Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute the following to Detective Inspector Matt Cranshaw, Field Crime Manager:

Police have made 10 arrests and dismantled clan labs across the upper North Island following a series of coordinated search warrants targeting the sale and supply of methamphetamine.

Operation Leaf was terminated yesterday,  this investigation focussed on the supply of methamphetamine in Waikato.

Ten search warrants were executed across Waikato, Counties Manukau, and Northland. They follow on from the execution of earlier search warrants linked to a prominent Black Power gang leader on 22 October.

Yesterday four clandestine laboratory sites were identified, and equipment and chemicals were seized.

Police also located methamphetamine, a loaded pistol, cash, and electronic devices.

As a result, ten people have been arrested for offences including manufacturing and supplying methamphetamine, participating in an organised crime group, conspiring to supply Fantasy and MDMA, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

A 43-year-old woman appeared in the Whangārei District Court on Wednesday. 

The remaining defendants appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday and were remanded to reappear at a later date.

Detective Inspector Matt Cranshaw says these arrests follow a five-month long investigation, with support from frontline police staff across the three districts.

“Operation Leaf has involved Police teams including the Organised Crime Squad, Investigations, National Organised Crime Group, Asset Recovery Unit, the Armed Offenders Squad and covert personnel across three Police districts.”

“Police will continue to target organised criminal offending and drug production, which causes significant harm in our communities.”

If you have any information about those involved in the importation or supply of harmful and illicit drugs, please contact Police via 105 online or by phone.

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

As the matter is before the Court, Police are not able to comment further at this time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a crash on Culverden Road/SH7, Culverden, Hurunui, this afternoon.

The single-vehicle crash, where it appears a truck has struck a tree, was reported to Police around 12pm.

Sadly, the driver of the truck, who was the sole occupant, was located deceased at the scene.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit complete a scene examination.

Police are making enquiries into the circumstances of the crash.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

A $1 million payment from Watercare to oyster farmers impacted by sewage contamination of Mahurangi Harbour is a welcome first step but more is needed, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft says.

“Yesterday Watercare chief executive Jamie Sinclair announced an immediate compensation payment of $1m to Aquaculture New Zealand for distribution to 10 oyster farmers whose livelihoods were impacted by the latest overflow near Warkworth,” Ms Marcroft says.

“I applaud Mr Sinclair and Watercare for this speedy response to the problem of sewage overflow into the harbour, which followed a power surge tripping pumps. However, this latest incident came at a time when the farmers are at the peak of harvest time, and already right on the edge due to multiple previous sewage overflow incidents over a number of years.

“More compensation is clearly needed. I urge Watercare to continue to work constructively with Aquaculture NZ to fully compensate these farmers for the financial hits they are repeatedly taking, and the personal toll it is taking on them and their families.

“This is devastating enough for the farmers and the local oyster industry, but the public should also be extremely concerned that their waterways are being polluted with wastewater. The sea is our food basket and our playground. No sewage should ever be flowing into it,” Ms Marcroft says.

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

A concentrated week of four-hour daily closures of Greymouth’s Cobden Bridge in early December will allow crews to safely remove rock hazards, while avoiding weeks of intermittent or partial closures.

From Tuesday 2 December through to Friday 5 December, contractors for the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) are scheduled to carry out essential rock scaling on the cliff face at the intersection of State Highways 6 and 7 and the Cobden Bridge. 

Weather-permitting, the bridge is due to be fully closed each day between 10am and 2pm. People walking and cycling will still be able to use the bridge, accessing via Mawhera Quay only.

“During these closures, all traffic will be detoured through Stillwater, which is expected to add approximately 27 minutes to a one-way trip,” says NZTA maintenance contract manager for the West Coast, Moira Whinham.   

“We appreciate that this will be a real inconvenience for some people, but the detour offers a similar or slightly shorter travel time compared to waiting at the bridge.”

“A partial or intermittent closure approach makes the disruption more unpredictable, as well as extending the project timeframe and adding more cost to the project. Overall, we feel a short, sharp, predicable closure for a few days – rather than over several weeks – is better for everyone to get this essential work done.”

“Fully closing the bridge also means we can complete inspections and the Grey District Council can begin some preparatory work for the Cobden wastewater upgrade at the same time.”

The rock scaling work involves the removal of loose or unstable rocks from the cliff face to prevent rockfalls onto the road.

“An initial inspection of the cliffs at the southern end of the Cobden Bridge has been completed, and some smaller rocks have been removed,” Miss Whinham says. 

“However, significantly larger blocks remain. Because of their size and the associated risks, more time and space are required to safely manage the work to remove them. The potential for rocks to bounce beyond the traffic island – something that has occurred during previous scaling – means the entire intersection must be closed to create a safe working zone and protect both workers and the public.”

“We thank people in advance for their patience and understanding as we get through this work.”

If the schedule for the work and closures changes, notice will be provided. Stay up to date at our Journey Planner site.

Journey Planner(external link)

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are working to locate Paul Kyle Peekay Rehua, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

Rehua, 42, is wanted in relation to escaping custody and is believed to be in the wider Waitematā area, though he known to frequent the greater Auckland and Waikato regions.

It’s believed he is actively avoiding Police.

If you have seen Rehua or have any information that may assist in locating him, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 251107/5350.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the passing of the Regulatory Standards Bill into law. 

“This is a historic moment for Kiwis’ rights. Politicians will no longer be able to hide lazy thinking that piles regulatory costs on Kiwis. The high cost of regulation will be there for all to see, for each and every law. Over time, political pressure will reduce those costs,” Mr Seymour says.

“The Regulatory Standards Bill is a companion to three other transparency laws that protect New Zealanders’ rights. Voters can see if politicians are running up debt, thanks to the Public Finance Act (1989). They can see if politicians are inflating away the value of a dollar, thanks to the Reserve Bank Act (1989). They can see if politicians are attacking their personal freedoms, thanks to the Bill of Rights Act (1990). So far, though, the high costs of regulating their use and exchange of property have been hidden.

“The Regulatory Standards Bill makes the cost of regulation clear to voters. It will require restrictions on peoples’ liberties, severe impairments of their property rights, and the goals, logic, and alternatives considered to be laid bare. Unlike Regulatory Impact Statements these requirements will be in law, and a new entity will be watching it.

“A strong watchdog – the Regulatory Standards Board – will see to it that the costs are made clear. They will review the quality of Consistency Accountability Statements, similar to current Regulatory Impact Statements, to make sure the public have the information.

“The Board can also review existing laws. This can be to respond to complaints, or on its own initiative. Its assessments of the costs will be published, and the public can pass their own judgement.

“Ultimately, this Bill will improve New Zealand’s productivity. It ensures that regulated parties are regulated by a system which is transparent, has a mechanism for recourse, and holds regulators accountable to the people. The high cost of regulation has been ignored for too long, but it can be devastating, right down to individual level.

“I’d like to share one story of personal devastation from regulatory overreach. I heard from a constituent who worked 45 years, mostly in public service, raised a family, and paid off an apartment. She saved enough for a good retirement and to spoil her grandchildren. Now a huge chunk of those savings has evaporated, through no fault of her own. 

“It all started when her apartment block’s body corporate decided to knock off some routine maintenance tasks that triggered obligations under the Earthquake Prone Buildings law. The extensive, unexpected earthquake strengthening works decimated her savings. Adding insult to injury, the Government now deems the earthquake strengthening rules were never necessary.

“What’s tragic about the earthquake laws is that people knew they didn’t stack up even as they were passed in 2016. I voted against them on the evidence, but most people ignored it. The Regulatory Standards Act will put evidence-based policy front and centre so it cannot be ignored so easily ever again.

“Bad regulations have real consequences for real people. People work hard to earn their livelihood. Now there is scrutiny for people who ruin it with bad regulations. The public will be brought around the Cabinet table. They will be able to see how politicians make decisions, based on whose advice. If people don’t like what they see, they can have their say at the voting booth.” 

The Regulatory Standards Bill:

• provides a benchmark for good legislation through a set of principles of responsible regulation
• enables transparent assessment of the consistency of proposed and existing legislation with the principles
• ⁠establishes a Regulatory Standards Board to independently consider the consistency of proposed and existing legislation, and
• ⁠strengthens regulatory quality by supporting the Ministry for Regulation in its regulatory oversight role.

Source: New Zealand Government

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Niue Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi met in Auckland today to agree a foundational Political Declaration, encapsulating the partnership between the two countries.

“Niue is part of the Realm of New Zealand and one of our closest partners in the Pacific,” Mr Luxon says.

“By establishing the first enduring political declaration with Niue today, we are celebrating our relationship of free association and setting out our responsibilities to each other, as well as our shared goals.”

Prime Minister Tagelagi hosted Mr Luxon in Niue in June last year to celebrate 50 years of self-government in free association with New Zealand.

“This declaration reflects the journey of Niue and New Zealand since 1974 in free association. It affirms our mutual respect, and we look ahead to deeper cooperation in fundamental interests that matter most to our people.”

The signing today kicks off the first of what is to become an annual New Zealand and Niue Leaders’ meeting.

The discussions included Pacific regionalism, national security and defence, climate and economic priorities, and social and governance issues.

Reflecting the breadth of our bilateral relationship, Prime Minister Tagelagi also met with Her Excellency Governor General Cindy Kiro and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, and will meet with Health Minister Simeon Brown, Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk.

The Political Declaration between the Prime Minister of New Zealand and the Prime Minister of Niue, November 2025 is attached. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are invited to attend the graduation ceremony of Recruit Wing 390 in Auckland tomorrow.

The ceremony mark the recruits’ completion of their initial training course and attestation as Police Officers.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Associate Minister of Police Hon Casey Costello will be in attendance, alongside the Wing Patron, the Rt Hon Sir John Key.

Graduation of the New Zealand Police Sir John Key 390 Recruit Wing will be held at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Auckland at 11am on Friday 14 November.

Details about statistics, prize winners and other recruits will be shared after graduation.

Media are requested to confirm their attendance at the ceremony by emailing media@police.govt.nz

Commissioner Chambers will be available to speak with media following the completion of graduation formalities.

• 390 Wing Patron:

The Right Honourable Sir John Key was the 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to December 2016, successfully leading the National Party to three election victories before retiring from politics at the end of 2016.

He led the country through the aftermath of the global financial crisis and a series of devastating earthquakes in Christchurch.

Sir John entered politics after a successful career in investment banking including nearly a decade in New Zealand, primarily with Bankers Trust, and a decade offshore with investment bank Merrill Lynch in London, Singapore and Sydney.

Sir John is married to Bronagh and has two adult children, Stephie and Max.

He loves to cook, watch rugby, travel and play golf.

He also has his helicopter pilot licence.

In 2017 he was made a Knight Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, which brings with it the title of Sir John.

He was also recognised by the Australian Government and has been appointed an Honorary Companion in the Order of Australia.

The University of Canterbury awarded Sir John an Honorary Doctorate in Commerce in 2017.

He graduated from the university in 1983 with a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Accountancy.

Sir John keeps busy by contributing to several boards, he chairs the Board of Oritain Global (NZ) and the Advisory Board for Bolt Group (Australia), and he is an advisor to a range of organisations.

He also engages in public speaking events throughout New Zealand, Australia and the world.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

This morning two people visiting the Whiritoa blowhole got caught out by the big surf and incoming tide. Then a bystander nearby watching also got into trouble.

Waikato police are urging anyone near the coastline to take extra care as the conditions can change at any time.

Sergeant Bradley York from the Waikato Search and Rescue team says Police were alerted around 8.30am.

“The surf was big and the tide was coming in.

“Two males were stuck in the Whiritoa blowhole and one had a suspected broken leg,” says Sergeant York.

Emergency services joined forces with Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and the Auckland Westpac Rescue helicopter working together.

“While we were winching the injured man out of the blowhole we heard about someone else who was watching the rescue.

“He’d been taking photos from rocks nearby then been washed off ​​into the surf.

“We had to divert away from the initial rescue, and shift to the more urgent situation where he was in the sea.

“After we winched out the bystander we went back to the original scene and rescued the remaining person from the blowhole.

“This was a good reminder to members of the public to exercise caution near the sea as conditions can change rapidly.

“Please take care near water – be aware of the tide and the risks,” said Sergeant York.

All three people were successfully airlifted to safety and for medical support as required.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Thousands more households are now receiving FamilyBoost payments of $150 a fortnight or more thanks to the expansion of the scheme, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.