Author: Press Room

A six-month-old baby was found with critical injuries at a Foxton Beach house, prompting a police investigation. Police were called to the Seabury Ave address, northwest of Levin, at around 5.30am on Sunday. Hato Hone St John said it was first notified of an incident on Seabury Ave in Foxton Beach at 4.41am. “We responded with one ambulance, two rapid response vehicles and one operations manager. We transported one patient, in a critical condition, to Palmerston North Hospital.”The baby was then airlifted to Starship Hospital, where he remained in a critical condition. Detective Senior Sergeant Michael Deegan said police were…

The Government is announcing plans to make it easier for police to punish shoplifters and says it is introducing stronger penalties for low-level theft.Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee are making the announcement in Auckland.It is the third law and order announcement of the week from ministers, following tougher sentences for assaults on first responders and punishment of up to life in jail for “coward punches”.Asked this week if harsher penalties for attacking emergency service workers would be a deterrent, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said: “It might well be. And I don’t care. I want it…

South Wairarapa’s deputy mayor is having another crack at winning over her council’s support for the investigation of a new Remutaka Hill route.Earlier this year, Melissa Sadler-Futter tried to get councillors to endorse the work being done by the Remutaka Road Action Group, but failed to win over a majority.The group was working to secure an official investigation into the most viable alternative route and ultimately have the Remutaka Hill road designated as part of the Government’s Roads of National Significance.Action group spokesperson Simon Casey had previously said the current state highway route was unsafe, unpleasant, and offered no resilience…

Iconic sweet treat Jaffas is being discontinued indefinitely and will no longer be available on any New Zealand shelves. Parent company RJ’s Confectionery told RNZ today the decision to stop manufacturing the lolly was “due to declining sales”. “We know this will be disappointing news for many Kiwis and loyal Jaffas fans around New Zealand. “Many of us have grown up enjoying the classic flavour combo of the crispy orange shell and smooth chocolate centre. “However, there have sadly not been enough people buying Jaffas in recent times to support its continued ranging on shelves,” a company spokesperson said. While…

The Government has proposed harsher penalties and the introduction of on-the-spot fines of up to $1000 for low-level theft in an effort to deter shoplifters.Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced the measures at a media conference at a central Auckland supermarket on Tuesday.Goldsmith said public confidence in the justice system was undermined if people could steal with “apparent impunity”.”It’s disheartening, and our Government will not sit by while shoplifters rob businesses of their livelihoods.”Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee, and Ministerial Advisory Group chairperson Sunny Kaushal. (Source: 1News)Under the proposed changes, shoplifting…

A man has been charged with murder following the death of an inmate at Mount Eden Corrections Facility last week. Police said it was made aware of the man’s death at around 4pm on Friday, June 27. An investigation was launched, and today police revealed a 32-year-old man had been charged with murder. He is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on July 3.“Police enquiries are ongoing and at this stage, and as this matter is before the courts, police are unable to comment further,” Detective Inspector Greg Brand said. On Saturday, Dion Paki, general manager at Mt…

ADVERTISEMENTDenmark has officially taken over the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council, with two overarching priorities: security and competitiveness. The task is usually a tough challenge, but it will be more formidable as a result of the extreme uncertainty and volatility that the European Union faces today. “Europe is at a defining moment in time,” Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said in her welcome message. “The world that secured our freedom and made us prosper can no longer be taken for granted.”The country inherits from Poland the unenviable title of “honest broker”: the chief arbiter among the other 26…

Orange heavy rain warnings have been issued for the already saturated top of the South Island as well as for the Bay of Plenty.Northland and Auckland were also under heavy rain and strong wind watches for Thursday.MetService said a large low over the Tasman Sea and its associated fronts would bring heavy rain and strong winds to central and northern parts of the country from Thursday.Up to 220mm of rainfall would be possible in localised areas of the Tasman District west of Motueka between 3am and 9pm on Thursday.MetService warnings and watches on Tuesday, July 1. (Source: Supplied)The forecaster said…

Auckland police have issued more than 150 infringement notices and arrested 13 people in an operation aimed at cracking down on boy racers and anti-social road users.The operation took place on Fridays and Saturdays between June 19 and 28, resulting in 299 vehicles being stopped in the Waitematā District. In all, 154 infringement notices were handed out, 13 people were arrested, 10 vehicles were impounded, 45 cars copped green stickers, seven cars were pink stickered, and four cars blue stickered. Police officers check vehicles amid a boy-racer crackdown. (Source: Supplied)”Altered seatbelts, suspension, exhausts, airbag modifications, window tints, lighting, tyres, and…

A man has been arrested in Invercargill after an ambulance was stolen with a police officer and St John staff still inside yesterday morning. Police were called to assist an ambulance crew dealing with an “agitated person” on Elles Rd at around 2.45am. “While a police officer and an ambulance officer were speaking with a man in the back of the ambulance, he jumped into the driver’s seat of the ambulance and allegedly began driving,” police said. The vehicle travelled about a block before the officer managed to knock it out of gear and stop it. A “brief scuffle” followed,…