Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Constable Jordyn Paekau: 

Police are asking for the public’s help identifying the man and vehicle pictured, following an assault in Hamilton East in February.

On Tuesday 17 February around 5.40pm, Police were called to Clyde Street with a report that a person had been assaulted.

The victim received moderate injuries and was understandably shaken by the incident.

Police believe the man pictured may be able to assist in our enquiries and are asking for the public’s help to identify him.

He was with two other men in a silver-coloured Toyota Fielder Corolla – similar to the one pictured.

If you recognise this man or the vehicle, or have any information that could assist Police in our enquiries, please contact 105 either online or over the phone.

Please use reference number 260218/2547.

Alternatively, you can provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Rebecca Podmore: 

A scene guard remains in place at an address in Papanui while enquiries are carried out following an unexplained death yesterday.

At around 2.40pm, Police were called to a property on Main North Road where a person was located in a critical condition.

Sadly, despite best efforts by emergency services, the person died at the scene.

Police continue to make enquiries to work what exactly has happened, however at this stage the death is being treated as unexplained.

A post-mortem is expected to be carried out today, and the public may see an increased Police presence while enquiries are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced today that replacement of an aging culvert on State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua will begin this month. 

“State Highway 36 is a vital connection between Tauranga and Rotorua. The current culvert on SH36 north of Hamurana, while safe to use, is over 80 years old, at the end of its useful life, and it needs replacing,” Mr Bishop says.

“I’m pleased NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) is prioritising delivery of a fit for purpose bridge replacement. At a total cost of $10-12 million, the new wider and stronger bridge is being delivered by Isaac Construction Ltd and will utilise prefabricated bridge components to speed up delivery. 

“The work to repair or upgrade nine priority bridges and culverts was given the green light in July 2024 as part of the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP). Since then, a further five priority locations have been added, and NZTA is progressing design, consenting, and contracting so work can start.

“Fixing the basics of our roading network is a priority for this Government, and with many bridges across the country requiring speed and weight restrictions due to their age and condition, it is essential priority bridges are replaced when funding is available with more modern and resilient structures.

“Our state highways are critical routes for freight and tourism and serve as important lifelines for communities around New Zealand. We expect our state highway bridges to be well maintained and properly managed, which is why this replacement and maintenance work is so important.

“I look forward to construction of the new SH36 Hauraki Stream Bridge getting underway this month and thank road users and local communities in advance for their patience. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2027.”

Notes to editor:

Bridges/culverts set to be replaced in the 2024-27 NLTP period:

•    SH3 Mangapepeke No. 1 Culvert, Taranaki (new addition for 2024-27 period)
•    SH3 Mangapepeke No. 2 Culvert, Taranaki
•    SH43 Kururau Stream Water Drive, Whanganui
•    SH25 Pepe Stream Bridge, Coromandel
•    SH82 Elephant Hill Bridge, South Canterbury 
•    SH82 Waihao North Bridge, South Canterbury 
•    SH6 Coal Creek Overbridge, West Coast 
•    SH25 Ramarama Stream Bridge, Waikato 
•    SH27 Ohinekaua Bridge, Waikato 
•    SH36 Hauraki Stream Culvert, Bay of Plenty

Bridge maintenance renewal works:

•    SH25 Boundary Creek Bridge, Coromandel (new addition for 2024-27 period)
•    SH35 Mangahauini No. 1 Bridge, Gisborne (new addition for 2024-27 period)
•    SH38 Frasertown Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period)
•    SH50 Ngaruroro River Bridge, Hawke’s Bay (new addition for 2024-27 period)

Other announcements recently made:

•    SH2 Pekatahi Bridge, Bay of Plenty. Design and pre-implementation work for a two-lane replacement is underway. Construction is expected to be within the 2027-30 NLTP once funding is approved and a contractor is appointed.

This programme excludes bridges being replaced due to weather event damage. 
 

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 2 in the Waioeka Gorge, south of Opotiki, is blocked due to a slip overnight.

Contractors are on site but motorists are asked to take alternate routes.

There are also other areas of the Rotorua and Eastern Bay of Plenty area where there is surface flooding noticeable.

Please take extra care if you absolutely need to travel.

ENDS

Source: New Zealand Police

Mount Smart Road, Onehunga, is closed following a crash that has brought down power lines.

The single vehicle crash was reported to Police at 5.15am.

There are no injuries.

Crews are onsite repairing the lines.

Cordons are in place between Arapuni Ave and Curzon Street.

Motorists should avoid the area and expect delays while emergency services work at the scene.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  08 April 2026

Tairawhiti Operations Manager Matt Tong says despite dedicated patrols of the area last week by the ground culling team, DOC staff have had no further sign of the dogs.

“Because it’s the roar, we know people will be out naturing in the area and we really want to remind hunters to keep an eye out for the dogs, and if you do come across them, maintain your distance to keep yourself safe.”

Feral dogs are a concern for protected wildlife like kiwi and whio known to be in the area, and for the safety of visitors and neighbouring landowners.

“Please contact us on 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) with any sightings and include as much detail as you can safely get – time and location, photos, and descriptions are all useful,” says Matt.

Four dogs are known to be roaming as a pack. These have been described as one Fox Terrier, one Pitbull or a similar breed, and two younger dogs which appear to be crosses of the two. Three are black or dark in colour with white markings, while one of the younger dogs is whiter than the others.

Matt says the pack may have moved a long way from where they were initially seen near Koranga Forks Hut in mid-March.

“Feral dogs can be very mobile and elusive, that’s why any reports we receive will help us to locate and respond to the issue.

“This is a coordinated effort to protect vulnerable native wildlife; we’re working with neighbouring landowners and partners, and experienced hunters can also play a role in helping manage feral dogs.”

Dogs are only allowed in Waioweka Conservation Area with a permit, including kiwi avoidance training, and must always be under control. If you lose your dogs on public conservation land, you must report it to DOC.

Waioweka Conservation Area is a 39,200 ha area covering much of the Waioweka River catchment. It has outstanding natural values and is home to native species like whio, kiwi, karearea / NZ falcon and kākā.

Contact

Source: Green Party

The Green Party says while it is relieved the cause of the recent ‘boil water’ notice in Auckland was easily addressed, more action is needed to deal with the regular and widespread contamination of drinking water elsewhere in the country.

“New Zealanders should be able to turn on their tap and access safe, clean drinking water,” says Green Party spokesperson for the environment Lan Pham. 

“While in some cases, drinking water is contaminated as it moves through pipes in our towns and cities, in many cases it is contaminated at its source, in lakes, rivers, and groundwater.” 

Data released to the Green Party shows 26 ‘boil water’ and 17 ‘do not drink’ notices had already been issued in 2026 as of 11 March, prior to the notice issued in Auckland yesterday. 

In 2025, 91 ‘boil water’ and 53 ‘do not drink’ notices were issued, with 516 lab samples of water quality breaching a limit for safe drinking water in national standards. 

Many of the notices have been issued at schools, with analysis showing that last year over 9,000 students across more than 70 schools and pre-schools faced unsafe drinking water, with water breaching safe Drinking Water Standards at some point during the year. So far in 2026, 16 schools have issued ‘do not drink’ or ‘boil water’ notices. 

“The Havelock North Drinking Water Inquiry stressed that the protection of drinking water sources should be expressly recognised in resource management legislation as a matter of national importance. 

“But the Government’s resource management overhaul currently underway only requires consenting authorities to ‘have regard to’ effects of activities on drinking water quality.” 

“Almost all New Zealanders get their drinking water from a river, lake, or groundwater.” 

“When we protect these sources of water from pollution, we can be more confident the water coming out of our taps will be safe to drink, even if there’s a failure at the treatment plant or somewhere else in the process.” 

“New Zealanders deserve better for something as important as the water we all rely on for life,” says Pham. 

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling on petrol companies to act quickly following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire that has caused the price of fuel to drop.

“Fuel companies moved quickly to increase their prices at the start of the conflict. With prices falling off the back of the ceasefire, they need to come down just as fast,” says Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick. 

“New Zealanders watch petrol prices jump up overnight when global oil prices spike, but when they fall, it always seems to take weeks for that to show up at the pump.” 

“Isn’t it interesting that while regular people watch their cost of living rise, major corporations never seem to feel the pinch?” 

“The Government can ensure New Zealanders are not paying inflated prices while fuel companies pocket the difference.” 

“The Commerce Commission should keep closely monitoring fuel margins, and they need to be ready to use their powers under the Fuel Industry Act if we don’t see retail prices coming down.” 

“If companies are not passing on lower costs in a timely way, it confirms the market is not working for New Zealanders, and the government needs to step in.” 

“This is why the Green Party proposed a windfall profits tax as part of our fossil fuel crisis relief package. 

“While immediate cost of living pressure like this is immediately necessary, we’re also crystal clear that the more we continue to be reliant on the conscience of fossil fuel corporations, the more our country remains vulnerable.” 

“The only real, sustainable solution is clean, green, abundant, home-grown renewable energy powering our country and our economy,” says Swarbrick. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are investigating two assaults believed to have occurred in Sydenham and are seeking information from the public as part of ongoing enquiries.

On Wednesday 18 March at around 10:15pm, Police were notified of a stabbing at Bradford Park.

The victim was transported to hospital for treatment and was released shortly after.

Enquiries to date indicate a second assault occurred earlier that evening on Colombo Street, just south of Fisher Avenue, at around 9:30pm.

Police believe the two incidents are linked.

Police are working to identify the victim of the Colombo Street incident and would like to speak with them, as they may have information that could assist our investigation.

Additionally, Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the Bradford Park or Colombo Street areas between 9:00pm and 10:15pm on Wednesday 18 March.

This includes anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity or who has relevant CCTV or dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police via 105, either by phone or online at police.govt.nz/use-105, selecting “Update Report.”

Please reference file number 260319/6021.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Dunedin Southern Motorway, Burnside, has reopened following an incident this morning and Police are now asking the public for information.

At around 10.40am, Police responded to reports that a digger had partially come off the back of a truck and was blocking multiple lanes.

Dunedin Southern Motorway was closed in both directions, between the Main South Road on-ramp and Caversham Valley Road, while the digger was uplifted, and it re-opened around 1.40pm.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing, and Police are appealing for information from the public to assist in those enquiries.

Anyone who has dashcam footage or witnessed the incident is urged to contact Police through 105 and reference event number P066019039.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre