Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

A Gang Conflict Warrant has been extended to cover the entire Manawatū area, as Police broaden their focus on dangerous gang activity.

It follows several firearms incidents in Levin, which led to the initial Gang Conflict Warrant being issued on 21 August, and two separate events in Palmerston North on Sunday and Monday morning this week, where Police were shot at while trying to stop suspicious vehicles.

Superintendent Dion Bennett, Central District Commander, said Police applied to the district court on Monday, asking it to broaden the coverage of the Gang Conflict Warrant that had been issued for Levin. The application was granted the same day.

“We’re still working to establish what, if any, links there are between the Palmerston North and Levin incidents, but it appears the message hasn’t sunk in for the gangs yet.

“No police officer expects to come to work and be shot at as part of their daily routine, and our communities don’t want this stupidly reckless behaviour either.”

Gang Conflict Warrants are temporary orders that broaden Police’s power under the Criminal Activity Intervention Legislation Act, giving Police special powers to search vehicles and occupants of vehicles of suspected gang members, and to seize firearms and weapons, and vehicles.

The Nomads and Mongrel Mob are the focus of the Police operation, with tensions between both gangs and gang members.

“By extending the footprint of the warrant, we’re able to reach gang members across the district, including those who left Levin since 21 August to avoid the attention,” Superintendent Bennett said.

The warrant extends to from Levin to Feilding, across to Dannyvirke, and south to Eketāhuna.

“We remain open to mediating between these gangs, but their actions are a risk to the community, a risk to our Police, and we’re not going to sit idly by while this dangerous activity plays out.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

As New Zealand prepares to commemorate Merchant Navy Day tomorrow, 3 September 2025, the Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is paying tribute to the sacrifice of merchant seafarers in times of war, while issuing a warning about our current maritime vulnerability.

Merchant Navy Day marks the anniversary of the sinking of the first Allied merchant ship in 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Throughout the war, New Zealand and Allied merchant seafarers served as a vital lifeline, crewing vessels that carried troops, military equipment, and essential supplies through perilous waters.

“Tomorrow we will honour the memory of the thousands of merchant seafarers who never returned to port,” says MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay.

“These unsung heroes faced unimaginable dangers to keep our country and our allies supplied, and their courage and sacrifice must never be forgotten. They crewed the ships that were the backbone of the war effort.”

Mr. Findlay says that the lessons of history underscore a critical weakness in modern New Zealand’s infrastructure, the decline of its domestic coastal shipping fleet.

“New Zealand is an island nation, utterly dependent on sea freight for our economic survival. But we have allowed New Zealand-flagged and crewed ships to be pushed off our coast through bad policies and short-term greed.”

The Maritime Union is a vocal advocate for rebuilding New Zealand’s coastal shipping capacity.

“For too long, we have outsourced our own supply chain resilience. A global pandemic, an international conflict, or a trade dispute could see foreign-flagged ships redirected overnight, leaving our ports isolated, our shelves empty, and our industries crippled,” says Mr. Findlay.

MUNZ is calling for Government and industry to invest in a national strategic fleet that can guarantee the movement of essential goods, create skilled maritime jobs for New Zealanders, and build a more resilient and secure nation.

“The best way to honour the legacy of our past merchant mariners is to ensure New Zealand has a strong, sovereign maritime capability for the future. On this Merchant Navy Day, we remember their service and recommit to our struggle to secure our nation’s lifeline,” says Mr. Findlay.

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on SH6, near Gibbston, between Gibbston Back Road and Victoria Flats Road. 

Police were called about 5.45pm.

The road is blocked, and there are expected to be delays.

Please avoid the area and use an alternate route, if available.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Auckland City Police are seeking help locating Raupunga Puru who has multiple warrants for his arrest.

The 28-year-old is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions.

Puru is transient and known to frequent the Auckland City area.

Numerous attempts to locate him have been unsuccessful and we believe the public can provide information as to his whereabouts. 

Anyone with information is urged not to approach him and instead call 111 immediately quoting file number 250710/1106.

Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are attending a serious crash involving two trucks that occurred on Kahikatea Flat Road, Dairy Flat, Auckland, around 2.35pm.

One person is in a critical condition and emergency services are on-site.

Road closures are in place between Kaihikatea Flat Road and the intersection of Selman and Austin Roads.

Police are advising motorists to use alternative routes as road closures may be in place for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the crash.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

A shoplifter who allegedly racked up a tab of thousands of dollars in stolen goods will face court tomorrow.

The woman had allegedly been targeting retailers in Westgate, so much so she had become a priority offender for the National Retail Investigation Support Unit.

Sergeant Julian Conder, from Waitematā West Enquiries, says over three months the woman had allegedly stolen goods worth a total of over $5,000.

“The woman had allegedly stolen clothing and food from retailers as part of the offending spree,” he says.

A warrant for the west Auckland woman’s arrest was issued late last week for an unrelated matter.

This afternoon, Police carried out enquiries to locate the woman.

“We located her walking in the Massey area, and she was arrested without further incident.”

Twenty-two shoplifting charges will be laid against the 40-year-old.

“Police will be opposing the woman’s bail when she appears in the Waitākere District Court tomorrow,” Sergeant Conder says.

“It’s a fantastic result for our team to have a priority target in our community, located and arrested.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Regular users of State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill have some critical dates they need to plan for.

The Wellington Transport Alliance has confirmed the night closure schedule for State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill for the first half of 2026.

Roxanne Hilliard, Alliance Manager, says regular users of the route should be aware of the 2026 schedule.

“We do not want anyone to be caught out by the closures. That is why we are putting this information out as early as we can so people can plan ahead, be ready and avoid unnecessary delays as the nearest detour route is via the Pahiatua Track or SH3 Te Ahu a Turanga.”

“They are both significantly longer routes for people wanting to travel between Wairarapa and Wellington.” Ms Hilliard says.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill, planned night closures – January – June 2026

Number of nights closed	Start 9pm	Finish 4am
1	Sunday 11 January 2026	Monday 12 January 2026
5	Sunday 15 February 2026	Friday 20 February 2026
5	Sunday 15 March 2026	Friday 20 March 2026
1	Sunday 19 April 2026	Monday 20 April 2026
5	Sunday 3 May 2026	Friday 8 May 2026
5	Sunday 10 May 2026	Friday 15 May 2026
1	Sunday 14 June 2026	Monday 15 June 2026

In total, there will be 23 nights of closures on the route from January until the end of June.

Ms Hilliard says there are very good reasons why night closures are used and work is not done during the day under stop/go traffic management.“

They are far less disruptive for road users. Before regular night closures were introduced around five years ago, there were roadworks underway on the route for approximately 300 days of every year.”

“That saw drivers being delayed or disrupted almost every day. Night closures have reduced this significantly,” Ms Hilliard says.

She says the other advantage of night works is that far fewer vehicles use the route at night.

“On average, State Highway 2 Remutaka Hill carries around 7,000 vehicles daily, but only around 300 travel at night.”

“While roadworks will, inevitably, have an impact on traffic, we do try to plan them so that we inconvenience as few people as we possibly can,” Ms Hilliard says.

Because the highway over  Remutaka Hill is narrow and windy, there is often not enough space to  accommodate traffic and maintenance equipment. Full closures mean maintenance works can be finished faster, reduce costs and are safer for road crews. 

Upcoming night closure – 7 September

While the schedule for the first half of 2026 is out, Ms Hilliard says people need to know there are planned closures happening this year that they need to be ready for.

“Our next single-night closure is coming up this weekend, Sunday, 7 September.”

“Please remember if you need to use the route on the night to book an escorted crossing. Our crews always make every effort to help but without a booking you may be turned away if crossings are already full,” Ms Hilliard says.

Important information for Remutaka Hill closures:

• Escorted crossings are available during closure nights but must be booked in advance. We always communicate well before planned closures and provide contact details so bookings can be made.
• Bookings can be made online on the Waka Kotahi website – Remutaka Hill Closure Escort Booking Form(external link)
• Bookings are essential – drivers who turn up without one risk being turned away. If you have a genuine emergency on the night, the hill manager will decide how best to help you.
• The escorted crossings are for light vehicles only. To keep our contractors safe, heavy vehicles cannot be accommodated.
• Full access is always available for emergency services.

State Highway 2, Remutaka Hill upcoming planned night closures – 2025

Number of nights closed	Start 9pm	Finish 4am
1	Sunday 7 September 2025	Monday 8 September 2025
5	Sunday 12 October 2025	Friday 17 October 2025
5	Sunday 16 November 2025	Friday 21 November 2025

More information about planned maintenance closures for Remutaka Hill can be found on our website:

Source: New Zealand Police

Whangārei Police are appealing for sightings of Zealand Watene, who was last seen by family nearly three weeks ago.

Zealand, 34, was reported missing from his Kensington home on Monday, and was last seen around 13 August 2025.

“It is unusual for Zealand not to stay connected with family and Police are concerned for his welfare,” Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson says.

“He could be anywhere in the Whangārei area or further afield in the Northland region.”

If anyone has seen Zealand or knows where he is, please contact our 105 service using the reference number 250901/7982.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The long-awaited second Ashburton Bridge is a step closer with the signing of a key agreement, Minister for the South Island and Associate Transport Minister James Meager has announced.

“The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has signed a contract with Fletchers Construction to progress the detailed bridge design, so that construction can kick off next year,” Mr Meager says.

“This is real progress towards the National Party’s campaign promise to start construction of the bridge in our first term.

“A second crossing has been a long-time coming, with around 24,000 vehicles using the current bridge daily. This is a key route for ensuring our people and goods can get up and down the South Island and needs to be future proofed.

“The new bridge will be a vital connection for Tinwald to Ashburton, relieving congestion on State Highway 1, and improving network resilience south to Otago in the case of emergency events like flooding.”

Crown delivery funding was secured for the project in December last year, with NZTA approving the business case and signing a partner delivery agreement with Ashburton District Council in April.

“Geotechnical investigations in and around Ashburton River have been completed and borehole samples are being analysed to better understand the ground conditions for the new bridge,” Mr Meager says.

“The project team is progressing property purchases, statutory approvals, and procurement. Fletchers Construction, together with its main design consultant AECOM, will refine the design, explore better construction methods, make the most of local opportunities, and address any potential challenges.

“A Design and Construction contract is expected to be signed at the end of the year. I look forward to announcing next steps once negotiations have concluded.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Another piece of red tape potentially curtailing the growth of the aquaculture industry has been cut with the passing of a bill that protects marine farmers from costly consent reviews, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. 

“We’ve set the ambitious goal for the aquaculture industry to generate $3 billion in annual revenue by 2035. The Coalition Government is doing its part by providing a regulatory environment where this kind of growth is possible,” Mr Jones says.

The Resource Management (Consenting and Other System Changes) Amendment Bill, passed last month, restricts the ability of councils to use section 128 of the Resource Management Act to review conditions of coastal permits until September 2030.

“This removes a bureaucratic barrier that potentially undermined efforts to grow aquaculture. Our marine farmers should be using their time, energy and funds to innovate and grow rather than engaging in tick-box exercises with overzealous regulators,” Mr Jones says.

The change follows the Resource Management (Extended Duration of Coastal Permits for Marine Farms) Amendment Bill last year which extended coastal permits for marine farms by 20 years. 

Last year’s amendment also introduced a new process for councils to review marine farm consent conditions with some restrictions, such as councils covering the costs of the review, and only allowing one review per consent. This process, available until September 2030, means that a review of conditions can occur when absolutely necessary, while reducing the impact of reviews on marine farmers.

“These changes are allowing marine farmers to focus on growing their operations, hiring more Kiwis and bringing in more export dollars, rather than dealing with endless red tape and costs stemming from an inefficient permitting process,” Mr Jones says