Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for information following a spate of robberies in the Hutt Valley.

About 1.30am on Saturday 10 January, Police were notified of an incident at a bar in King Street, Upper Hutt.

Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Todd, of Hutt Valley Police, says two people brandishing weapons approached bar staff.

“Thankfully, staff were uninjured, but this incident was understandably unsettling for everyone involved.

“After making various demands the offenders fled in a vehicle belonging to a staff member. The vehicle was found abandoned on Sinclair Street in Upper Hutt.

“We are now appealing to anyone who witnessed anything in these areas at the time to please contact Police.”

Police are keen for any footage that shows the movement of people or vehicles near King and Sinclair Streets between 11pm on Friday 9 January and 2.30 am on Saturday 10 January.

One man was wearing a black beanie, a dark coloured sweatshirt and long pants, and had a blue cloth over his entire face.

Another man wore a beanie, a ‘Nike Academy’ sweatshirt with distinctive white stripes and dark coloured long pants. He also wore a cloth over his face.

“We are making use of some CCTV footage and would appreciate any further information or accounts.”

Since 10 December, 2025 a total of three Hutt Valley bars have been targeted in similar ways where an offender, or offenders, have used various weapons and demanded money and other items. 

The other aggravated robberies include a bar in Evans Street Stokes Valley about 10pm on Thursday 1 January, and a bar in Ward Street Upper Hutt just after midnight on Wednesday 10 December 2025.

Detective Senior Sergeant Todd says inquiries are continuing to ascertain if these robberies are linked.

“There are some similarities and the investigation team is working to establish if these have all been committed by the same offender or offenders.”

Police will be contacting bar owners in the Hutt Valley and wider Wellington District this week to offer support and talk to them around staff safety procedures. Police advise that if anyone is confronted by a person with a weapon to remain calm and to do what is required to avoid an unnecessary escalation.

If you recognise anyone in these images, or have CCTV images, footage or information, please contact Police at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 260110/6662, or make a report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A pair of teenage burglars have been caught in the act following a member of the public’s quick actions.

Just before 1.30am, Police were notified of two people allegedly attempting to break in to a service station in Three Kings by smashing a window.

Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Wayne Kitcher, says Police quickly arrived at the Mount Eden Road business and located two people leaving the scene.

“I’d like to acknowledge the member of the public who was able to quickly report what was occurring at this premises, so we could get Police on scene.

“We continue to send the message that this type of crime is not acceptable.

“If you witness any suspicious behaviour please contact Police on 111 if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.”

Two teenagers, both 15, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Hamilton City Area Commander Inspector Neil Faulkner:

Police have recovered a body inside a vehicle in the Waikato River, believed to be missing 39-year-old man Aydan Brown.

Police were conducting a search for another missing person in the river yesterday when Dive Squad located a vehicle with a body inside.

Aydan was reported missing from Chartwell on 17 August 2025.

Police notified his family yesterday evening, and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

The vehicle and body have been recovered, and River Road has since reopened.

The formal identification process is underway, and his death has been referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Christchurch Police investigating an arson on Sydenham in December 2025 are seeking information from the public.

At around 3:30am on Tuesday 23 December, Police were called to a fire at a commercial premises on Pilgrim Place.

Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan says Police are seeking information from the public to help identify the man pictured.

“We believe he has information that could assist with our investigations, and we’d like to speak with him.

“We’re also interested in hearing from anybody who was in Pilgrim Place around 3:30am, or anybody with CCTV footage that we have not already spoken to.”

If you have information, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and reference file number 251223/0362.

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Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Nigel Affleck:

Police can now confirm one person has been critically injured after an incident in Highbury this afternoon.

Officers were called to a Pioneer Highway address about 3.15pm, where one person was taken to hospital in critical condition.

Police are continuing to make enquiries as we work to determine exactly what happened.

Cordons remain in place around Pioneer Highway, between Cardiff Street and Botanical Road, and members of the public are asked to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Luke Vaughan:

Police continue to investigate a firearms incident in Christchurch on Christmas Day and are appealing for further information from the public.

Police received calls shortly after 6:30pm on 25 December reporting a male being chased by others in Hornby, one with a firearm in their possession.

A person was discovered in hospital with a suspected gunshot wound, which was not life-threatening.

A 19-year-old man already before the courts is due to reappear in Christchurch District Court on 14 January on different charges than previously –  which now include presenting a firearm, among other charges.

As part of our ongoing enquiries, Police are appealing for further witnesses to what happened in the Springs Road and Aymes Road area, to come forward.

In particular, we’re seeking anyone who may have dash cam footage from around the time period, who has not yet been spoken to by Police, to get in touch.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and reference file number 251225/8572.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1/Rakaia Highway is closed near Hatfield Overdale Road following a crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at 5:50pm.

Three people have been seriously injured, a fourth person has sustained moderate injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  12 January 2026

Phase One of the Rākau Rangatira project, opened in December 2024, restored the mana of Tāne Mahuta’s visitor experience, set new standards for kauri protection, and provided a significant boost to Northland’s visitor economy.

“We are excited that now Phase Two is ready to continue that momentum,” says DOC’s Northern North Island Regional Director Sue Reed-Thomas. “We are creating the conditions the forest needs to breathe and regenerate.”

Construction will begin in March 2026. Kauri Walks will be closed for approximately eight to10 months, while the Tāne Mahuta walk will remain open throughout the construction period.

Te Papa Atawhai DOC and Te Roroa iwi have worked closely on Rākau Rangatira, an ambitious multi-year programme. It is focused on safeguarding the mauri of Waipoua Forest while reimagining how visitors experience one of Aotearoa’s most revered natural and cultural landscapes.

DOC is investing $8 M in this next phase, a major step toward in futureproofing the forest and addressing the risks associated with ageing infrastructure near culturally and ecologically sensitive kauri root systems.

The construction will see the removal and replacement of the existing tracks at the Kauri Walks with a modern, elevated boardwalk system made from durable, low-impact materials designed to perform for at least 50 years in the rainforest environment.

“The current infrastructure is no longer fit for the long term,” says Reed-Thomas. “Phase One proved we can deliver infrastructure protecting both the ngahere and enhancing visitor understanding. Phase Two is about extending that standard across Waipoua. This is a bold investment in forest health, the visitor economy, and in the experience of naturing.”

The design will significantly reduce soil movement, one of the primary vectors for the spread of kauri dieback disease, which has been detected within 60 m of Tāne Mahuta.

As kaitiaki of Waipoua, Te Roroa emphasises this project is not simply an infrastructure upgrade, but an expression of intergenerational duty.

“This is about protecting taonga tuku iho that can never be replaced,” says Piripi Moore, Te Roroa Board Representative. “Visitors from across the motu and around the world come to stand beneath these ancient rākau rangatira. Most behave with respect, yet it takes only a few careless actions to cause irreversible damage. The risk is too great, and the loss would be absolute. Our responsibility is to act as good tūpuna today, so our mokopuna can experience the same wonder we do.”

Piripi says the upgraded experience will help transform visitor understanding. “When people understand the cultural and ecological significance of Waipoua, they become part of its protection. We want every visitor to leave not only inspired by the majesty of these giants, but aware of the responsibility we all share to look after them.”

Phase One of Rākau Rangatira upgraded the boardwalk, bridge and viewing platform at Tāne Mahuta. Public response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many noting the infrastructure now reflects the mana of Tāne Mahuta.
Phase One also demonstrated construction can be managed responsibly within this sensitive environment. No workers or machinery touched the forest floor at any point, and strict protocols were followed throughout.

Economically, the first phase will support visitor interest in the region, strengthening the Northland tourism sector. Phase Two is expected to further position Waipoua as a world-class nature destination and deliver long-term environmental and economic returns.

A recent 1080 operation in the Waipoua core zone has also reduced predators such as rats and stoats, which threaten native wildlife and weaken forest health. Early monitoring results show promising reductions in pest activity.

Rākau Rangatira forms part of a wider nationwide shift toward infrastructure and experiences that work for nature rather than against it.

“For Te Roroa, this mahi is about honouring our role as kaitiaki and ensuring that Waipoua remains a living legacy,” says Piripi. “If we do this well, these trees will continue to stand long after us, carrying forward the stories, identity and life force of our people.”

DOC staff and Te Roroa will continue working closely with iwi, local communities, tourism operators and conservation stakeholders.

Contact

Source: New Zealand Police

A section of River Road near Clarkin Road will be closed until at least 6pm while Police conduct a vehicle recovery.

Motorists are asked to use alternative routes and Police thank the public for their patience.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.