Police are issuing a reminder on water safety after two people have died in two separate water-related incidents across the Eastern District in the last 24 hours.
A man died following an incident off Wainuiorangi Road in Mahia at around 9:20pm yesterday.
Today, a woman was pulled from the water unresponsive near Whangara Road, Okitu at around 11:40am.
Both deaths will be referred to the Coroner.
Eastern District Commander, Superintendent Jeanette Park says water safety is often overlooked by most, but extremely important especially at this time of the year.
“As the temperatures continue to soar, more people are looking to cool off in the water.
“We’re asking everybody to be aware of their surroundings and capabilities while participating in water-related activities.
“Do not go into deep water beyond where you are comfortable, and make sure you look after those with you. You should also be prepared for a sudden change in conditions.”
Superintendent Park says Police want everybody to enjoy the weather, but to do so safely.
More information on water safety can be found on the Water Safety New Zealand website here.
If you or somebody else is in immediate danger, please call 111.
Attributable to Investigations Manager Tauranga, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam:
Bay of Plenty Police are continuing to investigate the deaths of two people at an address on Old Coach Road in Pukehina.
Police are able to confirm that the death of the woman is being treated as suspicious, and the death of the man as unexplained.
A 50-year-old man is due to reappear in Tauranga District Court on 30 January on a charge of assaulting a person in a family relationship.
Police continue to be focused on investigating the events that led to the deaths of the two people.
At around 3pm on 1 January Police were notified of a woman that had died at an address on Old Coach Road, Pukehina.
At around 2:10am on 2 January Police were then made aware of a man who had been found deceased in another house on the same property.
Police are continuing to investigate these deaths and ask anyone with information about what happened to contact Police through 105, either online or over the phone, and reference file number: 260101/9901.
Report can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
One person has been arrested and enquiries are continuing following an aggravated robbery in Okaihau yesterday.
At about 2.30pm, Police were notified of two people entering a superette on Settlers Way and taking a number of items before presenting a firearm towards the store worker.
Detective Sergeant Natalie Syddall, Northland CIB, says the pair then fled on foot.
“A witness then reported seeing two people matching the description of the offenders on Lake Road.
“Police, including the dog unit, quickly responded and located the duo, as well as the stolen property and a modified starter gun resembling a glock.”
Detective Sergeant Syddall says quick reporting and detailed information provided to Police assisted in the swift arrests.
“As a result of this, we’ve been able to locate the persons of interest in a very short space of time.”
She urges anyone who witnessed suspicious behaviour to call 111 as soon as possible.
“Every break in or theft causes harm to people, and we’re committed to holding those responsible to account, and will use every avenue available to us to do just that.”
A 17-year-old will appear in Kaikohe Youth Court today charged with aggravated robbery, threatening to kill and assaulting police.
A 13-year-old has been referred to Youth Aid Services.
The biosecurity response to the find of a single male Queensland fruit fly in Auckland???s Mt Roskill continues with extra traps in place, fruit testing underway, and great engagement from the community says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north.
No further fruit flies have been found as our stepped-up surveillance continues. This includes regular trap checking and inspecting fruit grown in the area.
“Our team was busy all weekend finishing the installation of signs, additional traps, and fruit disposal bins, and sharing information with the community at local markets,” says Mr Inglis.
“Special bins are in place in the controlled area for fruit and vegetable waste disposal. There is one for each household in Zone A and bins are publicly available right across Zone B. We???ve shared an interactive map today showing the location of those Zone B bins, where you can search for your nearest bins based on your address.”
“We have a specialist team working in a mobile laboratory in the area, collecting and inspecting fruit for evidence of Queensland fruit fly,” says Mr Inglis.
“Since Friday, they have sliced and examined nearly 55kg of fruit, and it is pleasing we still have no indication of an established breeding population.”
Last week, legal controls were introduced to restrict the movement of fruit and vegetables around the location where the fruit fly was found to stop the spread of any other Queensland fruit flies that may be out there. Signs have been installed at every road entrance and exit to the controlled area, reminding people of the restrictions.
“I want to thank the local community for their support for our work so far. In the previous 14 occasions we???ve found fruit flies in New Zealand, we???ve successfully eradicated them with the help of our horticulture sector partners and local communities, so it???s important everyone plays their part,” says Mr Inglis.
Police were called about 10.30pm Friday 9 January to a report of a man who had not returned from a swim.
The man’s body was located shortly after 1am on Saturday 10 January.
Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
His death has been referred to the Coroner.
On Saturday Area Commander Herby Ngawhika joined kaumātua from Tūhourangi iwi at Lake Tikitapu for karakia to observe tikanga in lifting the tapu off the lake and restoring the wairua of the area.
Pharmac will fund nitisinone for people with the rare disorders tyrosinemia type 1 and alkaptonuria from 1 February 2026.
Nitisinone is currently funded through Pharmac’s Named Patient Pharmaceutical Assessment (NPPA) policy. From February, it will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Schedule, making it easier for clinicians to prescribe and for people to access treatment.
Approximately 10 people with these rare disorders are expected to benefit from access to the medicine in the first year of funding.
“This decision will make it easier for people living with these rare conditions to access nitisinone,” says Pharmac’s Acting Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels.
“It will also make it easier for clinicians to prescribe this treatment, without needing to apply through NPPA each time.”
Clinicians have supported this decision, saying it will make access to treatment simpler for their patients.
Tyrosinemia type 1 and alkaptonuria are lifelong conditions that affect how the body breaks down tyrosine, an amino acid. Without treatment, harmful substances can build up and cause serious health problems. Nitisinone, alongside a special diet, can help prevent or reduce these effects.
People currently receiving nitisinone through NPPA will continue to get their treatment as usual but may need to change to the LogixX Pharma brand from 1 February 2026.
If people experience issues with the new brand, there are pathways in place within the Exceptional Circumstances framework to access an alternative if clinically necessary.
Two people have been charged with murder following a homicide in Manurewa on Friday night.
Emergency services were called to a Balfour Road address at around 11.10pm following reports a man had been shot.
Upon arrival, the man was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright, Counties Manukau CIB, says Police have been working hard to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident and identify and locate those involved.
“A 41-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman have been jointly charged with murder and will appear in Manukau District Court today.
“We are pleased to have been able to charge two people in relation to this tragic incident, however the investigation remains ongoing.
“Police and Victim Support Services are providing support to the victims whānau during this difficult time.”
Police will look to release further details regarding the victim in due course.
As the matter is before the Court, Police are limited in providing further comment.
The Privacy Act places responsibility on organisations that collect, use or store your personal information to keep it safe and secure using all reasonable steps. Failure to take reasonable steps to protect your personal information against unauthorised access is a breach of the Privacy Act. If you experience actual or potential privacy harm because of this, you can make a complaint under the Privacy Act.
What has happened?
Manage My Health provides patient portal services to health providers and their patients (registered users).
On 1 January 2026, Manage My Health notified us that it had been affected by a serious cyber incident involving the sensitive health information of thousands of users. Ransom hackers accessed and downloaded documents stored in the My Health Documents section of Manage My Health, including:
files uploaded by individual users such as correspondence, reports or results
Manage My Health is working with Health New Zealand and affected GPs to contact people whose information has been impacted by the breach directly via email to confirm this and advise how to log in to Manage My Health to find out what information has been affected. Read updates on progress with notification on Manage My Health’s website.
When you log into Manage My Health you will be given a reference number – keep hold of this for your records. It will be used to help identify you as an affected patient if you choose to use the 0800 number. You will also need the reference number if you wish to make a complaint.
If you are an impacted patient
If you have found out you are an impacted patient and you are worried or have questions:
If you experience actual or potential privacy harm because of the Manage My Health data breach, you can make a complaint under the Privacy Act. If you wish to make a privacy complaint, you must first complain to the organisation responsible for your information under the Privacy Act and give them an opportunity to respond and put things right.
Manage My Health provides patient portal services on behalf of health providers and can also provide services directly to registered users. For this reason, we suggest you complain to MMH and copy in your health provider (usually your GP – you should have their contact details). If the breached information is your hospital discharge summary documents from Northland Hospital, we suggest that you complain to MMH and copy in Northland Hospital.