Please attribute to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander: 

Police are urging Canterbury residents to prepare, and to take extra care, with a red wind warning and state of local emergency declared for Thursday 23 October. 

Avoid non-essential travel.

Consider if you really need to leave home. You may need to adjust any travel plans you have made. Roads and highways are already impacted, and some roads may be closed. 

If you must travel, drive to the conditions and take extra care. 

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Karli Whiu,

Hastings Police investigating a suspicious approach in the Whakatu area would like to advise parents to be alert, not alarmed.

At around 3.15pm on Tuesday 21 October, a man approached a young girl and began interacting with her as she was walking home.

We acknowledge the girl who has done the right thing by avoiding the man, making her way home, and telling her caregivers.

Police are still working to understand exactly what has occurred and our enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, Northland Area Investigations Manager:

Police can now confirm that a death in Bank Street, Whangārei is not being treated as suspicious.

Police had been called to Bank Street at around 5.40am today, after a 56-year-old woman was located deceased.

A post mortem will be completed tomorrow and the matter will be referred to the Coroner.

We would like to thank those impacted by the cordons in place on Bank Street today, for their patience and understanding.

ENDS

Police are aware of strike action planned in central Auckland tomorrow, which is expected to cause significant disruption on the roads.

The rally is due to start about midday at Aotea Square, and will include a march down Queen Street to Te Komititanga Square, where the event will conclude.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and avoid Queen Street and the surrounding areas if possible.

Plan ahead and allow extra time.

Public transport users should check Auckland Transport’s website for information on changes to services.

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua, Counties Manukau CIB:

Police investigating the fatal fire at Bucklands Beach are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a distinctive container we believe may help us with our enquiries.

At 2.30am on Thursday 2 October Emergency Services responded to the house fire on Murvale Drive.

Police have confirmed it is being treated as a double homicide and are calling for the public’s assistance in identifying those responsible for the fire.

Police are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand in relation to multiple large fires in Kaikōura.

A number of cordons are in place, with multiple road closures around the area

Police are also assisting with the evacuations of schools and residents in surrounding areas.

If members of the public have been evacuated, Police advise them to travel to Takahanga Marae on Takahanga Terrace.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

A man who was located deceased on Horotane Valley Road in Heathcote Valley on 19 September has been formally identified, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.

A Coronial order is in place prohibiting any publication of identifying details regarding the man, so no further information or comment can be provided at this time.

ENDS
 

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Please attribute to Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj:

Police are continuing with a critical incident investigation surrounding the events leading up to a fatal crash in Whangārei on 11 October.

We are now in a position to release the name of the victim.

He was Rhys Harris-Wikaira, 31, of Whangārei.

We would like to acknowledge the impact this event has had on the community and our thoughts are with those involved.

Several investigations are underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident.

Emergency services are responding to a fire in the carpark at Whangārei Hospital.

Fire and Emergency NZ are currently leading the response, however Police are present at the scene.

The public is asked to please avoid the immediate area while emergency services are in attendance.

Residents and anyone in the nearby area are also asked to close their windows at this time.

Further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

One person has died after being hit by a falling branch on Mount Victoria.

At around 9:20am emergency services received reports of a man suffering critical injuries on Lookout Road, Mount Victoria.

The man was taken to hospital but sadly died a short time later.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

People are asked to take care in the current weather conditions.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.