Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

A Northland man has been remanded in custody after a dangerous dash across the Far North at excessive speeds.

Police received several calls from road users who reported a white BMW driving dangerously on SH10 towards Taipa, on Friday afternoon.

“Callers estimated the BMW was travelling at excessive speeds and driving dangeorously, allegedly overtaking on double yellow lines heading south,”  Sergeant Treston Laybourn says.

The vehicle and driver were later located by Mangōnui Police near Cable Bay.

“Officers approached the driver and as they did he got back into the vehicle and drove off at speed towards Mangōnui.”

“A pursuit was initiated due to the driver’s dangerous behaviour,” Sergeant Laybourn says. 

“The vehicle and driver were located shortly afterwards with the help of members the community.”

Sergeant Laybourn says Police are appreciative of the ‘teamwork’ that led to the arrest.

“We would like to acknowledge the Mangōnui community, the Mangōnui Community Patrol, and the road users that initially reported this man’s reckless actions.

“Everyone played their part which helped led us to locating and arresting the man before anyone was seriously hurt or killed on our roads.”

A 54-year-old man has been charged with several driving offences, including dangerous driving and failing to stop.

He has since appeared in the Kaitaia District Court and has been remanded in custody until his next appearance tomorrow.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

People using the State Highway 1 and State Highway 5 roundabout at Taupō will have noticed the Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre being built is well advanced.

The administration building has been shifted to site, and most of the below-ground work at the centre and on the roads leading to it is in place.

This includes a 16.8-metre long and 5.2m wide weighbridge. The in-road weigh-in-motion scales on the 5 roads heading towards the safety centre have been installed. Work on the camera technology and Variable Message Signs (VMS) is progressing.

At the site, fences, gates and landscaping are underway. When the weather is warmer the final asphalt sealing work will be done within the main CVSC site.

The Taupō centre includes a stock effluent tank disposal facility to help stock carriers minimise spills on the highway.

The site will be operational in April 2026.

Taupō commercial vehicle safety centre

How it all works:

In-road scales and automatic number-plate readers screen passing commercial vehicles. If the vehicle is of interest to police, the number-plate recognition cameras linked to the VMS boards will alert drivers to pull into the centre.

Police officers can then check on vehicle weight, road-user charges, certificate of fitness, logbook accuracy and driver impairment.

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

22 seconds ago

Two international students at EIT’s Auckland campus have gained an inside look at New Zealand’s tech sector through internships at cybersecurity firm Cianaa Technologies.

Master of Information Technology students Jing Su, from Tianjin, China, and Ayesh Rodrigo, from Sri Lanka, who completed their degree this year, recently undertook internships at the Auckland-based company.

Their three-month placements at Cianaa focused on cybersecurity standards and compliance and client on-site audits, giving them direct exposure to how New Zealand businesses operate.

The company specialises in quality assessment, compliance and cybersecurity and is a recognised government supplier under the New Zealand Information Security Manual.

For Jing, who moved to Auckland in September 2023, the internship was a chance to put her new knowledge into practice. Formerly an in-vehicle infotainment embedded software engineer and project manager at Panasonic in China, she said the placement broadened her skills.

“We found out why certain questions get asked, observed teams close-up in a live situation, and learned a lot about risk management frameworks in a New Zealand context. It was invaluable to interact directly with Cianaa’s clients and meet new challenges in a real-world business environment.”

Jing said her studies at EIT have given her a balance of academic and practical skills, with highlights including the cybersecurity and cloud computing courses, as well as her involvement in the Mentor Programme.

“I chose to study at EIT because it offers a welcoming and diverse learning environment, and I really value the way Māori culture is integrated into education here.”

She also works part-time as a robotics teacher at Kidwe Lab, helping young students pursue their own dreams of becoming engineers.
Ayesh, 33, who arrived in New Zealand in early 2023 after long dreaming of the country through films like The Lord of the Rings.

After more than a decade working in banking and software engineering in Sri Lanka, he said it was EIT’s affordability, reputation among international students, and strong industry focus that convinced him to enrol.

“As an international student, it’s incredibly challenging to find opportunities in fields like IT. This internship gave me exposure to companies I one day wish to work for. Although I’m not directly from a cybersecurity background, it’s teaching me practical aspects of the industry and helping me understand how IT looks in New Zealand.”

He said the support of EIT lecturers made the difference. “I personally got an internship with a recommendation from lecturers at EIT. After trying many times on my own, I understood it’s very hard to get a job without a recommendation here. I was fortunate to get this opportunity during my studies, and I’m really grateful for that.”

Balancing the internship alongside family commitments, part-time work and final research was demanding, but he said the experience was invaluable.

“I very much appreciate that Cianaa provided a unique experience for me and expressed confidence in us to successfully participate and contribute to successful business outcomes.”

Lecturer Akbar Hossain, who facilitated the placements, said Cianaa praised both students for their professionalism and work ethic and indicated interest in hosting more interns.

Both students say the internships have been an essential connector between their studies and career ambitions.

Jing hopes to combine her background in embedded systems with her new skills in cloud and cybersecurity, while Ayesh is focused on starting his IT career in New Zealand.

“These experiences not only align us with our career expectations but also make our time in New Zealand more meaningful,” Ayesh said.
EIT Head of School of Computing, Geoffrey Mather, said: “Student placements are a win for everyone”.

“Ākonga step confidently into the real world, growing their skills and shaping their future. Valued industry partners gain fresh energy, new ideas, and the chance to guide tomorrow’s talent. Together, we create pathways where learning and innovation thrive.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Senior Sergeant Brad Pollock, Area Prevention Coordinator Taranaki Police

Police are seeking the driver of a vehicle who deliberately and repeatedly lost traction outside the New Plymouth Police Station around 4.40pm on Saturday 6 September.

Police observed a vehicle performing sustained loss of traction directly in front of the station before immediately leaving the scene.

Police did not pursue the vehicle due to the dangerous driving manner. The vehicle was located at an address in Waiwhakaiho sometime later.

An investigation is underway to identify the driver and the persons responsible for the anti-social driving.

The vehicle was not warranted or registered, nor had a boot and was bearing a sign FTP in the rear window of the vehicle.  The car had the licence plates removed, presumably to prevent us from identifying those involved.

The driver of the vehicle was wearing a balaclava. 

This vehicle was impounded for 28 days, and was issued a non-operation order, ordering the vehicle off the road.

While no arrests were made at the time, Police have sourced and reviewed relevant CCTV and online footage and will continue to identify and locate anyone involved in this behaviour.

Persons involved in stopping traffic at the same time to aid the driver of the vehicle have been identified and will be visited by Police shortly.

If you have any information that could assist our enquiries, please contact Police via 105 and reference file number 250907/6223.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died after a single-vehicle crash on Waihi Whangamata Road this morning.

Police were called to the scene about 11.40am.

Sadly, the sole occupant died at the scene.

The road is closed, with diversions in place, while the Serious Crash Unit examines the scene.

Motorists should avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers: 

Police have fatally shot a man after a confrontation following a burglary in Piopio this morning.

The man, who confronted Police after his quad bike was spiked, fired on officers. One officer was struck in the upper body, causing serious injuries. Police returned fire, hitting the armed man, who died at the scene.

Formal identification is yet to be completed, but Police believe the man to be Tom Phillips, who has been on the run with his children since December 2021.

With the man was a child, who was not injured in the incident. They have spoken with Police this morning and receiving care. We are not in a position to identify the young person at this time.                                                                

Waitomo burglary

About 2.30am today, Police were called by a member of the public to a burglary at a commercial address in Piopio. The caller described two people breaking into a supply store – a male figure wearing a head torch and farm gear, and a shorter person, also wearing a head torch.

After loading a quad bike with items, they left at about 2.45am and travelled north.

Based on the descriptions provided, Police believed the man was likely to be Tom Phillips, resulting in additional staff, and the Police Eagle Helicopter, being deployed.

Responding Police set spikes at the intersection of Te Anga and Waipuna Rds, about 3.20am. Several minutes later, the quad bike ran over the spikes, and came to a stop shortly after.

The man fired multiple shots at the first attending Police officer as he exited his vehicle at the scene, striking him in the head and shoulder.

A second police unit was immediately on the scene; police fired at the armed man, incapacitating him.

Police provided first aid, however the offender died at the scene.

A second person was detained at the scene, where multiple firearms were recovered by Police, on and around the quad bike.

The injured officer was airlifted to hospital about 4.50am.

Scene examination and enquiries

A significant Police presence is ongoing in Marokopa and urgent enquiries are being made to locate Phillips’ other children, whom we hold serious concerns for.

The child at the scene is being provided wraparound support and we will not be providing comment on their location at this early time.

Following the incident, we have been in contact with Phillips’ family and we will be working to provide them with all available support.

We are also providing support to our staff member who was injured, and other staff at the scene. This has been a confronting and challenging event for them.

We understand there will be a number of questions about the incident, but at this time, we are limited in the information we can provide.

A critical incident investigation has been launched and we are now working to establish a complete timeline of events.

The IPCA has also been notified, as is standard procedure for an incident of this nature.

Further information will be released when it becomes available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious single-vehicle crash on Whangamata Road, Whangamata. 

Police were called about 11.40am. 

Initial reports suggest there have been serious injuries. 

Traffic management will be in place. 

Motorists should avoid the area, if possible.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s $802.9 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines has now reached a major milestone, with Greater Wellington Regional Council today signing a contract for a new fleet of 18 battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“French multinational rail transport systems manufacturer, Alstom, has been selected to deliver 18 state-of-the-art battery-electric trains, the first to operate in New Zealand. The new train fleet will significantly improve travel times and passenger experience on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines,” Mr Bishop says.  

“These new trains will replace the ageing diesel locomotive-hauled fleet which dates back to the 1970s and has frustrated commuters for years. They will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable services for passengers travelling between Wellington, the Wairarapa and the Manawatū.

“This upgrade will enable the doubling of peak services on both lines and additional off-peak services. We expect up to 15-minute travel time savings for commuters between Wellington and Masterton, and increased speeds on the Wairarapa line.

“These modern battery electric trains will deliver real benefits for commuters, increase productivity, support economic growth, and allow Kiwis to get where they need to go quickly and safely.

“Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a priority for our Government. We campaigned on delivering the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Programme (LNIRIM) to improve service reliability, provide more travel choices for commuters, and reduce congestion on our roads – and I’m pleased to see this progress.”

The Government is funding approximately 90% of the costs for the procurement of the trains and infrastructure upgrades on the two lines, with the remainder funded by two regional councils, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Horizons Regional Council (HRC).

Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says Alstom was selected through a robust, two-stage global procurement process.

“With a focus on providing passengers with comfortable and accessible rail journeys, we welcome Alstom to the LNIRIM programme to design and build trains for New Zealand conditions and to maintain the fleet for 35 years,” Cr Ponter says.

“Designed for New Zealand conditions, the new trains switch to batteries on tracks without overhead power, using technology proven in countries like Japan and Germany.”

Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the new train fleet will be named ‘Tūhono’, meaning ‘to connect or unite’, representing how urban centres and regional communities will be better connected.

“Tūhono trains will help our regions thrive by improving access to work, education and recreation for heartland New Zealand,” Cr Keedwell says.

The new trains are scheduled to enter service from 2030.

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  08 September 2025

It’s set to provide more valuable insights into one of New Zealand’s most elusive wetland birds – the critically threatened bittern (matuku-hūrepo or kautuku).

This year’s muster coincides with the recent launch of DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign – during Conservation Week – encouraging all New Zealanders to take action for nature. Nature is at the heart of who we are as New Zealanders – it shapes our identity, wellbeing, economy and future. But nature is in trouble, and the challenge is growing.

A nationwide initiative run by Love Bittern – a charity organisation and community group promoting protection of the matuku-hūrepo – the Matuku Muster calls for volunteers and community groups to count and observe the cryptic and rare birds in wetlands across New Zealand. The particular focus is listening for the distinctive booming sound made by males. The muster helps identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment and how the birds use those spaces.

DOC Science Advisor Harry Caley says the contribution of volunteers involved in the first muster provided valuable data on the matuku-hūrepo population.

“The first Matuku Muster helped us understand more about the shape of matuku-hūrepo populations and how they use their wetland habitats so we can help keep their homes healthy, and so they’ve got space to thrive,” he says.

“We want matuku-hūrepo populations to shift towards and beyond not being threatened by making sure their wetlands are healthy now and into the future.”

Last year more than 500 volunteers across New Zealand counted 223 male birds at 462 sites. Finding females requires an entirely separate method still being developed by researchers. However, they can sometimes be seen paired flying with males at sites across the country during the Muster.

“The muster is a way people can take action for nature. With more people involved we can reach more wetlands, count more birds and protect wetlands into the future – not just for bittern but for the animals that call them home.

“We’d really like to get more data from the South Island, where we need more matuku-hūrepo observers committing some time to the muster.

“The previous Matuku Muster data helped us identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment,” he says.

“Our aim is for the species to survive in locations for several generations by providing optimal matuku-hūrepo habitats within each wetland network, maintaining those sites indefinitely, and adding or enhancing addition/enhancement of new sites for the birds.”

Harry says repeating observations of matuku-hūrepo at sites will also mean scientists can model the birds’ abundance and determine their population status. There are estimated to be less than 1000 matuku-hūrepo nationally.

The first Matuku Muster revealed knowledge of the birds is more widespread than anticipated. Many matuku-hūrepo habitats observations are not on land managed by DOC.

People and groups can find out more and join the muster via the Love Bittern website.

Background information

Matuku-hūrepo, also known as the Australasian bittern or kautuku as they’re referred to by some South Island iwi, have declined significantly since European settlement of New Zealand. The birds face continued threats from habitat loss, predators and disturbance by human activity.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are advised that Police will hold a stand-up today, regarding this morning’s critical incident in Waitomo.

Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers will speak to media at 11am in central Hamilton.

We ask those media interested in attending to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz.

Further details will be provided to registered media.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre