Police have arrested a man after he allegedly forced an elderly man out of his vehicle and stole it.

Just before lunchtime, a man arrived at a house on Wyllie Road in Papatoetoe and attempted to open the front door.

Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey, Counties Manukau West Response Manager, says he was unsuccessful and left.

“He walked towards a neighbouring driveway where a woman was driving out in her vehicle.

“The man allegedly pointed a spear gun at the woman but fortunately she locked her doors and quickly drove away from the scene.”

Police are now able to release the names of the two people who died following a crash on State Highway 1 in Timaru on 20 November.

They were Ivar Andrew Crowther, 5, and Steven Bruce Crowther, 40, of Temuka.

Our condolences are with their family and friends during this difficult time.

Police’s enquiries into the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Reece Durston:

Waikato Police investigating a firearms incident overnight are seeking information from the public where a man was left with serious injuries.

At about 11.50pm on Thursday 27 November, Police were called to a property on Sapphire Place in Chartwell after reports a man had been shot.

A 37-year-old was located with gunshot wounds and taken to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition.

He remains in hospital in a stable state. At this stage, Police believe the incident was targeted.

Police are laying nearly 200 criminal charges against gang associates, who are allegedly facilitators in a criminal syndicate smuggling illicit drugs aboard international flights.

Media are invited to a joint media stand-up with Police and Customs for an update on Operation Matata.

The joint investigation has been targeting the importation of drugs through unattended baggage on international flights.

The stand-up will be held today at midday at Auckland City Police Hub, 13-15 College Hill.

Media who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to [email protected]

Please note the stand-up will be held inside the station and media will be escorted inside.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Brian McKinney, Gore CIB:

A man has been charged in relation to a suspicious house fire in Waikaia last year.

Just after midnight on 21 February 2024, emergency services were called to the fire on Elswick Street.

Today, Police have charged a 35-year-old Dunedin man with arson.

He is due to appear in the Gore District Court on 17 December.

We’d like to thank the members of the public who provided information to Police throughout this investigation, to ensure the person responsible can be held accountable.

On Thursday 27 November the Murihiku community came together at Invercargill’s ILT Stadium to celebrate Hāpori Manawaroa ki Murihiku, the Southern Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) work programme, and its efforts over the past year.

One person has died after a serious crash near Waipapa Bay, Kaikoura this morning.

Police were called to crash involving a motorcycle at around 10am.

One person was located with injuries, however despite best efforts by emergency services they died at the scene.

The road remains blocked while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists are advised to follow the diversions in place and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A surfer caught more than waves at Piha Beach on Tuesday after getting dragged out to sea.

Police acknowledge and accept the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) into the deployment of tasers by three officers in Wellington in January 2025.

On 9 January, Police were responding to an urgent family harm incident on Cockayne Road, Wellington, where a man with a weapon was chasing a woman holding a baby in the street.

Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Nick Thom says officers involved assessed the situation and responded accordingly, to ensure the safety of the public.