Attribute to Senior Sergeant Brad Pollock, Area Prevention Coordinator Taranaki Police
Police are seeking the driver of a vehicle who deliberately and repeatedly lost traction outside the New Plymouth Police Station around 4.40pm on Saturday 6 September.
Police observed a vehicle performing sustained loss of traction directly in front of the station before immediately leaving the scene.
Police did not pursue the vehicle due to the dangerous driving manner. The vehicle was located at an address in Waiwhakaiho sometime later.
An investigation is underway to identify the driver and the persons responsible for the anti-social driving.
The vehicle was not warranted or registered, nor had a boot and was bearing a sign FTP in the rear window of the vehicle. The car had the licence plates removed, presumably to prevent us from identifying those involved.
The driver of the vehicle was wearing a balaclava.
This vehicle was impounded for 28 days, and was issued a non-operation order, ordering the vehicle off the road.
While no arrests were made at the time, Police have sourced and reviewed relevant CCTV and online footage and will continue to identify and locate anyone involved in this behaviour.
Persons involved in stopping traffic at the same time to aid the driver of the vehicle have been identified and will be visited by Police shortly.
If you have any information that could assist our enquiries, please contact Police via 105 and reference file number 250907/6223.
Please attribute to Acting Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers:
Police have fatally shot a man after a confrontation following a burglary in Piopio this morning.
The man, who confronted Police after his quad bike was spiked, fired on officers. One officer was struck in the upper body, causing serious injuries. Police returned fire, hitting the armed man, who died at the scene.
Formal identification is yet to be completed, but Police believe the man to be Tom Phillips, who has been on the run with his children since December 2021.
With the man was a child, who was not injured in the incident. They have spoken with Police this morning and receiving care. We are not in a position to identify the young person at this time.
Waitomo burglary
About 2.30am today, Police were called by a member of the public to a burglary at a commercial address in Piopio. The caller described two people breaking into a supply store – a male figure wearing a head torch and farm gear, and a shorter person, also wearing a head torch.
After loading a quad bike with items, they left at about 2.45am and travelled north.
Based on the descriptions provided, Police believed the man was likely to be Tom Phillips, resulting in additional staff, and the Police Eagle Helicopter, being deployed.
Responding Police set spikes at the intersection of Te Anga and Waipuna Rds, about 3.20am. Several minutes later, the quad bike ran over the spikes, and came to a stop shortly after.
The man fired multiple shots at the first attending Police officer as he exited his vehicle at the scene, striking him in the head and shoulder.
A second police unit was immediately on the scene; police fired at the armed man, incapacitating him.
Police provided first aid, however the offender died at the scene.
A second person was detained at the scene, where multiple firearms were recovered by Police, on and around the quad bike.
The injured officer was airlifted to hospital about 4.50am.
Scene examination and enquiries
A significant Police presence is ongoing in Marokopa and urgent enquiries are being made to locate Phillips’ other children, whom we hold serious concerns for.
The child at the scene is being provided wraparound support and we will not be providing comment on their location at this early time.
Following the incident, we have been in contact with Phillips’ family and we will be working to provide them with all available support.
We are also providing support to our staff member who was injured, and other staff at the scene. This has been a confronting and challenging event for them.
We understand there will be a number of questions about the incident, but at this time, we are limited in the information we can provide.
A critical incident investigation has been launched and we are now working to establish a complete timeline of events.
The IPCA has also been notified, as is standard procedure for an incident of this nature.
Further information will be released when it becomes available.
The Government’s $802.9 million investment into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines has now reached a major milestone, with Greater Wellington Regional Council today signing a contract for a new fleet of 18 battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
“French multinational rail transport systems manufacturer, Alstom, has been selected to deliver 18 state-of-the-art battery-electric trains, the first to operate in New Zealand. The new train fleet will significantly improve travel times and passenger experience on the Wairarapa and Manawatū lines,” Mr Bishop says.
“These new trains will replace the ageing diesel locomotive-hauled fleet which dates back to the 1970s and has frustrated commuters for years. They will deliver faster, more frequent and more reliable services for passengers travelling between Wellington, the Wairarapa and the Manawatū.
“This upgrade will enable the doubling of peak services on both lines and additional off-peak services. We expect up to 15-minute travel time savings for commuters between Wellington and Masterton, and increased speeds on the Wairarapa line.
“These modern battery electric trains will deliver real benefits for commuters, increase productivity, support economic growth, and allow Kiwis to get where they need to go quickly and safely.
“Delivering reliable, effective, and efficient public transport is a priority for our Government. We campaigned on delivering the Lower North Island Rail Integrated Mobility Programme (LNIRIM) to improve service reliability, provide more travel choices for commuters, and reduce congestion on our roads – and I’m pleased to see this progress.”
The Government is funding approximately 90% of the costs for the procurement of the trains and infrastructure upgrades on the two lines, with the remainder funded by two regional councils, Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) and Horizons Regional Council (HRC).
Greater Wellington chair Daran Ponter says Alstom was selected through a robust, two-stage global procurement process.
“With a focus on providing passengers with comfortable and accessible rail journeys, we welcome Alstom to the LNIRIM programme to design and build trains for New Zealand conditions and to maintain the fleet for 35 years,” Cr Ponter says.
“Designed for New Zealand conditions, the new trains switch to batteries on tracks without overhead power, using technology proven in countries like Japan and Germany.”
Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell says the new train fleet will be named ‘Tūhono’, meaning ‘to connect or unite’, representing how urban centres and regional communities will be better connected.
“Tūhono trains will help our regions thrive by improving access to work, education and recreation for heartland New Zealand,” Cr Keedwell says.
The new trains are scheduled to enter service from 2030.
It’s set to provide more valuable insights into one of New Zealand’s most elusive wetland birds – the critically threatened bittern (matuku-hūrepo or kautuku).
This year’s muster coincides with the recent launch of DOC’s Always Be Naturing campaign – during Conservation Week – encouraging all New Zealanders to take action for nature. Nature is at the heart of who we are as New Zealanders – it shapes our identity, wellbeing, economy and future. But nature is in trouble, and the challenge is growing.
A nationwide initiative run by Love Bittern – a charity organisation and community group promoting protection of the matuku-hūrepo – the Matuku Muster calls for volunteers and community groups to count and observe the cryptic and rare birds in wetlands across New Zealand. The particular focus is listening for the distinctive booming sound made by males. The muster helps identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment and how the birds use those spaces.
DOC Science Advisor Harry Caley says the contribution of volunteers involved in the first muster provided valuable data on the matuku-hūrepo population.
“The first Matuku Muster helped us understand more about the shape of matuku-hūrepo populations and how they use their wetland habitats so we can help keep their homes healthy, and so they’ve got space to thrive,” he says.
“We want matuku-hūrepo populations to shift towards and beyond not being threatened by making sure their wetlands are healthy now and into the future.”
Last year more than 500 volunteers across New Zealand counted 223 male birds at 462 sites. Finding females requires an entirely separate method still being developed by researchers. However, they can sometimes be seen paired flying with males at sites across the country during the Muster.
“The muster is a way people can take action for nature. With more people involved we can reach more wetlands, count more birds and protect wetlands into the future – not just for bittern but for the animals that call them home.
“We’d really like to get more data from the South Island, where we need more matuku-hūrepo observers committing some time to the muster.
“The previous Matuku Muster data helped us identify and address gaps in the known matuku-hūrepo environment,” he says.
“Our aim is for the species to survive in locations for several generations by providing optimal matuku-hūrepo habitats within each wetland network, maintaining those sites indefinitely, and adding or enhancing addition/enhancement of new sites for the birds.”
Harry says repeating observations of matuku-hūrepo at sites will also mean scientists can model the birds’ abundance and determine their population status. There are estimated to be less than 1000 matuku-hūrepo nationally.
The first Matuku Muster revealed knowledge of the birds is more widespread than anticipated. Many matuku-hūrepo habitats observations are not on land managed by DOC.
People and groups can find out more and join the muster via the Love Bittern website.
Background information
Matuku-hūrepo, also known as the Australasian bittern or kautuku as they’re referred to by some South Island iwi, have declined significantly since European settlement of New Zealand. The birds face continued threats from habitat loss, predators and disturbance by human activity.
Always Be Naturing
Always Be Naturing celebrates New Zealanders’ love of nature and encourages everyone to get involved. DOC is one of many organisations protecting nature, and we need the collective effort of all New Zealanders so nature thrives for generations to come.
Please attribute to Commissioner Richard Chambers:
One man has died and a Police officer has been seriously injured after an incident in Waikato overnight.
Police were called about 2.30am to a Waitomo address after reports of a burglary at a commercial property.
During the response, a man and a Police officer were shot.
The man was provided immediate first aid, however died at the scene. The officer was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious condition.
A significant Police operation is underway. Police ask media and members of the public to respect the Police operation and cordons that are now in place to ensure nobody is put at risk.
Deputy Commissioner Jill Rogers is in Waikato and will speak to media as soon as possible.
You’ve heard of hiking. You’ve heard of recycling. You’ve heard of eating hot chips at the beach while a seagull judges your life choices. But have you heard of naturing?
No, it’s not a typo. And no, it’s not some new wellness trend involving forest smoothies and crying in a fern. Naturing is a real word (we Googled it and everything) and it’s the word we’re using to describe something genuinely awesome.
Wait, naturing? Is that like… gardening?
Close! But not quite.
Naturing is what happens when people do stuff that connects them to the outdoors and, importantly, makes them more likely to help protect it.
You might already be naturing and not even know it. Ever stopped to admire the stars? Fed your kids a piece of fun nature trivia at dinner? Picked up someone else’s rogue takeaway cup on the beach? Then congrats. You, my friend, are already naturing.
You don’t need hiking boots, binoculars, or a PhD in freshwater ecology to be naturing. You just need curiosity, a bit of care, and a willingness to connect with the living world outside your front door.
Okay but… does naturing mean being naked?
Excellent question. No.
Despite the suspiciously nude-sounding name, naturing does not require you to remove your clothing (unless you really want to and are somewhere it’s legal and non-concerning to the neighbours). Naturing is about connecting with nature, not confusing the ducks .
So, please keep your pants on metaphorically and literally. But by all means, feel free to take your shoes off on the grass. That kind of barefoot rebellion is 100% naturing-approved.
So why does naturing matter?
Because nature needs us and, spoiler alert, we need it too.
We’re living in a time when our environment is under pressure. Climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, you name it. But the more people connect with nature, the more likely they are to protect it. That’s science. Real science. White-coat, peer-reviewed, nature-nerd science.
So whether you’re planting a tree, joining a local restoration group, or simply pausing to watch pīwakawaka do backflips in your backyard; those moments matter. They build a relationship with nature. And relationships are where the good stuff starts.
Okay cool, but what does naturing actually look like?
Glad you asked. Naturing comes in many forms. Some obvious, some less so. It could be:
➜ Going for a bushwalk and learning the names of three native plants (bonus points if you say them out loud like a walking documentary).
➜ Tuning into a nature podcast while stuck in traffic, imagining yourself in the ngahere instead of on the motorway.
➜ Sharing a photo of a weird-looking bug on social media and not calling it gross.
➜ Teaching your tamariki not to stomp on mushrooms, because even fungi have feelings (kind of).
➜ Spending your lunch break cloud-gazing instead of doomscrolling.
➜ Refusing to let your dog chase birds at the beach, even when he looks at you like you’ve ruined his entire life.
➜ Picking up litter you didn’t drop and resisting the urge to mutter angrily while doing it. Or not. Mutters still count.
We’ll be sharing more naturing ideas on the blog, from the wild and wonderful to the small and every day. Because naturing isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. It’s for the hikers and the hammock-readers. The surfers and the seed-planters. The mountain climbers and the slow-walkers-who-stop-to-talk-to-ducks.
So where do you come in?
You already have. If you’ve read this far, you’re probably halfway to naturing already. It’s all about helping more people recognise the nature they already love, and giving them more ways to show it a little love back.
So try something new. Tell your mates. Use the word “naturing” like it’s always been a thing (because now it is). And most of all, enjoy it. Nature’s good for you. Like really good. Science says so.
Headline: Counter Narratives launches in Ōtautahi – food, culture, and community through photography and kōrero
Hayley Walmsley launches Counter Narratives, a photo and interview series about kitchens, recipes, and the cultural stories in our kai. Backed by Boost Ōtautahi, it will start with shared meals and grow toward an archive, book, or exhibition.