Category: MIL-OSI

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Palmerston North Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Phil Ward:

The search for a missing man in the Manawatū River has moved to a limited search phase today.

The decision has been made after extensive searches of the river, through to the Foxton Estuary and the surrounding area.

Police will continue to conduct drone sweeps of areas of interest, and patrols along Foxton Beach.

Police thank Land Search and Rescue, Police Search and Rescue, Palmerston North Swiftwater Rescue, regional response teams, Coastguard Manawatū, and everyone else involved in the search operation.

Police are continuing to provide support to the family of the man.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves:

One person has died after the serious incident at a Hoani Street, Northcote address on 18 February.

Police were called to the property about 9.30pm after an altercation during which four people were injured, one of whom was in a critical condition.

Sadly, that person has now died in hospital.

Our thoughts are with their family, who are no doubt devastated. We will continue to provide them with support at this difficult time.

Police can confirm that the individuals involved were associated with two separate gangs, however our investigation to date indicates this was not a gang-motivated attack. This appears to be an isolated incident between specific individuals.

We want to be absolutely clear that any form of retaliation will not be tolerated.

Anyone considering taking matters into their own hands should expect an immediate and firm response.

We understand incidents like this can be unsettling to our community, and want to reassure you that there is no information to suggest any ongoing risk to the wider public.

Our teams are maintaining a visible presence and continue to work closely with specialist units, intelligence staff, and community partners to ensure your safety. 

Further charges will now be considered against the three men who were arrested in relation to the incident.

The three men, aged 19, 31 and 40, have been remanded in custody and are next due to appear in Christchurch District Court on 17 March.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Superintendent Jason Guthrie, Southern District Commander:

The man arrested following a series of events in Dunedin last night has been charged and is due in court tomorrow.

The 46-year-old was arrested in Fraser’s Gully following his earlier attempts to avoid Police, during which Police fired a shot which did not injure anyone.

The man faces charges of assaulting Police, failing to stop for Police, driving a motor vehicle in a dangerous manner, and driving while disqualified third and subsequent.

He is due in Dunedin District Court tomorrow.

An investigation in the events of Thursday evening remains ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has classified recent weather events in the Bay of Plenty, Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, and Canterbury as a medium-scale adverse event. This enables additional support for farmers and growers in the affected regions who continue to face weather-related challenges.

“The effects of these weather events continue to be felt in these regions. Today’s announcement unlocks extra support, including tax relief, and it enables the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to consider Rural Assistance Payments and activating Enhanced Taskforce Green for affected farmers and growers,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has been working closely with local groups to identify the most affected farmers and where support is needed most, including through on-farm assessments.”

Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson is encouraging farmers and growers to seek support if they need it.

“It’s important we help those farmers, growers, and rural communities now facing a lengthy clean-up.

“Farmers and growers needing assistance are encouraged to contact the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254,” Mr Patterson says.

Source: Auckland Council

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have arrested a man following an aggravated robbery in Ngāruawāhia last week.

On Friday 20 February, Police received a report that someone had just been threatened and had their vehicle stolen from them at the Ngāruawāhia boat ramp.

Police, including a Dog Unit, were deployed to the boat however the alleged offender was not located during initial enquiries.

Following follow up enquiries, a search warrant was executed today at an address in Huntly and an 18-year-old man was arrested.

He is due to appear in Huntly District Court on 3 March, charged with Aggravated Robbery.

Police thank the public for their assistance during our investigation.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Operation Safe Works begins in Canterbury next week with Police targeting speeding and dangerous driving around roadworks sites in Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area.

Acting Canterbury Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Gerard Peoples says that Police are concerned about driver behaviour through roadworks sites within both urban and rural areas causing risk, and at times harm, to roadworkers and other road-users.

“There are far too many drivers exceeding the temporary speed limits and who are failing to comply with other traffic control measures.

“Motorists need to remember that these measures are in place to keep everyone safe, and this type of behaviour poses risks to roadworkers, other road-users, and yourself,” says Senior Sergeant Peoples.

Police are working with roading authorities and contractors over the next two weeks, conducting Operation Safe Works, which will focus on improving safety and preventing harm in and around roadworks sites.

Police will conduct high visibility operations to improve driver behaviour through educating drivers and taking enforcement action when required.

“Temporary set speeds are not a suggestion; they override the regular set speed for that area and should be treated with the same level of compliance as those permanent set speeds.

“I want to remind motorists that just because we are putting an increased focus on this for the next couple weeks, that doesn’t mean that enforcement action stops when the operation ends – you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime,” Senior Sergeant Peoples says.

Police remind the public that anyone who witnesses dangerous driving can make a report by calling 111, if it is happening now, or through 105 – with as much detail as possible – either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the ratification of a new collective agreement for dietitians employed by Health New Zealand, following a successful vote by members of the Association of Professional and Executive Employees (APEX).

“I’m pleased for the dietitians across the country that will benefit from this agreement, which recognises the important contribution they make to supporting the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders,” Mr Doocey says.

Around 50 dietitians will receive a 2.5 per cent salary increase in the first year and a further 2 per cent increase in the second year of the 24-month term.

The agreement also provides for increased professional membership contributions and other enhancements to the collective terms and conditions.

“This ratification follows the recent approval of collective agreements for APEX Pharmacy, APEX Psychologists, and PSA Allied, Public Health, Scientific and Technical members, reflecting continued momentum in settling workforce agreements across the health sector. I acknowledge Health New Zealand and union representatives for their work in reaching these outcomes.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a serious crash on Kamo Road, Whangārei.

Emergency services were called to a crash involving a truck and a pedestrian at around 9.35am.

Sadly, the pedestrian was struck by the truck and died at the scene.

Kamo Road remains closed between Mains Ave and Simons Street while Police clear the scene.

Enquiries will be ongoing into the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Regulations bringing clarity and consistency to the management of methamphetamine contamination in rental properties have now been publicly Gazetted and will take effect from 16 April 2026, Associate Minister of Housing Tama Potaka says.

“For too long, landlords and tenants have faced confusion, inconsistent testing practices, and, at times, disproportionate responses. These regulations set clear, evidence-based thresholds and processes so everyone knows where they stand,” Mr Potaka says.

Under the new rules, a rental property will be deemed contaminated if methamphetamine residue exceeds 15µg/100cm² and must be decontaminated to at or below that level. Where residue exceeds 30µg/100cm², landlords and tenants will have the option of ending the tenancy quickly. In defined circumstances where there is evidence of contamination, landlords will be required to engage professional testers, with testing and decontamination aligned to key elements of New Zealand Standard 8510:2017.

The regulations are informed by expert advice, including from the New Zealand Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science and former Prime Minister’s Chief Science Advisor Sir Peter Gluckman. They take a precautionary but pragmatic approach, protecting tenants’ health while avoiding unnecessary costs for landlords.

“With the regulations now Gazetted and coming into force on 16 April, the sector has certainty and clearer rules to follow,” Mr Potaka says.

Guidance will be available through MBIE’s Tenancy Services website. 

Note to Editors

For further details on the regulations, please visit Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga – the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s website: https://www.hud.govt.nz/our-work/methamphetamine-regulations