Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now advise one person has died following a crash on Marine Drive in Eastbourne tonight.

The crash was reported to Police just after 6.50pm.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

We would like to thank all those impacted by the road closure for their cooperation and patience as this work is undertaken. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Central Otago locals are set to benefit from boosts to mental health services in Wānaka and Queenstown, including more staff and expanded services, Mental Health and Rural Health Minister Matt Doocey announced today.

“The Government is committed to faster access to mental health support, more frontline mental health workers and a better mental health crisis response,” Mr Doocey says.

“Recently I visited Wānaka as part of the nationwide Rural Health Roadshow, where I had the opportunity to meet with over 300 locals at a community meeting. While there I held a dedicated session with Health Action Wānaka, a local group advocating for improved health services in the region.

“The turnout in Wānaka was the largest of the roadshow so far. Hearing directly from residents and frontline health workers, including their concerns, reinforced why this Government is working hard to improve the health system.

“I am pleased to see progress being made to address some of the challenges there, in the form of:

•    Two additional mental health nurses have joined the Queenstown-based community mental health team, providing increased in-person support across the region.
•    Expanded psychiatric services for children and adolescents, including a new psychiatrist registrar based in Central Otago.
•    Telehealth psychiatric consultations, now available for residents in the Upper Clutha region, offering timely support without the need for long travel.
•    The contract for a new child and youth mental health service in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago has been awarded to ADL Supporting Young People.

“These changes will help deliver better child and youth services together with  adult crisis support, clinical care, and therapy closer to home – something we heard loud and clear was needed during our Wānaka visit,” Mr Doocey says.

“Our mental health plan is working. We’re turning the corner on reducing wait times and increasing the mental health workforce. Recent data shows the frontline Health NZ mental health workforce has grown around 10 percent since we came into Government, and over 80% of people are being seen within three weeks for specialist services.

“I am very clear that when someone is making the brave step of reaching out to get support, workforce should never be a barrier. Whether it’s you, your child, a friend, or a family member, reaching out for support, this Government is committed to ensuring support is there.”
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Canterbury Police conducted a targeted operation across Rangiora and Kaiapoi last weekend, aimed at reducing harm and improving road safety.

More than 800 breath screening tests were carried out, resulting in nine drivers being processed for driving over the legal alcohol limit.

Of particular concern, three of these drivers had come directly from a local bar. Police are currently looking into this matter further.

“This behaviour is disappointing. Driving under the influence of alcohol puts everyone at risk – not just the driver, but passengers, other road users and pedestrians,” says Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel.

Police remind the public that you can be stopped anywhere, at any time. Alcohol checkpoints are a regular part of our prevention strategy, and impaired drivers will be held accountable.

Canterbury Police urge all drivers to:

Plan ahead if you’re drinking — arrange a sober driver, taxi, or rideshare.

Look after your mates — don’t let friends drive if they’ve been drinking.

Understand your limits — even small amounts of alcohol can impair your ability to drive safely.

Be responsible — your decisions behind the wheel can save lives.

Let’s work together to keep our roads safe.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Marine Drive, Eastbourne is closed near Taumaru Ave following a crash.

The single-vehicle crash was reported just after 6:50pm.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to expect significant delays as the road will be closed for several hours, preventing access to Eastbourne.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a 44-year-old man in relation to the theft of a significant bronze sculpture from the Mt Pleasant Community Centre.

The man will appear in Christchurch District Court on 16 September on a charge of theft.

“The theft of the sculpture has deeply upset the community, and Police have worked hard to locate the artwork and identify the person responsible” says Acting Detective Sergeant Steph Trengrove.

The artwork, titled Flight, was created by renowned Christchurch sculptor Llew Summers in 2018 and is valued at $95,000. Weighing 2.2 tonnes and measuring 2.2 metres in length, the sculpture depicts a large bird in flight, inspired by the nearby estuary. It was the final major bronze work completed by Summers before his passing in 2019.

Police became aware of the theft on 6 June 2025.

“Unfortunately, our investigation indicates that the sculpture has been destroyed and much of it sold as scrap metal, with only small pieces being recovered.”

“While we are pleased to have apprehended the offender, Police acknowledge the devastation the residents feel in losing such significant artwork.

We would like to warmly thank key community members who assisted officers with information and support throughout the investigation, including those from the scrap metal industry.”

If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please contact Police on 111 immediately. To report after the fact or in non-emergencies please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Inspector Paul Reeves, Response Manager:

A woman has been taken into police custody following a house fire in Epsom Road, Sockburn this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the address at 3.10pm today.

The woman was the sole occupant of the house and refused to leave when emergency services arrived.

While there was no risk to the wider community, cordons were put in place around the house to enable emergency services to work safely at the scene.

Police officers spent some time engaging with the woman and she was safely taken into custody at 4.55pm.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Recovery works are stepping up a gear on State Highway 60 Tākaka Hill this week, with nighttime road closures planned this week.

The route will be closed to all traffic on Thursday and Friday nights this week (11 and 12 September), between 8 pm and 5:30 am.

There is also potential for the road to be closed on Saturday night (13 September) if extra time is needed to complete the planned work.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says understanding the slip’s geology is essential for developing a proper repair. 

“Our contractors will be using a large drill rig to drill into an overslip at Goodall’s Straight. The drilling will provide information that is critical for understanding the geology of the slip and will also allow us to install drains to dewater and remove stress on the slip failure plane.”

View larger map [PDF, 614 KB]

Because of the size of the drilling rig and the work involved, Mr Service says a road closure is unavoidable.

“The drilling rig to be used is a big piece of equipment and will take up the entire road. Once it starts drilling, it cannot be paused or moved to let traffic through. This means traffic will not be able to get past it while it is working.”

“We realise the impact this will have on traffic, which is why the drilling will be done at night. Traffic volumes are much lower on the Tākaka Hill at night, so these night closures will inconvenience fewer people,” Mr Service says.

Regular users of the route are urged to plan ahead and be ready for the closures. While access will be available for emergency services, the route will be closed to all other road users.

Work schedule:

• Thursday and Friday nights (11 and 12 September), 8 pm – 5:30 am (Closure possible for the night of  Saturday, 13 September, if required)
• SH60 Tākaka Hill CLOSED between Aaron Creek Road and Riwaka Valley Road.
• Access will be maintained for residents on each side of the worksite, but residents will not be able to travel through the worksite during work hours.
• Access will be available for emergency services.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says the findings of an independent review of the National Ticketing Solution (NTS) for public transport have supported a reset of the programme which will see the rollout of NTS in Christchurch from November this year, with a target to be operational throughout New Zealand by the end of 2027.

“NTS equipment will start to be installed on buses and ferries in Christchurch later this week as we prepare for the roll-out of contactless payments across the city from November,” says NZTA Chief Customer & Services Officer and NTS Sponsor Sarina Pratley.

“This is exciting news for Christchurch and for the broader NTS programme. By mid-November, bus and ferry passengers in Christchurch will be able to make fare payments using credit or debit cards.” 

Mrs Pratley says the independent review commissioned by the NTS Governance Board in May 2025 has resulted in a range of recommendations across the programme that will help to ensure its successful delivery.

The report makes 10 primary recommendations and 32 sub-recommendations, including those relating to programme governance, leadership, delivery and decision making, as well as ensuring realistic resourcing commitments from all NTS partners*.  

Mrs Pratley says the findings of the review are already being actioned. Three of the ten primary recommendations and 13 of the 32 sub-recommendations have been closed out, and the remainder are being urgently addressed.

“A new Programme Director has been appointed, the programme’s governance structure is being reviewed to strengthen decision-making, a restructure of the programme is underway to ensure it has the right resources to be successfully delivered, and additional resource has been committed to the NTS programme by the partners,” Mrs Pratley says.

The independent review has also highlighted that NZTA was overly ambitious with the original timeframes of delivering the NTS programme by the end of 2026. 

“This finding is acknowledged,” Mrs Pratley says. “NTS is a complex programme to deliver. It is replacing four different ticketing systems that support five national and additional local concessions with one standardised national system.  

“The challenge has been accommodating a broad range of localised requirements into one national technical solution. NZTA has used the review’s insights to get agreement for a more manageable incremental release plan for the technical solution. This has also enabled us to drive better alignment across Public Transport Authorities to support NTS. 

“The NTS partners have welcomed the review’s findings and remain committed to the successful implementation of NTS, which will ultimately make it easier for everyone to hop on board and pay for public transport in New Zealand.”

NZTA will be publishing a redacted version of the independent review and its recommendations later this month, following consultation with our commercial partners. This will be available on our website: www.nzta.govt.nz(external link)  

An updated regional implementation schedule for NTS is currently being developed, and will also be finalised later this month.

* The NTS public transport partners are:  Auckland Transport, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Canterbury Regional Council, and a Regional Consortium – Northland Regional Council, Waikato Regional Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Taranaki Regional Council, Gisborne District Council, Horizons Regional Council, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Nelson City Council, Otago Regional Council, and Invercargill City Council. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are today releasing photos of one of the campsites where Tom Phillips and his children were hiding prior to Monday morning’s shooting at Waitomo.

The makeshift camp was located by specialist Police, acting on information from one of the children, about 2 kilometres from the scene where Phillips died after he shot and critically injured a Police officer.

A large-scale investigation is continuing into the shooting, which happened about 3.25am on Monday on Te Anga Road.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Minister of Police Mark Mitchell today visited the injured officer, Officer A, in hospital.

“I was pleased that I could meet him and his family today and offer my encouragement and support to them. While the officer has a long road to recovery, we will be there to support him and his whānau at every step.

“He is a dedicated and caring constable and represents the best of what it means to be a rural Police officer.

“I’m proud of him, and the officers who arrived on the scene seconds later and dealt to the threat.”

Commissioner Chambers also met with Acting Waikato District Commander Inspector Andrea McBeth and staff this morning.

“Their professionalism in dealing with a colleague being injured and working through an incredibly complex investigation is admirable and they will receive any additional support that is needed.”

Scene examinations

A number of areas in Western Waikato remain under scene guard as Police process evidence following Monday morning’s events.

The camp area in Waitomo and the scene of the shooting remain active crime scenes, with forensic staff on site today to gather evidence.

Three firearms, including the weapon used by Phillips, have been recovered from the scene of the shooting. Several firearms have been located from the area where Phillips was camping, and further details will be shared when they become available.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers said a number of investigations are under way into the incident, including an Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation, Coronial enquiries, and a Critical Incident Review.

“The body of Tom Phillips was removed from the scene late yesterday and there will be a post mortem tomorrow, after which his body will be released to his family.

“Investigation staff are going over the areas where the family had been staying, and have been speaking with farmers, locals, and workers in the area. That work is to help us build an accurate picture of the movements of Tom Phillips and the children.”

Wrap-around support

Acting Deputy Commissioner Rogers said the children were reunited late yesterday and are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki.

“Our staff described the children as being engaged and they readily spoke with our staff, who provided them with snacks and drinks while they waited to be brought out of the camp site.

“While they are now in the care of Oranga Tamariki, we will continue to work closely with the children, taking the time and sensitivity that is needed after the ordeal they have been through.”

Extra Police staff have been deployed to the Marokopa and King Country areas and will remain in the district over the coming days.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre