Category: Security

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A motorist faces the prospect of serious charges after driving through cordons at the scene of a South Waikato crash that closed State Highway 1 this morning.

About 5.30am, two vehicles collided at Piarere, between Horahora and Paparamu roads. Five people were injured – three seriously and two critically – and the highway was closed for a scene examination by the Serious Crash Unit.

Police were still working at the scene at 9.30am, when a car transporter and trailer drove around workers at two cordons and then through the crash scene. An officer was forced to jump out of the way as the truck and trailer carried on through the investigation area, knocking over cones as it did so.

Senior Sergeant Murray Hamilton says the driver was pulled over by Police and spoken to. Charges are being considered against the 53-year-old Auckland man.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t want to take a detour or are running late, there’s no excuse that justifies ignoring road closures or putting people at risk.

“Closing a State Highway isn’t done lightly or without good reason and in this case, it was to determine what caused a serious crash that sent five people to hospital.

“Thankfully, the majority of people understand that.”

Enquiries into the cause of the crash are continuing and the road reopened about 11.30am.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A section of State Highway 1 at Piarere has reopened following a serious crash this morning. 

Emergency services were alerted to the crash about 5.30am. Three people suffered serious injuries and two people were critically injured. 

The road reopened about 11.30am. Police would like to thank motorists for their patience. 

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Acting Detective Inspector Veronica McPherson, Counties Manukau CIB:

Police investigating the death of a child which occurred in East Tāmaki on Sunday evening are appealing to the public.

A 37-year-old male appeared before the Manukau District Court on Monday morning charged with murder.

Police are not seeking anyone else in connection to this death.

We would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity around the Waiouru Road area in Highbrook and East Tāmaki between 8.30pm and 1am on the evening of Sunday 5 January 2025.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who observed a blue-coloured Nissan Bluebird in that area between those times.

If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.

Please use the reference number 250106/7049.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. 

ENDS

Tony Wright/NZ Police
 

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

A serious two-vehicle crash has shut State Highway 1 at Pairere in South Waikato this morning.

Emergency services were alerted to the crash, about 5.30am. Five people are reported to have serious injuries

State Highway 1 is blocked between Horahora Road and Paparamu Road and traffic management is being arranged.

Motorists are advised to expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Beloved police officer, Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming will be farewelled with a special funeral service to be held at 1pm on Thursday 16 January at the Trafalgar Centre in Nelson.

With the blessing of her family the funeral service for Senior Sergeant Fleming will be conducted with full Police honours. The 38-year veteran died after she and a colleague were struck by a vehicle in central Nelson in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Senior Sergeant Fleming’s family has been overwhelmed by the love and support they have received from the Nelson community and across New Zealand and they are very grateful. They have agreed to share her farewell with our communities and as such it will be live streamed.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says that Police is honoured to be able to offer a Police funeral for Senior Sergeant Fleming.

“This is something I wish we didn’t have to plan for, but I am grateful to Lyn’s family for allowing her Police family to be an integral part of her final farewell.

“Lyn has made the ultimate sacrifice as a police officer, so it is appropriate we honour her with a formal Police funeral. My staff have already commenced planning with Lyn’s family, and I want to ensure we are able to support Lyn’s family in providing a fitting tribute for her.”

Senior Sergeant Fleming’s Police funeral will include a motorcade, honour guard, Police piper, and flag presentation to her family.

The funeral will be attended by family, friends, the Police community, and invited guests. Senior Sergeant Fleming’s funeral service will be available to view live on the Police website police.govt.nz

Tasman District Commander, Superintendent Tracey Thompson says that local police are hurting, but have been buoyed by messages of support. “I want to acknowledge the overwhelming response that we’ve had from our community and from around the country. The expressions of grief and condolence and offers of support help give us strength. It’s a reminder, in these sad times, of the reason that we come to work everyday – to serve our communities and work to keep everyone safe.”

Police staff from other districts are providing relief support for Tasman District to allow local staff to attend the funeral.

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Note for Media:

Further details for media about Senior Sergeant Fleming’s funeral service will be available for media later this week. Please contact Police media team if you intend covering the funeral and wish to receive logistics details when available.

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Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

A raft of Police resources has rounded up five people believed to have robbed a Karaka service station early this morning.

At about 5.30am, Police were called after five masked people with various weapons (not firearms) entered the petrol station on Harbourside Drive.

Detective Inspector Karen Bright, of Counties Manukau CIB, says staff quickly activated the fog cannon before hiding at the back of the store.

“The group has proceeded to take cash, vapes and cigarettes before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

“Thankfully no one was injured, however staff are understandably shaken.”

Detective Inspector Bright says the vehicle was located abandoned a short time later in Pitt Avenue, Manurewa.

She says officers then observed two people known to Police in a vehicle, and after a short pursuit both occupants were taken into custody on Boulderwood Place.

“Three other people were also seen by members of the public running through businesses in the area.

“Thanks to the information provided by our community, all three were rounded up by using the Police Eagle helicopter, Delta dog unit and officers on the ground.

“Let this be a reminder that Police will continue to hold to account those who choose to behave like this.

“It’s very lucky no one was injured.”

Detective Inspector Bright says Police continue to encourage the public to call Police straight away on 111 if you see or suspect anything suspicious happening.

Four males, two aged 20 and two Youths aged 15 and 14 will appear in Manukau District Youth Court today charged with aggravated robbery.

Another 18-year-old male has been charged with Failing to Stop.

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Holly McKay/NZ Police

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are at the scene of a serious two-vehicle crash on the Coastal Highway, Appleby, between Maisey and Redwood Roads.

Police were called about 3.15pm.

Initial indications suggest there have been serious injuries.

The road is closed, with diversions in place.

Motorists are asked to avoid the area, or expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now confirm the names of the two people who died following a two-vehicle crash in Mangaweka, on Sunday 29 December 2024.

They were 2-year-old Agambir Singh Dhanju, and 38-year-old Sumeet Sumeet both of Auckland.

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

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Attributable to Inspector Andrea McBeth, Hamilton City Area Commander:

Seven young people have been arrested following incidents including antisocial road-user behaviour, attempted theft and a car fire in Raglan last night. 

At around 2:50am, Police responded to reports of a vehicle – believed to be stolen – doing burnouts on Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive. The occupants then reportedly attempted to steal a vehicle from an address on Manukau Road a short time later.

Police from both Western Waikato and Hamilton City responded, locating the vehicles leaving Raglan. The drivers were signalled to stop, however they continued.

No pursuit was initiated, instead Police maintained long-range observations of the vehicles. Tyre-deflation devices were successfully deployed on both vehicles at Main Road and a second time at Mangakino Road/ SH23.

One vehicle was abandoned on Mangakino Road/SH23, and the second vehicle continued to Waitetuna Valley Road where it was abandoned. All occupants were arrested.

A young person is due to appear in the Hamilton Youth Court in due course on charges of unlawfully taking a motor-vehicle, and failing to stop for Police. The remaining six young people have been referred to Youth Services.

In a separate incident a couple of hours later, a vehicle was allegedly set on fire down a bank at Wainui Road, which spread to surrounding scrub. The fire was extinguished later that morning, and enquiries are ongoing to determine if the incidents are linked.

I would like to commend the officers involved in the initial response – it was a well-executed plan by officers from two areas within the Waikato District.

We understand this activity is incredibly frustrating for the community, and we will continue to work hard to identify and arrest those involved. 

If you witness any suspicious activity, please contact Police on 111 if it’s happening now or on 105 either online or over the phone if it is after the fact.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can now name the person who died in a crash on Foster Lane in Havelock North on 2 January.

He was Wade William Crosbie, aged 19, from Hastings.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

Two people seriously injured in the crash remain in hospital recovering from their injuries.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre.