One person has died following a water-related incident in Hahei this afternoon.

At around 3.15pm, Police were alerted to a man in need of assistance in the water near Tutaritari Road.

The man was located in the water and was taken ashore in a critical condition.

Sadly, despite best efforts by emergency services, the man died at the scene.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Please attribute to Superintendent Matt Srhoj, Northland District Commander:

An investigation is continuing into the circumstances around the death of a pedestrian in Haruru Falls at the weekend.

A male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Puketona Road just after 12.10am on Sunday, 18 January.

Sadly, he died at the scene despite medical assistance being provided at the time.

At the time of the crash, a marked Police patrol vehicle was in the area. This unit had slowed down on Puketona Road to speak with pedestrians who had been seen walking on the road.

Please attribute to Sergeant Jonny Evans, Police Search and Rescue

Disoriented by heavy cloud and with weather conditions closing in, one wrong turn was all it took to send Graham Garnett deep within the Kahurangi National Park for almost three weeks.

His family did not know if they would see him again. However, incredibly, he was found alive – and his loved ones want to ensure his ordeal reminds others to take safety precautions before heading into the bush.

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch:

Police investigating serious assaults in Churton Park can confirm a further two offenders have been taken into custody.

A 21-year-old man will appear in the Wellington District Court on 22 January and a 17-year-old man will appear in the Wellington Youth Court on 27 January. They jointly face wounding, assault to injure and common assault charges.

A man has died after a water-related incident in Rotorua late last night.

Emergency services were called to a geothermal area on Tukiterangi Street, Whakarewarewa, about 9.40pm, where a man had been pulled from the water unconscious.

Sadly he was unable to be revived.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Please attribute to Sergeant Jonny Evans, Police Search and Rescue.

Graham Garnett, 66, has been found sheltering in a hut in Kahurangi National Park, alive.

Graham went tramping in the Baton/Ellis River area and did not return as expected on 30 December.

An operation got underway involving Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) groups and specialist teams, New Zealand Defence Force, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and many volunteers and supporters.

One person has died following a serious crash in Tahuna Road, Whakatāne yesterday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash around 3.40pm.

Sadly, one person has died.

Another person remains in a serious condition in hospital.

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and it has now been reopened.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

One person has sadly died following a serious crash in Haruru early this morning.

Around 12.10am today, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Puketona Road, near the Garden Court intersection.

Sadly, despite emergency services best efforts, the pedestrian died at the scene.

Puketona Road was closed between Haruru Falls Road and Te Karuwha Parade while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, and has since re-opened.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the death are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Bill Fisher, Bay of Plenty District Deployment Coordinator:

Police conducting a rescue operation of all those stranded in slip-struck Waioeka Gorge on State Highway 2 can confirm the people have been airlifted out of the gorge.

The rescue operation commenced last night, following Police being alerted to slips along the gorge road trapping people from travelling either way.