NZ Engine

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died following a serious crash on State Highway Two, Maharahara earlier this evening.

Emergency services received a report of the two-vehicle crash at around 5.05pm.

Sadly, despite best efforts from emergency services, one person died at the scene.

Two others have received moderate to serious injuries.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conducts a scene examination.

Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Te Aroha this afternoon.

The two-vehicle crash on Stanley Road South was reported just before 1:40pm.

One person died at the scene, a second person was seriously injured and a further two people sustained moderate injuries.

The road has since reopened.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

State Highway Two, Maharahara is closed following a serious crash this evening.

Police were alerted to the two-vehicle crash near Gaisford Road at around 5.05pm.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

The road is closed while emergency services are at the scene.

Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.

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Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson:

Police acknowledge the findings by the coroner into the tragic death of three-year-old Lachie Jones who was found deceased in a Gore oxidation pond in January 2019.

Police will now need to consider the findings and the direction by the coroner for Police to undertake a third investigation. We will work diligently on all aspects we need to undertake to progress that with the appropriate resources and urgency to complete this direction as is required.

Police want to acknowledge Lachie’s family and the impact his death and the subsequent processes have had on them.

Police would also like to take this opportunity to recognise members of the public who came out on the evening Lachie was reported missing and searched for hours. We know that Lachie’s death has also had an impact on them and the wider Gore community.

Police have previously acknowledged but reiterate again today that our initial action following Lachie’s death fell short of the high expectations we set for ourselves. As a result of Lachie’s death, Police have implemented a national policy change which requires that CIB must be consulted for any death of a baby, child, or young person and where possible attend all scenes. The CIB will also be required to oversee or lead any investigation into the death of an infant or child under 10.

Our deepest thoughts and sympathies continue to be with Lachie’s family.

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Issued by Police Media Centre. 

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird,

Ten people have been arrested and are facing over 70 drug charges following a series of search warrants in Southland and Otago this week.

Police seized approximately $16,000, ammunition, drugs, and other drug paraphernalia.

The Southland and Otago Coastal Organised Crime teams executed the warrants as part of Operation Strata, targeting drug dealers with gang connections.

There were 15 warrants in total, in Invercargill, Dunedin, Gore, Mataura, and other rural properties.

The 10 people arrested face numerous serious charges, from supplying methamphetamine, MDMA, cocaine, LSD and cannabis, to possession of restricted weapons and ammunition.

Investigations are ongoing and we expect to make more arrests, and file further charges, in coming days.

Our message is clear – drug dealers are not welcome in our communities, and neither is the harm that comes with them.

Police will continue our focus on disrupting the supply of drugs to our communities, and holding to account those suppliers who make money through the harm and suffering of others.

Operation Strata involved over 30 staff from a number of Police groups across the Southern District and South Island, including the Te Waipounamu Gang Disruption Unit based in Christchurch.

If you have any information about the supply of illicit drugs, please contact us through 105, either online or via phone.

Information can also be reported to your local Police station, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

We encourage anyone affected by drug addiction to seek help through Alcohol and Drug helpline on 0800 787 797, or free text 8681.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Attributable to Detective Inspector Nicola Reeves,

Police acknowledge the sentence handed down to Tingjun Cao today in the Christchurch High Court.

Mr Cao was sentenced to life imprisonment with 17 and a half years non-parole for the murder of Yanfei Bao.

A dedicated investigation team, supported by our forensic specialist partners, has worked tirelessly since July 2023 to tell Yanfei’s story and seek a resolution for her and her loved ones. I speak on behalf of all the staff involved when I say this case will stay with us forever.

Once again, I would like to acknowledge Yanfei’s family, both here in New Zealand and in China, who have showed nothing but strength, grace and courage over the last two years.

We would also like to thank all the members of our community who have provided valuable information since day one of our investigation. Your support, your observations, and your willingness to assist the investigation and prosecution, directly contributed to this successful result.

Yanfei was like so many of us, a much loved and admired woman, who was working hard to provide a better life for herself and her family. She had a fundamental right to be safe in her place of work and return home at the end of the day.

Violent men who harm women will not be tolerated in our community and New Zealand Police will hold offenders to account.

Violent men should feel under threat, not women and girls going about their lives.

While there is no outcome that can bring Yanfei back to her family, we hope that today’s sentencing can bring them some closure, as they continue to adjust to life without her.

This is just one part of the healing process and I hope her family can take some comfort knowing the person responsible has been held to account for his actions.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police

Motorists are advised to expect traffic delays around Newington Road in Henderson.

A young child was struck by a car around 3pm and sustained a broken leg and foot injuries.

A section of Newington Road between Great North Road and Keruru Road is closed. 

Traffic management is at the scene and traffic is being diverted.  

The injured child has been taken to hospital in a serious condition.

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Nicole Bremner/NZ Police 

Source: New Zealand Government

Good Morning. It is a pleasure to be in Jakarta again today.
Indonesia is an absolute priority for the New Zealand government, which is why we have now visited here four times since re-taking office as New Zealand Foreign Minister in late 2023.
Indonesia is one of New Zealand’s oldest friends in Southeast Asia and our relationship is warm, deep, and broad-based. There is much that we admire about your country. We are ambitious for us to do much more together. 
Thank you to Minister Sugiono and his officials for hosting us today. We are always honoured by the extremely warm welcome here in Jakarta, and were proud to be here for President Prabowo’s inauguration last year. 
New Zealand is a partner to Indonesia for the long-term and we have strong ambitions to strengthen our relationship as we head towards 70 years of diplomatic relations in 2028.
We are pleased, Minister Sugiono, that during this visit we have been able to make tangible, concrete progress on issues of importance to our peoples. 
On the economic front, we welcome the conclusion of a Cooperation Arrangement on Halal Products. This will facilitate the convenience, security and safety of halal food traded between our countries. 
New Zealand leads the world in agriculture and dairy productivity, and our high quality, safe and halal food products are a key export to Indonesia. 
We were pleased to discuss how New Zealand dairy exports can support President Prabowo’s flagship healthy nutrition programme – and to reiterate New Zealand’s commitment to working closely with Indonesia on agricultural cooperation, as Indonesia’s own dairy sector grows. 
On education, our governments are signing today an amended Cooperation Arrangement to enhance student and research exchange between New Zealand and Indonesia.
New Zealand is also delighted to announce today a significant increase ­– from 45 to 70 – in the annual number of scholarships offered to Indonesians to do tertiary study in New Zealand. 
We look forward to welcoming an even greater number of Indonesian students to New Zealand to experience our world class education system and learn more about our respective cultures and countries. 
On energy, we are proud of our long-standing partnership in Indonesia’s renewable energy sector. Over the next 5 years, New Zealand will invest a further $15 million to support the development of renewable energy in Indonesia. 
We were pleased to reaffirm with Minister Sugiono our goal to increase two-way trade to NZ$6 billion by 2029 – noting that two-way trade with Indonesia increased by more than 43% in the past 5 years. 
Our trade is mutually beneficial. To achieve our ambitious trade target, we need to keep working together to unlock new trade opportunities. 
Indonesia is also a key partner for New Zealand in navigating increasing geostrategic complexities in the region. We discussed our collaboration on defence and regional security issues, including tackling transnational organised crime, the flow of drugs, and human trafficking.  New Zealand also announced a new contribution to the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation, which reflects New Zealand’s long-standing partnership with this world class facility. 
We are also pleased to announce the visit by HMNZS Te Kaha this month to Jakarta.
New Zealand will also participate in Exercise Super Garuda Shield, a major United States-Indonesia exercise aimed at reinforcing security ties across the Indo-Pacific.
So, this has been a very productive visit. New Zealand and Indonesia are making concrete progress together, in a wide range of areas. This is befitting the high ambition that our two countries have for the relationship. 
Minister Sugiono, your hospitality has been a reflection of the warmth and respect that underpin our bilateral relationship. We eagerly await the opportunity to host you in New Zealand at your earliest convenience.
Thank you very much. 

Source: New Zealand Government

Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ visit to Indonesia today has secured tangible progress in New Zealand’s relationship with Southeast Asia’s most populous nation.

“Indonesia is an indispensable partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. 

“Demonstrating our commitment to the relationship, this is our fourth visit to Indonesia in the past 18 months, including for President Prabowo’s inauguration. 

“We are pleased to have made tangible, concrete progress today across the Indonesia relationship, which will deliver benefits for the New Zealand and Indonesian people.” 

Mr Peters, alongside Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, announced in Jakarta today: 

• the conclusion of a cooperation arrangement on halal products, which will facilitate halal food trade between New Zealand and Indonesia;
• the signing of an enhanced education cooperation arrangement, to facilitate student and research exchanges;
• an increase from 45 to 70 in the annual number of scholarships for Indonesian students to study in New Zealand; and
• a port visit by HMNZS Te Kaha to Jakarta later this month.

“By working more closely together, New Zealand and Indonesia are fostering mutual economic growth, deepening regional cooperation, and strengthening the connections between our people. 

“The arrangement concluded today on halal is particularly noteworthy. Indonesia is recognising New Zealand’s domestic processes for certification of halal products. This will improve access for New Zealand meat and dairy into the world’s largest Muslim country.

“We are also pleased that the new arrangement on education will spur closer student and research exchanges.”

Mr Peters arrives back in New Zealand tomorrow, having completed a three-country tour of France (for the Pacific-France Summit and the UN Ocean Conference), Italy and Indonesia. 

At the conclusion of their talks, Minister Peters and Sugiono released a joint statement.

Media contact: John Tulloch +64 21 868 943

Source: New Zealand Police

Good police work intercepted an alleged thief looking for an easy ride in Auckland early this morning.

Around 3am two offenders arrived at a warehouse on Taylors Road, Morningside.

“The van both offenders were travelling in was used to force its way through roller doors at the address, damaging them enough to gain entry,” Auckland City West Area Prevention Manager Inspector Wayne Kitcher says.

Both offenders entered the address and took several large boxes containing e-scooters before driving away.

A short time later Police located a man allegedly loading the same e-scooter boxes into a different vehicle, only a few minutes from the scene.

The boxes were identified as identical to the ones taken from the premises.

“The original vehicle was later discovered hidden at an address only a few hundred metres away from where staff apprehended this man,” Inspector Kitcher says.

“This was a good result by our staff who put a stop on these alleged offenders being able to benefit from the proceeds of crime.

“Ram raids have trended downward in recent years, and we continue to prosecute this offending if it occurs.”

A 37-year-old man appeared in Auckland District Court charged with receiving stolen property.

Inspector Kitcher says enquiries remain ongoing to locate the second offender.

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Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police