Category: 24/7 News

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Police make history with 100 former officers rejoining in 2025

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Commissioner Richard Chambers:

New Zealand Police is celebrating a record-breaking year with 100 former officers rejoining in 2025. Last year was by far the largest year in history for rejoins, with more than double the previous record number when 40 officers rejoined in 2023. 

“I’m thrilled that we had 100 former officers return to constabulary positions in 2025.  So many former staff deciding to get back in blue highlights what a positive, rewarding and unique career being a police officer is. 

“Our rejoining officers are telling us they made the decision to come back because they missed supporting their communities and the camaraderie of working on the frontline. They’re reenergised with an even greater appreciation for the important work Police does every day. 

“Experienced officers are worth their weight in gold. They’ve brought back years of institutional knowledge, strengthened our capability, and filled critical skills gaps for specialist roles across the country.

“16 of the 100 rejoins are detectives. It takes a lot of dedication and specialist training to become qualified for this role.”

Most former officers who have been away for less than seven years are eligible to rejoin instead of having to go back through the full 20 weeks of training at the Royal New Zealand Police College. 

“In addition to the 100 officers who rejoined there are also 41 rejoins still working their way through our application pipeline or waiting for a vacancy in a specific role or area. 

“We have seen how rejoins are bolstering our frontline and made a conscious effort to attract and recruit them. This included our creative marketing late last year where we targeted those that moved to Australian police jurisdictions to get them to come home.  

“While we have had some success from targeting officers in Australia, the majority of last year’s 100 rejoins had moved away from a policing altogether for reasons such as trying a new career or because of family commitments. It’s great to see them returning to the service after a short break with a newfound passion for the role. 

“The wealth of knowledge rejoins bring with them has been critical for supporting the 788 new police officers that graduated last year.

“If you were once a police officer and have been thinking about getting back in blue get in touch with our rejoins team through www.newcops.govt.nz to find out more.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/police-make-history-with-100-former-officers-rejoining-in-2025/

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Youth arrested after aggravated assault in Newmarket

Source: New Zealand Police

Three young people have been apprehended after a shoplifting event became violent in Newmarket.

Police responded to the area on Tuesday night after reports of a shoplifting at a hobby store on Broadway, in which a staff member suffered a stab wound.

“At around 5.40pm, three young males allegedly stole from the business and fled on foot,” Detective Senior Sergeant Matt Bunce, of Auckland City CIB, says.

“An employee from the store pursued this group, managing to stop one of these males on Nuffield Street when a knife was produced.”

The employee suffered a moderate stab wound, and he was later taken to Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says Newmarket Security arrived on scene, holding the young male and removing the knife from his possession.

Police then took the 16-year-old Hamilton male into custody, charging him with aggravated wounding and shoplifting.

“The other two young males were tracked to nearby Newmarket Train Station and were apprehended.”

The pair, both aged 13, were spoken with and will be referred to Youth Aid.

“We’re appalled at the unnecessary level of violence that was inflicted on this staff member last night,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunce says.

“Police acknowledge the quick actions of Newmarket Security staff and members of the public who quickly swung into action as our staff were responding to the scene.

“This could have a very different outcome, and the victim is recovering from his injuries in hospital today.”

The 16-year-old arrested will appear in the Auckland Youth Court on 26 January 2026.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/youth-arrested-after-aggravated-assault-in-newmarket/

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Mautohe Cathedral Cove closed due to rain, weather warnings

Source: NZ Department of Conservation

Date:  21 January 2026

MetService has issued a Red Heavy Rain Warning for Coromandel in response to the weather system moving down the northern half of the North Island, and is expected to dump up to 290 mm of rain on the peninsula today alone. The MetService’s rain warning is paired with a strong wind watch due to possible gales in exposed places.

DOC Coromandel Operations Manager Nick Kelly says it’s prudent to close tracks to Mautohe Cathedral Cove given the weather system’s impact – which now includes flooding across some parts of the district and its roading network.

“DOC’s priority for this site continues to be the safety of visitors and managing visitor risk. Poor weather exacerbates the landslide and rockfall risks at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.

“We strongly discourage people from visiting the cove while this weather system moves – the conditions make it unsafe.

“We do not want people getting hurt.”

Nick says the Mautohe Cathedral Cove closure is now in effect and will be in place until further notice. Decisions about whether it is safe to reopen tracks to the beach will be made once staff undertake site inspections and weather forecasts are assessed.

DOC will lift an alert on the Mautohe Cathedral Cove Track web page once it reopens.

Sea swells are expected to increase with the weather system and anyone planning to visit Mautohe Cathedral Cove by boat should check sea conditions first and consider the risks.

Mautohe Cathedral Cove is one of Coromandel and New Zealand’s most picturesque and iconic coastal locations, famous for its rock arch. However, land around the cove is known to be potentially unstable with a noted geological and landslide risk after heavy rain events.

DOC’s Trigger Action Response Plan for Mautohe Cathedral Cove guides decision-making for track closures at the site.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/mautohe-cathedral-cove-closed-due-to-rain-weather-warnings/

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Man arrested after Police vehicle rammed

Source: New Zealand Police

One man has been arrested after allegedly ramming the stolen vehicle he was driving into a Police unit.

Auckland Central Police responded to information just before 8.30pm on Tuesday, about a stolen hatchback vehicle being driven along Great North Road.

Inspector Grae Anderson, Auckland Central Area Commander, says the vehicle was tracked into the Grey Lynn area.

“Police camera operators tracked the vehicle’s movements to Tuarangi Road, and a unit carried out enquiries in the area,” he says.

“A unit came across the Toyota Vitz and attempted to carry out a traffic stop when it was allegedly rammed.”

The patrol vehicle was not seriously damaged but the Vitz fled the scene.

Inspector Anderson says a pursuit was initiated after the vehicle was seen entering the Northwestern Motorway towards the city.

The vehicle exited at Newton Road and headed towards Ponsonby.

“Police have brought this vehicle to a stop at the intersection of Karangahape Road and Pitt Street, with both occupants arrested without further incident,” he says.

The 36-year-old man will be facing charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, failing to stop, reckless driving and assault with a weapon.

Inspector Anderson says, “it’s fortunate that none of our staff sustained any serious injuries as a result of this man’s reckless behaviour last night.

“I acknowledge the work of our people in bringing this matter to a swift conclusion without any further harm being inflicted.”

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/man-arrested-after-police-vehicle-rammed/

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Government backs economic growth in Southland

Source: New Zealand Government

Southland is set for a major economic boost, with the Government committing a $3.1 million loan through the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to kickstart an industrial subdivision near Gore, Associate Minister for Regional Development Mark Patterson announced today.

“The 43-hectare development is a 50/50 partnership between Ngāi Tahu iwi authority Hokonui Rūnanga and Robertson Transport Limited. It tackles the critical shortage of large industrial lots in the Gore District and supports long-term prosperity for both partners and the wider Eastern Southland community,” Mr Patterson said.

The $13.6 million project, strategically positioned on State Highway 1, will transform underutilised farmland into a thriving industrial hub. It is expected to create up to 50 jobs during construction and attract industries such as fertiliser distribution, farm equipment services, warehousing, and retail.

“Importantly, this development will provide Hokonui Rūnanga with a sustainable income stream through long-term leases, enabling it to fund vital health and social services for the community,” Mr Patterson said.

The RIF is delivering the infrastructure Southland needs to diversify its economy and build resilience. It also tackles a critical shortage of prime industrial land in the Gore District, which needs an additional 100 hectares to meet future growth.

Southland already delivers 12 per cent of New Zealand’s pastoral exports with just two per cent of the population. This investment will help ensure the region’s economy continues to thrive,” Mr Patterson said.

Construction is expected to start in mid-2026, following rezoning and consents. 

This development marks the first stage of Hokonui Rūnanga’s 90-hectare master plan, with future stages set to include marae relocation, papakāinga housing, and a potential childcare facility.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/government-backs-economic-growth-in-southland/

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Serious incident, Onehunga

Source: New Zealand Police

Please attribute to Inspector Jason Homan:

Police are responding to a serious incident in Onehunga.

Shortly after 11am Police received reports a person had received injuries consistent with a gunshot wound at a property on Arthur Street.

One person has been transported to hospital in a critical condition.

An increased Police presence will remain in the area while enquiries are underway.

Anyone with any information is asked to please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and use the reference number P065151258.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers online or through 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/serious-incident-onehunga-2/

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Activist News – Protest at today’s National Party caucus retreat – PSNA

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

Palestine solidarity supporters will be outside the National Party caucus retreat this morning from 10am (Commodore Hotel, 449 Memorial Ave, Ōtautahi/Christchurch) to hold the party to account for complicity in Israel’s on-going genocide in Gaza.

“As election year opens we are determined to keep this issue before the government and the public”, says PSNA Co-Chair John Minto. “We will be continuing our demand for the government to sanction Israel for genocide”

In the face of mass killing and mass starvation of Palestinians in Gaza our Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Peters have been silent.

“This is the most important human rights issue of the 21st century – there is nowhere for National MPs to hide”

“The government has betrayed international law, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice – the bedrock agencies of the government’s so-called “rules-based international order”

All those groups have called for action to hold the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel to account for its actions in Palestine but the government is looking the other way.

John Minto
Co-Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa.

MIL OSI

LiveNews: https://livenews.co.nz/2026/01/21/activist-news-protest-at-todays-national-party-caucus-retreat-psna/