Man remanded in custody after alleged attack

Source: New Zealand Police

A man faces serious charges after an alleged attack on an Auckland woman at the weekend.

Operation Moller commenced on Sunday, after a member of the public located the woman injured and distressed in the remote Cornwallis area just after 7am.

Acting Detective Inspector Megan Goldie, from Waitematā CIB, says the woman was taken to a nearby Police station with several injuries and was transferred to hospital.

“This has been a sensitive and complex investigation, and our team has worked quickly to progress our enquiry and identify a person of interest,” she says.

“This has included analysis of CCTV footage between central Auckland and west Auckland.

“Police completed a detailed scene examination in part of the Cornwallis earlier this week.”

Detectives located and arrested a 49-year-old man in the Mt Eden area on Wednesday night.

He has been put before the Waitākere District Court on charges including abduction for sex, impedes breathing and injuring with intent to injure.

“Police have successfully opposed this man’s bail, and we can reassure the wider public that he is not in the community,” acting Detective Inspector Goldie says.

“The charges themselves speak to a distressing ordeal that the victim has been through, and we will continue to support her through the next part of the process.

“I want to acknowledge the woman who came to the victim’s aid, and others who have assisted us in progressing the investigation.

“This is a sensitive matter and given there are matters before the Court we are unable to comment further in detail.”

Police enquiries will continue, and further charges cannot be ruled out at this time.

The 49-year-old man will reappear in court on 29 April 2026.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Four before the courts after failing to appear, Coromandel Peninsula

Source: New Zealand Police

Four people are facing the courts following the first of many Police operations in Eastern Waikato today.

Police conducted a number of search warrants in the Coromandel Peninsula, today, in an operation targeting offenders with warrants to arrest or who have failed to turn up to Court recently.

As a result, four arrests were made in the Whitianga and Coromandel township areas which included two women aged 29 and 33, and two men aged 32 and 35.

Eastern Waikato Area Commander, Inspector Mike Henwood says the offenders had avoided Court appearances on various assault, burglary, and theft charges.

“Some offenders take advantage of remote locations to evade the courts, and it can be problematic at time for a couple local Police officers to successfully locate and arrest them.

“Police staff from the wider East Area were brought in and supported local Police to clear multiple addresses.

“Support like this for our local people ensures offenders can’t avoid us forever – even in the picturesque Coromandel,” says Inspector Henwood.

“I would like to thank all staff involved in these arrests and reassure the community that this doesn’t end here – we will continue to target any offenders that are attempting to evade Police, you can expect to see us anywhere, anytime.”

Both the women and men are held in custody due to appear in Hamilton District Court tomorrow.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Zaroa NZ Salami products recalled due lack of required food safety controls

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting MeatUp Limited trading as Zaroa NZ in recalling all batches of 3 salami products due to a lack of required food safety controls. 

“The concern is the salami has been produced without the required controls and oversight,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. 

All batches and dates of the following products are affected by this recall: 

  • Delicate Salami Pohutukawa Smoked Black Angus Beef (80g) 
    Batch Code: 50823-3, Use By: 6/04/2026 
  • Hawkes Bay Black Angus Beef Chorizo Salami (80g) 
    Batch Code: 50823-4, Use By: 11/04/2026 
  • Pure Black Salami Black Angus Beef (80g)  
    Batch Code 50823-2, Use By 11/04/2026 

“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw them out,” says Mr Arbuckle. 

  • Hesari Supermarket Great North Road: 344 Great North Road, Henderson, Auckland 0627 
  • Hesari Supermarket Wairau Valley: Unit 15, 170 Wairau Road, Wairau Valley, Auckland 0627 
  • Keri Berries: 484 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri 0293 
  • Pegasus Bay Winery: 263 Stockgrove Road, Waipara, RD 2 Amberly 7482 
  • Zaroa NZ stall at Parnell Farmers’ Market: 545 Parnell Road, Parnell, Auckland 1052 
  • Zaroa NZ online store

Affected products are not available in supermarkets.

Visit our recall page for more information on the affected products. 

Traditionally dried and cured products must be carefully controlled as the process of making them does not involve a high-temperature cooking step that kills bacteria like Salmonella and E.coli. 

There have been no reports of illness relating to these products. 

If you have consumed any of these products and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice. 

The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported. 

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Zaroa NZ to ensure appropriate food safety controls are put in place,” Mr Arbuckle says. 

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. 

Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.   

For more information, email: NZFoodSafety_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Successful end to fruit fly response in Auckland’s Mt Roskill

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill have been lifted with no further evidence of Queensland fruit fly found in the area, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north.

The decision to end the operation follows 6 weeks of intensive fruit fly trapping and the inspection of more than 230 kilograms of fruit. 

Mr Inglis thanked residents and businesses in the affected area for their support of the response. 

“It wouldn’t have been possible to get to this point without the support of the local community. Every person who has kept an eye out for fruit flies, complied with movement controls, and safely disposed of their fruit waste, has played an important role in protecting our horticultural sector. 

“We are satisfied that with no further detections, the Controlled Area Notice restrictions can be lifted, and response operations closed.”

Biosecurity wheelie bins that have dotted the neighbourhood will be removed and road signs will be dismantled.

While response operations are ending, Biosecurity New Zealand’s routine nationwide surveillance continues, with a system of nearly 8,000 fruit fly traps spread across the country. More than 4,600 of these are in the Auckland area. 

“The surveillance traps target 3 exotic fruit fly species of concern: the Queensland fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly and Oriental fruit fly. This successful response is a great example of how surveillance traps help alert us to the presence of unwelcome pests and enable us to stamp them out quickly,” says Mr Inglis.

Biosecurity New Zealand staff will be out in the community today handing out flyers about the response closure and personally thanking residents and business owners for their contribution to the effort. 

“I’d also like to acknowledge the good work of our people and our partners across the horticulture sector. By working together, and responding quickly, we have managed this situation well,” Mr Inglis says. 

Key figures

  • More than 9,800 individual visits were made to check the 358 fruit fly traps in the Mt Roskill area throughout the response.
  • Over 364 biosecurity bins were distributed in the community to collect produce waste for safe disposal.
  • More than 230 kilograms of fruit and vegetables were collected and examined for any signs of fruit fly eggs or larvae.

Read more on Queensland fruit fly, Mt Roskill

For more information, email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Road blocked, Western Bay Road, Waihaha, Taupō

Source: New Zealand Police

Western Bay Road, Waihaha, Taupō, is blocked following a logging truck fire this evening.

Police were notified of the incident, between Kuratau Hydro Road and Karangahape Road, around 5.50pm

Thankfully, no one has been injured.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.

ENDS

Proposed options to improve the traceability of pigs and sheep

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Update – 19 February 2026

The consultation closing time was extended by 7 hours. Submissions will now be accepted up to 11.59pm on 5 April 2026.  

We’ve also confirmed dates and times for 2 public webinars we’re holding to outline the proposals in more detail.

Webinar information

Have your say

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is seeking feedback on options to improve the traceability of pigs and sheep in New Zealand.

The proposed options aim to:

  • provide a rapid traceability system for pigs and sheep during an outbreak of foot and mouth disease
  • improve animal traceability for any future diseases.

This consultation opened on 16 February 2026. All submissions must be received by 11.59pm on 5 April 2026. 

What’s being proposed?

MPI is consulting on 3 options. We want to improve our ability to trace pigs and sheep rapidly and accurately during an animal disease response, especially foot and mouth disease. The options are not mutually exclusive because the best option for each species could be different because of their production systems or trade requirements. 

Option 1: Retain the status quo – pigs and sheep continue to be traced through animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999 in paper or PDF form.

Option 2: Mandating the use of (mob-level) pig and sheep electronic animal status declarations under the Animal Products Act 1999.

Option 3: Include pigs and sheep as National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) animals under the NAIT Act 2012, at mob level.

Full details are in the consultation document.

Consultation document

Discussion document: Options for improving pig and sheep traceability [PDF, 461 KB]

Related legislation

Biosecurity Act 1993 – NZ Legislation

National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 – NZ Legislation

Animal Products Act 1999 – NZ Legislation

Webinars

MPI will host 2 public webinars to outline the proposals in more detail on:

  • 11 March between 1pm and 2pm
  • 19 March between 9am and 10am.

The webinars are being held on Microsoft Teams. You must register to attend.

Register for the 11 March webinar

Register for the 19 March webinar

Making your submission

Submit your feedback on the options by 11.59pm on 5 April 2026. We’d prefer you use our online survey but you can also send submissions by email or post.

Online survey

Email submissions

Send your feedback to BiosecurityPartnerships.Policy@mpi.govt.nz

A template is available to help you complete your submission.

Submissions template [DOCX, 744 KB]

Postal submissions

You can post written submissions to:

Pig and Sheep Traceability
Ministry for Primary Industries
PO Box 2526
Wellington 6140
New Zealand.

What to include in submissions sent by email or post

  • The submissions template, if you completed it. 
  • The title of the consultation document.
  • Your name and title.
  • Your organisation’s name (if you are submitting on behalf of an organisation, and whether your submission represents the whole organisation or a section of it).
  • Your contact details (such as phone number, address, and email). 

Submissions are public information

Note that all, part, or a summary of your submission may be published on this website. Most often this happens when we issue a document that reviews the submissions received.

People can also ask for copies of submissions under the Official Information Act 1982 (OIA). The OIA says we must make the content of submissions available unless we have good reason for withholding it. Those reasons are detailed in sections 6 and 9 of the OIA.

If you think there are grounds to withhold specific information from publication, make this clear in your submission or contact us. Reasons may include that it discloses commercially sensitive or personal information. However, any decision MPI makes to withhold details can be reviewed by the Ombudsman, who may direct us to release it.

Official Information Act 1982 – NZ Legislation

Fruit fly surveillance area widens in Papatoetoe

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is widening its trapping zone in Papatoetoe after today finding 3 more male Oriental fruit flies, says Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis.

“The finds in our traps, following last week’s detection of a single male fly in the suburb, is not unexpected and shows our enhanced surveillance and inspection is working,” says Mr Inglis. A biosecurity operation has been under way in the area and restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in place since last Wednesday.

“At the moment we’ve found 4 single males in total, all of them in Papatoetoe, and there’s no evidence of a breeding population. The key sign of that would be the detection of a mated female or larvae. We have been collecting fallen fruit from people’s backyards, which we will cut up and examine in our dedicated laboratory.

“We continue to bolster our network of traps in the controlled area to ensure good coverage near to each fly detection. The lures we use in the traps are very strong and attract the fly,” says Mr Inglis.

Today’s detections mean the restrictions on movement of fruit and vegetables have been extended. There are now 3 areas under Zone A restrictions, 200-metres around each fly detection. Zone B has also been extended to account for the location of the new detections.

Signs will be installed at every road entrance and exit to the newly extended controlled area, reminding people of the restrictions.

A detailed map of the controlled area and a full description of the new boundaries and movement controls is at the MPI fruitfly page. Remember – if in doubt, don’t take it out.

“We have successfully eradicated fruit fly from New Zealand 15 times, so we have very strong and detailed operational plans to guide our work and that includes a comprehensive trapping and inspection programme.,” says Mr Inglis.

Residents in the area where movement restrictions are in place are being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into bins provided by Biosecurity New Zealand. This is so the waste can be disposed of securely.

Every household in Zone A has, or will receive in the next couple of days, a biosecurity disposal bin. In Zone B, there are bins placed around the edge of the zone, primarily on major transport routes, with more within the zone. More bins will also be provided in Zone B over the coming days.

“Our people will be continuing their work on the ground, engaging with the local community and sharing information with residents in the newly extended controlled area,” says Mr Inglis.

“We are grateful for the support from the community and our sector partners to date, which is critical to successfully find and eradicate any further fruit flies that may be present in the area.”

Mr Inglis says the fruit fly poses no human health risk, but there would be an economic cost to the horticulture industry if it were allowed to establish here.

If you find larvae inside fruit, or believe you have seen a fruit fly, keep hold of it and call 0800 80 99 66.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Fruit fly response ramps up in Papatoetoe

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

The Oriental fruit fly response continues in Papatoetoe, with no further sign of the pest so far, says Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis. 

It follows the identification of a single male fruit fly in a surveillance trap in the suburb on Wednesday.

“We’re continuing to ramp up our surveillance, including setting and checking additional traps in the area around the original find,” says Mr Inglis.

“Today our team is installing signage where legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables are in place.”

“The legal controls are an important precaution while we investigate whether there are any further fruit flies present.”

The area where controls are in place has 2 zones – Zone A is a 200-metre zone, including 501 properties. Zone B covers a 1,500-metre area, including 9,481 properties.

Zone A

No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.  

Zone B

All fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area. 

Biosecurity disposal bins are being placed in the area for fruit, vegetable, and compost waste, which are then collected for secure disposal.

A map of the controlled area, as well as a full description of the boundaries and rules in place is available on our website.

“Biosecurity New Zealand staff are on the ground in the area today and over the weekend, handing out brochures and providing information and support to the community and businesses,” says Mr Inglis.

“They will be visiting the local night markets this evening to share information about the response.

“We’ve stamped out previous fruit flies with the help of local communities and our sector partners, and we appreciate their ongoing support.” 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Pams Beef Lasagna recalled due to incorrect use-by date

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Foodstuffs Own Brands in its recall of Pams Beef Lasagne due to the product being labelled with the incorrect use-by date. 

“The concern with this lasagna is that the use-by date is incorrect by 2 months. It should have been March 1, which is this Sunday, but instead it is incorrectly labelled as May 1,” says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. 

“These products should not be eaten after Sunday. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw them out.” 

The affected Pams Beef Lasagne (1.3 kg) with a use-by date of 01MAY26 is sold at Four Square, New World, and Pak’n Save supermarkets in the North Island. 

Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product. 

If you eat any of these products after Sunday and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice. 

The products were imported from Australia and labelled in New Zealand. The products have not been re-exported. They have been removed from stores. 

“As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will work with Foodstuffs Own Brands to understand how the date mark labelling error occurred and prevent its recurrence,” says Mr Arbuckle. 

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Restrictions now in place on fruit and vegetable movements in Papatoetoe

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand has placed legal controls on the movement of fruit and vegetables in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe following yesterday’s detection of a single male Oriental fruit fly, says Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis.

The Oriental fruit fly was found in one of Biosecurity New Zealand’s national surveillance traps placed in fruit trees in residential back yards. No other fruit flies have been found in traps in the area.

“Since 1996, we have successfully eradicated 15 fruit fly incursions in Auckland and Northland, with strong support from the community,” says Mr Inglis.

“This means we have detailed operational plans to guide our work.

“We’re calling on the community’s help again with this latest find.”

Biosecurity New Zealand staff are busy in the Papatoetoe area today laying more traps in addition to the network of national surveillance traps already in the area and giving out information to residents.

“There are now legal controls in place that prohibit the movement of certain whole fruit and vegetables out of a specified controlled area around where the fruit fly was found.”

The controlled area has 2 zones – A and B:

  • Zone A is a 200-metre area, including 501 properties.
  • Zone B covers a 1,500-metre area, including 9,481 properties. 

Zone A

Whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, cannot be moved outside Zone A.

This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.

Zone B

Whole fruit and vegetables grown within Zone B cannot be moved out of the controlled area.

Signs will notify people of the restrictions and mark the controlled area boundaries.

A detailed map of the controlled area, and a full description of the boundaries and rules in place, can be found on our website.

“These legal controls are an important precaution while we investigate whether any further fruit flies are present in the area,” Mr Inglis says.

“As our climate warms, it is important we remain alert to these risks. That’s why we have a robust surveillance and trapping system in place that allow us to act quickly and effectively when we need to. Our work in Papatoetoe, and the support of the local community, are a good example of our biosecurity system in action.

“We are working closely with our Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners in the horticultural industry.

“Following these legal controls will help protect our horticultural industries, home gardens, and our New Zealand way of life. We thank the community for its support.”

To report suspected finds of fruit fly, call MPI’s Pest and Diseases Hotline on 0800 80 99 66

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.