Police investigating the homicide of a Rotorua man are urging residents near the scene to check their properties for discarded items.

Thirty-seven-year-old Nicholas Patrick Mitchell was found deceased in a vehicle on Ford Road shortly before 8:30pm on Friday.

Rotorua Area Investigations Manager Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said Police were working “at pace” to find the offender, and asked residents on and near Ford Road to check their properties for possible evidence.

Please attribute to Inspector Danny Meade:

Police have quickly arrested a man in central Auckland after being located carrying a samurai sword.

Just before 4pm, Police responded to information that a person was believed to be carrying a firearm on Upper Queen Street.

Armed units immediately responded to the area and made enquiries. Any presence of a firearm in the area was unable to be substantiated.

A large-scale marine search and rescue (SAR) exercise involving specialist Police personnel off the New Plymouth coastline has been hailed a major success.

A moped rider may now have seen the light after failing to stop for Police in Auckland overnight.

Just after 12.30am, a unit spotted a moped travelling without a headlight on in the Mt Albert area.

Senior Sergeant Guy Baldwin, Auckland City West Area Response Manager, says the moped was signalled to stop.

“The moped was not only travelling without a headlight on but was also travelling at speed, which was very concerning for us,” he says.

“The rider failed to stop and was not pursued at the time.”

Police are issuing an advisory to media around interim suppression orders in place concerning Operation Hawkin, the Mt Wellington homicide on 5 December 2025.

A Coroner’s non-publication order is due to expire tomorrow, 17 December 2025, at 5pm.

However, media should be aware that an interim suppression order is still in place in the District Court.

This interim suppression includes: the defendants’ names, the victim’s name, and any reference to specific gangs.

Media are invited to the 391 Louisa Wall recruit wing graduation.

Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston:

Two youths have been arrested in relation to an aggravated robbery in Hamilton.

On Sunday 14 December around 5.30pm, Police were called with a report of an aggravated robbery at a business address on Crawford Street.

It is reported that a group of six people, believed to be teenagers, entered the premises with at least one person allegedly armed with a knife.

It appears that the group made demands to the workers however were confronted by another staff member.

Attribute to Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett:

Police investigating a double homicide in Rutatiti are continuing to make enquiries to locate Mitchell Cole, 29.

Cole is believed to be in the Ruatiti area and should not be approached if seen.

Police have concerns for Cole, and we also want to speak to him in relation to our ongoing enquiries.

If you see him, please call 111 immediately.

Additional Police staff remain in the Ruatiti area to assist the investigation.

Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.

On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.

The trailer – registration U110C – was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.

Drivers in Wellington experienced roadside drug driving tests for the first time this afternoon, signalling the start of the rollout with Police now able to detect and deter drug drivers on our roads.

For Police to now be in a position to screen drivers for the recent use of drugs is a milestone moment in our continuous efforts to keep everyone safe on the roads and reduce harm, says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.

“The introduction of roadside drug testing is a significant change that aims to address a serious issue occurring on New Zealand roads.