AM Edition: Top 10 Law and Security Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for March 25, 2026: AM – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute the following to Detective Senior Sergeant Colin Baillie:

Police executing search warrants have arrested one person from a religious organisation that has a presence in New Zealand, Australia, Samoa and Fiji.

A 45-year-old man will appear in the Christchurch District Court today charged with unlawful sexual connection, indecent assault, strangulation and rape.

Today’s arrest follows a number of allegations, and partner agencies are supporting those that have come forward.

It is possible there may be other allegations that we are not yet aware of, and I strongly encourage any survivor to speak with us, should they wish to. Your voice matters, and you will be treated with respect.

Our staff who work in this space are specially trained, and any reports will be made in confidence, and we will provide wrap-around support.

Please make a report by calling Police on 105 or using our online service. Click ‘Make a report’.

Please reference Operation Aurora or use file number 260319/8197.

Police will not be making further comment as the matter is before the Court.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/arrest-in-operation-aurora/

Source: New Zealand Police

Police in Counties Manukau have been busy cleaning up and returning a pile of stolen goods following a tip off from a member of the public.

On Friday afternoon, Police patrolling the Counties Manukau West area were alerted to an address of interest in Mangere Bridge by a member of the public who reported he’d had several items taken from his vehicle in Pakuranga.

Counties Manukau West Area Commander, Inspector Dave Christoffersen, says one of the items belonging to the victim had a GPS, which lead to a property in Tima Lane.

“Units were in the area at the time and met with the victim, who had observed his items inside the address.

“A search of the property located multiple tools and other items, one of which was a GPS linked stolen nail gun.

“This lead to one person at the address being arrested and charged for receiving.”

Inspector Christoffersen says Police recovered the alleged stolen goods and have managed to return several to their rightful owner.

“This is a great example of members of the public reporting incidents when they happen, then following up with any helpful information that comes to hand.

“This allows the opportunity for Police to act and, as in this case, recover stolen property.

“I would like to acknowledge the community for their vigilance and reporting suspicious activity promptly to Police.”

A 37-year-old man was remanded in custody and will appear in Manukau District Court today charged with receives property.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/nailed-it-police-clean-up-following-tip-off/

Source: New Zealand Police

Attribute to Detective Sergeant Heath Jones, Hastings Criminal Investigation Branch:

Hasting Police have arrested and charged a person in relation to a fight at the Common Room bar earlier this month.

Police responded to the fight around 1.45am on Sunday 8 March, where several people were injured – some seriously, with one requiring hospital treatment.

Police arrested one man today in relation to the incident. The 32-year-old is due in Hastings District Court tomorrow, charged with five counts of assault with intent to injure, three counts of injuring with intent to injure, injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and assault.

Police are not ruling out any further arrests and would like to speak with the five people pictured, as we believe they may be able to assist in our enquiries.

If this is you, or you know who these people are, please get in touch through 105 – either online or over the phone – and reference file number 260308/6292.

Alternatively, information can be provided through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/update-common-room-bar-fight-hastings/

Source: Radio New Zealand

An Auckland man has died after being arrested by police in the Auckland suburb of Mt Roskill this morning.

Acting Auckland City District Commander Inspector Grant Tetzlaff said a critical incident investigation was now underway after the man’s death in custody.

The man was arrested shortly before 10am this morning on Morrie Laing Avenue, after officers responded to several reports of “a disorder”.

He was arrested without incident and taken to the Auckland District Custody Unit, where he collapsed.

An ambulance was called and first aid was given to the man, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tetzlaff said next of kin had been informed. He said support had been provided to the family, as well as police staff who had been involved.

“Several investigations will now get underway, including the critical incident investigation, which will examine the course of events this morning.

“As part of this process police have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/03/25/auckland-man-dies-in-police-custody/

Source: New Zealand Police

Raglan Police have arrested one person and impounded their car after reports of illegal street racing around the area over the weekend.

The arrested person was one of multiple drivers seen driving dangerously on Nau Mai Road.

The 19-year-old man was taken into custody around 1.30am on Sunday. He is due in Hamilton District Court on 27 March, charged with operating a motor vehicle causing sustained loss of traction, and excess breath alcohol.

Senior Constable Brendon Richardson, Waikato Road Policing Team, says Police continue to run a dedicated operation focused on responding to and investigating illegal street racing activity that endangers road users, damages roads and causes disturbance to the public.

“We are taking a district-wide approach to this and will take action against those that are putting others at risk.

“Police are also working with our partner agencies and local councils around other measures that can assist us in preventing this behaviour.

“I also want acknowledge Constable Hetal Patel who assisted with this arrest and contributed greatly to the outcome,” Senior Constable Richardson says.

Police are asking anyone that sees illegal or dangerous driving to make reports so officers can follow up and hold offenders to account.

Photos and video footage is helpful for Police to follow up on offenders that quickly speed off when driving unlawfully. These can also be used to identify the vehicles, hotspots and times dangerous driving occurs and helps to identify the drivers.

If you see any dangerous driving, call 111 immediately.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/illegal-street-racing-sees-arrest-and-car-impounded/

Source: New Zealand Police

Police can confirm the name of the man who died following a crash in Waipaoa on 20 March, and are appealing for information from the public.

The man was 75-year-old Owen Rutherford Lloyd, from Whatatutu.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

Police are now appealing to the public for any information in relation to the crash that may assist our investigation.

We would also like to speak with anyone who may have CCTV, or dashcam footage from the Matawai Road area between 6am and 7am on 20 March.

A 29-year-old man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death, and is due to appear in Gisborne District Court today.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/name-release-fatal-crash-waipaoa/

Source: New Zealand Police

One person has died and three others are injured following a three-vehicle crash in Palmerston North overnight.

Emergency services were called to the crash on Tremaine Avenue, near Malden Street, about 2.30am. It involved two cars, one of which caught fire, and a utility vehicle.

Sadly, one person died at the scene. Another has serious injuries and two others have been treated for minor injuries.

The crash also caused power to be cut to multiple addresses.

The Serious Crash Unit has carried out a scene examination and enquiries into the cause are ongoing. The reopened about 7am.

Appeal for information:

Senior Sergeant Christine Pinfold from the Central District Command Centre said Police would like to hear from anyone who captured CCTV prior to the crash.

“We believe the vehicles were travelling south on Tremaine Avenue, towards Malden Street when the crash occurred.

“We ask that people with CCTV in the area please review it and contact us if they have video showing two vehicles travelling down the avenue just before 2.30am.”

Anyone with CCTV showing the vehicles is asked to make a report online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update report”, or by calling 105. Please use the reference number 260324/3928.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/24/fatal-crash-tremaine-avenue-palmerston-north/

Source: New Zealand Police

Two people have been located deceased in a vehicle in Makara this morning.

Police were called to Makara Road at around 8:05am following reports of a vehicle upside down in a body of water.

Upon arrival, two people were located deceased in the vehicle.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the deaths are ongoing.

Makara Road was closed while a scene examination took place and has since reopened.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/fatal-crash-makara/

Source: Radio New Zealand

Two bodies have been found inside a car that was discovered upside down in a stream in rural Wellington this morning.

Police, Fire and Emergency and Wellington Free Ambulance were called to the crash in Mākara just after 8am.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Alex Norris said crews arrived to find a car partially submerged in the stream on Mākara Beach Road – a narrow, winding road between Karori and Mākara Beach.

The bodies were found by police when they arrived at the scene.

The road was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

A local resident who did not want to be named said they could see the crash site from their home.

They said they saw at least four police vehicles, two ambulances and a fire appliance attending the crash as well as white blanket laid on the ground.

“Usually you hear stuff a night but we didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary. Our neighbour told me it’s quite a common place where people go off there’s about a two to three metre drop from the road down to the stream.

“I’ve witnessed cars having a head on collision on the stretch before and a bunch of near misses. I haven’t really had a chance to let it sink in. I’ve talked to some of the locals this morning and they’re really shocked” he said.

The road skirts a small stream bordered by wire fencing down the bank from Mākara Road.

Mākara Village cattery owner Cody Stephens said he saw police cars and a fire engine fly past his property this morning, heading towards the beach.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/25/two-dead-after-car-flips-upside-down-into-stream-in-wellington/

Source: New Zealand Police

Human remains found in a garden on Wellington’s south coast last year have been determined to be centuries old.

A homeowner discovered the remains in his garden in Ōwhiro Bay on June 22, 2025.

Detective Constable Sarah Steed says radiocarbon dating has been conducted on the remains, which show them to be from the 1600s-1700s, and possibly pre-European.

“This information will now be supplied to the Coroner for consideration,” Detective Constable Steed says.

“Consultation will take place with local iwi to arrange a suitable burial site, once the remains are release by the Coroner.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

LiveNews: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/03/23/remains-found-in-wellington-centuries-old/