Police can now release the name of the man who was killed in a single-vehicle crash discovered on Seadown Road in the Timaru District on 22 December.

He was 66-year-old Gary Kenneth Penman of Timaru.

Police extend their condolences to Gary’s family and friends.

His death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

One person has died following a crash in Kumeroa this afternoon.

Police were called to the two-vehicle crash involving motorcycles, at the intersection of Gaisford and Oringi roads just before 2:30pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person sustained moderate injuries.

The road remains closed with diversions in place while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

The Christchurch Anti-Social Road User (ASRU) team have recently concluded an operation targeting various dangerous driving problem areas around the city.

Thirty cars have been identified offending, with more than 20 impounded and green stickered to be written off the road for vehicle defects.

Another six cars were impounded last weekend for unnecessary exhibition of speed or dangerous driving.

Wairarapa Police have seized more than $4 million of the stupefying drug Fantasy following a tip off from the public.

On Monday night, Police located and seized 820 litres of gamma butyrolactone (GBL) from a storage container after being alerted by members of the public of suspicious behaviour at a storage facility in Wairapapa.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $4.1 million and enough quantity for over 500,000 individual doses.

Police are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of Lawrence Schwalger, 50, who has a warrant for his arrest.

Schwalger is wanted in relation to breaching his release conditions and Police believe someone may have information on his whereabouts.

He is thought to be in the wider Auckland area.

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead to call 111 immediately and quote file number 251211/7089.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Police can now release the name of the man who was found deceased on the beach near Thames Coast Road, Kereta on 24 December.

He was Suy Lao, 43, from Auckland, and was previously reported missing on 22 December near the Waikawau boat ramp.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

The death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police are releasing the name of a person that died near the Lady Knox Geyser in Waiotapu on 21 December 2025.

The woman was Briar Stockley, 42, of Rotorua.

Police extend our condolences to Briar’s loved ones over their loss.

Briar’s death was referred to the Coroner and has been determined to not be suspicious.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Aaron Pascoe:

Police are continuing to investigate an unexplained death that occurred in Devonport on New Years Day. The cause of the death remains unexplained, and the Police investigation is ongoing.

Enquiries to date indicate that earlier in the day a group of people may have visited the address at 9 Kerr Street, Devonport, and used the pool, including one adult and at least two children.

Over the past 48 hours police have seen worrying speeds on Manawatū roads.

Despite a heavy road policing presence on our roads, Sergeant Ryan Harrison says some people travel at excessive speeds and it’s got to stop.

“There have been a number of serious tragic crashes in the district.

“We want people to be able to visit family and friends safely yet we’ve found way too many drivers speeding over the Christmas New Year period.

“It’s frustrating,” says Sergeant Harrison.

“We stop people for speeding and drivers are cross about being caught.