NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Karli Whiu:

Hastings Police are seeking information as they investigate a serious stabbing that occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning 7 February.

At around 3.25am, Police were called to a report of a stabbing at an address in the Karamu Road North area.

Officers located a man with severe injuries. Police immediately provided first aid before paramedics transported him to hospital, where he underwent surgery. He remains in a critical condition.

The alleged offender fled the scene prior to Police arrival.

At approximately 6am, Police received information about a man hiding at a property on Mayfair Avenue, not far from where the incident occurred. The man was located and arrested without further incident.

He has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and has been remanded in custody.

Police are now seeking CCTV footage from residents in the surrounding area that may have captured information between the time of the incident and his arrest. Residents are asked to carefully check the time settings on their cameras, including any daylight‑savings adjustments, to ensure footage covers the relevant period.

Police are also asking local residents to check their properties for any items that may have been discarded by the alleged offender.

Anyone with information is asked to make a report at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update Report’, or by calling 105. Please use reference number 260207/3403.

Alternatively, information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

A teenager’s reckless ride on an electric bike through the North Shore found him making a hard landing into court.

On Tuesday night, Police initially responded to an aggravated robbery on Coliseum Drive, Albany at 7.41pm.

Inspector Aron McKeown, Waitematā East Area Prevention Manager, says the teenage victim was outside a fast-food restaurant at the time.

“A teenage male offender has approached the victim, allegedly stealing his electric trail bike at knifepoint,” he says.

“The bike has been driven across the car park towards the mall and out of sight.”

The Police Eagle helicopter had been in the area for another matter, when the crew became aware of the job unfolding.

“Eagle responded and located the bike being driven at excessive speed on the Northern Busway southbound.

“The bike has continued to be tracked by Eagle, as it exited at Constellation Station, making its way onto the Northern Motorway.”

No units pursued the bike, but its movements were tracked from above.

Inspector McKeown says the bike was seen exiting at Tristram Avenue, heading for Beacroft Park.

“He has cut through a football game being played at the time, before heading towards Milford.

“This reckless run came to an end after he fell off the bike on Bevyn Street.

“The 15-year-old didn’t suffer any injuries, but he did find himself in handcuffs and under arrest,” he says.

Waitematā East CIB has charged the male with aggravated robbery, reckless driving and possession for supply of cannabis.

He will be appearing in the North Shore Youth Court today.

“We are ensuring the young victim is being provided by support after this unsettling event,” Inspector McKeown says.

“I’d like to acknowledge all the frontline staff, Eagle and our CIB investigators for their work in responding to this incident.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government has instigated an independent review of New Zealand’s monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the purpose of the review is to identify any lessons New Zealand could learn to improve the monetary policy response to future major events.

“An independent review means the conclusions found can be objective and constructive.

“The Reserve Bank of New Zealand took unprecedented action in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This included reducing the Official Cash Rate to 0.25 per cent, and the use of additional monetary policy tools, including a Large Scale Asset Purchase (LSAP) programme.

“These actions helped to preserve jobs and keep businesses afloat, but the indirect impacts included decades-high inflation, and losses of about $10.3 billion on the LSAP programme and a significant spike in asset values with house prices increasing 30 per cent in one year.

“The purpose of the review is to learn from experience. It will focus on decisions by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), and analysis provided by the Reserve Bank to support those decisions. This includes MPC decision making and communication, the use of additional monetary policy tools, and the coordination of monetary and fiscal policy.”

Monetary policy experts Athanasios Orphanides and David Archer have been appointed to conduct the independent review.

Dr Orphanides is a former governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus and member of the Governing Council of the European Central Bank, and a professor of the Practice of Global Economics and Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

Mr Archer is a former Reserve Bank assistant governor and former head of the Central Banking Studies Unit at the Bank for International Settlements. 

The review is expected to be completed in August 2026 and publicly released in September 2026.

Source: New Zealand Government

Construction is underway to expand and upgrade Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.

“This redevelopment is a practical, front-line investment that will make a real difference for patients and staff, helping to reduce wait times while improving safety, privacy, and the overall flow of care,” Mr Brown says.

The $14.455 million project is part of the Government’s $100 million hospital infrastructure programme funded through Budget 2025, accelerating improvements across health facilities nationwide.

“The upgrade will increase emergency department capacity by around 40 percent, delivering 15 additional points of care, a new mental health assessment room, and redesigned spaces that support better patient flow, privacy, and safety.

“Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department was built 25 years ago, and demand now far exceeds what it was designed for. This redevelopment will deliver a modern, efficient, patient-centred environment that is better equipped to respond to growing demand and seasonal pressures, including winter.”

Palmerston North Hospital’s emergency department is the central hub for emergency care across the MidCentral district, supporting Whanganui Hospital, Dannevirke Community Hospital, and Horowhenua Health Centre.

“This investment strengthens the wider regional network and helps ensure people across region can access timely emergency care close to home.”

Mr Brown says the Government’s $100 million investment programme is delivering 21 local projects across the country to expand and upgrade clinical spaces, strengthen essential infrastructure, and reduce the risk of disruption to critical health services.

“Our Government is focused on practical improvements that strengthen hospital services and put patients at the centre, with targeted upgrades that lift capacity where it is needed most, including here at Palmerston North Hospital.”

The emergency department will remain open throughout the redevelopment, which is expected to be completed in June 2026.

“This work is being carried out while keeping services running, ensuring patients can continue to access care as we build the capacity Palmerston North needs for the future,” Mr Brown says.