NZ Engine

Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: New Zealand Police

Police welcome the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) that a police officer’s actions during an incident in Motueka in March 2024 were justified. 

Officers were responding to several 111 calls regarding a man presenting a firearm at members of the public. 

Tasman District Commander, Superintendent Tracey Thompson, says the officer involved assessed the situation and responded accordingly, to ensure the safety of all who were present.

“The officer involved used his car to mitigate the risk he believed the man presented to his fellow officers and members of the public,” says Superintendent Thompson.

“The information available to the officer from the 111 calls suggested the man was armed with a pistol.”

“The officer therefore believed there was an imminent risk that he, his fellow officers, or members of the public could be shot.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing to the public for information on the whereabouts of David Heketoa, who has a warrant to arrest.

Heketoa, 56, is wanted to arrest for breaching electronically monitored bail.

Police have been making extensive enquires to locate Heketoa, but he is actively evading Police.

We believe he is transient and may be moving between addresses in an attempt to avoid apprehension.

If you see Heketoa please call 111 immediately.

Anyone with general information that can assist our enquiries call 105 and quote file number 230418/8075.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Petroleum operators can once again apply for new prospecting and exploration permits beyond onshore Taranaki, enabling the work needed to grow New Zealand’s dwindling gas reserves, says Resources Minister Shane Jones. 

In addition to the Block Offer competitive tender process, a new open market application pathway has been introduced to allocate new permits—providing a more responsive mechanism to align with investor interest and incentivise bold exploration plans.

“Confidence in the gas sector took a significant hit when the exploration ban was introduced in 2018, impacting investment in our producing fields and preventing the vital new exploration needed to meet demand in the years to come,” Mr Jones says. 

“This has left a gaping hole in New Zealand’s medium-term energy security, and while we continue to progress options to provide interim relief, we need to get the sector back to work to play catch-up.

“The open market application process better balances this urgency with robust competition by allowing an operator to apply for prospecting and exploration acreage as soon as they are ready. Regulator New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals will then call for competing applications over the same acreage for a period of three months, ensuring permits are granted based on the best proposed work programmes and outcomes.

“Block Offer tenders are a great promotional tool that can still be utilised in the future, but right now my focus is on reviving exploration activity in new prospects and existing gas-producing reserves as soon as possible.”

To support this, Mr Jones says he will have further detail to share shortly on the Coalition Government’s tagged contingency of $200 million through Budget 2025 for co-investment in new gas fields. 

Hobby miners can also apply for permits under a new Tier 3 category from today, making it easier for people to undertake small-scale gold mining activity across the country. The streamlined process better balances the levels of regulatory scrutiny with the types of activities used in hobby mining.

“This new permit category is great news for the 200 hobby miners predominantly operating on the West Coast and in Otago – and many more who have been put off seeking approval due to stringent regulatory requirements and compliance costs designed for larger operations,” Mr Jones says. 

“The streamlined application tests and reduced annual reporting requirements cut regulatory burden and frees up New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals to focus on higher-value, more complex applications.”

Read more at Crown Minerals Act law changes – New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals

Source: New Zealand Police

Police in Auckland have taken over $58 million out of the hands of organised crime, with more than 10 tonnes of cannabis destroyed in a sweeping set of operations.

Over a month, Police have shut down 120 cannabis grow houses nestled amongst suburban and rural communities.

So much cannabis was destroyed, four trucks were required a week to cart away cannabis discovered in Waitematā district alone.

They were largely hidden in plain sight, in average-looking rental properties in areas like Pōkeno in the south, Pakuranga in the east, Henderson in the west and Torbay to the north.

Police made 30 arrests, most of which were Vietnamese nationals who are going through the deportation process.

The numbers speak volumes themselves: 128 addresses searched, over $12,000 in cash and more than 11,000 plants destroyed.

Operation Beryl saw Waitematā Police carry out a two-week sting with an almost 100 per cent strike rate on properties searched.

More than 9 tonnes was located there alone.

“Police efforts have dealt a significant blow to the pockets of organised crime figures and their associates, denying them a payday of more than $50m,” Detective Inspector Callum McNeill says.

“This is not just a small group of cannabis plants located but instead would have gone on to fund a range of organised criminal activities in our communities.”

Police operations were carried out between late July and through August.

Operations were also carried out in Auckland City and Counties Manukau districts, targeting cannabis grow houses.

More than half a tonne of cannabis was located by Auckland City Police at a warehouse in the Penrose area.

And further south, Counties Manukau Police destroyed more than 140 kilograms of cannabis and 4,200 plants.

Cannabis grow houses linked to Vietnamese organised criminal operations have increasingly come to Police attention in recent years, Detective Inspector McNeill says.

According to Police records, 97 cannabis grow houses were located by Police in the Auckland region in 2024.

In the first six months of this year, to 30 June 2025, Police had already located 90.

Detective Inspector McNeill says growing cannabis is not the only illegal activity taking place.

“We know these rental properties are often fitted out with shoddy electrical wiring, fuelled by stolen power which is diverted from other properties.

“It’s not only illegal but poses very real dangers to those operating the grow houses and innocent members of the community.”

In many instances, Police have been called to residential house fires after evidence of a cannabis grow operation is discovered.

• Police to landlords: Listen up

Police are working closely across the sector around targeting and preventing these operations from getting off the ground.

But at the same time, Detective Inspector McNeill says landlords need to pay attention or risk insurance not paying out.

“Landlords, need to remember they have obligations to carry out due diligence on prospective tenants.

“If tenants move in and turn your house into a growing operation, you risk being liable in the event of a fire or significant damage.

“It’s unfortunate that we are finding in many cases private landlords are not carrying out basic checks before or during tenancies.”

Police recommend landlords to carry out checks before signing up tenants:

– Carry out reference checks.
– Meet tenants face-to-face and check IDs
– Credit and income verifications.

Always ensure you carry out regular inspections of your properties.

“Be aware if tenants have a preference to pay rent in cash or offer to pay more to avoid inspections,” Detective Inspector McNeill says.

Landlords and neighbours can also play a part in stamping out these operations.

“By working together, we can all keep our communities safe.”

You can report suspicions of an address to Police via 105 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

“We also advise people that if they come across a cannabis grow house not to enter or touch any equipment, instead alert authorities so the area can be made safe.”

Notes for media:

Additional B-roll footage is available: Please email media@police.govt.nz for copies.

Interviews: Detective Inspector Callum McNeill is available for media interviews. Please enquire with the media team for further.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police
 

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are attending a serious crash on Victoria Street, Auckland Central.

A two-vehicle crash was reported at 5.40am, near the intersection of Albert Street.

At this stage one person is in a serious condition.

Victoria Street is closed between Queen and Hobson Streets.

Police are advising motorists to use alternate routes as road closures may be in place for some time.

The Serious Crash Unit is in attendance and an investigation will be carried out to determine the cause of the crash.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services are responding to a crash involving a car and bus at Waitao, Tauranga tonight.

The crash was reported about 6.15pm, and happened on Welcome Bay Road, between Waitao Road and Water Lane.

One occupant of the car is in a critical condition. The occupants of the bus were not seriously injured.

The Serious Crash Unit has been notified and Welcome Bay Road is likely to be closed for some time. Diversions are in place between Kairua Road and Water Lane.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Sergeant Tory Press:

Porirua Police have seized a dirt bike that fled from officers on Friday.

Police identified the bike through their enquiries and seized the vehicle on Sunday, impounding it for six months.

The bike has been confirmed as one of several that were used in Belmont Regional Park to damage farm infrastructure and stress livestock that are currently lambing.

Porirua Police continue to prioritise the investigation and enforcement for similar offending and appreciate the ongoing support of the community providing information.

Police continue to urge anyone who witnesses dangerous driving behaviour to please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report via 105 if it is after the fact.

Alternatively information can be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

Quick thinking by a shop owner put a group of violent offenders on the back foot and Police closely behind.

A Glen Eden superette owner was preparing to open his store around 6.45am on Tuesday, when five youths with their faces covered arrived outside, in what turned out to be a stolen car.

Inspector Kelly Farrant, Waitematā West Area Prevention Manager, says the store-owner’s rapid reaction literally stopped the offenders in their tracks.

“He quickly pulled the doors closed and prevented the youths entering his Kaurilands Road store.  The group abandoned their attempt to get inside and left in a stolen car.”

Inspector Farrant says just minutes later a member of the public reported seeing the stolen vehicle nearby in Henderson.

“The offenders got out of the car and fled,” Inspector Farrant says.  “However, a Police dog handler tracked them to a nearby property.”

Five youths, aged between 12 and 14, were arrested and will be referred to Youth Aid for attempted aggravated robbery and unlawful use of  a motor vehicle.

“I’d like to acknowledge the shop owner’s quick action and prompt reporting to Police, which not only prevented further harm but assisted us in identifying who these offenders were,” Inspector Farrant says.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the member of the public who recognised the youth were up to no good and phoned police.

“This allowed our people to provide a rapid response and arrest them before the committed further crimes. 

“I would like to reassure the community that our staff are working exceptionally hard to ensure the public and business owners are safe and feel safe in our communities.”

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Housing Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated Community Housing Funding Agency (CHFA) following their launch of $200 million of A+ rated bonds.

“This means $200 million in cheaper lending is now available for Community Housing Providers (CHPs). It will help them deliver more social homes as well as more affordable homes, at lower cost,” Mr Bishop says.

“I congratulate CHFA on leading this innovation, and for being the first domestic issuer of social bonds in New Zealand. I look forward to seeing all the great outcomes this unlocks for families and communities across New Zealand.

“These social bonds were well received by the market demonstrating the level of confidence that investors have in supporting social and affordable housing in New Zealand.

“The Government has funded CHPs to deliver more than 2,000 social homes from 1 July this year and is helping them unlock lower borrowing costs by backing CHFA through a $150 million lending facility. This means CHPs will be able to deliver more social homes for less.

“We are also working on further initiatives that will make it easier for CHPs to access financing for social housing. These initiatives will reduce borrowing costs, enabling CHPs to deliver more homes for less and reinvest savings into social programmes. I’ll have more to say soon.

“CHFA’s bond launch today is an important step towards levelling the playing field between Kāinga Ora and CHPs – and ultimately delivering more homes for Kiwis who need them.”