Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

The winner of the 2025 Race Unity Speech Awards is Jordyn Joy Pillay, from Ormiston Senior College, Auckland.

Jordyn’s speech highlighted that diversity must be more than a moment – it must be a movement.

“I am the ocean I cannot be read I am calm and soothing and so accepting. Come to me …I’ll bring you peace. I see no difference. I’m home to fins and feathers, skin and scales …home to many, I freely give. I welcome you warmly. Abide in me.”

The awards were held at the Ngā Kete Wānanga Marae, Manukau Institute of Technology Ōtara Campus over the weekend and featured students from several schools across New Zealand.

This year’s theme – ‘Te Moana Nui o te Kanorau – The Great Ocean of Diversity’ – highlights our need for the natural harmony that we see in the outdoors to be replicated in our society. The metaphor also talks to our strength being in our differences.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is delighted to be the first Commissioner to attend the awards.

“Supporting initiatives like this represents our commitment to building trust and confidence with the diverse communities we serve,” Commissioner Chambers says.

Police Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers, the chief judge of the awards, stressed the importance of providing a platform for rangatahi to discuss and share their thoughts on important societal issues.

“I am astonished by the quality of the speeches from our young people over the weekend,” she says.

“As Police, we are proud to be supporting a platform for our young people to voice their aspirations and solutions.”

Superintendent Rakesh Naidoo MNZM – National Partnerships Manager Ethnic, acknowledged the history of the award the partnership.

“As Iwi and Community Partnerships, we are honoured to have been supporters of these awards for nearly two decades. These awards offer us a meaningful platform to be highly visible amongst our youth and positively engage with them on issues that are important to them and their communities. Each year, we are inspired by the voices of our young people – who are leading us now and into the future,” he says.

About the Awards

The Race Unity Speech Awards were established by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community in memory of race relations advocate and Bahá’í Faith member Hedi Moani. Organised by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community, a religious community dedicated to promoting the oneness of humanity at various levels, the Speech Awards is supported by the New Zealand Police, the Human Rights Commission, Foundation North, Manukau Institute of Technology, Ministry for Ethnic Communities, Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Speech New Zealand, Hedi Moani Charitable Trust, and Studio Marque.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Inspector Stu Harvey:

Police are asking for information from the public after a series of incidents in Invercargill overnight, including two aggravated robberies.

Officers were called to a Dee Street premises about 2.30am on Monday 5 May, after a report of two people entering the store and assaulting the worker, demanding cash. They then fled the scene in a vehicle.

The worker was not seriously injured, however they were very shaken by what occurred.

An attempted burglary and two burglaries were subsequently reported at three further premises, on Windsor Street, Elles Road and Yarrow Street.

Then, about 4.20am, Police received a report that two people had entered a Tay Street premises and demanded cash and items. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the incident.

Police are making enquiries into each incident, and at this stage our information suggests they are linked.

Two vehicles were seen in the vicinity of some of the incidents. One of them, a red Toyota Vitz, has been involved in the offending. Police have recovered this vehicle, which was stolen the previous day.

The other vehicle is described as a dark-coloured car.

We would like to speak to anyone who saw vehicles fitting these descriptions between 1am and 5am.

Anyone with information about these vehicles or those involved is asked to contact Police via 105. Please use the reference number 250505/9732.

You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man following a series of reports about his behaviour from the Mt Wellington community.

Late last week, Police received reports about a man acting suspiciously around the morning school drop off times.

Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy says the reports centred around the Mt Wellington Highway.

“Police attended on Wednesday and Friday after it was reported the man had been acting suspiciously around people near Harris Road.

“While he had not committed offences, Police were concerned about this man’s behaviour.

“Our frontline staff have been looking out for this man in recent days.”

This morning, Police received a 111 call reporting similar behaviour in the area.

Inspector Dolheguy says Police once again responded to the area, and arrested a man.

“The member of the public who contacted us was able to provide a clear description, which was able to assist the Police responding to the report.

“Our frontline team located this man outside shops near Harris Road.”

The 45-year-old Papakura man was arrested on four counts of breaching his bail and was taken into custody.

“It’s a pleasing result for us to remove this man from the area, and highlights a good partnership between community and Police,” Inspector Dolheguy says.

“This is a good reminder to continue reporting these incidents as they occur with as much detail as possible.”

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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Pakuranga Road has reopened in both directions following an earlier building fire.

Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonalds are underway.

Police would like to thank the public for their patience while the fire was extinguished.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash in Blockhouse Bay this afternoon.

The single vehicle crash, on Blockhouse Bay Road, was reported to Police just after 12.30pm.

One person has been transported to hospital in a serious condition.

Motorists are being advised the southbound lane has been closed and diversions are in place.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are in attendance at a building fire on Pakuranga Road.

The fire, at the McDonald’s restaurant, was reported to Police at about 3pm.

At this stage there are no reports of injury.

Pakuranga Road has been closed in both directions and road users are advised to avoid the area.

People are being evacuated from buildings in the immediate area as a precaution.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police and emergency services are attending a crash involving at least four vehicles on Bluff Highway between Awarua Siding Road and Stanley Township Road. 

The crash occurred at approximately 8.10am today.

One vehicle is currently blocking both lanes, so motorists are asked to avoid the area.

Towing vehicles have been called, but will take time to get to the scene.

We have no reports of injury currently.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Team

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are currently assisting with road closures at a building fire on Pakowhai Road, Frimley, Hastings which was reported about 9.30 this morning.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand are at the scene and the road is closed between Duke Street and Frederick Street.

Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area if possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Tokanui Gorge Road Highway near Fortrose is blocked currently due to a crash where a truck has rolled. 

Emergency services were called to the single-vehicle crash about 7.45am. 

Fortunately the driver was not seriously injured, however the road is completely blocked. 

It is expected to be closed for some time while the scene is cleared. 

Motorists should avoid the area, or expect delays.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

Following significant engagement over the last month, the first in-person round of negotiations towards a comprehensive India New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will take place in India this week.
This follows the highly successful visit to India last year by Deputy Prime Minister, Winston Peters and the formal launch of negotiations by Minster for Trade and Investment, Todd McClay and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal during the Prime Minister’s large trade mission to New Delhi in April.
“This is an important step in our trade relationship with India and signals the two Governments’ intent to deliver a high quality outcome that benefits both countries,” Mr McClay says.
“With a population of 1.4 billion and a GDP estimated to grow to USD $5.2 trillion by 2030, India offers significant opportunity for New Zealand exporters,” Mr McClay says.
“Strengthening ties with India across the board is a key part of the Government’s broader strategy to diversify and grow New Zealand’s export markets and double trade by value in 10 years.