Source: New Zealand Police
Police can release the name of the man who sadly died following a crash on Waiwhero Road, Lower Moutere, on Wednesday 4 February.
He was Paul Daniel McKay, 42, from Motueka.
Police extend condolences to Paul’s loved ones.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Good old-fashioned Police work has ended in the arrest of a man wanted in relation to an aggravated robbery in New Lynn last week.
At about 1am on 16 February, four masked offenders entered a venue on Great North Road and stole a large amount of cash.
The group fled the scene in a stolen vehicle and a short time later were seen entering a second vehicle.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting, Waitematā West Area Investigations Manager, says that vehicle was located abandoned on Winstone Road, Mt Roskill.
“A substantial amount of money was recovered from inside the vehicle.
“Following this, our enquiries team reviewed CCTV from the area and spoke with a number of people.”
He says the information received led officers to pound the pavement, eventually locating an address of interest.
“Police executed a search warrant at a Mount Albert Road address and located a suspect hiding inside a closet.
“He has subsequently been charged with aggravated robbery and unlawfully using a motor vehicle.
“This was a great arrest, and we can’t rule out further arrests or charges.
“This is a great example of good old-fashioned Police work, getting great results and holding people to account.”
A 22-year-old man appeared in court on Friday and was remanded in custody to appear in Waitākere District Court this week.
Anyone with any further information is asked to please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and use the file number 260216/2305.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash in Waikuku overnight.
Emergency services were called to the three vehicle crash on Main North Road, near Tulls Road, around 9.05pm.
Despite best efforts from emergency services, one person died at the scene.
The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination. Main North Road has since reopened.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Education Minister Erica Stanford has today announced the appointment of Debbie Francis to the Teaching Council board, providing a valuable addition as the organisation undergoes significant change.
“Ms Francis is a highly respected operator with strong, extensive experience in organisational change and strategy. She has led various change programmes across both the public and private sectors,” Ms Stanford says.
“The Teaching Council has been identified as having a number of serious, pressing issues that need to be resolved in order for it to fulfil its roles effectively and enable trust and confidence heading into the future.
“Ms Francis has shown that she has a strong, clear understanding of changes that need to happen, as outlined in her own report. I have full confidence that she will be a valuable contributor on the recently refreshed board.
“I am pleased to welcome Ms Francis to the role. I am glad that her expertise will join the board as they work to restore the Teaching Council to a position where it is able to operate and serve teachers, children, and the sector, brilliantly.”
Ms Francis was lead partner for the PwC People and Change practice and head of the PwC central government practice. She was also Chief Executive at the
New Zealand Correspondence School, Deputy Chief Executive for UCOL, and the Director of Strategy and Futures at Lincoln University. She holds a Masters in Public Policy.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm a person has sadly died following a serious crash involving a car and a pedestrian in Te Anau today about 8.45am.
Police investigating the crash are seeking help from the public.
The driver of the vehicle involved left the scene, and police would now like to speak to them.
Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and witnessed the incident, or anyone who has dashcam footage of the crash, or the moments before it.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police as soon as possible online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105.
Please use the reference number 260223/7970.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Privacy Commissioner
AI systems generating realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent has led to the New Zealand Office of the Privacy Commissioner co-signing a joint statement on the issue. The concerns about these technologies include the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery and potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups.
The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that these systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules. The statement also notes that fundamental principles should apply when using AI content generation systems, including implementing robust safeguards, transparency, and addressing specific risks to children.
The co-signatories below are issuing this Joint Statement in response to serious concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) systems that generate realistic images and videos depicting identifiable individuals without their knowledge and consent.
While AI can bring meaningful benefits for individuals and society, recent developments – particularly AI image and video generation integrated into widely accessible social media platforms – have enabled the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery, defamatory depictions, and other harmful content featuring real individuals. We are especially concerned about potential harms to children and other vulnerable groups, such as cyber-bullying and/or exploitation.
The co-signatories remind all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems that such systems must be developed and used in accordance with applicable legal frameworks, including data protection and privacy rules.
We also highlight that the creation of non-consensual intimate imagery can constitute a criminal offence in many jurisdictions.
Whilst specific legal requirements vary by jurisdiction, fundamental principles should guide all organisations developing and using AI content generation systems, including:
The harms arising from non-consensual generation of intimate, defamatory, or otherwise harmful content depicting real individuals are significant and call for urgent regulatory attention.
To encourage the development of innovative and privacy-protective AI, the co-signatories of this statement are united in expressing their concern about the potential harms from the misuse of AI content generation systems. The co-signatories aim to share information on their approaches to addressing these concerns that can include enforcement, policy and education, as appropriate and to the extent that such sharing is consistent with applicable laws. This reflects our shared commitment and joint effort in addressing a global risk.
We call on organisations to engage proactively with regulators, implement robust safeguards from the outset, and ensure that technological advancement does not come at the expense of privacy, dignity, safety, and other fundamental rights – particularly for the most vulnerable of our global society.
Source: New Zealand Police
Northbound lanes have now reopened following an earlier crash on State Highway 1, Orewa this afternoon.
Emergency services were called at around 12.18pm after receiving reports of a three-vehicle crash.
Diesel was spilt onto the road as a result of the crash, which has now been cleared.
One person received moderate injuries and was transported to hospital in a stable condition.
Police would like to thank motorists for their patience while the scene was cleared.
ENDS.
Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old male following an aggravated robbery at a commercial premises in Palmerston North at the weekend.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson says at around 2pm on Saturday 21 February, Police were called to the premises on The Square after a person armed with a knife and hammer entered the store.
“Using the hammer, the alleged offender smashed one of the display cabinets, taking several phones before running out of the store.
“Police were able to identify the youth through various avenues of inquiry, including available CCTV footage.“
The youth was located and arrested yesterday.
He has been referred to Youth Aid.
“These types of crimes are incredibly frightening for those working in the store at the time, and this robbery is no different.
“We understand other store owners would have been unnerved by this occurring. We are hopeful that the quick arrest will go some way to provide reassurance that Police will take prompt action to hold those responsible to account.”
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police want to find the owners of four historic war medals, that were recovered during a search warrant in Palmerston North.
Police conducted a search warrant today, at an address in Kelvin Grove. During the search, the pictured medals were found and recovered, and are believed to be stolen.
The medals include a 1939-1945 star, an Atlantic star, a Burma star, and the 1939-1945 war medal.
Police believe these hold significant sentimental value and would like to return them to their rightful owner.
If the medals belong to you, or you know someone who is missing their medals, please get in touch, either online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 and click “update report”, or by calling 105.
Please quote file number 260215/1202.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
North Shore Police have arrested a man over alleged indecent assaults against high school students and a staff member in recent months.
Quick reporting meant units quickly caught up with the man in the Milford area last week.
Relieving Waitematā East Area Commander Mike Rickards says the staff member was on duty on the afternoon of 16 February, outside the school.
“A man has allegedly indecently assaulted the teacher before she confronted him,” he says.
“The alarm has been raised when other teachers saw this confrontation and immediately contacted 111.
“Our units responded urgently into the area, locating a man in the vicinity.”
The 64-year-old west Auckland man was soon arrested.
Inspector Rickards says the man has been charged with doing an indecent act.
Monday’s arrest resulted in enquiries progressing into a series of similar events on 11 November 2025.
“An extensive investigation was carried out to identify a man who had allegedly carried out similar behaviour, directed towards several high school students on the same day,” Inspector Rickards says.
Those enquiries were unable to locate the man responsible at the time.
On Friday, detectives from Waitematā East CIB laid two additional indecent assault charges against this man.
He has also been charged with assault over a separate incident allegedly involving an elderly woman at St Lukes, also in November 2025.
Inspector Rickards says: “I want to directly acknowledge the school community despite these awful events.
“The students did the right thing at the end of last year and reported the offending, this information informed the school network so on Monday staff sprang into action.”
The 64-year-old man has appeared in the North Shore District, and will reappear on new charges on 27 February.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police