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.

As the summer season approaches and more people spend time outdoors, Hawke’s Bay Police are reminding residents to take extra precautions to keep their homes secure.

Recent reports show that opportunistic thieves have been taking advantage of unlocked doors and windows, even when people are at home.

Thieves are always looking for opportunities,” says Detective Gabrielle Parsons.

There has also been an increase in the number of diesel thefts in rural Hastings.

Attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett:

A homicide investigation has been launched following the deaths of two people in Ruatiti.

The victims were located by Police at a rural property this afternoon.

A scene examination will begin tomorrow (Sunday 14 December) and is expected to take several days. Post-mortem and formal identification procedures will be carried out in the coming days.

There will be a heightened Police presence in the area as the investigation progresses.

Five people have been arrested following an aggravated burglary in Albany on Friday.

About 11.20am, five people entered a commercial premises on The Avenue and were taking items when an altercation broke out. The owner of the store was assaulted, received minor injuries.

The offenders fled the premises in a vehicle, but they were located by quick-thinking Police near the intersection of Queen Street and Coatesville-Riverhead Highway.

By 12pm, all five were arrested.

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash on State Highway 1, Kaitaia last night.

The single vehicle crash, involving a motorcycle, was reported near Victoria Valley Road just before 8:50pm.

The rider was transported to hospital in a critical condition, however died a short time later.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Wayne Namana lived the high life profiting from the drugs he pushed into the community, but a judge has brought his party to a close.

Yesterday (12 December), Justice Dale La Hood granted a profit forfeiture order against Namana totalling $653,000 – the amount Police calculated as the unlawful benefit he received from his offending. The order was made under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act and is the result of a long-running investigation by Police’s Asset Recovery Unit.