NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Police acknowledge the IPCA’s finding in relation to a yacht which was abandoned following two arrests at sea.

On 2 December 2024 Police received a report of a serious assault onboard a yacht, approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of 90 Mile Beach.

Police received a mayday report stating the master had been stabbed onboard the vessel by the only crew member.

Police located the yacht just after 8pm.

Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj, says information received at the time indicated there was a significant risk to the person injured.

“Responding Police made a tactical approach towards the vessel in a Coastguard boat, that also had paramedics on board.

“Upon arrival, officers were faced with a situation that was quite different to the one that had been reported to us.

“The alleged offender was compliant, however, the victim was in an agitated state, and a risk assessment was made that it was unsafe to leave him alone on the vessel.”

He says both people were taken into custody on existing arrest warrants and advised they would be returning to shore.

“Although we accept that more consideration could have been given to the prospect of needing to abandon the yacht during the planning stages, Police were faced with a situation where they believed a life was in imminent danger due to information at hand.

“We were also working within very tight timeframes to ensure any approach could be conducted safely and before daylight was lost. 

“Had more accurate information been available, Police would likely have taken a more considered and delayed approach.”

Superintendent Srhoj says the vessel was also in a state of disrepair with a number of concerning safety issues.

“Under the circumstances we support the decision not to allow anyone to return to the vessel.

“Police would like to acknowledge that the circumstances surrounding this incident, including the location and information received, were quite unusual.

“We recognise the vessel was this man’s main residence and acknowledge what he has lost.”

ENDS.  

Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: Maritime New Zealand

As the summer holidays approach, many people will be setting their out-of-office messages and making plans to head out on the water.  

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  18 December 2025

This summer, intrepid visitors naturing in the remote Hope River valley can see scarlet, red and yellow mistletoe.

As well as being “Christmassy”, New Zealand’s mistletoes provide nectar for forest birds and geckos. They are semi-parasitic plants, living on host trees which provide them with nutrients, that also photosynthesise some of their own food.

Wayne Costello, DOC South Westland Operations Manager says, New Zealand mistletoes flower between December and January but are under threat from possums.

“Mistletoe is a highly preferred food for possums – often considered the “ice cream” plant for this introduced species.

“In the Hope valley, mistletoe has been monitored since 2006. The results show that since this time, the population has increased by 2.34 per cent per year – an overall 57 per cent increase over the 19 years monitoring has been underway.

“The results of monitoring suggest that management of possums in the valley with aerial 1080 has been successful in maintaining healthy populations of possum-sensitive tree species. Mistletoe is an indicator species, which means that if it’s doing well, other species in the forest are also likely in good health.

“It’s awesome to see predator control is paying off in the long term – the results give us confidence we are making a difference. It’s also heartwarming to know that this plant, which plays an important role in a healthy ecosystem, is on the rise in this valley and people who go there can enjoy its beauty in the forest.”

Mistletoes were once widespread in New Zealand beech forests. However, due to possum browse, they are now absent from many forests.

Possums arrived late in South Westland compared to the rest of New Zealand, which is why in the 1990’s, when pest control using 1080 began, there was still a population of mistletoe to build on.

Background information

Monitoring of mistletoe is undertaken across 44 20 x 20 m plots in the Hope valley. In 2006, there were 58 plants recorded, while in 2025, 91 plants were recorded in these plots.

For more information about mistletoe see: Mistletoe: Native plants

Contact

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is delivering faster access to mental health support with the addition of 31 new specialist beds at Manor Park Private Hospital in Lower Hutt, Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey announced today whilst visiting the facility. 

“These new beds will ensure more people receive faster access to the right support, in the right place. The beds will help reduce unnecessary hospital stays, ease pressure on emergency departments, and most importantly deliver better care for people,” Mr Doocey says.

The new beds include:

• 15 beds for adults with high and complex long-term mental health needs, offering a recovery-focused environment better suited to their care than traditional acute inpatient units.
• 16 psychogeriatric beds, including:
  • 8 for long-term secure care for older adults in the region.
  • 8 for short-term transitional support, helping Wellington and Hutt Valley residents while their long-term care needs are assessed.

“Hutt Valley and Capital Coast are below the shorter stays in ED target of being admitted, discharged or transferred in six hours. This investment will help improve patient admissions and aims to contribute toward improving their performance. 

“We are shifting how we support people in need of mental health support. Units like this, ensures that when someone is in need of support, they are in a safe, supportive environment that is designed to help them get well. 

“Currently, too many people who require long-term support are placed in facilities that are not meeting their needs. 

“By opening these additional long-term beds, we can ensure this changes. People with the most complex needs can now receive more therapeutic care, that will improve their quality of life. 

“Mental health care must be underpinned by high-quality infrastructure that enables clinicians and support staff to deliver the safe, effective, compassionate care Kiwis deserve.

“Today’s announcement of more beds is part of this Governments mental health plan to deliver faster access to support, more frontline workers, and a better crisis response.”

Note to editors:

• Manor Park Private Hospital is a secure residential facility specialising in high-dependency psychogeriatric and long-term mental health care.