A rapid and coordinated response by Wellington Police last night decisively disrupted a planned gathering of antisocial road users, preventing dangerous driving and associated disorder across the district.

Police deployed to Upper Hutt where a significant meet-up had been organised. Road Policing and Public Safety Units established multiple checkpoints across the Hutt Valley, checking vehicles and driver credentials, and actively preventing the group from settling at known hotspots.

One person has died following a single-vehicle crash on Memorial Drive in Whangārei.

Police were at the scene around 11.20pm last night.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit have been notified.

ENDS

The 10-year-old girl reported missing in Auckland this afternoon has been located and is safe and well.

Police would like to thank those who contacted Police following our appeal for information.

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Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Auckland Police have charged a driver with multiple offences after he was caught speeding at nearly twice the legal speed limit in the city early this morning.

Officers spotted two cars speeding on the Auckland motorway around 4am today, and while one driver stopped when signalled by Police, the other sped off.

After increasing speed along the highway and several near misses, the driver exited into a residential area, where he failed to stop again.

Police used the Eagle Helicopter to monitor the car, as the driver continued to drive in an incredibly dangerous way.

One person has died following a motorcycle crash north of Palmerston in Waitaki District this afternoon.

Police were alerted to the crash at the intersection of Horse Range Road and Trotters Gorge Road at 2.50pm.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Police are continuing the search for missing Rotorua man Jayleb-Che, but have serious concerns for his welfare.

The 36-year-old has been missing since Tuesday 30 September, and Police have been combing the area where he was last known to be.

“We’ve had good tips from the public, but sadly nothing that has led us to Jayleb-Che,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen, Investigations Manager, Rotorua Police.

“It’s very unusual for him to be out of contact for so long, and we have serious concerns and want to find him.”

Police have arrested a man for the robbery of a Hamilton restaurant on Father’s Day.

Staff at Smith & McKenzie Steak House restaurant in Chartwell were preparing for a busy day ahead when three people arrived in a stolen vehicle at around 11.20am on 7 September.

Two heavily disguised offenders went inside the restaurant, presented a firearm at staff and stole a small amount of money. They all fled the scene.

A short time later, Police located the vehicle nearby.

A stolen vehicle has landed a teenager in court following a combined effort from Police and the public.

At about 4.45pm on Wednesday, a Whangārei woman reported her vehicle stolen after visiting friends in Dargaville.

Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander, Inspector Maria Nordstrom, says officers quickly located the stolen car, but the driver fled.

“The vehicle’s driver was quickly identified by officers, and members of the public directed Police to a rural property they believed the youth was at.

“Police attended but the youth had already fled into nearby bush.”

A man is facing charges after police seized over 500kgs of cannabis, during a series of search warrants executed throughout Auckland City West on Thursday 9 October.

Additionally, police located a significant amount of cash, MDMA and Ketamine.

The search warrants were part of Police’s continued effort to crack down on criminals profiting from the sale of drugs and further enquiries into others involved, continues.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said “During the searches of the properties, significant commercial cannabis grow set-ups were located.

Police have arrested and charged a 19-year-old Gisborne man in relation to a series of death threats made against a Member of Parliament earlier this year.

The threats were received in March 2025 and were directed at the MP over a social media platform.

The man was arrested on Wednesday [8 October] and has been charged with causing harm by posting digital communication, and threatening to kill. He is due to appear in the Gisborne District Court on 15 October.