Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the woman who died following an e-scooter crash in Twizel on 28 February.
She was Amber Rose Young, 42, from Geraldine.
Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time.
The death was referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 07 April 2026
The Department of Conservation has completed its investigation into an allegation McCallum Bros Limited (MBL) disturbed protected stony corals during sand-dredging activities in the Pākiri Temporary Sand Extraction Area in 2025.
Although corals were identified in the area, there is insufficient evidence to prove stony corals were disturbed by the company. Therefore we will not be pursuing enforcement action.
DOC has notified MBL and the party who brought these allegations to us.
Our role was to investigate two alleged breaches of the Wildlife Act 1953. Under the Wildlife Act it is an offence to take or disturb absolutely protected marine wildlife without authority. It is also an offence to fail to report accidental or incidental death or injury of marine wildlife.
The above statement can be attributed to Dylan Swain, DOC Team Lead Wildlife Crime.
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Craig Scott:
Police delivered an early Easter surprise to a Christchurch gang member, who was arrested and charged in relation to drug supply last week.
At around 2:45pm on Thursday 2 April, the Te Wai Pounamu Gang Disruption Unit located a person of interest on Litchfield Street.
A subsequent search of his vehicle located around 500 grams of methamphetamine.
Following the discovery, a search was executed at his address, where another ten grams of methamphetamine were located, as well as six firearms, included a loaded pistol, and a large amount of cash.
The street value of the drugs located is estimated to be worth around $150,000.
The man, 58, has been remanded in custody and will reappear in the Christchurch District Court on 28 April, charged with supplying methamphetamine.
Further charges are being considered.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing:
Following a further review, the Easter weekend road toll now stands at three, one less than Easter 2025, and four less than Easter 2024.
Of note, two of the three deceased were riding motorcycles.
The three deaths were from the following crashes:
– Coastal Highway(SH60) at the intersection with Easton Loop, Tasman. Saturday 4 April
– North Road at the intersection with Farrimond Place, Northland. Saturday 4 April
– State Highway 1 near Waipu Gorge Road, Northland. Sunday 5 April
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police
Christchurch Police remain committed in their efforts to locate missing woman Rowena Walker, nearly eight months on from her last confirmed sighting.
Detective Senior Sergeant Jo Carolan says Police continue to follow lines of enquiry to locate the missing 39-year-old.
“Rowena’s last confirmed sighting was on 14 August, when she was captured on CCTV in Christchurch on Bassett Street with an associate,” she says.
“We know she travelled often, and in our efforts, we have searched in several districts including Waikato, Tasman, and Canterbury. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate Rowena.
“Police are urging anyone with information that may assist our enquiries to please contact us.
“Rowena has not been in contact with her children since she went missing, and as her 40th birthday approaches, her family are now desperately worried for her safety.
“If you know anything, no matter how small you think it may be, it may be the piece in the puzzle we need to locate Rowena.”
Police would like to thank all members of the public who have provided information so far or have assisted in the search for Rowena.
If you have information that can assist in locating her, please contact Police online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, referencing file number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: PHARMAC
Pharmac will widen access to two melanoma medicines, giving New Zealanders another funded immunotherapy option and reducing the amount of treatment some people may need.
From 1 May 2026, people with stage 3B to stage 4 melanoma that can be removed with surgery will be eligible for funded nivolumab and ipilimumab before surgery.
“Nivolumab and ipilimumab are immunotherapy medicines that help the immune system fight melanoma,” says Pharmac’s Manager of Pharmaceutical Funding, Claire Pouwels. “Funding these medicines gives people another effective treatment option.”
Clinical advice provided to Pharmac shows that these treatments can reduce the risk of melanoma coming back. Around two in three people have a respond strongly to treatment by the time their tumour is removed, with significant tumour shrinkage or very little active disease remaining.
“For many people, that response means they may not need further treatment after surgery,” says Pouwels. “For patients and their whānau, that can mean fewer infusions, fewer hospital visits, and less time spent in treatment.”
Because some people will not require ongoing treatment after surgery, this decision is expected to reduce demand on hospital oncology infusion services. Pharmac expects this change will save around 1,000 infusion hours each year, helping reduce pressure on hospital oncology infusion centres and freeing up capacity for others who need care.
Pharmac currently funds pembrolizumab (Keytruda) as the only immunotherapy option for melanoma that can be removed with surgery. Funding nivolumab and ipilimumab provides another funded immunotherapy choice for people.
Around 155 people will receive this treatment in the first year, increasing to about 166 people per year after five years. Most people who receive this treatment would otherwise have received funded pembrolizumab.
“We heard from people with melanoma, their whānau, clinicians and advocacy groups about what access to a treatment option with fewer infusions could mean,” says Pouwels. “Most people supported widening access and told us it could make a meaningful difference for patients and their support networks.”
“Some people asked if access could be widened further to include different types of melanoma. While we weren’t able to do that as part of this decision, we will seek further clinical advice to understand the potential impact of wider access in the future.”
Nivolumab and ipilimumab are already approved for use in New Zealand and are funded for some other cancers.
Source: Auckland Council
A restricted fire season is now in effect across the entire Hauraki Gulf.
This includes all populated islands, and all others.
A restricted fire season means anyone planning on lighting an open-air fire will need a permit.
You can apply for a permit at checkitsalright.nz.
For further information please visit fireandemergency.nz
This story replaces a previous story on last summer’s prohibited fire season, which has now ended.
Source: New Zealand Police
Provisionally, four people lost their lives on our roads this Easter holiday weekend.
There is still a lot of work to do, and we need to be much better, says Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing.
“Every death we see on our roads is one too many, and we simply need people to make better choices.
“Wear a seatbelt, put the phone down, and do not drive if you are impaired by drugs or alcohol. Sign posted speed limits are there for a reason, and we expect every road user to follow them. It is simple.”
Superintendent Greally says Police will continue to target unsafe driving behaviour following the holiday period.
“We continue to make no apology for taking action against those who are making poor decisions. Drivers should not expect to be issued a warning.
“While the number of fatalities has dropped the last two years, this is not something Police are celebrating, we have a lot of work left to do and every New Zealander plays a part in that.
“We want everybody to be able to reach their destination safely, no matter what time of the year.”
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Acting Senior Sergeant Seb Kohnke Canterbury Police:
Police are making enquiries following two aggravated robberies in Christchurch this evening.
At around 8.10pm, Police were called to a commercial premises on Briggs Road, Shirley, after a report of two people entering the premises with a weapon.
An employee has been assaulted during the incident and has been transported to hospital.
The offenders have then fled the area in a stolen vehicle.
It is unknown what was taken at this stage.
A short time later, Police received a report of two people entering a commercial premises with a weapon on McBratneys Road at around 8.20pm.
During the incident, an employee has been assaulted and received moderate injuries. They have been transported to hospital.
The two offenders have targeted cash before leaving the area in a vehicle.
Police are now making enquiries to identify and locate the offenders, and are working to determine if the incidents are linked.
If anyone has information in relation to these incidents, please contact Police on 105, referencing P066002858.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Kai Shao:
Police are making enquiries following a crash involving an unmarked Police vehicle in Newton Road, Eden Terrace last night.
The two-vehicle crash was reported just before 8:50pm.
Two people sustained minor injuries in the crash, the driver of the second vehicle involved, and a Police officer.
Two other Police officers in the unmarked vehicle were uninjured, however both vehicles have sustained extensive damage.
Newton Road was closed for a period of time following the crash, re-opening at around midnight.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre