Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now name the man who died after a fatal crash on Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat on 8 February.
He was Thomas John Lycett, 21, of Stanmore Bay.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Amanda Wienke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now name the man who died after a fatal crash on Nelson Road, Taupaki on 29 January.
He was Keith Armour Southey, 63, of Waimauku.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now name the man who died after a fatal crash on Logan Road, Buckland on 9 February.
He was Mark Richard Gerring, 67, of Pukekohe.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain ongoing.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Two months on after roadside drug driving testing was introduced in Wellington, Police continue to gain valuable operational knowledge and are evaluating processes on this new and important road safety tool.
Since implementing testing in mid-December 2025 to further bolster road safety efforts, more than 300 screening tests have been completed. As of 18 February 2026, seven infringements have been issued.
“Overall, there has been positive and valuable feedback from the public across the Wellington region and from our frontline staff involved with roadside drug driving testing,” says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.
“The operational insights gained since December have been beneficial, and will feed into the national rollout which starts in April this year. We will be testing across New Zealand by mid-2026.
“National drug-driving testing will further bolster our policing efforts in making roads safer for all, and deterring drivers who are impaired whether by drugs or alcohol from endangering the lives of others.”
Testing remains ongoing in locations spanning across the broader Wellington region, from Kapiti, Porirua, Wellington City, Hutt Valley, and all the way through to Masterton.
“Drivers cannot use a prescription or medical note at the roadside to stop them from undergoing a test or to dispute a positive saliva screening test result.
“The message is still the same for drivers who drive impaired by drugs – don’t take drugs and drive,” says Superintendent Greally.
“You need to know what you are taking and how it might affect driving and any period of time where it is unsafe to drive.
“If you intend to get behind the wheel after consuming impairing drugs, you will be caught.”
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Courts Minister Nicole McKee is welcoming the largest ever reduction in the District Court’s criminal backlog, with a 22 percent drop over the past year – the equivalent of 1,562 fewer cases waiting to be heard.
“The Government’s focus on fixing what matters is working for victims,” says Mrs McKee.
In December 2024 there were 7,133 cases in the backlog. By December 2025, that number had fallen to 5,571.
“This means at least 1562 fewer victims waiting for their day in court to see justice delivered,” says Mrs McKee.
“The turnaround reflects a whole-of-justice-sector effort, including collaboration between the judiciary, court staff, the legal profession, and agencies such as police and corrections.
“I want to thank everyone across the sector who has worked hard to achieve this result. Their focus on timeliness is making a tangible difference for victims and communities.
“The improvement demonstrates the continuing impact of the justice sector’s timeliness initiatives, first introduced in the Auckland metro courts and now reflected in national performance.
“Key improvements include changes led by the judiciary to rostering and scheduling, which have enabled judicial resources to be prioritised to District Court locations with the largest backlogs. We are also seeing better trial preparedness by parties and fewer unnecessary adjournments.
“Additionally, we have strengthened performance reporting and sharpened our focus on timely justice across the criminal jurisdiction.
“There is still more work to do, but this result shows the approach is working. We are focused on practical changes that make a real difference for victims.
“The Family Court backlog has also improved, with a 9 percent decrease in the same period, equivalent to around 850 applications.
“Upcoming legislative reform will further support faster justice, including expanding the powers and number of Community Magistrates, encouraging greater use of remote participation in court, and improving jury selection processes.
“Delivering the largest ever reduction in the criminal backlog is a significant milestone, but the real measure of success is what it means for victims.
“For victims, delays can mean prolonged stress, uncertainty, and trauma. Fixing what matters means reducing that wait and restoring confidence that the system will respond promptly when harm is done.”
Source: New Zealand Government
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced Te Kura Awhitu, sponsored by the Tūhoe Charitable Trust, will open by Term 2 2026 as a charter school.
“Every child deserves the opportunity to learn and grow in ways which are more specific to their needs. Today’s announcement demonstrates the innovation enabled by the charter school model,” Mr Seymour says.
“Tūhoe and the Crown stood apart for generations. Today’s announcement delivers on an important commitment to investigate a charter school for Tūhoe based learning that was made in 2013 as part of the reset of the Crown-Tūhoe relationship.
“Te Kura Awhitu will prepare its students for modern life from traditional roots. Autonomy is important to Tūhoe, and the charter school model enables this. It means Tūhoe can embed their tikanga, language, values, environment, and cultural identity into the curriculum. This marks a significant step forward in the Crown-Tūhoe relationship.
“The school will offer a full Māori immersion education. The curriculum is based on the philosophy and guiding principles drawn from the Te Urewera environment.
“The school will have the use of Te Urewera as a classroom, to learn practically about natural sciences, biodiversity, and geography in a way that incorporates Tūhoe traditions and knowledge: learning about environmental change, waterways management and whakapapa.
“NCEA achievement standards will be used for learning. Natural science learning will be taught against achievement standards in biology, environmental studies or agriculture. A learning module on water restoration, for example, may earn credits in sustainability, science and history,” Mr Seymour says.
“Charter schools show education can be different if we let communities bring their ideas to the table.
“These schools have more flexibility in return for strictly measured results.
“The charter school equation is: the same funding as state schools, plus greater flexibility plus stricter accountability for results, equals student success.
“There are more ideas in the communities of New Zealand than there are in the Government. That’s why we open ideas to the wider community, then apply strict performance standards to the best ones.
“It will join the charter schools announced in the last year which will open in 2026. This takes the total number of charter schools to 19. We expect more new charter schools to be announced before the end of the year, along with the first state schools to convert.
“I want to thank the Charter School Agency and Authorisation Board for the work they have done getting charters open. They considered 52 applicants for new charter schools. They tell me this round the choices were very difficult.
“This is just the beginning. I hope to see many more new charter schools opening, and state and state-integrated schools converting to become charter schools.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Kāpiti-Mana Area Commander, Inspector Renée Perkins:
One person has received moderate injuries following an assault in Cannons Creek this morning.
Emergency services were called to Dido Place just before 7:40am.
Nearby schools were placed into lockdown while Police enquiries were made. Those lockdowns have since been lifted.
An investigation into the incident is underway.
A number of Police staff remain at the scene and some are armed as a precaution.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One lane on State Highway 2, northbound, Petone, is blocked following a crash this morning.
Police were called to the single-vehicle crash, where a truck has hit the median barrier, around 7.50am.
Thankfully, no injuries have been reported.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible, and expect delays.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Superintendent Tony Hill, Canterbury District Commander:
Three men have been arrested in relation to the serious incident at a Hoani Street, Northcote property on Wednesday night that left four people injured.
The men, aged 19, 31 and 40, have been charged with aggravated wounding and aggravated robbery.
Two are due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today, and the 40-year-old is due to appear in Dunedin.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
This was a coordinated effort focused on one clear outcome: holding those responsible to account and protecting our community.
We will not tolerate this type of offending. If you choose to commit serious violence, we will act swiftly.
Incidents like this understandably concern people. Please be reassured this was a contained incident, and there is no ongoing risk.
Residents can expect to see Police at the Hoani Street address again today as our scene examination continues.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute the following to Sergeant Mike Palmer, Waikato Police:
A man’s been arrested in Hamilton in relation to a series of burglaries of tools worth more than $40,000.
The 36-year-old is due in Hamilton District Court today on three charges of burglary. Additional charges are being considered.
The burglaries, targeting tools in the industrial Te Rapa area of Hamilton, were reported on 2, 4, and 13 February.
The arrest follows investigation by the Waikato Tactical Crime Unit. The tools were valued at more than $44,000. Some of the tools were on-sold, and Police are working to recover them so we can get them back to their rightful owner.
Police recommend businesses consider crime prevention methods to reduce the risk of burglary.
Quality CCTV, alarm systems, engraving tools and accurately recording serial numbers helps Police in investigating burglaries in the unfortunate event they occur.
Tools can be expensive and hard to replace. To reunite stolen tools with their rightful owner we need to identify unique features, so we encourage businesses and tradies to take the time engraving their tools and recording serial numbers.
If you are aware of, or come across, tools that may have been stolen please let Police know via our 105 service. Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-nz.org/
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Issued by Police Media Centre