Source: New Zealand Police
Police are now in a position to release the name of the man who died following a crash on State Highway 5 at Tarawera on 28 May.
He was 30-year-old Gonzalo Ezequiel Altez Sosa, of Akina, Hastings.
Our thoughts are with those close to him.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is welcoming the recent sentencing of a man in the Auckland District Court to six months’ imprisonment, following serious breaches of transport law, including the unauthorised issuing of Warrants of Fitness (WoFs).
Between December 2022 and June 2023, Dwayne Lord fraudulently accessed the NZTA’s vehicle inspection system using his employer’s credentials, despite not being an appointed vehicle inspector. Over four separate occasions, he issued 78 WoFs without inspecting most of the vehicles.
An NZTA investigation uncovered this deliberate abuse of the system, and confirmed that very few of the vehicles had been inspected by Mr Lord or by any authorised inspector.
NZTA National Manager Road Safety Regulations Brett Aldridge says Mr Lord’s actions represented a clear violation of public trust and a potentially serious risk to road safety.
“New Zealanders rely on WoF inspections to identify actual, emerging, and potentially dangerous vehicle faults. Fraudulent inspection records not only undermine the integrity of the system, they also pose a real and serious risk to the safety of all road users.”
Mr Aldridge says the NZTA views this case as a blatant abuse of the land transport system and a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict oversight and accountability in vehicle safety certification.
“This sentencing should send a clear message to the industry: anyone who attempts to manipulate or abuse the inspection system should expect to be caught and held accountable. NZTA has robust monitoring and investigative capabilities, and we will not hesitate to take action against individuals who compromise vehicle safety and public trust.
At the same time, NZTA acknowledges that the vast majority of vehicle inspectors and industry professionals are doing an excellent job by upholding high standards, following the rules, and helping keep New Zealand roads safe. Their commitment should not be overshadowed by the actions of single individuals.”
The NZTA’s Safer Vehicles team regularly reviews inspecting organisations and vehicle inspectors to check compliance. If serious non-compliance is found, the team ensures that the right regulatory response is applied, including enforcement action.
You can report suspected fraud by emailing whistleblower@nzta.govt.nz
More information is available on our website:
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Acting Sergeant Danny Schaare:
Canterbury Police have charged six people with wilful damage following an incident where hundreds of stickers were placed on a store window during a protest on 2 August.
The store has recently seen a number of similar incidents, and the cost of clean up and removal of the stickers is around $1000.
The six charged have also been trespassed from the store and its surrounding complex.
Four males and two females, aged between 28 to 66 are due to appear in the Christchurch District Court in the next week.
In a separate incident, a 74-year-old man was arrested for assaulting Police during a protest on Saturday 16 August.
He is due to reappear in the Christchurch District Court on 10 September.
Police recognise the right to lawful protest, however we can not condone protest action where property is damaged and people are victim of assault.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Glen Lindup:
Police have laid a new charge in relation to the death of a man in Westport last month.
About 3:10pm on 31 July, Police were called to a reported altercation at a Palmerston Street motel. The victim was located critically injured and flown to Greymouth Hospital, where he died later that evening.
The victim can now be named as 31-year-old Dylan James Coleman, of Westport. Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult time, and we continue to offer them support.
A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and charged with wounds with reckless disregard. Today, Police filed a manslaughter charge against him.
He is due to appear in the Westport District Court on 27 August.
Police are not seeking anybody else in relation to the death.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the New Zealand Psychologists Board’s move to approve the development of the Psychology Assistant role, saying it will increase access to timely mental health and addiction support.
“We know there are long-standing workforce shortages across the sector, and this initiative opens the door for a career in mental health for the hundreds of students that graduate each year with a degree in psychology but are unable to secure a place in the clinical psychology programme,” Mr Doocey says.
“This is a common-sense move that I am confident will make a real difference”.
Psychology Assistants will work under the supervision of registered psychologists, helping to increase access to support and drive down vacancies within the mental health system.
“This Government put in place New Zealand’s first Mental Health workforce plan, which clearly identified the challenges facing the psychology workforce. Since then, we have followed through on opening up more places in the clinical psychology training programme, funded more clinical internships, and now the addition of the psychology assistants, will further strengthen the psychology workforce.
“I want to acknowledge the Psychologist Board for approving the introduction of the role in a careful and considered way to make this possible. I also want to thank Canterbury University and the Auckland University of Technology for their work in developing the training and qualification for the role’s responsibilities. It will offer a new pathway that did not exist for psychology students to go on to build careers in mental health and addiction.
“We’ve been clear that tackling workforce shortages is a top priority. By widening the pipeline into psychology, we can help drive down vacancies, reduce wait times, and ultimately improve outcomes for New Zealanders in their time of need.
“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% 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.”
Note to editor:
• The role was informally known as Associate Psychologists, the Psychologist Board decided Psychology Assistant will be the name of the position going forward.
• You can find the Psychologists Board’s media statement here.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are making enquiries into an incident in Levin today where a person appears to have sustained a gunshot wound.
Emergency services were called to Bartholomew Road at 12pm.
A person was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Police are speaking with people to help determine who was involved and what took place.
Police are continuing to investigate two other shooting incidents in Levin this week – one on Hinemoa Street on Monday evening, and on Mabel Street early on Tuesday morning – and will be working to determine any potential links between them.
“We are, and will continue to dedicate significant resources into finding the people responsible for this senseless violence,” says Manawatu Area Commander Ross Grantham.
“There will be a visible Police presence while we continue our investigations.”
“If you have any information, for the good of our community, please come forward before more people are hurt.”
Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or call 105.
Please use the following reference number:
Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Three people have been arrested, and synthetic cannabis, cash, and ammunition seized, following five search warrants in Christchurch this morning.
Detective Sergeant Brad Grainger, from Canterbury’s Organised Crime Team, says there has been an increase in the manufacture and supply of synthetic cannabis across the district over the last month.
In today’s warrants, Police located:
Synthetic cannabis has been the most lethal form of illicit substances in New Zealand in recent years, having been implicated in at least 70 deaths.
In talking with local retail staff, and with people sleeping rough, Detective Sergeant Grainger says the Christchurch Community Beat Team was hearing about issues related to synthetic cannabis use.
“Although this is not a top-of-the-line ‘sexy’ drug, the significant increase in the supply of synthetic cannabis lately has affected retail offending and disorderly behaviour,” Detective Seargeant Grainger says.
“It appears to have added to crime and disorder reported by local business leaders in the Christchurch area,” he says.
“We’re pleased to have these people before the court, but we won’t stop there, we continue to investigate so our communities can be safe and feel safe.”
A 51-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, and unlawful possession of a firearm, and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.
A 52-year-old man was arrested on charges of supplying a non-approved psychoactive substance, money laundering, and unlawful possession of ammunition and was due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.
A 44-year-old man was arrested on charges of possessing a non-approved psychoactive product for supply, and for selling a non-approved psychoactive product, and is due to appear in Christchurch District Court 5 September.
Further charges are likely.
High Alert, New Zealand’s drug early warning system, has issued five notifications related to serious synthetic cannabis harm over the last four years. More information on synthetic cannabis is available here. If people choose to use this substance, drug checking is recommended to lower the risks.
Anyone who needs assistance for drug dependency is encouraged to find help or contact the Alcohol Drug support line on 0800 787 797.
Please call 111 if you witness any unlawful activity happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact, with as much information as you can safely gather.
Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen:
A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotorua this afternoon.
Emergency services were called to an assault on Trigg Ave around 12:20pm.
Upon arrival, a man was located in a critical condition but died at the scene.
Police would like to reassure the community that while an area of Trigg Ave is cordoned off, there is not believed to be any risk to the public.
Police are continuing to make enquiries to locate those responsible.
Police ask anyone who may have seen what happened to please get in touch.
If you have any information that can assist the investigation, please make a report online, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number P063544271.
Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Falling interest rates are good for growth, businesses, jobs and Kiwis paying off their mortgages, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.
The Reserve Bank announced today that it was reducing the Official Cash Rate (OCR) from 3.25 to 3 per cent and signalled two further reductions this year.
“The latest reduction means the OCR has now fallen from 5.5 per cent to 3 per cent in just a year,” Nicola Willis says.
“I welcome the bank’s decision to respond to a difficult second quarter of the year with more stimulus.
“Lower interest rates support businesses to expand and grow, support increased construction activity, create jobs and put more money in people’s pockets.
“The falling OCR means repayments on a 25-year $500,000 floating mortgage are about $330 less a fortnight today than they were a year ago.
“That makes a big difference to the family budget and, as more mortgages come up for refinancing, more households will benefit. About 40 per cent of fixed mortgages are due to come up for repricing in the next six months.
“I know many families are still doing it tough, but the Reserve Bank’s view is that we are through the worst of it and the economy is starting to pick up.
“The Government’s responsible economic management is making a difference.
“Taking the pressure off inflation has allowed the Reserve Bank to lower the OCR when it needs to be adjusted.”
Source: New Zealand Police
A man faces a murder charge over the death of a woman in Papatoetoe earlier this month.
Police have been investigating the death of 84-year-old Joan Beale since she was located deceased at her home in Ashlynne Avenue on 9 August.
A 50-year-old man arrested at the time was due to reappear in the Manukau District Court today.
“Following enquiries, we have laid a murder charge against this man,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, of Counties Manukau CIB, says.
Police are not seeking anyone else in connection with Joan’s death.
“I acknowledge these events will have upset the local Papatoetoe community, but please be assured that this matter is now in the hands of the court.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police