Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died after a three-vehicle crash on SH4, Erua, Ruapehu, late last night.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 11.10pm.
One person died at the scene.
Another person sustained critical injuries, and four others received minor injuries.
The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
One person has died in a crash on State Highway 1, Taihape, to the north of Spooners Hill yesterday morning.
Police were advised at 7.25am that a car had gone off the road and into Hautapu River.
On arrival, the car was located submerged in the river, with significant damage from the crash.
The car was able to be removed from the river yesterday afternoon and Police have since confirmed the deceased driver was the sole occupant.
Our thoughts are with their family and loved ones.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash in Dunedin on 18 February.
Emergency services were called to a two vehicle crash on State Highway 87 at around 2.15pm.
One person was transported to hospital in a critical condition, however they have now passed away from their injuries.
Police continue to make enquiries into the circumstances of the crash.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Canterbury Police arrested drivers, impounded vehicles and issued infringement notices over the weekend as they moved to detect, deter and disrupt anti‑social road user activity.
With several large events drawing crowds to Christchurch, including Electric Avenue and a popular motorsport Chrome Expression Session for car enthusiasts, Police were prepared for the influx of visitors and acted early to keep roads and people safe.
Sergeant Ben Rutherford said the Operation Chrome team included bailiffs and was deliberately proactive. Broadly speaking his team was pleased with the weekend.
“We know unroadworthy vehicles and risky behaviour often go hand in hand with potential disruption and harm,” he said. “By taking illegally modified vehicles and dangerous behaviour off the road early we reduced the chance of trouble.”
He said the significant number of people leaving Hagley Park after the music festival added to the road policing workload.
“With more than forty thousand people spilling onto the streets, we worked hard to keep the city safe.
“One example from Friday night was a guy who did a wheelie off a red light past a crowd of people.
“Stunts can go badly wrong with disastrous consequences, especially right in the middle of a crowd.
“That motorbike was taken off the road immediately.”
Over the weekend Police monitored traffic circulating throughout Christchurch and ran multiple checkpoints targeting unsafe vehicles, licence breaches and alcohol‑related offending.
On Saturday night, more than 300 cars gathered in Northwood for a pre‑planned ‘cruise’ planned by Chrome Event organisers.
“Despite slowing traffic flow the drivers were generally well behaved and it was great to see the vehicles on display,” Sergeant Rutherford said.
The convoy travelled to Halswell with a brief stop in Ferrymead.
“The organisers were excellent. Their communication helped ensure everything stayed lawful and disruption was kept to a minimum.”
However, Sergeant Rutherford said Police still had to step in at times.
“As the weekend wore on, there were groups who needed reminding that dangerous vehicles and behaviour won’t be tolerated. We broke up gatherings, removed unsafe vehicles, issued infringements and intervened early.
“Police frequently see how tragedies can play out so we’re equipped and trained to manage safety risks, and we try to prevent something terrible happening.
“We don’t tolerate excessive noise, disruption, intimidation, street racing or unnecessary speed on our roads.
“It’s simple, we just want a fun and safe weekend for Christchurch visitors and residents.”
Provisional summary from the operation:
Police thank all those who reported concerns and encourage anyone with information on illegal or unsafe activity to make a report through the 105 service.
If you have information you’d like to share anonymously, call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Note for media:
Additional B-roll footage is available below.
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Issued by Police Media Team
Source: New Zealand Police
A search and rescue operation is underway after a man was swept off the rocks at Union Bay, Karekare, earlier today.
Emergency services were alerted about 10.15am to the incident where a man fishing on the rocks had been swept out to sea.
Police immediately deployed along with Coastguard and Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
The man has not been located.
Further searches will be carried out at low tide this afternoon.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
The body of a man has been located in the search for a missing kayaker near Waiwera.
Emergency services had been notified of a man going into the water from a kayak about 7.35am.
Sadly, he was located deceased early this afternoon.
Police are providing support to his family at this difficult time.
The death will be referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A search and rescue operation is underway this morning after reports of a kayaker missing in the water near Waiwera.
Emergency services were called to the incident about 7.35am, after the kayaker had been seen coming out of their vessel and not resurfacing.
Police immediately deployed, including the Maritime Unit aboard Deodar and Police Eagle, as well as members from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand and volunteers from Hibiscus Coastguard.
Sadly, the man has not yet been located.
A Police Search and Rescue team will deploy to the area this afternoon to conduct a shoreline search at low tide.
The community should expect to see emergency services staff operating in the ara.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Green Party
“Trump and Netanyahu’s unilateral attack on Iran must be condemned as an illegal and unprovoked act against the people of the region and any genuine pathway to peace” Green Party Co-Leader Marama Davidson says.
“This latest escalation in aggression is part of a decades’ long pattern of behaviour of the US dragging the region into more wars, violence, and bloodshed.
“The wider region has immediately been drawn into this violence, with hundreds reported dead in only a single day. The idea that it’s okay to bomb other countries because you don’t like their leader is reprehensible.
“The Prime Minister Luxon’s failure to condemn Trump’s illegal actions again demonstrates his lack of leadership or moral courage, and willingness to act against New Zealander’s values.
“New Zealander’s deserve better than this. Our voice is powerful on the international stage. The Green Party urges Luxon’s Government to condemn illegal warmongering, and unreservedly advocate for diplomacy, international law, and peace for the Iranian people.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Police investigating a serious assault in Matangi are asking the public for help in identifying the offenders.
Two people were trying to speak to the occupants in a dark-coloured Ford Falcon last night that were doing noisy burnouts in the semi-rural area. Three occupants got out and assaulted the victims.
The victims have sustained serious injuries, requiring hospital treatment.
This was a cowardly attack, and Police urge members of the public that recognise these people to get in touch now.
If you witnessed the incident, have CCTV footage or dashcam footage of Marychurch Road around 8pm last night, then please contact Police.
Anyone that has information on the people pictured or details of a dark-coloured Ford Falcon should contact 105 either over phone or online by clicking ‘Update Report’. Please use file number 260301/0526.
You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is removing the barriers that prevent many farm and other rural workers from using their KiwiSaver accounts to buy their first homes, Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson announced today.
Since 2010, Kiwis have been able to withdraw from their KiwiSaver accounts to assist with the purchase of a first home so long as they live in the homes they buy.
“However, workers in service tenancies, such as farm workers, rural teachers, country cops, and defence personnel, have effectively been locked out of first home withdrawal because their jobs require them to live in employer-provided housing,” Nicola Willis says.
“That’s not fair, so we’re making a technical change to the KiwiSaver Act to ensure workers in service tenancies aren’t denied the opportunity to put a foot on the property ladder.
“The change will allow service tenancy workers to use their KiwiSaver for a first home purchase without having to live in it.”
Scott Simpson says the Act will also be changed to allow first-time farm buyers to put their KiwiSaver balances towards the purchase of a farm through a commercial entity they majority own, where it will be their principal place of residence.
KiwiSaver rules currently allow the purchase of a farm under a KiwiSaver member’s name (so long as they intend to live on it) – however, in practice, most farms are purchased through a company or trust.
“This reflects the commercial reality of modern farm ownership,” Mr Simpson says.
“Most farms are purchased through companies or trusts. Until now, that has prevented aspiring farmers from accessing KiwiSaver in the same way as someone buying a house in town.”
“The reforms deliver on the Government’s commitment to back rural New Zealand and remove unnecessary barriers.
“These are targeted, practical changes that maintain KiwiSaver’s core purpose while making the scheme fairer for rural communities,” Mr Simpson says.
Legislation giving effect to the changes will be introduced to Parliament in the middle of the year. The changes were sparked by a Member’s Bill in the name of Rangitīkei MP Suze Redmayne.