Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston:

Two youths have been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery in Hamilton.

On Sunday 14 December around 5.30pm, Police were called with a report of an aggravated robbery at a business address on Crawford Street.

It is reported that a group of six people, believed to be teenagers, entered the premises with at least one person allegedly armed with a knife.

It appears that the group made demands to the workers however were confronted by another staff member.

Attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett:

Police investigating a double homicide in Rutatiti are continuing to make enquiries to locate Mitchell Cole, 29.

Cole is believed to be in the Ruatiti area and should not be approached if seen.

Police have concerns for Cole, and we also want to speak to him in relation to our ongoing enquiries.

If you see him, please call 111 immediately.

Additional Police staff remain in the Ruatiti area to assist the investigation.

Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.

On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.

The trailer – registration U110C – was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.

Drivers in Wellington experienced roadside drug driving tests for the first time this afternoon, signalling the start of the rollout with Police now able to detect and deter drug drivers on our roads.

For Police to now be in a position to screen drivers for the recent use of drugs is a milestone moment in our continuous efforts to keep everyone safe on the roads and reduce harm, says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.

“The introduction of roadside drug testing is a significant change that aims to address a serious issue occurring on New Zealand roads.

Attributable to Acting Waikato District Commander Will Loughrin:

Police have launched a critical incident investigation following a fatal crash in Waipā last night.

Shortly before the crash at around 8.40pm, Police saw a black BMW travelling in excess of the speed limit on Arapuni Road.

Police have turned around activating red and blue lights intending to stop the speeding vehicle.

It appears the offending vehicle has collided with a second vehicle.

Attribute to Rotorua Area Investigations Manager, Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen:

Police can now name the man who was found deceased in Rotorua on Friday.

He was Nicholas Patrick Mitchell, aged 37, from Rotorua. Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

He was found deceased in a vehicle on Ford Road shortly before 8:30pm on Friday.

The homicide investigation into his death is ongoing, and Police are conducting a large area canvass as part of ongoing enquiries in Fordlands today.

Police is releasing the name of a swimmer who died at Lake Wainamu last week.

Shubham Kumar, 23, had gone swimming with friends on the evening of 8 December 2025.

The Police National Dive Squad recovered Shubham’s body on 9 December.

Police extend our condolences to his friends and family for their loss.

Shubham’s death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Police Search and Rescue have recovered the bodies of two people from the Fiordland National Park.

Police were notified at around 7:40pm on Saturday 13 December that the pair were missing, when another climbing party activated a beacon after the pair failed to return from their intended route.

One of the pair was located deceased but access was difficult due to the deteriorating weather on Saturday evening.

On Sunday, Police and Wakatipu Aline Cliff Rescue specialists returned to the scene and located the second person, also deceased.

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash in Mataura late last night.

Police were called to the crash on Oakland Street about 10.05pm.

Sadly, the sole occupant died at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lew Warner:

A homicide investigation is under way after the death of a man in Tauranga today.

Emergency services were called to a Fraser Street address about 11.40am where they found a man deceased.

A person is currently assisting Police with enquiries and a scene examination will take place at the property today.

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter, however we would like to hear from anyone who might have information about this incident or those involved.