Source: New Zealand Police
Glenmore Street near the Kelburn Viaduct, as well as the Viaduct itself, are closed due to a Police incident.
Staff were called to the area about 7am. There is no risk to the public.
Motorists should take an alternate route.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Cordons are in place on Onehunga Mall between Arthur and Church Streets following a building fire this evening.
Police were called to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand just after 8pm.
The fire is producing significant smoke – those in the area are advised to stay inside and close windows and doors.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Marlborough Area Commander, Inspector Simon Feltham:
Police have arrested a person in relation to a kidnapping incident in Blenheim early yesterday morning.
On Saturday 24 January around 3am, Police were called to the incident on Lakings Road.
A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged with kidnapping. He is due to appear in Blenheim District Court tomorrow [Monday 26 January].
As the matter is now before the courts, Police are unable to comment further.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have made the difficult decision to postpone recovery efforts at Mount Maunganui for today.
The search area was evacuated about 11.50am, after a contractor driver noticed potential instability on the face of the slip, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says.
“The safety of the people working on the recovery is at the front of our mind, and the risk today is too significant to allow us to carry on.
“Families have been told of the decision and our commitment to resume work as soon as possible.”
Superintendent Anderson says the decision was made following advice by two independent geotechnical experts.
“Rain and wind is continuing to complicate the recovery effort and a crack has now been seen above the slip area.
“The landslide material the recovery teams are working in is clay-like, it is incredibly wet and very heavy. Simple tasks are not simple and the work is exhausting.
“The decision to postpone our efforts to reunite families with their loved ones is difficult, and it is not something we do unless there are very real concerns.”
Superintendent Anderson says additional staff are being brought into the district to relieve staff working on the recovery.
“Everyone involved is committed to bringing family’s loved ones home. It is exhausting, gruelling work and I’m incredibly proud of them.”
Further information will be provided when it becomes available.
Note to media: We ask media to be respectful of family’s wishes, especially if they decline to comment.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 6 in Havelock is blocked following a crash this afternoon.
Police were notified of a single-vehicle collision with a power pole, between Long Valley Road and Prices Road, about 3.40pm.
Initial indicators are that one person has suffered serious injuries.
State Highway 6 is closed in both directions while services work at the scene.
Motorists are advised to expect delays take alternative routes if possible.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Snell Street in Morrinsville is closed following a crash this afternoon.
Police were notified of a single vehicle collision with a pole, between Young Street and Florence Drive, just after 2pm.
Initial indicators are that one person has suffered moderate injuries.
The road is expected to be closed while services work at the scene.
Motorists are advised to take alternative routes.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson will speak to media regarding today’s recovery efforts
This will be held in Mount Maunganui at 4pm. Media are advised to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz for further details.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson
Recovery work at Mount Maunganui has been halted as a precaution this morning. At 11.50am, recovery efforts were paused after concerns from the grounds about a potential slip.
Geotechnical experts are assessing the area and teams will resume work as soon as they are cleared to do so.
Delays like this are frustrating but the safety of everyone supporting the recovery effort is paramount.
We will resume our search as soon as possible.
Further information will be released when it becomes available.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
My love for Max is impossible to explain, no words are big enough to describe this love or loss. What I can say is from the moment I first looked at his beautiful blue eyes almost 16 years ago he had my whole heart, he was my sunshine. Max was an incredible, kind, and beautiful human being. He was a wonderful son, a devoted big brother, grandson, nephew, friend, teammate, and boyfriend. He was such a good kid, and he is so deeply loved.
Max was incredibly close to his family, and the bond we shared with him meant everything to us. He brought so much joy, laughter, and light into our lives every single day. His incredible friends and his girlfriend meant the world to him, and the love, happiness, and sense of belonging they gave him brought him so much joy.
Life without Max is impossible to imagine. In truth, all of this feels impossible to imagine. We are endlessly proud of who he is and that he is ours.
This week Max would have turned 16. A “milestone” birthday and something we were all looking forward to celebrating. Just days ago, my biggest fear was him getting his driver’s licence. How I wish now that he could have experienced the joy of driving, and so many other moments that growing up brings. Our lives have changed so suddenly and so completely, we will never be the same.
We would like to thank everyone who has reached out with messages of support. They mean more to us than we can ever express.
We also want to sincerely thank the entire team working at Mauao. We have been cared for with extraordinary kindness, compassion, and humanity. With tears in their eyes they have updated us, sat with us, fed us. They have searched for hours on end and continue to work tirelessly to bring our baby home to us.
Our hearts are also with the families who are waiting for their loved ones with us. We share this grief with you, and we are holding you close in our thoughts during this unimaginably painful time.
Max will always be loved, always be ours, and always be remembered. Love you 100 Max.
– Max’s mum and family
– ENDS
Note to media: Max’s family will not be providing further comment and ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police have arrested and charged one person in relation to a spate of burglaries overnight in Cambridge.
This morning, Police received a number of reports of cars being broken into and items stolen from inside, at some point during the night.
Police, including a Dog Unit, attended and while at one of the scenes, a dog was able to pick up a scent and track it where they located a man and some of the items reported stolen.
An 18-year-old man was taken into custody and is due to appear in Hamilton District Court on Friday 30 January. He is facing charges of unlawfully interfering with motor vehicles and burglary, and Police are not ruling out further charges or arrests.
Police would like to remind the community to stay vigilant – always lock your vehicle and don’t leave valuables in your car in plain view, even if it is parked in your driveway.
If you are the victim of a burglary, or have any information on burglary offending in Cambridge, please call 111 if it is happening now, or you can make a report through 105, either online or over the phone.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre