Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Sergeant Chris Power:
Police have received positive information relating to the man found deceased on Horotane Valley Road, Heathcote Valley on Friday 19 September.
We would like to thank the community that has come forward with information, which has greatly assisted us in our enquiries.
Formal identification could still take some time.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The state highway summer maintenance season continues in the top of the South Island with State Highway 6 Whangamoa Saddle, between Rai Valley and Hira set for a summer spruce up.
This route will have three weeks of night closures during November for road resurfacing and maintenance work.
The work will run from 9 November until 28 November. It will see State Highway 6 between Hira and Rai Valley closed from 7 pm to 7 am, Sunday to Thursday nights. No work will be done on Friday and Saturdays.
Rob Service, System Manager Nelson-Tasman, says it’s critical this important route between Nelson and Marlborough is regularly maintained.
“It’s essential our road crews complete this work to ensure the highway is in good shape before the busy Christmas and New Year period. They’ll be clearing drainage, replacing a culvert, doing resilience improvements, and other general maintenance work.”
“We have deliberately timed the work to happen at night, and it is also well outside peak summer holiday traffic. It means it will affect as few road users as possible,” Mr Service says.
Road milling night works, SH6 Whangamoa Saddle.
The road will be opened once per night at 12:30 am to let traffic through. The freight industry and other drivers must plan carefully to ensure they meet this schedule.
Mr Service says given the narrowness of the road and the heavy equipment being used for resurfacing, the highway must be closed.
“We realise road closures are disruptive, but they help keep our road crews and drivers safe. They also let us complete work much faster than doing it during the day under stop/go traffic controls.”
“That would take far longer and create major delays for drivers. Night closures, when fewer people actually use the route, help us avoid this,” Mr Service says.
He says the closure does mean a lengthy detour via State Highway 63 and the Wairau Valley.
“It is absolutely essential drivers are aware of this and plan accordingly. Travelling between Nelson and Renwick is normally a 90-minute trip. With the detour via the Wairau Valley, it is over two hours.”
Drivers also need to be aware of other state highway maintenance work planned for State Highways around the region in November, including the night closures on State Highway 1, Weld Pass south of Marlborough.
They should check road conditions before they travel, be aware of where the road works are, and plan their journeys properly.
View large map of Whangamoa Saddle night closures during November [PDF, 6.1 MB]
Source: New Zealand Police
The search for missing 17-year-old Marley has now moved to a recovery phase.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan says Police remain committed to returning Marley home to his family.
“A helicopter conducted shoreline searches today, but sadly did not locate Marley.“
Further land-based searching near Taylors Mistake is being considered.
“This is the news that no family wants to receive, and we are offering them ongoing support.
“We would like to thank the members of the public who have provided information over the course of this search.”
We continue to ask anybody with information to contact Police via 105 and reference file number 250927/3331.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
The Kingston Garston Highway has now partially opened following a serious crash around 11am just south of Kingston. One lane is open to traffic.
The crash had initially blocked the road, causing delays to motorists.
Three people with minor injuries were transported to hospital.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Counties Manukau District Commander, Superintendent Shanan Gray:
A man has been taken into custody in Flat Bush this afternoon following an ongoing incident.
Just after 9.30am, officers were at a property in Chapel Road conducting enquiries when a firearm was discharged at Police.
A Police officer was transported to hospital and has since been discharged.
Cordons remain in place on Chapel Road, between Baverstock Road and Stancombe Road, while enquiries continue.
Police will provide a further update when we are able to.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are attending the scene of a serious crash that has blocked Kingston Garston Highway, just south of Kingston.
Police received the report at 11.10am of two vehicles that collided on State Highway 6.
Three people have minor injuries and ambulance services are assisting on the scene.
Motorists should avoid the area or expect delays.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Government
The New Zealand Government has made a payment to the Government of Samoa of Samoan Tala (SAT) 10 million (approximately NZD 6 million) following the grounding and sinking of HMNZS Manawanui in October last year.
Today marks a year since the HMNZS Manawanui sank off the Safata District coastline on the south side of Upolu, Samoa. All 75 passengers and crew survived.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters says the payment follows a request from the Government of Samoa.
“We have responded to the Government of Samoa’s request in full and with good faith. We have always said we will do the right thing,” Mr Peters says.
“We recognise the impact the sinking has had on local communities and acknowledge the disruption it caused.”
Mr Peters says New Zealand continues to work with Samoa on decisions around the ship and its future.
“Working with the Government of Samoa, our focus continues to be on minimising any possible environmental impacts and supporting the response. These are our absolute priorities,” Mr Peters says.
A comprehensive Court of Inquiry into the causes of the incident has been concluded and considerable work to implement the recommendations is underway.
Any disciplinary proceedings that may arise are yet to be determined, but NZDF advises that the investigation is reaching its closing stages.
Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
Public feedback is now being sought from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) on a proposed speed limit change on a short section of State Highway 1 (SH1) at Motutere, south of Taupō.
The proposal is to put in a new speed limit of 60km/h on a 0.85km stretch of SH1 alongside the Motutere Holiday Park.
Andrew Corkill, NZTA’s Director of Regional Relationships Waikato Bay of Plenty, says this follows considerable community concerns about safety especially for the large number of pedestrians in the area as well as many vehicles turning and stopping there.
“NZTA has received a considerable amount of feedback from the local community, iwi, Taupō District Council, and freight operators that the 100km/h speed limit is not appropriate here.
“The holiday park straddles SH1, with many people crossing the state highway to access Lake Taupō. The nearby Motutere boat ramp is a popular access point to the lake and the area experiences consistent traffic throughout the year,” says Mr Corkill.
The proposed 60km/h zone would extend approximately 700 metres north of Waitapu Road to 150 metres south of Waitapu Road, covering 425 metres either side of the Motutere Holiday Park entrance.
Under the new Setting of Speed Limit Rules, which came into effect on October 30 2024, the 4.31km section of SH1 between Halletts Bay and Motutere/Te Pōporo Bulli Point, was raised from 60km/h to 100km/h on 22 May 2025.
“NZTA has listened to concerns that have been expressed since that the new speed limit is unsuitable for this short section of SH1. We are now seeking formal public feedback on whether the speed limit in that short area should be lowered to 60km/h,” says Mr Corkill.
“The new rules are very prescriptive in how speed limits are set and there is a requirement for further public consultation, which we must consider alongside the economic impacts and technical safety assessments to determine if we make any changes in this area,” says Mr Corkill.
Consultation on the proposed speed limit change is now open (6 October 2025). Have your say at nzta.govt.nz/waikatospeed
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are responding to an incident in Flat Bush this morning.
Just after 9.30am, officers were at a property in Chapel Road conducting enquiries when a firearm was discharged at Police.
One officer has been injured, however at this early stage it appears the injuries are non-life threatening.
Chapel Road, between Baverstock Road and Stancombe Road, has been cordoned off while Police respond.
The public is advised to avoid the area.
Police will provide a further update when we are in a position to do so.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police