Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are responding to a crash on Auckland’s Southern Motorway, near the Newmarket offramp.
Police were alerted to the crash involving a car and a motorbike at 3.10pm.
The northbound lanes are blocked and motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible.
There is no information on injuries as yet – an update will be provided when that information is available.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A 73-year-old man who went missing in Masterton on 4 May has sadly been found deceased.
John Rafferty was discovered by a Search and Rescue team this morning.
Sergeant Anthony Matheson says the death will be referred to the Coroner.
“This was not the outcome we were hoping for, but I want to thank the community for all their assistance, and the dedication of the search crews who have worked so hard over the past week.”
As the death has been referred to the Coroner, Police are unable to comment further.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
Budget 2025 will do more to strengthen our borders, prevent drug smuggling and fight organised crime, Customs Minister Casey Costello announced today.
“Customs is doing a great job stopping illicit drugs entering the country, but New Zealand is increasingly being targeted by organised crime groups. The Government is committed to ensuring law and order, so it is investing in the tools and capacity agencies need to meet growing challenges,” Minister Costello says.
“Transnational and serious organised crime threats are growing worldwide. These groups are increasingly targeting the Pacific and New Zealand, which has some of the world’s highest prices for illicit drugs like methamphetamine and cocaine.
“In 2014, Customs seized 55kg of methamphetamine in the entire year. Last year Customs stopped, on average, 90kg of meth every week.In the past two years, Customs and its offshore partners stopped nearly 8.5 tonnes of meth from entering the country and harming New Zealanders.
“We know what works to stop the threat from organized crime, and harm from drugs. Decisions at Budget 2025 mean that Customs will have $35 million more over four years to help to do this job even better,” Minister Costello says.
“The extra funding will increase the number of staff protecting our border as well as increasing Customs technological capability.”
The funding will focus on three areas:
“While Customs is dealing with increasingly large-scale drug smuggling attempts, it also needs more capacity to investigate and prosecute the smuggling that sends low quantities of drugs in high volumes through international mail and air routes. This new funding will provide that.” The new spending will provide Customs funding for up to 60 additional roles over the next four years, including investigations and prosecutions, intelligence, and border operations.
It comprises $21 million in operating expenditure and $5.5 million in capital funded through Budget 2025 plus an additional $8.2 million from third party levies and fees.
Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died after a single-vehicle crash at Te Arai overnight.
Police were called to the scene on Mangawhai Road, between Braddick Road and Fairy Hill Road, about 11.15pm, where officers found a vehicle crashed into a tree.
Sadly, the sole occupant died at the scene and Police are providing support to their next of kin.
The Serious Crash Unit has carried out a scene examination and enquiries into the crash are ongoing.
Mangawhai Road reopened about 5am.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand – Communities across Aotearoa New Zealand are coming together to mark Keffiyeh Day on May 11, 2025 – a day of solidarity, cultural pride, and resistance in support of the Palestinian people.
On this day, people from all walks of life are encouraged to wear the iconic Palestinian keffiyeh (scarf) – a symbol of resilience, identity, and resistance – to raise awareness about the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights in Palestine.
Keffiyeh Day is more than a cultural celebration; it is a powerful statement of unity. In workplaces, schools, universities, and public spaces, New Zealanders will proudly don the keffiyeh to amplify Palestinian voices and stand against oppression and injustice.
“The keffiyeh has become a global emblem of solidarity. In wearing it, we honour Palestinian heritage and reaffirm our collective commitment to justice, freedom, and dignity for all,” said Maher Nazzal, chair of the Palestine Forum of New Zealand.
Events on the Day Include:
Community gatherings and photo calls
Workplace and campus solidarity actions
Educational workshops and cultural displays
A nationwide social media campaign using the hashtag #KeffiyehDayNZ
Organized by the Palestine Forum of New Zealand, Keffiyeh Day is part of a growing global movement to keep Palestine visible on the international stage and ensure that Palestinian narratives continue to be heard.
We warmly invite individuals, community groups, organizations, and public figures across Aotearoa to participate in Keffiyeh Day 2025 and show their solidarity.
Maher Nazzal
Founder, Palestine Forum of New Zealand
Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets
Trade and Investment, and Agriculture Minister, Todd McClay travels to the United Kingdom today to participate in the first in-person joint NZ UK Ministerial Trade Committee and to mark the two-year anniversary of the entry into force of the New Zealand United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
“Better access to overseas markets is an important part of the Government’s economic plan to grow the economy and create better paying jobs, Minister McClay says.
The NZ-UK FTA has seen a 21 per cent boost in Kiwi exports worth an additional $644.4 million over the two years since the deal came into force. This is delivering real benefits for Kiwi exporters.
“The results speak for themselves —goods exports to the UK have risen by 20 per cent, and services exports are up over 22 per cent in just two years, Mr McClay says.
“And the primary sector is leading the way with big increases in food and fibre exports along with travel and tech.
While in the UK, Minister McClay will meet with his trade and agriculture counterparts, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Rt Hon Steve Reed OBE, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as the UK Trade Envoy to New Zealand, Carolyn Harris.
He will also engage with key partners and stakeholders, including Waitrose and the National Farmers Union, visit local farms, and connect with New Zealand businesses operating in London.
The UK is New Zealand’s 7th largest trading partner, with two-way trade worth $7.27 billion. In 2024, New Zealand exported $3.69 billion in goods and services to the UK
Minister McClay will then travel from the UK to Korea on Tuesday of next week to participate in the APEC Trade Ministers meeting where he will hold bilateral meetings with APEC and CPTPP trading partners.
Source:
Te Pāti Māori is absolutely disgusted by the Government’s announcement to review the Waitangi Tribunal- a deliberate and dangerous escalation in its ongoing campaign to undermine Te Tiriti o Waitangi and silence tangata whenua.
“The Government’s onslaught against Te Tiriti continues with this latest move to review the Treaty of Waitangi Act and the role of the Waitangi Tribunal,” said Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Te Tiriti o Waitangi and MP for Te Tai Tonga, Tākuta Ferris.
“This is nothing short of a continuation of colonial violence- enabled by a weak, Luxon-led Government that gutlessly gambles with Te Tiriti and the lives of tangata whenua.”
The Waitangi Tribunal, established under the Treaty of Waitangi Act 1975, is one of the few instruments available to Māori to seek redress for breaches of Te Tiriti.
“The mere suggestion that the Act and the Tribunal should be reviewed signals this Government’s belief that the Crown alone should define the meaning, relevance, and limits of Te Tiriti,” said Ferris.
“Let’s not forget- Te Tiriti is the very agreement that gave the Crown its legitimacy to exist in the first place.
“Make no mistake, this review is a continuation of efforts to erase our voices and control the narrative of our dispossession, for the economic benefit of those who desecrate our people and our whenua.”
By comparison, last year Ferris introduced a Member’s Bill to strengthen the Tribunal’s powers to make binding recommendations — empowering it, not dismantling it.
“This Government already failed with its racist Treaty Principles Bill,” said Ferris. “Te Pāti Māori will continue to stand in the way of any attempt to dismantle our rights and our future as a Treaty nation.”
Source: New Zealand Police
District:
State Highway 29 on the Kaimai ranges is blocked by a slip near the lookout.
Motorists travelling between Bay of Plenty and Waikato should take alternative routes where possible, or delay travel.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Lake Sumner Road on 27 April.
He was 76-year-old Jens Lauritz Christensen, of Sumner.
Police extend our condolences those close to him at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by the Police Media Team.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died in a crash on State Highway 5, Mamaku on 22 April.
He was 52-year-old Paul John Coleman, of Melville.
Our thoughts are with those close to him at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by the Police Media Team.