Police are reminding anyone heading into the great outdoors this spring to be prepared, after a group of young adults was rescued in Middlemarch last night.

The group of five set out on a tramp to a hut late yesterday afternoon, despite extremely poor weather in the area.

They soon got into difficulty due to the conditions and became lost. Fortunately, they were able to get cellphone reception about 7.30pm to call for help.

Police Search and Rescue and local farmers were able to reach the group and walk them out.

Protestors have now left Victoria Park.

Police thank organisers and participants for heeding advice on the change of route for the day, to keep participants safe, and for creating a peaceful event on the day.

There were no incidents of note.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

A 30-year-old man faces a range of charges after Police seized a modified firearm, cocaine, and shotgun shells from a vehicle in Queenstown.

Protesters have arrived at Victoria Park as part of the protest activity taking place in central Auckland today.

Police estimate 20,000 people participated in protest activity today.

A number of protesters have started dispersing from Victoria Park, and Police will continue to monitor those who remain gathered in the park.

Roads are now reopening across the route.

There are no issues to report.

Police acknowledge the public for understanding with disruptions this morning.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

A Police operation continues to monitor protest activity taking place in central Auckland today.

The lead group of protesters are arriving into Victoria Park, with the remainder spread across Queen, Customs and Fanshawe Streets.

Traffic management remains in place. There are still no issues to report.

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Protesters are now making their way down Queen Street as part of protest activity in Auckland CBD today.

Police staff are deployed along the route to Victoria Street to manage activity.

Traffic management is in place along the route.

We are monitoring a small group of counter protesters that have gathered at the intersection of Queen Street and Victoria Street West.

There are no issues to report, and the Police operation continues.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Please attribute to Inspector Stefan Sagar, Relieving Waitematā District Commander:

Police can advise that organisers of protest activity taking place in Auckland tomorrow have shifted locations due to unsafe weather conditions.

Protest activity will now take place in central Auckland, between Aotea Square and Victoria Park.

A Police operation will still be carried out tomorrow to monitor this activity.

Police have been in ongoing discussion with organisers for some weeks now around their intentions to march across the Harbour Bridge.

Please attribute to Senior Sergeant John Stapleford, Rotorua Road Policing Coordinator:

Rotorua Police have made a further arrest in the operation to target illegal motorcycle anti-social road users.

A 21-year-old was charged with reckless driving and will appear in the Rotorua District Court on Thursday 18 September. They were seen allegedly riding dangerously through Rotorua suburbs, cutting through traffic, pulling wheel stands and not wearing a protective helmet.

Police are not ruling out further arrests and are continuing to investigate the tragic death of Kaea.