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Take steps to prevent vehicle theft – Wairarapa

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are urging the public to take extra precautions to keep their vehicles safe after a recent increase in stolen vehicles reported across the Wairarapa area.

In the past three months there have been 60 reports of vehicles being stolen, says Wairarapa Area Prevention Manager Acting Senior Sergeant Gill Flower.

“We’re seeing a wide range of makes and models being stolen, with smaller cars such as Mazda Demio and Toyota Aqua over-represented. The vehicles are being used for joy-riding and sometimes to commit further offences and harm in our community.”

Police are committed to recovering stolen vehicles and apprehending those responsible, and so far 51 of the 60 stolen vehicles have been recovered by Police.

However Police are seeking the help of vehicle owners to deter opportunistic thieves.

We encourage people to take the following preventative measures to help keep their vehicles safe:

  • Ensure the vehicle is locked and parked off the road, out of sight, or in secure car parking where possible.
  • Consider a vehicle alarm or vehicle immobiliser.
  • Purchase a steering wheel lock.

In addition, please ensure valuables and credit cards are removed from vehicles, particularly if cars are parked in the open.

We urge the community to contact Police if they have any information about this ongoing offending.

Anyone that sees suspicious activity around vehicles should call Police on 111 if it’s happening now, or 105 after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Supercheap Auto New Zealand offers $10,000 reward for safe return of bear-napped Heart Kids NZ mascot Māia Bear

Source: Heart Kids NZ

It’s been a week since much-loved Heart Kids NZ mascot Māia Bear went missing when the car she was taking a nap in was stolen from Silverdale, Auckland. With no sightings of her since, heart kids across the country are devastated that she has not been found.
Every year hundreds of kiwi kids receive a smaller Māia Bear when they undergo open-heart surgery, and they adore the life sized mascot who helps to raise awareness for the organisation that provides free, lifelong support for them throughout their heart journeys. 
Today, long-time Heart Kids NZ supporters Supercheap Auto New Zealand have offered a $10,000reward – payable as a donation to Heart Kids NZ – for the safe return of Māia Bear. 
Supercheap Auto NZ business manager Mat Northway said his team were very upset to hear about the bear-napping of Māia. 
“We know how much she means to all the heart kids, and we really want to do whatever we can to help bring her home”. 
Heart Kids NZ chief executive Dr Ruth Gorinski said the charity has been overwhelmed with the publicity given across the media offering to help in the return Māia, and the offer of a reward by Supercheap Auto.
“Such generosity is incredibly humbling and indicative of how our sponsors value the service HKNZ provides to heart kids and their whānau.” 
Heart Kids NZ child ambassador, Leighton Leevard, 12, has also offered a reward for the safe return of Māia saying he is devastated to think so many kids with a heart condition now don’t get to meet Māia.
“I’m devastated to think that so many kids who are born with a heart condition now don’t get to meet Maia bear. “If the thief has a heart, they’d return Māia. Everyone at HKNZ love and cherish Māia and we miss her, so please return her….I would even be willing to trade my Māia bear I got with my first surgery if the thief would return our big one.”
Anyone who sights Māia Bear should phone Police on 105 (non-emergency).
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Lifestyle News – International Day of Yoga celebration in Parliament + Invite to all

Source: Art of Living Foundation New Zealand

New Zealand Parliament Celebrates 9th International Day of Yoga with The Art of Living Foundation and High Commission of India, co-hosted by the Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan and MP Ingrid Leary
New Zealand, 21st June 2023 – The Art of Living Foundation, founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, in collaboration with the High Commission of India to New Zealand, is pleased to announce the 9th International Day of Yoga at Parliament. The event will be co-hosted by the esteemed Minister, the Hon Priyanca Radhakrishnan, and Member of Parliament, Ms Ingrid Leary. This celebration aims to honour the true essence of Yoga and its physical benefits while fostering unity and promoting healthy living among diverse communities and ethnic groups.
Throughout the day, various activities will take place within Parliament. These include yoga sessions specially designed for children from local schools, an inaugural annual event featuring Yoga, breathwork, and meditation for all parliamentarians, afternoon breakout sessions to facilitate learning and understanding of yoga principles and an exclusive yoga and meditation session dedicated to ethnic groups and communities.
This year’s theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which means “One World, One Healthy Family,” highlights the significance of global unity for a healthy world. The event will conclude with an evening of wisdom, kirtan yoga, and dance celebrations. Lunch and dinner will be provided, and all interested individuals are welcome to attend; however, an RSVP is required.
The International Day of Yoga, initiated by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and supported by the United Nations, is celebrated annually on the 21st of June. The Art of Living Foundation has been promoting Yoga as a holistic lifestyle, fostering physical, mental, and emotional well-being through various programs and initiatives for forty years.
Organiser from the Art Of Living Mr Kulbhushan Joshi quotes H.H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on the occasion: “Yoga goes beyond physical exercise; it embodies unity, peace, and harmony as a way of life.” The Art Of Living along with the High Commission of India to New Zealand and co-hosts Minister Radhakrishnan & Member of Parliament Ingrid Leary, are excited about this event as we celebrate the International Day of Yoga and promote healthy living in New Zealand.”
Ms Ingrid Leary MP added, “This event provides an exceptional opportunity to unite individuals from diverse communities and ethnic groups, fostering unity and promoting healthy living. As an experienced yoga teacher, I look forward to meeting the many people who will join us to celebrate this unifying and uplifting event.”
The event promises a day filled with activities promoting physical and mental well-being, and we warmly invite all interested parties. For more information and to RSVP, please visit the following link: www.artofliving.org/nz-en/idy2023
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Fatal crash, Otaio

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police can confirm that a person has died following a crash involving a single vehicle, on private property on Stanleys Road, Otaio, Waimate.

The incident was reported to Police shortly after 6pm. Emergency services attended but sadly, the person died.

Serious Crash Unit have been notified and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Fatal crash, Pukenui

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A person has died following a single vehicle crash near Pukenui shortly after midday.

Police were notified of the crash on No 2 Arterial Road at about 12.20pm.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are underway.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Police release details of items left at Kaikohe homicide address

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, Northland CIB:

Police investigating the death of Linda Woods in Kaikohe can now release details and images of items left at the Taraire Street address the night she died.

We hope these details will jog someone’s memory from the night Linda died, or encourage those who know the offender to come forward.

A pair of shoes were located placed on the ground outside the property.

They are size US13 New Balance Versi Comfort Ride sneakers, colour dark grey and black.

The occupants of the property have struggled with the intruder as he tried to leave. 

During this altercation the offender’s shorts have come off, and have been left behind.

They do not have identifiable make or size details, but they are grey/faded black cut-off jean shorts, with a button fly made up of black buttons that include a “B” shaped logo.

Following detailed witness interviews, Police can now release the following description of the offender.

He is described as male, Māori or Polynesian, aged somewhere between 40-60 years old, and is solidly built.

He has dark-coloured short hair speckled with grey, possibly, curly.

Along with the shorts, he was wearing a dark-coloured basketball-style singlet, with thin red and white piping around the sleeves and collar.

He was wearing another short-sleeved top under the singlet.

The offender has fled from the property with bare legs and feet about 11.30pm on Thursday 1 June.

We have every confidence that someone in our Kaikohe community knows this man. We are urging you to do the right thing and come forward to us.

Additionally, if you saw this man around the time of the incident and have any information about him or his movements, please also get in touch.

You can do so by calling 105 and quoting file number 230602/1746.

Information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

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Serious crash, Little River

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on Western Valley Road, Little River. 

Police were called about 11.25am. 

Initial reports suggest one person has been seriously injured.

The road is closed, and motorists are advised to avoid the area. 

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre 

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Rescue News – RCCNZ assists helicopter with engine failure

Source: Maritime New Zealand

Rescue Coordination Centre NZ (RCCNZ) has responded to a helicopter with a reported engine failure near Glenorchy this morning after receiving a distress beacon alert and MAYDAY call at 9:51 am.
The pilot, who had two clients on board, was able to land the helicopter with minor damage to the aircraft. All three were uninjured.
To provide assistance, RCCNZ deployed two Queenstown based rescue helicopters to the scene. A separate commercial helicopter also responded to the MAYDAY call.
The people who were onboard the helicopter will be taken to Queenstown for assessment.
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Waikato Police arrest four youths following burglaries

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Please attribute to Inspector Willie Cuthers

Four youths have been arrested following three burglaries in Thames, Patetonga and Tahuna this morning.

Police were notified of the first burglary at a commercial premises on Pollen Street, Thames at about 2.35am. It has been confirmed that a stolen vehicle was used to gain entry to the store.

At about 3.25am Police were notified of a burglary of a service station in Patetonga and a short time later a burglary at another service station in Tahuna was reported. A vehicle was not used to gain entry to these premises.

Police units in the Waikato area were on the lookout for the vehicle the offenders were travelling in when it was located acting suspiciously near a commercial premises in Morrinsville.

The vehicle was signalled to stop but failed to do so and fled from Police towards Hamilton.

The vehicle was pursued for a short time but was abandoned once the registration of the vehicle had been obtained. Police followed the vehicle at a distance.

The vehicle was later spiked and eventually came to a stop at the intersection of Naylor and Fox Streets, Hamilton and the four offenders were arrested.

The youths, aged between 15 and 17, are due to appear in the Hamilton Youth Court today on charges of burglary and unlawful taking.

These arrests reflect the hard work Waikato Police are putting in to respond to ram raids and burglaries.

We acknowledge the concern these incidents cause to business owners and to the wider community and reiterate our commitment to holding these offenders accountable.

We will not tolerate this behaviour in our community and will continue to work hard to ensure our community can be safe and feel safe.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Name release and update, Kaikohe homicide

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Rhys Johnston, Northland CIB:

Police are now in a position to share details about the woman who was killed at her Taraire Street home on Thursday 1 June.

She was Linda Woods, 71, of Kaikohe.

We extend our sincere sympathies to Linda’s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

Linda lived at the Taraire Street property in a home that she shared with four generations of her whanau. All occupants of the house are female.

We continue to support her family as we work to get answers for them, and to hold the offender to account.

A scene examination continues at the property and we are working with urgency to gather necessary information.

Later today Police expect to be able to release details of items left at the scene by the offender.

We urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward and speak with us.

You can do so by calling 105 and quoting file number 230602/1746.

You can also call Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre