Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

A man allegedly responsible for breaking into a number of vehicles and businesses and helping himself to the contents has landed in Court.

Police have been making enquiries following a number of thefts across Auckland.

Detective Sergeant Mike Mead, Waitematā West Tactical Crime Unit, says the first incident happened on 23 August 2023, when a member of the public reported the theft of his laptop, headphones and tools after his vehicle was broken into in Sunnyvale.

“The second incident was on 6 October, when a Mount Eden premises was broken into and about $45,000 worth of electronics were taken.”

He says Police then received a report in relation to two vehicles being broken into on 9 November in a city car park.

“Tools, electronic and personal items, including shoes and a debit card were stolen.

“Officers have been making enquiries in the past few weeks and on Wednesday executed a search warrant at a Kumeū address where a man was taken into custody.”

Detective Sergeant Mead says methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and some of the stolen property was located.

“This arrest sends a clear message; if you target any member of our community with theft, we will hold you to account.

“We continue to encourage anyone with information about suspicious or illicit activity to contact Police immediately with as much information as they can safely gather.”

He says Police are now in the process of returning the stolen goods to their rightful owners.

A 40-year-old man will reappear in Waitākere District Court on 2 March facing multiple charges including theft from a vehicle, receiving property, possession of methamphetamine and taking documents  for pecuniary advantage.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A man has been charged with theft after using stolen credit card details to purchase more than $1000 worth of petrol across Auckland.

Waitematā East Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Williams, says between 1 and 26 September a manager of a petrol company began receiving notifications of the petrol thefts.

“Together Police and the petrol company were able to match the timings of the purchases up with CCTV and identify the same individual each time,” he says.

“This person wore the same clothing to every alleged theft, filing up various vehicles with petrol, or walking on to the forecourt and filling up jerry cans.”

After identifying a suspect Police conducted a search warrant at an address in Torbay in November.

“At that address we located items from the thefts,” Detective Senior Sergeant Williams says.

“These offences were carried out at nine different petrol stations over the four-week time period, and we are pleased to have put a stop to it.”

Enquiries are ongoing into how the alleged offender obtained the credit card details.

A 30-year-old man will appear in the North Shore District Court on 9 December charged with theft.

With the festive season approaching Police are urging people to use caution with their credit card details.

“If anyone suspects they have been the victim of credit card fraud they should contact their bank immediately and get the card cancelled or locked,” says Detective Senior Sergeant Williams.

“Then call Police, as the earlier we can look into it the best chance there is of catching the offender and helping you recover your losses.

“Police take fraud seriously and we will continue to hold offenders who participate in these activities to account.”

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Following a crash on State Highway 5, Tapapa this morning, trucks and heavy vehicles heading north between Rotorua and Tīrau will not be able to go past the intersection of Harwoods Road and State Highway 5.

A diversion for trucks and heavy vehicles is in place and drivers should follow the directions of emergency services staff.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on State Highway 5, Tapapa.

Police were advised at 10.45am that a car had collided with a tree, between Harwoods Road and Tapapa Road.

The car caught on fire following the crash and the fire is reported to have spread to nearby vegetation.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and should take alternative routes where possible.

At this stage there is no confirmed information regarding injuries.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Officials will report six-monthly on the new government procurement rules which take effect today to ensure they are being complied with, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. 

“The Government is serious about helping Kiwi firms to grow so the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment will monitor both compliance and the impact of the new rules. 

“Businesses have told the Government the new rules are a game-changer that will promote greater competition and give them a fairer shot at winning government contracts that are collectively worth more than $50 billion a year. 

“Getting government work provides Kiwi companies with the opportunity to grow and build staff capability.

“In some cases, it can also enable them to expand to a scale at which they can compete internationally. 

“But feedback from businesses is that many previously found the paperwork involved in bidding for contracts daunting and were frustrated by a tender process that took no account of their contribution to New Zealand.

“Therefore, the Government has slashed the number of rules agencies must follow when tendering contracts from 71 to 47 and introduced a new economic benefit test that requires agencies to apply a minimum 10 percent economic benefit weighting when evaluating contracts. 

“Economic benefits include agencies making better use of New Zealand resources such as increasing workforce participation, providing training or apprenticeships, and improving the pay or conditions of Kiwi workers,” Nicola Willis says. 

The new rules do not infringe on New Zealand’s trade agreement obligations because international companies also have the opportunity to demonstrate economic benefit to New Zealand. 

Notes for editors

• Agencies must now seek economic benefits for New Zealand in goods, services and refurbishment contracts over $100,000 and $9 million for construction.
• Below these thresholds for primary procurement activities, agencies are expected to choose capable New Zealand businesses wherever possible.