Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

Health Minister Simeon Brown has acknowledged Dame Karen Poutasi and her extensive service to the New Zealand health system and the public sector more broadly. 

Dame Karen was 76.

“With a professional background in public health medicine, Dame Karen had a deep understanding of the health sector.  

“She had senior roles in Dunedin and Middlemore Hospital before being appointed Chief Health Officer at the Department of Health. 

“In that role she headed the work required to implement the recommendations of the Cartright Inquiry on cervical cancer. 

“Dame Karen served as Director-General of Health for 11 years, and subsequently Chief Executive of the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) for 14 years. 

“In 2019 she was seconded to serve as Commissioner of the Waikato District Health Board, before joining the Board of Health New Zealand, later becoming its Chair.  

“In all her various roles, Dame Karen brought a wealth of public health expertise.  

“She leaves a strong legacy of work to improve health outcomes for all New Zealanders. 

“On behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand, I extend our deepest condolences to Dame Karen’s family and friends,” Mr Brown says.

Source: New Zealand Police

Last night, Police disrupted a crowd of approximately 1000 youth who congregated at Williamson Park, Whangamatā, and 300 youth near the Surf Club Resort, Pauanui.

Around 10.30pm bottles were thrown towards Police, who were completing foot patrols within the park, with one officer being hit – fortunately, they were not injured.

Fireworks were also let off within the crowd.

Police directed the crowd to leave the park, using a loud hailer microphone, several times – each time they were ignored, and officers were forced to move the crowd on.

In nearby Pauanui, approximately 300 youth gathered near the Surf Club Reserve. While Police were arresting a person for setting off fireworks in a dangerous manner within the crowd, a large number of the youth were physically obstructive.

Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Mike Henwood says this type of anti-social behaviour is unacceptable.

“Not only does this behaviour put my team at risk – it also puts other attending youth at risk.

“New Years Eve heading into New Years morning, was particularly uneventful with most people celebrating the New Year in a safe and orderly manner.

“It is disappointed that after a good night, it is then ruined by intoxicated youth in denial that New Years is over,” Inspector Henwood says.

“It’s great that people want to come and enjoy our Coromandel beaches over the summer period, and we encourage everyone to celebrate the New Year – but it needs to be done in a safe and respectful manner.”

Seven youth were arrested in Whangamatā last night – two of those being as a result of the park being cleared – and one youth in Pauanui.

Police urge anyone who witnesses anti-social or dangerous behaviour of any kind, to make a report the incident immediately by calling 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Inspector Ashley Gurney – Acting Area Commander – Manawatū:

A police investigation has been launched into a serious crash near Levin last night that left three people injured, one of them critically.

One of the vehicles, a Holden Captiva, had been sought by Police in relation to a number of driving complaints prior to the crash.

At around 7.15pm, a police unit observed the vehicle on Queen Street in Levin, but when signalled to stop, the driver failed to do so. Police briefly pursued the vehicle but abandoned immediately due to the manner of driving.

At around 7.20pm, a member of the public flagged down a separate police unit to alert officers to a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 57, near the intersection of Kimberley and Arapaepae South Roads.

The driver that had failed to stop for Police earlier had subsequently collided with a van, whose sole occupant received critical injuries and was airlifted to hospital. 

The occupants of the fleeing vehicle also received injuries and were both taken to hospital in moderate condition.

We want to thank the first responders to what was a challenging scene, with three injured people and two extensively damaged vehicles.

As part of the crash investigation, an examination of the scene and vehicles involved is being undertaken by the Central District Serious Crash Unit.

While the serious crash investigation is only in its early stages, I can confirm we are working to determine if alcohol was a factor in the crash.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the Holden Captiva driving south through Levin prior to the crash, or anyone who has dashcam footage that may assist our investigators.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105 and quote file number 260101/9865.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Investigations Manager, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Wilson: 

Police are investigating the deaths of two people at an address on Old Coach Road in Pukehina.

Around 3pm yesterday [Thursday 1 January], Police were notified of a woman that had sadly died at an address on Old Coach Road, Pukehina.

Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to the woman’s death.

The 50-year-old man was taken into custody yesterday afternoon and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court today, charged with assault on a person in a family relationship.

Early this morning, around 2.10am, Police were made aware of a man who had been found deceased in another house on the same property. At this stage, his death is being treated as unexplained.

Scene examinations will continue to take place throughout the day to help determine what exactly has occurred, and Police are not ruling out any further arrests or charges.

Two post-mortems will also take place in due cause.

Police would like to speak with anyone who has information about what has happened, or who may have visited the Old Coach Road address between 7pm Wednesday 31 December 2025 and 3am Friday 2 January 2026.

If you can help, please make a report through 105, either online or over the phone, and reference file number: 260101/9901.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on State Highway 3, south of Turakina.

Police were notified of the two-vehicle crash at 6.05am.

One person is reported to be critically injured and two people are reported to have serious injuries.

The road is blocked by the crash and diversions are being put in place at the intersections of:
• State Highway 3 and Whanganui Road;
• State Highway 3 and Union Road.

ENDS
 

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 57, Levin is closed at the intersection of Kimberley and Arapaepae South roads following a crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at 7:20pm.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti Area Commander:

It’s been a particularly busy time for Tairāwhiti Police over the last few days.

With the annual Rhythm and Vines Music Festival attracting thousands, reports of anti-social road user events planned in the area and New Year celebrations across the region, mixed in with heavy rain.

Festival goers braved the wet weather and overall, their behaviour was good. There were four arrests for supplying drugs and breaches of bail, possession of an offensive weapon and behaving threateningly.

Meanwhile in Mahia there was one arrest on New Year’s Eve for breaching bail. Some formal warnings and infringements were given for breaches of the liquor ban and there were a few minor driving offences.

In the last week approximately 12,000 drivers have been breath tested across Tairāwhiti from Wairoa and Mahia to Gisborne and the East Coast. In total, 25 drivers were either issued infringement notices or charged with drink driving.

With planned gatherings by groups linked to anti-social road behaviour in the Gisborne area, the Police Eagle helicopter was deployed to the area, providing aerial support and rapid response capability across the region.

There were no significant issues arising from anti-social road users, whose plans for large gathering were successfully thwarted by Police.

As part of the operation there was one arrest for breach of bail and multiple infringement notices issues for various offences. A vehicle was issued with a non-operation order, while two others were impounded. One person was charged with driving related offences and has been summoned to appear in the Gisborne District Court.

Police will continue to have an increased presence across the Tairāwhiti region, especially holiday hotspots, monitoring and ready to respond to unlawful activity as it arises.

Source: New Zealand Police

A search and rescue operation has concluded at Whare Flat, Dunedin, following a report of a person calling for help.

About 9.30am today, Police received a call from someone walking the Mackie Dackie track, who could hear a person yelling for help but could not locate where the voice was coming from. A Search and Rescue operation was launched, however searchers have been stood down, after finding no sign of a person or people in distress.

Sergeant Matt Sheat of Otago Coastal Search and Rescue said enquiries have established the voices likely came from a nearby address, though officers found no sign of trouble and no further Police action was required.

“We want to thank the members of the public who called Police, they did the right thing by raising the alarm as quick as they did.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for any information after receiving reports that someone was heard yelling for help near the Mackie Dackie track, off Flagstaff-Whare Flat Road, Whare Flat, Dunedin, this morning.

Around 9.30am today, Police received a call with a report from someone who was walking the Mackie Dackie track and could hear a person yelling for help but could not locate where the voice was coming from.

Police have conducted initial enquiries and have walked the Mackie Dackie track but have been unable to hear or see anyone.

A Search and Rescue operation is now underway, and Police would like to hear from anyone who may have also heard someone in the area yelling for help, or if you know someone who was expected to be walking or biking this track and has not returned home, please get in touch.

If you can help, please call 111 and use the reference number: P064988218.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

China has today announced quotas on beef imports following a safeguard investigation into the impact of rising imports on its domestic industry. The measures, which apply to all of China’s major trading partners for beef including New Zealand, will take effect from 1 January 2026 for a period of three years.

Under the new rules, New Zealand will have an annual duty-free quota of 206,000 tonnes raising to 214,000 tonnes, worth up to $1.75 billion if fully utilised. This represents around 8 percent of China’s combined quotas.

“This quota, whilst unwelcome, is larger than the last two year’s beef exports to China of around 150,000 tonnes per year, and New Zealand exports are unlikely to face restraint under the arrangements,” Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says.

Mr McClay says the outcome reflects strong engagement between New Zealand and China throughout the investigation process and sees a better outcome than some countries who now face a reduction in access.

“I’ve been able to make the case to my Chinese counterparts on three occasions last year that New Zealand exporters are not harming the Chinese beef market and therefore should not be adversely affected by an safeguard measures. Our quota allocation means beef exports under the China NZ FTA are in practice unaffected,” Mr McClay says.  

“We worked hard to ensure these measures recognise the strength of our trade relationship and minimise disruption for New Zealand exporters. While any new restriction is disappointing, this quota is larger than our recent export volumes and means that exporters can continue trading without additional tariffs.”

China is New Zealand’s second-largest beef market after the United States. In the 12 months to November 2025, 19 percent of New Zealand’s beef exports by value, $961 million, went to China, representing approximately 4 percent of China’s total beef imports.

“New Zealand beef exporters can have confidence in the Chinese market, where demand for high-quality, safe food products continues to grow. We will keep working with China to ensure smooth implementation and explore opportunities to expand our trade,” Mr McClay says.

China remains one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic partners, underpinned by a high-quality free trade agreement.