Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now name the woman who died after a fatal crash on Commodore Drive, Lynfield on 29 January .
She was Marian Elizabeth Kilgour, 83, of Auckland.
Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
A new-look database to advance women’s progress into leadership roles has been launched to mark International Women’s Day.
Minister for Women Nicola Grigg says there is growing evidence that having qualified women on public and private boards strengthens decision-making, governance and financial performance.
“Women leaders play a critical role in a productive economy and New Zealand’s long-term growth and resilience. That’s why we are providing tools like BoardConnector to drive meaningful change to women’s representation.
“For the first time, private sector businesses across the country will have access to a pool of governance-ready leaders and aspiring leaders will be supported with training and resources to progress to governance roles.”
The proportion of female directors in NZX-listed firms has increased markedly since 2016, but women hold only 31 percent of private-sector director positions. Public sector boards and committees comprise about 50 percent women.
“Driving women into higher paid governance roles helps improve their economic empowerment, and reduces the gender pay gap and retirement savings gaps,” Ms Grigg says.
“We are growing the economy so that all New Zealanders are better placed to cope with the cost of living through more job opportunities and higher wages, and we’re pulling out all the stops to improve the economic outcomes of women and girls across New Zealand.”
Women interested in governance are encouraged to join BoardConnector and be part of building New Zealand’s future leadership capability.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau West CIB:
At around 9pm last night reports were received that a property on Tamaki Ave, Ōtāhuhu was on fire.
Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand attended the scene with an investigation now underway.
At this stage we can advise that one person was located deceased inside the property.
Police are working to establish what has occurred and will remain on scene.
Anyone with information can contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 260305/4989.
Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have charged another person in an ongoing homicide investigation following the death of a courier driver in Pakuranga Heights.
Operation Block commenced on 19 August 2024 to investigate the murder of 59-year-old Tuipulotu Vi on Marvon Downs Avenue.
Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, of Counties Manukau CIB, says: “Police have charged a 35-year-old Waiuku man with murder.
“This is the second man to appear in court over Mr Vi’s death and we cannot rule out further arrests being made in this investigation.”
The 35-year-old man will appear in the Manukau District Court today.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander:
A man is before the courts following a serious assault in Hamilton yesterday.
At around 7am, Police were notified of an assault in High Street, Frankton.
Upon arrival, a man was located with serious injuries and transported to hospital.
Police made enquiries throughout the day and at around 2pm, the alleged offender from this violent and unprovoked attack was located in Melville and taken into custody.
A 35-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court today, 5 March, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assaults Police.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says a new partnership which supports business owners with their hiring decisions will help get more Kiwis into work.
ChamberWorks launched in Auckland today, as a partnership between the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and New Zealand Chambers of Commerce.
“This is an exciting new development, and I welcome the joined-up approach between MSD and the Chambers,” Louise Upston says.
“ChamberWorks will support more successful job placements and will be a valuable recruitment service for employers, helping them to find the right people for their vacancies.
“It aligns workforce needs with job seekers, meeting a gap in the market. Employers frequently tell me recruitment is one of the biggest challenges they face.
“It makes sense for these two key groups to work together because MSD has the largest talent pipeline of workers in the country. They’re also able to support the recruitment process with access to training and online learning.
“Along with MSD, I share the Chambers’ commitment to supporting businesses to build capable teams and getting job seekers into work. Working together, we can deliver more.
“Our Government is committed to fixing the basics and building the future for New Zealand. Getting more Kiwis into work is key to this,” Louise Upston says.
ChamberWorks will be available nationally across the 23 New Zealand chambers and each will partner with MSD and collaborate on workforce plans, events and opportunities.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government continues to explore all options for assisting New Zealanders stranded by conflict in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins say.
“The events in the Middle East are fast-moving, dangerous and complex – and our primary focus is on assisting New Zealanders in the region to the extent possible in this very challenging security environment,” Mr Peters says.
“With airspace closed and most commercial flights not operating, we continue to recommend that New Zealanders shelter in place – or take any safe and practical opportunities that are available to leave the region.
“As part of preparing for all contingencies, we are pre-deploying New Zealand consular staff and two Defence Force planes to the region – so that they can be ready when conditions allow to assist with any civilian evacuation operations.
“In preparing for the possibility of civilian evacuation operations, we are working closely with our consular partners. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines, including on the subject of charter options.
“We cannot be sure when and how any civilian evacuation operations might be possible, but we want to be ready if and when conditions on the ground make them possible,” Mr Peters says.
This deployment of consular staff and two NZDF C-130J aircraft is part of New Zealand’s contingency plans in preparation for supporting New Zealanders wishing to leave the Middle East, Ms Collins says.
“The New Zealand Defence Force and Foreign Affairs staff are playing a vital role in this situation, stepping up to assist New Zealanders in distress overseas,” Ms Collins says.
“Decisions on precisely where the consular response team and two C-130Js will be deployed are still to be taken, though their location will be selected taking safety and other practical factors into account.
“There will also be limits, for reasons of operational security, to how much we can comment publicly on when and where the New Zealand Government personnel and aircraft will be deployed.”
All New Zealanders in the Middle East are urged to register on SafeTravel.
There are currently around 3000 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as living in the Middle East.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is running a 24/7 response operation to events in the Middle East, including via teams in the region.
New Zealanders needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry’s Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are disappointed two premises have been caught selling alcohol to underage volunteers in the Marlborough region.
Blenheim Police, in conjunction with Marlborough District Council licensing team, conducted a Controlled Purchase Operation at various licensed premises in Blenheim and Picton on 27 February.
“Disappointingly, of the eight licensed premises that were checked, two sold alcohol to minors – both were in Blenheim,” says Sergeant Graham Single.
“The message is clear – if you are selling alcohol, you have a responsibility to do so lawfully. Selling alcohol to minors is illegal, it’s irresponsible and it causes harm in our communities.”
The two premises who failed the checks will be dealt with through the Alcohol Regulatory and Licensing Authority.
“It’s disappointing to have failures like this and Police ask licensees to talk to their managers and staff about the responsibilities expected of them.
“Alcohol continues to contribute to crime and harm in our communities, and we all need to contribute to reducing the effects,” says Sergeant Single.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Last week Police said we’d be taking action on the illegal sale of nitrous oxide in our communities and this week we are seeing results.
“Many districts, including Eastern, Counties Manukau, Waikato, Central, and Bay of Plenty had already begun working with retailers to ensure they knew the laws around the sale of nitrous oxide,” says Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny.
“One retailer has shown complete disregard for the law and has persisted in selling this substance for recreational use. That retailer has now been charged under the Psychoactive Substances Act.”
District Commander Superintendent Will Loughrin said this result will be great for the Rotorua community.
“We took a planned prevention approach and this shows if retailers ignore us, we will follow through with enforcement action.
“We have taken more than 300 cannisters out of circulation. That will mean reduced harm for our young people, and also less danger on the road because of it.
“Our beat team had engaged with the retailer several times, yet he refused to heed our warnings. So now he will face the consequences, which is a criminal charge of selling or suppling a non-approved psychoactive product which carries a fine of up to $500,000 or a maximum term of two year’s imprisonment,” says Superintendent Loughrin.
The man will appear in the Rotorua District Court tomorrow.
“This is the first prosecution of a retailer in our district and I hope that any other retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use will note this and think again.”
Assistant Commissioner Tusha Penny says she is disappointed some retailers are choosing to snub the law despite engagement by Police.
“However, I am pleased to see this great effort by our staff and this demonstrates that we will use enforcement if people break the law.”
Police urge anybody who is aware of a retailer selling nitrous oxide for recreational use to contact Police on 105 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 to report it.
If people see discarded cannisters in public they should contact their local council for advice about safe disposal, as these cannisters can explode if not emptied and disposed of properly as a hazardous substance.
Notes to media
Next week Police will be able to provide an update on numbers of letters delivered to retailers by Police around the country.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police
A Police investigation has shut down a suspected methamphetamine manufacturing operation and seized several firearms in north-west Auckland.
Two arrests were made in the operation, led by the Waitematā Gang Disruption Unit, after Police descended on a Riverhead property early on Tuesday.
The operation included Police staff from the GDU, local Kumeū Police staff and the Armed Offenders Squad.
“We have been investigating the manufacture of methamphetamine, and these enquiries led us to a property with suspected links to the Headhunters,” Detective Senior Sergeant Josh Lautogo says.
“Police arrived at the property and executed a search warrant, locating a range of equipment, materials and substances used in the manufacture of methamphetamine.”
Two firearms were also located: a semi-automatic M4-style rifle and a 3D-printed semi-automatic pistol.
A quantity of cash and methamphetamine was also recovered from a locked ammunition box at the property.
“The box had been thrown off a deck on the property by one of the occupants as our staff were approaching the address, and it was soon secured,” Detective Senior Sergeant Lautogo says.
A 62-year-old man and 35-year-old woman were arrested at the address and will appear in the Waitākere District Court today.
The pair have been jointly charged with possession for supply of methamphetamine and the possession of equipment and materials.
The 62-year-old man has also been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and pistol.
“Our investigators continue to target those nestled amongst our communities who are manufacturing illegal drugs,” Detective Senior Sergeant Lautogo says.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police