Police are laying nearly 200 criminal charges against gang associates, who are allegedly facilitators in a criminal syndicate smuggling illicit drugs aboard international flights.

Media are invited to a joint media stand-up with Police and Customs for an update on Operation Matata.

The joint investigation has been targeting the importation of drugs through unattended baggage on international flights.

The stand-up will be held today at midday at Auckland City Police Hub, 13-15 College Hill.

Media who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to [email protected]

Please note the stand-up will be held inside the station and media will be escorted inside.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Brian McKinney, Gore CIB:

A man has been charged in relation to a suspicious house fire in Waikaia last year.

Just after midnight on 21 February 2024, emergency services were called to the fire on Elswick Street.

Today, Police have charged a 35-year-old Dunedin man with arson.

He is due to appear in the Gore District Court on 17 December.

We’d like to thank the members of the public who provided information to Police throughout this investigation, to ensure the person responsible can be held accountable.

On Thursday 27 November the Murihiku community came together at Invercargill’s ILT Stadium to celebrate Hāpori Manawaroa ki Murihiku, the Southern Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) work programme, and its efforts over the past year.

One person has died after a serious crash near Waipapa Bay, Kaikoura this morning.

Police were called to crash involving a motorcycle at around 10am.

One person was located with injuries, however despite best efforts by emergency services they died at the scene.

The road remains blocked while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists are advised to follow the diversions in place and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A surfer caught more than waves at Piha Beach on Tuesday after getting dragged out to sea.

Police acknowledge and accept the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) into the deployment of tasers by three officers in Wellington in January 2025.

On 9 January, Police were responding to an urgent family harm incident on Cockayne Road, Wellington, where a man with a weapon was chasing a woman holding a baby in the street.

Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Nick Thom says officers involved assessed the situation and responded accordingly, to ensure the safety of the public.

Three people have been arrested and charged following an investigation into the unlawful sale of cannabis in the Canterbury area.

Today, Police executed a search warrant in the Middleton, Christchurch area after an investigation found that a group of individuals, operating under the guise of a medicinal cannabis licence cultivated cannabis legally, however were allegedly engaged in the illegal distribution of cannabis.

It is alleged the individuals have acted as part of an organised criminal group over the period of around five years.

Please attribute to Inspector Simon Walker, Waitematā West Area Commander:

Police enquiries are underway after a man was located with serious injuries in Henderson this afternoon.

Police were called to Edsel Street at 2.40pm.

The victim has been taken to Auckland City Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.

Police are currently in the Henderson area making enquiries to locate the offender involved.

I’d like to reassure the Henderson community that it’s believed the offender and victim are both known to each other.

Police can now confirm one person has sadly died following a two-truck collision on State Highway 2, near Maramarua earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the scene around 11.42am.

One other person was treated for minor injuries. 

State Highway 2 remains closed between Monument Road and Heaven Road with diversions in place.

The Serious Crash Unit are examining the scene and enquiries into the circumstances are underway.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre