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Police urge the public to report any unlawful dirt bike riding on our roads

Source: New Zealand Police

Hawke’s Bay Police are asking the public for information to stop dirt bike riders in their tracks, before they cause more serious harm.

Senior Sergeant Ross Smith says a woman and a young boy have been injured recently in two separate incidents due to “dangerous, and frankly stupid” behaviour by people on dirt bikes.

Last week on Wednesday an 8-year-old boy suffered a broken bone in his leg after being hit by a dirt bike rider in Flaxmere.

And on 24 April a woman was hit by a dirt bike outside a café in Hastings, causing moderate injuries, while the two young riders received critical and serious injuries.

“There continues to be ongoing issues with people of all ages riding dirt bikes illegally on roads, footpaths and parks, mainly in the Flaxmere and Camberley areas,” Senior Sergeant Smith says.

“Riders are not wearing helmets or robust safety clothing. The motorbikes are often unregistered, not warranted and some are in poor condition and not road worthy.

“These riders have little regard for other road users, pedestrians or families using the parks and the public are paying the price.

“We are also urging parents of children who use dirt bikes to make sure they do so in a safe way, otherwise more people will get hurt,” says Senior Sergeant Smith.

Police are prepared to take enforcement action when necessary.

We are asking people if they witness any of this kind of behaviour to report it to Police on 111 if it is happening now, or 105.police.govt.nz if it is after the fact.

If you see dirt bikes being ridden dangerously then please take photos or videos and send it into Hawke’s Bay Police through the 105 website.

You may have also captured them on other devices such as dash cams or house security cameras. This can be done anonymously through our 105 services.

Gain as much information as you are safely able to, including the type of activity, any descriptions of the bikes and riders, the areas where this activity occurs and where they may come from, and any photos or video footage.

If Police are not able to attend these incidents immediately, follow-up action will be taken.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Gisborne Police urgently seek man who fled police

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Soni Malaulau, Tairāwhiti Police:

Gisborne Police are urgently seeking information as to the whereabouts of a man who fled from rural property this morning.

Sonny Kennedy was arrested at a Whakarau Road address around 9:30am, and was searched, before being handcuffed at the front of his body.

An officer was walking the 36-year-old to a police vehicle, before he fled on foot towards Whakarau Road.

The property is approximately 6km south-east of Matawai, around 26km from the intersection with State Highway 2.

Kennedy was dressed in a dark-coloured hoodie and light-coloured trousers and sneakers, and may have fled to a nearby bush area.

Police are working urgently to find him, as there are concerns for his welfare due to his ill-preparedness for the conditions and his potential state of mind.

Police are asking to the public to help us with any information you can. If you see Kennedy or have information as to his whereabouts, please call 111 straight away with any information, rather than approach him directly.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

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Police make discovery in early morning traffic stop

Source: New Zealand Police

A forbidden driver has added serious drugs offences to his list of woes after a traffic stop in Whangārei this morning.

Frontline staff patrolling through Whangārei stopped a vehicle travelling along Memorial Drive before 1.30am.

Whangārei Area Commander, Inspector Maria Nordstrom says it was quickly established the 19-year-old was a forbidden driver.

“The teenager was arrested on the roadside, and in the process of searching the man he was found to be carrying illicit drugs.

“A further search was invoked on a shoulder bag he was wearing across his body.”

Inside, Police located more than 21 grams of MDMA and 491 LSD tablets.

Inspector Nordstrom says a further search inside the vehicle also located additional MDMA.

Around $150 in cash was also seized.

The 19-year-old will appear in the Whangārei District Court today on drugs offences including possession for supply of MDMA and possession of MDMA.

He will also face other driving offences.

“Possession for supply is a serious offence and carries with it a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment,” Inspector Nordstrom says.

“It’s another great outcome from our team working overnight keeping harmful substances out of communities.”

ENDS. 

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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2-for-1: Police bag prolific Auckland shoplifters

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have caught up with two of Auckland’s most recidivist retail crime offenders this week.

Both men were of interest to the National Retail Investigation Support Unit (NRISU), after allegedly committing more than $10,000 worth of offending in recent months.

Early this morning, a Waitematā Crime Squad unit came across a vehicle in Massey while carrying out prevention patrols.

Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie says a traffic stop was carried out on Don Buck Road.

“It was soon established the man was being sought in relation to a series of shoplifting from retailers across Auckland,” she says.

“The man will face seven shoplifting charges, with three of those being valued over $1000.”

The 41-year-old will be appearing in the Waitākere District Court today and will have his bail opposed.

Meanwhile, further south, Counties Manukau East Police have laid more than 10 charges against a Mongrel Mob member.

Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook says units were attending a family harm event in Ōtara on Sunday.

“Staff established one of the parties involved had numerous warrants for his arrest in relation to shoplifting offending in Auckland and Whangārei,” he says.

“He was also a target for the NRISU given how prolific his offending has been over the past month.”

Inspector Cook says the 34-year-old man appeared in the Manukau District Court on 10 shoplifting offences.

“Police successfully applied to have this man’s bail opposed and he has been remanded in custody to reappear in July.

“It’s a fantastic outcome and the man has been held accountable for thousands of dollars’ worth of offending.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Fatal Crash: State Highway 12, Matakohe

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can advise a person has died following a fatal crash on State Highway 12, near Matakohe.

The single vehicle crash occurred at around 1.30pm, west of Gallie Road.

Police extend condolences to the family of the victim.

A full road closure was put in place while the Serious Crash Unit carried out a scene examination.

Police thank motorists for their co-operation.

An investigation is now underway into the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

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Release: Half a billion dollar tax break for tech giants

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Government is taking the Digital Services Tax off their books, effectively handing a $479 million tax break to global tech giants, like Facebook and Google.

“First it was tax breaks for landlords and tobacco companies, now it’s multinational technology companies,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“Under National if you’re already doing well, you can have a tax break to do even better. But everyone else, everyday Kiwis, miss out.

“The message from this Government could not be clearer: if you’re a woman seeking equal pay, or a family trying to get the FamilyBoost payment that was promised to you, then you don’t matter.

“But if a wealthy corporation comes asking for help, they will bend over backwards to give them a break—at your expense.

“Nicola Willis promised Kiwi families $250 a fortnight, but she can’t find a single family who got it. More than a quarter of their FamilyBoost scheme, about $14 million, has been eaten up in bureaucracy instead of going to families as promised.

“They’re telling New Zealanders we need to tighten our belts, but this Government keeps giving handouts to the people who need it least and taking it from the people who need it most.

“Budgets are about choices, and at every turn this Government is making the wrong choices.

“We need a government that is focused on improving the lives of New Zealanders, not making global tech giants like Facebook and Google even more profit,” Barbara Edmonds said.

Note to editors: The $479 million figure comes from the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update 2024 (page 76), which states: “The forecasts currently account for a 1 January 2026 implementation and include revenue of $479 million over the forecast period in relation to the DST with an additional $146 million per annum expected beyond the forecast period.”

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Release: Govt helps banks dodge repayment claims for Kiwis

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Government is moving to let two of the country’s most profitable banks off the hook for money owed to their customers.

“As Kiwis continue to feel the squeeze of the high cost of living, this Government is choosing to deny tens of thousands of New Zealanders who may be owed money the right to make a claim in court,” Labour commerce and consumer affairs spokesperson Arena Williams said.

“ANZ and ASB, two of the most profitable banks in New Zealand, broke disclosure laws designed to protect mortgage holders. Tens of thousands of New Zealanders may be owed thousands of dollars in interest and fees that were wrongly charged.

“Instead of helping people get their claims dealt with, National is pushing through law changes so that the penalties banks owe are softened and will be backdated.

“Their choice to change the law on behalf of banks and at the expense of Kiwis is outrageous. True to character, Christopher Luxon fails to see how every dollar helps families pay for their rents, rates, or groceries.

“This is what being out of touch looks like. This is a government that finds time to help billion-dollar banks dodge accountability, but no time to help the people they may have overcharged.

“Next time you hear a National Minister talking tough on supermarkets or energy companies, remember that the real decisions don’t happen in front of the cameras, they happen in Cabinet, quietly,” Arena Williams said.

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Release: Search begins for rare family receiving $250

Source: New Zealand Labour Party

The Government can’t say if even a single family has received the $250 a fortnight they were promised.

“It’s time Nicola Willis got her binoculars out to begin the search for a family that has received her promised cost of living relief,” Labour finance and economy spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said.

“There are 33 examples of where she is planning to cut women’s pay, but she can’t come up with a single example of anyone who has received the full $252 she promised.

“People who received it appear to be rarer than the little spotted Kiwi, the fairy tern, new ferries, or Nicola Willis answering a question without blaming Labour.

“National said it would help with cost of living, but so far all New Zealanders are getting are broken promises and cuts to women’s pay.

“It’s possible that not a single New Zealander received $252, and so the great Kiwi treasure hunt for Nicola Willis’ cost of living relief begins,” Barbara Edmonds said.

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Government Cuts – Govt dismantling of public housing confirmed with Kāinga Ora axing a net 620 roles – PSA

Source: PSA

The sacking of hundreds of workers at Kāinga Ora is just more evidence of the Government’s heartless treatment of vulnerable families who rely on the support of the state for a roof over their heads.
Kāinga Ora today confirmed final plans to shed a net 620 roles across various teams. Many of these workers are providing frontline services to support tenants such as those at call centres and those working with other government agencies to find the right houses, in the right place for families.
“This is another shameful day for the Government which promised no cuts to frontline services – this is a lie which is being exposed every day across the public sector,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“Many workers will now have to re-apply for new roles, with 769 workers having their roles disestablished. This piles stress and uncertainty on so many people doing valuable work for families across New Zealand.
“The Government is turning its back on supporting vulnerable families who have relied on Kāinga Ora to provide them with warm and secure homes – a basic human right.
“Just as we have seen with the attack on underpaid women, this is a government that favours the privileged. Fewer public houses will be built by the Government as it repeats the mistakes of the past and shifts the responsibility to community providers.
“The Government made a choice to gut Kāinga Ora – all part of the bigger plan to cut public services, and fund tax breaks for landlords. The irony is not lost on workers.”
The latest cuts mean a third of the Kāinga Ora workforce has been shown the door in a year.
“The dismantling of Kāinga Ora will make it harder for a future government to rebuild the agency that was succeeding in housing thousands of families. It’s disgraceful.”
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Advocacy – NZNO care and support workers at Parliament for Budget Day

Source: New Zealand Nurses Organisation

Care and support workers who had their pay equity claims dumped overnight after years of work will meet at Parliament tomorrow to voice their frustration at the Coalition Government’s changes.
The workers are members of New Zealand Nurses Organisation Tōpūtanga Tapuhi Kaitiaki o Aotearoa (NZNO) and are some of the 3000 aged residential care health care assistants who were party to the claim.
NZNO care and support delegate Tash Greig says care and support workers were devastated by the changes.
“The Government chose not to prioritise low-paid women in this year’s Budget. They can find funding for landlords and the film industry, but not for women doing some of society’s toughest jobs.
“The work we do has been underpaid and undervalued for generations because we are women. Our claim was almost finalised and would have meant our hard work was finally properly recognised.
“To heap injustice on injustice, these changes were made without warning or consultation. That’s why we are joining the cross-union hui at Parliament tomorrow.
“We want the Government to treat us with the same dignity and respect we treat our elderly and vulnerable patients with – and reverse these changes,” Tash Greig says.
When: 1-2pm, Thursday 22 May 2025
Where: Parliament Lawn.