Category: Public Media

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Noam Mānuka Lazarus, Massey University journalism student

A man who saved the life of a critically wounded stabbing victim is among 10 people being honoured in the New Zealand Bravery Awards.

Junior Fa’amalosi Isaako intervened in a violent attack and protected an injured man until help could arrive.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Isaako’s “extraordinary act of bravery saved the victim’s life”.

Victim stabbed multiple times

Isaako was asleep at his home in Flaxmere, Hastings in June, when he was awoken in the morning by loud arguing.

Stepping outside he saw a man pin another against a vehicle across the road, stabbing him once in the back and twice in the back of the leg.

A second man joined in beating the injured man, kicking and punching him as he curled into a foetal position on the ground.

Isaako rushed to intervene in the bloody beating

Isaako rushed at the men, causing one to flee before putting the armed man into a hold, throwing him to the ground and restraining him.

As the man struggled to break free, Isaako disarmed him, hitting his arm into the road until the knife was dropped and he could throw the weapon clear of the struggle.

Once the attacker was subdued Isaako dragged the victim onto a grass verge – wrapping a towel around his leg wound to act as a tourniquet.

He applied pressure to the victim’s wounds and called emergency services.

When police arrived, he continued to assist the officers with first aid as an ambulance made its way to the scene.

The victim was stabilised and taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

Police said a 39-year-old male offender was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. He is scheduled to appear in Napier District Court on 27 January.

Isaako is one of 10 people being honoured at the 2025 New Zealand Bravery Awards on Saturday.

He and one other recipient – a 12-year-old boy whose actions saved his father from critical injuries – would be awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration, with eight others receiving the New Zealand Bravery Medal.

Luxon described each recipient of the awards as “the people we want close”.

“None of us know how we will react when a life is in danger but in these 10 cases, a brave person has disregarded their own safety to help a fellow human.

“In every single case, their actions have prevented further harm – and in many, lives have been saved only because they stepped in,” Luxon said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A motorbike rider has died following a crash in Northland.

Police said the single-vehicle crash occurred on State Highway 1 in Kaitaia at about 8.50pm on Friday.

The rider was taken to hospital in a critical condition but died soon after.

Police said a scene examination has taken place but a investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash was ongoing.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Sergeant Heath Courtenay Jones (left) with then Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand after receiving the New Zealand Bravery Decoration on 29 June 2011.

A police officer who rescued a mother and two kids stranded on a roof during Cyclone Gabrielle has been commended for bravery.

Then, Detective Sergeant Heath Jones went on to cross a barb wire fence submerged in flood water to rescue an elderly couple.

He is one of eight people awarded the New Zealand Bravery Medal on Saturday.

Jones told RNZ’s Saturday Morning programme he was thankful and honoured to be recognised.

That day, while travelling to work, he only knew of the storm causing minor disruption – a few trees down, a few puddles, nothing too alarming.

Then the situation quickly became a concern.

“You get to work, and then you start hearing about cell phone coverage dropping, and river levels rising,” Jones said.

He and his colleague Detective Constable Jaime Stewart – who was last year’s Bravery Medal recipient – were deployed to the Pakowhai area near Hastings.

“We get to one particular bridge, and water’s very, very high, and then a call comes out that a colleague is in strife.”

The colleague was a woman stranded on her house roof with her four-year-old and her baby.

To get to them, Jones and Stewart had to cross waste deep, debris-filled, “fast-moving water”.

It was the first of two rescues that day.

“We passed two horses that we thought we’d probably come back and try and get them out, but the situation changed, and we were diverted to another situation.”

He noticed two elderly people who were trapped in chest-height water after walking a short distance from their vehicle that was nearly fully submerged.

They couldn’t swim and were fairly exhausted where they were, Jones said.

Jones entered the water to swim out to the couple, navigating a submerged barbed wire fence line to reach them.

“Through both rescues, the main concern was, if we lose footing, we are gone,” he said.

As well as emergency services, he credits the community for wanting to get out and help others during that time.

“So it’s not just about being a police officer,” he said, “but, [if] someone’s in trouble, I suppose that’s one reason why you do join the police, is so that you can help others.”

Five of eight people who received a Bravery Medal were police officers. A further two are recipients of the New Zealand Bravery Decoration.

In 2011, Jones was awarded the New Zealand Bravery Decoration after being one of the first officers to arrive at the scene of the 2009 Napier Siege where Senior Constable Len Snee was fatally shot. Three others were wounded.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

By Noam Mānuka Lazarus (Ngāti Whātua), Massey University journalism student

Predator Free Wellington said its efforts to eliminate predators have led to a doubling of native bird life in the Miramar Peninsula.

In its annual report, the group said the number of kōtare (kingfisher) observed had increased by 550 percent, pīwakawaka (fantail) by 400 percent, riroriro (grey warbler) by 283 percent, and tūi by 210 percent.

The report also suggested strong numbers of kākā, kārearea, kākāriki and ruru.

It found that the total of native birds in the area had increased by 136 percent.

Predator Free Wellington (PFW) project director James Willcocks said phase one and two of its projects, along with other initiatives like Capital Kiwi and Zealandia, were demonstrating that introduced predators could be eliminated from urban areas.

Seatoun, Lyall Bay, Breaker Bay, Miramar, Ōwhiro Bay, Kilbirnie, Rongotai and Hataitai were just some of the areas cleared during the first phase.

These areas were still maintained using a barrier system – involving over 1000 traps and bait stations – which blocked out pests from safe zones.

The report also revealed successful testing of H2Zero prototype bait stations, provided by Zero Invasive Predators.

Whilst standard bait stations required fortnightly visits and maintanence, these new units could run for three months between services.

This reduced the required visits by PFW volunteers to bait stations by 85 percent.

“This isn’t just about speed. It’s about precision. We’re placing devices where rats actually are, rather than blanketing entire areas and hoping for the best,” Willcocks said.

He said results like these did not happen by accident, they were funded.

“I would say it’s no longer a technical challenge. It becomes an economic challenge, right? Do we have the money to pay for it and do we want to pay for it.”

The PFW relied on its 164 volunteers checking bait stations and cameras around Pōneke.

It said 2200 more continued to check PFW stations within their own backyards and reserves across Wellington.

Eleanor Nugent, a PFW community ranger, said fulfilling her sense of kaitiakitanga was a core reason for why she volunteered.

“This is such an amazing outlet that’s not only helping the planet, but is also such a special community of people who get to express their want to do good.”

She said the volunteers were people from all different walks of life.

Willcocks said funding from central government would realise PFW’s ‘phase three’ plans.

This phase would make the Wellington CBD, Parliament, and 1200 hectares in the Te Kopaho reserve pest-free.

The reserve is off the bottom of Zealandia, and would increase that pest-free area by fivefold.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A homicide investigation is underway after a man’s death in Rotorua overnight.

In a statement, Detective Inspector Lew Warner said officers were called to Ford Road about 8.30pm on Friday after receiving reports of a vehicle crashing into a tree.

The only person in the car was found critically injured and died shortly after.

Warner said early inquiries suggest the injuries the person had “are not consistent with a crash” and the public’s help is wanted.

“We want to hear from anybody who was in or around Ford Road between 8pm and 8.40pm yesterday.

“Additionally, anybody who saw a white Toyota Hiace van, registration DFR734 in Ford Road or the surrounding areas.”

People can call police on 105, and reference file number 251212/4041

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

Police will be carrying out a forensic examination of the scene and vehicle.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The partner of a man who drowned while trying to save a struggling child in Lake Whakatipu near Queenstown says he will forever be missed and remembered for his courage, kindness and selflessness.

Jonathan Young has been posthumously awarded a New Zealand Bravery Medal for his [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/528121/drownings-prompt-call-for-more-protections-at-notorious-glenorchy-swimming-spot

rescue attempt] in January 2023.

Two other people involved in the rescue – Susan Burke and Sergeant Harry Ghodke – have also been honoured with the medal for their role in saving the boy.

The boy had been playing in the Rees River when he was pulled into Lake Whakatipu near Glenorchy by a strong current and went underwater.

Ghodke, an off-duty police officer, swam out to help but could not bring the boy back because of a strong undertow, instead telling him to float on his back while he went to get more help.

Young, who was visiting from New South Wales, dived in to help from the other side of the river but became exhausted trying to pull the boy in.

Another passer-by, Australian holidaymaker Susan Burke, also swam out to help, managing to hook her arm around the boy’s chest and swim back to shore.

When Burke realised Young had disappeared, she returned to the water to help but could not see him, nor could two other men who swam out to help.

Young’s body was recovered the following day.

His bravery award citation said the rescue attempt demonstrated selfless bravery at the cost of his life.

In a statement, Young’s partner Hsu Tin said it was an honour to receive the award on his behalf, though part of her wished Young was accepting the honour.

“It’s an honour of my life to have been loved by this man who had always put others first – the reason why we’re all here and he isn’t. Jonny was the kindest and most loving fiancé, son, brother, uncle and a caring cat dad to our orange boy Benny,” she said.

“For Jonny, the 35 years he got to live on this earth – he had always lived the right way and did all the right things. He was smart, sporty, kind, helpful and strong inside and out – a textbook perfect man. All those of us who have loved and known him will never recover from having lost him and we have had to learn to heal this big void he left in us through his memories and the love he left us with.”

Tin said Young sacrificed his life for the boy.

“When I think of Jonny, I will forever think of courage, kindness and most of all selflessness. He will forever hold the biggest space in our hearts and forever be missed and remembered for his bravery,” she said.

Tin said she was thankful for the help she received from a police officer on the day of his drowning.

“Without her incredible kindness and sympathy, I wouldn’t have known how I got through that day alone in a foreign country having lost my fiancé and my best friend of over 15 years,” she said.

Burke’s award citation noted that her actions ensured the rescue of the young boy and while tired from her efforts, she committed to searching for Young to the limit of her ability.

Ghodke’s citation detailed how he addressed the immediate panic of the boy, calming him and telling him to float, allowing further time for a rescue.

In a joint statement, Burke and Ghodke described the rescue as a collective effort.

“First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers remain with Jonathan Young’s family who tragically lost his life during this incident at Glenorchy on 19 January 2023. We appreciate the honour of being recognised with these bravery awards; however, we wish to emphasise that our actions were simply a response to a child in immediate danger,” they said.

“We wish to acknowledge the courage shown by Jonathan, whose actions demonstrated profound selflessness. This was an extremely challenging and emotional event.”

Young, Burke and Ghodke were among the 10 recipients of bravery awards in 2025.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon noted five of the eight people receiving the bravery medal were on or off-duty police officers.

“I would also like to acknowledge the loved ones of Jonathan Young, who are grappling with the biggest sacrifice of all – the loss of his life in his brave act of saving another,” he said.

Young drowned less than a week after another man, Leroy Rodney James Kaaho, died at the same swimming spot while also trying to save a child.

The deaths prompted the coroner to call for greater public awareness of the risks at Lake Whakatipu and the Rees River.

Tin said she wanted to remind parents about the importance of water safety for children.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand