Police found a patient transfer service ambulance among vehicles restricted by flooding and slips in Awakino on Monday night.

Heavy rain made the road through the Gorge area impassable in places.

On-call Police officer Constable Donna Potroz from Mōkau received a call around 1.40am about a major slip blocking Awakino Gorge.

Constable Potroz got to the scene quickly to find multiple vehicles, including a patient transfer service ambulance with a newborn on board, stuck by slips.

She was able to provide support and advice to motorists at the scene.

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua, Counties Manukau CIB:

Police investigating the fatal fire at Bucklands Beach on 2 October can now confirm the details of those who died.

They were Jung Sup Lee, 36, and Ha-il Lee, 11, both of Bucklands Beach.

Our thoughts and sympathies remain with the family at this difficult time.

At 2.30am on Thursday 2 October Emergency Services responded to the house fire on Murvale Drive.

Police are urging for sightings of a grey ute in relation to Aydan, 39, who went missing over eight weeks ago.

Last seen in Chartwell, Hamilton on Sunday 17 August, Aydan was believed to be driving his 2016 grey Mazda ute, registration QYA209.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Carter said both Aydan’s family, and police, are hoping for someone to come forward with information about Aydan’s grey Mazda ute.

“Have you seen a grey ute anywhere? Perhaps you’ve noticed it hasn’t moved?

Police are urging for sightings of a grey ute in relation to Aydan, 39, who went missing over eight weeks ago.

Last seen in Chartwell, Hamilton on Sunday 17 August, Aydan was believed to be driving his 2016 grey Mazda ute, registration QYA209.

Detective Sergeant Jonathan Carter said both Aydan’s family, and police, are hoping for someone to come forward with information about Aydan’s grey Mazda ute.

“Have you seen a grey ute anywhere? Perhaps you’ve noticed it hasn’t moved?

Police are responding to the discovery of a body on the Te Atatū Peninsula inlet.

A member of the public reported seeing a body in the water between 500m to 1km north of the bridge on SH16, near the Te Atatū Peninsula off-ramp, about 7.35am.

The tide has since receded, and Police are asking residents to stay clear of the area.

Specialist Police teams are at the scene and  enquiries are continuing.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police  

A 55-year-old man has been charged with drug and firearms offences following a search warrant in Russell last week.

Police executed the search at the property around 9am on Friday 10 October after the man, who was wanted to interview and required to arrest, self-presented to the Russell Police Station.

Police can now release the name of the man who died on Mount Taranaki on 30 September.

He was Vladimir Levchenko, 69, of Gulf Harbour, Auckland.

Police extend their condolences to his loved ones.

His death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers will be congratulating seven new patrol dog teams in the latest dog graduation on Thursday 16 October. 

Handlers and their dogs will be celebrating in front of their whānau and friends, and members of the New Zealand Police executive.

Graduating from the police patrol dog course are ‘Delta’ teams from Northland, Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Central, Tasman, and Canterbury Districts.

Media are invited to attend the prizegiving at the Police Dog Training Centre, Dante Road, Trentham.