Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are seeking witnesses to a serious crash in Kaikohe this afternoon, which has resulted in the death of a child.

Emergency services responded to the two-car crash at the intersection of Hillcrest and Orrs Roads just after midday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy, from Far North CIB, says a family was travelling in one of the vehicles at the time.

“In that vehicle multiple occupants were injured and sadly, a child has lost her life as a result of this crash,” Detective Senior Sergeant Christan Fouhy says.

“I’m unable to confirm further details about the girl at this very early stage.

“This is a devastating incident for the whānau involved.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Fouhy says the two occupants of the second vehicle involved fled on foot from the crash scene.

“Attending Police staff located who they believe to be the driver, in the nearby area, shortly afterward. The second male was located soon after this.”

Far North CIB are seeking information from the public about this afternoon’s crash.

“Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash, or any movements of the vehicles in the lead up to the crash,” Detective Senior Sergeant Fouhy says.

“We are particularly interested in sightings of a white Toyota Mark X being driven erratically on Orrs Road, or the wider Kaikohe area prior to the crash.”

If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105 using the reference number 250806/2057.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are continuing enquiries into a man’s death at a Mt Wellington reserve early this morning.

We are continuing to conduct enquiries on behalf of the Coroner.

A post-mortem examination will now place tomorrow, which will inform any next steps in our enquiries.

Today, Police also completed a scene examination at Sir Woolf Fisher Reserve where the man was located.

Police enquiries into a nearby burglary at a hardware retail store on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway remain ongoing.

Police will provide a further update once we are in a position to do so.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Darryl Smith:

Two men have appeared in Hamilton District Court today charged with the murder of Tyreece Te Pairi in Hamilton CBD on 20 July.

The pair, both aged 19, were arrested at addresses in Hamilton and South Auckland last evening (Tuesday).

They have been remanded in custody without plea to reappear on 26 August.

Tyreece, 20, was fatally wounded during an altercation on Alexandra Street shortly after midnight on 20 July.

The court has ordered name suppression of the two charged, as well as all suppression of all facts and circumstances relating to this case.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

State Highway 6 Rocks Road will be closed tomorrow (Thursday 7 August), while contractors carry out emergency work on the slip site.

The closure is scheduled to be in place between 10 am and 4 pm. The highway is expected to reopen around 4 pm. An update will be provided when the road status has changed.

Rob Service, System Manager Nelson/Tasman, says the closure is needed to allow for the urgent removal of an unsafe structure overhanging the top of the cliff face.

“It is at risk of falling onto the road and it is critical it be removed to keep the public safe.”

“It is simply not safe to have vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians below the cliff while this is being done,” Mr Service says.

Mr Service advises drivers to detour via Waimea Road.

“This is a main route and much more suitable for traffic. Drivers should avoid using the narrower residential side streets,” he says.

“We want to complete the work outside of peak commuting times. However, this is a slip site, and the geology and geography are challenging. The 4 pm reopening time may change if unforeseen circumstances arise. Drivers should check the road’s status before they travel,” Mr Service says.

The closure is expected to cause congestion and travel delays for people heading in and out of Nelson. Road users are strongly encouraged to factor it into their travel plans and allow extra time for their journeys.

Works schedule

• Thursday 7 August. 10am to 4pm
• SH6 Rocks Road closed between Bisley Avenue and Russel Street
• Traffic should detour via Waimea Road
• Access will be maintained for affected residents and businesses

Source: New Zealand Police

Investigators are still working on holding all those involved in the violent murder of Kyle Whorrall at an Auckland bus stop to account.

Kyle, a 33-year-old US national, was tragically killed in St Johns on 19 April 2025 during Easter Weekend.

Two people remain before the court after being arrested by the Operation Aberfeldy investigation team in late April.

Today a renewed appeal is being issued to the public.

“It’s time to do the right thing,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB says.

“We know there were others in the vehicle that night, and I’m asking people with that information to come forward now.”

A 16-year-old male remains before the Auckland High Court, charged with Kyle’s murder.

Meanwhile, a 33-year-old woman is before the Auckland District Court on two charges of being an accessory after the fact for murder.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says Operation Aberfeldy’s work continues.

“This is still very much an active investigation, and we are very interested in speaking to anyone with information that can assist.

“No piece of information is too small.

“There are people in the community that know exactly who was involved, and what happened. They need to do the right thing and speak up.”

Anyone with information can contact Police in confidence, attend your local Police station, update us online now, or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250419/9858.

People can also contact Crime Stoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a serious crash in Kaikohe this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash was reported at around 12.41pm near the intersection of Ōmāpere and Hillcrest Roads.

Police are still working to confirm the number of people injured, but at this stage we can advise at least two people have sustained serious injuries.

Motorists are advised of a number of road closures in the area – at the intersections of Hillcrest and Park Roads.

Tawanui and Hillcrest Roads, Monument and Orrs Roads and at the scene on Hillcrest Road itself. 

An investigation will commence into the circumstances of the crash, and Police will release further updates as this information is available.

ENDS.

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand will assist Samoa as it grapples with a major dengue outbreak that has so far killed five children.

“Samoa and New Zealand have a special relationship and we stand with them in this time of need,” Mr Peters says. 

“Our thoughts are with the people of Samoa and we will be doing all we can to help.” 

New Zealand intends to:

send a small team to Apia to provide clinical assistance and work with Samoan authorities on further medical support requirements; and
source and fund medical supplies, worth $300,000, to help with the outbreak.

“We stand ready to provide further support as requested by Samoa,” Mr Peters says. 

Senior New Zealand public health officials are also in contact with their Samoa counterparts. 

Travellers to Samoa should take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and follow the Dengue Fever prevention advice on our SafeTravel website. Further information on the outbreak is available here. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Wellington Police’s Child Protection Team has arrested and charged a 23-year-old man after a young baby was injured in the Hutt Valley.

Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Wescott says on 14 June Police were notified of a 3 month old baby girl having been admitted to Hutt Hospital with injuries.

“These injuries were unusual for a child so young, and an examination at the hospital identified multiple fractures.”

Police immediately commenced an investigation, leading to the 23-year-old man’s arrest on 31 July.

“He has been charged with four counts of assaulting a child, relating to the more minor injuries the baby sustained.”

Police would like to thank the public for providing information in relation to this matter.

“This crucial information assisted our investigation which has led to last week’s arrest.”

Police continue to investigate the matter.

“We are committed to establishing the full circumstances of how the baby’s more serious injuries were inflicted, and holding those responsible to account.”

The 23-year-old man is due to appear in Hutt Valley District Court on 28 August.

As the matter is before the courts, Police is unable to comment further.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: NZCTU

New data released by Statistics New Zealand shows that unemployment has increased to 5.2%, meaning that there are 158,000 people unemployed in New Zealand, and that wages are not keeping up with rising costs.

“Unemployment has increased 28% since the Government took office. They have no plan to bring the numbers down or help unemployed workers, and the data shows even deeper problems ahead,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Economist Craig Renney.

“There were 2.5m fewer hours worked than this time last year, and 8.5m fewer hours worked this year than at change in government. That’s over a million fewer days at work on an average 8-hour day.

“Wages are also stagnating. 51% of workers got a pay rise less than inflation, and 64% of people got a pay rise less than 3%. The majority of workers are now seeing their pay shrink in real terms on their base pay, by at least 0.7%. 43% of workers saw no increase in their wages according to the Labour Cost Index. Average weekly earnings in the public sector fell 0.3%, the largest fall since 2018. 

“Underemployment continues to be a real problem in the labour market – 130,000 people want more hours and can’t get them. The number of people who are underutilised – a broader measure of spare capacity in the economy which includes all those wanting work or more hours – broke the 400,000 barrier for the first time in New Zealand’s history.   

“The weakness in the labour market is particularly pronounced for young people, with 15,000 fewer 15–24-year-olds in employment than last year. Māori unemployment is 10%, and Pacific Peoples unemployment is 12.1%. The number of people employed fell in 9 out 12 regions, with a fall of 23,100 people employed in Auckland since last year.

“This data, together with anticipated weaker GDP data, suggests that the economy is in a difficult place and now needs support – not cuts. Unemployment is higher in New Zealand than in the UK (4.5%), the USA (4.2%) and Australia (4.2%). It’s higher than the OECD Average (4.9%)”.

“This data shows that New Zealand needs a different economic plan. Workers are paying the price for the Government’s policies, who have the wrong priorities when tax breaks come before employment support. Wages and work aren’t back on track, and working people aren’t getting ahead,” said Renney.

Source: New Zealand Government

The latest labour market data showing lower than forecast unemployment has been noted by Finance Minister Nicola Willis.

Stats NZ data released today shows the unemployment rate for the June quarter was 5.2 per cent, below the Treasury forecast of 5.4 per cent.

“Rising unemployment is tough on every New Zealander impacted and is the unfortunate after-effect of a historic period of out-of-control inflation, rapidly rising interest rates and stagnant growth. 

“Our Government has worked hard to restore responsible economic management but Treasury, in its pre-election fiscal update, made clear that unemployment would peak in the middle of this year. It’s of note, however, that today’s data confirms 8000 fewer unemployed people than Treasury forecast would be the case in its pre-election update.

“Our Government remains focused on rebuilding the economy to deliver more and better paying jobs. A recovery is now underway with inflation back under control, interest rates falling and healthy rates of growth in the first three months of the year.

“Despite global volatility and factors outside our control, we remain confident in New Zealand’s economic prospects and are working hard to create the conditions for future job creation with $6 billion of government-funded construction work kicking off before Christmas, fast-track projects beginning, exports growing and the Investment Boost tax policy giving businesses a reason to invest and grow.

“We also note that average hourly earnings rose 4.5 per cent in the past year driven by wages in the private sector. This is well ahead of inflation at 2.7 per cent.”