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Police are seeking information on the whereabouts of Julie Butler, who is missing from Aotea/Great Barrier Island.

The 55-year-old usually lives aboard her yacht the ‘Blazing Shadz’, moored in Kaiaraara Bay.

Police were notified by a partner agency about concerns for Julie on 4 April.

Local Police enquiries were hampered by the adverse weather conditions on the island at the time. However, on 7 April it was confirmed Blazing Shadz was not moored in its usual location.

Enquiries have been ongoing since this time, including with the Police Maritime Unit and Coastguard.

Police have also made enquiries with nearby harbour masters that Julie has frequented, including Whangārei.

Police have also been making extensive enquiries with Julie’s friends, whānau and other partner agencies.

To date we have been unable to locate Julie or her vessel Blazing Shadz.

Police are seeking information from the public to assist these enquiries as there are ongoing welfare concerns for Julie.

Please contact 105 using the reference number 250404/8311 if you have any information about Julie or the vessel so that we can reunite Julie with her family.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Media note: Police are also releasing a photo of the yacht ‘Blazing Shadz’.

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Five duffle bags stacked with bricks of cocaine valued at close to $30 million have been unpacked at a Mount Wellington business.

Yesterday afternoon Police were called to the Carbine Road premises after a worker unloading a shipping container of building materials located the bags.

Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill, of Auckland City CIB, says more than 75 packages of cocaine wrapped in cellophane were located in the duffle bags.

“An investigation between Police and Customs is now under way following yesterday’s seizure.

“The joint investigation will focus on the movements of the container and its eventual destination,” he says.

“What we do know is that the container transited through Central America in late March 2025 on its way to New Zealand.

“Cocaine is a highly addictive drug and causes a concerning level of harm in our communities.

“This is a significant find and will put a noticeable dent in the availability of this illegal drug in the district and the harm caused by it.”

Customs’ Acting Investigations Manager, Rachael Manning says: “Customs is committed to working in collaboration with Police to play our part in preventing drugs from reaching our communities, where they cause significant social harm.

“We will continue to provide intelligence and investigative support to our Police partners to identify and hold those responsible to account.”

No arrests have been made and at this stage Police are not releasing any further details as investigations remain ongoing.

If you have any information that may assist Police in identifying and locating those involved in the supply of drugs or organised criminal groups you can report information to the Police via 105 if it’s after the fact or 111 if it is happening now.

Alternatively, you can report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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Four youths allegedly responsible for a burglary at a Mount Wellington dairy have been apprehended.

At about 2.50am, Police were called to the shop on Commissariat Road following a report of a vehicle being used to enter the premises.

Auckland City East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rachel Dolheguy, says the same four people then allegedly broke into another store next door and took a number of items before leaving in a different vehicle.

“A short time later a Police unit spotted a vehicle travelling at high speed on Ireland Road.

“The vehicle then crashed into a fence in Panmure and three occupants have fled on foot.”

Inspector Dolheguy says it was lucky no one was injured.

“The driver was taken into custody and other Police Units were able to quickly locate the other three people, two hiding in a playground and a third nearby.

“Our community deserves to conduct their business without the threat of being a victim of crime and we will continue to respond and hold these offenders to account.

“However we cannot do this alone, if you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact Police with as much information as possible.”

You can contact us on 111, or for non-emergencies through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or call 105.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

All four, aged 14 and 15, have been referred to Youth Aid Services.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

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The Police investigation into the tragic death of Kyle Whorrall over Easter Weekend has progressed significantly.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says on Tuesday afternoon, Police obtained further information about a black SUV that was subject of a media appeal.

“The Operation Aberfeldy team commenced investigations into this vehicle of interest and its movements.

“I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore, and it has been seized by Police with a detailed forensic examination underway.”

In a significant development, the investigation team have also identified a person of interest in the case.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says late yesterday afternoon, Police executed a search warrant at a Beach Haven address.

“A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder,” he says.

“He will be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court today.”

A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

This woman will be appearing in the Auckland District Court today.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “We are aware that there were other occupants in the vehicle at the time this crime was committed.

“This investigation is by no means over.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest, and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest Police station or phone us.”

Police acknowledge the support from the St Johns community, and further afield.

“There has been a stream of information that has come into us, and we are working through this. 

“We value and appreciate the community support,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

As part of the investigation, Police are still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night, and why Kyle tragically lost his life.

Police are still seeking information on the white Toyota ute, which had been cut off by the vehicle of interest.

“I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses, and their information is important to our investigation,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“Please come forward at the earliest opportunity.”

If you have information, please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Police can now formally release the name of the man tragically killed in St Johns on the night of 19 April.

He was 33-year-old US national, Kyle Austin Whorrall.

Police are continuing to investigate Kyle’s senseless death and are working to identify those who were involved.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB, says: “This is a tragedy for Kyle’s family, and their lives have been forever altered.

“We are in ongoing contact with the family who are based in the United States, providing updates on the investigation as this develops.

“Police are ensuring there is support in place for them.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Police are continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend.

Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on the night of 19 April.

Police have had several members of the public come forward with information.

Today, Police are appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.

It has been established that prior to the fatal attack, the dark coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road at around 9.51pm.

“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank Shops from College Road.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”

Police urge those occupants to come forward.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”

•  Investigation continues:

Meanwhile, Police are still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.

Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.

He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries.

“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.

“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”

Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.

“We have had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.

“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”

• The victim:

Police are not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.

“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.

“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”

• Police seeking sightings of vehicle of interest:

Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.

Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.

Please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Media are advised that Police will hold a stand-up this afternoon regarding the ongoing homicide investigation in St Johns.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin will speak to media at the scene on St Johns Road, at 1.30pm.

We ask those media interested in attending to RSVP to media@police.govt.nz so we know who to expect.

We will advise if there are any changes to timings.

If you have issues, you can contact 021 191 3315.

ENDS

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

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Emergency services are in attendance at a two-vehicle crash on Western Bay Road – SH 32 – reported shortly before midday, which has blocked the road at Waihaha on the western side of Lake Taupo.

Indications are there are serious injuries involved, and a helicopter has been dispatched to the scene.

A diversion is expected at Whangamata Road, but motorists are asked to expect delays.

ENDS

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Motorists are asked to avoid the intersection of Mill and Ulster Streets in Whitiora, Hamilton, this morning, after a crash has left one person seriously injured.

Police were called to the crash, involving a vehicle and a cyclist, about 5.55am. 

Traffic management will be in place. 

Motorists should take an alternate route, or expect delays.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

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State Highway One, near Greta Valley, is blocked following a three-vehicle crash this afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the crash between Scargill Valley Road and Motunau Beach Road at around 4.20pm.

One person is reported to have critical injuries at this time.

The road is blocked, and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible and expect delays.

ENDS