Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a crash on State Highway 20 this morning.
Emergency services are responding to the three-vehicle crash, just after the Walmsley Road off-ramp, which was reported to Police at about 6.04am.
At this stage there are no reports of injury.
One southbound lanes is blocked and motorists are advised to expect delays or seek an alternate route.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Detective Inspector Nick Pritchard:
Two years ago today, a small boy who the country has come to know as Baby Ru arrived at Hutt Hospital with critical injuries.
Tragically he passed away as a result of those injuries, just a few days short of his second birthday.
The cause of death was found to be blunt-force trauma, which Police believe to be non-accidental.
This week, Baby Ru and his wider whānau should have been excitedly preparing for his upcoming fourth birthday – instead, whānau are marking the second anniversary of his death.
Three adults remain persons of interest in the police investigation into Baby Ru’s death.
I know that people across New Zealand share the immense frustration – and sadness – that our investigation team feels, knowing that the person responsible for Baby Ru’s death has not yet been held to account for their actions.
I can assure the New Zealand public that our investigation team remain as committed as we were on day one of the homicide inquiry to ensuring that justice is served for Baby Ru.
I urge those who could help us hold Baby Ru’s killer to account to do so. Contact Police and tell us what you know. It’s not too late to do the right thing.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Foreign Minister Winston Peters and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper held the second annual NZ-UK Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue in London today.
“The UK is one of New Zealand’s oldest and most important international partnerships,” Mr Peters says.
“In the current adverse strategic environment, the UK-NZ relationship is only becoming more and more important.
“Our discussions at today’s Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue underlined the vast array of issues on which New Zealand and the UK must cooperate even more closely.”
Discussions included bilateral security, economic and strategic cooperation; working together in the Pacific and Indo-Pacific region; and combating Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
“This was a valuable opportunity to discuss our shared values, as natural partners in a challenging global environment. New Zealand is committed to working with our like-minded partners to uphold the international rules-based order,” Mr Peters says.
Mr Peters invited Foreign Secretary Cooper to visit New Zealand in 2026 for the third annual Foreign Ministers’ Dialogue.
While in London, Mr Peters also met Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Seema Malhoutra; Shadow Foreign Secretary, Priti Patel; and the Leader of Reform UK, Nigel Farage.
During his ongoing European trip, Mr Peters will also visit Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Finland.
Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died following a boating incident off Napier today.
Police were contacted at 1.40pm today after two people failed to return from a crayfishing trip this morning.
Coastguard Hawke’s Bay were deployed and located one of the people in the water at 3.10pm.
That person was transported back to shore by Coastguard Rescue, where they were checked over by Ambulance staff.
Tragically the second person was located unresponsive in the water a short time later and was unable to be revived.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is improving the protection for people in state care, with the Responding to Abuse in Care Legislation Amendment Bill passing its third reading.
“This Bill is an important part of our wider response and complements the work already well underway to implement the Royal Commission’s recommendations. The changes will improve the safety and wellbeing of children, young people, and adults in care,” Lead Coordination Minister Erica Stanford says.
“We are committed to doing better for survivors, and I know these changes to our existing legislation will make a difference.”
The legislation changes include:
Oranga Tamariki Act
Children’s Act
Crimes Act
Records Act
“I want to acknowledge the bravery of the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences of abuse and neglect with the Commission and contributed to its important work.
“There is still a lot more to be done to ensure the wrongs of the past are not repeated. The Government is committed to continuing this work with urgency and care,” Ms Stanford says.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Redress System for Abuse in Care Bill passed its first reading this afternoon, Lead Co-ordination Minister for the Crown Response, Erica Stanford says.
The Bill provides that the purpose of a State redress scheme is to:
Redress includes a financial payment, an apology, access to care records, and counselling or other wellbeing services.
The Bill also provides for more meaningful apologies to be able to be made by state agencies as well as introduces a new framework for independent consideration of financial redress where a survivor has also committed specified serious sexual or violent offences and been sentenced to more than five years in prison.
“I acknowledge there will be strong and diverse views about the proposed additional scrutiny by an independent decision maker where a survivor has committed serious offences. This approach, based on the Australian model, does not automatically exclude any survivor from receiving financial redress. However, it does require that the independent decision maker satisfy themselves that making such a payment would not bring the scheme into disrepute. This recognises that there are a small number of survivors who were abused in care have also gone on to perpetuate harm to others.
“The Bill has now been referred to the Social Services and Community Select Committee for five months. I know the Committee will give the Bill the careful consideration that it deserves and I encourage survivors, their advocates, and all other interested parties to submit on the Bill.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand in relation to multiple large fires in Kaikōura.
A number of cordons are in place, with multiple road closures around the area
Police are also assisting with the evacuations of schools and residents in surrounding areas.
If members of the public have been evacuated, Police advise them to travel to Kaikōura High School or the Kaikōura Golf Course.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A man who was located deceased on Horotane Valley Road in Heathcote Valley on 19 September has been formally identified, and the man’s death has been referred to the Coroner.
A Coronial order is in place prohibiting any publication of identifying details regarding the man, so no further information or comment can be provided at this time.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj:
Police are continuing with a critical incident investigation surrounding the events leading up to a fatal crash in Whangārei on 11 October.
We are now in a position to release the name of the victim.
He was Rhys Harris-Wikaira, 31, of Whangārei.
We would like to acknowledge the impact this event has had on the community and our thoughts are with those involved.
Several investigations are underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident.
Police are still seeking information from any witnesses who may have been in the area at the time, or prior to this incident occurring.
If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105.
Please use reference number 251012/3275.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 50, near the Waipawa River bridge, is blocked after a truck has rolled due to wind this afternoon.
Police were notified of the single-vehicle crash at around 2:50pm.
Initial indicators are that a person has been injured.
Eastern District Police have received sveral reports of vehicles rolling/tipping due to high winds.
We are urging motorists to seriously consider delaying travel, especially if you are travelling in a high-sided vehicle.
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