Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Sears,

A Lower Hutt man is before the courts following an investigation into a breach of the Gangs Act 2024.

Police established an investigation into the breach after a tangi in May, where the man was observed wearing gang insignia in a public place.

After a number of enquiries, today the Wellington Gang Disruption Unit conducted a search warrant at a Taita address.

A 19-year-old man was located at the address and taken into custody without incident.

During the search warrant, Police located two firearms, along with about 90 rounds of ammunition.

A gang patch was also located and seized during the search.

The 19-year-old man is due to appear in Hutt Valley District Court on 31 July, facing two counts of prohibited display of gang insignia, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in South Wairarapa earlier today.

The two-vehicle crash on Bidwills Cutting Road at the intersection with Cross Line was reported just after 11am.

One person died at the scene, a second person sustained moderate injuries.

The road remains closed and diversions are in place.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash in South Wairarapa on Saturday 26 July.

She was 71-year-old Beverly Anne Varney, from Featherston.

Our thoughts are with her loved ones at this difficult time.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Inspector Renee Perkins, Kāpiti Mana Area Commander

A Kāpiti man is before the court facing charges related to counterfeit banknotes and shoplifting.

Police received multiple reports of shoplifting and theft from across Wellington where a man had allegedly used counterfeit cash to purchase items from commercial retailers.

Kāpiti Mana Police executed a search warrant at a Paraparaumu address resulting in the arrest of a 32-year-old man.

During the search warrant, Police located a firearm and several items believed to have been purchased with counterfeit banknotes.

This is a great outcome for the many retailers across Wellington who have suffered because of counterfeit cash.

It is also a great result to remove a firearm from circulation in our community.

The 32-year-old man appeared in Porirua District Court today, facing two charges of possessing forged banknotes, two counts of using forged documents, shoplifts over $1,000, and shoplifts under $500.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Masterton Police are taking action against unlawful hunters, with a number of people before the courts facing charges relating to illegal poaching activity.

A man was taken into custody after a search warrant was executed at a Masterton address on Wednesday 16 July, where firearms and cannabis were located and seized from the property.

Wairarapa Area Commander, Inspector Nick Thom, says staff located and seized three firearms, as well as cannabis plants from the address.

Wairarapa-based prevention staff were assisted by the Tactical Crime Unit, Offender Prevention Teams and a drone operator.

The man, aged 50, is due to appear in the Masterton District Court on Monday 4 August, charged with unlawful possession of non-prohibited firearms, cultivating cannabis and unlawful hunting.

A second man, aged 44, was also at the property at the time and arrested on an unrelated matter.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Huntly District Court on 15 August, charged with kidnapping and indecent assault.

Further instances of unlawful hunting in the Wairarapa

This week’s arrest comes off the back of the good work that the Wairarapa Rural team have been doing to hold poachers accountable for their offending.

“Poaching is a significant issue for our rural communities, and is often under-reported. Poaching has real effects on the community and any offenders will face real-world consequences,” Inspector Thom says.

Two other people have been arrested and charged with unlawful hunting in the Wairarapa region in recent months.

In April a 29-year-old man was arrested and charged with unlawful hunting, he is set to reappear in Masterton District Court on 24 July.

This was followed by a 30-year-old man being arrested and charged with unlawful hunting and possessing a firearm without a license. He is set to reappear in the Masterton District Court on 24 July.

Firearms from both men were seized in warrants that led to their arrests.

“This should serve as a reminder that people should not be shooting from vehicles or targeting deer on private land.

“People must have a firearms license and get permission to hunt prior to going out to do so. You can expect to face enforcement action if you are found to be breaching these rules,” Inspector Thom says.

To help Police identify and hold poachers accountable, we ask anybody to report suspicious behaviour to us, including suspicious vehicles or people in your local area, as this could be the piece of the puzzle we need in our investigation.

If it is happening now, call 111. If you are reporting information after the fact, call 105 or go online.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre
 

Source: New Zealand Police

To be attributed to Detective Inspector Simon Harrison, Acting Field Crime Manager Waitematā:

A woman has been charged with ill-treatment/neglect of a child, after a toddler was located in a suitcase in a bus luggage compartment this afternoon.

Police were called at 12.50pm, after a passenger asked for access to the luggage compartment during a planned stop in Kaiwaka.

The driver became concerned when he noticed the bag moving. When the driver opened the suitcase, they discovered the two-year-old girl.

The little girl was reported to be very hot, but otherwise appeared physically unharmed. She was transported to hospital, where she remains, undergoing an extensive medical assessment.

A 27-year-old woman was arrested and has been charged with ill-treatment/neglect of a child. She is scheduled to appear in North Shore District Court on 4 August.

We would like to acknowledge and commend the bus driver, who noticed something wasn’t right and took immediate action, preventing what could have been a far worse outcome.

Police enquiries into this incident are ongoing and further charges cannot be ruled out. Oranga Tamariki has also been notified.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Location:

Source: New Zealand Police

Two people have serious injuries after a head-on crash on the Northern Motorway at Wainui this morning.

One of the vehicles involved was a stolen Toyota Aqua that was being tracked by the Police Eagle helicopter. Moments before the crash, the driver entered the Northern Motorway at the Wainui off-ramp and drove against the flow of traffic. 

“The car travelled roughly 50 metres before it collided with an unsuspecting member of the public, who’s effectively had no time to react,” Inspector Danny Meade said.

The crash happened about 6.20am and led to a two-hour-long closure of the motorway.

The vehicle being tracked had been stolen from a Constellation Drive address overnight and was spotted in Westgate about 5.35am. Eagle located the car and kept watch as it drove along State Highway 18 and onto the Northern Motorway.

“Near Oteha Valley Road, Police signalled to the driver to stop, but the vehicle’s allegedly fled at speed. Units haven’t pursued, but Eagle kept tracking the car, relaying its movements through a subdivision in Wainui.

“While officers on the ground were preparing spike strips, the driver, for some unknown reason, entered the motorway in the wrong direction.

“It is incredible that nobody died.”

The Serious Crash Unit carried out a scene examination and the motorway reopened about 8.15am.

Inspector Meade said the investigation into the crash was ongoing and both drivers were being treated in hospital.

Charges are being considered against the youth alleged to have been driving.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Two officers patrolling in Northcote overnight have uncovered a stash of ammunition, drugs and a gun.

Just before 1am, officers stopped a BMW travelling along Ocean View Road.

Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, Acting Inspector Tim Williams, says a search of the vehicle was invoked and a loaded sawn-off shotgun was located in the driver’s footwell.

“A further search has located about 50 rounds of ammunition and a number of bags of methamphetamine.

“Drug use takes a huge toll on our local communities and can lead to other offending.

“Recovering the drugs and a dangerous weapon, as well as the ammunition, is a great result.”

A 22-year-old man will appear in North Shore District Court today charged with two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and possession of utensils.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Police investigating the death of Tyreece Te Pairi are issuing a statement on behalf of his family. They ask media to respect their privacy while they grieve.

Statement issued on behalf of the family:

We have now laid our boy, Tyreece Te Pairi, to rest in his tūrangawaewae, Tolaga Bay. Though his body rests, our grief does not. The ache of his absence is something words cannot carry.

Tyreece was deeply loved, and the pain of losing him is just as deep. His future held so much promise — he was taken from us far too soon. His passing has left a profound impact on his partner, whānau and all those who knew him.

To everyone who stood beside us, sent messages, brought kai, travelled to be with us, or held us in prayer — we are deeply grateful. Whether you spoke words of comfort, sat with us in silence, or simply kept Tyreece in your thoughts, we felt your presence. We will never forget the kindness shown to our whānau during this time.

To the public and media, we ask for continued care and respect. Please honour Tyreece’s memory with kindness and dignity. Allow our whānau the space to grieve in peace, free from speculation and harm. If possible, we kindly request that comments be disabled on social media and public posts—not only to protect our whānau but also to safeguard the integrity of the ongoing investigation.

We are working closely with the New Zealand Police and are grateful for their ongoing mahi and support. If you have any information, no matter how minor it may seem, come forward without delay. Your cooperation is vital to bringing justice for Tyreece and ensuring those responsible are removed from our community. Our whānau and community deserve safety and accountability.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre