Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 10 is closed at the intersection with Waipapa West Road following a crash.
The two-vehicle crash was reported just before 7pm.
Two people have sustained serious injuries.
Diversions are in place via Waipapa Road.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Counties Manukau Police have made an arrest following a fire at the McDonalds restaurant in Pakuranga last month.
Detectives have been investigating the suspicious fire which occurred at the Pakuranga Road branch on 5 May.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dean Batey, of Counties Manukau East CIB, says a 12-year-old young person has been arrested and charged with arson.
“This young person has appeared in the Manukau Youth Court and is currently on court bail conditions,” he says.
“Police appreciate the fire has been of high interest to the local community.
“We are not able to comment further around the circumstances of the alleged offending, however Police cannot rule out any further arrests in relation to the matter.”
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died after being hit by a truck at Peketā this morning.
Emergency services were called to the crash, between Inland Kaikōura Road and Rakanui Road, about 9.20am.
The person was a pedestrian and died at the scene.
Police are providing support to their next of kin.
The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination and State Highway 1 reopened about 2.40pm.
Police would like to thank the emergency response teams who assisted at the scene, and motorists for their understanding and patience.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Press Release Service
Headline: Voting Opens for 2025 New Zealand Tree of the Year
Tree of the Year NZ 2025 launches this week, inviting the public to vote for their favourite from a shortlist of six remarkable trees across the country. 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 Voting Opens for 2025 New Zealand Tree of the Year first appeared on PR.co.nz.
Source: New Zealand Police
The plans of five alleged car thieves have been busted by Rangiora Police.
The quintet were apprehended about 2am on Wednesday 4 June, two cars of interest were tracked to Pegasus, north of Christchurch. The vehicles had been stolen earlier in the night, one from Bishopdale and the other from St Albans.
With only one way out of Pegasus, Police laid spikes and waited until the alleged offenders drove over them, Senior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel said.
“They’ve kept driving for a short distance, but the spikes did their job and both cars eventually came to a stop.”
Police apprehended the boys and young men without further incident, but Police discovered another vehicle had been interfered with.
“At Pegasus, we’ve established there was an attempt to steal a third vehicle, but all they’ve done is break a window and make a mess of the ignition – and sadly, that’s a headache for yet another car owner.”
The five are aged between 13 and 23, Senior Sergeant McDaniel said.
The 13-year-old has been referred to Youth Services, while the other four are scheduled to appear in the Christchurch District Court and Christchurch Youth Court on charges including unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, attempting to unlawfully take a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of an air rifle, and failing to stop for Police.
“We know car theft is an ongoing problem and urge vehicle owners to purchase immobilisers or steering wheel locks if they have to park on the street.
“Even with attempted car theft, it’s more than an inconvenience, because offenders can cause a lot of damage to the ignition when they’re attempting to start the car. This offending has a real impact on real people’s lives, and we need the community’s help to prevent it.
“If you see suspicious activity, such as people casing out vehicles, the best thing you can do is call 111 immediately.”
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE)
Through the first round of the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund, $478,750 in co-funding has been approved to install 10 e-bike charging stations across the Hawke’s Bay Trails and the Remutaka Cycle Trail. These stations will be located at key points along the trails, including outside popular business premises and i-SITEs, enhancing accessibility for e-bike users and encouraging longer, more enjoyable rides.
The $3 million Electrifying the Great Rides Fund was launched in 2024 to make New Zealand’s cycle trails more appealing to both domestic and international visitors.
In a move to broaden the impact of the programme, the second round of funding – opening on 1 August 2025 – will expand eligibility to include Heartland and Connector Rides. These trails form part of the wider Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trail network and often traverse rural and remote areas. The expanded criteria will allow more communities to benefit from increased tourism and improved trail infrastructure.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is also working with sector partners to refresh the overall New Zealand Cycle Trail programme, ensuring it continues to meet the growing demand for nature-based and environmentally friendly tourism experiences.
More information about the second funding round will be available on the MBIE website from 30 June 2025. Territorial authorities and community groups supported by their local councils are encouraged to apply.
Read the Minister’s release:
E-bike upgrades for New Zealand Cycle Trails(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is boosting economic growth in the regions by supporting Hawke’s Bay Trails and the Remutaka Cycle Trail to set up e-bike charging stations with more regions set to benefit from a second funding round, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says.
“We launched the $3 million Electrifying the Great Rides Fund last year to make our cycle trails more accessible and appealing, both to international tourists and kiwis looking to explore more of their backyard,” Louise Upston says.
“They play an absolutely crucial role in attracting visitors to our regions, supporting our local businesses, jobs and communities.
“We’re pleased to be supporting investment in our Great Rides and hope more trails will take up the opportunity with the second round of funding opening shortly.”
The first round of the Electrifying the Great Rides Fund approved $478,750 of co-funding to install 10 e-bike charging stations on two Great Rides.
Hawke’s Bay Trails will install e-bike charging stations at six locations outside adjacent business premises and i-SITEs, as will the Remutaka Cycle Trail at four popular business premises along that trail.
“In the second round of funding, we’ve expanded the eligibility criteria to include not only the Great Rides but the Heartland and Connector Rides which are part of the wider Ngā Haerenga, New Zealand Cycle Trail network,” Louise Upston says.
“By opening up the criteria, we’re able to make our rural and remote trails much more accessible to visitors wanting to see more of our beautiful country.”
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is also working with sector partners to refresh the broader New Zealand Cycle Trail programme.
“Demand for nature-based tourism experiences is only increasing – which means our cycle trails are even more important as people seek out more environmentally friendly experiences,” Louise Upston says.
“By investing in our cycle trails we are directly supporting our local tourism operators and driving economic growth in our regions.”
The second round will open on 1 August 2025 for one month. Applicants will be able to find more information on the MBIE website from 30 June 2025. Opening up the fund to Heartland and Connector Rides means that territorial authorities and community groups supported by their local council will be eligible to apply.
Source: New Zealand Government
Today’s opening of a new 596-bed facility at Waikeria Prison will ensure Corrections can safely manage the rising prison population and provide effective services to help reduce reoffending, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says.
“Our Government has restored proper consequences for crime. Because of that, there has been an increase in the prison population and fewer victims of crime.
“As the prison population continues to increase, this new facility will help ensure Corrections has the right level of capacity and resources to keep its staff, people in prison, and the public safe.
“The facility is modern and fit-for-purpose. It adds 500 high-security beds to New Zealand’s prison system as well as 96 dedicated mental health and addiction beds.
“There is also a new education and rehabilitation hub with ten classrooms to support offenders with opportunities that put them on a better path away from crime.”
The new facility, consisting of 28 buildings, has been built across 21 hectares of land at Waikeria Prison, which is located 14 kilometres south of Te Awamutu in Waikato. Surrounded by a secure 1.7 km long perimeter fence, the new facility sits adjacent to the prison’s existing low security facility.
Key features include:
High-security accommodation for 500 men
A dedicated mental health and addiction service within a new 96-bed facility
An education and rehabilitation hub
Large kitchen and laundry, a new waste and recycling centre, and more industry training spaces for prisoners
Single point of entry with secure perimeter
Advanced biometric security
Two main visitation areas
A modern medical centre
“Corrections have already recruited 300 additional frontline staff for when it is ready to take prisoners in the coming months, following final assurance checks,” Mr Mitchell says.
“Preparations are also underway for a further expansion of Waikeria Prison, which is due to be completed in 2029 and will add a further 810 beds to New Zealand’s prison system.
“Ongoing investment in our prisons will keep us ahead of the increasing prison population and enable Corrections to focus on safety and effective rehabilitation to reduce reoffending.”
Source: Auckland Council
It’s not every day a TV icon and one of Aotearoa’s most loved scientist personalities turns your local park into a lab – but that’s exactly what happened when Ruud Kleinpaste, a.k.a the Bug Man, hit Kohuora Park in Papatoetoe.
Ruud is a naturalist, entomologist (a scientist who studies insects) and host of the Animal Planet series Buggin’ with Ruud.
On 2 May, over 120 students, teachers, and the Sustainable Schools team gathered at Kohuora Park for a day of discovery, connection, and environmental action, made possible with funding from Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board.
Board chair Apulu Reece Autagavaia says, “We need to care for and protect our public green spaces so that flora and fauna can thrive – so we don’t have to visit a zoo or head deep into the bush to experience wildlife right here in our urban areas.”
Thumbs up and all hands on deck! Photo credit: Sustainable Schools.
From kindergartens to colleges, schools across Puhinui came together in one of Papatoetoe’s best-kept secrets – Kohuora Park, a 34-million-year-old volcanic crater turned thriving wetland. Teeming with native wildlife, rich history, and cultural stories, Kohuora – meaning “mist of life”, honours the giant god Matāoho, whose footsteps shaped Tāmaki Makaurau’s volcanic landscape.
A young scientist marvels at what he has discovered with Ruud.
Ruud shares why, if we truly care about the planet, we need to ask ourselves some honest questions: How do the other species we share Earth with see us? Are we kind, generous, and respectful – or are we falling short?
“Over the years, I’ve come to believe that true environmental education is the foundation for becoming nature-literate. And it starts with empowering our teachers to teach outdoors. When we do that, we create generation after generation of children who not only understand nature but learn from it.
Bug Man in action! Ruud inspires curious minds at Kohuora Park. Photo credit: Sustainable Schools.
“Because that’s the heart of it: we don’t just learn about nature or in nature – we learn from nature. We begin to see the connections in everything. Nature runs on sunlight, uses only what it needs, and wastes nothing. It thrives on diversity, local wisdom, and life-friendly chemistry. It’s humbling and inspiring. What an incredible planet – and what an extraordinary outdoor classroom we have right at our feet,” says Ruud.
The day began with a warm welcome from Ngāti Tahinga Wilson of Ngāti Te Ahiwaru, who share the park’s cultural importance as a historic portage site. Image: Sustainable Schools.
Guided by Mātātahi Taiao – a Māori-led youth climate initiative in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland Council Rangatahi Advisors, and leading scientists like fungi expert Dr. Peter Buchanan, students explored ecosystems through a Māori lens and hands-on science stations covering insects, birds, trees, fungi, pest control, and water quality.
Kohuora Park, Papatoetoe. A thriving natural habitat.
Sustainable school’s advisor Cate Jessep says, “It was a valuable hands-on opportunity for teachers, students, and the wider community to connect with this special local place during Saturday’s community day. This work is more than just science, it’s about identity, guardianship, real world learning, inclusion and future leadership. As tamariki (children) engage with their local environment, they discover that they are part of it, and that they can protect it.”
Throughout the day, they learned new kupu (words), deepened their connection to nature, and strengthened their understanding of how to care for te taiao (the environment).
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Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson:
A 38-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Hamilton woman Jayde Gilbert.
Jayde, aged 30, was struck by a vehicle at the corner of Ohaupo Road and Kahikatea Drive on 15 May.
The man charged with her murder was arrested today and will appear in Hamilton District Court this afternoon.
On behalf of the investigation team, I would like to thank the people who assisted Jayde after she was struck by the vehicle, and the many members of our community who responded to our appeals for information.
As this is now before the court, further comment is not available.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.