Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray:

One person has died following a crash in Pukekohe this afternoon.

Police were looking for a stolen motorbike in the Pukekohe area when a unit observed the bike travelling along Helvetia Road at about 12.20pm.

The Police unit has performed a U-turn in an attempt to signal for the vehicle to stop, however before they have activated their lights and sirens the motorbike has accelerated off at speed.

The officer has then lost sight of the vehicle.

A short time later, another Police unit patrolling the area has located the bike crashed on McShane Street.

Sadly, the rider was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A scene examination is underway by the Serious Crash Unit and the road remains closed.

There is now an investigation underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident.

This includes notifying the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard procedure.

We are also working to support those affected and their families as well as our staff who were involved.

As part of our investigation, we are seeking information from 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 job number P063348335.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Two offenders were left out of luck – and gas – after a burglary in Botany overnight.

Counties Manukau East Police responded to a burglary at a landscaping business on Botany Road just before 11.30pm.

“It was reported two offenders had allegedly gained access to the yard and were believed to be trying to steal diesel,” Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook says.

“A number of Police staff responded to the area, with support from a Police dog handler.”

Police were quickly on the scent.

A 44-year-old man was quickly arrested near the business.

“The dog handler continued to track for the second offender, and he was found trying to hide under a digger.”

Both men, aged 37 and 44, have jointly been charged with burglary and will appear in the Manukau District Court today.

“It’s a great result,” Inspector Cook says. “From a report being made as the offending was taking place through to night shift staff getting on scene quickly and interrupting the offenders.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious three-vehicle crash near Auckland Airport.

The crash occurred at around 4am on George Bolt Memorial Drive, near the intersection with Tom Pearce Drive.

A second occupant of the same vehicle has sustained serious injuries and has been transported to hospital.

A lane has been opened up for southbound traffic on George Bolt Memorial Drive to use.

Police on scene advise traffic is flowing in the area, but please continue to allow additional time to reach your destination this morning.

It is anticipated the road will reopen later this morning.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police in Counties Manukau West have located a plethora of stolen items after executing a search warrant in Māngere East last week.

Officers were looking for a stolen bike at an address in Buckland Road when they instead located a pile of tools that didn’t belong there.

Sergeant Ben Guptill, of Counties Manukau West Tactical Crime Unit, says while executing the search warrant, officers found the alleged offender had arrived at the address shortly before Police and unloaded the tools from a car.

“Among the property was also an electric motorcycle, which upon inspection of the serial number, had been stolen in a burglary in Papatoetoe a week prior.

“The bike was returned to the rightful owner and needless to say, they were ecstatic at having the bike returned.”

Sergeant Guptill says the man was taken into custody and officers set about making enquiries into the owners of the other stolen goods.

“We were able to identify three victims and return their property to them.

“One was a nail gun that had been stolen from a vehicle in 2021 – he was absolutely stoked to have it back after four years.

“This is a great example of the importance of people marking/engraving their tools, as this is the only way we were able to track them down and return their property.”

Sergeant Guptill says burglary is a serious offence and brings with it a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.

“We have zero tolerance for this type of offending, and will continue to hold those responsible to account.”

He says there are a number of preventative measures people can take to avoid theft from occurring:

•  Ensure your vehicle is locked and don’t leave valuables in plain sight
•  If you need to park on the street, park in a well-lit area and near CCTV cameras if you have them
•  If possible, have an alarm system in your vehicle/house and tinted windows to deter opportunistic offenders
•  Engrave your tools with your driver licence number – that way, if we find your tools, there’s a better chance of us getting them back to you
•  Keep a record of the serial numbers
•  If you work on a construction site, be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to Police
•  If you can’t take your tools home with you, lock them up in a shed on site
•  Second-hand dealers and the public should be wary of tools being offered to them at a price that’s too good to be true

Anyone who sees suspicious activity around vehicles can call Police on 111 if they are witnessing the activity, or 105 after the matter.

A 49-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will appear in Manukau District Court on 1 August charged with burglary, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and breach of a court release condition.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are referring an Auckland man’s death to the Coroner, after he was located deceased in Highbrook on Tuesday.

Counties Manukau CIB have been investigating the sudden death since it was first reported at around 11.30am on 22 July.

“I can confirm that a post-mortem examination was completed yesterday afternoon,” Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward says.

“Police will not be releasing detailed findings of the post-mortem, but it has indicated the man died of a self-inflicted injury.

“Police are not treating the man’s death, or the discovery of two devices near his body, as a criminal matter.”

A scene examination around the walkway was also completed yesterday.

Police are currently unable to release further details surrounding the man, as formal identification procedures are yet to be completed.

Next of kin have been contacted and Police are currently supporting them through the next steps in the process.

“This incident has occurred in a very public place, and I understand there will naturally be curiosity surrounding what has taken place,” Detective Senior Sergeant Hayward says.

“It’s important to remember that a person has died and there is family grieving, so we ask people to be mindful of speculation.

“Our focus now is to complete enquiries on behalf of a coroner who will in time issue fulsome findings surrounding the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau CIB:

An earlier Police operation has been completed on a walkway near Highbrook.

At around 11.30am, Police were advised of a sudden death near a walkway running adjacent to the Southern Motorway (SH1).

On attendance Police staff have located a man’s body off the walkway.

While carrying out their work at the scene, Police located a suspicious item near the man’s body.

This item resembled the appearance of an improvised explosive device (IED) or similar.

The area was immediately cordoned off, including the closure of SH1 between Princes Street and Highbrook Drive.

The Police Specialist Search Group and the NZDF EOD Team were deployed to the scene.

Specialists have carried out a thorough examination of the immediate area and have located two objects.

Both objects have been safely removed from the scene.

Initial enquiries indicate that these items are not IEDs, and further specialist enquiries will need to be carried out into these two objects.

The Southern Motorway (SH1) has since reopened to motorists.

Police will remain at the location around the walkway where the man’s body was located.

A detailed scene examination will be carried out this evening and this is expected to carry on into Wednesday.

Police can reassure the public that the situation is contained and there are no immediate concerns for the anyone’s safety.

Police will carry out enquiries into the man’s death on behalf of the Coroner.

This includes a post-mortem examination and formal identification, which will be completed in due course.

We sincerely thank motorists for their cooperation today and recognise the disruption that has been caused.

Public safety is paramount, and these decisions on cordons are always made with this front of mind.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Herby Ngawhika, Rotorua Area Commander:

Police are pleased to report no significant issues following a tangi in Rotorua today.

There was an increased visible Police presence in the Ōwhata area across the day, monitoring the movements of those in attendance, as well as ensuring the safety of all other road users. There were over 160 vehicles in the funeral procession.

Police’s response today focused on ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the public, while also respectfully allowing mourners the space to grieve. Attendees had been advised through an intermediary as to the behaviours that would not be tolerated.

Our Police operation utilised a Gang Conflict Warrant that is in place for Rotorua as a result of heightened gang tensions. This Warrant will remain in place for a number of days to come. 

The operation resulted in a number of vehicles being stopped throughout the day. 10 arrests were made, and another person was summonsed to court.

All those charged were Mongrel Mob members from Rotorua, the Hawke’s Bay and Kawerau. Four of the people arrested had warrants for their arrests, and a further two were arrested for breaching bail conditions. These conditions included not to associate with gang members of a particular chapter, and not to be in possession of gang insignia in a public place.

Other arrests included possession of gang insignia in a public place, possession of an offensive weapon, and possession of methamphetamine. Police also seized one gang patch under the Gangs Act 2024. 

Two people were charged with driving whilst disqualified or suspended, and two vehicles were impounded. 

We would like to thank the members of the public for their patience and understanding on the roads today.

Police will continue to maintain a highly visible presence in the Ōwhata and Hannahs Bay areas through the afternoon and overnight.

We encourage anybody to report any instances of unlawful activity on the roads, so appropriate follow-up action can be taken where necessary.

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.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Ruatoki earlier this afternoon.

Just after 3pm, emergency services were called to Ruatoki Valley Road at the intersection with Number 1 Road, after a school bus and a motorcycle collided.

Sadly, the motorcyclist died at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

Detours are in place and motorists are advised to expect continued delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm the name of the man who died after being brought into Rotorua Hospital with critical injuries.

He was Zain Matenga Taikato-Fox, 20, from Rotorua.

Police offer our condolences to his family and friends during this difficult time.

Police are continuing to work to establish the circumstances leading to the man’s injuries.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Infringements, breath tests, arrests, and impounds, are some of the results from an operation targeting antisocial road user behaviour in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato Districts.

Rotorua Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Gillbanks says Police’s increased presence put a damper on any plans that participants had to congregate on Saturday night.

“Our visibility and enforcement meant we were able to disrupt any behaviour before they were able to participate in any antisocial road user behaviours.”

In Rotorua, 51 infringement offence notices were issued, including some for excess speed. Another five non-operation orders were also issued, and a total of 11 drivers were forbidden to drive.

Police seized a number of wheels and tyres brought to specifically support drivers engaging in antisocial road user behaviour, with Bay of Plenty prosecutions summoning two people to Court for preparing to commit a crime. Their vehicles were also impounded.

More than 350 breath tests were completed throughout the night, all with negative results for excess breath alcohol.

During the operation in Hamilton, one person was arrested and charged for possession of cannabis, and two others were arrested for being parties to an offence.

Police issued 63 infringement offence notices and six non-operation orders. Two vehicles were also impounded for their participation in antisocial road user behaviour.

Over 780 breath tests were conducted, five of which returned positive results for excess breath alcohol.

A Hamilton man was also summonsed to Court after having been identified to have participated in a previous road user gathering.

In both areas, Police established checkpoints around the planned gatherings, ensuring drivers would be intercepted while leaving the area.

Inspector Gillbanks says this operation clearly shoes that no matter where antisocial road users plan to be, Police will be there.

“Staff from both districts worked cohesively and as one, using decisive zero tolerance action to intercept and disrupt the antisocial road user behaviour in our respective areas.”

Waikato Road Policing, Senior Sergeant John McCarthy says Police is committed to ensuring those participating in antisocial road user behaviour are held to account.

“Not only does this keep nearby residents awake and damage roads, but it places drivers, passengers, bystanders, and other motorists at extreme risk.”

Both districts will continue to focus on this unlawful activity and work together to hold those responsible for this behaviour accountable.

Police ask members of the public to report antisocial road user activity to us, with as much information as safely possible.

We need your help preventing and responding to the activity, and in cases where we cannot immediately respond, allows us to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.

You can report information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or through 105 for non-emergencies.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre