Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

It’s been a week of rescues for the crew in the sky, who have helped a number of people caught up in scary situations across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Last night, Police were called after an international visitor went for a stroll from Pine Harbour to Motukaraka Island but got caught out by the incoming tide.

Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, of the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre, says officers located the man’s vehicle in the carpark on the mainland and Eagle conducted areas around the island.

“The crew quickly advised they had found a man lying down on the top of a concrete structure.

“They were able to provide reassurance to him that help was on the way, and organised for Deodar to pick him up.”

Just before midday on Friday, a pilot flying his small plane noticed a kayaker had fallen out and was struggling to get back in at Mahurangi Inlet.

Due to minimal information or an exact location, the Police Air Support Unit was also deployed.

Sergeant Mark Jamieson, Air Support Unit Supervisor, says Eagle headed to the area and quickly located a man clinging to his kayak.

“The crew observed a fishing boat nearby, so flew low and close, signalling them to follow us.

“They retrieved the male from the water, with him reporting he had been like that for over an hour. 

“The boat then transported the man to shore where an ambulance was waiting to treat the man for hypothermia.”

On Wednesday the crew were called in again to assist after it was reported two teenagers were stuck on a cliffside in Whangaparaoa Bay.

Sergeant Jamieson says Eagle arrived on scene and quickly located two people 20 metres form the top of the cliff and around 50m from the beach below.

“The pair were perched on the side but informed dispatch that they were holding on to trees to stay put as the rocks underneath them fell away.

“The crew directed FENZ and Police staff to the location with Search and Rescue enroute,” he says.

“With the assistance of SAR and FENZ the duo were able to repel access down to the beach below.

“We’re thankful for these results, but we must stress these were incredibly lucky situations with positive endings – and that’s not always the case.”

Anyone who gets into trouble is reminded to please call 111 as soon as possible, as this will enable an emergency response at the earliest opportunity.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Hawkes Bay Expressway / SH2 near Quarantine Road is closed (Airport to Bayview).

Emergency services received a report of a two-vehicle crash around 2.25pm.

The road is closed and motorists are asked to avoid the area and expect delays.

Diversions are in place.

ENDS

Source: NZCTU

The 2025 “Work for Free” calendar shines a harsh light on pay inequity for women and marginalised communities across Aotearoa. Each year, these dates symbolise when women and many ethnic groups effectively stop being paid compared to Pākehā men, reflecting how pay gaps strip weeks of income from families nationwide.

“That women are effectively working for free exposes the reality of systemic inequality and the cost of the National-led Government’s attacks on working women,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“This data shows that pay inequities have a profoundly disproportionate impact on Pacific, Māori, and ethnic minority communities. Men in those communities are also not spared the injustice of unequal pay.

“The Government is perpetuating the cost-of-living crisis by scrapping one of the most powerful tools to close pay gaps – pay equity. We need leaders who will fight to close gender and ethnic pay gaps, not make them even worse,” said Ansell-Bridges.

Pacific women have “worked for free” since the 9^th of October, with Pacific men, Māori women, Asian women, and other ethnic groups following. By 30 November, all women in Aotearoa will have reached their “work for free” day. 

“Pacific women are not looking for favours or saviours in the workplace, they’re looking for what is theirs lawfully – equity, equal opportunity, fair remuneration, meaningful remedy for wrongs intentionally or unintentionally done to them, and respect for dignity,” said Pacific advocate Saunoamali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo.

“Women deserve to be paid 100% of what they’re worth. Closing these gaping disparities is about ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunity for all. It’s about restoring respect, dignity, and mana for the Pacific, Māori, Asian, and ethnic women who tirelessly keep our communities running,” said YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau spokesperson Teresa Lee.

“Imagine if all MPs were told that they were working for the whole of December for free. It is a stain on New Zealand’s human rights record that women’s work is devalued, that female economic security has been denied by the Coalition Government and that thousands of Māori, Pacific and ethnic minority women in critical roles in our communities continue to receive poverty wages,” said Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa spokeswoman Dame Judy McGregor.

2025 Work for Free dates:

• Pacific women: from 9 October
• Pacific men: from 15 October
• Māori women: from 18 October
• Asian women: from 25 October
• Māori men: from 3 November
• Pākehā women: from 25 November
• Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African women: from 30 November

Note: These dates are based off the mean wage gap. Stats NZ often uses median figures, but the mean wage gap gives the clearest picture of inequality. It reflects the full diversity of women’s work. It captures the influence of low-paid and high-paid workers, with European men overrepresented in higher-paying roles, and ethnic women concentrated in lower-paying sectors and part-time work.

Source: New Zealand Police

Taranaki Police are expressing concern after finding 20 drivers over the legal breath alcohol limit, at the weekend.

Acting Area Commander Taranaki, Darin Haenga, says he wants to reinforce the message that motorists should not drive when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“We are concerned by how many impaired motorists we found at our targeted checkpoints.

“This is excessive. It highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and responsible decision-making.”

Police also discovered people driving erratically through routine patrols across rural Taranaki – drivers who subsequently returned breath alcohol readings above the legal limit.

A number of these readings exceeded 400 micrograms per litre of breath.

Drivers found to be over the limit have either received infringement offence notices or have been summoned to appear in court.

With the summer season approaching, Police will be increasing their presence across the region.

Enforcement activities will focus on alcohol impairment, excessive speed, driver distraction and seatbelt compliance.

Police urge all road users to plan ahead, avoid driving under the influence, and to speak up if they see unsafe behaviour.

“The goal is to prevent harm and ensure everyone gets home safely.

“Keeping people safe is a team effort, and drivers can play an important role,” says Acting Area Commander Taranaki, Darin Haenga.

We encourage anyone who sees unsafe driving behaviour on the road to contact us as soon as possible. Call Police, either via 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 if it’s after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Acting Detective Inspector James Keene:

Police are investigating after a man died following an altercation in Hastings over the weekend.

Officers were called to a Mahora property shortly after 9:45am on Saturday to reports of an altercation between a group of males.

During the altercation, one of the males has suffered a head injury after his head hit the ground.

He was taken to Wellington Hospital where he died from his injuries late on Sunday.

Police are speaking with those involved and are interested to hear from anyone with further information.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote file number 251011/1232.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Government

Courts Minister Nicole McKee says the Government is updating the law for the use of audio and audio-visual links (AVL) in courts to improve court performance and create efficiencies across the justice system.

“Timely access to justice matters, and we’re fixing this by pulling every available lever to make the court system more efficient,” says Mrs McKee. 

“Remote participation or AVL has the potential to improve court efficiency and make the courts more accessible, but it is not being used consistently. 

“The Government will replace the Court (Remote Participation) Act 2010 with a new law that encourages use of remote participation. The Act will be accompanied by Court Rules. These will set out which types of court events will be held by AVL and which events will be held in person, by default.

“For example, in the last year in District Court criminal events, about two-thirds of potential appearances by a person held in custody were held by AVL, but that varied from 96 per cent in some courts down to 19 per cent in others.

“By using technology we can make justice more accessible, consistent, and efficient. But most importantly, we can help ensure victims are better supported and heard.

“The new approach will set default appearance types for particular court events in law. This means court participants – including defendants, victims, lawyers, Police, Corrections, registry staff and judges – will have more certainty about when remote participation should be used and use across courts should be more consistent.

“The Ministry of Justice and the judiciary will work together to develop the Court Rules, which will draw on the considerable work already undertaken by the judiciary in regard to the recently developed remote participation judicial protocols.

“The rules will recognise that when remote participation is appropriate, it should be used. However, judicial officers will be able to depart from this if this better serves the interests of justice in individual cases. 

“The new framework will carry over the entitlement, introduced by the Government last year, enabling victims and support people to remotely observe criminal trials and sentencing.

“The law will also introduce new offences and penalties for making and publishing recordings of court proceedings without the court’s permission. Introducing offences will deter this behaviour, which can affect safety and fair trial rights, and enable recordings posted online to be taken down more easily.” 

Note to editors: Work on the detailed Court Rules has begun and information about the default settings will be made available for feedback while the Bill is progressing through the parliamentary process next year.

Source: New Zealand Police

The quick actions of a Gisborne Tactical Dog Team have led to the arrest of a dangerous offender and prevented potential serious harm, as officers uncovered firearms, drugs and cash.

On Friday 3 October officers, who were out on patrol, spotted a vehicle of interest that was linked to an alleged offender that had an outstanding warrant to arrest.

Police have been looking for this man for three months; the officers came up with a plan and followed the vehicle at a distance and when it pulled into a driveway parked up behind it, blocking it in.

Police arrested the man without incident and his vehicle was impounded due to him being a disqualified driver.

A search of the vehicle then took place where officers located two sawn-off 12-gauge shotguns along with at least 40 live shotgun rounds and 13 .303 full metal jack rounds. Cannabis and approximately $50,000 cash was also found in the centre console.

Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk says this was exceptional police work.

“I have absolutely no doubt that our staff have prevented serious harm from being committed in our community.

“Had the man not been apprehended and the firearms and ammunition not been taken from him, someone could have been seriously hurt or worse,” he says.

A 30-year-old man is due to appear in Gisborne District Court on 20 October facing a range of firearms, drugs and driving charges.

Additionally a 20-year-old female, who was also in the vehicle, was arrested and is due to appear in Gisborne District Court on 23 October charged with unlawfully possessing firearms, ammunition and cannabis.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Two people have died following a house fire in Rakaia over the weekend.

Emergency services were called to the property late on Saturday night, to find an adult deceased and a child in critical condition.

The child sadly died in hospital on Sunday afternoon.

The deaths with be referred to the Coroner, and the fire is not thought to be suspicious.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Lincoln Sycamore, Hawke’s Bay Area Commander:

Police will be highly visible across Hawke’s Bay today, with two gang tangi taking place this morning in Waipawa and Flaxmere.

We expect to see a large number of gang members and associates moving around the region, and Police will have additional resources available to manage any issues that may arise.

We are mindful of providing space for whānau and friends to grieve peacefully while balancing the safety of the community.

Police have communicated our expectations to gang leaders and will take enforcement action where necessary. This includes around the wearing or displaying of gang insignia in a public place, as well as any threatening or intimidating behaviour.

Police will have additional patrols in place, including on the roads, over the coming days to reduce disruption and maintain public safety. Staff will follow up on reports of illegal activity.

We urge anyone who witnesses illegal behaviour to call 111 immediately. If you are reporting matters after the fact, please make a report online or call 105.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s trial of clamping or seizing cars of people not paying court fines is expanding after returning more than $225,000 and seizing 115 vehicles, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“We promised to find new and effective ways to force people to pay their court fines. The threat of clamping and vehicle seizures has proved a great success. Victims are our priority and we’re ensuring they receive what they’re owed.

“Between 9 July and 6 October, bailiffs scanned 67,536 number plates and identified 982people with overdue court fines or reparations. 278 people paid on the spot, with another 127 establishing some form of payment arrangement. 115 people had their car seized and 45 had theirs clamped. The rest were either issued with a warning, or no action was taken due to their situation.

“16 of the cars have already been sold off at auction, with another 52 soon to go under the hammer. 31 people paid to avoid their car being sold.

“Overall, $225,399 has been recovered, and due to its success the trial will now be expanding. So far there have been 10 number plate scanners in operation throughout streets nationwide, and at some breath testing stations alongside police. This will increase to at least 39 as part of a permanent rollout.

“Those who have suffered emotional harm or have had their property lost or damaged should not be left out of pocket. Putting victims at the heart of the justice system is key to restoring law and order.

“The message is simple: pay your court fines, or you will be walking home.”