Source: New Zealand Police
Great North Road in Glen Eden is closed following a serious crash.
Police were notified at around 4.30pm of the multiple-vehicle crash, which happened between Brandon Road and Westech Place.
Indications are that there are serious injuries.
The road is closed and diversions are in place.
Police ask motorists to avoid the area and delay travel if possible.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government continues to call for diplomacy and dialogue in the Middle East, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.
“We acknowledge developments in the last 24 hours, including President Trump’s announcement of US strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran,” Mr Peters says.
“Ongoing military action in the Middle East is extremely worrying, and it is critical further escalation is avoided. New Zealand strongly supports efforts towards diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. Diplomacy will deliver a more enduring resolution than further military action.”
Meanwhile, the Government is pursuing all options for assisting New Zealanders stranded in Iran and Israel, Mr Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins say.
“We remain seriously concerned about the risks New Zealanders face in Iran and Israel given continued military strikes between the two countries,” Mr Peters says.
“Airspace has been closed since the beginning of the current conflict, and it is highly uncertain when it will reopen. That is why we continue to recommend that New Zealanders do everything they can to leave now if they can find a safe route.
“We know it will not be safe for everyone to leave Iran or Israel, and many people may not have access to transport or fuel supplies. If you are in this situation you should shelter in place, follow appropriate advice from local authorities and stay in touch with family and friends where possible.”
As part of government efforts to pursue all options for assisting New Zealanders in harm’s way, government personnel and a C-130J Hercules aircraft are being deployed to the Middle East and will stand ready to assist if needed. The Government is also in discussion with commercial airlines to assess how they may be able to assist.
“This deployment is part of our contingency plans in preparation for supporting New Zealanders seeking to leave Iran and Israel,” Ms Collins says.
“The New Zealand Defence Force is playing an important role in this operation, stepping up to help New Zealanders in distress overseas.”
“Airspace in Israel and Iran remains heavily restricted, which means getting people out by aircraft is not yet possible. But by positioning an aircraft and Defence and Foreign Affairs personnel in the region, we may be able to do more when airspace reopens.”
The situation in the Middle East is fast-moving and it will take several days for the C-130J Hercules, scheduled to leave Auckland tomorrow, to reach the region.
All New Zealanders in the Middle East – not just in Iran and Israel – are urged to register on SafeTravel.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is running 24/7 consular operations, including via teams in the region.
New Zealanders in Iran and Israel needing urgent consular assistance should call the Ministry’s Emergency Consular Call Centre on +64 99 20 20 20.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to: Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan, Canterbury CIB.
Police searching for missing woman Elisabeth ‘Lis’ Nicholls in central Christchurch have today found a body.
While formal identification is yet to take place, it is believed to be the body of the 79-year-old, reported missing from Riccarton on 4 June.
Canterbury Police, along with Land Search and Rescue volunteers, have been scouring areas in the city working to locate Lis, and we hope today’s discovery will help provide some closure for her family and loved ones.
Our thoughts are with them at this incredibly difficult time, and we thank the public and everyone who helped in the search for their efforts.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
MEDIA NOTE – Elisabeth’s family do not wish to be contacted by media at this time.
Issued by Police Media Team
Source: Family First
MEDIA RELEASE – 21 June 2025
PROSTITUTION LAW REVIEW: BENEFITS EXAGGERATED, SHORTCOMINGS IGNORED, DENIED OR HIDDEN
Family First says that a TVNZ report on child prostitution is no surprise, given the lack of oversight of the law and a failure to formally review its many failings.
An indepth review in 2021 of the effects of the 2003 prostitution law change revealed a huge gap between the reputation of the law and its actual impact. The detailed analysis challenged the assumption that the decriminalisation of prostitution has been a success, finding the benefits of the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 (PRA) have been exaggerated and its shortcomings ignored, denied or hidden.
“IS IT WORKING? An evidenced-based review of the decriminalisation of prostitution in New Zealand” highlighted several significant concerns:
Increased numbers of prostitutes. The New Zealand Prostitutes’ Collective has failed to collect accurate data on the numbers of people involved in prostitution, despite being contracted by the Government to do so.
Health and safety violations – and the reality of violence. Continuing health and safety violations include coercion into unwanted sex acts, high levels of violence, physical injury, unsafe sex, and exploitative practices such as long working hours. Violence is a risk every prostitute takes on a daily basis. Assault, rape and strangulation are not uncommon.
What other business or sector of society in New Zealand would tolerate this – and yet the sex industry is sold as a success story. Where is the Occupational Safety and Health? No other work employment sector has a risk factor where rape is considered an inherent part of the work, and why would we want a family member to be in a type of work where there is a 35% chance of being sexually molested i.e forced to accept sex from a man they did not want to.
Fuelled by increasingly violent pornography and a notorious drinking culture, punters frequently enjoy hurting women; overseas studies show that some men think raping a prostitute is not even possible. As a result, studies continue to document depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, dissociative disorders and bipolar disorder in women involved in prostitution.
Yet New Zealand’s official Health and Safety Manual for prostitution normalises violence and coercion by advising prostitutes to ‘identify potentially dangerous situations,’ and to devise strategies ‘to protect themselves.’ The prostitutes’ collective stated openly in 2016 that it was impossible to wipe out violence in the industry.
Low rates of reporting and prosecuting violations. Fewer than 20% of those who had been physically assaulted reported it to the police. Since 2003 there have been only two prosecutions for coercion – committed usually by women’s managers (pimps) – despite repeated reports that it happens frequently.
Street workers experience 2 to 3 times more violence than other workers, and actual serious violence (rape, holding against will, and physical violence) are significantly underreported to the Police. Even the Prostitute Collective’s reports to the Ministry of Health make frequent mention of violence and coercion, often by brothel ‘managers’ (pimps).
The black market. The industry realities of gang involvement, child exploitation and internal trafficking are largely denied or ignored by the NZPC. The Ministry for Children confirmed that under-age prostitution was not a target area and that no funding had been made available to tackle it.
Lack of support for exiting the industry. No resources have been provided to support women who wish to exit the industry. When the law reform was being debated, it was promoted as helping to prevent entry and facilitate exiting, however the NZPC does not support that approach.
Failure to implement recommended changes: A review of the law reform in 2008 made 28 recommendations, however, only 11 have been followed through in any way.
Despite dangerous conditions continuing, New Zealand’s prostitution law reform has been widely lauded – particularly overseas – as beneficial for the women involved. The report identifies the main reason for this misinformation: the conversation is dominated by the New Zealand Prostitutes Collective (NZPC), a lobby group whom the Government relies on overwhelmingly for information regarding any issue related to prostitution.
TVNZ also fell into this same trap.
The report found that the NZPC does not provide support for those wishing to exit, has no official contact with the black market of prostitution, and plays down the industry-wide realities of violence and exploitation – denying the existence of under-age abuse and internal trafficking, rejecting the voices of exited women, and amplifying the voices of pimps.
When implementing the law reform in 2003, Parliament was clear that its impact should be fully scrutinised. Five years later, in 2008, the Prostitution Law Reform Committee’s review of the new law recommended assessing it again in 2018. Such an assessment never happened, and the Ministry of Justice says there are no plans to review the law again – in spite of the fact only 11 of the 28 recommendations made by the 2008 review have been implemented.
The report makes a number of recommendations, including a focus on child sexual exploitation and trafficking; funding and resourcing exiting & prevention (including awareness of the impacts of pornography); and ultimately, the recriminalisation of brothels and pimping.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Haley Ryan, Wellington District CIB:
Wellington Police investigating an assault on a woman in Newtown this morning are seeking information and footage from the public.
The incident occurred on the footpath on Colombo Street at around 7:30am. The woman was approached from behind and when she turned around she was confronted by a man holding a knife. The victim found an opportunity to run from the man into a nearby address and call Police.
Police are offering support to the victim, after what was a deeply concerning incident.
While the victim was not physically injured, she is understandably extremely shaken.
Police will also ensure we increase our presence in the Newton area to provide reassurance to that community.
As part of our ongoing enquiries, we are seeking the public’s assistance to help identify and locate the alleged offender.
He is reported as being in his late 20s, Caucasian, and about 5’7 [170cm] in height, with a medium build.
He was wearing a grey jumper with a red hoodie underneath, grey pants and a hospital face mask.
We are asking for anyone who was in the areas of Colombo Street, Rintoul Street, Adelaide Road, and Riddiford Street, between the hours of 7am and 8am today and may have seen this man, to please contact Police.
This male is probably a local resident and someone in our community may recognise the description provided by the victim. We ask anyone who may know the identity of this male to also make contact with us.
Additionally, if anyone has CCTV, dashcam, or video footage from the mentioned areas that may have captured the man at any point, please contact Police and we can come and collect the footage from you.
You can report information to Police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing event number 250622/1969.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
We’d also like to remind people to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to Police, by calling 111 if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.
ENDS.
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes due to a blockage on State Highway 2 East, between Stanley Road and Fraser Road, following a serious crash this morning.
Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash at around 11:30am.
Indications are people have been seriously injured.
The road will remain closed for some time.
ENDS.
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A scene examination is ongoing following last night’s assault at Pakuranga Night Market, which left two people critically injured.
Emergency services were called to Aylesbury Street around 6:45pm.
Locals can expect to see an increased Police presence today as we work to gather further information about what happened.
The two injured people have undergone surgery and are in a stable condition at hospital.
Police continue to follow positive lines of enquiry to locate the alleged offender.
If anyone has any information that can further assist the investigation please call Police on 105 and refer to file number: 250621/0744.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police
The passenger in a crash has been critically injured following a crash on Main Road Stoke, Stoke.
At about 5.20am on Sunday 22 June, Police were called to a car that had crashed into a trailer.
The critically injured person has been flown to Wellington Hospital.
The driver received minor injuries and is speaking to Police.
Enquiries are ongoing with the Serious Crash Unit conducting a scene examination.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Team
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes due to a blockage on State Highway 2, near Otamarakau Valley Road, Pukehina following a serious crash this morning.
Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash at around 10am.
Indications are people have been injured.
The road will remain closed for some time.
ENDS.
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The positive impact of the Government’s Infrastructure Investment Summit earlier this year is beginning to show, following the shortlisting of three consortia for the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland Expressway, Infrastructure and Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“The Investment Summit, which took place in Auckland in March 2025, attracted international and local companies which collectively manage over $6 trillion in capital,” Mr Bishop says.
“Ministers’ presentations at the Summit left the investors in no doubt that New Zealand is serious about attracting investment into the big infrastructure projects our country needs.
“One of the projects featured at the Summit was the Northland Expressway, a critical project to boost jobs and growth in an area rich with untapped potential. During my presentation on this project at the Summit, I announced that we were inviting Expressions of Interest to deliver the first stage of the project.
“This first stage includes a 26km four-lane expressway from Warkworth to Te Hana which connects to the new Pūhoi to Warkworth expressway. The indicative design for Warkworth to Te Hana includes an 850m long twin bore tunnel in the Dome Valley and three interchanges located at Warkworth, Wellsford and Te Hana.
“We received very strong interest in this project from both domestic and international consortia, several of which included companies who attended the Investment Summit.
“Following NZTA’s rigorous evaluation and selection process, three of these consortia have been shortlisted to move forward to the Request for Proposals (RFP) stage, during which they will submit RFPs for the financing, design, construction, management and maintenance of the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the expressway under a PPP.”
The three shortlisted consortia are:
“The shortlisted consortia are all well positioned to deliver a high-quality motorway that will boost regional resilience, enhance road safety and travel reliability and strengthen vital connections for freight, tourism and everyday drivers,” Mr Bishop says.
“I want to acknowledge the huge amount of work from all respondents who provided high quality submissions, and NZTA for continuing to meet the ambitious timeframes for this procurement.
“We are now an important step closer to delivering a vital connection which will help Northland’s economy grow and its communities thrive.”
Note to editors:
The Warkworth to Te Hana section of the corridor has been prioritised for delivery as it is the most advanced section in terms of designation, consents and property acquisition.
A Preferred Bidder for the PPP is expected to be confirmed in early 2026. Subject to successful contract negotiations, the contract is expected to be awarded in mid-2026.
The successful PPP consortia is expected to start detailed design and early construction works in late 2026.
NZTA is currently progressing planning and design for the remaining sections of the corridor. The emerging preferred corridor for section 2, Te Hana to Port Marsden Highway, was announced in April 2025.