Category: social_issues
-
Police Disrupt Large Youth Gatherings in Coromandel
Police disrupted gatherings of approximately 1000 youth at Williamson Park in Whangamatā and 300 youth near the Surf Club Reserve in Pauanui last night. Bottles were thrown at officers in Whangamatā, with one officer being hit, though fortunately not injured.…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues PoliceCoromandelWhangamatāPauanuiYouth GatheringsPublic SafetyNew Zealand Police
-
Youth Aid Officer Honored with Royal Recognition
Senior Constable Grant Watts, a Police Youth Aid officer based in Palmerston North, has been recognized with a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for his services to the New Zealand Police and youth. Commissioner Richard Chambers…
Politics and GovernmentSocial IssuesEducationLaw Enforcement
-
Four Youths Apprehended for Dunedin Burglary
Dunedin Police are thanking the public for their help in apprehending four youths in connection with a burglary in Dunedin Central today. The incident occurred around 12:50 pm when a resident reported hearing a window smash at an unoccupied property…
-
Auckland Police Investigate Multiple Serious Assaults on Karangahape Road
Auckland Police are investigating three serious assaults that took place on and around Karangahape Road in the early hours of this morning. Emergency services were called to the scene of mass disorder around 3:41 am, with an estimated 50 people…
-
Tairāwhiti Police Urge Holiday Drivers to Exercise Caution
Tairāwhiti police are advising motorists to exercise caution and plan for potential delays as a significant increase in traffic is anticipated in the region over the holiday period. The influx of visitors, coinciding with events like Rhythm and Vines and…
-
Media Monitor: RNZ reports on wildlife center's recovery, Canterbury road closures
RNZ is reporting that the Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre was on the brink of closure six months ago but has since recovered. The outlet also said that several crashes on State Highway 1 in Canterbury led to road closures on…
-
Kogan and H&M Products Recalled Due to Safety Concerns
Several seatbelt extenders sold via Kogan by A.L.E. Trading are being recalled due to safety concerns. The stitching of the seatbelts may separate from the buckle, posing a risk of serious injury or death if the seatbelt fails to restrain…
-
Three Youths Arrested Following Hamilton Aggravated Robbery
Three youths have been arrested in Hamilton following an aggravated robbery on Mill Street. Police were alerted to the incident, which involved a stolen vehicle, at approximately 6:40am. According to Hamilton City Area Commander Inspector Neil Faulkner, no one was…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues HamiltonAggravated RobberyArrestMill StreetNeil FaulknerYouth CourtFirearmNew Zealand Police
-
Man Arrested and Charged with Murder in Jason Poa Case
A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene. Mr. Poa died last Thursday at a Lake Crescent address in Hamilton. The arrest occurred today at…
-
Media Monitor: New Zealand Issues Alert for Synthetic Cannabinoids
High Alert, a drug information service in New Zealand, is reporting that serious harm has been linked to synthetic cannabinoids in the Auckland region. It said multiple hospitalizations have been reported within the last 24 hours. High Alert said this…
HealthSocial IssuesAustralasiaMedical ScienceLaw Enforcement
-
Hawke's Bay Police Target Drink Driving in Hastings
Hawke’s Bay Police are "reasonably pleased" with the results of a drink driving operation conducted on Friday, December 19, in Hastings. During the operation, four impaired drivers were apprehended. Police set up a checkpoint at the roundabout of Pakowhai Road…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportationLegal Hawke's BayHastingsDrink DrivingNathan RossPakowhai RoadNew Zealand Police
-
Auckland Man Charged After Wilful Damage Incidents
A Police investigation in Auckland's Whenuapai has led to charges against a 34-year-old man for two counts of wilful damage. The incidents, which occurred on December 9 and 11, 2025, involved damage to a woman's vehicle. The accused is scheduled…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal AucklandWhenuapaiWaitematā WestRyan BuntingWilful DamageWaitākere District CourtCCTVNew Zealand Police
-
Police Disrupt Anti-Social Road User Gatherings in Wellington
Wellington Police disrupted multiple planned anti-social road user gatherings overnight, preventing them from setting up at key locations. Operation Kereru targeted approximately 200 vehicles from areas including Whanganui, Levin, and Palmerston North, intending to engage in dangerous driving activities in…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportation WellingtonPoliceAnti-social behaviourRoad safetyOperation KereruCrime StoppersNew Zealand Police
-
Traffic Disrupted in Kingsland Following Multi-Vehicle Crash
A crash in Kingsland has blocked New North Road, causing delays. Emergency services are attending the scene where a pickup truck collided with multiple vehicles. The incident occurred near the intersection of King Street at 12.20pm. While no serious injuries…
TransportationLaw EnforcementSocial Issues KingslandAucklandNew North RoadTraffic IncidentCrashNew Zealand PoliceJarred Williamson
-
Crash Closes State Highway 25, Hauraki
State Highway 25 in Hauraki is closed near Hauraki Road's intersection due to a crash reported just before midday. The two-vehicle accident involved a truck. Three people sustained serious injuries, while two others have moderate injuries. Motorists should avoid the…
-
Name Released in Fatal Ōpōtiki Motorcycle Crash
Police have released the name of the man who died in a motorcycle crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki on December 19. He has been identified as Steven Haskell, aged 45. "Our thoughts are with his family and loved…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportation ŌpōtikiState Highway 35Motorcycle CrashFatal AccidentSteven HaskellNew Zealand PoliceAccident Investigation
-
Body Found Near Thames Coast Road
A body was found on the beach near Thames Coast Road, Kereta, after a report at around 6:10am. According to Duty Inspector Neil Faulkner, formal identification is pending, but police believe the body is of a man reported missing on…
-
Serious Crash Blocks Randwick Road in Lower Hutt
Randwick Road in Moera, Lower Hutt, is currently blocked following a serious crash this afternoon. Police were notified of the crash, which occurred between York Street and Mason Street, around 4.10pm. The incident involved a vehicle and a pedestrian. Initial…
-
Arrests Made in Gisborne Homicide Investigation
Four people have been arrested in connection to the death of Bill Maangi, who died in hospital after being shot on Monday, September 29, in Gisborne. The arrests followed search warrants executed between Wednesday, December 9, and Thursday, December 11,…
-
Hamilton Homicide: Victim Named, Police Seek Subaru Impreza
Police have identified 55-year-old Jason Poa, also known as Jason Tipene, as the victim of a homicide in Lake Crescent, Hamilton, on Thursday, December 18. Emergency services responded to a call at approximately 6:15 pm to find two people injured…
-
Duo in Court Following E-Bike Theft from Teens in Belmont
Two people are facing charges after allegedly stealing an E-Bike from two teenagers in Belmont last weekend. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm on Saturday when the teenagers were riding their E-Bikes along Lake Road. According to Detective Senior Sergeant…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegalAustralasia E-Bike TheftBelmontNorth Shore District CourtŌtaraAggravated RobberyShopliftingNew Zealand Police
-
Missing Teenager Located Safe in Avondale
A 16-year-old who was reported missing from the Avondale area has been located safe and well, according to the New Zealand Police. In a statement released today, the police confirmed the teenager's safe return. The police expressed their gratitude to…
Law EnforcementSocial Issues Missing PersonAvondaleNew Zealand PoliceLocatedTeenagerPublic AssistanceHolly McKay
-
Police Seek Public Assistance to Locate Missing Teenager Larissa
Police are seeking public assistance to locate 16-year-old Larissa, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area. She was last seen at approximately 10pm on Sunday near Tiverton Road. Larissa is described as being about 175cms tall, with brown…
-
Man Charged After Impersonating Police in Kawakawa
A 30-year-old man will reappear in Kaikohe District Court on 20 January on charges including personating a Police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified and possession of methamphetamine, after an unexpected discovery by Northland police last…
-
Names Released in Ruatiti Double Homicide Investigation
Police have released the names of the victims of the double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday, December 13th. The deceased are 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole. According to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, enquiries are ongoing, and…
-
Kaitaia Motorcycle Crash Victim Named
Marcus Tepania, 31, of Kaitaia, has been named as the man who died following a motorcycle crash in Kaitaia on December 12. Police have released his name and stated that their “thoughts are with his friends and whānau at this…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesTransportation KaitaiaMotorcycle CrashFatal AccidentMarcus TepaniaAccidentDeathNew Zealand Police
-
Henderson Police Nab Shoplifters with Trolley Full of Luxury Goods
Two women were arrested in Henderson on Sunday after attempting to steal nearly $1000 in groceries from a supermarket. The Henderson Beat Team was patrolling when supermarket workers alerted them to the alleged shoplifting. Sergeant Rachael England said the team…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal HendersonshopliftingWaitākere District CourtcrimeNew Zealand PoliceRachael EnglandWestCity
-
Boatie Rescued from Lake Taupō After Boat Fire
A boatie was fortunate to survive after a fishing trip on Lake Taupō went awry, prompting a water safety warning from Police and local iwi. Police were alerted around 6:45 pm following reports of a boat fire seen from Kinloch.…
Politics and GovernmentDisastersSocial IssuesLaw Enforcement Lake Taupōboat firewater safetymarine search and rescueKinlochBarry ShepherdRakeipoho TaiaroaNew Zealand Police
-
Stolen Bentley Leads to Discovery of Multiple Vehicles and Firearm
An investigation into a stolen Bentley has led North Shore Police to recover almost half a dozen stolen vehicles and a shotgun. The Waitematā East’s Tactical Crime Unit began investigating a burglary on the North Shore in the early hours…
Law EnforcementSocial IssuesLegal BentleyNorth ShoreWaitematā EastGlen EdenHuiaCrimeFirearmNew Zealand Police
-
Public Tip Leads to Arrest of Intoxicated Driver in Gore
A 38-year-old woman is due to appear in Gore District Court on January 21, 2026, after being caught driving under the influence. Police arrested the woman after receiving a tip from a member of the public who saw a vehicle…
Law EnforcementLegalSocial IssuesTransportationAustralasia Drunk DrivingGoreArrestChristopher RigbyTe AnauNew Zealand PolicePublic Safety