Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  07 May 2025

Kākā are rowdy and sociable parrots found in New Zealand’s native forests. Stoats and possums are the key threat to kākā, with females and chicks the prime targets during nesting when they stay in tree cavities for long periods. Over time, this leads to a male-skewed and declining kākā population.

A group of DOC and other scientists spent a week in the Pureora Forest last October, capturing and releasing kākā. It was a second trip into the Waipapa block to determine the health and gender balance of the local kākā population.

DOC Principal Science Advisor Terry Greene says the previous trip in 2023 had been “puzzling and concerning” because few birds were caught and all were males. However, the latest survey results were exciting.

“We caught an equal number of female and males which is a good sign of a healthy kākā population. This leads to more kākā breeding and chicks produced boosting the Pureora population.

“This is the first time in our monitoring of kākā at different sites we have found a 50-50 gender balance. At sites where there has been no predator control the ratio has been as low as one female to five males.

“With no predator control to protect kākā, females get taken out, breeding declines, old males are left behind – and after a while there are no kākā at all,” he says.

A total of 22 birds were captured (at 14 sites in Waipapa and two sites in Pikiariki) of which 11 were male and 11 were female during the October field work.

Kākā are generally monogamous during breeding season, which is triggered by forest masts – when trees produce and drop their fruit and seeds. Peak egg laying for kākā is December and January, and females sit on the eggs (clutches can be up to five eggs) for about 24 days before hatching.

Terry says the Pureora kākā population is “doing extremely well”, with the birds even obvious around the forest’s village – another indicator of the kākā population success.

“They’re doing as well as kākā on off-shore islands – where there are no predators – and they’ve responded very well to our management,” he says.

Nature in New Zealand is unique and special. Most of it is only found here. It’s different to what you can find anywhere else. Once our species are gone from here, they’re gone from everywhere.

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Source:

ACT MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar has written to the Chair of Parliament’s Education and Workforce Committee. She’s calling for politicians to listen to all the options for reducing the harms of social media on young people. The proposed inquiry would examine the practicality of introducing a ban on social media for young people and consider that against alternative solutions.

“The proposal to simply ban social media for those under the age of 16 is unlikely to solve the problem. Technologically, it’s a mine field. Morally, it is a Government solution that does not involve parents. Its unintended consequences could do more harm than good,” says Dr Parmjeet Pamar.

“The things that can go wrong are extensive, for examples:

– A ban could fail technically, with young people simply going around it to interact in new ways. Will, for example, Reddit threads be forbidden, and how could they evolve to produce the same harms we are currently worried about?
– A ban could excessively restrict access to the digital world, meaning young people miss out on genuinely useful opportunities, for example Australia will apparently exclude YouTube from Social Media
– A ban could unintentionally drive young people into the darker corners of the internet. The bill doesn’t block access to the internet itself – it targets platforms that at least try to build guardrails. The wider internet doesn’t. TikTok is easy to ban because it’s identifiable. But you can’t ban being online, and when the mainstream platforms go, the guardrails go with them. Maybe that trade-off is worth it and the risk of a young person finding truly objectionable material isn’t that great – but it’s a question worth asking.
– A ban could stigmatise online activity, making young people less likely to discuss harms they experience with parents and teachers, because they view their activities as illegal
– A ban could displace high quality solutions that allow parents to control internet access and enter the digital world safely
– A ban erodes personal responsibility. It implies that responsibility lies with the Government, when real solutions should involve Government, business, and community, especially parents in this case.

“A high quality inquiry would hear from teachers, principals, technological experts, mental health professionals, and parents, among others. Hearing their views and evidence, would put all options on the table. There might be a better way forward than a simplistic ban that young people will probably get around anyway.

“Other jurisdictions have moved towards bans, but there is no success story. The implementation is proving tricky. Rather than repeating their mistakes in real time, we should learn from them. In Australia, even though the legislation has passed, they still have no idea how the age restriction will be enforced.

“The last thing we want is a knee-jerk response that sees young people pushed to the dark web or other platforms that don’t even self-regulate – or creates a system that forces everyone, under 16 or not, to hand over personally identifiable information to tech companies.

“ACT shares the concern that social media is causing harm to young people. But any government response must be grounded in evidence and respect parental responsibility – a Select Committee inquiry would ensure we are best placed to achieve that.”

Source: New Zealand Police

A large-scale search and rescue operation has continued today in Milford Sound, for a man who has been missing since Sunday.

The solo tramper failed to return after a planned day trip to climb Mitre Peak.

The alarm was raised promptly, and a search and rescue operation began immediately, shortly before midnight on 5 May.

Detective Tracy Ward says a large number of resources have been working through arduous terrain, assisted by helicopter crews.

The search is being supported by Land Search and Rescue teams from Fiordland, Caitlins and Southland, Southern Lakes Helicopters, Heli-Otago, Southland Amateur Radio Emergency Communications, a Wakatipu Land Search and Rescue tracking dog team, a Dunedin Land Search and Rescue air scent dog team, and Wakatipu Alpine Cliff Rescue teams.

“There is also a huge amount of local support being provided by tourism operator Real NZ at Milford Sound. Roughly 60 volunteers, 10 Police staff and the various helicopter and tourism staff are working hard to find the missing man.”

A Police incident management team is in place in Invercargill, supporting a forward command base at Milford Sound.

Detective Ward said helicopter searches began on Monday and carried on into the night, before resuming this morning.

“Land Search and Rescue field and dog teams have been in the search area since Monday morning, as well as alpine cliff rescue teams due to the incredibly steep terrain in the area. Real NZ has assisted the operation with marine vessels and support staff, as well as helping the search staff at the forward control base in Milford Sound.

“We are looking at a wide search area in a very rugged part of New Zealand. We have yet to find any items that could help narrow the search area, but we are remaining positive.

“The man we are looking for is experienced in the outdoors and we believe he had suitable clothing and provisions, which can make all the difference. We are in contact with his next of kin, but at this stage are not in a position to release further details about him,” Detective Ward said.

“We are expecting a deterioration in the weather tonight and that may affect ongoing search efforts, but Police and volunteer staff will remain in Milford Sound until further notice.”

Police have spoken to a number of people who encountered the man in the vicinity of Mitre Peak on Sunday 4 May. Detective Ward said Police still needed to hear from anyone who was in the area on Sunday if they haven’t already spoken with Police. Please contact Police by making a report online, or by calling 105, referencing the event number P062448221.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A Land Search and Rescue team today joined the search for missing Masterton man John Rafferty, who was last seen about midday on Sunday 4 May.

Sergeant Anthony Matheson says it’s possible John is staying with a friend, but Police and his family want to know he’s safe.

“A reasonable amount of time has passed, and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet. A search team has been out looking for him, and a helicopter also helped us search several areas today. We are really keen to know that he’s safe.

John is 74 and was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on Sunday. He did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later. The CCTV image shows John on the station platform.

He was wearing sweatpants, black shoes, and a blue jacket with ‘NASA’ written on the back.

John may have left the Masterton area, and anyone who sees him is asked to contact Police via 111. Information after the fact can be provided online at 105. Please use the reference number P062453320.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

More than a third of all firearms licence holders have registered their firearms, with New Zealand’s Firearms Registry recording its 400,000th gun now linked to an individual licence holder.

Te Tari Pureke – Firearms Safety Authority says the 400,000th firearm was one of more than 1000 guns added to the Registry in one day, on 1 May. These firearms are held by 81,400 individual licence holders, or 36 percent of licenced gun owners in New Zealand.

Acting Executive Director, Superintendent Richard Wilson, says the Registry is part of a broad response to firearms harm in our communities, and delivers greater transparency and accountability when firearms are bought and sold, imported, and manufactured. This is helping mitigate the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands.

The Registry was one of the reforms following the March 2019 terror attack in Christchurch.

“Only last month, Police arrested two unlicensed hunters in possession of a number of firearms after a complaint about illegal hunting. When the serial numbers of some of the guns were cross-checked with the Registry, it identified licence holders and investigations are continuing.

“This is a huge step forward, being able to trace firearms so quickly and easily. And remember, it’s still early days. Over time, as we get all licence holders in, the Registry will increasingly make it more difficult for firearms to move from lawful hands into the black market of unlicensed people, including gangs, extremists, or criminals.”

Licence holders must record their details in the Registry no later than August 2028. However, if they have an activating circumstance before that time, such as renewing their licence, buying a firearm, or changing address, they must register their licence details and all their firearms and parts, and keep that information up to date. Most registered firearms, almost 89 percent, are so-called A-Category firearms, the standard rifles and shotguns used by hunters and farmers.

Superintendent Wilson says the Registry is on track to have all licence holders in by the 2028 deadline.

“We acknowledge all the firearm licence holders who have filled in the Firearms Registry so far. To those yet to register their firearms, Te Tari Pūreke is here to help. Go to the MyFirearms web page or call us on 0800 844 431 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.”

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Canterbury Police, New Zealand Customs and Police’s National Organised Crime Group (NOCG) have made a significant dent in the supply of drugs into Christchurch, with the seizure of more than 25kg of cocaine.

On 29 March, Police and Customs received information about a significant importation of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port.

More than 25kg of the Class A Controlled Drug was seized, with a street value in excess of NZ$9 million.

Search warrants have since been executed across New Zealand, utilising specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering.

The investigation has been ongoing over the past six weeks and has led to the arrest of four men, aged 30-36, from Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga and Auckland.

They will face multiple charges, including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary, and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates.

Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks says this seizure equates to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm prevention.

“That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation.

“Police and Customs continue to be committed to targeting those offenders causing the most harm, and are always looking for opportunities to disrupt the supply chain from organised criminal groups targeting New Zealanders.

“Part of the investigation’s success was also due to the target hardening of Customs Controlled Areas in Christchurch and the excellent partnership between Customs and Police.

“We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises.”

Customs Acting Investigations Manager Rachael Manning says this investigation was the result of quick action and close collaboration between Police and Customs as well as industry partners who are committed to working alongside law enforcement to help stop organised criminal groups from operating in our regions and ports.

“We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit. They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains, whether that’s at seaports, in secure areas or on vessels themselves.

“This result highlights that we are determined to find them, and we will not let legitimate businesses falling victim to these criminals’ methods. Everyone has a role they can play in protecting our country and communities from harm. Customs urges our industry stakeholders and public to remain vigilant at all times. You can raise any suspicions about possible smuggling behaviour by calling 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) in confidence, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111,” Ms Manning says.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: Argument for Lifting NZ Super Age

Improving the resilience of state highways in the top of the South Island continues, with State Highway 63 at Howard Narrows near St Arnaud the next in line for improvements.

Improving the resilience of state highways in the top of the South Island continues, with State Highway 63 at Howard Narrows near St Arnaud the next in line for improvements.

Contractors will be on-site on the St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, from Monday 19 May until Friday 27 June to complete rock scaling and rock bolting.

Work will be underway on weekdays only between 7:30am and 5pm.  No work will be done on weekends

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman says contractors will be working on the top rock face about 30 metres above the highway, a section that hasn’t been strengthened before.

“Our team will use a 60-tonne crane with a cradle to provide abseilers access to the top of the rock face but due to the geography the loose rock and debris must be removed manually.” 

“Approximately 120 rock bolts will be drilled to stabilise the face before mesh rock-protection is installed,’ Mr Service says.

He says that, as the location’s name suggests, this section of State Highway 63 is incredibly narrow, which makes the work extremely challenging. 

“To ensure the safety of road users and our crew we must close the road while this work is completed.”

“Rock falls can pose a serious risk to road users and sometimes result in lengthy road closures. Reducing this risk is a priority.”

Mr Service says improving State Highway 63’s resilience is critical. 

“We have seen from past severe weather events how crucial it has been in providing an alternative route when State Highway 6 has been closed between Nelson and Blenheim.”

“It is critical we continue to invest in the highway to improve the resilience and reliability of the regional state highway network,” Mr Service says.

Because rock scaling can only be done safely during the day, the work requires daytime road closures. Measures will be in place to reduce delays and disruptions for drivers, with regular openings planned to let queued traffic through the work site. They will be scheduled for 10 am, 12 noon, and 3 pm, for 20 minutes.

While the project is underway, Mr Service says road users will have to detour via State Highway 63 St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, Korere-Tophouse Road and State Highway 6 Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway.

“This is a significant detour and will require extra travel time. However, it is unavoidable as it is not safe to have traffic driving through the project site when rocks are being removed from the cliff face. We have to keep drivers safe from the risk of rockfalls.”

“Please bear with us. We know there will be disruptions and delays while the work is completed. But investing in these improvements now helps prevent bigger hassles in the future,” Mr Service says.

NZTA/Waka Kotahi is working with the freight industry, the local community to ensure those affected by this work can make arrangements in advance.

Works schedule

• Monday 19 May, to Friday 27 June, 7:30am – 5pm (weekdays only) full road closure of State Highway 63 between Howard Valley Road and Kawatiri Junction.
• During this time the road will reopen for 20 minutes at 10am, 12noon and 3pm to let queued traffic through.  These times will be dependent on the weather and safe passage through site.
• The road will operate under stop/go traffic lights and a reduced temporary speed limit outside of work hours.
• During work hours the detour route for all vehicles will be via State Highway 63 St Arnaud-Kawatiri Highway, Korere-Tophouse Road and State Highway 6 Kohatu-Kawatiri Highway.
• Allow an extra 30 minutes travel time when travelling on the detour route.
• Emergency services will be accommodated through the closure.

View larger map [PDF, 130 KB]

More information

• This work is funded by the Crown Resilience Programme – a $419 million investment package of resilience improvement activities that will reduce the impact of severe weather events on our national roading networks. The total crown resilience programme comprises $279 million for activities on State Highways, and $140 million for activities on Local Roads – Crown Resilience Programme (CRP)(external link)
• Other resilience works recently completed in the top of the South Island include rock scaling work on State Highway 65 at Higgins Bluff and flood prevention works on State Highway 1 at Dashwood in Marlborough, State Highway 6 at Dellows Bluff and State Highway 63 near the Wash Bridge in the Wairau Valley. Stage Two of the resilience work on State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle is also planned to begin in May.