Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are being advised the Maioro Street on-ramp has now been cleared following a multi vehicle crash in Wesley this morning.
Police would like to thank drivers for their patience.
The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a multi vehicle crash in Wesley this morning.
The crash, involving four vehicles on the Maioro Street on-ramp, was reported to Police just before 5am.
Three people, with injuries ranging from serious to moderate, have been transported to hospital.
Motorists are being advised to expect delays or seek an alternative route.
The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died following a vehicle rolling on a rural property in Piarere, near Tīrau.
Emergency services were called to the scene around 5:15pm.
WorkSafe has been advised, and the circumstances of the incident are under investigation.
The death is expected to be referred to the Coroner.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A team tackling retail crime across Hawke’s Bay has arrested two people for significant theft.
On Tuesday 16 December a vehicle pulled into a loading bay of a major retail store carpark at 2.56pm.
One man ducked under a barrier and grabbed products, then handed them to another man who loaded them into the vehicle.
By 3pm the vehicle had exited the carpark, and the pair had made off with over $3,000 worth of goods.
The Hawke’s Bay Retail Crime Unit leapt into action when the theft was reported. Within 24 hours, officers had identified the suspects, searched a property in Flaxmere and arrested two men for the offending.
A 32-year-old man appeared in Napier District Court today, and a 25-year-old man is due to appear in the same court on 21 January. Both are charged with burglary.
Unfortunately, the goods are still to be recovered.
Inspector Caroline Martin, Area Prevention Manager, says: “Our retail crime team launched in June and since then we’ve arrested 108 people and laid over 444 charges.
“We continue to work with our community to reduce retail crime through our response and prevention work.
“As Christmas approaches, retailers experience a surge in activity, with bustling stores, extended hours and a flurry of shoppers eager to buy last-minute gifts.
“My message to retailers is to stay vigilant, and to report any behaviour that looks suspicious.
“Everyone can expect to see an increased presence of police around shops and malls,” Inspector Martin says.
If you witness any illegal or suspicious activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating the ill-gained proceeds of a criminal’s drug-selling activities across the North Island have this week seized expensive vehicles, cash, guns, drugs and thousands of banned-substance vapes in Wellington and Auckland.
Police targeting the illicit sale of methamphetamine found not only meth, but thousands of illicit vape products believed to contain the banned Class C1 substance, Etomidate.
Among the items seized by Police in search warrants from Wellington to Auckland were over 2000 vapes, over $100,000 in cash, approximately 2.8 kilograms of methamphetamine, 70 grams of cocaine, four litres of GBL, several firearms including a semi-automatic and ammunition.
A Mongrel Mob member and four associates have been charged with multiple offences, with further arrests likely.
Police executed search warrants at addresses in Upper Hutt, Wellington, Tawa, Pauatahanui and Auckland.
The Police Asset Recovery Unit restrained over $1 million in assets including a residential property, six cars including two Ferrari convertible sports cars, five motorcycles including a Harley Davidson, two Victory motorbikes, and a quad bike.
Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Heald said the operation was the result of a targeted investigation by a small, dedicated team which unravelled an organised criminal group with threads throughout the North Island and into the South Island.
“The large number of Etomidate vapes is particularly concerning as these are products being peddled to vulnerable people in our community.”
The Minister of Health has issued a temporary Class Drug Order (TCDO) for the substance etomidate. Etomidate can cause involuntary muscle jerking or twitching, loss of coordination, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, breathing difficulties, or hyperventilation, low blood pressure, low heart rate, nausea or vomiting and loss of consciousness.
“It goes without saying that drugs cause so much harm in our community – not only to those who become addicted, but to the families of those people who get hooked, and the people who then become victims of the crimes they commit to feed their habit.
“It’s remarkable to think of the harm the offenders impose on our communities, and the luxuries they are then affording themselves in the process,” she said.
Detective Sergeant Sam Buckley from the Asset Recovery Unit said: “We will continue to target both those who profit from their criminal offending as well as those people in our communities who enable this profiteering through their complicity in knowingly accepting these illicit funds.”
As part of this week’s operation, the Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities (ROCC) team worked alongside the investigation team in Porirua to connect those impacted by this offending with community-based support services. Targeted enforcement alongside community resilience building strengthens long term outcomes.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Seventy-seven new hats flew into the air as wing 391, the final graduating police wing of 2025, celebrated the end of their initial training from the New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) this afternoon.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, members of the police executive and wing patron, Louisa Wall – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, Ngāti Hineuru congratulated the 77 new graduating constables alongside their families and friends.
“Only ten percent of people who apply to join police make it this far. Congratulations on the last 20 weeks and I appreciate the commitment you’ve given to become your absolute best,” says Commissioner Chambers.
The top award winner for the wing, former insurance assessor and high performance athlete, Constable Emma Leader is excited to be heading to Central District to start her career.
“I am immensely proud to receive the Minister’s Award for First in Wing and the Driver Training and Road Policing Award. Joining Police has been a dream of mine since having the privilege of seeing my sister and partner join. My family and partner have been an incredible support, and I could not have achieved this without them. I am looking forward to getting started in my hometown of Palmerston North and contributing my best to the community.”
Leadership Award Winner, Constable Ueleni Lolohea, is thrilled with his success and spoke to the wing near the end of the ceremony.
“Training at the Police College pushed me in ways I didn’t expect, both mentally and physically. It strengthened my confidence, my discipline, and my sense of purpose. I’m incredibly grateful to my family and whanau for being my backbone throughout this journey, and I’m proud to now serve my community as part of the New Zealand Police.”
Ueleni will be based in Hamilton.
Deploymenment:
The new officers will start their first day of duty in their districts the week beginning Monday 29 December 2025 and will continue their training on the job as probationary constables.
Tāmaki Makaurau has a total of 30, broken down into the three districts: Auckland City 9, Waitematā 10, Counties Manukau 11, Waikato 6, Bay of Plenty 7, Eastern 3, Central 7, Wellington 8, Tasman 4, Canterbury 8, Southern 4.
All Awards:
Minister’s Award recognising top student and the Driver Training and Road Policing Practice: Constable Emma Leader posted to Central District.
Commissioner’s Award for Leadership: Constable Ueleni Lolohea posted to Waikato District.
Patron’s Award for second top student: Constable Josiah Greig posted to Central District.
The Firearms Award: Constable Jacob Scholefield posted to Tasman District.
Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Award: Constable Luke Stewart posted to Eastern District.
Demographics:
20.8 percent are female, 79.2 percent are male. New Zealand European make up 71.4 percent of the wing, with Māori 2.6 percent, Pasifika 2.6 percent, Asian 20.8 percent, LAAM 2.6 percent.
Patron:
Louisa Wall – Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Waikato, Ngāti Hineuru – is a former elite athlete and Member of Parliament who is a respected advocate for human rights, gender equality, and Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ inclusion. Her work spans over two decades across sport, politics, and diplomacy.
Louisa is a former Silver Fern and Black Fern, representing New Zealand in netball and rugby. She was part of the 1998 Rugby World Cup-winning Black Ferns team and brought elite sporting experience and leadership into her later public service career.
Elected to Parliament in 2008, Louisa served until 2022 as a Member of the New Zealand Labour Party. She was the driving force behind the Marriage Equality Act (2013) and led the passage of the Safe Areas Amendment Act (2022) to protect access to abortion services. She also advanced key amendments to the Harmful Digital Communications Act, ensuring stronger protections against image-based abuse. As Chair of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians and a leader within the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s global human rights efforts, Louisa consistently elevated Indigenous, women, and Takatāpui and LGBTQIA+ voices on the international stage.
In 2022, Louisa was appointed New Zealand’s inaugural Ambassador for Gender Equality (Pacific)/Tuia Tāngata, working with Pacific leaders, communities, and civil society to advance gender justice and inclusive development. She is currently the Women Deliver 2026 Mobilisation Advisor, supporting Pacific feminist engagement and spotlighting the links between gender, climate change, and Indigenous sovereignty.
A proud Tūwharetoa wahine, she chairs the Tūwharetoa Iwi Māori Partnership Board, leading work to embed hapū and iwi perspectives into health system design. Louisa also serves as Women’s Chair for ILGA Oceania and remains a trusted advisor, strategist, and mentor to emerging leaders across the region.
Watch out for our Ten One graduation story coming soon with more images and details.
If you’re interested in joining police, you can find out more on www.newcops.govt.nz
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
State Owned Enterprises Minister Simeon Brown has announced the appointment of two new Crown directors, one to the Airways Board and another to the Kiwi Group Capital Board (KGC).
“Strong governance is essential to the success of Crown companies, and these appointments will help ensure effective leadership in two critical sectors,” Mr Brown says.
Mayurie Gunatilaka joins the Airways Board as a director for a three-year term. She brings extensive governance experience in complex infrastructure projects in New Zealand and overseas, along with strong strategic expertise. Her leadership in infrastructure planning and delivery will help Airways maintain its focus on providing safe, innovative, and efficient air navigation services.
Susan Petersen joins the Kiwi Group Capital Board as a director for a three-year term. She is also serving as Chair of the Kiwibank Board, making her the first KGC director to hold a position on Kiwibank’s Board.
KGC is adopting a conventional commercial approach of overlapping board memberships between the Bank and the Holding Company, designed to strengthen the Board’s ability to achieve its strategic objectives and enhance its future resilience. To maintain independent oversight, KGC will limit the number of KGC directors appointed to the Kiwibank Board to the lower of three or one half of KGC’s total directors.
“These appointments bring proven expertise and strategic insight to the Boards, ensuring they are well placed to deliver for New Zealanders,” Mr Brown says.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating the murder of 37-year-old Teishallia Te Paea in Camberley in October are hoping an offender profile released today will help identify them.
Emergency services were called to an address in Kotuku Street, Camberley, on 29 October, after Teishallia’s body was located.
Sadly, her body had lain undiscovered for likely several weeks, as attempts had been made to conceal her.
Detective Inspector Martin James says Police are determined to get answers for Teishallia’s family.
“It has been weeks since Teishallia’s whānau lost her, and as we come up towards Christmas, we are more determined than ever to get a result,” he says.
“We know someone in the community knows what happened, and that as time goes on, that knowledge will be eating away at them.
“Do the right thing – come forward and tell us what you know.”
Detective Inspector James says the investigation team has sought assistance from New Zealand Police’s Behavioural Science Unit (BSU), who provide specialist expertise for major crime investigations.
“We recognise that this offence has been committed in a unique way, and we need to advance the investigation by bringing in expertise to catch the offender.
“The Behaviorual Science Unit has assisted with several homicide investigations across the country over the years. They have provided a preliminary analysis of the offence and the perpetrator that we are looking for.
“If anyone knows of someone that fits the following profile, it is important that this information is shared with us.”
In respect to the offence, we believe the following:
• The offender was known to Teishallia
• The offence was a targeted act of violence
• The offender had knowledge of the property at Kotuku Street, Camberley
• The attempt to conceal the crime was to create distance between the offender and Teishallia
In the weeks since Teishallia’s death, this person may have acted differently – avoiding questions about their movements, being evasive about Teishallia, and using family or friends for protection.
“If you know someone that was in contact with Teishallia and fits this profile and is reluctant to talk about their interactions with her, then please share this information with us.”
Anyone with information can contact Police via our 105 service, either over the phone or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105/update-report, selecting ‘Update Report’ and using file number 251029/3817.
Alternatively, anonymous information can be passed to Police via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-nz.org/
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
After several weeks of training, two front line Patrol Dog teams and two Detector Dog teams celebrated today at a ceremony formally recognising their graduation to become working police dog teams.
“It’s a proud day for the graduates and the families of all four dog teams. The training has been busy and demanding for the handlers, but they’re all extremely competent, effective, and have demonstrated resolve,” says Inspector Todd Southall, National Coordinator of New Zealand Police Dogs.
The ceremony was hosted at the Dog Training Centre in Trentham and was attended by Commissioner Richard Chambers and members of the Police executive alongside families, and friends.
The teams who start in their districts next week include one heading to Eastern, two heading to the Bay of Plenty, and one to Wellington District.
Senior Constable Matt Thomas and his first operational dog ‘Rick’ are from Eastern District. Matt joined police 16 years ago and has worked frontline duties such as Public Safety Teams and Team Policing. Fifteen-month-old Rick’s favourite thing to do is swim in the river, however he’s also keen on chewing the garden hose and the broom during kennel cleaning,” says Matt.
Senior Constable Stu Palmer and his third operational dog called ‘Ridge’ are heading back to Bay of Plenty District to Rotorua. Stu’s been policing for 14 years, has worked in both Taupo and Rotorua in public safety and road policing roles.
Another team bound for Rotorua is Senior Constable Chrissy Lunt and detector dog ‘Vegas’. Chrissy’s career spans an impressive 30 years with 15 of them as a qualified detective. Vegas is her second operational dog and he enjoys playing with pinecones and tennis balls.
Senior Constable Andrew Douglas is graduating with his eighth dog – detector dog ‘Wutang’ and they head back to Wellington District where he’s policed for the past 23 years. Andrew was previously qualified as an AOS and STG dog handler.
Inspector Southall says, “These partnerships are without a doubt invaluable at both the operational and strategic level, and New Zealand Police is always very pleased to see new dog teams heading out in to their communities.
“I’m proud of our dog section staff who train our handlers and dogs throughout the country,” says Todd.
The passion these staff have for their work is extraordinary and it makes my job a whole lot easier. I’d like to thank everybody who contributes to the success of all our dog sections,” he says.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
The next stage of the State Highway summer maintenance programme will be underway at the Ngauranga Interchange and the Ngauranga Gorge next month.
Contractors will be completing resurfacing night works on one of the region’s most heavily used section of State Highway 1. They will mill and remove the older, worn road surface, then lay new asphalt to replace it.
Roxanne Hilliard, Wellington Alliance Manager, says highways need regular maintenance.
“This is particularly critical for motorways that carry the most traffic. The more vehicles there are, the greater the wear and tear on the road, and it is essential that this is repaired regularly.”
“Regular maintenance not only prevents costlier repairs down the track, but resurfacing roads improves grip and skid resistance, making them safer for drivers. With tens of thousands of vehicles using this part of State Highway 1 daily, maintenance and upkeep are an absolute necessity,” Ms Hilliard says.
Resurfacing work for the Ngauranga Interchange and its on and offramps will begin Monday, 5 January and continue until the end of the month. Drivers can expect weekly night works on the route.
Ms Hilliard says the work will affect traffic and drivers must be prepared for travel delays and detours.
“The fact is, we cannot work on a motorway without affecting drivers. Our contractors do everything they can to minimise disruption, but some impact is unavoidable.”
The work has been scheduled to be done at night, when traffic volumes are lower, to reduce their impact. Access for affected residents, businesses, and emergency services will be available.
But Ms Hilliard says it is important that drivers check road conditions before they travel.
“These works are weather-dependent. Contractors cannot resurface roads when the weather is wet. Dry conditions are needed for resurfacing work to be effective.”
“Schedules may change. Check road conditions before you travel and be ready for detours and delays,” Ms Hilliard says.
SH1 maintenance sites, summer maintenance season 2025/26 [PDF, 1012 KB]
Initial works will start in the week beginning 5 January, with night works planned for the northbound onramp and southbound offramp at the SH1 Ngauranga Interchange.
Ngauranga Interchange northbound map [PDF, 137 KB]
Ngauranga Interchange southbound map [PDF, 137 KB]
Details on further work planned for this part of State Highway 1 will be shared in January before works proceed.