Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 29 is closed following a crash this morning near Hopkins Road.
Emergency services were alerted to the two-vehicle crash at around 8.40am.
One person has received moderate injuries.
The road is closed due to powerlines on the road. Contractors have been contacted.
Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.
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Source: New Zealand Police
A police officer who has dedicated her career to supporting her community has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.
Senior Constable Terri Middleton, a School Community Officer based in Greymouth on the West Coast, has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for Services to New Zealand Police and the community.
In 34 years in Police, Terri’s work has included work with young people in and out of school, victims of child abuse and family harm, in drug education, Blue Light and inside the Gloriavale community (citation below).
Today Commissioner Richard Chambers led the congratulations.
“I congratulate Terri on this fantastically well-deserved honour,” he says.
“I’m absolutely delighted to see her awesome work in her community recognised at the highest level.
“It is impossible to count the lives Terri has changed for the better, or quantify the harm prevented by her engagement with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
“I’m proud of the great work our people do every day to support their communities and, as a former Tasman District Commander, especially proud to see this honour go to a Tasman colleague who exemplifies the very best of community policing.”
Terri says she is humbled and deeply honoured.
“It is a privilege to be involved in so many people’s life experiences,” she says.
“I am passionate about helping people and trying to make a difference and for this to happen you need to be well supported by others.”
She thanks her Police Leadership Team, her colleagues and her family.
“I very much want to thank them as I know it isn’t easy for any family to have a police officer in the mix – there are definitely some challenges. I very much appreciate their love and support as I couldn’t do my job without them.”
CITATION
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit
For Services to New Zealand Police and the community.
Senior Constable Terri Middleton
Terri Middleton joined New Zealand Police in 1991 in Greymouth, spending nine years as an interviewer and investigating child abuse, and as the West Coast School Community Officer since 2002.
Ms Middleton has been instrumental in delivering education and prevention initiatives into all West Coast schools, as well as volunteering thousands of hours to local organisations, sporting clubs and charity events.
She has introduced numerous initiatives over and above her School Community Officer role including Youth Boot Camps, life skills programmes and others, intensive programmes requiring considerable coordination.
More recently, she has been a driving force for a Prevention First Drug Education across the region, both within schools and the broader community. She has chaired the West Coast Blue Light branch since 2010 and is the West Coast Health and Safety Area Representative for the Police Association and Welfare Officer.
She developed Te Wa Maaku in 2021, a community approach to help women exposed to family harm through fitness and wellbeing.
In 2015, Ms Middleton initiated engagement with the school principal of Gloriavale Christian Community that led to a multi-agency response of active engagement with Gloriavale, enabling her to build trust and co-deliver a range of initiatives that would otherwise have not been introduced to the young people of the community.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are responding to a serious crash on Hukanui Road, Chartwell.
The crash, involving a car and a motorbike, was reported to Police at 8.05pm.
The motorcyclist is reported to have sustained critical injuries.
Traffic management is in place and motorists are asked to follow the directions of emergency services staff.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A motorcyclist has died following a crash on Harihari Highway (State Highway 6) this evening.
The crash, at Kakapotahi near the Waitaha River Bridge, was reported to Police at 5.15pm.
No other vehicles were involved.
The road is expected to remain closed for some time and motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible, or consider delaying travel.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are under way.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Emergency services are responding to a motorcycle crash on Harihari Highway (State Highway 6).
The road is closed at the Waitaha River Bridge.
Motorists are asked to take alternative routes where possible, or consider delaying travel.
An update will be provided when more information is available.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A person has died following a crash on State Highway 5, Tarawera earlier this week.
The person was critically injured in the crash on 28 May and was airlifted to hospital.
Sadly they passed away in hospital on 31 May.
Police extend our sympathies to their family and loved ones.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
A female has died in hospital following a crash in Port Waikato on Friday.
Emergency services were called to Tuakau Bridge-Port Waikato Road about 6:10pm on 30 May to reports of a single vehicle rolling.
Three occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital – two by ambulance, who were moderately and seriously injured respectively, and another by helicopter who was critically injured.
The critically injured female died in hospital yesterday [Saturday].
The Serious Crash Unit attended, and the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
A Government directive to take firmer action against abusive Kāinga Ora tenants has led to consequences for threatening and abusive behaviour, and improved tenant behaviour as a result, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says.
In March 2024, Ministers instructed Kāinga Ora to end its Sustaining Tenancies Framework, which had allowed tenants to stay living in a Kāinga Ora home no matter how abusive or disruptive their behaviour.
“Living in a taxpayer-funded social house is a privilege. The vast majority of social housing tenants are respectful of their home and courteous to their neighbours, but unfortunately they are let down by a small minority who threaten and abuse their neighbours or wilfully damage their home. Our Government campaigned on focussing in on these unruly tenants, and new data shows our approach is leading to improved behaviour,” Mr Potaka says.
“Over the past 10 months, 63 tenancies have been terminated for abusive, threatening, or persistent disruptive behaviour. This compares to 11 tenancies being ended for disruptive behaviour in the previous financial year, and only two in the financial year before that under the previous Government.
“Formal warnings for tenants whose behaviour is putting their tenancy at risk have increased by more than 600 per cent compared to the previous financial year, with 1,463 being issued in 2024/25 so far.
“Around 80 per cent of warnings – known as section 55a notices – have been first notices and 18 per cent were second notices. Third notices, which can trigger the end of a tenancy, made up just two per cent of warnings.
“I’m also pleased to see that the time taken to address complaints to Kāinga Ora about tenant behaviour has reduced significantly. In January 2024 it took an average of 60 days to take action in response to a complaint. In April 2025 it had reduced to less than 12 days.
“This data shows that the vast majority of disruptive tenants are taking the notices seriously and changing their behaviour to prevent receiving a second or third notice. And where they don’t change their behaviour, we’re no longer putting up with it.
“There are whānau who have been living in angst from their neighbours abusing the privilege of a taxpayer funded home, so we’ve taken swift action to get on top of it.
“The Government is taking an approach that ultimately benefits everyone involved, by reducing negative behaviour through formal warnings and following through with real consequences in the rare circumstances that behaviour doesn’t improve.
“I thank Kāinga Ora staff for their work to improve tenant behaviour, particularly noting that in doing so they have to navigate some very challenging situations. We look forward to further improvements in this space.”
Source: New Zealand Police
A man has died and four others are injured after a crash on State Highway 16, Pt Chevalier last night.
Police became aware of a car on its roof in the citybound lanes shortly after 11:05pm.
One person had been ejected from the vehicle and another was trapped inside it, who was found to be deceased.
Four people were taken to hospital, two in a serious condition and two in moderate condition.
The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene, and the motorway was reopened around 3:20am.
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Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Megan Goldie:
A 19-year-old man has been charged after allegedly indecently exposing himself to a woman on Stottholm Road near Green Bay High School on the afternoon of 27 May.
The man was arrested today, following the execution of a search warrant. He will appear in the Waitakere District Court on 3 June.
Police are continuing to investigate a suspicious approach on Atkinson Road in Titirangi on the morning of 28 May, to determine if it was linked to the Stottholm Road incident.
We would like to hear from anyone who may have information which could assist our enquiries. If you can help, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 250528/1736.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre.