Category: Security

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have now completed the scene examination near Mangaweka on SH1 after the fatal collision today.

The road is now open.

Sadly, one adult and one child died today in the crash.

Our thoughts are with their family and friends at this sad time.

The injured parties, two adults and one child, remain in hospital.

Police would like to thank the members of the public who responded and assisted with this tragic incident, taking control of the scene until emergency services arrived.

The full circumstances of the crash are now under investigation and at this stage Police are not in a position to release the names of the victims who died.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police and other emergency services throughout New Zealand have attended eight fatal crashes so far where nine people have lost their lives.

Police have attended many other serious injury crashes on our road during this time too.

Superintendent Steve Greally, Director of Road Policing says that this number is incredibly frustrating.

There’s no excuse for any driver to be endangering their lives and those of others with unsafe behaviours.

There are many families that have been affected by bad decision making from behind the wheel so far this holiday.

Drivers need to be clear that if they are driving distracted, or speeding or driving impaired by alcohol or drugs, they may cause a crash and possibly cut someone’s life short.

Over the Christmas period last year, 21 lives were tragically lost in road crashes, and sadly as of 29 December this year we have lost nine people on our roads this holiday period.

Police and our road safety partners are very disappointed in this figure.

We will continue to have a co-ordinated, highly visible Police presence at high-risk locations including State Highways and rural areas, during peak travel periods right throughout the country.

If you are caught putting other people’s lives at risk, you can expect to be dealt with and don’t expect a warning.

“Road deaths and serious injuries are preventable. We all need to do better and stop accepting people dying on our roads is what happens when driving.

We have seen over time that our enforcement action has proven to deter people from driving dangerously, however road safety is something we must all take responsibility for.

We should all play our part to be safe on our roads, because so far, too many families have received tragic news this holiday period.

Motorists should expect to see Police anytime and anywhere over this holiday break to make sure that everyone travelling the roads and highways reaches their destination safely.

We can all work together to avoid unnecessary road trauma.

We will continue with our record levels of breath testing and we will continue to issue infringements as part of our prevention and enforcement role.

Ministry of Transport will be providing updates on holiday road toll data throughout the break.

Further background and historical crash data for the holiday period can be found at: https://www.transport.govt.nz/statistics-and-insights/safety-road-deaths…

ENDS

Note: The official Christmas/New Year holiday period is from 4pm on Tuesday 24 December to 6am on Friday 3 January 2025.

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Two people have died following a serious crash today near Mangaweka.

Three other people have injuries ranging from critical to serious and have been taken to hospital.

Emergency services were called to the two-vehicle crash at around 12.42pm.

The Serious Crash Unit are in attendance and a scene examination is underway.

Diversions will remain in place as the road is expected to be closed for some time.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are responding to a serious two-vehicle crash that has blocked State Highway 1 north of Mangaweka.

Police were alerted to the crash about 12.42pm.

There are multiple serious injuries in both vehicles.

State Highway 1 will be closed to southbound and northbound traffic.

Diversions are being put in place via SH4, but motorist should expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are reminding outdoor enthusiasts how to keep safe when out hiking the trails this summer, following a rescue at Wairere Falls near Matamata. 

A hiker was forced to spend overnight and most of the following day in the bush after he became separated from his group of friends while walking the North South track on Boxing Day, 26 December.

The group noticed the man was missing when they made it to the Te Okioki Hut they had planned to stay at that night. They camped overnight before continuing on and raising the alarm once they got into cellphone reception.

The 35-year-old man attempted to walk out of the location early on the 27th, and once he got cellphone reception he also called Police.

Police contacted the local LandSAR volunteers from Te Aroha and Paeroa, who deployed teams from the north and south to get to the lost person. The hiker had run out of water and was fatigued.

The Thames LandSAR group supported the operation from afar, assisting with radio and placing a repeater at the top of Wairere Falls to ensure communication could be maintained. A LandSAR dog handler was also deployed to assist.

At about 7pm on 27 December, the man was located and given food and drink.

After a small rest, the LandSAR team assisted walking the man out to farmland. Due to the remote location of where the man was, the rescue took approximately six hours.

Police would like to thank volunteers who located and assisted the hiker to safety, following which his grateful family shouted the LandSAR volunteers some pizzas.

Sergeant Mark Harrison said this is a timely reminder for those planning to set out for a walk or hike.

It is essential that those planning on going for a hike to pack extra food and water, stick close to your group, and carry a Personal Locator Beacon which you can activate to assist if you get lost and can’t find your way out. While a cellphone with sufficient battery is also essential, you can’t always rely on having reception.

If you’re walking in the bush, please follow the five simple steps of the Land Safety Code:

1. Choose the right trip for you. Learn about the route and make sure you have the skills for it.

2. Understand the weather. It can change fast. Check the forecast and change your plans if needed.

3. Pack warm clothes and extra food. Prepare for bad weather and an unexpected night out.

4. Share your plans and take ways to get help. Telling a trusted person your trip details and taking a distress beacon can save your life. Leave a date and time to raise the alarm if you haven’t returned. Send this information to a trusted person directly.

5. Take care of yourself and each other. Eat, drink and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Detective Sergeant Stacey Bailey-Tran:

Police investigating the circumstances of a fatal vehicle incident in Napier on Friday night are appealing to the public.

Emergency services were called to Nuffield Ave in Marewa about 9pm on 27 December to reports of an unresponsive man on the road.

Despite best efforts of first responders, he was shortly pronounced dead at the scene.

It is understood the deceased male was travelling on a mattress on top of a black station wagon, and has fallen off.

The vehicle has travelled from the Marewa shops on Kennedy Road, along Nuffield Ave to the point of impact – between the intersections of Kettle Crescent and Nash Street.

As part of piecing together what has happened that has led to this tragic outcome, Police are appealing to the public for information.

We would like anyone who saw this vehicle, and/or the man travelling on it, to come forward.

You can update us online now at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105.

Please use the reference number 241228/8289.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Senior Sergeant Peter Graham, Area Response Manager Western Southland:

Te Anau Police would like to remind the public of the 24/7 alcohol ban during the Christmas and New Year holiday period.

With Fiordland Rotary Club’s New Year’s Eve event at Lions Park, Police are anticipating an influx of people in the area, and are working alongside the event’s organisers and Southland District Council to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves and staying safe.

Our message to those enjoying the community event and celebrating the new year, is to look after yourself and your mates. If you and your friends have been drinking, arrange for a sober driver, arrange another way home, or stay the night.

There is a 24/7 alcohol ban in place around the Town Centre area, and anyone breaching the alcohol ban will be liable for a fine. If you’re driving, expect to be breath-tested: slow down, keep your phone down, buckle up, and drive sober.

We want to see everyone in the community enjoying themselves and we will have a zero-tolerance approach to violence or disorderly behaviour. If you feel unsafe or see illegal activity, please call 111 immediately, or call 105 for a non-emergency.

Police urge you not to attempt to take matters into your own hands or confront individuals yourselves – instead, stay in a safe location, gather as much information as you safely can, and contact Police.

You can also report information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Inspector Nicky Cooney, Eastern Bay of Plenty Area Commander:

A body has been discovered overnight near the mouth of the harbour east of Ōhope Beach.

Formal identification procedures are ongoing, however it is thought likely to be the man who fled Police on Christmas Day.

Police would like to thank our partner agencies, searchers, and the community for their support during this time.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police have identified the body of the man found on Wellington’s south coast yesterday in the rockpools at Breaker Bay.

At this stage we are not in a position to name him, however would like to extend our thanks to the public for their help. 

Enquiries are continuing into the man’s death, which will be referred to the coroner.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can confirm one person has died in a two-vehicle crash in the Far North this afternoon.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash, between Pungaere and Kapiro roads at Waipapa, about 4.10pm.

Sadly, one the occupants of the vehicles died at the scene.

One other person was flown to hospital with serious injuries and four others were treated for minor injuries.

State Highway 10 remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit carries out a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.