In a desperate bid for freedom, a Porirua man fled from Police in a boat today, only to be pursued across the water by Wellington Maritime Unit’s vessel Lady Elizabeth IV.

Officers had gone to the Mana Twin Bridges public boat ramp about 8.30am and told the 27-year-old Porirua man he was under arrest for breaching bail conditions. Rather than face the consequences of his actions on a public holiday, the man jumped into his boat and fled towards the horizon.

The quick action of Police has resulted in the arrest of one person following an investigation into a suspicious fire at a commercial premises on Oruanui Street in Taupō.

The fire was reported to emergency services around 10.30pm on Tuesday 3 February.

One property sustained substantial damage, and spread to the adjoining building, which sustained minor fire damage.

Thankfully, the premises were unoccupied, and no injuries were reported.

A fire investigator inspected the scene on Wednesday morning, indicating the fire was lit deliberately.

Police have thwarted a small crime wave across a west Auckland suburb, with a man facing a raft of burglary charges.

Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit has been investigating the spree of offending in recent weeks in Glen Eden.

Police have laid four burglary charges, with a further 10 burglaries still under investigation.

Detective Sergeant Mike Mead says Police first became aware of an increase in reports of property crime in Glen Eden in late January.

“Our team started looking into instances of burglary and shoplifting around the area,” he says.

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash in Springston on 4 February.

He was 10-year-old Alexander Bennett, of Springston.

Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A brazen offender allegedly ripping off elderly people across Hamilton and Auckland communities will face court.

Police executed a search warrant at a Rānui property today, investigating fraud and burglary offending between December 2025 and January 2026.

A 37-year-old woman has been arrested and now faces court, as enquiries continue.

Detective Sergeant Mike Mead, from the Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says thousands of dollars had allegedly been stolen from the victim’s accounts.

Friends and family members from all over New Zealand celebrated with their loved ones at Te Rauparaha Arena in Porirua today, when Wing 392 graduated from their initial course.

Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Pannett addressed the wing alongside members of the police executive and wing patron, Raelene Castle, Ngāpuhi ONZM.

“Once you’re in your district and in your community, you will be focusing on being visible, reassuring and responsive. Through this you will deliver on our mission – to prevent crime and harm.

Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh:  

Police investigating a homicide in Crichton, Clutha, have arrested one person following the death of a woman on Friday 23 January.

Emergency services were called to Adams Flats Road around 6.10pm where a woman found deceased, and a second person was critically injured.

A man has now been charged with murder following a bedside hearing today.

One person has sadly died following a serious crash on Leeston Road, Springston, this afternoon.

Police were notified of the crash, which involved a car and a pedestrian, around 3.30pm today [Wednesday 4 February].

Police can confirm that the pedestrian was a child, who, despite best efforts of emergency services, sadly died at the scene.

Leeston Road remains closed between Goulds Road and Bethels Road, while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS