Two men have had their nets, waders and other equipment seized after being caught illegally whitebaiting last night.

Police and the Department of Conservation have been running the joint Operation Īnaka, focusing on whitebaiters illegally fishing in Western Southland.

Last night, Western Southland Police ran the third enforcement night targeting anyone who was whitebaiting outside of the legal season.

Police can now release the name of a woman found deceased in a central Auckland apartment at the weekend.

A homicide investigation commenced after the woman was located around 7.35pm on Saturday, 1 November.

She was 38-year-old Luisa Qelesenikau Mate.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says, “our thoughts are with Luisa’s family and her children, for the loss they have suffered, and our investigation team is continuing to support them through the process.”

A 38-year-old man has been charged with her murder.

Police will be part of something special, supporting Central District’s Special Olympics athletes to carry the Flame of Hope in support of the Special Olympic Games.

Media is invited to the Central leg of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, hosted by Central District Police.

What: Law Enforcement Torch Run – Central District

Where: Meet at E-Bikes carpark, Church Street, Palmerston North, then finish in The Square, Palmerston North

When: 10am on Saturday 8 November 2025

Hawke’s Bay Police are investigating a series of rural burglaries in the Twyford area and are appealing to the public for assistance in identifying a possible vehicle or person of interest.

Three incidents have occurred in close proximity over consecutive nights.

Police believe these incidents may be linked and are seeking any information that could help identify a vehicle of interest or suspicious activity in the area during these times.

Emergency services are attending a serious crash at the intersection of Elliot Street and Ray Small Drive, Papakura.

The two-vehicle crash was reported to Police 2.04pm.

At this stage one person has suffered serious injuries.

Elliot Street is closed between Green Street and Mossford Green and Ray Small Drive between Union Street and Elliot Street.

Police are advising motorists to use alternate routes as road closures may be in place for some time.

Police is condemning the actions of several individuals doing burnouts at Waikumete Cemetery yesterday afternoon.

Two men have been arrested, with two cars and a motorbike seized during the Police response.

Waitematā West Area Commander Inspector Simon Walker says several driving complaints were received just after 2pm.

“A person attending funeral proceedings at Waikumete began to do burnouts in front of the crematorium,” he says.

“The first Police unit on scene was surrounded by some attendees, including some choosing to jump on the vehicle.”

Please attribute to Chief Information Officer Matt Winter:

Police is releasing a further update on the measures taken since a rapid review of Police information security controls was done in June.

Following the review, the Police Executive Leadership Team approved a remediation plan with 26 actions to be implemented over a six-month period from July to December 2025.

We prioritised measures that could be implemented quickly and would prevent staff accessing inappropriate content or detect instances where that had happened.

Police have seized 36 kilograms of cocaine this afternoon, after its discovery stashed inside a container delivered to an Auckland business.

An investigation is now underway to locate the criminal syndicate involved in the importation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Jason Hunt, from the National Organised Crime Group, says unsuspecting workers made the discovery today.

“Staff working at the Auckland premises were going about unloading legitimate goods shipped from Brazil when the cocaine was discovered,” he says.

Police have commenced an operation on the Hibiscus Coast into a fire deliberately lit at a cafe over the weekend.

It comes as Waitematā North CIB continues to investigate another attempted arson and damage at nearby Ōrewa businesses in recent months.

Waitematā North Area Commander Inspector John Thornley says the most recent fire occurred late on Saturday 1 November.

“Operation Governor has been set up to investigate the most recent fire on the main strip in Ōrewa,” he says.