Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are seeking the public’s assistance to locate missing 23-year-old Liam, who has been reported missing from Bulls.

He was last seen in Bulls, on Watson Street and Walton Street between 11am and 2pm on Monday 19 January.

Police are wanting to hear from anyone in the area who might have seen Liam.

Police and his family have concerns for his wellbeing.

He is described as approximately 170cm tall with sandy brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black hoodie, brown trackpants and a small gold chain necklace.

If you have seen Liam, or have any information on his whereabouts, please contact Police on 105 and quote the reference number P065187380.

Information can also be reported anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 25A is blocked just north of the intersection with State Highway 26 in Kopu following a crash.

The single vehicle crash, involving a truck, was reported at 2:15pm.

The driver has been seriously hurt.

The road is expected to be blocked for several hours and motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect ongoing delays.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a water-related incident in Hahei on Monday 19 January.

He was 37-year-old Jack Oliver-Hood, of Mount Eden, Auckland.

Our thoughts are with those close to him at this difficult time.

His death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Farmers and growers are encouraged to stay up to date with weather warnings and seek support should they need it, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay says.

Mr McClay says Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) staff are closely monitoring the weather situation, with heavy rain warnings and watches and strong wind watches in place across the country.

MPI has staff on the ground providing support where required and are working closely with local emergency management groups including sector organisations, Rural Support Trust, local councils and rural businesses.

“Farmers and growers have prepared for the weather including by moving stock to higher ground where necessary. I encourage people to stay safe, avoid travel and keep out of floodwaters,” Mr McClay says.

“It’s important to self-evacuate if you see rising water and to be ready for power and communications outages.”

MetService has up to date forecasts and warnings.

Orange heavy rain warnings for Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty including Rotorua, and Gisborne from Tolaga Bay north have been upgraded to red. 

Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Auckland and Great Barrier Island, Gisborne south of Tolaga Bay and Hawke’s Bay, and Tasman west of Mapua.

It comes on top of torrential rain over the weekend that caused flooding in parts of Northland. A precautionary state of emergency has been declared for the Whangārei district.

Farmers and growers who require support are encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254.

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie, Waitematā North Police:

Efforts will continue this afternoon to locate a man reported missing near Warkworth this morning.

Resources from several emergency agencies have been deployed around the Mahurangi River, and we acknowledge their crews’ assistance.

Unfortunately the man remains outstanding.

Police Search and Rescue are still deployed and will carry out shore-based searching near the river this afternoon.

Please continue to monitor the latest weather advisories and exercise caution around any waterways with the ongoing weather event.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced that the 2026 General Election will be held on Saturday 7 November.

“Continuing the recent tradition of announcing the election date early in the year ensures New Zealanders have certainty,” Mr Luxon says.

“Kiwis can also have certainty that our Government will continue governing throughout the year to deliver on our plan to fix the basics and build the future.

“When we took office, the country was going in the wrong direction, and it’s taken a lot of hard work in the last two years to start turning things around.

“Through careful economic management and by stopping wasteful spending, inflation has fallen from over 7 per cent under Labour to just 3 per cent now – resulting in considerable interest rate drops, taking pressure off homeowners. 

“The economy is picking up, with increasing business and consumer confidence, building and manufacturing taking off, and exports doing incredibly well. 

“Along with the Free Trade Agreement with India, these results show that with a National-led Government, Kiwis can look forward to more prosperity and opportunity, higher wages, lower mortgage costs, and a brighter future for themselves, their children, and grandchildren.

“In law and order, police are more visible on the beat, there are 38,000 fewer victims of crime, youth offending is down by 16 per cent and ram raids are down by 85 per cent. In schools, our focus on teaching the basics brilliantly has seen the number of new entrants achieving in reading jump from 36 per cent to 58 per cent.

“Continuing to deliver on our plan to fix the basics and build the future so that Kiwis around the country get more results like these will remain our focus in the lead up to the election later this year.”

The Prime Minister has advised the Governor-General of the election date.

The Government’s intention is that the House will rise on 24 September, with Parliament dissolved on 1 October. Writ day will be on 4 October and nominations will close at noon on 8 October. Advance voting will begin on 26 October and the last day for the return of the writ will be 3 December.

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology

27 seconds ago

A pōwhiri on EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale has marked the start of new chief executive Lucy Laitinen’s leadership, as the institute begins a new era as an independent polytechnic.

The official welcome held this morning followed EIT’s return to independence on January 1 and was attended by staff, council members, iwi representatives, faith and community leaders and whānau.

Lucy said the pōwhiri was a meaningful way to begin her time at EIT.

“This appointment is very personal for me. I’m from this place. I grew up in Kererū before my family moved to Ruatoria and then Tokomaru Bay.

“These places, and more importantly, the people in them, have shaped me and who I am and my worldview. And my longing to try to contribute something meaningful to the world. I’m really excited about this opportunity.”

She acknowledged the support of the EIT Council, staff and her whānau, thanking those who had supported her journey into the role.

Appointed chief executive in December last year, Lucy brings extensive leadership experience across international development, social services, local government and regional economic development.

Most recently, she led the Hawke’s Bay Regional Economic Development Agency and previously served as chief executive of Anglican Care Waiapu.

Lucy said education had the power to strengthen individuals and communities, but only when learners felt supported and connected.

“All of this only works if learners are coming into an environment built around belonging, relationship and connection,” she said.

EIT Council chair David Pearson said the council was pleased to welcome Lucy to the role and was confident in her leadership as the institute moves forward as an independent polytechnic.

“With Lucy’s leadership and the team around her, EIT is in very safe hands.”

David reflected on the long service of previous chief executives, including Chris Collins, who served 18 years, and Bruce Martin, who served 14 years, and said EIT had a strong foundation to build on.

“EIT has long been regarded as an exemplar within the vocational education sector, built on strong leadership and its role supporting Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti through education and training,” he said.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for information following a serious crash in Nelson yesterday.

At around 4pm, emergency services were called to the crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian at the intersection of Tasman and Weka streets.

One person was transported to hospital with serious injuries.

The vehicle involved was a grey double cab ute with a snorkel, that left the scene. Police are making enquiries to locate the vehicle and driver.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and a scene examination was conducted.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw the crash, or anyone with videos, photos, CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident or the ute involved.

If you have any information that may assist Police in our enquiries, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” or call 105.

Please use the reference number 260120/3721.

You can also provide information via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State Highway 3 north of New Plymouth has reopened complete with a new temporary Bailey bridge and a new box concrete culvert.

The road between Okau Road in Ahititi and the Uruti Community Hall closed at 12.01am on Friday and reopened just before midnight last night.

During the closure, crews worked around the clock to replace the Mangapepeke No.1 culvert and installed a temporary Bailey bridge at the Mangapepeke No.1 culvert site. The temporary single-lane bridge will allow traffic to keep moving while further construction on the No. 2 culvert replacement takes place.

NZ Transport Agency project manager Kendra Ludeke is thankful to the crews and to local communities for supporting the closure to get this essential work done.

“Almost 3,000 vehicles typically travel SH3 every day and one fifth of them are heavy vehicles – mainly freight. We know full closures are always disruptive, and we really appreciate people’s support and understanding during the past few days.

“Replacing culverts is always tricky and invariably always involves some road closures due to the need to remove and replace the drainage structures that are underneath the road. 

“Keeping water away from the road is one of the most important ways to boost the resilience of the network and we need to ensure our culverts, bridges and other structures are as capable as possible of handling that water, diverting it away from the roading network.”

Next steps

Due to wet weather on the last day of the closure, crews were unable to lay asphalt over the new Mangapepeke No.1 culvert. However, crews will return at the earliest possible opportunity to asphalt this section. Currently there’s gravel over the culvert and we’re aware of potholes forming due to the rain and will be continuing to monitor the area.

The asphalting will be carried out under stop/go and won’t require a further closure.

Crews will remain in the area for the coming weeks until April, as work continues to replace the second culvert while traffic continues to use the temporary new Bailey bridge.

Stop/go traffic management will be in place. Please expect 15 minute delays round the clock between every day, Monday to Sunday.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Heavy rain has de-stabilised the large slips, meaning it is now unsafe for our contractors to continue clearing work through SH2 Waioweka Gorge.

With weather set to worsen over the day, crews will take a pause, rest, and allow the weather to pass before reassessing the site and resuming clearing work once safe to do so.

State Highway 35 (SH35) remains open however it is not a reliable detour route while weather is severe.

SH2 south of Gisborne and SH5 remain open if people must travel. Additional crews are on standby to respond to any incidents on the detour routes.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is urging drivers to allow extra time for their journeys and drive to the conditions.

Heavy rainfall can cause hazards such as fallen trees and branches, slips and erosion, flooding and surface water across the road and pavement failures.

It’s important that people increase following distances, reduce speed if conditions deteriorate, turn headlights on, even during daytime rain and be alert for the unexpected – you don’t always know what’s around the next corner.

Where possible, people are urged to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain.

People can stay informed by checking live state highway conditions on the NZTA Journey Planner(external link) before travelling.

We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding during this significant disruption. Further updates will be provided once the weather passes and the site can be reassessed.