Name release – State Highway 1, Motutere crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the child who died following a crash on State Highway 1, Motutere on Saturday 4 July.

He was Jax Tauroa Wall, aged 10.

Police extend our deepest sympathies to Jax’s family and loved ones.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

CORRECTION: Investigation launched following death, Rotorua

Source: New Zealand Police

An earlier release stated this investigation was a homicide investigation, that is not correct.

We ask media to please update any stories to reflect this.

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Lindsay Pilbrow:

Rotorua Police have commenced an investigation after a man was taken to Rotorua hospital with critical injuries on Saturday night and subsequently passed away.

Police were alerted at 7.10pm that the man had been brought to Rotorua Hospital by four other men, who advised they had located him injured on a roadside.  The man passed away a short time later.

Police are working to establish the circumstances leading to the man’s injuries, including speaking to the four men who took the 20-year-old victim to the hospital.

Police would like to hear from anybody who may have witnessed any type of motor vehicle incident on Saturday night between 5pm and 7pm on SH33 between Paengaroa and Rotorua.

If anyone has information which could assist the police investigation, we ask that they contact us via 105 and quote file number 250726/5566.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Name release – Fatal crash, Poroporo

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Station Road, on 8 June.

He was Mapu Titoko, 54, of Whakatane.

Police extend sympathies to Mapu’s family and friends.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Person charged in relation to incident on Queen Street, Auckland

Source: New Zealand Police

A person has been charged in relation to an incident on Queen Street in Auckland this morning, where two pedestrians were struck by a car.

The 17-year-old male has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and injuring with intent.

He is scheduled to appear in Auckland Youth Court on 4 August.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Two arrested after Queen Street crash

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Nick Poland, Tāmaki Makaurau Deployment:

One person has been seriously injured and two people have been arrested after a crash on Queen Street, Auckland City, early this morning.

Police were called to the scene, between City Road and Karangahape Road, about 6am after reports of a vehicle colliding with three pedestrians.

One has reportedly been seriously injured, while the others have sustained minor injuries.

The driver then fled the scene on foot.

Two people were located nearby a short time later and taken into custody. Charges are being considered.

Cordons are in place and the Serious Crash Unit is examining the scene.

Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time of the crash and who witnessed what unfolded.

If you can help, please use our 105 service and quote reference number P063367159.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Man responsible for number of residential burglaries arrested

Source: New Zealand Police

A man is before the courts facing a multitude of charges relating to residential burglaries in Auckland, where an estimated $2 million worth of property had been stolen.

Detective Sergeant Amanda Reed says the Glen Innes Tactical Crime Unit has been collecting evidence and information in relation to the 51-year-old’s movements for several months. On Friday, Police were successful in intercepting a further burglary attempt.

“Just after 6pm, Police sighted a vehicle belonging to the man travelling on Shore Road, Remuera. Based off enquiries made into his movements in recent months, it was believed that he was on his way to commit another burglary.

Extra Police units were deployed, along with assistance overhead from the Police Eagle helicopter. The man continued to drive towards Waterview, as Police maintained sight of the vehicle from a distance.

As the vehicle turned into a service station, his vehicle was blocked in by a number of Police vehicles. The man was taken into custody without further incident. Upon searching his vehicle, a number of tools were located, which Police believe are used to assist him with his offending.

“It is alleged that the man has committed in excess of 50 residential burglaries through the North Shore, Remuera and Sunnyhills areas over the last two years,” says Detective Sergeant Reed.

While enquiries continue into the man’s alleged offending, Police estimate he has stolen an estimated $2 million worth of property.

He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday 4 August, charged with seven counts of burglary. Further charges have not been ruled out.

“This is a significant result for the team, not only because this is someone who we’ve been keeping an eye on for a lengthy period of time, but also due to the large scale of his offending”, says Detective Sergeant Reed.

Further enquiries into the man’s offending are ongoing, and Police are hopeful that some of the stolen property can be recovered and returned to its rightful owners.

“We hope this result comes as a relief to his victims, and that both the North Shore and Remuera communities feel some reassurance knowing a prolific offender is off the street.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Police acknowledge IPCA findings into incorrect power of arrest

Source: New Zealand Police

Police acknowledge the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority over the incorrect power of arrest being used.

On the afternoon of 28 April 2023, Police attended a sudden death at a Pitt Street apartment building in central Auckland.

A woman was located deceased at the bottom of the building’s atrium.

The IPCA carried out an investigation after Mr Z complained about his treatment.

Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel says attending staff came across a man emerging from the woman’s address.

“The man was extremely agitated and hard to engage with at the time,” he says.

“Given that our enquiries into the death were still in the early stages, this caused our attending staff concern.

“Initially it was thought the man may have been under the influence of drugs.”

A decision was made to arrest the man for obstruction under the Summary Offences Act.

Police acknowledge the Authority’s subsequent findings that officers should have detained the man under the Mental Health Act instead.

The IPCA also found Mr Z’s treatment while in Police custody was appropriate, given concerns for the man’s mental state and the need for a family member to pick him up.

“We acknowledge the woman’s death was a highly traumatic event for everyone involved, and our thoughts are with the families impacted by her death,” Superintendent Patel says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Police investigating man’s death in Newmarket

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Superintendent Zane Hooper, Auckland Deployment Commander:

Police are investigating the circumstances of a man’s death in Newmarket early this morning.

Just before 1am, a stationary Police unit was conducting speed checks on the Southern Motorway near Greenlane.

A vehicle passed the unit and was detected travelling at excessive speed. 

After a short delay, the Police unit moved from its stationary position,  activating its blue and red lights, and started travelling in the same direction as the motorist was last seen.

Camera operators began to monitor the vehicle’s movements.

A short time later the speeding vehicle collided with the centre barrier on the Newmarket flyover, before moving to the left side barrier and coming to a stop.

The Police unit that was some distance behind initially passed the stationary vehicle, which was obscured by a passing truck, and was advised by camera operators.

The driver of the vehicle exited his vehicle.

The Police unit carried on heading north, subsequently re-directing themselves back to the scene through the motorway network sometime later.

Before the Police unit arrived at the stationary vehicle, a camera operator has observed the man climb over the motorway barrier where he has either fallen or dropped to the ground below the overbridge.

Police patrols were immediately deployed to the commercial area below the Newmarket flyover and provided first aid.

Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.

This is a tragic event for all those attending staff and welfare has been put in place for our people.

Police are also in liaison with the family of the deceased man. 

Police have notified the IPCA of the incident, as is standard procedure in these circumstances.

The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene on the Newmarket flyover and carried out an examination.

A critical incident investigation has been established to understand fully what occurred this morning

As part of that investigation, a post-mortem will be carried out with formal identification procedures to be completed.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Man arrested following Avondale church arson

Source: New Zealand Police

Police have charged a man with arson following a fire which tore through an Avondale church last week.

Investigations had been underway following a fire at St Mary’s Church on Great North Road at about 4.20am on 14 July.

Thankfully there were no injuries, however the building sustained serious damage.

Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk, Auckland City Crime Squad, says Police had been working hard to identify and located the person responsible.

“Officers arrested a 42-year-old man at a New Lynn property last night.

“He has been charged with one count of arson and will appear in Auckland District Court today.

“This is a great result and I would like to acknowledge the assistance received by Police from members of the public in relation to this investigation.”

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police 

Fast work results in good arrest

Source: New Zealand Police

Police were quickly on the heels of an alleged offender following an assault in central Auckland this morning.

A man is recovering in hospital with moderate injuries, while a man will have his day in the Auckland District Court.

Auckland City CIB’s, Detective Senior Sergeant Rebecca Kirk says Police were called to Lorne Street at around 1.45am.

“We received reports a male had suffered several wounds to his arm and was being pursued by another male,” she says.

“Quick work by a Police Camera Operator located the offender a short distance away and he was taken into custody.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Kirk says the victim was transported to Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries.

“We do not believe this to be a random event, but I would like to acknowledge all the staff involved in making the arrest this morning.”

Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.

A 21-year-old man will be appearing in the Auckland District Court today, charged with wounding with intent, displaying gang insignia in public and theft.

Police will be opposing the 21-year-old’s bail when he appears in court.

ENDS

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police