Multimedia Investments Ltd
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can now release the name of the man who died after entering the water near Ōhope Beach on 25 December.
He was 41-year-old Hikato Maaka, of Whakatane.
Police extends our condolences to his whānau during this difficult time.
The death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Attributable to Senior Sergeant Craig Vining:
Tairawhiti Police are pleased with the driving behaviours by most drivers in the Rhythm and Vines and Gisborne area, and urge drivers to continue this in the new year.
Over the last three days, Police has conducted around 7,500 breath tests in and around the Gisborne area, including on the main highways.
In this time, 10 drivers have been summonsed to court for excess breath or blood alcohol levels, and seven have received infringement notices for breaching alcohol limits.
“Police can see that the majority of the festival goers attending Rhythm and Vines are making the right decisions when it comes to drinking and driving.
“They have made plans ahead of time to ensure they have a sober driver, or have made other arrangements to make sure they are not driving while impaired.”
Police urge festival goers to continue this behaviour and mindset into the new year.
“There will be a large Police presence around the Rhythm and Vines venue on Wednesday morning conducting breath tests to ensure drivers and their passengers are safe on their journeys home.”
As there will be checkpoints around the area, there will likely to be a delay on the roads as motorists exit from Black Ormond Road and Ormond Road onto State Highway Two.
“We would like to advise motorists to be patient during these delays and to allow extra time for their travels.”
If you’re driving, expect to be breath-tested; slow down and drive to the conditions, keep your phone down, buckle up, and drive sober.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Attributable to Detective Sergeant Rochelle Ross
Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the death of a woman in Wellington Hospital on Sunday following an incident in Feilding on Thursday 26 December.
Early morning on Friday, the woman was transported by ambulance to Palmerston North Hospital after becoming unwell from an injury she suffered on Thursday evening.
While in hospital, her condition deteriorated to the point where she became critically ill. She was then transferred to Wellington Hospital where she died on Sunday 29 December.
The woman can now be named as 58-year-old, Cavillie Maria Simeon.
Police extend our sympathies to her family and friends at this difficult time.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Attributable to Detective Sergeant Stacey Bailey-Tran:
Police can now release the name of the man who died after falling from a car in Napier on Friday night.
He was 33-year-old Reif Cotter, of Tamatea.
Police extends our condolences to his family and loved ones during this distressing time, and we ask the public to consider Reif’s family when making any online comment or speculation.
The exact circumstances that led to Reif’s death remain under investigation, however Police have determined he died from injuries sustained in the fall from the car, and he was not subsequently run over.
Police have the vehicle Reif fell from in our possession, and are not seeking any other vehicle.
We are reiterating our appeal to the public to come forward if you have any information at all that may help Police piece together what happened, and get answers for Reif’s family.
It is understood he was travelling on a mattress on top of a black station wagon, which travelled from the Marewa shops on Kennedy Road, along Nuffield Ave, shortly before 9pm on Friday 27 December.
If you saw this vehicle, or know anything that may help Police – no matter how small – please let us know.
You can update us online now at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105.
Please use reference number 241228/8289.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Switched-on motorists who called Police to report a vehicle being driven dangerously along the highway in Horowhenua have likely prevented a major crash after Police were able to intervene and arrest the driver.
At about 1.48pm yesterday, Police received five calls from concerned members of the public regarding a vehicle being driven in a dangerous manner north on State Highway 1.
Response Manager Horowhenua, Senior Sergeant Sam Gilpin, says calls described the vehicle passing multiple vehicles on double yellow lines, a near miss head on collision and forcing other vehicles off the road.
“One of our patrol cars managed to get behind the vehicle and signalled for it to stop, however it failed to do so.
“A plan was put in place and spikes were deployed, leading to the vehicle eventually stopping.”
Senior Sergeant Gilpin says the driver then fled on foot, jumping fences and into a paddock where he was eventually taken into custody without further incident.
“This was a great result that undoubtedly saved lives and prevented serious injuries on our roads.
“Our plea to people getting on the roads for the remainder of the holiday period is simple – we want you, and your family and friends to get home alive.”
Senior Sergeant Gilpin says this also serves as a reminder to anyone who sees any suspicious behaviour, including dangerous driving, to call us on 111 immediately.
A 31-year-old man will appear in Levin District Court today charged with failing to stop, reckless driving, escapes from Police custody and refusing an officer’s request to give blood.
His vehicle was also impounded.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has congratulated three members of staff who are today recognised in the New Year Honours.
Royal New Zealand Police College stalwart Alan Richards is made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) while Sergeant Les Clarke and Senior Constable Paul Lampe, both from Central District, receive the King’s Service Medal (KSM).
The three have a combined 144 years of police service.
“It’s fantastic to see this recognition for three such deserving members of the Police Family,” says Commissioner Chambers.
“Alan, Les and Paul have each given decades of service to communities here and overseas and we cannot overestimate the massive contribution they continue to make.
“Their careers illustrate the sort of skills that staff with such long and wide experience bring to policing – and to their roles as leaders in their communities.
“I congratulate them all on this achievement and thank them for their exemplary service.”
You can find citations for the three below.
Alan Richards has given 61 years of service to policing, starting with the Metropolitan Police in London before making the move to New Zealand.
He has been part of the Royal New Zealand Police College for nearly 40 years, retiring in 2001 at the rank of sergeant but continuing in an employee role. In 2015 his contribution was recognised with the award of a Police Meritorious Service Medal.
He says he is particularly pleased that the award recognises both his policing and education roles.
“When I found out I felt very surprised at first,” he says. “On reflection I felt very honoured that someone would nominate me to be recognised in that way.”
Les Clarke is acknowledged for his 52 years’ service in Police and his deep connections with his local community, particularly its young people.
“It is both humbling and exciting to receive this prestigious honour from the King in recognition of my work in the community,” he says.
“My 52 years in Police have been rewarding and I have enjoyed working for my community. The team I work with is also a big part of this.
“Throughout my service, my family has been my rock. They are always there and have supported and encouraged me throughout my career.”
Paul Lampe says his award – which cites his work in Youth Services, as a leading light in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters mentoring programme, and in supporting parents through Te Puna Trust – acknowledges “all those incredible volunteers, the fantastic children” involved.
“The families who allow our parent coaches to visit them weekly, the talented staff past and present, the professional yet volunteer governance board – and Police management for allowing me the space to create change for our community,” he says.
“The funders, corporates, small businesses, and individuals who financially contribute to allowing change to occur.
“The old saying ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is so true. I am just one piece of the puzzle that, together, has created change and no doubt reduced crime.”
CITATIONS
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM)
Alan Kenneth Richards
For services to the New Zealand Police and education.
Mr Alan Richards has given 61 years’ service to policing and police training both in New Zealand and overseas.
Beginning with the Metropolitan Police in London, Mr Richards joined the New Zealand Police in 1974. He began his involvement with the Royal New Zealand Police College (RNZPC) in 1986 and has since dedicated his career to Police training and adult education, currently as National Coordinator Workplace Assessment since 2011.
He designed and now administers an adult education certificate for new instructors and develops training plans and arranges attestations for past police officers wanting to rejoin.
He designed and delivered police training courses in Timor Leste, Bougainville, and in Niue in 2016. He was instrumental in designing a training course, run in Gisborne, to help reduce barriers for Māori applicants to join Police.
He is regarded as the guardian of protocols for New Zealand Police as the lead on the ceremonial aspects of Police Instructions for such events as state visits and graduations. He has been a main organiser of Remembrance Day commemorations since 1989. He has served on RNZPC committees and has been a member of the kapa haka group since inception.
Mr Richards gives his own time to present histories for the Police Museum to in-person visiting groups and online.
King’s Service Medal (KSM)
Sergeant Leslie Edward (Les) CLARKE
For services to the New Zealand Police and the community.
Sergeant Les Clarke has served with the New Zealand Police across a range of frontline roles in Auckland and Taihape since 1972.
Sergeant Clarke is a three-term member of the Taihape Community Board, including a term as Chair, and was elected to the Rangitikei District Council for a term. He was the driving force behind CCTV camera installation in Taihape, Hunterville, Marton and Bulls.
Identifying issues in Taihape with youth crime and troublemaking stemming from boredom in the early 2000s, he initiated a scheme with the local school for students to fundraise for trips to other locations and activities outside of Taihape, through performing jobs within the community.
The initial scheme funded a trip to Australia. He spent many hours of his own time to assist with fundraising opportunities, keeping the students on track and applying for grants, which sent youth groups to the Mount Everest basecamp.
He established the Taihape Community Development Trust 20 years ago and remains a member.
Sergeant Clarke coached various youth sports teams across netball, rugby, softball and touch rugby to provide wider sporting opportunities. These initiatives imparted life skills and discipline and helped reduce youth crime significantly, with three years of no youth offending and 15 years without one youth appearing in Taihape Youth Court.
King’s Service Medal (KSM)
Senior Constable Paul Hendrick Lampe
For services to youth
Senior Constable Paul Lampe has been involved in New Zealand Police Youth services for more than 20 years.
Senior Constable Lampe established the South Taranaki Youth Services in 2001 and in 2007 launched Big Brothers, Big Sisters in Taranaki, a one-on-one mentoring programme, equipping mentors with the right tools to build resilience in young people.
He has helped make a difference for more than 600 young people between the ages of six and 18 and has fostered positive relationships with businesses that fund the programme.
He created Te Puna Trust, which provides assistance to first-time parents, upskilling them and providing specific parenting education, empowerment and helping create optimum home environments for children.
Through these programmes, he has built positive partnerships between the local Police and the community, bringing credibility to the programmes and the Police. He has led the Taranaki Branch of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters programme to consistently be in the top three branches in providing support to children and holds an above-average length of 1100 days for mentoring matches.
Senior Constable Lampe has continued as a senior member of the New Plymouth Negotiating Team for more than 10 years.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police conducting a homicide investigation following the death of a woman in Ngāruawāhia on Friday can now release her name.
She was 42-year-old Turipapa Tukere of Ngāruawāhia.
About 1.30pm on Friday 27 December, Police were alerted to a number people fighting on Waipa Esplanade, near the intersection of Newton Street.
Sometime later, a critically injured woman was taken to the ambulance station on Jordan Street but despite the best efforts of first responders, the woman died before she could be airlifted to hospital.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders, Waikato CIB, says Police enquiries into the circumstances leading up to her death are continuing.
“Someone who was present at that fight knows who is responsible.
“We are pleading with those people to come forward and speak to us.
“No piece of information is insignificant as we work to determine exactly what has occurred,” he says.
“We are committed to identifying who is responsible for Turipapa’s death, however we can’t do this without the support and assistance from the community and those who were present.
“There are people who know who is responsible and who are withholding information from the Police, but now is the time to do the right thing and speak to us.”
Acting Detective Inspector Saunders says an increased Police presence will remain in the area in coming days.
“We know this is unsettling for our community and those involved, and officers will be carrying out reassurance patrols in the area.
“If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now at https://webforms.police.govt.nz/en/update-report or call 105.”
Please use the reference number 241227/6958.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can now name the woman who died in a single vehicle crash on SH35 (Te Araroa Road) on Thursday 26 December.
She was Mere Kohao Madeline McCabe, 39, of Gisborne.
Police extend our sympathies to her family and friends.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Motorists are being warned to avoid the Southern Motorway in Papakura following a multi-vehicle crash.
The crash, reported to Police at about 12.08pm, involves at least four vehicles.
At this stage there are no reports of injury.
Traffic heading south is down to two lanes.
Motorists are being asked to avoid the area or expect delays.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
A vigilant member of the public who alerted Police to suspicious activity in the area has aided Police in taking four people into custody following a nasty aggravated robbery.
At about 9pm last night Police received a report of several masked people entering a commercial premises on Hillsborough Road, Mount Roskill armed with weapons.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Allan, of Auckland City CIB, says the group allegedly attacked the sole attendant and stole alcohol, cigarettes and money before leaving in a vehicle.
“Just prior to the alleged robbery a member of the public called police to report some suspicious activity by people in two vehicles.
“Responding to this matter, equipped with the information from the member of the public including registration plates, Police were later able to locate two vehicles and apprehend the alleged offenders.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Allan says the victim received minor injuries and support is being provided to them.
“This type of serious violence offending will not be tolerated.
“We would, however, like to praise the conscientious member of the public for reporting the suspicious activity as this information was critical in the swift response to this incident and apprehension of the alleged offenders.
“This is a great example of the community assisting Police, leading to these offenders being held to account.”
Police were also able to recover the weapons and some of the stolen property.
A male and female, both 21, will appear in Auckland District Court today charged with aggravated robbery.
A 16-year-old will reappear in Auckland Youth Court on 9 January charged with aggravated robbery.
As that matter is now before the court Police are limited in providing further comment.
ENDS.
Holly McKay/NZ Police