauranga, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam:

A man has been charged with murder after the death of a woman in Pukehina on New Year’s Day.

Police were called to the Old Coach Road property about 3pm on 1 January, where a woman was found deceased.

A 50-year-old man was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship, however he now faces a charge of murder. He is due to appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.

A youth has been arrested and charged following a serious assault on a bus driver in Massey last night.

At about 7pm, Police responded to reports of a person had been injured on a bus on Colwill Road.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says upon arrival the alleged offender had fled on foot.

“The bus driver was transported to hospital in a moderate condition.

“This was an understandably frightening ordeal for the victim and we are continuing to support them.”

The recovery operation at Mount Maunganui has resumed, several hours after being suspended this morning.

Detective Inspector Lew Warner says work restarted officially at 2pm, after the team received confirmation from experts that the area was safe to enter and resume operations.

“Following consultation with a number of experts on the ground, the recovery teams have been given the green light to continue with the recovery.

One person has died following a crash this afternoon on State Highway 7/Mouse Point Road, Tekoa Range, Hurunui.

Police were notified of the crash, involving a motorcycle and a car, around 12pm.

Sadly, despite emergency services best efforts, the motorcyclist died at the scene.

The road remains closed, between Hanmer Springs and Culverden, while the Serious Crash Unit carry out a scene examination.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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Whangārei CIB is seeking a motorist who gave a lift to the victim of an assault in Onerahi early this morning.

That motorist is not being sought over the offending, but their information could help progress enquiries.

“Sometime between 4am and 4.45am, the assault victim has been picked up in the Onerahi area by a member of the public,” Detective Sergeant Pieter Serfontein says.

“Our enquiries are still in the very early stages, but we know that the motorist drove the victim to a property in Raumanga before carrying on.

The recovery effort to reunite loved ones with their families following last week’s landslide at Mount Maunganui is continuing, supported by Police from across the country.

Dog handlers, family liaison officers, specialist search teams and other staff have been arriving in the Bay of Plenty District to provide support to the dozens of staff who have been on the ground since Thursday’s slip.

Inspector Will Loughrin, Acting Bay of Plenty District Commander, says recovery teams are making good progress but they still have days of work ahead of them.

Attribute to Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:

Two people have died in a helicopter crash north of Wellington this morning.

Police were notified to the crash in the Paekākāriki Hill area at about 7.30am.

Tragically, both the pilot and the sole passenger were located deceased following the crash.

Our thoughts are with their families at this time.

Work is ongoing to recover the deceased and to examine the crash scene, which will be done in conjunction with investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority.

Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to the shooting at Marriner Reserve, Palmerston North, earlier this month.

On Monday 12 January, emergency services responded to a report of gunshots heard on Marriner Street, where they located a victim with serious gunshot related injuries.

Police conducted extensive enquiries to identify a person of interest in relation to the matter, including appealing to the public for CCTV of the area.

Please attribute to Sergeant Lee-Ann Grant

Police are investigating a robbery in Napier overnight where cash from the tills were taken.

Four males have entered the Z Service Station on Tennyson and Station Streets at about 1.15am today.

The males have threatened staff and taken cash tills and fled in a vehicle.

Police are seeking the public’s help to locate the vehicle, a blue Mazda Familia Station wagon.

No one was harmed during the incident; however those involved will be referred to Victim Support services.

Police can now confirm the names of the two people who died during a landslide on Welcome Bay Rd, Papamoa on Thursday.

Ten-year-old Austen Keith Richardson and his grandmother, 71-year-old Yao Fang (pronounced Fung), died after the house they were in was extensively damaged by a landslide.

Police continue to support the family through this extremely difficult time.

Their deaths have been referred to the Coroner.

The following is a statement released on behalf of Keith and Angel:

To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons:

Police have charged a 19-year-old man with murder after a woman was found deceased at a Burnham property early this morning.

The man has also been charged with two counts of assault in a family relationship.

He is scheduled to appear in Christchurch District Court this afternoon.

Emergency services responded to a report of disorder at the Burnham School Road property at around 3.05am today.

On arrival, a woman was located deceased.

I am pleased to announce the provisional appointments of Jill Rogers as Deputy Commissioner for New Zealand Police and Cassandra Anderson as Chief of Staff.

Specialist technology is being used to ensure the safety of teams working on the recovery operation at Mount Maunganui.

The search area was evacuated at 11.50am yesterday, after a contractor driver noticed potential instability on the face of the slip. Following advice from two independent geotechnical experts, it was deemed too hazardous for teams to continue working.

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says the recovery effort resumed at 10.30am today.

Please attribute to Inspector Peter Cooper, Area Commander Canterbury Rural:

Police maintained a highly visible presence across North Canterbury throughout the Muscle Car Madness weekend, with officers focused on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the wider Rangiora community.

Over the course of the event, Police and Court bailiffs seized and/or impounded 11 vehicles, and completed enforcement action including four excess breath alcohol (EBA) detections and one related arrest.

One person died following a serious crash on Saturday 24 January on State Highway 1, Oakleigh, Whangārei.

Police and other emergency services responded to the crash around 2.20pm.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Three other people were transported to hospital, two in serious condition and one in moderate condition.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

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Issued by Police Media Centre. 

The recovery effort resumed at 10.30am after specialist monitoring equipment was brought in overnight.

Police receiving reports of counterfeit $50 and $100 banknotes are urging the public to be vigilant when handling cash.

Attributable to Marlborough Area Commander, Inspector Simon Feltham:

Police have arrested a person in relation to a kidnapping incident in Blenheim early yesterday morning.

On Saturday 24 January around 3am, Police were called to the incident on Lakings Road.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping. He is due to appear in Blenheim District Court tomorrow [Monday 26 January].

As the matter is now before the courts, Police are unable to comment further.

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Police have made the difficult decision to postpone recovery efforts at Mount Maunganui for today.

The search area was evacuated about 11.50am, after a contractor driver noticed potential instability on the face of the slip, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says.

“The safety of the people working on the recovery is at the front of our mind, and the risk today is too significant to allow us to carry on.

“Families have been told of the decision and our commitment to resume work as soon as possible.”

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson will speak to media regarding today’s recovery efforts

This will be held in Mount Maunganui at 4pm. Media are advised to RSVP to [email protected] for further details.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Attribute to Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson

Recovery work at Mount Maunganui has been halted as a precaution this morning. At 11.50am, recovery efforts were paused after concerns from the grounds about a potential slip.

Geotechnical experts are assessing the area and teams will resume work as soon as they are cleared to do so.

Delays like this are frustrating but the safety of everyone supporting the recovery effort is paramount.

We will resume our search as soon as possible.

My love for Max is impossible to explain, no words are big enough to describe this love or loss. What I can say is from the moment I first looked at his beautiful blue eyes almost 16 years ago he had my whole heart, he was my sunshine. Max was an incredible, kind, and beautiful human being. He was a wonderful son, a devoted big brother, grandson, nephew, friend, teammate, and boyfriend. He was such a good kid, and he is so deeply loved.

The search for victims of Thursday’s landslide at Mount Maunganui is now moving into a recovery phase.

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said the operation was formally handed over to Police by Fire and Emergency New Zealand at 11:20am today.

“Every single person involved in this operation has been focused solely on saving the lives of the people under the slip. Search teams have been working through the slip layer by layer, but tragically it is now apparent that we will not be able to bring them home alive.

A media stand-up regarding weather-related incidents in Western Bay of Plenty will be held in Mount Maunganui at 12:30pm.

This will be held outside the surf club, at the corner of Marine Parade and Adams Avenue.

Police, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Civil Defence will be present.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Hayden Smale:

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a woman in Crichton, Clutha last night.

Emergency services were called to Adams Flat Road at around 6:10pm.

A man remains in a critical condition in hospital following the incident.

A scene guard is in place at the address while Police staff conduct a scene examination.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident remain ongoing.

There is not believed to be any risk to public safety following this incident.

Please attribute to Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander:

An operation is underway to locate a man who is unaccounted for following a water-related incident in Opotiki.

Police were called to the Waioeka River at around 5.30pm yesterday after a report that a man had fallen off his boat and was swept downstream.

Emergency services carried out an initial search of the area and located the vessel nearby.

A rescue helicopter and private helicopters were also engaged in the search, as well as local jet boat operators.