A boatie was lucky to survive after being caught out on a fishing expedition on Lake Taupō – prompting a warning from Police and local iwi.

Police were alerted around 6:45pm yesterday, within minutes of Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) receiving initial reports of a boat fire on Lake Taupō, seen by residents of Kinloch. 

FENZ from Kinloch arrived to find fully-engulfed wreckage, and then discovered that the sole occupant of the boat was missing.

An investigation into a stolen Bentley has led North Shore Police to recover almost half a dozen stolen vehicles and a shotgun.

Waitematā East’s Tactical Crime Unit began investigating a burglary on the North Shore in the early hours of 1 December.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Williams says a luxury Bentley Bentayga SUV was stolen during a burglary.

“In the early hours, an unknown person entered a house taking the keys to the Bentley and driving away in the SUV,” he says.

Police have arrested one person while investigating a complaint from the member of the public that sighted a vehicle repeatedly crossing the centre line heading from Gore to Te Anau.

Around 7.30am on Sunday 21 December, Police signalled the vehicle in question to pull over on Main Street in Gore.

A strong smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech greeted officers when they walked up to the driver.

Emergency services are responding to a report of a person missing in the water near Waikawau boat ramp.

Police were called about 9.45am after someone was reported to be in difficulty in the water off the Thames Coast Road.

One person had made it safely to shore and raised the alarm that a second party was still in the water.

Police, including Police Eagle, Coastguard Howick and Auckland Coastguard Air Patrol, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand have responded.

The second person has not been located at this stage and the search is ongoing.

ENDS

Counties Manukau Police have arrested one person in a bizarre incident when carrying out patrols in an unmarked vehicle last night.

Inspector Kerry Watson said officers on duty noticed a station wagon following them equipped with a flashing bar of red and blue lights – a typical Police signal for the vehicle in front of them to pull over to the side of the road.

“Our officers were perplexed and quickly clocked the car was not Police-official.

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Graeme Muir, Wellington Criminal Investigation Branch:

Police have arrested one person while investigating a recent stabbing at an Allen Street bar in Wellington.

A 34-year-old woman has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear at the Wellington District Court on Monday 22 December.

What we know is around 1:30am on Saturday 13 December, Police were called to the Ace of Spades bar following reports a man had been stabbed.

Police in Tairāwhiti are urging motorists to keep vehicle security top of mind, especially over the busy summer season.

“We’ve seen a rise in recent weeks in the number of thefts from vehicles, as well as reports of vehicles being stolen or interfered with,” says Acting Inspector Bryan Smith, Tairawhiti Area Prevention Manager.

“We want to remind people that some basic steps can help secure your vehicle and prevent it from being targeted by opportunistic criminals..

“Always lock your vehicle when you leave, it, and remove any valuables – especially anything visible.

Police are responding to a sudden death near Waiotapu Loop Road, Waiotapu.

Emergency services were alerted to an incident about 6.15am where one person had been pulled from the water unresponsive.

Enquiries are now underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the death, which is being treated as unexplained.

A scene examination will take place this morning. One person is currently assisting with enquiries.

Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Selwyn Police have prevented Christmas chaos, after a courier van, full of packages destined for underneath Christmas trees, was reported stolen on Friday 19 December.

Following this report, Police received numerous calls from the public about three suspicious men carrying courier packages in Birdlings Flat.

Acting Sergeant Daniel Ingram says Police responded immediately, and saw a vehicle leaving the area, which later attempted to hide from Police on a rural roadside.

Attributable to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Field Crime Manager, Central District CIB:

Police are continuing to make enquiries to locate 29-year-old Mitchell Cole, who we want to speak with in relation to a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday 13 December.

As part of our enquiries, Police want to identify a man who was seen near the intersection of Pukekaha and Rautiti roads at around 6pm on Saturday 13 December.