Source: New Zealand Police
District:
Cordons are in place on Grove Street, Nelson while Police respond to an incident.
There is not believed to be any risk to the public.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Two people have been located deceased in a vehicle in Makara this morning.
Police were called to Makara Road at around 8:05am following reports of a vehicle upside down in a body of water.
Upon arrival, two people were located deceased in the vehicle.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the deaths are ongoing.
Makara Road was closed while a scene examination took place and has since reopened.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
Please attribute to Inspector Grant Tetzlaff, Acting Auckland City District Commander:
A critical incident investigation is underway after the death of a man in Police custody this morning.
At around 9.40am, Police responded to several reports relating to a disorder occurring in the Mt Roskill area.
A unit responded to Morrie Laing Avenue and located a man, arresting him without incident.
He was then transported to the Auckland District Custody Unit.
While at the unit, the man has collapsed and an ambulance has been requested.
First aid has been provided, but sadly the man was confirmed deceased after ambulance staff arrived on scene.
Several investigations will now get underway, including the critical incident investigation, which will examine the course of events this morning.
As part of this process Police have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
Police have now notified the man’s next of kin.
Support is being put in place for the family, as well as our staff who have been involved this morning.
While investigations are underway, we will be limited in further comment at this time.
ENDS.
Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Sergeant Heath Jones, Hastings Criminal Investigation Branch:
Hasting Police have arrested and charged a person in relation to a fight at the Common Room bar earlier this month.
Police responded to the fight around 1.45am on Sunday 8 March, where several people were injured – some seriously, with one requiring hospital treatment.
Police arrested one man today in relation to the incident. The 32-year-old is due in Hastings District Court tomorrow, charged with five counts of assault with intent to injure, three counts of injuring with intent to injure, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and assault.
Police are not ruling out any further arrests and would like to speak with the five people pictured, as we believe they may be able to assist in our enquiries.
If this is you, or you know who these people are, please get in touch through 105 – either online or over the phone – and reference file number 260308/6292.
Alternatively, information can be provided through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Auckland Council
The future parks and recreation outcomes for inclusion in A F Thomas Park in Wairau Valley have been decided.
Today, the Kaipātiki Local Board voted for space in the park to be used for a mix of golf, sports fields and space to enable indoor sports and events, including:
Danielle Grant, Chair of the Kaipātaki Local board, says the decision is a win for the local community.
“This has been a significant and once-in-a-generation decision for Kaipātiki. Local board members have invested many hours reviewing information, attending site visits, engaging with the community and listening to a wide range of views.
“This has been a complex and at times contentious issue, and we have worked respectfully through those differences to reach this point. We understand the importance of getting this right.
“We have adopted high-level priorities that reflect future sport, recreation and environmental needs for our community. This includes planning infrastructure carefully so that when work is carried out, it can be done efficiently and avoid the need for repeated disruption in the future.”
“The next step is developing a masterplan to work through how the priorities decided today can best be delivered on the site.
“We would also like to acknowledge and thank council staff, stakeholders and community members for their time, expertise and commitment throughout this process.”
In late 2025, the Kaipātiki Local Board ran five weeks of public consultation to hear from the community what recreational activities they would like A F Thomas Park to be used for into the future.
Following public submissions, a consultation report, deliberative forum report and several technical reports were presented to the Kaipātiki Local Board in early 2026 to support their decision-making.
Today’s decision on recreational use for the park sits within a larger plan to mitigate the risk of flooding in the area.
Taryn Crewe, General Manager of Parks and Community Facilities says the decision will give the local community new opportunities to connect and be active.
“The local board’s decision is the first step for keeping golf at the park and planning and implementing new space for a range of park, sport and recreation offerings for locals and Aucklanders to use and enjoy.
“The board prioritised a list of parks and recreation outcomes to be achieved. The council will work with them to deliver as many of these outcomes as possible.
“Once complete, A F Thomas Park will be an even more valuable asset for the community.”
Auckland Council will restore part of A F Thomas Park to flood storage wetland and dry water detention areas, while keeping the green space available to all Aucklanders to use when the park is not flooded.
Once completed, this comprehensive flood resilience (blue-green) network will significantly reduce flood risks across the Wairau catchment.
This decision sets strategic direction for future development and allows the Ngā Wairau Flood Resilience project to move forward in a timely manner.
Craig Mcilroy, General Manager for Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience says it is crucial that progress with the transformation of A F Thomas Park continues to maintain momentum as there is a clear desire from the community to move swiftly to reduce flood risk to nearby areas.
“This project aims to significantly reduce downstream flood flows through Wairau Creek, and reduce flood risk to over 150 homes and three residential care homes in Milford. It will also protect critical infrastructure and access to key facilities such as North Shore Hospital and Westlake Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools, as well as Eventfinda Stadium.
“The work in A F Thomas Park is a critical first step to reduce the significant flood risk across the Wairau catchment and will enable wider flood resilience works in and around Nile Road, and the commercial areas of Wairau Valley.”
It is important to note the elements that remain out of the scope of today’s decision, these include stormwater infrastructure requirements, details around location and design and funding sources. Today’s decision only sought to define the future park and recreation outcomes for inclusion in the park.
The local board’s decision today (25 March) establishes what should be provided for at A F Thomas Park. How and when it gets delivered will be determined through subsequent processes.
Following today’s decision work will begin to develop a detailed master plan for the park, that will include detailed designs and leasing arrangements.
Because this project was made necessary by urgent flood resilience needs, there is no dedicated council funding set aside for major new recreational facilities beyond the wetland and detention basin.
To deliver the new recreational infrastructure at the park there is a need to plan for funding through future budgets or explore alternative funding options. Delivery is likely to be staged over time as funding becomes available.
Source: Auckland Council
Aucklanders have until this Sunday (29 March) to provide their feedback on Auckland Council’s plan for the year ahead.
Public feedback on Auckland Council’s Annual Plan 2026/2027 closes 11.59pm this Sunday (29 March 2026). Aucklanders are encouraged to visit the AK Have Your Say website to see what the council has planned for Auckland from July.
Councillor Greg Sayers encourages Aucklanders to check out the plan and take a few minutes to pass on some feedback.
“This is one of the best opportunities to help elected representatives with decision-making – we want to hear what Aucklanders think about the plan for next year and what’s front of mind, for them,” says Cr Sayers.
The annual plan sets out the council’s services, activities and spend for the year ahead.
What’s in the plan?
The City Rail Link (CRL) launch is a major highlight expected to be the centrepiece of significant improvements in transport connectivity, capacity and levels of service across Auckland’s integrated transport system. It will improve Aucklanders’ ability to move around the region by delivering more trains and quicker, easier journeys.
– The 2026/2027 plan prioritises transport, water and local boards responding to their local communities’ needs.
– $3.9 billion will be invested into vital infrastructure across Auckland.
– $5.3 billion dedicated to essential services, like pools, libraries, animal management, public transport and waste collection.
– A proposed overall rates increase of 7.9 per cent (for the average value residential property), as previously agreed in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.
– All of Auckland’s 21 local board plans for the coming year – this includes priorities for local communities and key services.- The region’s long-term future is also up for input – to inform on transport planning, water service strategies and the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.
– A proposed overall rates increase of 7.9 per cent (for the average value residential property), as previously agreed in the Long-term Plan 2024-2034.
All of Auckland’s 21 local board plans for the coming year – this includes priorities for local communities and key services.
The region’s long-term future is also up for input – to inform on transport planning, water service strategies and the Long-term Plan 2027-2037.
We want to know what Aucklanders think about the plan – visit the AK Have Your Say website now.
Consultation closes Sunday 29 March 2026.
There is increased flexibility and accessibility in how Aucklanders can give feedback.
Alongside translations into NZSL, Easy Read, large print and braille, there are more ways for people to have their say.
AK Have Your say
Auckland Council
Freepost Authority 182382
Private Bag 92300
Auckland 1142.
Visit the AK Have Your Say website for more information.
Source: New Zealand Government
Thousands more New Zealanders are now able to access bowel screening earlier, with the starting age being lowered from 60 to 58 across the central and lower North Island, and MidCentral to follow as the next district, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“From this week, the starting age for bowel screening is being lowered from 60 to 58 across the central and lower North Island, meaning the lower screening age is now in place across the rest of the country, with MidCentral to follow as the next step in the rollout,” Mr Brown says.
“This means thousands more people will have access to lifesaving screening, giving them the best chance of having bowel cancer detected early, when it can often be successfully treated.”
Around 40,000 additional people will become eligible in the first year, with the majority of newly eligible 58-and 59-year-olds to be invited for free bowel screening by April 2027. The expansion is expected to prevent an additional 771 bowel cancers and 566 deaths over 25 years, compared with the previous screening age of 60 to 74.
“The programme is being expanded in stages to make sure services have the workforce and endoscopy capacity needed to safely support more people being screened.
“The Government is committed to lowering the screening age further, and this marks the first milestone toward aligning New Zealand’s screening age with Australia.”
Alongside the bowel screening expansion, the rollout of the FIT for Symptomatic pathway is continuing nationwide, with full implementation expected by the end of September.
“The FIT for Symptomatic pathway is a separate but critical part of our plan. It delivers two key benefits: helping detect bowel cancer earlier in people with symptoms, including those not eligible for routine screening, and making better use of colonoscopy services.”
The pathway gives people of any age with bowel cancer symptoms access to a simple, non-invasive test, similar to the one used in the National Bowel Screening Programme. It uses a stool sample to check for traces of blood, an early warning sign of bowel cancer.
Rather than referring all symptomatic patients for colonoscopy, clinicians can use the FIT test as a triage tool to identify who needs urgent investigation and who does not. People at low risk can avoid an unnecessary procedure, which is expected to reduce non-urgent colonoscopy referrals by at least 30 per cent. This frees capacity for people who need further investigation and supports the safe expansion of the screening programme.
“In MidCentral, the FIT for Symptomatic pathway will roll out on 20 April, establishing the foundation for the lower screening age to rollout as soon as possible. Together, these steps will help prioritise patients, make better use of colonoscopy capacity, and support the safe next step in the programme’s rollout.
“As the screening age is lowered, more people become eligible, which increases demand for follow-up colonoscopies. This pathway ensures those at highest risk are prioritised, while also improving our ability to detect cancer earlier in people experiencing symptoms, including those younger than the screening age.”
The pathway is already available in Auckland, Counties Manukau, Waitematā, Waikato, and Hawke’s Bay, with the remainder of the country to follow by the end of September.
Mr Brown says the expansion of screening and the FIT for Symptomatic pathway are part of the Government’s wider work to improve access to diagnostics and cancer care.
“By lowering the bowel screening age to 58 and rolling out the FIT for Symptomatic pathway, more New Zealanders can access lifesaving tests and detect cancers earlier, ensuring hundreds more New Zealanders live longer, healthier lives.”
Source: New Zealand Police
Attribute to Detective Sergeant Ben Rolton, Christchurch CIB:
Christchurch Police have charged a man in relation to a serious assault on Worcester Street, Chirstchurch, last week.
On Thursday 19 March, around 10pm, Police were called to Worcester Street following reports that a person had received injuries consistent with being stabbed.
The victim was transported to hospital in a serious condition and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
This morning Police spoke with a 19-year-old man in relation to the incident.
He has now been charged with injuring with intent to injure, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is due to appear in Christchurch District Court today.
Police would like to thank the members of the public who came forward and assisted with information, as well as provided CCTV footage for officers to review.
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Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is set to become New Zealand’s first predator-free city, as the Government steps up the next phase of Predator Free 2050, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says.
As part of this next phase, the focus shifts to scaling up predator elimination across New Zealand, building on the work already underway in communities, strengthening coordination, and using improved tools and technology to move from local projects to larger, sustained impact.
“In Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, that means extending predator control across the whole city, with more traps, more monitoring, and more action on the ground to bring back native wildlife and strengthen the city’s appeal as a destination.
“This is a coordinated push across the whole city. Practical action that people will notice in their neighbourhoods, with more native species returning and thriving.”
The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, working alongside Capital Kiwi and Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne. The phased operation will target introduced predators across 18,500 hectares, benefiting more than 200,000 residents and 20,000 businesses.
This work is part of a wider shift to expand what works, advance new tools, and prepare for rollout across New Zealand.
“We are committed to backing our environment and our economy at the same time.
“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara already attracts visitors, and as native wildlife returns, it opens up opportunities to grow conservation-based tourism, supporting local businesses and jobs.”
More than 9,000 community trapping projects are now active nationwide, alongside large-scale programmes already delivering results.
This next step focuses on scaling those efforts, using improved tools and coordination to move from local gains to sustained, citywide impact.
“Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara is leading that shift, showing how we scale this work across the country.”
This phase focuses on predator elimination that can work at scale in towns and cities, creating a model that can be applied across New Zealand over time.
Notes to editors:
The Predator Free 2050 strategy Innovate for a predator-free New Zealand outlines priorities for the next five years of delivery.
The Department of Conservation will invest $5.5 million over five years to support Predator Free Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara, alongside partner and philanthropic contributions.
More than 9,000 community trapping projects are active nationwide, alongside 20 large-scale predator free programmes.
A copy of the 2026 Predator Free 2050 strategy can be found attached.
Source: New Zealand Police
Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt is currently closed due to a nearby fire.
Police were called to the fire on the corner of Blenheim Street and Goodshed Road at around 1:35pm.
No injuries have been reported.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
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Issued by Police Media Centre