MIL-OSI – Page 96

March 7, 2026

PHOTOS – Sky Tower in blue to honour fallen police officers

Source: New Zealand Police

Media are welcome to publish the attached images, taken last night to commemorate INTERPOL-led International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers, recognising the thousands of police officers worldwide who lose their lives each year in the course of duty.

Images are available on request from media@police.govt.nz

For more information, see media release issued yesterday – https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/sky-tower-blue-honour-fallen-pol…

ENDS

March 7, 2026

Fatal crash, Paparoa

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died and another has moderate injuries after a single-vehicle crash in Paparoa, Kaipara District.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Paparoa Valley Road and Franklin Road about 12:35am today, when a vehicle had gone down a bank into a stream.

Despite CPR by a member of the public before emergency services arrived, one of the car’s occupants sadly died at the scene. The other was taken to hospital in moderate condition.

The scene was cleared around 6:30am. The Serious Crash Unit is investigating.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

March 6, 2026

SH1 blocked due to serious crash, Dome Valley

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway 1 near L Phillips Road in Domes Valley is blocked due to a single-vehicle crash.

The crash was reported to emergency services around 6.45pm.

The Serious Crash Unit have been advised.

Motorists are advised that vehicles are being turned around, and travel should be delayed or alternative routes taken.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

March 6, 2026

Sky Tower in blue to honour fallen police officers

Source: New Zealand Police

New Zealand is leading the way as the world honours police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

Auckland’s Sky Tower is lighting up in blue this evening and tomorrow to herald the INTERPOL-led International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers, recognising the thousands of police officers worldwide who lose their lives each year in the course of duty.

It is the first event marking the designated day – 7 March – which will see police headquarters, stations and landmarks around the world illuminated in blue as dusk falls in successive time zones.

Commissioner Richard Chambers says he is grateful for the support of SkyCity to offer the Sky Tower to support the international event.

“This is to recognise all police officers in New Zealand and highlights the bravery of police officers across the world, and their commitment to carrying out their duties, serving their communities to keep people safe.

“Given our time zone, New Zealand Police will launch this global tribute, and the Sky Tower will be the first to be lit in blue as the campaign moves across the world.”

Coincidentally, the tribute ends a week which started in New Zealand with a ceremony marking the 40th anniversary of Memorial Wall, which commemorates the now-34 of our colleagues slain on duty.

“Front of mind for New Zealand Police officers, colleagues and whānau will be our own officers killed while on duty, including most recently the tragic loss of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming killed in the line of duty last year in Nelson,” says Commissioner Chambers.

“We honour Lyn and all the officers on our Memorial Wall. We remember them and all they gave to the New Zealand Police and achieved for the people of New Zealand.”

ENDS

Note to media: When available, images of the Sky Tower will be posted to our New Zealand Police Facebook Page or request from media@police.govt.nz

About the Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers campaign

On 7 March, the world will pause to honour police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty, as INTERPOL marks the International Day of Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers.

Observed annually, the Remembrance for Fallen Police Officers Day brings together police services, officers, families and communities across continents and time zones in a shared moment of reflection, solidarity and respect for the police women and men who lost their lives whilst protecting their communities and upholding the rule of law.

This year’s commemoration will feature a highly visible global tribute. At dusk on 7 March, INTERPOL member countries have been invited to illuminate police headquarters, local stations and some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks in blue.

Issued by Police Media Centre

March 6, 2026

Serious crash, Melville

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Normandy Ave, Melville.

Police were called to the scene, between Cobham Drive and Lorne Street, about 5.20pm.

Indications are that one person has been seriously injured.

Traffic management is in place.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area or expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

March 6, 2026

Hauraki Gulf – Connection with one of Auckland’s great backyards

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

It’s hard to believe that Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland, our largest, busiest and most densely populated city in New Zealand hosts one of the most abundant and diverse marine parks in the world.

Our treasured Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, New Zealand’s only national park of the sea, is 1.2 million hectares and includes more than 200 islands and islets, including 47 pest-free islands where numerous endangered species can survive and thrive. On top of this, there is now 19 new protection areas – two marine reserve extensions, 12 new high protection areas, and five new seafloor protection areas in the Gulf.

Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland from the harbour.
📷: DOC

Getting out on the water it didn’t take long to realise that lots of people have a strong connection to the marine park. It wasn’t just rec fishers out mid-week enjoying a spot of fishing, I saw boaties sailing and exploring the Gulf as well as plenty of visitors heading out to the islands, connecting with the wildlife that calls the Hauraki Gulf home.

As a new DOC staff member in an office role, and someone who’s lived in Auckland most of my life without even realising the marine park existed, it’s been pretty special getting out to see what Tāmaki Makaurau’s greatest backyards is actually like.

Out there, the city fades away surprisingly quickly. You’re surrounded by islands, seabirds wheeling overhead, and a sense that there’s a whole other world beneath the surface.

That connection to the ocean is exactly what Seaweek celebrates – the idea that people, wildlife and the environment are all linked. And it’s also what the new marine protections for the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park aim to support for years to come.

DCIM100GOPROGOPR0062.JPG

Diver with fish Mokohinau islands – Monique ladds

A special place beneath the waves

The Hauraki Gulf / Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui-ā-Toi is one of Aotearoa’s most loved marine environments. It’s home to an incredible variety of marine life and habitats – from rocky reefs and kelp forests to seagrass meadows and shellfish beds.

These habitats support the species many people care about when they head out on the water. Fish like snapper, kahawai and trevally are a big part of the Gulf’s fishing culture. Divers and snorkellers get to explore underwater forests of kelp and rocky reefs teeming with life.

But like many places around the world, the Gulf has been under pressure.

Sediment washing into the sea, pollution, habitat loss and fishing pressure over many years have taken a toll on parts of the marine environment. Some shellfish beds have declined, seagrass meadows have shrunk, and in some places kelp forests have been replaced by “kina barrens” where sea urchins dominate and not much else grows.

When habitats struggle, the species that rely on them struggle too.

That’s why there’s been a big push in recent years to revitalise the Gulf.

Sediment Diver with arm buried – Shaun Lee

Sediment Diver with arm buried – Shaun Lee

A boost for the Gulf

A major step forward came in late 2025 with the introduction of new marine protections across the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park.

The new network includes 19 marine protection areas spread across the Gulf. These include marine reserve extensions, high protection areas and seafloor protection areas. Together they represent the biggest increase in marine protection in Aotearoa in more than a decade.

These areas were chosen because they protect important habitats and ecosystems – places that are especially rich in marine life, rare, or particularly important for the health of the wider Gulf.

Some areas protect rocky reefs that support thriving underwater communities. Others protect seafloor habitats like seagrass meadows or shellfish beds that act as nurseries for young fish.

Protecting these places helps rebuild the foundations of the Gulf’s marine ecosystem.

What the new protections mean

The different protection areas each play a role in helping marine life recover.

Marine reserves offer the highest level of protection. No fishing or removal of marine life is allowed, but people can still visit, snorkel, dive or explore the area. These reserves often become incredible underwater hotspots where marine life can thrive.

High protection areas are designed to give ecosystems a chance to bounce back. Fishing and the removal of natural materials are mostly prohibited, though authorised customary fishing by tangata whenua can continue.

Seafloor protection areas focus on protecting sensitive habitats on the seabed. Activities that damage the seafloor, like bottom trawling or dredging, are restricted, while low-impact activities like line fishing, diving and spearfishing can still happen.

Importantly, most of the Hauraki Gulf is still open to recreational fishing. The aim isn’t to shut people out, but to protect key parts of the ecosystem so the Gulf stays healthy into the future.

Why marine protection helps

Marine protection is one of the most effective tools we have to help ocean ecosystems recover.

In protected areas, fish often grow bigger, populations increase and ecosystems become more balanced. Over time, some of those fish move into nearby areas where fishing is allowed – something often called the “spillover effect”.

Healthy habitats also play a huge role in supporting fish populations. Seagrass meadows and shellfish reefs, for example, act like underwater nurseries where young fish can grow before heading out into deeper waters.

Looking after these habitats helps ensure the Gulf continues to support the marine life – and fishing experiences – that people value.

Sponge Garden – Paul Caiger

Sponge Garden – Paul Caiger

Working together for the Gulf

The new protections are just one piece of a much bigger effort to revitalise the Hauraki Gulf.

Restoring the Gulf also means tackling the pressures that come from land, such as sediment runoff and pollution, as well as restoring habitats like mussel reefs and improving fisheries management.

Tangata whenua have played an important role in shaping the protections and continue their role as kaitiaki of the Gulf, bringing generations of knowledge and care for this special place.

DOC rangers will also be working on the water and with local communities to help people understand the new protections and where they apply.

Revitalising the Gulf will take time, but every step helps move things in the right direction.

Staying connected to the ocean

Spending time out on the water really drove home just how important the Hauraki Gulf is to so many people.

For some it’s about fishing with mates or family. For others it’s sailing between islands, exploring a new beach, or diving beneath the surface to see what’s there.

These experiences shape the way we connect with the ocean.

By protecting important parts of the Gulf, we’re helping make sure those experiences are still possible for future generations – so kids growing up in Tāmaki Makaurau and visitors from all over New Zealand and the world can discover the amazing marine life beneath the waves just like people do today.

Seaweek is a great reminder that everything is connected – the land, the sea, wildlife and people.

The new marine protections in the Hauraki Gulf are all about strengthening those connections and helping this incredible ocean backyard thrive for years to come.

Common dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf
📷: DOC

March 6, 2026

All avenues exhausted in Christchurch

Source: New Zealand Police

Driver summoned to Court after officers hear his car’s “extremely loud exhaust”.

Police were out on foot patrol in Cashel Mall on Wednesday when they heard a particularly loud car accelerating and reverberating through the nearby indoor carpark.

Senior Constable Scott Agnew says the noise had gained the attention of members of the public in the area who helped identify the car.

“We stopped the vehicle inside the carpark and issued the driver with a $600 fine for driving causing annoyance.

“The driver admitted the offence, but it was an expensive bit of fun.

“He also had an excess of breath alcohol, and it wasn’t his first time.”

Senior Constable Agnew said the car had a modified exhaust and was issued with a green sticker for defects.

“Exhaust noise can’t be noticeably and significantly louder than the original exhaust.”

One man, 56 years old, is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on 25 March charged with driving with excess breath alcohol for the 3rd or subsequent time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

March 6, 2026

Traffic disruptions, SH3, Otorohanga

Source: New Zealand Police

Police would like to advise motorists of traffic disruptions on State Highway 3 between Te Awamutu and Otorohanga following the discovery of human remains.

Police were notified at around 10am today.

To ensure the safety of Police staff at the scene, traffic in the area may be disrupted. Police thank motorists for their patience.

Police are making enquiries into the remains, which may take some time.

ENDS

March 6, 2026

Otago Hector’s dolphin project to reveal links to other populations

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date: 06 March 2026

Hector’s dolphins, also known as tutumairekurai, pahu, or upokohue, are endemic to Aotearoa New Zealand and considered a taonga species. They are one of the smallest dolphins in the world and known for their rounded ‘Mickey Mouse ear’ shaped dorsal fin.

With an estimated population of around 15,700, they are managed under the Hector’s and Māui Dolphin Threat Management Plan, which recognises four distinct Hector’s dolphin sub-populations around Te Waipounamu/South Island. The East Coast population is considered to be made up of a number of smaller local populations.

DOC Senior Science Advisor Anton van Helden says little is known about how the small Otago group connects to other populations.

“Until now, conservation management for the small Hector’s dolphin population in Otago has been based on their assumed connection to adjacent populations along the East Coast,” he says.

“Recent genetic work has suggested that they may be more closely aligned with the South Coast sub-population.

“By collecting high quality genetic samples, we can determine how closely related – or not – the dolphins in this area are to neighbouring groups and ensure they are managed appropriately.”

The survey expands on work DOC started last year and builds on recent environmental DNA (eDNA) research by the University of Otago.

“This raises important questions about population connectivity, and exposure to and our management response to regional threats such as fishing bycatch impacts and diseases like toxoplasmosis,” Anton says.

The survey will use a well-established biopsy sampling technique, where a small, lightweight dart collects tiny skin and blubber samples from free-swimming dolphins. This method has been safely used on Māui dolphins for more than 15 years and provides high quality DNA with minimal disturbance.

“The tiny samples we collect are archived in the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive (NZCeTA) and will give us opportunities to understand genetic relationships, age structure, aspects of their diet, and even reproductive status,” says Anton.

The survey will run from Monday 9 March to Sunday 22 March, covering the coastline from just south of Oamaru to the Taieri Head. Surveys are planned for the Catlins in 2027.

Sample analysis will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau and mana whenua.

Data collected through this work will support the long-term protection of Hector’s dolphins and help ensure the species endures for future generations.

People out naturing on the water can help by reporting Hector’s dolphin sightings using the SeaSpotter app or via our online Marine mammal sighting form.

Background information

For more information on Hector’s dolphins, and DOC’s work to protect them: Hector’s dolphin: marine mammals

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

March 6, 2026

Arrest and appeal following aggravated robbery, Whanganui

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Rebecca Taylor, Whanganui CIB:

Police have arrested and charged one person in relation to an aggravated robber in Castlecliff, Whanganui, this week.

On Wednesday 4 March, around 6.10pm, Police were called with a report of an aggravated robbery that had occurred at a premises on Polson Street.

It is alleged that the offenders entered the premises and stole a number of cigarettes and bottles of alcohol, before fleeing the scene on a quad bike.

Yesterday, Police arrested one youth in relation to the incident. They are due in Whanganui Youth Court, charged with aggravated robbery.

Enquiries remain ongoing and Police are not ruling out any further arrests or charges.

Police are asking for anyone who has information about the incident or who witnessed a quad bike entering or leaving the Polson Street area, or has dashcam footage of the area, on Wednesday 4 March between 5.30pm and 6.30pm, to please get in touch.

You can provide information through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260304/4451 – or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Category: MIL-OSI

PHOTOS – Sky Tower in blue to honour fallen police officers

Fatal crash, Paparoa

SH1 blocked due to serious crash, Dome Valley

Sky Tower in blue to honour fallen police officers

Serious crash, Melville

Hauraki Gulf – Connection with one of Auckland’s great backyards

A special place beneath the waves

A boost for the Gulf

What the new protections mean

Why marine protection helps

Working together for the Gulf

Staying connected to the ocean

All avenues exhausted in Christchurch

Traffic disruptions, SH3, Otorohanga

Otago Hector’s dolphin project to reveal links to other populations

Background information

NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE

Contact

Arrest and appeal following aggravated robbery, Whanganui

A special place beneath the waves

A boost for the Gulf

What the new protections mean

Why marine protection helps

Working together for the Gulf

Staying connected to the ocean

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Background information

NATURE LOOKS DIFFERENT FROM HERE

Contact