Source: New Zealand Police
Both State Highway 1 near Tamahere and State Highway 26 / Morrinsville Road in Newstead are open following two separate serious crashes this morning.
Police thank motorists across the district for their patience as emergency services worked the scenes during high traffic this morning.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Helping New Zealand job seekers get their driver licence is one of the best ways to help them get a job and Government-funded driver training is well and truly exceeding its licence targets, Minister of Social Development and Employment Louise Upston says.
“Around 70 per cent of jobs require a person to have a driver licence, reinforcing the importance of the Government’s investment in driver licence training,” Louise Upston says.
“In the last year, MSD’s Driver Licence Support programme has secured 21,063 enrolments, ahead of the 19,000 placement target.
“We know getting a driver’s licence can change a life, as it has in the case of a young Auckland woman on Jobseeker Support. The case manager suggested she consider applying for a job in traffic management, but that relied on her having a driver licence.
“The woman started driving lessons with the support of the programme and soon after was able to sit and pass her restricted licence, then starting a job as a traffic controller with Fulton Hogan.
“The driver licence was the key to her getting the job and starting an independent life. In other examples, people have been able to get jobs with shift work because of having a driver licence or take a rurally-based job on a farm because they can now drive there.
“We know that a challenging employment environment has made things difficult for job seekers.
“We hear many successful stories of how a driver licence has been a turning point in contributing to a change in circumstances – getting a job, being able to care for and support family, and driving legally.
“Programmes like Driver Licence Support ultimately make for safer and stronger families and communities,” Louise Upston says.
Notes for Editors
Source: New Zealand Police
Operations for Waitangi Day are well under way in Northland after months of planning leading up to a day of national significance.
Police is assisting a number of communities and partners as annual events take place ahead of 6 February.
Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj, says Police have been working alongside Iwi and the Waitangi National Trust to ensure a safe and memorable Waitangi celebration.
“It takes months of extensive planning from a large cohort of people and agencies to ensure this week of events goes off without a hitch.”
Superintendent Srhoj says locals and those travelling to Waitangi and the Bay of Islands ahead of Friday are reminded to plan ahead.
“We are expecting large numbers of people to attend the week’s commemorations so please be patient on the roads as it will be busy.
“Police is also asking motorists to wear seatbelts, drive to the conditions and follow the speed limits so everyone can enjoy the festivities.
“Once again we are looking forward to the week and celebrating Waitangi 2026 together.”
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Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
Radio tracking technology has now enabled the detection of ten yellow-legged hornet nests as the eradication response effort on Auckland’s North Shore continues to accelerate.
Biosecurity New Zealand’s commissioner north, Mike Inglis, says the technique – attaching tiny radio transmitters to worker hornets and tracking them back to their nests – has quickly become a core tool in the response programme.
“Our capability with the equipment is growing rapidly, helped by practical advice from visiting experts in hornet management from the United Kingdom,” Mr Inglis says.
“Once we have a transmitter attached to a hornet, we are typically locating the nest within a few hours.”
See a video of a tracker being attached – YouTube shorts
“The trackers, which complement on-the-ground surveillance and public notifications, will become increasingly useful as summer progresses and hornets begin building larger secondary nests high up in trees where they’re less visible to ground searchers.
“We have located 3 secondary nests so far and after comprehensive planning, have successfully treated and removed them.
“We always expected to find increasing numbers of hornets, and we have scaled up our surveillance and tracking programme accordingly. Finding hornets and their nests is a sign that our response is working as intended.”
Using tracking, trapping and ground surveillance, along with public notifications, the team has located and destroyed 49 queens, 51 nests and hundreds of workers to date.
The team was able to locate 3 small nests– one in Takapuna and 2 in Forrest Hill. These finds are well within zone B of our intense surveillance and trapping area – with zone C going out to 11km.
A network of more than 1,080 traps is operating. The zones reflect the density of traps and there have been no detections outside the 11km area.
“Public support continues to be vital to our response, with more than 11,060 notifications to date.
“We encourage anyone who has a suspected hornet specimen, has located a possible nest, or has taken a clear photo to report it to us online at report.mpi.govt.nz or by calling 0800 809 966,” Mr Inglis says.
More information and updates on yellow-legged hornets
For more information email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
21 seconds ago
Thirteen years after leaving an accounting diploma, Francis Chiaroni has completed a Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) at EIT and is preparing to graduate.
Now 38, Francis first studied at EIT in 2012, enrolling in a Diploma of Accounting. While he completed six months, Francis soon realised the field was not the right fit.
After leaving study, Francis focused on full-time work, setting himself the goal of purchasing his first home. In 2015, at the age of 28, he achieved that milestone.
Francis Chiaroni has completed a Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) at EIT and is preparing to graduate in April.
“That was always my dream. I feel very fortunate, especially knowing how difficult it is now for people trying to buy their first home.”
Several years later, a conversation with his mother prompted Francis to consider returning to study, this time to pursue a long-held interest in music.
“She encouraged me to give it a go and see whether it suited me,” he says. “That conversation really changed things.”
Francis enrolled in the Bachelor of Creative Practice (Music) three years ago, beginning his studies just before Cyclone Gabrielle.
“It was a strange way to start. We had online classes at first, then worked out of places like the Cabana, Paisley Stage and MTG Theatre. It didn’t feel normal, but everyone adapted.”
Despite the challenges, Francis says his time at EIT proved both rewarding and transformative.
“The tutors were very supportive, and I made a lot of connections. Being around creative people and being able to support and mentor some of the younger students, was really meaningful for me.”
During his studies, Francis developed his skills as a vocalist and pianist, while also learning guitar, bass and songwriting. In 2024, he began writing and releasing his own original music.
“I reached a point where I realised I had the skills and knowledge to back myself. I didn’t want to leave it too late and regret not putting anything out.”
Live performance became a central part of his experience, helping him build confidence and manage anxiety.
“I feel much more comfortable performing now.”
One of the most memorable moments of his degree came during the end-of-year performances, where Francis appeared across multiple first and second year sets and also performed alongside his parents.
“Both my parents are musicians, so performing together was very special. It was a moment we’ll always remember.”
While music remains his primary focus, Francis says the degree has also opened his thinking around future pathways, including teaching and further creative opportunities.
“Completing this degree has brought out a better version of me. When I started, I had a lot of anxiety and self-doubt. Now I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and excited about what comes next.”
Francis will graduate in April and says finishing his degree is a milestone he once never imagined reaching.
“It’s been a long journey but one I’m incredibly proud of.”
Music tutor Svetlana Eliason said it was a pleasure to witness the steady development of Frank’s creative voice.
“His exploration of his Italian and Irish ancestry informed sincere and authentic musical compositions; under his musical alias Frankly, he releases honest, reflective and deeply personal music. Central to this journey was his strong connection to his parents, whose encouragement played a key role in his decision to study the Bachelor of Creative Practice.
“This support was beautifully reflected in the end-of-year festival where Frank performed alongside them, creating a moving and memorable moment for his whānau and audience alike.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Two burglars never saw Police coming, after being rounded up after a construction site burglary this morning.
At around 2.30am a report was received about two men entering a work site in Hobsonville.
Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie, from Waitematā Crime Squad, says a vehicle had been driven through gates at the Hobsonville Road site.
Tools and petrol were allegedly stolen from the site.
“A Crime Squad unit deployed into the area carrying out enquiries, with information on two vehicles involved,” she says.
“The unit came across a Hilux at a Westgate petrol station that had stopped for petrol after its alleged exploits.
“The vehicle was stopped, with a large quantity of tools located inside the vehicle.”
The 31-year-old man was arrested and has been charged with burglary.
Meanwhile, enquiries continued into the second vehicle allegedly involved.
Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says the Hiace van had been tracked to the Avondale area.
“Our colleagues from Auckland City located the vehicle abandoned, locating the driver a short time later and arresting him.”
The 39-year-old man has also been charged with burglary, with both men due to appear in the Waitākere District Court today.
Detective Senior Sergeant Goldie says the arrests are, “a fantastic outcome from quick reporting to Police along with detailed information about vehicles involved.
“It’s yet another great example of Police staff from different areas working together to achieve the same outcome and holding this offending accountable.”
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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
The northbound lane on State Highway 1 near Tamahere on the Waikato Expressway is blocked following a two-vehicle crash.
The crash was reported to emergency services just before 8am.
No injuries are reported.
The lanes are expected to be blocked for a short time, but motorists should consider alternative routes or delay travel.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are responding to a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 26, Morrinsville Road in Newstead, reported just before 7am.
One person sustained serious injuries and is being treated by ambulance services.
The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes as cordons are in place and emergency services work the scene.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the names of the two people who died in the helicopter crash near Paekākāriki Hill on 28 January. They were Cole Christopher Ritchie, 25, from Wharepapa South, and Joseph Mark Keeley, 54, from Tauhara.
On Thursday Police completed a scene examination at the site of Wednesday’s fatal helicopter crash, Kāpiti Mana Area Commander Inspector Renée Perkins says. The wreckage was removed on Friday.
Inspector Perkins says the response was a highly coordinated, multi agency effort, with emergency services, aviation authorities, local iwi and regional partners working closely together in extremely challenging terrain.
She acknowledges the swift and professional collaboration between Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Urban Search and Rescue, the Civil Aviation Authority, Westpac Rescue Helicopter, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Te Āti Awa ki Whakarongotai and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
“The response demonstrated the strength of our inter agency partnerships and the shared commitment to supporting one another and the community in difficult circumstances,” Inspector Perkins says.
Police, alongside the Civil Aviation Authority and Victim Support, continue to work together to support the families affected. Our sympathies remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are nearing the final stages of the criminal investigation into the first explosion at Pike River Mine in November 2010.
Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney says this nationally significant and unique investigation is legally complex and Police have been working alongside the Crown Solicitor Wellington for over 18 months.
“We acknowledge this year will be 16 years since the disaster.
“Before any decisions can be made, we will be conducting a further investigation phase.
“To protect the integrity of the investigation, we will not be providing specifics.
“However, I can say any further update is likely to be several months away.
“We appreciate questions over the time this investigation has taken, but Police are committed to exploring all possible lines of enquiry out of respect for the 29 miners and their families,” Detective Superintendent Sweeney says.
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Issued by Police Media Centre