A controlled training exercise will be conducted off Port Taranaki to the Bell Block area on Sunday 14 December.

The multi-agency exercise is designed to test and improve the coordination and response capabilities of all agencies involved in maritime emergencies.

Taranaki Search and Rescue Coordinator and Public Team Supervisor Wade Callander says the exercise will involve rescue vessels and that people might notice smoke markers, objects in the water and life rafts as part of the scenario.

Attributable to Detective Inspector Lew Warner:

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotorua overnight.

Just before 8:30pm, Police were called to Ford Road after reports that a vehicle had collided with a tree.

Upon arrival, the sole occupant of the vehicle was located with critical injuries. He died a short time later.

Initial enquiries suggest the injuries sustained are not consistent with a crash, and we’d like to hear from anybody who has information that could assist Police.

Auckland City Police are disappointed three liquor stores failed basic requirements, selling alcohol to minors during a recent operation.

A joint Controlled Purchase Operation was carried out at over 30 suburban licensed premises across Auckland City suburb, testing compliance with laws against selling to minors under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012.

The Auckland City Alcohol Harm Prevention Unit and Auckland Council licensing inspectors carried out the operation over the last three weeks.

A confidential tip-offs from the Whangamatā community has helped Police disrupt the supply of methamphetamine into town.

Police are praising the public for taking a stand against the damaging drug, and a 34-year-old man is now facing charges of possessing methamphetamine for supply and obstructing Police.

“Our confidential informants are the real heroes here,” says Sergeant Will Hamilton.

Please attribute the following to Hawke’s Bay Area Commander Inspector Lincoln Sycamore:

Police will have a visible presence in and around Napier on Saturday 13 December, due to the unveiling of a headstone.

Inspector Lincoln Sycamore says that Police will be applying a firm line to breaches of the Gangs Act.

“We also won’t tolerate poor driving behaviour, disorder or any breaches of the peace.

Two people are facing serious charges following an incident in Wesley last night.

The victim had arranged via Facebook marketplace to purchase a vehicle and meet the seller outside an address on Holdsworth Avenue.

Upon arrival, the victim was allegedly assaulted by two people who also demanded he hand over money.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk, of Auckland City Crime Squad, says the victim was then made to get into the alleged offender’s vehicle and withdraw more money from an ATM in Stoddard Road.

A covert operation targeting the supply of methamphetamine in Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings has led to the arrest of two gang members and one associate.

A six-month covert operation, codenamed Operation Tukutuki, was in response to high levels of methamphetamine being detected in wastewater testing, Detective Inspector James Keene says.

On Wednesday 10 December 2025, Police executed five search warrants across Central Hawke’s Bay and Hastings. Police located an amount of methamphetamine, cash, a 3D printed firearm and stolen property, resulting in three arrests.

Attribute to Sergeant Michael Palmer, Waikato Tactical Crime Unit:

Waikato Police have arrested three people in relation to an ongoing investigation of commercial burglaries targeting large quantities of copper metal.

In August 2025, the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit (TCU) became aware of a commercial property in Frankton that had been the subject of multiple break-ins where reels of copper had been stolen on several nights over the course of a week.

An investigation has been launched after a worker was assaulted during an aggravated robbery in Otangarei last night.

Police were called to a store on William Jones Drive at about 7.25pm after a report of a group of males entering the store armed with weapons (not firearms) and making demands.

One person was assaulted and received minor injuries.

At this stage it appears cash and cigarettes were taken before the offenders fled on foot, heading in the direction of Taraire Crescent.

Officers are appealing to the community to assist with understanding exactly how this baby girl bore such serious injuries