Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on Logan Road, Buckland.
The single vehicle crash, involving a truck and trailer unit, was reported to Police at 7.32am.
Initial reports indicate there may be serious injuries.
Logan Road is closed between Yates and Buckville Roads.
The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance.
Police are advising motorists to avoid the area and expect delays.
ENDS.
Source: New Zealand Police
A woman has died, and a man has been arrested, after an incident in Raumati Beach overnight.
Police were called to the Matatua Road address about 1.15am after a report of someone being injured.
On arrival, they located the woman deceased.
A 24-year-old man was taken into custody. He is due to appear in Porirua District Court today, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Further charges are being considered.
A scene guard has been in place overnight, and a forensic examination will be carried out at the property today.
Anyone with information that might help our enquiries can call 105, quoting reference number 260209/8606.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Allan Humphries, Taupō Police:
Two young people have been charged following a fire at a Taupō college yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the fire on Spa Road, Taupō, at about 2.15pm on Sunday 8 February.
As the block became fully engulfed, Police closed surrounding roads for approximately four hours while Fire and Emergency New Zealand worked to contain the blaze.
The block of classrooms was destroyed, along with everything inside. We acknowledge this will be devastating for college teachers, students and families.
Our investigators were able to quickly identify two alleged offenders in relation to the fire.
Two youths have since been charged with arson and are due to appear in Taupō Youth Court this week.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The replacement of two century-old South Canterbury bridges will provide safer and more reliable travel on an important inland route, Associate Transport and South Island Minister James Meager says.
Work to remove State Highway 82’s existing Waihao North River and Elephant Hill Stream bridges starts tomorrow, with replacements expected to take about 12 months to construct.
“The condition of these two-lane bridges has reached a point where it is now more cost-effective to replace them than continuing to maintain them,” Mr Meager says.
“Once these end-of-life bridges are removed, modern replacements will then be built to provide safer crossings and assurance to those travelling on SH82. This highway corridor provides important access to popular destinations such as the Canterbury Lakes, the Mackenzie District and Central Otago.
“It also offers the only convenient alternative route to State Highway 1 for people travelling north and south of the Waitaki River.
“The new bridges will also have no load restrictions, which will make life easier for freight companies and help improve productivity across the South Island.”
“I’m thrilled this important infrastructure is being replaced. These new bridges will go a long way in building resilience to our local transport network,” Waitaki MP Miles Anderson says.
“This investment is another example of our Government’s commitment to fixing the basics and building the future, by helping to ensure our people and goods can safely and reliably get from A to B,” Mr Meager says.
Notes to Editor:
• The total projected construction costs of each bridge replacement (including contingencies) are as follows:
o Waihao North River Bridge replacement – $14 million
o Elephant Hill Stream Bridge replacement – $5.7 million
• Early/enabling works have been carried out in preparation for the start of work deconstructing the existing bridges.
• Due to their close proximity, both bridge replacements are being delivered at the same time, by HEB Construction.
• Temporary bridges installed at both bridge sites (one Acrow model, and another Bailey model) will allow traffic to continue to flow while the new bridges are constructed.
• These two new bridges in South Canterbury are part of the 11 structures included in NZTAs End of Life Bridge Replacement Programme.
• NZTA’s bridge replacement programme is prioritised nationally by assessing whether replacement in the short term represents better value than continued maintenance over the medium to long term. This assessment includes the age, condition, and structural performance of individual bridges, and how these factors influence future deterioration, risk, and maintenance requirements.
Source: New Zealand Government
After three weeks of intensive work, SH2 through Waioweka Gorge will re-open to the public tomorrow Monday 9 February for single-lane controlled access, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“Ever since the recent severe weather caused flooding and landslips that completely closed the gorge, NZ Transport Agency and its contractors have been working incredibly hard to re-establish this vital connection between Ōpōtiki (Eastern Bay of Plenty) and Matawai (Tairāwhiti).
“It’s difficult to overstate how big the task has been for the crews on the ground.
“Crews have been working from both ends of the gorge, clearing massive slips, blocked culverts and widespread debris at 40 sites, including eight sites with severe damage.
“NZTA has now confirmed one lane will open to the public for essential travel only under piloted convoy conditions at 7am tomorrow 9 February.
“This is really encouraging news, and I’d like to thank all the crews who have been working so hard to make it possible.
“There are a few very important things for locals to keep in mind, though.
“While geotechnical investigations have confirmed that the road is safe, it’s still an active worksite, people should only travel if they must, and be prepared for the road to close at short notice if weather conditions or risk assessments change.
“While restoring access is important, doing it safely is critical. This is a vulnerable route and NZTA is actively monitoring for any further slip movement.
“Crews will remain working on the other side of the road, clearing the remaining debris, improving drainage and opening culverts to reduce the risk of further issues.
“I expect this stretch of SH2 will remain a worksite for some time. People should travel with extreme care and be mindful of workers on the road. Give them a friendly wave as you travel through.
“Anyone planning to travel in the convoy is advised to allow plenty of extra time to get to the departure point. Convoys will be leaving promptly on schedule.”
Note to Editors:
Convoys will operate in a single direction, three times daily for each direction, across the 37km stretch of Gorge. Pilot vehicles will control the speed of the convoy.
Gisborne bound start point is at Historic Tauranga Bridge.
Departing promptly at the following times:
7.00am, 11.00am and 5.00pm
Ōpōtiki bound start point is in Matawai at Te Wera Road intersection.
Departing promptly at the following times:
9.00am, 1.00pm and 7.00pm
Source: New Zealand Police
Police want to thank Southland locals and visitors for excellent behaviour on the roads and at events over the Waitangi weekend.
“We’re pleased to say there have been no real issues throughout the Burt Munro event, which is outstanding,” says Southland Area Commander, Inspector Mike Bowman.
“We want to thank our community and people that travelled to Southland for playing their part in keeping our roads safe.”
As the weekend comes to an end, Police are reminding people to take their time and drive to the conditions.
“There will be a significant visible Police presence on our roading network across Te Waipounamu, to monitor our roads and ensure people get home safely.”
Inspector Bowman hopes that the good behaviour continues across the region.
“Stay distraction free, take regular breaks, and wear your seatbelt – if you’re on a motorbike make sure you’re wearing the right gear and make good decisions,” he says.
New and returning riders are urged to explore resources such as Ride Forever.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died after a single-motorcycle crash on Horseshoe Bush Road, Dairy Flat, early this morning.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 1.30am.
Sadly, the sole rider died at the scene.
The scene has been examined by the Serious Crash Unit and the road has now reopened.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 2, at the intersection with Waterworks Road, is blocked in both directions after a crash.
Police were notified of the three-vehicle crash about 4pm.
The road is blocked while emergency services work at the scene.
There are no diversions in place.
Motorists are asked to delay travel if possible and consult Journey Planner for route advice.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Environment Canterbury © 2026
Retrieved: 4:20pm, Sat 07 Feb 2026
ecan.govt.nz/get-involved/news-and-events/2026/environment-canterbury-on-site-at-wastewater-discharge-into-diamond-harbour-te-waipapa
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 07 February 2026
DOC staff searched for the whale – most likely a humpback – to disentangle it but have not yet found it. It could have swum as far north along the coast as Picton or as far south as Christchurch.
DOC Operations Manager South Marlborough Stacey Wrenn is asking the public to contact DOC 0800 HOT (0800 362 468) if they see the whale. If anyone in Kaikōura has lost a craypot, please report it anonymously to DOC by the same phone number.
No one should attempt to cut the whale free themselves as this is very dangerous. Boaties spotting the whale should stay clear of it and avoid doing anything to disturb or harass the whale.
“Disentangling marine mammals is highly specialised and dangerous work,” Stacey says. “Under no circumstances should members of the public attempt to disentangle the whale or interact with it at all.
“Please provide as much location detail as you can (ideally GPS coordinates, time) and photos if you have them.”
Attempts to cut free entangled whales are only carried out when it is safe to do so. It requires sea conditions not being too rough and sufficient daylight hours, as the procedures can take several hours and it’s not safe to disentangle whales in darkness.
DOC appreciates the support of Ngāti Kuri and the local whale watching operators as it attempts to locate the whale.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz