Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand and Japan have agreed two important defence and security arrangements, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. 

“The defence Acquisition and Cross Servicing Agreement sets out how logistical support, including the provision of supplies and services, will be managed when the New Zealand Defence Force and the Self-Defence Forces of Japan operate together,” says Ms Collins, who signed the agreements in Tokyo.

“This could include refuelling activities at sea using HMNZS Aotearoa, or the reciprocal provision of food or medical supplies during joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief activities.

“Our forces already work well together, and this agreement will create the conditions for even more seamless cooperation.

“New Zealand is stepping up on the world stage, and this agreement will ultimately strengthen our interoperability and ability to work closely with our partners.”

The Information Security Agreement provides a legal framework and procedures for handling each other’s classified information.

“This agreement will make it easier to share a wider range of information securely with Japan,” Mr Peters says.

“The signing of these two agreements with Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi is an important step in strengthening security cooperation between New Zealand and Japan.

“Japan is a crucial partner for New Zealand. In these times of increasing international tension, strengthening interoperability with our partners is vital as we work to uphold the international rules-based order and maintain regional security and prosperity.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on State Highway 35 near Ōpōtiki, which was reported to Police at 8.25pm. 

The crash, between Te Waiiti Road and Maraenui Pa Road, involved a single motorcycle.

The motorcyclist is reported to have sustained critical injuries.

The road is blocked and motorists are advised to delay travel or take alternative routes where possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are continuing to investigate following an arson in Queens Park, Windsor on Wednesday 3 December.

Police received a report at around 12:20am that four vehicles had been deliberately set alight.

As part of our investigations, we would like to hear from anyone who was on or around Queens Drive between 12am and 12:30am on Wednesday 3 December , or anyone with information that could assist.

Please contact Police via 105 either over the phone or online, referencing file number 251203/6133.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: PHARMAC

Information on what the Pharmacology and Therapeutics Advisory Committee (PTAC) will be considering at its upcoming meeting on 12 and 13 February 2026.

Source: New Zealand Police

A former travel agent with no hesitations in ripping off her former employers and acquaintances will face 13 months home detention. 

The 29-year-old Waihi woman has been convicted on 16 fraud offences including making a false statement, after a lengthy investigation run by the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit.

Her victims were deceived out of more than $62,000.

This week in the Auckland District Court a reparation order was made for $15,102 to be paid within 14 days of sentencing and $40,904 to be paid at $200 week.

The offending began in June 2022 and continued until August 2023, stretching across three separate employers in the travel consultancy sector.

There, she deceived employers and acquittances by offering travel booking services and instead of following protocol, received payments into her own bank account and thereby occurring losses to her employers.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton says, “from the outset it was clear to us that the woman’s deception knew no depths.

“A significant amount of Police resource went into investigating this offending, which showed payment details being altered on travel agency documents.

“It was a pattern of offending that carried across separate companies and, as noted by the Court, consistently breached the trust given to her by those employers, using her industry experience to exploit their business systems and perpetrate her offending.”

It has resulted in convictions for dishonestly using a document, obtaining by deception, accessing computer systems for dishonest purposes and forgery of documents.

But that wasn’t the end, as she used another identity to continue her offending, Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.

A loan was taken out from a New Zealand bank partner company, to the tune of nearly $30,000, by using the identity of another person.

“To cover her tracks, she ordered a postal redirection without the recipient’s consent.

“This offending could have gone further, as she unsuccessfully attempted to apply for another loan, using the same identity, at a finance company.”

In an effort to cover this phase of offending, she made a false statement to Police, the gravity of which was specifically mentioned by the Court.

Wednesday’s sentencing sends a strong message about those committing this sort of offending.

“Our fraud team continues to hold a dim view of those seeking a free ride, conning their victims out of serious amounts of money,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bolton says.

“Police will continue to prosecute these offenders who are causing great deal of harm and loss.”

“This is a fantastic outcome for the woman’s victims, who have been patient while this matter proceeded through the court.”

Police recognised the risk of continued offending by the woman.

Detective Sergeant Matt Lynch led a team of detectives from the unit to execute a search warrant in Waihi, with assistance from local Police.

“I want to acknowledge the officer in charge, Detective Simon Reid who has worked relentlessly in uncovering the scope of offending.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: Worksafe New Zealand

19 December 2025

Read our December 2025 energy safety business update.

Source: New Zealand Police

Waikato East Police arrested and charged five people when executing search warrants in relation to suspected local drug suppliers.

Approximately 16 staff from Waikato East Criminal Investigation Branch, Prevention and Public Safety Team undertook warrants for drug offending in Matamata, Te Aroha and Whangamatā over three days last week.

In Matamata, two women from separate addresses were arrested and charged with supplying methamphetamine. They are due to in Hamilton District Court on 5 and 15 January.

Two warrants in Whangamatā turned up 20 bags of meth. A 34-year-old local man has been charged with possessing methamphetamine for supply and obstructing Police. He is due in Waihi District Court on 23 March. Further charges are likely.

Staff located a suspected clandestine lab in Paeroa and the specialist clandestine lab team attended to process the scene. A 44-year-old man was arrested and remanded in custody on charges of possession of equipment and material intended for manufacturing methamphetamine. He is remanded in custody to appear in the Hamilton District Court on 9 January 2026. It is expected that further analysis of the items seized during the search of the property will provide evidence of methamphetamine manufacturing at the address.

During a search warrant in Kennedy Bay a man was charged with possession of cannabis for supply, cultivating cannabis and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is due to appear in the Thames District Court on 13 January.

A series of search warrants were executed at storage units and a residential property in Te Aroha, which will form part of on-going investigations into the supply of methamphetamine in the town and surrounding area.

Waikato Eastern Area Commander Inspector Hywel Jones says the aim of the operation is to disrupt local drug networks, hold dealers and suppliers accountable and to reassure the community that police are listening and will act.

“People see the harm that these drugs are causing in their whānau and communities. We hope this news of our operation will let people know what’s happening, and prompt them to tell us about any suspicious activity,” says Inspector Jones.

If you see suspicious behaviour, report it to Police on 111. Information can be also be reported via105, either online or over the phone.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

The new oral fluid screening testing has netted its first result after a man tested positive for methamphetamine at a checkpoint in Wellington.

People who have consumed impairing drugs should simply not be on our roads, says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.

“We make no apology for screening drivers to see if they’ve recently used drugs, and getting a drugged driver off our roads makes them safer.”

A 40-year-old man, who had his young daughter in the car, was asked to pull into a checkpoint on Hutt Road last night just before 9pm.

Police used the new device that screens for the presence of impairing drugs. The test looks for four drugs – THC (cannabis), methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine.

“The test came back positive for methamphetamine.”

Because the screening test was positive he was required to provide a saliva sample for laboratory testing. He was unable to provide a sufficient sample and was then required to provide a blood sample, however he refused.

“He was therefore summonsed to Court for refusing a police request for a blood sample and he has lost his driver licence for 28 days. He is due to appear in the Hutt Valley District Court in January 2026.

“We took him, and his daughter, safely home in a police car.”

Superintendent Greally says he’s witnessed some of the most heartbreaking and horrific crashes caused by drug driving. “Scenes that stay with you forever”, he says.

“I’ve seen the devastation etched on the faces of whānau when they hear the unthinkable: that their loved one is gone.”

That’s why he’s relieved police now have the tools to screen drivers for recent drug use.

“It’s a step that could save countless lives.

“Don’t take drugs and drive.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

On behalf of New Zealand Police, we wish all our media friends a safe and happy holiday season.

Like many of you, we’ll continue to be available throughout the holiday period.

The Media Centre will operate from 6am to 9pm weekdays, excluding Christmas Day, when the team will be available from 7am.

Our usual weekend hours of 7am to 9pm remain unchanged. 

As always, information on any significant events outside these hours will be issued proactively.

Please note that Police National Headquarters is closed for the holiday period from the end of today.

The Media Team will be operating at reduced capacity, for operational requests only, until staff are back on board on Monday 12 January.

We wish you all a safe and peaceful Christmas season.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health