Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died after a crash on State Highway 2, Ngauranga Interchange on Sunday 8 February.
Emergency services were notified of the crash around 2am.
Sadly, the victim has now passed away from their injuries.
Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a crash in Trentham this afternoon.
The crash, involving a vehicle and a cyclist was reported to emergency services about 4pm.
The intersection of Messines Avenue and Seddul Bahr Road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit continue to make enquiries.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Wairoa this afternoon, and two other people remain in critical condition.
Emergency services received reports of the crash about 3pm.
The intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street/ State Highway 2 remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit continue to make enquiries.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
Legislation to modernise the military justice system has passed its first reading today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says.
“The Armed Forces Discipline Law Amendment Bill modernises New Zealand’s military justice system so that it is fairer, more efficient, and more transparent,” Ms Collins says.
“The Bill will make our system easier to navigate, allowing commanders to focus on operational readiness in an increasingly volatile world.”
“The current military justice system is out-of-date, with no substantial changes made since 2007. These updates align it more closely with developments in the civilian justice system.
The Bill will introduce a Minor Discipline Sanction System for very low-level offending, such as being late for duty, avoiding the need for a Summary Trial. Serious, complex and sensitive offending will follow a new streamlined and independent pathway to Court Martial, overseen by the Director of Military Prosecutions.
New search powers will increase the New Zealand Defence Force’s ability to investigate alleged offending, while providing better protections for those subject to them. These include the power for officers in charge of Defence Areas to authorise searches within those areas, and for judicial warrants to be sought for sensitive searches of electronic devices and areas outside Defence Areas, aligning with Bill of Rights Act requirements.
The Bill extends the right to elect trial by Court Martial to most offences and introduces a new power to drug test members of the Armed Forces for disciplinary purposes.
“Our Armed Forces must maintain strong discipline so they are always ready to protect New Zealanders,” Ms Collins says.
“We hold our personnel to a high standard and they should expect the same from their military justice system.”
Source: New Zealand Police
A motorcyclist’s decision to flee saw his wheels impounded and a variety of illicit drug items seized this morning.
The Papatoetoe man was also allegedly found to be nearly twice the legal breath alcohol limit.
A unit located the Harley Davidson on Great South Road, Papatoetoe at around 1.38am.
Counties Manukau West Area Response Manager, Senior Sergeant Steve Albrey says two people were on the bike at the time.
“Due to the driving behaviour, the unit activated lights and siren to stop the bike,” he says.
“The rider has failed to stop and sped away from the unit at high speed and was seen running a red light.”
The Harley Davidson wasn’t pursued, but the Police Eagle helicopter deployed overhead and tracked its movements.
“Eagle located the motorcycle heading into a Papatoetoe property, attempting to hide in a garage,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.
“Ground units attended the address and located both the rider and his passenger.”
While at the rider’s property, Police made further illicit discoveries.
This included a bag of cannabis, a cannabis plant and methamphetamine utensils.
Senior Sergeant Albrey says the rider appeared intoxicated and allegedly returned a breath alcohol result of 441mcg.
The 48-year-old man will be summonsed to court for the drink driving offence, with enquiries ongoing into the drug offences.
“Operating any vehicle or motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol is extremely risky,” Senior Sergeant Albrey says.
“It’s fortunate that the rider, his passenger or anyone else in the community wasn’t injured as a result of his actions last night.”
The passenger on the motorcycle, a 34-year-old woman, was also arrested for an unrelated warrant to arrest.
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have caught up with a group of young people likely involved in a wave of vehicle crime across parts of Auckland.
Frontline units deployed across the North Shore and west Auckland in the early hours of this morning.
It all began just before 3.30am in Hillcrest.
Inspector Jason Edwards, of Waitematā Police, says a member of the public reported vehicles being interfered with on Stanaway Street.
“We received reports that vehicles parked on the street were being interfered with by a group of males before they fled in another vehicle,” he says.
“Units quickly responded into the area and enquiries began to locate this group.”
Four vehicles had been interfered with by the group, and Police also located an ignition barrel on the ground.
Meanwhile, the Police Eagle helicopter was watching as a group of young people abandoned a stolen vehicle in Massey around half an hour later.
Inspector Edwards says they were seen trying on foot walking onto Zefiro Drive.
“Ground units were directed to their location with all five quickly taken into custody,” he says.
“We have established this group had just been travelling with two stolen vehicles in tandem, before colliding with each other on the Royal Road offramp.
“They abandoned one vehicle and had carried on a short distance.”
Those arrested are aged between 13 and 16.
Four males have been charged with unlawfully getting into a vehicle and will appear in the Waitākere Youth Court today.
Inspector Edwards says the group is also being spoken to in relation to other vehicle crime across west Auckland and the North Shore.
“This is an outstanding result for Police and our community,” he says.
“I would like to acknowledge all the frontline teams from the North Shore and Henderson, as well as our Crime Squad that responded this morning.”
Police continue to ask the community to report suspicious activity in their neighbourhood.
“Police acknowledge the vigilant member of the public for reporting the suspicious activity in the first instance,” he says.
“We know that stolen vehicles are used to commit further offending against the community, so to be able to disrupt this group is a great outcome.”
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
The intersection of Messines Avenue and Seddul Bahr Road is closed following a serious crash involving a vehicle and a cyclist.
Emergency services received reports of the crash about 4pm.
Diversions are in place and motorists are asked to avoid the area.
There are believed to be serious injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s exploration and mining pipeline is strengthening, with record levels of mineral permit applications received and decided in 2025, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
New data from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (NZP&M) shows the agency received 551 applications last year, up from 450 in 2024, and made 521 decisions, compared to an annual average of 363 since 2017. Of the 178 approvals for new activity, 163 related to gold.
“Nine out of 10 new permit applications granted last year targeted gold, with the South Island set to benefit most from this activity. The West Coast alone accounted for more than 40 per cent of new gold‑related approvals, reinforcing its position as one of New Zealand’s most active and enduring mining regions,” Mr Jones says.
“What is particularly encouraging is the good spread of applications across the development lifecycle. The mix of prospecting, exploration, and mining permits reflects healthy progression through the development pipeline. Tier 2 hobby permits are being converted into the newly created Tier 3 permit class, which applies a more proportionate and fit‑for‑purpose regulatory burden to small‑scale activity.
“This demonstrates a sector that is gathering momentum and investing in New Zealand’s future. A strong exploration pipeline, coupled with a notable uplift in mining stage activity, shows companies are not only seeking new opportunities but progressing them with confidence.
“The results also highlight strong activity among mid‑sized mining projects — operations that play an important role in regional economic growth and capability building. Multiple operators advancing projects rather than a small number of large ventures dominating the landscape is positive for the sector’s resilience.”
Across the sector, 237 change applications were decided in 2025, reflecting a high level of variation and optimisation activity as operators refine work programmes and permit conditions — a clear indication of active management of mineral assets.
“What we’re seeing is a sector that is humming — investing, exploring, and planning for long-term activity. This momentum is good for regional economies, good for jobs, and good for New Zealand’s broader resource development strategy,” Mr Jones says
Source: New Zealand Police
The intersection of Black Street and Archilles Street/ State Highway 2, Wairoa, is closed following a serious crash.
Emergency services received reports of the two-vehicle crash about 3pm.
Diversions are being organised, and motorists should expect delays.
The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Detective Inspector Jamie Woods, Wellington Field Crime Manager:
Police can now release the name of the woman found deceased at a Matatua Road, Raumati Beach address on Monday 9 February.
She was 56-year-old Lauraine Margaret Stewart of Raumati.
We acknowledge this is an incredibly difficult time for Ms Stewart’s family and we are providing them with support.
A 24-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to grievous bodily harm with further charges being considered. He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Porirua District Court on 4 March 2026.
The investigation into the circumstances of Ms Stewart’s death continues with the primary scene examination expected to be completed in the coming days.
Several search warrants were executed yesterday in support of the investigation and there will be an increased Police presence in the Kāpiti area.
We want to reassure the members of the community that there is no ongoing risk to public safety following this incident.
Police are appealing to the public on information around the incident.
Anyone with information that might help our enquiries can call 105, quoting reference number 260209/8606.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre