Police are appealing for information and witnesses following an aggravated robbery of a man on Thursday 14 August.

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross: 

Police have charged a man with two counts of arson, attempted arson and unlawfully possessing an offensive weapon following a house fire on Main Street yesterday afternoon (17 August).

Police were called to the fire, which affected three residential properties, at around 4pm.

The 26-year-old was taken into custody at the scene by the Police – and received medical treatment at the police station for smoke inhalation.

He is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court today.

One person has died and two people have been critically injured following a crash north of Matamata.

The two-vehicle crash happened at the intersection of Waharoa Road East and Pohlen Road shortly before 5:25pm.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and the road remains closed.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

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.