Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

A new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway will come into effect first thing tomorrow morning, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today. 
“Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity, and with over 20,000 vehicles travelling this motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely,” Mr Bishop says. 
“Late last year, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110km/h. More than 7,900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 94% in support of the increasing the speed limit and 91% strongly in favour. 
“The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway has been designed and constructed with safety features that greatly reduce the risk of death and serious injury in a crash such as two lanes in each direction providing safe passing opportunities, flexible median barrier separation between opposing lanes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment. Since opening in 2023, no one has died in a crash.
“Kiwis have had their say and NZTA has completed all required technical assessments, with the motorway being assessed as safe to increase the speed limit to 110km/h. Now, we’re getting on and delivering it.
“Police will apply the same enforcement to 110km/h roads as any other part of the road network. Drivers can expect to see police patrols on New Zealand roads anywhere, at any time. Drivers should continue to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone’s wearing their seatbelt. 
“The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway has vastly improved the safety, connectivity, and resilience of the network between Auckland and Northland, and has opened access to popular destinations between the two regions. As a critical route for road users, freight, and tourists, I look forward to the new 110km/h speed limit coming into effect from tomorrow.” 
The new 110km/h speed limit on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway comes into effect on Tuesday 1 July 2025 and will apply from 2.5km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, to south of Warkworth roundabout.
Notes to editor:
 

The public consultation for increasing the speed limit to 110km/h on the Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway took place from 3 September to 1 October 2024.
7,911 submissions were received from across Northland and Auckland, including 158 submissions from businesses or organisations.
The speed limit on SH1 through the Johnstones Hill Tunnels will remain 80km/h. While the SH1 Johnstones Hill Tunnels are built to high safety standards, the enclosed environment within a tunnel creates a different safety risk to that of the surrounding motorway. There are no current plans to review or change the speed limit for this section.
There is a transition zone where the speed limit will be kept at 100km/h for a short length (2.5km) north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnel over two viaducts. This section is an area of weaving movements, where traffic is diverging and merging, exiting and egressing on short, narrow on and off ramps, with narrow lines of sight over the viaducts, and does not meet safety criteria for an increased speed.

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Incidents where log trailers fell while being lifted, seriously endangering workers, have led to important safety changes on ports and at other sites where log trailers are lifted onto trucks.

Source: New Zealand Police

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Ōtāhuhu last night.

Emergency services were called to a Beatty Street property at about 8.30pm following a report of a person being seriously injured.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright, Counties Manukau CIB, says upon arrival, Police found a man in a critical condition.

He was transported to hospital, however he died of his injuries overnight.

“Police are continuing to gather information from the scene and enquiries into the exact circumstances surrounding what happened remain ongoing.

“We are also making enquiries to locate a person of interest.

“Those involved are believed to be known to each other and we do not believe there is any ongoing risk to the wider community.”

Detective Inspector Bright says a scene examination is under way at the address and there will be an increased Police presence in the area while the investigation continues.

“Our teams are working hard to identify and locate the person responsible and are asking anyone who saw what happened, who has not yet spoken to us, to please get in touch.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please make a report via 105, using the file number 250629/6502 and quote ‘Operation Tell’.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org(link is external)

Further information will be provided when we are in a position to do so.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the person who died in Wai-iti, Tasman, while clearing a fallen tree on Saturday.

He was 67-year-old Peter Lines, of Wai-iti.

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this difficult time.

His death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is introducing new offences to ensure those who assault on-duty first responders or prison officers spend longer in prison, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. 

“Where others may flee, first responders and prison officers run towards danger to help those who need urgent assistance. 

“Assaulting them puts multiple lives at risk, so there must be greater consequences for these heinous acts of violence. Our hardworking police officers, firefighters, paramedics and prison officers deserve better.”

Under these proposed offences:

Assaulting a first responder or prison officer will have a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment. This expands an existing provision on assaulting Police to cover all first responders and prison officers. 
Assaulting a first responder or prison officer with intent to injure will have a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment. This is a two-year increase in penalty from the standard offence. 
Injuring a first responder or prison officer with intent to injure will have a maximum sentence of seven years’ imprisonment and will be added to Three Strikes to ensure mandatory minimum sentences in line with that regime. This is also a two-year increase in penalty from the standard offence.  

“This builds on our sentencing reforms which came into affect today, and is another way we will denounce violence in New Zealand,” Mr Goldsmith says.

“It fulfils a commitment in the National/New Zealand First coalition agreement, to introduce the Protection for First Responders and Prison Officers legislation to create a specific offence for assaults on first responders which includes minimum mandatory prison sentences.

“We promised to restore real consequences for crime. That’s exactly what we’re delivering. It’s all part of our plan to restore law and order, which we know is working.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists are advised to take alternative routes due to a bloackage on State Highway 1, between Tokoroa and Putāruru, following a crash this afternoon.

Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash between Taupo Street and Domain Road, at around 2:50pm.

Indications are people have received moderate to serious injuries.

ENDS.

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash early this morning in Waipukurau.

Police received a report of a single vehicle crash at the intersection of Takapau Road and Racecourse Road at around 3.50am.

Sadly, despite best efforts of emergency services, the sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. The road is now clear.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand:

Police can confirm the death of a man at Mt Eden Corrections Facility is being treated as a homicide.

Police were made aware at about 4pm yesterday of a man who had died at the prison following an incident.

Officers continue to follow positive lines of enquiry.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Martin Tunley, Acting Nelson Bays Area Commander:

One person has died following an incident in Wai-iti, south-east of Wakefield, this morning.

At around 9.40am, emergency services were called to a property on State Highway 6 after a person was reportedly hit by a tree while clearing flood damage.

Sadly, despite best efforts by emergency services, the person died at the scene.

Police extend our condolences to their family at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and the death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre
 

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash in Tokoroa overnight.

At around 12am Police were alerted to a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Lomond Avenue.

Despite best efforts of emergency services, one person died at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination.

The road was closed for a period of time, however reopened early this morning.

Police continue to make enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre