Source: New Zealand Police
A man has died after a water-related incident in Rotorua late last night.
Emergency services were called to a geothermal area on Tukiterangi Street, Whakarewarewa, about 9.40pm, where a man had been pulled from the water unconscious.
Sadly he was unable to be revived.
His death will be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
State Highway 2 through the Waioweka Gorge will likely remain closed for several weeks, following extensive damage from severe rainfall and multiple large slips.
A huge 322mm rain in 48 hours (double the area’s January average) turned gullies into waterfalls, overwhelmed and blocked culverts and triggered widespread debris flows across the road.
Crews have been working hard throughout the weekend, at both ends of the gorge, to clear smaller slips to gain access to larger areas of damage.
Geotechnical investigations and drone surveys confirm the situation is far more complex than first anticipated.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Waikato and Bay of Plenty Manager for Maintenance and Operations, Roger Brady says the scale of the damage means people should be prepared for a longer closure.
“We want to be upfront that this is not something we can fix in a few days. The damage is significant, and reopening the road safely will likely take a few weeks.
“Our crews are doing everything they safely can, but the sheer number of slips and continuing amount of debris falling mean this is a complex and challenging situation. The safety of our crews will always come first.”
There are two significant slips sites at either end of the gorge, which have now been declared safe to begin work on. Crews will proceed with caution to begin to remove slip material this afternoon.
The immediate focus is on removing debris where possible and clearing blocked culverts so the road surface and underlying structures can be properly assessed once river levels recede.
“Initial estimates indicate up to 40 slips in total, including 4 to 8 larger slips. Given the scale of damage and uncertainty about the condition of the road underneath the debris, we expect the closure to extend well beyond a short-term response,” says Mr Brady.
People are urged to delay travel where possible or allow plenty of extra time for a long detours either via State Highway 35 or State Highway 5. NZTA crews will continue monitoring and maintaining the detour route to ensure it remains safe and accessible.
Further updates will be provided as soon as additional assessments can safely continue.
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Sergeant Jonny Evans, Police Search and Rescue.
Graham Garnett, 66, has been found sheltering in a hut in Kahurangi National Park, alive.
Graham went tramping in the Baton/Ellis River area and did not return as expected on 30 December.
An operation got underway involving Land Search and Rescue New Zealand (LandSAR) groups and specialist teams, New Zealand Defence Force, Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and many volunteers and supporters.
On Thursday 15 January, the search team made the difficult decision to call off the search but remained ready to respond if new information came to light.
Today at about 2.30pm Graham was discovered in Venus Hut by contractors who were working in the area.
Graham has been transported to Nelson Hospital where he has been reunited with his family.
This is an amazing result. We are so pleased for Graham and his loved ones.
Obviously he has been through quite an ordeal and everyone involved in the search is delighted to hear that Graham has been found alive.
Graham’s family request privacy at this time.
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Issued by Police Media Team
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government has asked for urgent advice on how to deal with reports of rockpools on Whangaparāoa Peninsula and other areas being stripped of marine life, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft say.
“I have asked Fisheries New Zealand officials to provide the advice with urgency given the situation at Army Bay and elsewhere,” Mr Jones says.
In October 2025, the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust requested a two-year temporary fisheries closure over the Rodney, Hibiscus Coast, and East Coast Bays coastline and some Hauraki Gulf islands.
FNZ has collated submissions received during public consultation and has received feedback from the trust.
“I acknowledge people are concerned at what they say is the indiscriminate collection of marine life at intertidal rockpools. These shellfish and other marine creatures reportedly being collected in large numbers by often big groups of people are crucial for the health of these ecosystems,” Mr Jones says.
“Along with any potential fisheries closures, I am considering what else can be done to dissuade people from collecting marine life that is not traditionally eaten and is at risk of disappearing from some areas completely. These measures could include prohibitions on the collection of certain species not usually taken for food, and social media campaigns at educating collectors from all cultures about the risks of taking large amounts of sea creatures from tiny ecosystems.”
Ms Marcroft has in the past week travelled to Whangaparāoa Peninsula accompanied by Fisheries staff and met concerned residents, as well as Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust representatives.
“We’re working with all parties to find a solution to the issue that is satisfactory to all, but we need to make sure there are no unintended consequences, such as for oyster farmers who legitimately collect spat from beaches,” Ms Marcroft says.
“It is important to acknowledge that no one in this situation is breaking the law but it is clear that this level of collection of marine life from these intertidal pools is not sustainable.
“Minister Jones and I are determined to ensure these areas recover and thrive so that all Kiwis can enjoy them.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are advised to take extra and avoid travel due to flooding and slips between Whangaruru and Helena Bay.
Police have received multiple calls this morning reports of intense flooding and slips in the Whangaruru, Oakua, and Helena Bay areas, especially on Russel Road.
Thankfully, at this stage there are no reported injuries.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and delay travel where possible.
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Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a serious crash in Tahuna Road, Whakatāne yesterday afternoon.
Emergency services were called to the single vehicle crash around 3.40pm.
Sadly, one person has died.
Another person remains in a serious condition in hospital.
The road was closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination and it has now been reopened.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has sadly died following a serious crash in Haruru early this morning.
Around 12.10am today, a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle on Puketona Road, near the Garden Court intersection.
Sadly, despite emergency services best efforts, the pedestrian died at the scene.
Puketona Road was closed between Haruru Falls Road and Te Karuwha Parade while the Serious Crash Unit conducted a scene examination, and has since re-opened.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the death are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are responding to a crash on Tahuna Road, between Secombe and Jackson Roads.
The crash involved a single vehicle leaving the road and was reported about 3.40pm.
Two people have been seriously injured.
Tahuna Road is closed while emergency services work at the scene.
The Serious Crash Unit will be attending.
Police advise motorists to take alternative routes.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Bill Fisher, Bay of Plenty District Deployment Coordinator:
Police conducting a rescue operation of all those stranded in slip-struck Waioeka Gorge on State Highway 2 can confirm the people have been airlifted out of the gorge.
The rescue operation commenced last night, following Police being alerted to slips along the gorge road trapping people from travelling either way.
The rescued people were initially airlifted to a local campsite, then taken by a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter to evacuation centres in Matawai and Ōpōtiki.
Police thank the local helicopter pilots, New Zealand Defence Force staff, local and regional councils, and Police Search and Rescue staff for their hard work to ensure everyone in the area are safe and well.
Police continue to monitor the area and ask the public to contact 105 if they are aware of any travellers on State Highway 2 that haven’t checked in with you.
State Highway 2 from Matawai to Ōpōtiki will continue to stay shut as the road is assessed and slips cleared.
Motorists are advised to use NZTA’s Journey Planner tool to keep up to date with the latest highway conditions: https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A man remains in a critical condition in hospital following a firearms incident in Onehunga yesterday.
Police located the victim at an Arthur Street property shortly after 11am, following reports a person had been shot.
Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce says a scene examination is ongoing at the residential address.
“Several people arrived at a residential address and discharged firearms at the front of the house, and the victim has been struck as a result of this. Investigators are making a number of enquiries to locate the people involved.
“Incidents like this are incredibly concerning, but I want to assure the public that we are doing everything to track these offenders and arrest them. At this stage we believe this was a targeted incident and there is no ongoing risk to the public.”
“Information from the public remains crucial to the investigation, and we urge anyone with CCTV or dashcam on or around Arthur Street about 11am yesterday to get in touch with us. Even the smallest detail could be vital.”
How to help:
Information can be reported online at 105.police.govt.nz, click “update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 260116/9278.
Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre