West Coast Police have charged a woman with lighting the fire that destroyed the old Seaview Hospital complex at Hokitika in August.

The 42-year-old Hokitika woman was arrested on Wednesday 17 September, when Police executed a search warrant at a local address.

The complex and former Kotuku Hostel, was consumed in a massive fire on 10 August, causing distress and concern among the community. It took firefighters the best part of two days to put out the blaze and for a scene examination to take place.

Te Awamutu Police have arrested a man without incident who was wanted after being deemed a risk to public safety.

The 20-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court on 24 September on charges of burglary, intentional damage, reckless driving and unlawful take of a motor vehicle, among others.

Police were notified of a vehicle that was stolen on 16 September, which was later involved in dangerous driving on the road.

Failing to stop proved to be the wrong move in Whangārei after it led Police to a serious discovery.

Police conducting proactive patrols on Tuesday afternoon spotted a stolen vehicle travelling south on Otaika Road.

Whangārei Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete says Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it took off at speed.

“When officers attempted to stop this vehicle it accelerated away at speed, turning down a side street in an attempt to evade Police,” he says.

Police are appealing to the public for any possible sightings of Simran.

Simran, 41, was reported missing from her home on Tuesday night and Police have serious concerns for her welfare.

Simran was last seen in Whakatāne, but Police located her vehicle in Pongakawa and believe she still may be in that area.

Simran is possibly with her dog, which is a white Shih Tzu.

If you have seen Simran, or have any information where she might be, please call 105 and quote case number 250916/8709.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Police can confirm that one person has died following a serious crash near Sanson this afternoon.

The crash, which involved a ute and a truck, was reported to emergency services about 12pm.

Sadly, the sole occupant of the ute died at the scene. One person also received minor injuries.

State Highway 3 between Sanson and Stewart Road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit carries out a scene examination.

Diversions are in place and motorists should expect delays.

Support is being provided to those involved.

ENDS

Police have made a significant development in an investigation into a murder in Pakuranga Heights more than 13 months ago.

Earlier today, the Operation Block investigation team made an arrest in connection with the murder of 59-year-old Tuipulotu Vi in August 2024.

A search warrant was executed at an address in Franklyne Road, Ōtara, where a 23-year-old man was taken into custody.

Operation Block commenced on 19 August 2024, when Police responded to reports of several gun shots heard on Marvon Downs Avenue at about 6.45am that Monday morning.

Waitematā Police have made two further arrests over an altercation that took place in a Hobsonville car park on Tuesday afternoon.

It brings the total number of arrests to three, as a determined investigation quickly locates those allegedly involved.

Police have been investigating since the altercation occurred at around 4.40pm on 16 September.

“During the course of this altercation, a firearm was allegedly discharged in a public car park,” Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, of Waitematā West CIB, says.

Counties Manukau Police have located a body in the search for a woman missing from Māngere for nearly three months.

Eileen ‘Ella’ Davenport, 57, had been missing from her Hain Avenue home since 20 June 2025.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, of Counties Manukau West CIB, says on 10 September Police located a body in a reserve near Savill Drive.

“Police had been carrying out a search operation as part of ongoing enquiries to locate her,” he says.

“The area being searched consisted of dense scrub and a creek which flows into the Manukau Estuary.”

Whangārei detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in investigating a cowardly aggravated robbery late last month.

Police would like to speak to two men featured in footage after the victim was left with facial injuries following the ordeal.

Detective Sergeant Paul Overton, of Whangārei CIB, says the victim was approached at around 2.10am on 17 August 2025 in Whangārei CBD.

“The victim had been seated on Rathbone Street after a night out in town, when he was approached by two men,” he says.

Police are in attendance at a serious crash on Main Highway in Ellerslie this afternoon.

A two-vehicle crash was reported at 3.37pm, near the busy intersection with Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

At this early stage we can advise that one person has been critically injured and another person seriously injured.

A section of Main Highway has been closed as a result.

The Serious Crash Unit will attend the scene to carry out enquiries.

Main Highway has been closed between the intersections of Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Amy Street.