Attribute to: Detective Senior Sergeant David Thompson

Police this morning have located a body at Lake Rotokākahi near Rotorua. Prior to work being done to recover the body, Tūhourangi Ngāti Wāhiao blessed the area.  

Officers made the discovery at about 8am, while making enquiries in relation to a homicide in Pahiatua, which occurred in October 2025.

While formal identification is ongoing, it is believed the body may be that of a person of interest related to the homicide investigation.

Police can now confirm the name of the person who died following a serious crash involving a car and pedestrian in Hokitika on 14 August.

She was Mary Schimanski, 87, of Hokitika. 

Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this time.

Enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Attribute to Kāpiti Mana Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Middlemiss:

Police are investigating a serious incident that occurred after hours at a school near Spinnaker Drive in Whitby, Porirua, on Thursday 27 August.

The incident occurred around 5.30pm at the playground, where a teenager reportedly assaulted a child.

The victim did not receive any physical injuries, but they and their family were understandably very shaken by the incident.

Police were quick to find the hiding spots of three men who allegedly fled after a dangerously driven vehicle crashed in Onehunga overnight.

Around 1.20am, Auckland City officers were on patrol when they were alerted to a Mazda Azela travelling on Church Street.

Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, Auckland City East Area Response Manager, says the vehicle was observed conducting a u-turn before driving at speed along Victoria Street.

“Due to the dangerous manner of driving, the vehicle was not pursued.”

The assault occurred on Tuesday 25 August, around 1.10am, near the Crew Room Bar entrance on Ballarat Street in Queenstown.

Police can now confirm the name of the man who died following a house fire on Forest Hill Road, Henderson on 29 August. 

He was Kenneth John McDougall, 72, of Auckland.

Our thoughts are with Kenneth’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

The fire is not believed to be suspicious, and his death has been referred to the coroner. 

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police. 

The quick actions of Wellington Police officers and Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews led to the safe rescue of a man who jumped off Queen’s Wharf last night. 

Police were alerted to a person in the water about 10.40pm. As they responded, officers grabbed life rings and found the man struggling to stay afloat. 

Realising he was at serious risk, three officers immediately stripped down and swam to the man, and put a life preserver around him, says Wellington Area Commander Inspector Dean Silvester. 

A pair of alleged thieves were left empty handed in Onehunga after being caught in the act by Police yesterday afternoon.

Senior Sergeant Tony Ngau Chun, Auckland City East Area Response Manager, says at about 3.45pm two men were seen inside an abandoned house on Nissan Place.

“The witness called Police as they knew this dwelling was not occupied.

“One of the men was crawling around beneath the house as if he was looking for something.”

Police units arrived shortly afterwards and arrested the man without issue.

An alleged offender whose dangerous driving put members of the public at risk has been arrested in Bombay this morning.

Acting Inspector Dave Readings, Tāmaki Makaurau Shift Commander, says around 2.15am Police were notified of a stolen vehicle traveling in the Takanini area.

“Units spotted the vehicle as it was heading north on Great South Road and signalled for the driver to stop.”

The vehicle failed to do so and accelerated away.

“The driver was allegedly acting erratically and reaching speeds of up to 120kmph in residential areas.