Author: Press Room

Police and Customs have intercepted a massive methamphetamine shipment hidden in machine parts sent through air cargo, preventing $37 million worth of drugs from flooding New Zealand communities.The bust, part of Operation Vault, began in June when Customs intelligence specialists flagged a suspicious package. The consignment was linked to a group allegedly connected to the Killer Beez gang.While initial shipments contained no drugs, police allege these were sent as “dry runs” or “test runs”.Last week, a shipment from Canada arrived containing 124 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside machine parts.$36,000 in cash was seized in search warrants at Auckland addresses last…

A Northland skipper critically injured when his ferry was hit by a power boat travelling at high speed more than two years ago has died.Bill Elliott from Russell was left paralysed by the collision that also threw one passenger into the water, injured others, and sank the 90-year-old vessel Waitere, also known as the Blue Ferry.Nineteen passengers – mostly visitors making the most of the school holidays – were on board the ferry at the time, which had just left Russell on its regular run to Paihia.Elliot’s injuries had long term effects on his health and left him requiring full-time…

Police have been in touch with 11 schools after reports of a man approaching female students offering cash for “inappropriate favours” earlier this month. Police were told of incidents on August 4 in the Merivale/ St Albans area.”He was allegedly offering cash in return for inappropriate favours and Police have sent a letter to 11 schools in the area alerting them to the offending. “The person of interest is believed to be an older caucasian man.” People with information about the man were urged to get in touch with Police by calling 105 and using file number 250804/3588.

A woman has been charged following the discovery of a deceased newborn baby in central Auckland’s Albert Park yesterday morning.The 36-year-old woman has appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with concealing the dead body of a child.The woman was granted name suppression and will reappear in court on Wednesday to enter a plea. She has been granted bail and ordered to surrender her passport.Auckland City CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Matthews said police were called to the scene after a park worker discovered the infant at about 7am on Sunday.”This investigation remains ongoing and police are speaking with…

A prominent sportsman on trial for serious family violence was “shocked” to hear of an infant’s injuries, according to his police statement.The man, accused of crushing the baby’s ribs in July 2023, had his police statement read to the Dunedin District Court this morning.The Crown argued the injuries were not intentional but were reckless, and that a squeezing movement around the torso of the victim was an unreasonable risk requiring “significant force”.X-rays conducted when the victim was taken to Dunedin Hospital showed at least a dozen rib fractures and a broken clavicle.The sportsman’s charge of injury with reckless disregard carried…

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says he wants to see “modest” and “consistent” house prices increases. House prices remain stuck despite lower interest rates, giving first-home buyers a win, and leaving property owners gnashing their teeth. Last week, the Reserve Bank cut its benchmark cash rate by 25 basis points to a three-year low of 3% and left the door open for further moves lower. As a result, banks changed their interest rates, including cuts to variable home loan rates, fixed home loan rates and serious saver interest rates. However, house prices remain low around the country, with only Christchurch and Queenstown showing modest…

A man has died in hospital after a sand dune collapsed on him at west Auckland’s Muriwai Beach on Saturday.28-year-old Kane Watson became trapped under the dune around 5pm. He was airlifted to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition but died this morning, police said. Shaquille, Kane’s sister, said he was “my best friend and my favourite person”.Shaquille’s friend, Kristalle Tayler, said between Kane and his partner, the couple had four children, with a fifth on the way in January.”He was so excited about their new baby,” she said.”He was building a life with his partner, he was the best…

By Susan Edmunds of RNZ A group of Air New Zealand international flight attendants have lost their bid to claim they were unjustifiably dismissed when they did not receive the Covid-19 vaccine. The group of six was dismissed in 2021 when they did not meet the statutory Covid-19 vaccination requirements of the time. Air New Zealand said its actions were what a fair and reasonable employer could have done. On July 12, 2021, changes to the rules meant vaccines were required for international cabin crew members and pilots. They had to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccination by September 30,…

Australian rock band Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds will perform in Wellington in what lead vocalist Cave has said will be “a wild and mighty joy”.As part of their Wild God Tour, the band will perform two shows in February 2026 for the Aotearoa Festival of the Arts.TSB Arena will play host to both shows, on February 5 and 6. The two and a half hour show will draw on the band’s 2024 album, Wild God, alongside songs from their last 40 years together.(Source: Megan Cullen)Cave said the upcoming shows in Australia and New Zealand were a long time…

Data from the country’s biggest KiwiSaver provider shows that when it comes to putting money aside in the scheme, where you live matters.A comparison of average balances around the country shows Wellingtonians lead the pack.There, ANZ members had an average balance of $44,863. That was followed by Taranaki, at $40,562.At the bottom of the table, more than $10,000 behind were Northland, at $33,830 and Gisborne, at $33,673.ANZ Funds Management managing director Fiona Mackenzie said KiwiSaver could hard code any income inequality. People who earned less over their lifetimes would end up with less in their KiwiSaver accounts as a result.Northland…