Category: Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Officers in Northland who pulled over a fake undercover police car – complete with flashing red and blue lights – found a lot more than they bargained for.

Senior Sergeant Clem Armstrong said the driver caught officers’ attention when he slipped into a police convoy outside Kawakawa Police Station last Thursday evening.

A quick check of the Commodore, which had police-style red and blue lights concealed in the grille, revealed the registered owner had been disqualified from driving.

The real police signalled the driver to pull over, arrested him and searched his car.

“During this search, we located a loaded firearm underneath the driver’s seat as well as a 3D-printed gun, a stash of ammunition and methamphetamine. It was quite the unexpected find,” Armstrong said.

“Our team is extremely pleased to be able to remove these items from our community and hold this offender to account.”

A 30-year-old man appeared in the Kaikohe District Court last Friday on charges including impersonating a police officer, unlawful possession of a restricted weapon, driving while disqualified and possession of methamphetamine.

He was due back in court on 20 January.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

St John crews who have endured the busiest winter months they’ve ever had are now gearing up for their busiest night.

New Year’s Eve, which last year had 570 incidents between 10pm and 6am, is fast approaching.

But before that is Christmas Day, on which there were 1500 last year across the whole day.

The two big days will come as paramedics are already dealing with physical and verbal abuse that has been rising each year.

“From our perspective, that is completely unacceptable,” St John general manager for ambulance operations Stu Cockburn said.

“We empower our staff, if they feel unsafe, to leave the scene and get away from the scene,” he said.

Cockburn said crews were already working long hours, rushing from one job to the next in hot conditions where there are large crowds or upset or intoxicated people.

“They’re just there to help people at their time of need and certainly the last thing they need is to be verbally or physically abused,” Cockburn said.

He said the same was true of other emergency services and hospital workers.

“Sadly, we’ve seen an increase year-on-year in violence and aggression towards our people, anything from physical, verbal threats and abuse to physical harm of our staff and damage to our vehicles and equipment,” he said.

St John said many of the incidents it had to respond to were preventable and involved alcohol, assaults and falls.

Demand for ambulance services was also going up each year, Cockburn said.

“So, yes, we’re already busy and these days are usually extra busy unfortunately.”

St John’s tips for a safe Christmas and New Year

• Keep ambulances free for life-threatening emergencies and consider alternatives like Healthline, online GP services, or visiting a local GP or pharmacy
• Have a great time but please be safe and be alert around water
• Ensure if you’re out in the sun that you’re using sunblock, wearing a hat and covering up
• If you’re preparing food, follow good food safety hygiene practices so you don’t end up with any food poisoning
• If you’re drinking, do so responsibly and drink other fluids and eat at the same time, and have a sober driver
• St John does not endorse taking drugs but it recommends using drug-checking services available at many festivals
• Be honest with ambulance teams if you have taken drugs.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Police are asking for the public’s help finding Larissa, who has been reported missing from the Avondale area in Auckland.

The 16-year-old was last seen at about 10pm on Sunday evening near Tiverton Road.

Larissa is described as about 175cm tall with brown eyes and blonde hair. She was wearing black shorts and a black singlet.

Police and Larissa’s family have concerns for her wellbeing and would like to bring her home.

“If you have seen Larissa or have information that might help us find her, please call 111 and quote reference number 251222/7046,” a police spokesperson 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

Health New Zealand has announced three new cases of measles, with two in Auckland and one in Wellington.

It brings the total number of cases to 35 across the country.

One of the locations of interest linked to the new cases was Queensgate Mall in Lower Hutt on 5 and 11 December, but visitors there were considered casual rather than close contacts.

There were also several locations of interest between Canterbury and Queenstown, including the Chemist Warehouse in Riccarton, and the Fairlie Bakehouse and Mount Cook visitor centre.

A full list of locations of interest is available here.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Water safety experts are urging caution as a busy summer kicks off with surf lifeguards performing double the number of rescues compared to the same season last year.

Between Labour Weekend and the weekend before Christmas, surf lifeguards completed 127 more rescues than during the same timeframe in 2024.

Statistics are also up in other areas, with surf lifeguards performing 74 more assists, seven more major first aids, and eight more searches when compared with the same period in 2024.

Andy Kent, Surf Life Saving New Zealand’s general manager for lifesaving, said the increase reflected a combination of dangerous conditions and high early-season beach attendance, rather than a decline in public behaviour.

The extended periods of warmer-than-usual weather naturally drew more people to the water, while at the same time, conditions had seen dangerous rips and currents, particularly around sandbanks and channels, Kent said.

The statistics reinforced why early-season vigilance was so important, he said.

“Our lifeguards are responding quickly and professionally, often preventing situations from escalating into something far more serious. Every rescue represents someone who needed help, and in many cases, someone who may not have made it back to shore without intervention.

“Surf lifeguards continue to be actively engaging with beachgoers, taking proactive actions to move people out of danger, and manage risk before it turns into an emergency.”

With the increase in rescues, and approaching celebrations, Surf Life Saving urged the public to take simple steps to stay safe over the summer months, including swimming between the red and yellow flags and only when and where surf lifeguards were on patrol, checking conditions before entering the water, and never swimming alone.

While lifeguards were there to help, the safest rescue is “the one that never has to happen”, Kent said.

“Choosing patrolled beaches and listening to lifeguard advice can make all the difference.”

Beachgoers could use Safe Swim to check conditions and to confirm whether a beach was patrolled by surf lifeguards.

Coastguard New Zealand was also expecting a busy summer on the water and is urging all water users to prioritise safety during the holidays season.

Last summer was among the busiest on record for Coastguard volunteers, who responded to 1269 incidents, up nearly 3 percent on the post-Covid-19 average.

Major life-threatening incidents also rose by 26 percent compared to the previous summer.

On the water, things could go wrong very quickly, Coastguard New Zealand said.

In March, it rescued two elderly brothers from Lake Rotoiti who were attempting to tow a vessel that was taking on water, when their own boat was pulled under and plunged them into the cold lake within seconds.

The experienced boaties had no time to reach their lifejackets and spent more than an hour in the water, kept afloat only by a seat cushion and two bags before help arrived.

Coastguard chief executive Carl McOnie said there were simple measures water users could take to stay safe.

“Accidents can happen even when you’ve got the right gear and done the right planning. By always wearing a lifejacket, carrying two forms of waterproof communication, and making a trip report – especially when crossing a bar – you give our volunteers the best chance to reach you quickly and bring you home safely.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Motorists travelling on a major inland highway in the South Island are facing disruption following a two-vehicle crash.

Emergency services have been called to the Omarama-Lindis Pass Road, State Highway 8, near Omarama.

Police said there had been minor injuries.

The road was closed between between Short Cut Road and Omarama and motorists were told to expect delays.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

It has been over a week since there was a double homicide in the small farming community of Ruatiti in the Central North Island.

On Saturday, 13 December, Sheep farmer husband and wife, Brendon and Trina Cole, were found dead at their Murumuru Road property.

Since then, police have been searching the Ruatiti bush for their son, 29-year-old Mitchell Cole, who is missing.

Updates from police have been few and far between, with many questions still unanswered.

What we know

On Monday, 15 December, police identified Mitchell Cole as a person of interest in their homicide investigation.

Police said they wanted to speak to Mitchell Cole, who they believed was in the remote Ruatiti area, near Whanganui National Park.

A friend of Brendon and Trina Cole, who wanted to remain anonymous, said Mitchell Cole was an “exceptional bushman” who had the skills and knowledge needed to survive in the bush for a long time.

The friend said there were multiple cabins in the area where local hunters stored food and supplies.

Two popular walks; the Mangapurua and Kaiwhakauka Tracks, were closed while police searched them. The tracks have since reopened this week.

Mountains to Sea Ngā Ara Tūhono trail manager Lynley Twyman said off the trails were very dense bush, most frequented by local hunters.

This week, police confirmed they were still looking for Mitchell Cole in the Ruatiti Bush.

The friend of the Cole’s believed Mitchell Cole was with his parents’ Blue Neapolitan Mastiff Dog named Rumble.

They said when friends went to collect the Brendon and Trina Cole’s dogs after the couple were killed, they noticed Rubmble was missing.

Police confirmed they understood Mitchell Cole had a dog with him.

Police asked anyone heading into the bush in Ruatiti to stay alert and report any unusual findings or sightings of Mitchell Cole or the dog.

They said Cole should not be approached and to call 111 immediately.

Trina Cole, Mitchell Cole’s stepmother, was well-known in the Neopolitan Mastiff breeding community.

The couple had been described as “hard-working” and “really good, genuine people”.

Police were also looking to identify a second man in relation to the homicide, who was seen near the intersection of Pukekaha Road and Rautiti Road in Ruatiti at about 6pm on Saturday, 13 December.

The man was described as being in his late 20s or early 30s, 1.83 metres (6ft) tall and clean shaven, with a lean athletic build.

Police said he was last seen wearing a singlet, shorts, and a baseball cap.

What we don’t know

Police have said they will release information proactively if they had anything to share about the progress of their investigation.

Police would not confirm if they believed Mitchell Cole had a gun with him. A warrant for his arrest has been issued against Mitchell Cole for unlawful possession of firearms.

The Defence Force directed requests for information to the police, and would not confirm their involvement in the search for Mitchell Cole.

Police were also yet to confirm the victims of the homicide or how they died. They said this would happen after formal identification by the Coroner.

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