Police moved swiftly to keep motorists in Counties Manukau safe yesterday by activating a plan co-ordinating road patrols and the Eagle helicopter.
A dirt bike rider who allegedly ignored a warning about dangerous driving was one of two people later arrested.
Police stopped and spoke to the rider in Manurewa at around 9.30am.
“The dirt bike rider was allegedly driving dangerously into oncoming traffic and doing wheelies on the roadway,” Inspector Warrick Adkin, Counties Manukau Central Area Prevention Manager says.
“The officer asked the rider to stop his behaviour and leave the area as he was putting other drivers at risk.”
The rider was allegedly undeterred by the warning and left the scene at speed riding into oncoming traffic.
Eagle tracked the rider to an address in Takanini.
“Officers then stopped a vehicle attempting to leave the address and the man was arrested,” Inspector Adkin says.
A woman at the wheel of the car was also arrested for displaying Mongrel Mob insignia inside the car.
“Eagle’s involvement enabled Police patrols to follow at a safe distance so lights and sirens were not needed,” Inspector Adkin says.
“The incident was resolved without harm to any members of the public.”
The 32-year-old man has been charged with failing to stop, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. He will appear in Manukau District Court on 15 May.
A 34-year-year-old woman is facing charges of obstruction and prohibited display of gang insignia in a public place. She will appear in Manukau District Court on 15 May.
Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines
This update is our first in a series covering what’s been done and what’s to come in Auckland Council’s efforts to maintain and renew our extensive network of regional park tracks.
In the two years since the Auckland storms impacted 79 regional park tracks, Auckland Council rangers, engineers and contractors have made strong and steady progress to repair damage in all the hardest hit areas. Most tracks are safe once again for visitors to enjoy.
To the west, the landscape in the Waitākere Ranges and Muriwai regional parks was scarred with slips, tree and track damage. Bridges were washed away and ground stability issues presented a challenging list of complex and costly repair jobs.
Only a handful of tracks in West Auckland escaped unscathed (11 of the 60 forest and coastal walks that were open when the storms hit), requiring 49 tracks to close due to serious safety concerns.
Thanks to the council’s continued recovery effort, the council’s western rangers have reopened 39 tracks in a relatively short timeframe and another five are partially open to visitors again.
In the south, all 25 regional park tracks damaged when the storms swept through have now been restored and re-opened to visitors.
To the north, a handful of tracks closed as a result of storm damage but have now reopened, providing a total network of 54 tracks around northern regional parks to enjoy.
The few remaining tracks in West Auckland that are still closed because of storm damage present the most challenging issues due to the scale and extent of damage that occurred, as detailed in the checklist below.
Regional Parks Manager Scott De Silva says ongoing geotechnical investigation is needed at most of these sites to see whether significant, costly repair work is the best course of action.
“There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes to ensure we manage track restoration in the best way possible, to increase resilience and keep the public safe,” says Scott.
“Tracks that remain closed are not safe – it is important that people stay off them. We have so many other options to choose from that you won’t run out of choices.”
Regional Parks continue to attract high visitor numbers, drawing more than 1 million people during January 2025.
Kauri dieback remains an ongoing concern in our native forests and continues to require the careful management of tracks where there is a risk of this disease being spread. The council is working with Tiakina Kauri, iwi, local boards and interested communities to effectively manage the impacts of kauri dieback in multiple locations, most notably in the Waitākere Ranges and Hūnua Ranges regional parks.
In some areas, this calls for the need to minimise foot traffic to protect the environment by keeping tracks closed. In other areas, this will require more significant upgrades to allow people to return.
The Governing Body will consider Auckland’s Regional Parks track programme and associated funding in July 2025. Approval of the programme will enable council staff to undertake the work programme for 2025/26.
Track checklist – as of May 2025
More information on the status of Auckland’s regional park tracks is available via this PDF [69.8KB].
Planning to visit an Auckland regional park?
Check our map of walking tracks before leaving home, to see which tracks are open.
Stay safe and keep our forests healthy. Closed tracks are unsafe or managing a biosecurity risk – please follow the instructions on signage and choose a track that is clearly marked as open.
Be vigilant about using kauri dieback stations. Simple actions like cleaning footwear and gear before and after visiting will help us to continue to protect kauri.
Northland Police have launched a homicide enquiry following the death of a man in Parakao on 9 May.
Ambulance staff located the body of the 55-year-old man just before 4pm at a rural property off Mangakahia Road (State Highway 15).
Detective Senior Sergeant Michelle Harris, from Whangārei CIB, says enquiries are underway with a post mortem being completed today.
Police expect to release further information about the victim once these processes are complete.
The Operation Cossar enquiry team is appealing for the public with information to come forward in relation to a vehicle and person seen in the area.
“We are particularly seeking information and sightings in the area between 2pm and 8pm on Friday 9 May,” she says.
Those are:
– Sightings of a 1999 blue and silver Mitsubishi L200 ute – Reports of a man seen walking along SH14 that afternoon and evening
Detective Senior Sergeant Harris says Police are also seeking any CCTV along Mangakahia Road, Otaika Valley Road and State Highway 14 towards Whangārei.
Police would particularly like any dashcam footage on the same route between 2-8pm.
“We understand this is an unsettling time for the community and we are working hard to establish what has happened,” Detective Senior Sergeant Harris says.
Anyone with information is asked to make a report online, or by calling 105.
Please quote the reference number 250509/6749.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police have this morning arrested a patched Mongrel Mob member in relation to an arson at a Māngere Bridge funeral home last month.
Investigations had been underway following a fire at a funeral home on Kirkbride Road at about 11.50pm on 27 April.
The building sustained minor damage and there were no injuries reported as a result, however Police have been working hard to identify and located those responsible.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Hayward, Counties Manukau CIB, says officers executed four search warrants at addresses connected to the Mongrel Mob across South Auckland.
“As a result of these search warrants we have arrested a patched member who has been charged with arson (endangering life).
“Police also located a pump action shotgun and ammunition at the one of the addresses.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Hayward says two other patched gang members present at the address were also arrested for breaching bail and another in relation to an unrelated serious assault.
“What was of real concern was that there were children present at the address the firearm was located at.
“However, overall this is a pleasing outcome in that we have been able to catch up with the alleged offender and take another firearm out of circulation in the community.”
A 30-year-old man will appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow charged with the arson.
Another man, aged 34, has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition and will appear in Manukau District Court tomorrow.
Labour’s Peeni Henare will pick up the foreign affairs portfolio, following David Parker’s departure from Parliament.
He retains his other portfolios of defence, economic development, Māori-Crown relations: Te Arawhiti and associate health.
Lawyer and human rights advocate Vanushi Walters returns to Parliament this week and will pick up shadow Attorney-General and associate foreign affairs.
“I am delighted to have Vanushi Walters returning to Parliament,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.
“She, Peeni Henare and Phil Twyford will make a formidable team in the important portfolio of foreign affairs.
“New Zealand has a proud history of independent foreign policy, but Christopher Luxon’s Government is not standing up for New Zealand in a more and more divisive and unstable world.
“My expectations of this team will be to ensure we are ready to step back into Government in 2026. That we have clear, principled positions that make sense to New Zealanders.
“David Parker provided a fantastic platform for Labour to build on in this space. His experience and passion will be missed, and I wish him all the best as he embarks on life after politics,” Chris Hipkins said.
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Surprise, surprise, the Great Walks booking opening is the biggest event in our booking calendar, with thousands of people from all around the world logging in on each opening day to nab spaces for Great Walks huts and campsites, high demand lodges, sole occupancy and popular campsites. – How to book and what’s new?
📷: Trampers and Mount Balloon, Mackinnon Pass – Strother, John T
To recap, all DOC facilities for the 2025/26 Great Walk season bookings open between 13 May and 4 June 2025. The booking system opens at 9:30 AM, each opening morning. You need to create an account and have a login ready, if you want to book for this season (make sure you do this ahead of time).
This year, we’ve introduced a new booking system (details below) and since announcing how this new booking system works, we’ve had loads of questions come through to us asking for more clarity and details.
❓Where do I book? ❓What is this booking lobby you mentioned? ❓How does this queueing process work? ❓If I login in early, do I get closer to the front of the queue? ❓Is this system fair? ❓Can the system cope with the demand this year?
👇 All these answers and more below. 👇
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Routeburn Flats seen from Routeburn Track within Mt Aspiring National Park on New Zealand’s South Island.
To read about the great places we have been go to www.panafoot.com
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The booking system has been improved with a new industry-leading lobby system, modelled after the major concert-booking companies. it means that not only will this system and process be somewhat familiar, but it should also be able to handle large increases of traffic on opening days and run smoothly for all users.
What does this mean for me and how does it work?
Users jumping on the booking system on opening morning will be redirected to a waiting lobby (elevator music may or may not be a part of this experience) and when bookings open at 9:30am, users in the lobby will be transferred to a queue and released into the booking system in a controlled manner. At 9:30 all users already in the lobby will be randomly assigned a place in the queue, meaning there’s no advantage to arriving any earlier to the lobby and that the system is fair and randomised.
We highly recommend you log in around 9-9:15, sit back with your morning cuppa and wait until you’re processed through. Anyone logging in after 9:30am will be added to the back of the queue.
Even though this new system should be comfortable handling higher volumes of traffic and process bookings quicker, please be patient and mindful that even though it may feel a little ride or die to get your spot, it isn’t, and that you’re not the only one trying to book at the same time. Try going into this year’s bookings with flexible dates or have multiple date options agreed upon with your group before attempting to book.
📷: Heaphy Hut – Liz Carlson
Also, as reassurance, on booking opening days our team doesn’t pack up and go on vacay -job done, we’ll be keeping an eye on things and adjusting the queue flow as we go, with the aim being to make sure there’s no hiccups in the system and that things run quickly and as smoothly as possible.
Here’s another tip for you – summer holidays are most people’s first pick, so for the best chance of getting a spot at high demand places, consider whether your trip can happen outside those peak weeks – especially for the Milford Track (there’s a good chance of rain regardless of whether you go in January or April!)
Here’s what we recommend people should do to be fully prepared when bookings open for your experience of choice:
Create an account on the DOC booking system well in advance, if you don’t already have one.
Test out your login details before the opening day (one of the main reasons people miss out on opening days is forgetting their password!).
Read up on the DOC website for the place you’re trying to book – some have rules and restrictions that are important to know before you book, and it’s good to double-check the opening dates.
Familiarise yourself with the booking system – search for availability, even test out making a booking (just empty your cart at the end, rather than paying).
Finally – get online on the opening day at around 9:15 a.m., and we’ll see you in the lobby!
Finally – get online on the opening day at around 9:15 a.m., and we’ll see you in the lobby!
📷: Mountain bikers Pike29 Memorial Track – Owen Kilgour
Key Booking Opening Dates
Get ready for Great Walks bookings to open!
The Great Walks bookings opening dates are staggered between 13th – 28th May
for the 2025/2026 season.
Great Walks can book out quick so make sure to mark these key dates and times in your calendar!
Great Walk accommodation bookings
15th May, 9:30am – Heaphy Track
15th May, 9:30am – Kepler Track
15th May, 9:30am – Rakiura Track
15th May, 9:30am – Hump Ridge
22nd May, 9:30am – Whanganui Journey
22nd May, 9:30am – Routeburn Track
22nd May, 9:30am – Tongariro Northern Circuit
27th May, 9:30am – Lake Waikaremoana Track
27th May, 9:30am – Abel Tasman Coast Track
27th May, 9:30am – Paparoa Track
28th May, 9:30am – Milford Track
All other accommodation bookings
13th May, 9:30am – Backcountry huts
13th May, 9:30am – lodges,
13th May, 9:30am – sole occupancy facilities
20th May, 9:30am – Conservation campsites, except Tōtaranui, Momorangi, Anaura Bay campsites
Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house
Date: 12 May 2025
DOC Hauraki Biodiversity Ranger Rachel Langman says a farmer at Pipiroa, near Thames, discovered the injured bird on his property on Wednesday 7 May. The farmer contacted DOC and suggested the bird had been shot -which was confirmed by a subsequent veterinary assessment.
The bird was euthanised on Friday, 9 May, based on veterinary advice. X-rays revealed a shattered wing joint where shotgun pellets were found.
“The bird was quite underweight so we believe it may have been injured for several days before it was found,” Rachel says.
“This beautiful and defenceless animal has suffered for some time after it was shot.”
Royal spoonbills are protected under the Wildlife Act, and hunting or killing a protected species can result in a fine of up to $100,000 or two years in prison.
Anyone who knows about the incident is urged to call 0800 DOC HOT, or email wildlifecrime@doc.govt.nz, and quote case number CLE-9126.
Fish & Game Auckland/Waikato Chief Executive David Klee says shooting protected birds – including this incident – is unacceptable.
“Hunters must clearly identify their target and there is no excuse for shooting a royal spoonbill, which bears no resemblance to waterfowl species that can be legally hunted,” he says.
“Our Code of Conduct states licence holders must ensure they can accurately identify and distinguish game birds from protected species. We have detailed guides in our regulation handbook of the species you can and can’t target.”
He echoed the call for people to report any information about this incident – or any others in which hunters shoot protected species.
“All hunters should follow the rules. We have very few incidents like this, but it can bring everyone in the hunting community into disrepute,” David says.
“Law-abiding hunters – it’s in your interest to report these few rule-breakers.”
Fish & Game compliance officers have been working alongside DOC staff since the opening of the duck hunting season to ensure hunters are following widely publicised rules for their sport. A Fish & Game compliance team is on call at weekends and will investigate any incidents.
Warranted Fish & Game officers and Rangers perform thousands of checks across the duck hunting season. Incidents of this nature are very rare, and anyone with information is encouraged to pass it on to Fish & Game or DOC so the agencies can investigate.
Royal spoonbills are a mobile species found in increasing numbers around New Zealand, and are identifiable through their unique bill, long black legs and white plumage. They feed by distinctively swishing their bill from side to side, while wading through shallow water.
Tireless work by Invercargill Police has resulted in further arrests for burglaries and robberies early last Monday morning.
The two aggravated robberies, two burglaries and an attempted burglary at commercial premises happened between 1.50am and 4.30am on 5 May.Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
A 15-year-old male was arrested last week in relation to a number of the incidents including one of the aggravated robberies. He has appeared in the Invercargill Youth Court and has been remanded in custody.
A 35-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man have been jointly charged with the second aggravated robbery after search warrants were executed in Invercargill city. Both are currently remanded in custody until their next court appearance.
Police are continuing to investigate last Monday morning’s incidents and are still seeking assistance from members of the public in regards to the offending.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell today announced the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jevon McSkimming, has resigned.
Mr McSkimming has been on suspension since last December. Deputy Commissioners of Police are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Mr Mitchell said Mr McSkimming resigned today, with immediate effect, before he could be dismissed.
“I can confirm a process had been underway for the Prime Minister to consider recommending the Governor-General immediately remove the Deputy Commissioner of Police from office,” says Mr Mitchell.
“I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.
“The Policing Act is very clear: A Deputy Commissioner of Police must be a ‘fit and proper’ person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming’s fitness for office.
“When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming’s resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable.
“Police advise that their investigations into Mr McSkimming will continue, notwithstanding his resignation.
“As the latest information remains subject to ongoing Police investigation, I am unable to provide further comment at this time.”
