NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Police acknowledge the sentencing of six Mongrel Mob members for a range of violent offending in Southland in 2022.

The sentences handed down in the High Court at Christchurch yesterday range from three years and four months, to six years, in prison.

“The sentencing of all six offenders sends a clear message to organised crime groups that behaviour like this will not be tolerated in our community,” says Area Commander Southland, Inspector Mike Bowman.

“Those who choose to offend in this way, causing this type of harm, can expect to be held accountable.”

In January 2022, Southland began experiencing a spree of violent crimes that spanned several months, including drive-by shootings and violent assaults that left people critically injured.

In response, Police began Operation Pakari, a complex, detailed investigation by Southland Police into this violent offending. The operation concluded in June 2023 with a number of people being arrested.

Inspector Bowman says he hopes this week’s sentencing provides some comfort to the public.

“I want to thank our investigation team, who worked incredibly hard to put a halt to this offending, and our officers and partner agencies who continue to work with our communities through our Resilience to Organised Crime in Communities programme.

“Part of our job is continuing to ensure that whanau and household members directly impacted by the offending and sentencing are well-supported,” he says.

“The operation is a great piece of work that’s happened in the Southland policing area, which has seen a 17% reduction in overall offences since June 2023.

“Our work continues, and we thank our communities for their ongoing support.”

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Issued by the Police Media Centre.

Source: New Zealand Police

District:

Source: New Zealand Police

A three-vehicle crash is causing delays on city-bound traffic on the Southern Motorway (SH1) near Greenlane.

Two vehicles and a truck have collided in the incident.

The crash has occurred near the northbound Greenlane off-ramp and is causing delays in the area.

Emergency services are at the scene.

Police advise motorists to expect delays on their journey this afternoon, as the scene will also need to be cleared.

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Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police

Te Awamutu Police have arrested a man without incident who was wanted after being deemed a risk to public safety.

The 20-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court on 24 September on charges of burglary, intentional damage, reckless driving and unlawful take of a motor vehicle, among others.

Police were notified of a vehicle that was stolen on 16 September, which was later involved in dangerous driving on the road.

Acting Area Commander Mary van Dongen says people that have been causing mayhem in the community can expect Police to use our resources to locate them.

“After a series of dangerous acts that led to Police issuing a warrant to arrest, we have successfully caught up with the individual and can hold him to account.”

“We consider the safety of the community in our response,” says Acting Area Commander van Dongen.

Police thank the Te Awamutu and King Country residents for their assistance in keeping their communities safe.

If you see any unlawful or suspicious activity, please contact Police immediately on 111. To report after the fact or in non-emergencies please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz or call 105.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

West Coast Police have charged a woman with lighting the fire that destroyed the old Seaview Hospital complex at Hokitika in August.

The 42-year-old Hokitika woman was arrested on Wednesday 17 September, when Police executed a search warrant at a local address.

The complex and former Kotuku Hostel, was consumed in a massive fire on 10 August, causing distress and concern among the community. It took firefighters the best part of two days to put out the blaze and for a scene examination to take place.

Detective Sergeant Graham Parsons said first responders initially feared a person may have been inside at the time the fire was lit.

“We had real fears for the welfare of that person, and resources had to be diverted until, thankfully, we were able to establish nobody was inside.

“Police would like to acknowledge those people who have provided information and assistance. We know this fire caused considerable unrest for the community, and hope the arrest brings some form of comfort to Hokitika residents.”

The accused faces a charge of arson and has been bailed to reappear at the Greymouth District Court on Wednesday 24 September.

As the case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

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Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Government

A new Teacher Bonding Scheme is offering teachers incentives and will support schools with persistent recruitment challenges to attract and retain great teachers, Minister of Education Hon Erica Stanford announced today.

“We want to help drive recruitment to schools around the country where it can be harder to bring new and experienced teachers on board, so that all of our children can get the best start and thrive with excellent teachers,” Ms Stanford says.

From October this year, teachers recruited to eligible schools under the scheme will receive up to $40,000 over five years when they remain teaching at the school. 

Payments start at $5,000 per year before tax after year one and reach $11,000 per year in year five. The Scheme will deliver 185 places each year.

“Great teachers are critical to student success and delivering the world-class education our learners deserve. This Government is committed to supporting schools that face the most persistent recruitment challenges. 

“The new Teacher Bonding Scheme will allow us to target support where it is most needed, and, by opening this scheme to all teachers, will help school boards and principals to have more options to recruit teachers who are the right fit for them.

“Sector feedback is clear that harder-to-staff schools want the opportunity to attract and retain experienced teachers to their schools, as well as beginning teachers. We have listened to that feedback and deliberately designed the Scheme to deliver what is needed.”

The scheme will be a $7.5 million investment annually by 2030 and will replace the existing Voluntary Bonding Scheme (VBS) and the BeTTER Jobs Programme. From 5 October  2025, the VBS and BeTTER incentives will be closed to new applicants, as TBS will replace them both. Teachers currently registered in the VBS and BeTTER schemes will continue to be supported.

“This is a practical, forward-looking solution that acknowledges school’s recruitment challenges vary across regions and within urban areas, and I look forward to the results it will produce for our young people.”

Source: New Zealand Police

Failing to stop proved to be the wrong move in Whangārei after it led Police to a serious discovery.

Police conducting proactive patrols on Tuesday afternoon spotted a stolen vehicle travelling south on Otaika Road.

Whangārei Area Response Manager Senior Sergeant Rene Rakete says Police signalled for the vehicle to stop, however it took off at speed.

“When officers attempted to stop this vehicle it accelerated away at speed, turning down a side street in an attempt to evade Police,” he says.

A short time later Police located the vehicle parked at an address on Lichfield Place.

“A search was conducted of the address, with three people of interest located inside,” Senior Sergeant Rakete says.

Further searches uncovered live shotgun rounds, a firearm, and more ammunition.

“This was great work by our officers, who persevered when losing sight of the stolen vehicle” Senior Sergeant Rakete says.

“We are pleased these items are now off the street and the alleged offender is facing the consequences of his actions.”

A 45-year-old man appeared in the Whangārei District Court charged with failing to stop and unlawfully possessing a firearm. He was remanded in custody and will reappear on 29 September.

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Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

Twenty percent of councils have now had their water services delivery plans approved, Local Government Minister Simon Watts says.

“Within two weeks of councils submitting their plans, more than 2.5 million New Zealanders now have an accepted, financially sustainable delivery approach for their water services for the next ten years and beyond, using the tools developed under Local Water Done Well, including the Watercare Charter,” Mr Watts says.

“Accepted today, the Waikato Water Done Well plan will combine water services for over 130,000 people in the Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Ōtorohanga, South Waikato, Waipā and Waitomo District Council areas. This is an unprecedented and impressive collaborative effort between councils.

“With Taupō District Council as a shareholder in Waikato Water Done Well, there is an opportunity to achieve efficiencies for a further 40,000+ people in the coming years. I’m encouraged Taupō is taking advantage of shared services and is open to joining the CCO as benefits are realised.

“Hurunui and Kaikōura District Councils’ CCO plan was also accepted, and I’m advised they are keen to look at options to join forces with neighbouring councils where it makes financial and operational sense to deliver shared services at scale in future.

“With the help of long-term lower-cost finance available under Local Water Done Well, CCOs can service their debt at lower levels than they can going it alone. This means they will be able to plan coordinated infrastructure works and spread the costs over time, so they are more fairly shared between current and future ratepayers. 

“By ensuring water plan costs are well managed, we can ease the financial pressure on council’s and their communities. It will mean Kiwis are able to keep more money in their pockets. 

This will ensure water plans are prudent and costs are well managed, easing the financial pressure on councils and their communities. It will mean Kiwis are able to keep more money in their pockets by ensuring water services delivery costs are well managed.

“Subject to rigorous criteria under the Local Water Done Well legislation, councils that have plans opting for in-house business units also accepted to date gives me confidence in the financial sustainability of their plans.

“What is clear is that that regardless of the delivery model chosen, after decades of underinvestment, Local Water Done Well is delivering much-needed investment nationally in water services infrastructure while providing local council decision-makers the options that suit the communities they serve.” 

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction has begun on the State Highway 2 (SH2) Melling Transport Improvements Road of Regional Significance that will create a safer, more resilient and accessible transport system in Lower Hutt, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.

“Turning the sod on the Melling Interchange is a huge step forward for a project that has been a long time coming. It’s going to be transformational for Lower Hutt – reducing congestion, improving safety, boosting public transport and active transport, and driving economic growth,” Mr Bishop says.

“After so many years of waiting, it’s exciting to see the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), working with AECOM and Fletcher Construction, getting shovels in the ground.

“This project is part of a wider programme led by central and local government to boost economic growth in Lower Hutt, while also strengthening resilience and protection against floods and severe weather.

“Every day around 40,000 vehicles travel north and south of Melling on the state highway, making it one of the busiest intersections in Lower Hutt and a major choke point for commuters and freight.

“The project will deliver a new grade-separated Melling interchange and a bridge over the Hutt River, alongside upgrades to walking and cycling routes. It will also improve access to buses and trains through relocating the Melling train station south of its current site, complete with new park-and-ride facilities.

“The wider $1.5 billion RiverLink programme also includes major flood protection works and city centre revitalisation, with funding contributions of about $1 billion from NZTA, $295 million from Greater Wellington Regional Council, and $180 million from Hutt City Council.”  

The Melling interchange and bridge construction is expected to be complete in 2031, with demolition of the old bridge to follow in 2032.

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters is travelling to New York this weekend to attend the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

“The 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations is an important moment for reflection about the state of the international, rules-based system that New Zealand has long championed,” Mr Peters says. 

“New Zealand was a founding member of the United Nations and we have always argued that all states – no matter their size – should have a say in how the world operates. But there is no doubt that the scale, complexity and persistence of the challenges facing the world are putting immense stress and strain on the United Nations. New Zealand, working with partners, needs to continue to press for reforms to ensure the United Nations can rise to the world’s challenges as humanity enters the second quarter of the 21st Century.” 

While in New York, Mr Peters will attend the Two State Solution conference co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, participate in a number of thematic and geographic events, hold a range of bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister counterparts and senior UN officials, and deliver New Zealand’s national statement to the UN General Assembly.

“Major conflicts – including in Ukraine, Gaza, South Sudan and Myanmar – loom large as world leaders gather in New York next week. Our time in New York will be an ideal opportunity to gather information about how a broad range of partners are viewing and tackling the challenges facing the world – to help inform our own policy positions on a number of issues. 

“This includes the complex issue of the recognition of Palestine, which New Zealand has approached cautiously and deliberately over months. Next week’s engagements will help us to finalise New Zealand’s position on this important issue, drawing on the latest available information.”

Mr Peters departs for New York on Sunday 21 September, and will return to New Zealand on Tuesday 30 September.