Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have this morning officially stood down all recovery operations at Mount Maunganui, following a landslide last Thursday, 22 January.

Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson says our Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and Search and Rescue teams have now stopped all work and will leave the scene.

“The families were notified of this update yesterday evening.

“This completes the recovery operation. While Police will no longer be working at the scene, technology remains in place to monitor any land movements.”

Scene remains with Police, cordons still in place

Cordons remain in place around Adams Avenue, The Mall and Marine Parade.

“We are constantly working with council and geotechnical experts to determine when it is safe to reduce the cordons.

“These remain in place for the safety of those who remain on the site, but also for the safety of the public.

“We expect to formally hand the scene over to Tauranga City Council in the coming days,” says Superintendent Anderson.

Next steps

Police will now support any subsequent Coronial inquest into the tragedy.

WorkSafe is continuing to scope its involvement in the next phase of the response.

Police has signed an operational protocol for information-sharing with WorkSafe New Zealand, to avoid duplication of efforts and to facilitate the next stage of inquiries.

“Police will be formally speaking to witnesses and gathering as much information that we can to assist WorkSafe,” says Superintendent Anderson.

“A number of Police staff from around the country will be assisting with this next phase of work.”

WorkSafe’s role is to look into those organisations with a duty of care for people at the holiday park, and whether they were meeting their work health and safety responsibilities.

Police acknowledge formal identification of six victims

Superintendent Anderson says as of last night, all six victims had been formally identified.

“We are very relieved for the families that all their loved ones have now been returned to them.

“The last 11 days have been extremely difficult for them, waiting for their loved ones to be found and returned to them.”

Police will continue to provide ongoing wrap around support to the families of the victims.

“While we cannot take the pain away, we hope that being reunited with their loved ones can help give them some closure.

“Our family liaison officers have put in an immense amount of work to support these grieving families. I could not be more impressed by them in regard to their compassion, dedication and professionalism.”

Appreciation for hundreds of staff who worked on this operation

Superintendent Anderson says being able to complete an operation is always difficult, but commends all agencies involved for their assistance.

“On reflection, it has been a privilege to work alongside our colleagues, partners and volunteers for a common purpose.

“We have united to bring the families some form of closure out of this absolute tragedy.”

Police have utilised hundreds of staff from across several regions, including specialist staff over the course of this operation.

“At the peak of our operations, close to 100 Police staff were assisting on a daily basis.

“We all had one goal, and that was to reunite families with their loved ones, but also to support these families through what has been an incredibly difficult time.

“I’m immensely proud of every single person who has worked tirelessly on this operation.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are responding to a crash on Puketutu Road, between Matai and Buckland Roads.

The crash involved two vehicles and was reported about 12.15pm.

One person has been seriously injured.

Puketu Road is closed while emergency services work at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit will be attending.

Police advise motorists to use alternative routes and check NZTA’s Journey Planner.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

A person has died and another is in a serious condition after a crash in Glenorchy this morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene on Glenorchy-Routeburn Road just after 4.41am after two vehicles had collided.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Police staff, including the Serious Crash Unit, are at the scene and the road is partially blocked.

There are no available diversions and the road is partially opening when possible.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with those involved.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Inspector Sarah Thorn, District Road Policing Manager:

Southern District Police are urging all road users to slow down, stay alert and make safe choices as traffic volumes increase across the region over the coming week.

The message follows a tragic weekend, with two fatal crashes in Southern District between 7am Friday 30 January and 7am this morning [Sunday 1 February]. One of the crashes occurred in the Dunedin area, with another near Queenstown. Our staff have been busy with several other serious injury crashes that were also attended during this period.

There are quite simply too many crashes happening on our roads, and the consequences can be devastating.

Specialist police staff attend scenes like this, alongside other emergency workers. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who work in challenging and conditions. They provide critical care, secure scenes and conduct thorough investigations to understand what has happened. Their work is vital to ensure families receive the care, answers and support they deserve when faced with the death or serious injury of a loved one.

While investigations into these crashes are still in the early stages, the road safety message remains unchanged.

Wear your seatbelt, keep your speed safe, put away distractions, and never drive or ride fatigued or impaired by alcohol or drugs.

The coming days are expected to be particularly busy on Southern District roads, with Waitangi Weekend travel combined with the annual Burt Munro Challenge motorcycle festival, being held in Invercargill from 4–8 February 2026.

The Burt Munro Challenge attracts several thousand participants, spectators and visitors from across New Zealand and overseas. It will significantly increase traffic volumes throughout the wider Southern District.

To help keep people safe, Southern District Police will have dedicated Road Policing staff highly visible across the district, including the use of checkpoints and fatigue stops.

Our focus is on prevention.

We want everyone to arrive safely at their destination, enjoy the events they are travelling to, and make it home safely.

All road users, including motorcyclists, are urged to:

• Avoid driving or riding while tired or impaired
• Stick to posted speed limits and drive to the conditions
• Ensure vehicles and motorcycles are roadworthy
• Wear appropriate safety gear, including seatbelts and approved motorcycle protection.

We remind the public that small decisions can have life‑changing consequences.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping Southern District roads safe.

Police encourage anyone who witnesses illegal or unsafe driving behaviour to report it.

Call 111 if it’s happening now or is an emergency. Call 105 for non-emergencies.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Starting today, New Zealanders can receive prescriptions for up to 12-months, saving them money and simplifying access to medicines, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This is a commonsense change that will make a real difference to patients who have stable, long-term conditions like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, and high blood pressure,” Mr Brown says. 

“If their GP or other prescriber decides it’s appropriate and safe to provide 12-month prescriptions, these patients won’t have to get a new prescription every three months from their GP. 

“They will visit their usual pharmacy to collect the repeats, and they will only pay a single prescription charge of $5 when they collect their first supply. Patients won’t need to pay a charge for the remaining repeats over the 12-month period.

“This is a win-win for both patients and health professionals. It means lower costs, and better access to medicines for New Zealanders with long term, stable medical conditions. It also reduces the time GPs and other prescribers need to spend renewing routine prescriptions, making it easier for other patients to get an appointment when they need one.

“This is just one of the practical, patient-focused changes the Government has made to give New Zealanders better access to healthcare, closer to home.

“We have also increased prescribing rights for health professionals like nurse practitioners, enabling them to prescribe a wider range of medicines within their areas of practice.

“Together, these changes mean New Zealanders will have quicker, easier, and more affordable access to the care and medicines they rely on.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Following the changes made today, more New Zealanders with ADHD will have faster access to support as a result of changes to who can assess, diagnose, and start ADHD treatment, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says.

“For too long, people with ADHD have faced long wait times and difficulties getting a diagnosis and treatment because access was limited to specialist services,” Mr Doocey says.

“Medsafe and Pharmac’s decision to widen prescribing rules for ADHD medicines is a welcome change for many New Zealanders, and I want to acknowledge those who have long advocated for this.”

What this change means for New Zealanders from today:

Adults aged 18 and over: Specialist GPs and nurse practitioners can now diagnose ADHD and start treatment.
Children and teens under 18: Specialist services will continue to provide assessment. However, nurse practitioners working in paediatric or child and adolescent mental health teams can now diagnose and start treatment.

Before today, GPs and nurse practitioners could only prescribe ADHD medicines to patients with a written recommendation from a paediatrician or psychiatrist, or after someone had already been diagnosed and received their first prescription.

“We know there are a number of our GPs and nurse practitioners who are already working closely with psychiatrists to treat ADHD, so they already have the skills to manage this work.

“ADHD treatment can be life-changing for many people. Undiagnosed and untreated ADHD can have significant impacts on education, employment, relationships, and overall mental health. With more options available, we can help connect people with the right support, earlier.”

This change is only one in a suite of measures to increase access to ADHD medicines. Pharmac has also removed the two-year renewal requirement for special authorities which allow funded access to stimulant medicines, as well as funding new ADHD medicine.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact this decision will have on many people’s lives. This really will be a game changer for many,” Mr Doocey says.

 Notes to editors:

Only clinicians who choose to work in ADHD will provide assessment or treatment. Many clinicians already have an interest in ADHD and have been preparing for this change.
Assessment and diagnosis of ADHD remains a specialist activity, these changes allow clinicians who have developed a specific interest in ADHD to provide support and initiate treatment. It is expected that clinicians will take this up over time, with services developing gradually.
Costs may vary depending on the type of service and local arrangements.
A detailed FAQ is available on the Ministry of Health website here.

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Ryan Kemsley:

A 46-year-old man is in Hawke’s Bay Hospital in a critical condition after he was assaulted outside of a night club in Napier in the early hours of this morning.

Police were called at around 1am to West Quay in Ahuriri where the man was located unresponsive on the ground.

Police have arrested a 21-year-old man and he is assisting with our investigation.

No charges have been laid at this stage.

Police are asking for assistance from the public should they have witnessed or have knowledge of the incident including any CCTV or video footage that may be available.

Contact the police on 105 either online or over the phone using file reference number 260201/1791.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a single vehicle crash on Anaura Road this morning.

Emergency services were called to the crash about 2.10am this morning, in Anaura Bay, Gisborne.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

The following is a statement on behalf of Max Furse-Kee’s mum:

On 22 January, our world changed forever. Our beloved Max was suddenly and unimaginably taken from us.

Max was not doing anything reckless, and this tragedy was not the result of poor judgement or a lack of care.

He simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was nothing that could have prepared us for this.

As a family, we cannot begin to imagine life without him. Max was our communal baby, a beautiful soul who brought immense light, laughter, and love into our world.

We are grieving not only the person we have lost, but all the milestones, memories, and future moments that will now never be. No words are big enough to capture this pain.

On Wednesday, 4 February, we will hold a memorial to celebrate Max’s short but deeply meaningful life. Further details will be shared soon.

We respectfully ask that attendance be limited to family and close friends. A live stream will be available for those who wish to honour Max from afar.

We are overwhelmed by the messages of love, comfort, and support that have come from across New Zealand and around the world. Thank you all.

While we do not have the capacity to respond individually, please know that we are reading them all, and they mean more to us than we could ever express.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to New Zealand Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), the Rapid Relief Team, all the machinery operators who worked extremely carefully, local Iwi, Kaitiaki and our incredible Police Family Liaison Officers.

You have worked tirelessly to care for us and to bring Max home. We have seen how deeply this has affected everyone involved, and your compassion and kindness will help carry us through the days ahead.

We take great comfort in knowing that Max spent his final days with Sharon, someone he loved so deeply, and with her family, who loved him too.

Please keep Max and all the other affected families in your thoughts. Love your loved ones, life can be heartbreakingly unfair.

We thank you for continuing to respect our privacy at such a difficult time.

Forever Max’s mum. 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

From today, the biosecurity part of the Border Processing Levy will drop by 30 percent for most arriving travellers, Minister for Biosecurity Andrew Hoggard says

“The change will see the biosecurity levy reduce from $16.92 to $12.03 for incoming air passengers,” says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.

“After COVID-19, Biosecurity New Zealand raised the levy to cover border costs and rebuild operations.

“With air travel recovering faster than expected those costs are now paid off, we can lower the levy while keeping strong biosecurity controls in place.

“It’s great to be in a position to ease costs on international travellers and Kiwis coming home, while still keeping our border safe from environmental and economic threats.

“The Border Processing Levy funds biosecurity services such as x-ray screening, detector dogs, and other protections. 

“Farmers, growers, foresters and fishers are the backbone of this economy. That makes the biosecurity controls funded by the levy critical for New Zealanders’ standard of living.

“The government remains committed to modernising border biosecurity.

“We have set aside funding from the levy to allow Biosecurity New Zealand to invest in new border technology and more detector dogs.

“This includes investing in a digital border programme that will build on the successful introduction of the New Zealand Traveller Declaration and deliver smarter passenger processing and new x-ray technology.”