Attributable to Inspector Phil Gillbanks:

A body has been recovered this afternoon near Moutohorā Island, north of Whakatāne.

Police were called to the area about 1.15pm after the body was discovered in the water by a member of the public.

The formal identification process has been undertaken, and the deceased has been confirmed as the 36-year-old woman who entered the Ōtara River mouth and Waioeka River mouth in Ōpotiki on Sunday. Her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Police have paused the search for missing 47-year-old Erika Rodrigues Coelho.

This difficult decision follows extensive searches of the area since Erika was reported missing on 20 September.

Sergeant Terry Wood says Police would like to thank every person who has dedicated countless hours of their time to the Search and Rescue operation. 

Media are invited to the Recruit Wing 400 (Joe Harawira KSO) graduation.

What: Graduation of the New Zealand Police Recruit Wing 400.

Who: For families and friends to celebrate with the newly attested police officers.

Why: Completion and graduation from their initial training course.

Where: Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua.

The following can be attributed to Constable Sam Lewis:

Police are seeking witnesses to a paintball shooting on Willis Street, Wellington at about 10.50pm on Thursday evening. 

CCTV footage shows a male and a female standing outside a bar on the corner of Willis and Dixon streets when a paintball gun was discharged toward them from a passing vehicle. The pair shortly after had a brief conversation with one of the bar’s staff members. 

Quick-thinking officers hit a high-note, arresting five offenders following an aggravated robbery at an east Auckland karaoke bar.

At about 1.40am, staff at a karaoke bar in Somerville alerted Police to an incident involving a group of masked people who had allegedly entered the premises armed with weapons (not firearms) and made demands for cash.

Detective Senior Sergeant Veronica McPherson, Counties Manukau CIB, says the group climbed over the counter where they took the till and a number of other items.

Police are urgently renewing an appeal for information that may help confirm the safety and whereabouts of two people who entered the Ōtara River in Ōpōtiki on Sunday morning and have not yet been located.

Inspector Phil Gillbanks said Police can now confirm the missing pair are an adult male and an adult female, rather than two males as initially believed.

“It is understood the male may have made contact with associates and family members; however, his welfare has not been independently confirmed. Police are still seeking both individuals to ensure they are safe and well.

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash in Tauranga this morning.

About 11.15am Police were called to a single vehicle crash involving a motorbike on Takitimu Drive.

Sadly, despite best efforts, one person died at the scene. 

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, however has since reopened.

Police’s enquiries into the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Three people have been charged this morning following attempts to steal copper cabling.

Police were first made aware of the incident at a development site in Waikanae, Kāpiti Coast, at approximately 1am this morning.

After being discovered, one alleged offender was taken into custody, while the other two fled on foot. Police established cordons and the Police Dog Unit was able to track and apprehend another, with a third person located a short time later hiding in a pond.

Police also discovered approximately 50 metres of cabling near the offenders’ vehicle.