Police are urging motorists to carefully consider how long alcohol can remain in their system following routine traffic stops in Southland today. 

Two drivers, one of which was in a school zone, underwent evidential breath testing (EBA), after they were stopped by Police this morning for exceeding the posted speed limit. Both blew over the legal alcohol limit. 

Both drivers admitted to drinking alcohol the night before, but got behind the wheel this morning, incorrectly assuming that it had cleared their system already. 

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergent Shane Pilmer, Northland CIB:

Police and teams searching for missing man Saxzin Steedman have recovered a body from the Wairoa River.

Police Search and Rescue, Surf Lifesaving, and Land SAR teams were today conducting extensive searches, focusing around the Northern Wairoa Bridge and located a body on the western side of the bridge at about 12.15pm.

While formal identification is still underway, Police believe the body is that of the missing 22-year-old.

Northland Police investigating the theft of a church bell in Rawene are seeking the community’s assistance for its safe return.

The bronze bell is believed to have been stolen from the Parnell Street church sometime between 15 and 22 July.

Far North Area Commander, Inspector John Fagan, says the bell was housed in its own small shelter to the left of the St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church’s front entrance.

“The church building itself was locked and secure at the time of the theft.

A group of alleged burglars’ hit a wall after being arrested following a construction site burglary in Glen Eden early this morning. 

Police were called to the site on West Coast Road just after 1am.

“Three unidentified people were seen breaking into a shipping container inside the premises, before loading up a vehicle and leaving the scene,” Waitematā West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Jon Winthrop says.

A witness was able to provide Police with the registration plate of the vehicle, and units quickly began to search the area.

West Coast Police have seized drugs and items related to the sale and supply of illicit drugs following a series of search warrants across Westport today. 

Operation Boston was set up to target the sale and supply of illicit drugs in the Westport community. The operation resulted in the seizure of an amount of cannabis, methamphetamine, and other evidential material. 

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Lisa Brent, Nelson Bays Organised Crime Unit:

Five people have been arrested on serious drugs charges, with one person charged with 30 offences, after a series of search warrants across Marlborough.

Operation Aisling saw Marlborough and Nelson Bays Organised Crime Units working together, with assistance from the Offender Prevention Team, in a District-wide operation to find and take enforcement action against those who procure and sell drugs in the area.

A night of dangerous driving across Auckland’s motorway network ended in custody for a car full of fleeing youths. 

Just before 8pm last night, a motorways unit observed a Toyota Corolla allegedly exceeding the speed limit along State Highway 16 near St Lukes. 

Senior Sergeant Bronwyn Matthews, Auckland City East, says the vehicle was signalled to stop, but the driver ignored instruction and continued heading southbound. 

“Due to the nature of driving, the vehicle was not pursued.”

Media invitation

What:   Polar Plunge for Special Olympics in Auckland:

Take part/donate:  www.torchrun.org.nz

Where: Takapuna Beach, The Strand, North Shore, Auckland

Why:     Raise funds and awareness for Special Olympics athletes and programmes across NZ

When:   Saturday 25 July 2026, 9am start – please arrive from 8am to sign in

Police are appealing for sightings of Wolvedi Ding, who has been reported missing from Auckland. 

The 20-year-old was last seen walking along Birdwood Road, Swanson, at around 8.20am on Friday 17 July. 

Wolvedi was wearing a grey hoodie, black pants, black shoes, and carrying a clear umbrella.

She is described as having brown eyes and very short brown hair. Her current hairstyle is much shorter than that shown in the photograph.

Wolvedi lives in Auckland’s CBD but was visiting family in West Auckland when she was last seen.

Police bagged a car full of stolen groceries after stopping a vehicle on Auckland’s North Shore.

Just after 1pm on Monday, the Waitematā Beat team was responding to a report of shoplifting at a supermarket on Barrys Point Road, Takapuna.

A review of CCTV footage showed the suspect concealing meat and chocolate inside his backpack before fleeing. 

Waitematā East acting Area Prevention Manager, acting Inspector CJ Miles, says CCTV helped link the alleged shoplifter to a vehicle.