Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Senior Sergeant Hamish Keer-Keer Canterbury Police:

Police are investigating an aggravated burglary at a commercial premises on Main South Road, Christchurch overnight.

At about 4.15am, offenders appear to have used a vehicle to enter a store, causing damage and taking a number of items.

They have fled in another vehicle prior to Police arrival.

Anyone with information that can assist the investigation can update Police online now or call 105 using the job number 260403/0166.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Keki Wilson:

Shortly after 10am this morning two people in a vehicle came to the attention of Police due to the way their car was being driven near Victor Street and Great North Road.

Police signalled for the vehicle to stop.

The driver failed to do so and fled, ramming a Police vehicle, then continuing to flee. Thankfully, no Police staff were injured and there was only minor damage to the vehicle.

The Police Eagle helicopter was tasked and assisted in locating and tracking the vehicle which was, by this stage, near St Lukes mall.

The passenger exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.

The driver continued to flee in the vehicle and then on foot, with a Police dog unit close behind, monitored by Eagle.

A 33-year-old man was arrested in the St Lukes Mall carpark.

Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police encourage members of the public to report any unsafe driving they see on our roads this Easter holiday weekend.

Police are maintaining a high level of visibility on our roads and appreciate any reports that will help us to enforce the law. We have a clear focus on reducing road trauma.

We encourage all road users to be safe on our roads.

ENDS

Jo Wilson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are asking the public to keep away from the East Street area in Petone as officers respond to an incident.

Armed police will be in attendance, as a precaution.

The area is cordoned off, with road closures in place from East Street to Waione Street.

Diversion for traffic will be down Kirkcaldy Street onto Marine Parade.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler, Field Crime Manager:

Police investigating two unexplained deaths in Hamilton East yesterday have arrested one person.

A 34-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow on two charges of murder.

Police were notified around 4pm yesterday after two people were found deceased at an address on York Street.

Later in the evening, an injured man presented himself at hospital, and officers connected the man to the deaths.

Cordons and a scene guard was placed overnight at the address, and Police will remain to carry out a scene examination.

Police would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and we are not looking for anyone else in relation to the matter.

Our thoughts and condolences are with the loved ones of the two people that died.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash on Moa Flat Road, Ettrick, Central Otago.

Police were alerted to the single vehicle crash around 11.20am yesterday, where a car has come off the road and gone down the bank.

Sadly, one person was found deceased at the scene.

The Serious Crash Unit were advised and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler, Field Crime Manager:

Police are investigating the deaths of two people in Hamilton East this evening.

Police were notified around 4pm after two people were found deceased at an address on York Street.

Enquiries into what exactly has occurred at the address are ongoing, however at this stage the deaths are being treated as unexplained.

Cordons remain in place at York Street while Police carry out a scene examination and a scene guard will remain in place overnight.

Further information will be provided proactively when it is available.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Rule changes freeing up high country farmers to make the most of their land will unlock economic opportunities, support job creation and strengthen regional economies, Land Information Minister Chris Penk and South Island Minister James Meager say.  

“Farmers in the high country make a significant contribution to New Zealand’s primary industries, but they’re telling us they want to do more and regulatory barriers are holding them back,” Land Information Minister Chris Penk says. 

“That’s why the Government will introduce a Bill to Parliament that will give Crown pastoral land leaseholders more flexibility to expand their businesses and diversify their income. 

“Changes to the Crown Pastoral Land Act and Land Act will allow a wider range of complementary activities on Crown pastoral land alongside pastoral farming, including growing crops and horticulture, running small farm shops, hospitality ventures, and renewable energy projects. 

“Modelling suggests these changes could significantly lift the value of Crown pastoral land, with returns per hectare rising from around $80 for pastoral farming to about $2,000 for horticulture such as cherries, and up to $18,500 for solar projects in some cases. 

“As the economic productivity of this Crown-owned land increases, so too does the return for Kiwi taxpayers over time, through higher-value lease arrangements that bring in revenue for the Government, supporting investment in public services and infrastructure.” 

South Island Minister James Meager says with 1.2 million hectares of Crown pastoral land in the South Island, stretching from Marlborough to Southland, most of it currently used for pastoral farming, the scale of the opportunity is significant.

“Adding activities like horticulture and beekeeping alongside traditional farming, along with selling fresh produce on site, gives farmers more ways to earn from their land and grow their operations. 

“Encouraging hospitality ventures, tourism and hunting also attracts visitors to the region, benefiting the wider local business community as people spend in shops, eat at restaurants, and stay in nearby accommodation. 

“We know this land and its environment are deeply valued in the South Island, and these changes make the rules clearer, simpler, and more workable for farmers, while maintaining strong protections for the high country’s environment and ensuring pastoral farming remains the primary land use.” 

Mr Penk says the Bill will also reduce unnecessary administrative burden and give farmers greater certainty by clearly setting out which day-to-day activities, such as fertilising land or repairing farm buildings, can be carried out without approval and which require formal consent.  

“The Bill also establishes a pathway for removing land from the Crown pastoral estate in exceptional cases where using it for a different purpose would deliver significant benefits for New Zealand. 

“These changes will make it easier for leaseholders to run modern, productive businesses while protecting the unique South Island high country for future generations,” Mr Penk says. 

Note to editors: 

• The public can provide feedback on the Crown Land Legislation Amendment Bill through the Select Committee process. 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government’s priority is keeping schools open, students in classrooms and continuing to raise achievement as the country navigates fuel supply challenges, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.

“The lockdowns during the pandemic were incredibly damaging to student engagement. We are committed to doing everything we can to not repeat that experience for families again,” Ms Stanford says.

“Schools will face a range of different challenges depending on their individual circumstances. I directed the Ministry of Education to contact every single school by the end of the week so we have a clear understanding of what those challenges are so we can respond. 

“We can then tailor solutions to schools in a highly targeted way so they remain open and children are in the classroom learning. Our focus is on minimising disruption, ensuring clear and frequent communication, and providing timely, targeted, temporary support where needed. 

“Specifically, I have directed officials to:

• Build a clear national picture of fuel use and operational impacts across the education system.
• Check in with the early learning sector this week to understand current awareness and preparedness and to inform planning.
• Use real-time information to identify pressures early and respond quickly where support is needed.
• Engage with suppliers to understand fuel impacts on essential services, such as school lunches, attendance services, and transport.
• Develop and stress-test plans across a range of critical services, including the school bus network and Specialised School Transport Assistance, to help maintain access to education.
• Work alongside the Rural Schools Association and wider sector groups to understand the specific challenges facing rural and remote communities.
• Closely monitor fuel availability for schools that rely on diesel boilers, noting that only a small number of schools are affected, and work directly with those schools to identify what they need to ensure sites remain appropriately heated, including through the winter period.

“I want to thank schools, parents and communities for prioritising education during a difficult time. We are seeing minimal changes to attendance at this stage and will continue to keep a close eye on this.

“There has been a strong willingness to work together, between schools, families, providers, and communities, and that collaboration is making a difference. 

“Already, 56 percent of the schools contacted have started to plan or have already planned responses to any change in the fuel situation. Additionally, 58 percent have taken steps to explore how they can increase their fuel efficiency.

“I will have more to say on our response for education once we have concluded discussions with all schools. The Ministry will continue to work with wider government so that we are developing practical solutions that work for communities.”

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters has appointed Heather Simpson as Deputy Chair of Antarctica New Zealand. 

“Heather Simpson has extensive governance experience and as a current board member, a strong understanding of the strategic importance of Antarctica for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says.  

“Ms Simpson’s elevation to Deputy Chair recognises her contribution to date and she will support the Chair and Board in guiding the organisation through a through a strategically and operationally challenging period.” 

Ms Simpson was appointed to the Antarctica New Zealand Board in 2024 and has contributed to the organisation’s work supporting world leading research, environmental stewardship, and New Zealand’s presence in Antarctica, as well as its oversight of the Scott Base Redevelopment Project. 

The appointment took effect from 1 April 2026. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Racing Minister, Winston Peters has welcomed the passing of legislation to end greyhound racing saying it is a decisive step reflecting the clear will of New Zealanders and delivers certainty for animal welfare, industry participants, and the public. 

“The Racing Industry (Closure of Greyhound Racing Industry) Amendment has passed its third and final reading with overwhelming cross-party support, (112 votes to 11)” says Mr Peters.

“This action wasn’t taken lightly, but independent reviews in 2013, 2017 and 2021 provided clear evidence of serious animal welfare concerns. 

“While improvements were made, those gains plateaued and injury/death rates remained unacceptably high to the point the sport had lost its social licence. Action had to be taken,” Mr Peters says.

This decision reflects a wider global shift away from greyhound racing, with sport now surviving in only a small number of countries. Since New Zealand announced its intention to end greyhound racing, further jurisdictions, including Scotland, Wales and Tasmania have signaled they will also end the sport.

Mr Peters said the end of racing is only one part of the Government’s responsibility, with equal focus being placed on ensuring a safe, orderly, and compassionate transition.

“The passing of this Bill enables the establishment of a transition agency to oversee the wind‑down of racing and the rehoming of dogs, and we are now moving into the formal setup phase.”

The transition agency will be headed by the current members of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on greyhound racing, Heather Simpson (chairperson), Murray Johnson and Dr Lindsay Burton, with a fourth member to be appointed later. 

Key elements of the transition agency’s work include:

• Assistance for greyhound owners, to ensure dogs receive a high standard of care while awaiting rehoming, including housing, training and behavioural support for the dogs.
• Partnerships with existing rehoming agencies, with practical support in place to expand their rehoming capacity and the number of dogs adopted.
• Retraining and redeployment support for industry workers, delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development, to help affected workers move into new jobs.
• Mental health and wellbeing support services for people whose daily lives have been closely tied to greyhound racing.

Mr Peters rejected claims that those affected by the closure will be left without support, saying “There has been a great deal of misinformation suggesting that people and dogs are being abandoned. That is simply wrong. 

“This Bill underpins a structured transition, with funding, agencies, and support mechanisms in place. We are not walking away from our responsibilities; we are meeting them head on.”

The ban on greyhound racing will take effect from 1 August 2026, allowing time for a responsible and carefully managed transition. 

“This is a good day for greyhounds,” says Mr Peters. 

“It’s a rare moment when Parliament speaks with such a strong majority, principled voice. Those moments matter, and this is one of them.”