NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj:

A critical incident investigation is underway following a fatal crash in Whangārei on the weekend.

At about 11.15pm on Saturday, a Police unit observed a Holden travelling at high speed along Dave Culham Drive.

The Police unit responded and the red and blue lights were activated on Riverside Drive.

The exact response will form part of the critical investigation.

From Riverside Drive the Holden turned onto Memorial Drive and crashed shortly thereafter.

Officers immediately rendered first aid, however despite their best efforts the driver, and sole occupant of the car, was pronounced deceased at the scene.

A scene examination has since been completed by the Serious Crash Unit.

There are several investigations now underway, which will work to establish all the facts surrounding this tragic incident.

This includes notifying the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard procedure.

We are also working to support the family of the deceased, as well as our staff who were involved.

As part of our investigation, we are seeking witnesses who may have been in the area at the time and anyone who may have CCTV between Port Rosd and Memorial Drive to help establish the circumstances.       

If you have information, please update Police online now or call 105.

Please use reference number 251012/3275.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Rotorua Area Commander, Herby Ngawhika:

A man is facing court after a quick-thinking member of the public phoned 111 about his manner of driving in the Galatea/Murupara area.

On Sunday 12 October at around 6pm, Police received the call reporting someone allegedly driving dangerously along Troutbeck Road.

Police responded and located the vehicle a short time after and it was pulled over on Kopuriki Road.

A routine breath alcohol test was administered, to which the driver has blown around three times the legal limit.

Police would like to thank the member of our community for their vigilance and prompt reporting of the alleged dangerous driving, which led to this driver being held to account. It’s extremely lucky that no one was hurt.

A 69-year-old man is due to appear in Rotorua District Court on 16 October, charged with driving with excess breath alcohol for the third or subsequent time.

ENDS

Issued in Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police are appealing for information about an Auckland teenager who is missing from her Mt Roskill home.

Dannii is 16-years-old and described as 163cm tall, with brown eyes and dark curly hair.

She is also known to be quiet by nature and keeps to herself.

Police and Dannii’s family have concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible.

If you have seen Dannii or have any information that could help us find her please contact Police immediately on 111 and quote file number 251009/5045.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government welcomes new data showing a healthy growth in international visitor numbers and improved confidence across the tourism industry. 

“International tourism, as New Zealand’s second highest export earner, is a key part of our economic recovery,” Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says. 

“So it is great to see that international visitor arrivals in August were up 7.5 per cent from the same time last year. With summer around the corner, we are making steady progress against our goal to return to pre-COVID visitor levels, sitting at 88 per cent of December 2019 numbers.

“More visitors means more full tables in our restaurants, more bookings in our hotels, more people visiting our regions and attractions, and more jobs being created across the country.”

The latest International Travel and Migration (ITM) data from Statistics New Zealand shows that of the 230,300 international visitor arrivals in August 2025, 52 per cent were from Australia, 9 per cent were from China, and 5 per cent were from the United States. 

“These positive statistics reflect what the tourism industry is obviously seeing themselves first hand with a Tourism Industry Association survey also out today showing 86 per cent of tourism organisations feeling confident about the year ahead. Up 11 per cent on last year’s results.

“We know the benefits a thriving tourism and hospitality sector bring to our economy, supporting local regions and communities. That’s why our Government has been making a series of investments this year to boost demand and position New Zealand as a go-to destination for people considering their next holiday.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Emergency services in Northland are at the scene of a single vehicle crash on Whangārei Heads Road, Tamaterau.

A vehicle is reportedly on fire down steep bank.

Road diversions are currently in place on Mackesy Road and Owhiwa Roads.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and that road closures may be in place for some time.

ENDS

Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Police

It’s been a week of rescues for the crew in the sky, who have helped a number of people caught up in scary situations across Tāmaki Makaurau.

Last night, Police were called after an international visitor went for a stroll from Pine Harbour to Motukaraka Island but got caught out by the incoming tide.

Senior Sergeant Garry Larsen, of the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre, says officers located the man’s vehicle in the carpark on the mainland and Eagle conducted areas around the island.

“The crew quickly advised they had found a man lying down on the top of a concrete structure.

“They were able to provide reassurance to him that help was on the way, and organised for Deodar to pick him up.”

Just before midday on Friday, a pilot flying his small plane noticed a kayaker had fallen out and was struggling to get back in at Mahurangi Inlet.

Due to minimal information or an exact location, the Police Air Support Unit was also deployed.

Sergeant Mark Jamieson, Air Support Unit Supervisor, says Eagle headed to the area and quickly located a man clinging to his kayak.

“The crew observed a fishing boat nearby, so flew low and close, signalling them to follow us.

“They retrieved the male from the water, with him reporting he had been like that for over an hour. 

“The boat then transported the man to shore where an ambulance was waiting to treat the man for hypothermia.”

On Wednesday the crew were called in again to assist after it was reported two teenagers were stuck on a cliffside in Whangaparaoa Bay.

Sergeant Jamieson says Eagle arrived on scene and quickly located two people 20 metres form the top of the cliff and around 50m from the beach below.

“The pair were perched on the side but informed dispatch that they were holding on to trees to stay put as the rocks underneath them fell away.

“The crew directed FENZ and Police staff to the location with Search and Rescue enroute,” he says.

“With the assistance of SAR and FENZ the duo were able to repel access down to the beach below.

“We’re thankful for these results, but we must stress these were incredibly lucky situations with positive endings – and that’s not always the case.”

Anyone who gets into trouble is reminded to please call 111 as soon as possible, as this will enable an emergency response at the earliest opportunity.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Hawkes Bay Expressway / SH2 near Quarantine Road is closed (Airport to Bayview).

Emergency services received a report of a two-vehicle crash around 2.25pm.

The road is closed and motorists are asked to avoid the area and expect delays.

Diversions are in place.

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Source: NZCTU

The 2025 “Work for Free” calendar shines a harsh light on pay inequity for women and marginalised communities across Aotearoa. Each year, these dates symbolise when women and many ethnic groups effectively stop being paid compared to Pākehā men, reflecting how pay gaps strip weeks of income from families nationwide.

“That women are effectively working for free exposes the reality of systemic inequality and the cost of the National-led Government’s attacks on working women,” said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Secretary Melissa Ansell-Bridges.

“This data shows that pay inequities have a profoundly disproportionate impact on Pacific, Māori, and ethnic minority communities. Men in those communities are also not spared the injustice of unequal pay.

“The Government is perpetuating the cost-of-living crisis by scrapping one of the most powerful tools to close pay gaps – pay equity. We need leaders who will fight to close gender and ethnic pay gaps, not make them even worse,” said Ansell-Bridges.

Pacific women have “worked for free” since the 9^th of October, with Pacific men, Māori women, Asian women, and other ethnic groups following. By 30 November, all women in Aotearoa will have reached their “work for free” day. 

“Pacific women are not looking for favours or saviours in the workplace, they’re looking for what is theirs lawfully – equity, equal opportunity, fair remuneration, meaningful remedy for wrongs intentionally or unintentionally done to them, and respect for dignity,” said Pacific advocate Saunoamali’i Dr Karanina Sumeo.

“Women deserve to be paid 100% of what they’re worth. Closing these gaping disparities is about ensuring fair treatment and equal opportunity for all. It’s about restoring respect, dignity, and mana for the Pacific, Māori, Asian, and ethnic women who tirelessly keep our communities running,” said YWCA Tāmaki Makaurau spokesperson Teresa Lee.

“Imagine if all MPs were told that they were working for the whole of December for free. It is a stain on New Zealand’s human rights record that women’s work is devalued, that female economic security has been denied by the Coalition Government and that thousands of Māori, Pacific and ethnic minority women in critical roles in our communities continue to receive poverty wages,” said Pay Equity Coalition Aotearoa spokeswoman Dame Judy McGregor.

2025 Work for Free dates:

• Pacific women: from 9 October
• Pacific men: from 15 October
• Māori women: from 18 October
• Asian women: from 25 October
• Māori men: from 3 November
• Pākehā women: from 25 November
• Middle Eastern, Latin American, and African women: from 30 November

Note: These dates are based off the mean wage gap. Stats NZ often uses median figures, but the mean wage gap gives the clearest picture of inequality. It reflects the full diversity of women’s work. It captures the influence of low-paid and high-paid workers, with European men overrepresented in higher-paying roles, and ethnic women concentrated in lower-paying sectors and part-time work.

Source: New Zealand Police

Taranaki Police are expressing concern after finding 20 drivers over the legal breath alcohol limit, at the weekend.

Acting Area Commander Taranaki, Darin Haenga, says he wants to reinforce the message that motorists should not drive when impaired by alcohol or drugs.

“We are concerned by how many impaired motorists we found at our targeted checkpoints.

“This is excessive. It highlights the ongoing need for public awareness and responsible decision-making.”

Police also discovered people driving erratically through routine patrols across rural Taranaki – drivers who subsequently returned breath alcohol readings above the legal limit.

A number of these readings exceeded 400 micrograms per litre of breath.

Drivers found to be over the limit have either received infringement offence notices or have been summoned to appear in court.

With the summer season approaching, Police will be increasing their presence across the region.

Enforcement activities will focus on alcohol impairment, excessive speed, driver distraction and seatbelt compliance.

Police urge all road users to plan ahead, avoid driving under the influence, and to speak up if they see unsafe behaviour.

“The goal is to prevent harm and ensure everyone gets home safely.

“Keeping people safe is a team effort, and drivers can play an important role,” says Acting Area Commander Taranaki, Darin Haenga.

We encourage anyone who sees unsafe driving behaviour on the road to contact us as soon as possible. Call Police, either via 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 if it’s after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Acting Detective Inspector James Keene:

Police are investigating after a man died following an altercation in Hastings over the weekend.

Officers were called to a Mahora property shortly after 9:45am on Saturday to reports of an altercation between a group of males.

During the altercation, one of the males has suffered a head injury after his head hit the ground.

He was taken to Wellington Hospital where he died from his injuries late on Sunday.

Police are speaking with those involved and are interested to hear from anyone with further information.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police on 105, or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote file number 251011/1232.

ENDS