Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Carey Priest,

Two men are before the courts following two incidents in Marton.

At approximately 10pm on 10 May, Police were called to an alleged aggravated robbery at a commercial premises on Broadway.

After closing and securing the premises, the employee was confronted by the alleged offender who hid in the ceiling space of the property.

The offender threatened the employee with a weapon and demanded a large amount of cash before fleeing the area on foot.

Thankfully, the employee is not injured, however was understandably shaken by the incident.

After an investigation into the incident, Police identified the alleged offender, and found that the man had allegedly committed a burglary at the same premises in April.

This week, Police arrested and charged two men in relation to the two incidents.

Police are pleased to have made arrests in relation to this matter and hold the alleged offenders to account.

We recognise the significant impact this type of offending has on our community and that it can be incredibly distressing.

Police takes this offending seriously, and we hope these arrests reassure the community that we have absolutely no tolerance for incidents like these.

A 39-year-old Nelson man appeared in Porirua District Court on 12 June, charged with aggravated robbery and burglary. He was remanded in custody and is due to reappear on 17 June.

A 49-year-old Palmerston North man is due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on 17 June, charged with aggravated robbery and burglary.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

At least four new rapidly deployable relocatable inpatient units will be rolled out across the country to ensure hospitals can continue delivering care to patients while major infrastructure projects are underway, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“These new inpatient units – part of the Government’s $1 billion Budget 2025 investment in hospital infrastructure – will help ensure patients can receive their surgeries while permanent hospital redevelopments are progressed,” Mr Brown says.

“Each unit will provide between 28 and 32 beds, delivering a rapid uplift of at least 112 inpatient beds across the country. With a design life of up to 50 years, these relocatable units can be moved between sites depending on clinical need and demand, providing a flexible and future-proof solution.”

Mr Brown confirmed that the first of the new units will be delivered in Nelson, where it will support service delivery during the redevelopment of Nelson Hospital. One unit for Hawkes Bay announced earlier this year will also be part of this deployment.

“This is a smart, cost-effective, and adaptable approach that will enable Health New Zealand to maintain continuity of care while we invest in long-term hospital infrastructure. It’s another example of the Government delivering practical, results-focused solutions to improve access to healthcare.”

The relocatable inpatient units will be designed and built to meet relevant design standards, ensuring the same high standard of care as permanent hospital facilities.

“This approach has already proven effective at Wellington Regional Hospital, where a temporary inpatient ward was successfully deployed during the copper pipe remediation programme. A similar unit is currently being built at Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

“By expanding on these proven models, we can respond more quickly to population needs and relieve pressure on hospitals while long-term builds are underway.

“This Government is focused on delivering practical solutions that improve access to care and support our long-term plan to build a health system that works for all New Zealanders. 

“Whether it’s through innovative builds like these relocatable units or progressing major redevelopments, we’re making sure the health system has the capacity it needs – not just for today, but for years to come,” Mr Brown says. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is tackling talent shortages in manufacturing and boosting New Zealand’s economic recovery by fast-tracking residency for skilled tradespeople.
“We know how important skilled workers are to the resilience of the manufacturing sector. When we don’t have enough people to fill these roles, productivity slows, business growth stalls and the economy feels the pressure. These changes will help bring in the talent we need to keep things moving,” Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says. From 18 August 2025, ten new trades occupations will be added to the Green List’s Work to Residence pathway. This requires a migrant to have worked in a relevant occupation in New Zealand for an Accredited Employer for two years before applying for residence. The occupations being added are:

Metal Fabricator
Metal Machinist (First Class)
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-Welder
Pressure Welder
Welder
Panel Beater
Vehicle Painter
Paving Plant Operator

“Manufacturing is a powerhouse for the New Zealand economy, contributing about $21.8 billion annually. In recent years, however, the sector has faced pressure from a tougher economic climate,” Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Chris Penk says.“Business confidence is improving as inflation and living costs ease, but I’m hearing from manufacturers that some roles crucial to day-to-day operations are still proving difficult to fill.“We know these skill shortages must be addressed to support the sector’s recovery. Bringing in overseas talent will help lift productivity and ensure manufacturers across the country can seize opportunities to grow.“As these businesses unlock their potential they’ll be better positioned to expand, create new jobs and take on more local apprentices – driving prosperity and opportunity in communities across New Zealand.
“We’re committed to building the skilled workforce New Zealand needs to thrive, and there are more changes ahead to strengthen our skilled residence settings,” Ms Stanford says.

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Assistant Commissioner Deployment Tusha Penny

Police can today confirm preliminary findings of an audit into the application of recruitment standards for police officers.

The audit followed the discovery in April that discretion had been applied to some applicants who failed the Physical Appraisal Test (PAT) but were accepted into training at the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC).

We looked at 1022 recruits from 14 wings which started training between January 2024 and April 2025.

There were eight individuals who did not meet all the requirements of the PAT and were allowed to begin training at the RNZPC.  A further nine passed individual components of the PAT on different dates, in breach of the policy, and were progressed. The policy requires all components be passed during one testing session.

All subsequently passed the Physical Competency Test (PCT) which is required before a recruit can graduate.

In the interests of transparency and to assess the full extent to which discretion was being used, the audit was expanded to include all other pre-employment testing over the same time period.

This included the psychometric test, the English literacy testing and typing.

Police must be proficient in English. Literacy testing is only required of applicants who do not have level 2 NCEA English or higher or comparable international qualifications.

Of the 1022 recruits, 267 were required to do the test and 128 did not pass.

All applicants passed psychometric testing before beginning at RNZPC but 36 that initially failed were allowed to re-sit without a six-month stand down period between tests.

This stand down period is considered good practice by the provider Police uses to administer this test.

One person did not pass the typing test, which requires a typing speed of 25 words a minute.

All recruits who were given discretion and have since graduated did pass all mandatory tests required to graduate.

In response to the findings, the Commissioner has made it clear that the use of discretion falls short of his expectations and standards.

He has instructed there is to be no further use of discretion to allow people to enter RNZPC without first meeting all mandatory recruitment standards.

There will be no exemptions and no circumstances where discretion is applied.

The findings also raised concerns about inconsistencies and confusion around the criteria and application of discretion in some cases.

While discretion has long been used in exceptional cases, the audit makes it apparent it has increasingly been accepted as common practise over recent years.

Any suggestion a tolerance had developed for accepting lower standards than those set for recruitment is of concern to the Commissioner.

The Police recruitment process is designed to be thorough and robust and there are good reasons for the standards required.

The literacy assessment is designed to be relevant to the work required of police staff.

The ability to communicate well under pressure is critical for an officer’s own safety and those of their colleagues, as well as the public.

Police is committed to serving our communities by having the best possible people in our organisation.

We have an incredible organisation of men and women from diverse backgrounds and experiences, who work hard in, and for their communities.

NZ Police officers are proud of the standards that are required to join.

We have many staff who have English as a second language.

These people add immense value to our organisation and to the communities they work in.

That is why ESOL support is available at RNZPC for recruits who need it, as well as other learning support for recruits.

However, all recruits must meet the required standard before they begin training with us.

Policing is a very rewarding career.

The findings from this audit will support our ongoing work to recruit and train world-class police officers.

There is guidance and support on preparing for the pre-entry tests on www.newcops.govt.nz for people who want to join.

That includes physical training plans to prepare for the PAT and guidance on how to upskill in areas required to meet the requirements.

The report on the preliminary findings is attached.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to a crash on Stanley Road South, Te Aroha.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 1:40pm.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

The road is closed and diversions are in place at McCabe Road and Waihou Road.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Steph McDaniel:

Police have arrested a 44-year-old Christchurch man who has evaded Police since August last year.

The man, a known gang associate, had made significant efforts to avoid arrest, including breaching his conditions, failing to appear in court and frequently changing vehicles and addresses.

Following an extensive investigation into his whereabouts, Police launched a targeted operation involving the newly formed Gang Disruption Unit, the Offender Prevention Team, and the Canterbury Rural Tactical Crime Unit.

Thanks to information provided by the public and swift action by Police, the man was successfully located and arrested yesterday.

His bail has been opposed, and he is appearing in Christchurch District Court today.

He now faces 15 charges, 11 of which relate to drive-offs from self-service petrol stations in the Waimakariri area.

Police remain committed to ensuring offenders are held to account and thank the public for their assistance in bringing this individual into custody.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have seized nearly 500 firearms from a property in Gore – a shocking discovery that is believed to be one of New Zealand’s largest seizures of weaponry.

Police are now piecing together exactly how the man came to be in possession of so many firearms, and have begun the process of logging each one into evidence.

Concerns about the man’s purchasing history led officers to his home in Gore on Friday 6 June to serve a notice of temporary suspension – an order allowing Police to retain a firearms licence holder’s licence and uplift any firearms in the person’s possession.

A total of 478 firearms of different descriptions were seized, including five pistols, some that may be prohibited firearms, and some that may be restricted weapons, for which the man was not licenced. Significant quantities of ammunition, and firearm parts were also recovered.

Only six of the 478 firearms were registered in the man’s name, and while some were locked in safes, a large number were unsecure.

“It’s shocking to see so many firearms unsecured… the scale of it is concerning,” said Southland Area Commander Inspector Mike Bowman.

It was largest seizure of firearms ever seen in the Southern District “by far”.

No charges have been laid, but that may change, depending on the investigation, Inspector Bowman said. It will look at why the weapons weren’t registered or stored properly, and what was the purpose of such a vast collection.

Inspector Bowman said it was too soon to say if any of the firearms were destined to be sold to criminal groups. “A number of enquiries are being made into this discovery, but the sheer number of firearms involved means that will take some time.”

Unusual purchases

It was the man’s purchase history that caught the attention of officials.

“Through the Firearms Registry, the Firearms Safety Authority was able to establish the man had purchased multiple firearms since 2023, and not all were registered as they should have been after purchase,” Inspector Bowman said.

“In buying a firearm, the man was required to register older firearms already in his possession, and we allege that did not happen.”

Because of the number of firearms located, multiple Police vehicles were required to transport them from the property.

The firearms, ammo and parts will be held securely by Police until the investigation, and any legal action that may follow, is complete.

Their future is unclear: “It’s still early days in the investigation and we have a lot of work to do before we get to that point.”

Swift action after red flags raised

Firearms Safety Authority Executive Director Angela Brazier, said the case highlighted the value of the Firearms Registry, and of close co-operation between the Authority and frontline Police.

“Information shared by Police enabled us to quickly suspend the man’s licence for failing to comply with his Registry obligations. Once his licence was suspended, Police could rapidly respond to remove this considerable number of unlawfully held firearms.

“The majority of firearms licence holders are good law-abiding people. The review of the Firearms Registry released in May confirmed that diversion of firearms to the black market remains a threat to public safety and the Registry mitigates that risk.

“I acknowledge all licence holders who have filled in the Registry and are doing their bit to make it harder for criminals and other unlicensed people to access firearms.”

Two years into its five-year journey there are more than 86,000 active licence holders registered, or 38 per cent of active licence holders. Around 29 per cent of those registered did so proactively, without waiting for the legal requirement of an activating circumstance.

There are more than 425,000 firearms listed in the Registry.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Liz Gellert as an Associate Judge of the High Court. 
Associate Judge Gellert graduated from the University of Auckland in 2003 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts. She was a law clerk with David Williams KC before joining Russell McVeagh’s general commercial litigation team in 2004.
Associate Judge Gellert joined Simpson Grierson as an Associate in 2007, becoming a Senior Associate in 2008, specialising in banking and finance litigation.
She joined ASB Bank as head of disputes and corporate advisory in 2017, and spent time as the bank’s legal services acting general manager during 2020 and 2021.
Since 2021 Associate Judge Gellert has been a litigation partner with Lowndes Jordan in Auckland, with a general commercial litigation practice focusing on general commercial litigation, insolvency, debt recovery, enforcement, regulatory advice and maritime law.
Her appointment is effective from 21 July and she will sit in Auckland.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

“With the snow continuing to fall and roads becoming extremely icy at nights, our teams made good calls to do some overnight closures between Fairlie and Twizel in recent days,” says NZTA system manager Mark Pinner.

“While we know these closures can be disruptive for some, I have no doubt that those decisions helped to prevent accidents and stranding of vehicles that could have led to much longer closures and even greater disruption. We know this because we have already had to deal with stranded and crashed vehicles in the last week as people were caught out by the weather and road conditions.”

“Preventing travel when the risk is at its highest also means less risk posed to emergency services that get called in to help when something goes wrong.”

“Closing down the highway overnight enabled our crews to work around the clock safely, to remove snow and de-ice, grit the roads, and then to lead vehicle convoys at controlled speeds through the affected stretch of highway to allow reopening.”

“Our crews have done some outstanding work on SH8 and other South Island highways over the last week to minimise the impacts on motorists and residents.”

More freezing temperatures are expected in the Mackenzie Basin this weekend, meaning the risk of icy roads again.

“We will be monitoring the situation closely to see if any further closures are needed,” Mr Pinner says.

Key considerations for winter driving include adjusting speeds to suit the conditions, being visible, increasing following distances on slippery roads and avoiding sudden braking or turning movements.

Winter driving advice

“Winter has only just begun and we know there will be plenty more weather events to deal with. If everyone plays their part, then it makes life easier for all of us.”    

The best place to get the latest highway information and for planning ahead is NZTA’s Journey Planner.

Source: Press Release Service

Headline: Local Tree Icon – A Finalist for Tree of the Year NZ 2025

One week into voting for New Zealand’s 2025 Tree of the Year, and the competition is already taking root in the hearts of Kiwis nationwide and abroad. Run by the NZ Notable Trees Trust, Tree of the Year is a celebration of the iconic trees that shape our landscapes, memories, and communities.

The post Local Tree Icon – A Finalist for Tree of the Year NZ 2025 first appeared on PR.co.nz.