Source: New Zealand Police
Lanes on the North-Western motorway, citybound, are closed due to a two-vehicle crash.
Emergency services received reports of the crash about 8pm.
Police are in attendance.
Initial reports indicate there are minor injuries.
Two lanes are now open but there are long delays.
Motorists are asked to avoid the area and take alternative routes.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are responding to a serious crash involving a car and a cyclist in Sumner.
Emergency services received reports of the crash near the intersection of Sumnervale Drive and Evans Pass Road about 5:30pm.
Initial reports indicate there are serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has been notified, and motorists are asked to avoid the area. Evans Pass Road is currently closed however traffic management is being arranged.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate John Joseph Paparoa, who is wanted in relation to dishonesty, assault and firearm-related offending.
The 52-year-old is believed to be actively avoiding arrest, but Police are also concerned for his welfare.
Anyone who sees Paparoa, or knows where he may be hiding, is asked to contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 250131/8937.
Information can be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm two people have died following a serious crash on State Highway 1 near Redwood Pass this morning.
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.
Despite best efforts by emergency services, two people died at the scene.
The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.
The road will be closed for some time and motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel to the area.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is providing police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say.
“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need, but that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, becoming places of intimidation, and dysfunction,” Mr Goldsmith says.
“Our main streets and town centres have been blighted by disruption and disturbance. Businesses are declining as some bad behaviour goes unchecked. It needs to stop.
“Currently, police officers have limited options to respond, particularly when it doesn’t reach the level of offending. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before officers have any means of intervention. It doesn’t make sense.
“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where shoppers, visitors, residents and their families can feel safe in our communities,” Mr Goldsmith says.
Therefore, the Government has agreed to amend the Summary Offences Act, to provide police with the power to issue move-on orders to people who are:
These orders will:
“This is about public safety and providing our frontline with additional enforcement powers to ensure the public can feel and are safe,” Mr Mitchell says.
“In terms of where people will be moved on to, they will be required to move a reasonable distance away from the area, as specified by the constable.
“Naturally, every situation will be different. Some people may require support services, some may not. Police have the expertise to assess and determine what support is required, if any – they do this every day.
“Our police officers are familiar with the locations they work with and already have strong networks and partnerships with social and housing services. I expect Police will work closely with these providers as they develop their operational guidance for the frontline,” Mr Mitchell says.
Source: Green Party
The Green Party is imploring the Government to choose actual solutions to homelessness, after Ministers today announced the Government’s plan to effectively criminalise it.
“Christopher Luxon’s Government chose to intentionally make homelessness worse, and now they’re criminalising the problem they have inflamed,” says Green Party Co-leader and Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick.
“When the Government ignored its own official advice, community leaders, social services and expert warnings to cut off access to emergency housing and slash support for wrap-around services, communities received a tidal wave increase in homelessness.
“Since these changes came into effect, we have been practically begging the Prime Minister to come out into the real world, to meet the people, including the children, who his policies have made homeless.
“We know the solutions, which the Government continues to choose to ignore.
“Now, instead of solving it, they’re going to push the problem around, and throw good money after bad to lock up homeless people in prisons at a cost in excess of $200,000 a year, for worse and worse outcomes.
“Not only is Luxon’s Government following Trump’s America in foreign policy, but they’re now copy-pasting that callous approach to local issues – ignoring evidence, punching down and relying on strong man words when the country needs genuine solutions.
“If the Government wants to ‘deal’ with homelessness, it should house people. It says it just wants to ‘move’ people ‘on’ – to where?” says Chlöe Swarbrick.
Source: New Zealand Government
New move-on powers for Police, announced today, are a key part of the Government’s action plan to create a thriving Auckland city centre, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Move-on orders give Police an important tool to address antisocial behaviour that makes people feel unsafe. When people are intimidating others, blocking doorways, or engaging in threatening behaviour, Police need the ability to act.
“These powers build on the work already underway through our city centre action plan announced last year and will help restore confidence that Auckland’s CBD is a safe, welcoming, and vibrant place for families, workers and visitors.
“Auckland’s city centre is a vital part of New Zealand’s economy, contributing around 8 percent of our GDP and serving as the gateway to our tourism sector. Ensuring the CBD is safe and welcoming for those who live, work, and visit is essential.”
The city centre action plan is already seeing good progress in making the city centre safer and more welcoming.
“Our approach balances support with accountability. We’re helping those who need housing and mental health services, while taking firm action against behaviour that intimidates others.
“Auckland Council has also made good progress improving city centre safety, including redesigning Pocket Park to reduce anti-social behaviour, and ensuring street lighting and cameras cross the CBD are operational to support Police.
“Our city centre has never been more important. The International Convention Centre has recently opened, the City Rail Link opens this year, and cruise ships are bringing thousands of visitors into Auckland.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the progress we’ve seen so far – from frontline Police and outreach workers to council staff and community groups. While we’re heading in the right direction, there’s still more work to do to ensure Auckland’s city centre is a place where everyone feels safe and welcome.
“Our Government is backing Auckland to succeed.”
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 1 is closed following a serious crash near Redwood Pass this morning.
Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 10.40am.
Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.
The road is closed while emergency services are in attendance, motorists are advised to expect delays or avoid travel if possible.
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Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash in Hillsborough last night.
Police were called around 6.30pm, to the crash where a vehicle has hit a parked car and flipped near the intersection of Frederick Street and Belfast Street.
Sadly, despite emergency services efforts, one person died at the scene.
Diversions are in place while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 25, Orongo, Hauraki, is currently closed in both directions following a serious crash this afternoon.
Police were notified of the two-vehicle, near the Orongo Corner, around 2.30pm.
Initial indicators are that there has been serious injuries.
Diversions are in place and the road is expected to remain closed for some time, while emergency services work at the scene.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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