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Opposing Govt Policy – Hear our voice PM – the PSA’s campaign against asset sales begins today

Source: PSA

The PSA firmly rejects any return to selling state assets following today’s comments from the Prime Minister.
Christopher Luxon said National may seek a mandate for asset sales at the next election. That comes days after ACT Leader David Seymour floated the prospect of privatisation of public health and other public services.
“Not content with stripping the guts out of the public service, now we have a Prime Minister floating selling state assets – it’s a return to the failed policies of the past,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, Acting National Secretary for the Public Service Association for Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi.
“If the Government thinks selling state assets will drive economic growth, then the public should be worried.
“Have we not learnt from the past? Our history is littered with failed privatisations which required expensive bail outs and buy backs by taxpayers – remember the failures of Kiwi Rail, Air New Zealand and the Bank of New Zealand.
“The PSA doubts the public’s mood for asset sales has shifted since the 2013 citizens initiated referendum where two thirds of voters rejected asset sales.
“Asset sales are just a short-term sugar hit, and the public will be worse off. This is not simply a ‘recycling of assets’ as the PM puts it, but a loss of ownership and control. It’s wrong.
“Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past and keep the state’s silver in public hands. The PSA will be making its opposition to any return to the failed asset sales agenda of the past loud and clear.”
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Reduced Police Executive proposed

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has today released a proposal to reduce the size of the Police Executive.

The proposal was sent to affected staff earlier today and will remain open for feedback until Monday 10 February.

“When I was appointed Commissioner in November, I clearly signalled my intent to restructure the current Police Executive – the highest-ranking levels of our organisation,” Commissioner Chambers says.

“My goal is to ensure our Executive structure is fit-for-purpose, provides strong, clear leadership to the frontline, and delivers on the priorities I have set.”

The consultation document proposes consolidating a number of roles and responsibilities, including the disestablishment of 37 Executive and support service positions.

It also proposes creating 20 new positions, meaning a potential reduction of 17 roles.

“Consultation is an integral part of this process, all feedback will be reviewed and carefully considered before final decisions are made in late February,” Commissioner Chambers says.

“It’s also important to note that I’m absolutely committed to boosting our frontline and redundancy is not available to constabulary employees.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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ChildFund – Make the Case for Aid or Have It taken away

Source: ChildFund New Zealand

President Trump has issued an immediate stop-work order for all USA funded aid projects to align aid budgets with his foreign policy agenda.
This will cause chaos and suffering across the world, and will impact on some ChildFund New Zealand programmes and partners, says CEO of ChildFund NZ, Josie Pagani.
“It isn’t just USA aid programmes that are impacted – it’s any charity or donor who is working on a joint project with USA funding.”
ChildFund New Zealand is working with its ChildFund partner in America, to support food security and clean water projects in places like Kenya and Sri Lanka.
“With our USA partner we know we reach about 15,000 people in the vulnerable district of Batticaloa in Sri Lanka with nutritious food by supporting small-holder farmers. We know that we get clean water and good food to thousands of people who otherwise would not have it in countries like Kenya. We also know that 10,000 children in Sri Lanka are getting access to education through digital hubs, as well as thousands of children in Zambia, who otherwise would not have access to education.”
“All of that is at risk with this stop-work order.”
“We have been told that all US Aid funded projects have three months to evaluate each program based on three criteria:
  • Does the action make America safe?
  • Does it make America stronger?
  • Does it make America more prosperous?
“We welcome challenges about the effectiveness of aid. We should always hold ourselves accountable for success or failure when it comes to saving and improving the lives of people in some of the most vulnerable, war-torn or poorest places in the world.
New Zealand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters is in the process of reviewing New Zealand’s aid, and we welcome the review.
“But President Trump and Secretary of State, Marco Rubio are asking the wrong questions.”
“Aid is not there to make the donor countries rich or prosperous. There are better ways to do that.
The Focus of aid is to save lives, to lift children and communities out of extreme poverty, to stop people dying of preventable diseases, and to make sure every child and person has access to clean water and nutritious food, wherever they live.
Reducing the acute suffering of many millions of people reduces the likelihood of war, terrorism and political destabilisation. There is no doubt that effective aid programmes make us all safer.
The questions President Trump’s administration should be asking are:
  • Are we making a difference with aid?
  • Are local communities and institutions strong enough to continue the work after we leave?
  • Are we helping to make the poorest places less dependent on aid, and ultimately more prosperous?
“At ChildFund New Zealand that is the standard by which we measure our work. We ask ourselves these questions all the time. If the answer is no, we adapt, change what we’re doing and sometimes stop.”
“If we are achieving those goals, to answer President Trump’s questions, we can say ‘yes, we are helping to make New Zealand and our Pacific region a safer and stronger place’,” says Josie Pagani.
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Name release: Fatal crash Hei Hei Road

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now release the name of the person who died following a crash on Hei Hei Road, Christchurch on Saturday 25 January.

He was 35-year-old Liam Michael Ryan-Morris of Hornby.

Police extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of those involved.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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PM emphasises importance of growth in 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

For the Government, 2025 will bring a relentless focus on unleashing the growth we need to lift incomes, strengthen local businesses and create opportunity.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today laid out the Government’s growth agenda in his Statement to Parliament.
“Just over a year ago this Government was elected by the people of New Zealand with a mandate to change course. Since then, we have made big changes and we are seeing promising signs of success, with inflation dropping and remaining low, interest rates starting to fall, and wages continuing to rise,” Mr Luxon says.
“Business and consumer confidence is rising and average mortgage interest rates have now fallen for the first time in more than three years. Wages are rising faster than inflation, supporting a recovery in household incomes. Growth is also expected to resume, reaching 2.1 per cent in 2025 according to Treasury’s latest forecasts in the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update. 
“We need to act now to strengthen growth and productivity – both in the very near term and over the years to come.
“In 2025, we will take action to end the culture of no – whether that’s through Fast Track, comprehensive RMA reform, rewriting our health and safety laws, enabling more mining, allowing our farmers to grow their businesses with much less red tape, or other changes designed to promote more growth and investment. 
“In this Government’s first year in office we made tough decisions to ease the cost of living and laid the foundations for a stronger economy, rising incomes and more opportunities for New Zealanders to get ahead. 
“This year we will continue to build on this early progress to make sure these green shoots of recovery grow into lasting improvements that benefit all New Zealanders,” Mr Luxon says.

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Tax Issues – Overwhelming support for Capital Gains Tax welcomed – TJA

Source: Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA)

28 January 2025 – A new survey showing strong support for a capital gains tax among workers has been welcomed by Tax Justice Aotearoa (TJA).

TJA chair Glenn Barclay said the latest Council of Trade Unions (CTU) Te Kauae Kaimahi Mood of the Workforce survey showed almost 90 per cent of respondents were in favour of a capital gains tax.

“We welcome this result, which shows almost universal support for a capital gains tax among workers,” Mr Barclay said.

The CTU survey asked  “Should a greater share of public services such as health and education be paid for by taxing non-income profit via a capital gains tax?” – with 87.7% answering in favour.

“It supports what we know from public surveys held last year – and shows support is growing, with our own survey in 2023 finding 62 per cent of respondents thought all income should be taxed the same way, regardless of how it is earned.

“A capital gains tax is now widely accepted as the tax we need to have, because we are so far out of step with the rest of the developed world when it comes to taxing capital gains.

“Aotearoa is an outlier internationally, in that we do not tax capital gains in a comprehensive way – and this latest survey shows it’s no longer a political taboo.

“However, a capital gains tax is not the silver bullet for our unfair and unjust tax system.

“There are other options – such as wealth tax and excess profits taxes – that Aotearoa needs to consider in order to adequately fund public services, including health and education – and to help address inequality and challenges arising from climate change.”

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Housing Sector – Affordable housing project for Wānaka seniors receives $100k grant

Source: Queenstown Lakes Housing Community Trust (QLCHT)

A Wānaka housing project that will provide affordable rentals to seniors has received a $100,000 grant from a local trust that assists people in need in the Upper Clutha.

The housing project, which is being developed and managed by Queenstown Lakes Housing Community Trust (QLCHT), received the six-figure donation from the Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust recently. The financial contribution will go towards the development of 10 affordable, one-bedroom units along with two three-bedroom family units on the corners of Upton and McDougall Streets in central Wānaka.
 
The concept first began in November 2022 when QLCHT purchased a section on McDougall Street – beside five council-owned rental properties – with the intent of developing the vacant lot into affordable rental units for seniors.
 
Last year, the Queenstown Lakes District Council approved the transfer of ownership and operational management of the five neighbouring properties to QLCHT, following public consultation. Currently in the planning phase, the housing project will contain 12 units across both sites, with stage one consisting of civil works and new builds on the empty section, followed by the redevelopment of the existing site.
 
Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust chief executive Julie Scott says the grant is greatly appreciated, especially in the current economic climate. QLCHT will fund the project, estimated to be around $5m-$6m, but grants like this one are vital to ensure ongoing costs to residents can be kept to a minimum.
 
“There is not a lot of funding for these types of projects at the moment, and we are so grateful to the Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust for their generous donation,” she says. “It will allow us to provide additional features such as solar panels, a communal laundry space and shared services, including a highly efficient hot water heating system to the 12-units.
 
“These extra infrastructure benefits will provide substantial financial support to the occupants by significantly reducing power costs,” Scott adds.
 
Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust trustee Simon Telfer says the group is excited to contribute towards the important community project.
 
“The elderly are an important demographic in our local community who need support and we are thrilled about what this project will provide them,” he says. “We’re pleased this grant helps to kickstart the development and hope it leads to others supporting our fellow Wānaka residents.”
 
The site is located within 200 metres of the Wānaka Community Hub, which provides critical services and amenities to many local seniors.
 
QLCHT Wānaka tenancy manager Emma Roberts says the demand for affordable senior housing is growing.
 
“We have a lot of people aged over 60 living in the district, and some encounter unfortunate and unexpected circumstantial changes, which are outside of their control,” Roberts explains. “For many of these people, their only option is to upheave their lives and leave town.
 
“By offering an alternative rental option it allows them to have a greater sense of security, which is important as the local population grows and ages. And with 250 eligible Wānaka households currently on our waiting list today, we have significant demand for this type of housing,” she says.
 
“Tenants living in the five existing units will be cared for by our team throughout the build process and will have the opportunity to shift into one of the new units, before stage two starts,” Scott says. “All going to plan, we hope to break ground on the first stage in the middle of this year.”

About the Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust:
QLCHT is a not-for-profit, registered community housing provider created to manage and deliver affordable housing solutions to those vital to the community who cannot afford it. Initiated by Queenstown Lakes District Council in 2007, which recognised the affordability issue and acted upon it, the Trust is an independent entity operating throughout the Queenstown Lakes District.

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Awards and Recognition – Site Safe Announces 2025 Health and Safety Award Finalists

Source: Site Safe

Site Safe today announced the finalists for its 2025 Health and Safety Awards, celebrating excellence in workplace safety across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The finalists, representing a diverse range of industries, will now compete at the largest health and safety event of the year, the Evening of Celebration, for top honours at a gala evening held at the Due Drop Event Centre in Auckland on 5 March 2025, attended by hundreds of industry leaders and safety professionals.
“We are incredibly proud to announce these outstanding finalists,” said Brett Murray, Chief Executive of Site Safe.
“The record number of entries received this year underscores the importance industry places on effectively managing health and safety risks in their workplaces. It’s inspiring to see the dedication and innovation showcased by these individuals, teams, and organisations.”
The judging panel, comprised of respected industry representatives and safety professionals, were highly impressed by the calibre of entries.
The judges commented, “Selecting the finalists was a challenging task, as the level of innovation, dedication, and positive impact demonstrated by all applicants was truly exceptional.”
Here are the 2025 Site Safe Award Finalists:
The  Safety Innovation Award:
  • Beon  Energy Solutions: Beon’s new Pile Extractor revolutionises solar farm construction by safely and efficiently removing piles. Unlike traditional methods, which are dangerous and inefficient, the Pile Extractor is operated by one person, applies controlled forces, and eliminates the need for heavy machinery. This innovation enhances worker safety, increases productivity, and promotes a safer work culture within the renewable energy sector.
  • Fulton  Hogan: The SH1 Brynderwyns Recovery Project faced challenges due to the terrain, environmental concerns, and a major slip. Despite these obstacles, the team innovated, employing remote-controlled machinery to safely clear unstable slopes. This approach ultimately ensured a safer and more efficient recovery effort.
  • Traffic  Safe NZ: Traffic Safe developed a robotic system to eliminate the dangerous manual placement of road cones. This system uses cameras, sensors, and a robotic arm mounted on a truck to automatically deploy and retrieve cones, significantly reducing worker risk.
The  Safety Leadership Award:
  • The  DEI team, New Zealand Defence Force: Defence Estate and Infrastructure (DEI) manages health and safety for numerous contractors across NZ. DEI developed the CHESS framework, outlining minimum H&S requirements for all contractors, with a focus on high-risk work. This framework is successfully implemented and fully supported by NZDF leadership. DEI prioritises H&S in all projects, striving to ensure all personnel return home safely each day.
  • Yolanda  Oosthuizen – Horizon Energy Group: As the Horizon Energy Group GM for HSEQ, Yolanda has led safety, wellness, quality, and sustainability. She champions their ESG agenda, fostering a Switched-ON safety culture. Her focus is on visionary leadership, aligning safety with organisational goals. Effective communication and measurable impact drive initiatives like the implementation of the ecoPortal Safety System. She also mentors’ future leaders, positioning Horizon as an industry leader in safety and sustainability.
  • Jamie  Greentree – Kinetic Electrical Wellington: Jaime started an electrical business with minimal health and safety focus initially. However, post-COVID, Jaimie prioritised compliance, investing in staff training and achieving a NZ Certificate in Workplace Health and Safety Practice (Level 3). As the sole director, Jaimie led this change, influencing other franchisees. As a small business, he adapted to the economic climate by diversifying.
The  Safety Contribution Award (Team):
  • Canterbury  Aluminium Ltd: Chris and Nicky Averill acquired Canterbury Aluminium in 2022, prioritising staff health and safety. They believe a strong health and safety culture leads to happy staff and satisfied clients. The company’s Health & Safety Committee fosters a collaborative environment where all employees are encouraged to prioritise safety in their work. This award nomination recognises the committee’s efforts to improve health and safety outcomes for all staff.
  • Mason  Clinic Project – Southbase: Southbase Construction implemented numerous safety initiatives on the Mason Clinic project, fostering a strong safety culture. These measures included Wellbeing and Suicide Prevention, Health15 Program, Collaboration with Safety Brands and Organisations, Working at Height/Dropped Objects, Emergency Scenario Drills, and Health and Safety Recognition.
  • Tradestaff  Group Ltd: Tradestaff’s Safety Team has successfully fostered a safety-first culture within the construction sector. They’ve addressed challenges specific to on-hire labour, including short-term placements and diverse demographics. By focusing on candidates, clients, and consultants, they’ve implemented initiatives that promote safer onsite outcomes and drive cultural change in health and safety.
The  Safety Contribution Award (Individual):
  • Glen  Sturgess, Naylor Love: Glen is a dedicated Health & Safety Champion. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure site safety. Glen excels in logistics, effectively communicating safe movement of vehicles and personnel.
  • Shelley  Compston – Apprentice Training Trust: Shelley is a Health & Safety Co-ordinator and excels in improving workplace safety. She fosters a strong safety culture, inspires colleagues, and drives continuous improvement. Through effective collaboration and communication, she encourages best practices among hosts, staff, and apprentices. Shelley’s leadership, innovation, and dedication to protecting workers are exemplary.
  • Mark  Nicholas – Accent Construction: Mark utilises weekly toolbox meetings to upskill his construction team beyond basic safety. He develops workshops and bulletins on diverse topics like site access, hot works, and mental wellbeing. These initiatives enhance worker awareness and knowledge, leading to a stronger safety culture within the company and among subcontractors. Workers are better equipped to identify and manage hazards onsite.

The  Mental Health and Wellbeing Award:

  • Workforce  Central Dunedin: Dunedin Hospital Outpatients workers enjoy exceptional onsite care. Services include free haircuts, health screenings, physio, GP consultations, and mental health support. Recreational activities like cornhole and billiards are provided. The site promotes a positive work-life balance and worker well-being through initiatives like Maori Language Week and Suicide Awareness Day. Workers consistently praise the unique and supportive environment.
  • Anita  Teo-Tavita – Programmed: Anita leads the Programmed Mental Health First Aid training, both internally and in the community. She’s a key figure in promoting worker wellbeing, taking a holistic approach. Anita not only facilitates training but also supports workers with initiatives outside of work hours, demonstrating her commitment to their overall wellbeing.
  • Tūpore: At Tūpore, prioritising mental wellbeing is core. They have created a supportive whanau culture, with initiatives like the “Raranga Oranga” role and the Big Buds programme. These efforts, combined with tikanga Māori practices and community partnerships, foster a thriving and connected workforce. This focus on mental health has significantly improved employee wellbeing and reduced the impact of high suicide rates in Hawke’s Bay.

The  Future Safety Leader Award:

  • Aimee  Daw – Programmed: Aimee, initially a HSEQ Administrator at AIMs, quickly advanced to HSEQ Coordinator at Programmed, providing key HSEQ support. Despite her short tenure and lack of HSEQ background, her contributions have been significant, particularly in improving safety systems and processes. She is recognized for her dedication, resilience, and impactful safety leadership.
  • Fern  Harper – Naylor Love: Fern’s outstanding contributions to health & safety and her dedication, leadership, and commitment to safety excellence have inspired others. Fern’s inclusive approach and proactive nature make her an exceptional Emerging Practitioner in the field of health and safety.
  • Fiona  Brabant – Cook Brothers Construction: Fiona, or Fi, is a passionate Health & Safety leader at Cook Brothers Construction in Queenstown and Wanaka. Joining recently, she prioritises team wellbeing, viewing colleagues as people, not just workers. Her background in health drives innovation and motivation. From onsite care to wellness initiatives, Fi strives to ensure everyone returns home safely, despite the challenges.

The Site Safe Awards recognise and celebrate individuals, teams, and organisations that have made significant contributions to improving workplace safety in New Zealand. These awards provide valuable recognition and inspire others to prioritise safety in their workplaces. About Site Safe Site Safe is a leading provider of health and safety training and consultancy services in New Zealand. We are committed to empowering New Zealanders to work safely and return home safely every day. For more information about Site Safe’s Evening of Celebration, click HERE: https://www.sitesafe.org.nz/about/news-and-events/events/2025-auckland-evening-of-celebration/

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Auckland’s most colourful festival returns this February

Source: Auckland Council

A burst of colour is on the horizon for Tāmaki Makaurau as Auckland Pride Festival returns for February 2025. As a proud Strategic Partner, Auckland Council is calling on all Aucklanders to join the vibrant festivities in support of rainbow communities across our region. 

The month-long festival kicks off on 1 February and is an annual open-access arts, cultural and community fiesta featuring 160 events, with major events like Pride Fest Out West and Big Gay Out. Also included are key works as part of Te Tīmatanga, a rangatahi-led exhibition at Season Gallery Aotearoa, and Pride Elevates at Q Theatre Loft, within Auckland Pride’s own curated arts programme.   

The festival celebrates and empowers Auckland’s rainbow communities with a special focus this year on fostering resilience, visibility, and unity through events, creativity, and advocacy – a focus that strongly aligns with Auckland Council values. 

Councillor Richard Hills says Auckland Council is committed to supporting our rainbow communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.  

“As a Pride Pledge partner, we’re happy to be on board for yet another year of fabulous celebrations alongside Auckland Pride Festival,” says Cr Hills.  

“The festival has a fantastic programme for us all this year, with something on offer for everyone to enjoy including live performances, community events, art installations and new and exciting activity in our Proud Centres and libraries to name a few. It’s the perfect opportunity to get out and about, show your support and make the most of the community-focused activities on offer”. 

Hāmiora Bailey, Auckland Pride’s Executive Director says the theme of this year’s festival is Tētahi Ki Tētahi or ‘to one another, and each other’ which encompasses Auckland Pride’s values of inclusivity, respect and peace.  

“Auckland Pride Festival offers a safe space for all, and we’re back this year to continue championing our takatāpui and rainbow community members who make Auckland a more liveable and exciting city,” adds Hāmiora. 

“We are thought leaders, business owners, creatives and artists who contribute to the lifeblood of Tāmaki Makaurau. We’re proud to be back and working alongside Auckland Council as we align with its long-term plan of ‘providing for our communities in the greatest need’ and in addition, through Waimahara and Te Tīmatanga, we enact the council’s commitment to deliver outcomes for and with Māori. We’re excited for what’s ahead and look forward to celebrating in unison right across Tāmaki Makaurau”. 

At Pride Festival 2025 be sure to check out: 

Proud Centres  

Auckland Council’s Proud Centres are back! Proud Centres offer opportunities for people to come together in their local neighbourhoods across Auckland, providing a dynamic range of events and activities that champion local takatāpui and rainbow community members.  

Highlights for this year’s Proud Centres programme include Ang Sininang Bulawan (The Golden Dress) by Marc Conaco at Studio One Toi Tū, Embroidery for Crafty Queers, Proud Voices Open Mic Night on Waiheke Island, The Starlight Disco at Onehunga Oranga Community Centre, Insider Outsider at Mt Albert Library, and the LGBTQIA+ Craft Club (Pride Edition) at Point Chevalier.  

Love is Love: Take 3 Romances 
  
Calling all book worms! From 1 February, you’re invited into our libraries to celebrate Auckland Pride Festival and our rainbow communities, and mark Valentines Day by making the most ‘Love is Love: Take 3 Romances’. 

Auckland Council Libraries will feature a Love is Love display showcasing books from a curated list that celebrations the rainbow community. Members aged 18 and over who borrow three or more books from the collection will be automatically in to win one of five eGift vouchers to spend on something special for themselves and their dearest – don’t miss out! 

Pride Artist Residencies 

If you’re in the city centre, be sure to check out The Ellen Melville Centre’s Queer Creative Residency, as part of Auckland Council’s Proud Centre initiatives for Auckland Pride Festival 2025. This exciting opportunity offers one takatāpui creative from any discipline the chance to transform the Marilyn Waring Room into a public-facing studio space, visible from High Street. 

Rainbow storytelling on the Auckland Harbour Bridge  

Vector Lights is proud to present its first rainbow story on the Auckland Harbour Bridge! Contemporary installation and takatāpui artist, and a master’s student at Unitec, Alex Watene (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Whātua, Te Arawa a Tūhoe) brings his thesis to life in a new dynamic light and sound show). ‘Re-indigenising gender diversity here in Aotearoa New Zealand’ explores the impact of colonisation and raises awareness about Takatāpui identity and its acceptance in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

The show will repeat every 15 minutes from 9pm until midnight and is the feature of Vector Lights for Auckland Pride Festival. Head to vector.co.nz/lights and listen live from some of the best viewing spots including, Silo Park, Bayswater Marina and Takarunga Mt Victoria. 

Due to critical maintenance work by NZTA, some of the lights will not appear on the west side overarch of the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Completion of the work is expected by 31 March 2025. 

Waimahara at Myers Park for the big finish! 

Auckland Pride Festival has something special in store before the curtains shut for another year. Pride month will culminate at Waimahara at Myers Park, a reimagined gathering that shifts the traditional Pride March and Pride Party to an activation that reflects on the strength within rainbow communities and galvanises the shared vision of queer liberation and social justice.  

All are welcome to join in on the celebration, beginning with a rally in Aotea Square Grass Terraces. Attendees will walk together to Myers Park, experiencing multi-sensory artwork Waimahara by Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Hauā, Ngāti Manu), for a day of connection, learning, and organising around shared advocacy goals. 

Visit aucklandpride.co.nz for the full programme 

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Second arrest over Middlemore firearms incident

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A second person has appeared in court over a firearms incident at Middlemore Hospital earlier this month.

An investigation has been ongoing since 4 January, when a firearm was allegedly fired from a vehicle.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers says the Counties Manukau Offender Prevention Team executed a search warrant late last week.

“At a Manurewa address, a 23-year-old man was located by our staff and arrested,” he says.

“The investigation team have laid a number of serious charges against this man.”

He has been charged with committing a dangerous act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and commission of an offense with a firearm.

The 23-year-old appeared in the Manukau District Court over the weekend and will reappear today.

Two arrests have now been made in the investigation.

Police are not ruling out further arrests or charges being made, Detective Inspector Vickers says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police