A body has been located in the water near Lawyers Head, Dunedin today.

Police were called to John Wilson Ocean Drive at around 3:20pm after a member of the public discovered the body.

The body has since been recovered, and a formal identification process is underway.

The road was cordoned off for a time while the body was recovered, but has since reopened.

The public may see an increased Police presence in the area while enquiries continue.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Attribute to: Inspector Phil Edwards, Bay of Plenty Area Commander

Police are asking for the public’s help following the arrest of a gang member who fled Police then stole a vehicle in Taupo today.

Police are asking for any motorist who might have dashcam footage of this morning’s incident. It occurred between Tūrangi on State Highway 1 and Pohokura on State Highway 5 (Napier-Taupō Road) between 8.50am and 10am.

Police first tried to stop the vehicle in Tūrangi for suspicious behaviour, but the man fled Police, heading north towards Taupo.

Three youths were taken into custody last night after their reckless ride in a stolen car spanned two cities. 

The journey began in Whangārei, where at around 5.10pm a Toyota Aqua was stolen from outside an address on Okara Drive. 

Acting Senior Sergeant Jane Cornish, of Manurewa Police, says prior to the vehicle theft, two youths were allegedly observed shoplifting a screwdriver from a nearby supermarket.

“Just after 10.30pm, officers in Counties Manukau observed the stolen vehicle travelling near Weymouth Road without its headlights on. 

Taranaki Police have charged a man and seized firearms and drugs following a traffic stop in Stratford overnight. 

Around 1.40am today, Police conducted a routine traffic stop near the intersection of Cordelia Street and Fenton Street. 

During the stop, Police noticed drug paraphernalia and the smell of cannabis coming from the vehicle, and the driver and passenger were detained while a search was carried out on the vehicle. 

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash in Waimangu on Tuesday 11 August. 

She was 39-year-old Clara Joan Apiata, of Whakatane. 

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

Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the crash. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Attribute to Inspector Mark Miller, Taranaki Area Commander:

Taranaki Police issued dozens of infringements, impounded vehicles and charged unlawful drivers following a road policing operation over the weekend.

Checkpoints were conducted on Friday and Saturday nights throughout New Plymouth, Ōakura, Bell Block, Inglewood and Waitara with assistance from the Manawatū and Whanganui Impairment Prevention teams.

The operation resulted in:

Attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Daniel Overend: 

Police are now able to release the name of the young child who died following an incident at a property in Aranui. 

He was Sonny-Charles Watson, aged one. 

Sonny’s parents have shared the following message: 

“Sonny was not just the light of our lives but everyone he came in contact with. The most beautiful little boy, full of love and laughter for everyone. Shine bright our ray of sunshine.” 

A scene examination continues on Churchill Avenue in Maeroa, Hamilton, following a serious incident on Saturday night.

Attribute to Sergeant Luke Thompson, Hamilton Police:

A man is in custody following a serious incident in Maeroa, Hamilton tonight.

Emergency services were called to Churchill Avenue at about 8.55pm to reports of a serious assault.

One person has critical injuries. One person has serious injuries, and two other people are injured. They have now been transported to hospital with suspected knife wounds.