Category: MIL-OSI

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Police Minister Mark Mitchell today announced the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jevon McSkimming, has resigned. 

Mr McSkimming has been on suspension since last December. Deputy Commissioners of Police are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. 

Mr Mitchell said Mr McSkimming resigned today, with immediate effect, before he could be dismissed. 

“I can confirm a process had been underway for the Prime Minister to consider recommending the Governor-General immediately remove the Deputy Commissioner of Police from office,” says Mr Mitchell.

“I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.

“The Policing Act is very clear: A Deputy Commissioner of Police must be a ‘fit and proper’ person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming’s fitness for office. 

 “When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign.  Mr McSkimming’s resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable. 

“Police advise that their investigations into Mr McSkimming will continue, notwithstanding his resignation. 

“As the latest information remains subject to ongoing Police investigation, I am unable to provide further comment at this time.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Tutaekara Road is closed after a tractor rolled just before 12:40pm.

The road is currently closed between Kopikopiko Road and Mangamaire Road, and is expected to be closed for several hours.

No injuries have been reported.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual, Karen Chhour, has launched a one-stop-shop directory for family violence training that will aide support workers to access training that helps them safely recognise and care for people and families affected by family violence. 
“The family violence workforce are a deeply caring and thoughtful group who provide support to people and families during the most challenging times of their lives. 
“Knowledge around how to best support these people continues to grow, and this directory will allow these frontline heroes to access the latest best practice guidance and find specific training that aligns with the Family Violence Capability Frameworks,” said Mrs Chhour.  
The Family Violence Entry to Expert Capability Framework outlines the capabilities needed to respond safely and effectively to family violence for different roles and responsibilities. It sets out the expected capabilities of workers and practitioners, supporting them to continuously learn and increase their capability through Essential, Entry, Enhanced, and Expert levels.
“The message from victim survivors has been clear, we need to support this vital workforce by ensuring they are able to support them in ways that enable them to get to safety, stay safe, and start healing. 
The training directory is another step in our efforts to build an effective system and strengthen the capabilities of those working in it. It’s just one way we are helping the helpers,” concluded Karen Chhour.
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm a person has died following a crash on Oxford Street, Levin earlier today.

Emergency services were called to the collision involving a truck and a van just before 7:20am.

One person died at the scene and a second person was transported to hospital with moderate injuries.

The road has since reopened.

The Serious Crash Unit attended and enquiries to determine the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

District:

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Inspector Martin James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:

Police can now release the name of the teenager killed in Napier early on Sunday morning.

He was 15-year-old Kaea Karauria from Napier.

He was found critically injured at an Alexander Avenue address. Despite all efforts by ambulance staff, he died at the scene.

A homicide investigation was launched yesterday, and a team of 20 investigators are continuing to make enquiries. 

No one has been arrested at this stage.

A disorder event involving a group of people on Dinwiddie Avenue may be linked to the incident.

We still urgently need to hear from anyone who was in the area, or anyone who took photos or video of the altercation on Dinwiddie Avenue.

We understand the fact someone so young has been killed is very unsettling for the community.

We are providing support to the whanau of the victim and assure the community we are working hard to understand what happened and hold those responsible to account.

We would like to thank local residents for their cooperation and patience.

Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105.

Footage can be uploaded here

Please quote the reference number 250511/1317.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 
 

Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

If you’re about to dive into some DIY, check out the materials from storm-damaged homes that are available at your community recycling centre.

With more than 200 of the 1200 Category 3 homes now removed, material from the deconstructed homes have ended up at recycling centres across the city – ready to become someone else’s treasure.

Grab everything from a whole kitchen, to framing timber, to a door for your next renovation and help these recycled materials find a new home. If the recycling centre doesn’t have the material you’re looking for, please ask them if they can get it.

The recycling centres with these materials are Devonport, Helensville, Onehunga, Henderson (Tipping Point), Point England (Tāmaki), Wairau, Waiuku and Warkworth. See the Auckland Council website for location details and hours of operation.

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  12 May 2025

Danica Stent, DOC’s International Manager, says New Zealand’s existing UNESCO World Heritage sites are some of the most remarkable places in the world.

“Our natural and cultural heritage is central to who we are as a nation. World Heritage sites are a source of national identity and our share of earth’s most unique, significant places.

“They are also a great source of national pride, containing internationally iconic heritage such as Piopiotahi Milford Sound, world-class hikes including the Routeburn and native species found only in New Zealand like kiwi, takahē and kākāpō.”

Aotearoa currently has three World Heritage sites: Te Wāhipounamu – South-West New Zealand, Tongariro National Park and the New Zealand subantarctic islands.

“We want to hear about the places that might make the cut for a new World Heritage site,” Danica says.

“Pursuing World Heritage status is all about being good tīpuna and protecting our heritage today, for all mokopuna tomorrow.”

Anyone making an application for the Tentative List should be prepared to submit a full nomination for World Heritage status within the next 10 years.

Danica says although New Zealand currently has a Tentative List of potential World Heritage sites, it was developed in 2007 and needs updating.

“Ideas about heritage have evolved over the past few decades. There’s now a greater recognition of the importance of the views and rights of indigenous peoples. For this reason, support from mana whenua will be essential for sites to be considered for the Tentative List.”

Making the Tentative List is the first step in the process towards becoming a World Heritage site.

“Robust examination of current sites and potential new sites for the Tentative List is needed to ensure they have local support and a high chance of making it onto the World Heritage List,” Danica says.

Vicki Soanes, Secretary General, New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, says the programme seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

“The process of refreshing the Tentative List is an important signal to UNESCO about the value New Zealand places on the World Heritage programme,” Vicki says.

Anyone interested in applying should submit an expression of interest by 31 July 2025, allowing DOC to provide any advice needed to support development of applications. The final closing date for applications is 30 January 2026.

An independent panel of natural and cultural heritage experts will assess the applications and deliver a report to the Conservation Minister on sites for the Tentative List.

Cabinet is expected to decide on the final Tentative List by the end of 2026. The list is submitted to the World Heritage Centre, then nominations can be developed for World Heritage status.

Visit DOC’s website for information on making an application for New Zealand’s World Heritage Tentative List.

Background information

New Zealand is a party to the World Heritage Convention under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

DOC is New Zealand’s lead agency for the Convention, working closely with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

New Zealand’s three World Heritage sites won’t be affected by this review.

Contact

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

As Road Safety Week begins, the Government’s crackdown on drunk drivers is delivering real results with newly released 2024 statistics showing the number of alcohol-related road deaths reducing by nearly 40%, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. 

“Our Government is focused on improving road safety through road policing and enforcement, investment in new and safe roading infrastructure, and targeting the leading contributors to fatal crashes such as drugs and alcohol impairment. That plan – the Road Policing Investment Programme (RPIP) – is seeing some strong results, and we need to keep it up,” Mr Bishop says.

“Police have really stepped up their road policing efforts in the past year. In 2024, Police delivered 4,118,159 passive breath and breath screening tests, the highest number recorded in a calendar year, and smashing their RPIP target of 3.3 million per year.

“Police have also exceeded their target to focus 65% of their breath testing on the highest risk times. In the first nine months of this financial year (July 2024 to March 2025), Police delivered 2,177,179 passive breath and breath screening tests during high or extreme risk alcohol hours. This is 35% above the year-to-date target of 1,608,750 tests, and a 21% increase compared to the first nine months of the previous financial year.

“The whole point of roadside breath testing is to keep New Zealanders safer on the roads – and it’s working. 

“It’s really encouraging to see an almost 40% reduction in the number of road deaths where alcohol was a contributing factor, from 92 alcohol-related road deaths in 2023 down to 57 in 2024. 

“In fact, the steep reduction in alcohol-related road deaths led to the 2024 total road toll being the lowest since 2014. Every avoidable road death is a tragedy and there’s always more work to do, but this is a big step in the right direction.”

“The reduced number of road deaths in 2024 is also significant given the presence of factors that can drive up the road toll, such as population increases, continued increases in the size of the vehicle fleet and increases in the total vehicle kilometres travelled (VKT) across the network.

“Roadside testing for drug driving is also coming soon. Anyone who drives while under the influence of drugs should know that they’re putting themselves and other road users at risk – and we’re not going to put up with it.

“In March 2025 the Government passed legislation to enable Police to conduct roadside testing for drug impairment, and we expect these tests to start being rolled out later this year.”

“Alcohol and drugs are leading contributors to death and serious injury on our roads, and both random and selective breath testing is proven to discourage people from drinking and driving. Every breath test delivered has the potential to save a life, and you can continue to expect to Police highly visible on our roads,” Mr Mitchell says.

“I’m proud of the work our Police are doing to reduce deaths on our road, keep our communities safe, and ensure everyone can get to where they need to go safely.”

Notes to editor:

• In 2024:
  • Police conducted 4.1 million roadside breath alcohol tests – the most ever, and about 900,000 more than in 2023.
  • The number of alcohol-related road fatalities reduced by nearly 40% , from 92 in 2023 to 57 in 2024.
• The Road Policing Investment Programme 2024-2027 (RPIP) requires Police to deliver 3.3 million passive breath tests and breath screening tests per year of the programme—an average of 825,000 tests per quarter. This is an increase from the 3 million tests required annually under the previous government’s road policing agreement.
• In 2024 Police delivered 4,118,159 passive breath and breath screening tests, the highest number of tests recorded in a calendar year.
• In the first nine months of this financial year (July 2024 to March 2025) Police delivered 3,286,094 passive breath and breath screening tests, 33% above the year-to-date target of 2,475,000 tests. It is also a 20% increase in tests compared to the first nine months of the previous financial year.
• The RPIP sets a target of 2,145,000 alcohol breath tests to be conducted during high and extreme risk alcohol times—an average of 536,250 tests per quarter. This directs the greatest proportion of testing to the times and days when alcohol related harm has historically been highest, while still allowing a portion of testing across the rest of the week to ensure an ‘anywhere, anytime’ approach.
• In 2024, there were 113 deaths (38% of all deaths) where a driver tested above the alcohol limit (or test refused) and/or tested positive for drugs.
• 87 deaths were where a driver tested positive for drugs,
• 47 deaths were where a driver tested above the alcohol limit (or test refused),
• 21 deaths were where a driver tested both positive for drugs and above the alcohol limit (or test refused).