Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm two people have died following a serious crash on State Highway 1 near Redwood Pass this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.

Despite best efforts by emergency services, two people died at the scene.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

The road will be closed for some time and motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel to the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop. 

“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.

Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

• Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
• Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
• Breaching the peace.
• All forms of begging.
• Rough sleeping.
• Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

• Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
• Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
• Apply to people aged 14 or older.
• Be issued in writing, as is operationally appropriate.

“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.  

“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.

“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.  

“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is imploring the Government to choose actual solutions to homelessness, after Ministers today announced the Government’s plan to effectively criminalise it.

“Christopher Luxon’s Government chose to intentionally make homelessness worse, and now they’re criminalising the problem they have inflamed,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick.

“When the Government ignored its own official advice, community leaders, social services and expert warnings to cut off access to emergency housing and slash support for wrap-around services, communities received a tidal wave increase in homelessness.

“Since these changes came into effect, we have been practically begging the Prime Minister to come out into the real world, to meet the people, including the children, who his policies have made homeless.

“We know the solutions, which the Government continues to choose to ignore.

“Now, instead of solving it, they’re going to push the problem around, and throw good money after bad to lock up homeless people in prisons at a cost in excess of $200,000 a year, for worse and worse outcomes.

“Not only is Luxon’s Government following Trump’s America in foreign policy, but they’re now copy-pasting that callous approach to local issues – ignoring evidence, punching down and relying on strong man words when the country needs genuine solutions.

“If the Government wants to ‘deal’ with homelessness, it should house people. It says it just wants to ‘move’ people ‘on’ – to where?” says Chlöe Swarbrick. 

Source: New Zealand Government

New move-on powers for Police, announced today, are a key part of the Government’s action plan to create a thriving Auckland city centre, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says.

“Move-on orders give Police an important tool to address antisocial behaviour that makes people feel unsafe. When people are intimidating others, blocking doorways, or engaging in threatening behaviour, Police need the ability to act.

“These powers build on the work already underway through our city centre action plan announced last year and will help restore confidence that Auckland’s CBD is a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place for families, workers and visitors.

“Auckland’s city centre is a vital part of New Zealand’s economy, contributing around 8 percent of our GDP and serving as the gateway to our tourism sector. Ensuring the CBD is safe and welcoming for those who live, work, and visit is essential.”

The city centre action plan is already seeing good progress in making the city centre safer and more welcoming. 

• 146 people have been placed into housing through our Housing First initiative by the end of January – up from 33 when the plan was announced in November last year.
• Crime victimisations have fallen from 1,010 in January 2024 to 638 in December 2025, with a new Police Station opened in the CBD last year and Police increasingly on the beat.

“Our approach balances support with accountability. We’re helping those who need housing and mental health services, while taking firm action against behaviour that intimidates others.

“Auckland Council has also made good progress improving city centre safety, including redesigning Pocket Park to reduce anti-social behaviour, and ensuring street lighting and cameras cross the CBD are operational to support Police.

“Our city centre has never been more important. The International Convention Centre has recently opened, the City Rail Link opens this year, and cruise ships are bringing thousands of visitors into Auckland. 

“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the progress we’ve seen so far – from frontline Police and outreach workers to council staff and community groups. While we’re heading in the right direction, there’s still more work to do to ensure Auckland’s city centre is a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.

“Our Government is backing Auckland to succeed.”

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 is closed following a serious crash near Redwood Pass this morning.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is closed while emergency services are in attendance, motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel if possible.

ENDS