Forty-five years ago, Alicia O’Reilly was tragically raped and murdered in her Avondale family home.

Police continue to investigate the events on Canal Road in the early hours of 16 August 1980.

No one has yet been held accountable for the 6-year-old girl’s death.

In 2020, Police began a re-investigation into the homicide under Operation Sturbridge.

In recent years a trial has been under way for a new genetic investigative tool, which may provide new leads after a DNA sample was obtained.

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Ōamaru Police and the Department of Conservation (DOC) are executing a joint investigation into the cruel shooting of three endangered sea lions at Waitaki River on Saturday 9 August.

Two of the sea lions died, and a third wounded sea lion sadly had to be euthanised. Local iwi were notified of the situation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Nik Leigh says the incident has upset the community, DOC, and Police.

“This is a senseless act against a protected species and we’re eager to find those responsible and hold them to account,” he says.

Attribute to Senior Sergeant John Stapleford: 

Rotorua Police arrested a man in Glenhome yesterday morning, after he failed to stop for Police when signalled for dangerous driving in the Mangakakahi area.

The man was seen by Police driving a trail bike recklessly on Biak Street and has fled when signalled by Police.

Due to the nature of driving staff did not pursue. Enquiries were then made at the registered address of the bike.

The 29-year-old man was located at the address and arrested. Police have also seized the mans bike.

Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:

Police can now release the name of the woman who died after she was shot by Police at a Christchurch address on Wednesday night.

She was 53-year-old Te Arohanui Pohio, who resided at the address in Bryndwr.

Our thoughts remain with her loved ones at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them the necessary support.

A post-mortem examination was completed today, and her death will be referred to the Coroner.

Two alleged burglars who broke into a vacant restaurant have bitten off more than they could chew after being caught in the act.

At about 2.47am, Police were alerted to a possible break-in at a commercial premises on Beach Road.

Senior Sergeant Tony Turner, Auckland City Police, says a nearby security guard had witnessed two people inside the building and raised the alarm.

“Officers quickly arrived and located one man carrying a black suitcase filled with property.

“A search of the building then located another man, attempting to hide from Police,” he says.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye, Tasman Organised Crime Unit:

Police executed a warrant earlier today at a Wanaka address and charged a 28-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman with defrauding a person of $1,044,500 over the past two years.

Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Dye said the Tasman Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) has been investigating two suspects who first lived on the West Coast and have recently moved to Wanaka where they have been living the high life with rented properties and high end European cars.

New Zealand Police is congratulating Fijian Police Officer Corporal Sailasa Kerekere and his dog Villain on their graduation from the Police Dog Training Centre (DTC) in Trentham today.

Corporal Kerekere marked the occasion in front of Fiji Police training Sergeant Nuimaia Lawanicina and training staff from the DTC.

This is Corporal Kerekere’s second operational dog, and he now heads back to the front line with an explosives specialist, a black Labrador called Villain.

Police have made two arrests over an aggravated robbery in Onerahi on Monday afternoon.

Whangārei CIB have been investigating after a woman’s bag was taken from her near an alleyway on Ross Street on 11 August, around 3pm.

“A woman’s bag was taken after a weapon was allegedly presented at her,” Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says.

“Enquiries have been underway to locate the two young males allegedly involved in this crime.

“This resulted in us locating two males, aged 14 and 16, yesterday.”