Attributable to Detective Inspector Shona Low:

Dunedin Police have launched a homicide investigation after the death of a person in Andersons Bay this evening.

Emergency services were called to a Somerville Street property at around 5.50pm.

Upon arrival a person was located deceased.

One person was taken into custody at the scene.

A scene guard is now in place and there is not thought to be any risk to the public.

Police are now working to determine the circumstances of the incident.

Cordons are in place while a scene examination is underway.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/homicide-investigation-launched-dunedin/

Police have tracked down a group allegedly involved in a series of aggravated robberies in the south Auckland area.

Today, the Counties Manukau Major Crime Unit executed three search warrants as part of ongoing enquiries.

Four males have been arrested as a result.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Paea says three of those arrests are in connection to an aggravated robbery at a bar in Wiri on Thursday night.

“Those arrested are aged 16, 17 and 19, and have all been charged with aggravated robbery following the offending on Roscommon Road.”

A 19-year-old male has also been charged with three other aggravated robberies that occurred in south Auckland earlier in May, as well as four counts of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

A 16-year-old male has also been charged with two other aggravated robberies, as well as three counts of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paea says Police have also charged a fourth male, aged 19, with drug-related offending.

All four were due to appear in the Manukau District and Youth Courts today.

“This is a great outcome, and we’re pleased to be putting this group before the court to be held accountable,” Detective Senior Sergeant Paea says.

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/trio-charged-over-aggravated-robberies/

State Highway 1 / Tirau Road, near Karapiro Road, is now open and police cordons have been stood down.

Police thank motorists for their cooperation while they worked in the area to locate a person of interest.

While the road has reopened, traffic is still clearing in the area and motorists may experience some congestion. Drivers are encouraged to avoid the area if possible or allow extra time for their journey.

Police appreciate the public’s patience as traffic flow continues to return to normal.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/road-clear-sh-1-tirau-road-waipa/

The Western Hutt Road is clear and open to free-flowing traffic following a crash reported about 10.45am.

The crash, involving a vehicle and a bike, was near Silverstream.

One person sustained serious injuries and has been transported to hospital.

The Serious Crash Unit were notified and Police will undertake enquiries into the incident.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/road-clear-state-highway-2-western-hutt-road/

A fleeing driver found her grass hiding spot offered little protection from the eye of Eagle last night.

At around 11.30pm, officers observed a Suzuki Swift travelling along Dairy Flat Highway in north Auckland.

Senior Sergeant Carl Fowlie, Waitematā North Area Response Manager, says the driver was under a license suspension and should not have been behind the wheel.

“A unit signalled for the vehicle to stop on Horseshoe Bush Road.

“The driver decided to ignore instructions and accelerated in an attempt to evade officers.”

Due to the nature of the driving, the vehicle was not pursued.

With the assistance of Eagle from above, officers conducted area searches to locate the driver. 

Eagle sighted the vehicle parked at a Windmill Glen Road address and identified the driver hiding in grass nearby.

“As ground officers entered the property, the driver was observed running into dense bush.

“Police quickly located the woman, and she was arrested,” Senior Sergeant Fowlie says.

A search of the vehicle was invoked, and officers located drugs and related paraphernalia.

A 40-year-old woman will appear in North Shore District Court today, charged with driving while suspended, failing to stop, possession of methamphetamine for supply, and possession of drug utensils.

The vehicle has been impounded for six months. 

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/the-grass-wasnt-greener-for-fleeing-driver/

Please attribute to Acting Detective Inspector Greg Brand, Auckland City CIB:

Police can confirm one person has sadly died following a house fire in Onehunga this morning. 

Emergency services were called to a house fire on Trafalgar Street at around 7.20am.

One person was unaccounted for and has since been located deceased. Police are working through formal identification procedures. 

The cause of the fire remains unexplained, and Police are working closely with fire investigators.

A scene examination will take place; however, Police do not expect to be able to access the house until later today.

Trafalgar Street remains closed between Pleasant Street and Forbes Street. Symonds Street is closed to Aumoana Lane.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area while emergency services continue to work at the scene.

Anyone with information that can assist our enquiries is urged to contact Police on 105, referencing file number 260522/8479.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police. 

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/update-house-fire-onehunga/

MIL OSI

State Highway 1 / Tirau Road, near Karapiro Road, is currently blocked while Police respond to an incident.

Police were called to the incident around 10.20am.

There is disruption to traffic while Police work in the area to locate a person of interest.

Cordons are in place on roads in the area and motorists are advised to take alternative routes or expect delays.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/road-blocked-sh-1-tirau-road-waipa/

Police are working to locate Bodi Mckee, who has a warrant for his arrest and is wanted by Police.

McKee, 32, is wanted by Police for breaching release conditions and is known to frequent the East Auckland and Counties Manukau areas.

It’s believed he is actively avoiding Police.

McKee is considered dangerous and should not be approached. Any sightings should be reported to Police on 111.

Please use the reference number 260204/3974.

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

ENDS.

Amanda Wieneke/NZ Police

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/warrant-to-arrest-bodi-mckee/

Attribute to Wellington Field Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Jamie Woods: 

Wellington Police investigating the death of Nathaniel Sturmey in Lower Hutt last month are asking for the public’s help, as the homicide investigation continues.

On Thursday 9 April, Police responded to Malone Road in Waterloo after Nathaniel was reported to be unresponsive outside an address. Sadly, he was confirmed to be deceased at the scene.

We can now confirm that the 29-year-old died as a result of a gunshot wound.

Police have a large team of investigators working to identify all those involved in this tragic incident and to understand the full circumstances that led to Nathaniel’s death, and we are making significant progress.

Several search warrants have been executed in the Lower Hutt area today, and the Police National Dive Squad are searching an area in Eastbourne, Lower Hutt, in relation to the investigation.

We know there are people who have knowledge of this incident and of those involved, and Police are urging you to do the right thing and speak with us.

Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260409/9927.

You can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS 

Issued by Police Media Centre

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/update-lower-hutt-homicide/

Please attribute to Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, Auckland City CIB:

Police are aware of a number of threatening emails sent to various locations across Auckland this week.

The indication is that these threats are not genuine.

Preliminary enquiries suggest these emails have originated from outside of New Zealand.

These emails and threats are concerning, and Auckland City detectives are treating them seriously. 

An investigation code named Operation IRENA has been initiated, and we are being supported by the Cybercrime team and staff in other Police districts across Tāmaki Makaurau.

If you have information which could assist our enquiries, please contact Police through 105 online or by phone, referencing file number 260521/6750

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/auckland-city-police-investigating-threatening-emails/

The Western Hutt Road is blocked in northbound lanes following a crash.

Police were notified of the crash about 10.45am.

The crash, involving a vehicle and a bike, was near Silverstream on the Western Hutt Road by the Fergusson Drive intersection.

One person has been seriously injured.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays while emergency services work at the scene.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Team

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/state-highway-2-western-hutt-road-blocked/

Emergency services are attending a house fire on Trafalgar Street, Onehunga this morning.

At around 7.20am, Police received reports of a house well involved in fire.   

Several people were able to evacuate the house.

At this time, one person remains unaccounted for and Police are urgently working to locate the person outstanding.   

Trafalgar Street is closed between Pleasant Street and Forbes Street.

Symonds Street is closed to Aumoana Lane.

Cordons are expected to remain in place for most of the day.

Members of the public are advised to avoid the area while emergency services work at the scene.

Further information will be released when it becomes available.

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/house-fire-onehunga/

A senior figure of Christchurch’s King Cobra chapter is among six people arrested by Police in an operation targeting the flow of Class A drugs into Canterbury.

Over the last three days, Police executed more than 10 search warrants at properties across Christchurch, including the gang’s Addington pad, uncovering about a kilogram of methamphetamine, and bricks of cash that are believed to total more than $100,000. The arrests follow a significant, but previously unreported development last month, as part of a wider investigation, when a Wellington woman flying into Christchurch was arrested, along with the driver waiting to collect her.

Operation Shelby was orchestrated by Police’s National Organised Crime Group and supported by specialist groups and staff from across Canterbury.

“This has been a months-long operation, beginning in 2025, designed to target a syndicate we suspected of being a significant driver of drugs into the Canterbury district,” said Acting Crime Manager, National Organised Crime Group, Detective Inspector Rebecca Cotton.

On 22 April, a 47-year-old Lower Hutt woman was arrested for possession of 1kg of methamphetamine after flying into Christchurch. At the same time, a 41-year-old Upper Hutt man, holding about $104,000 in cash, was arrested while waiting at the airport carpark. Both were charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply.

Detective Inspector Cotton said those arrested this week now face a range of charges, including participating in an organised criminal group, which carries a maximum 10-year prison term, and conspiracy to supply methamphetamine, which is punishable by life imprisonment. The arrests would put a significant dent in the syndicate’s operations in Christchurch.

“The alleged offending has been carefully orchestrated and structured in a way to avoid raising suspicion and to protect the hierarchy.

“Among those arrested is a senior gang figure who attempted to use counter surveillance methods to avoid Police and direct contact with the people allegedly running the drugs.”

Detective Inspector Cotton said the results will be devastating for the syndicate.

“Our goal was to go after an organised criminal group that was flooding the Canterbury market with Class A drugs like meth, the damage from which Police deal with every day. The results of Operation Shelby are a huge win for the community, and we can’t understate how significant this is.

“It’s a devastating blow for an organised crime syndicate and a very good day for us.”

Detective Inspector Cotton said alleged offenders could lose more than money and drugs – Police’s Southern Asset Recovery Unit will also look at assets owned by the accused “in forensic detail”.

“These people amassed significant assets through their alleged criminal offending, and they’ve gone untouched for several years. That has come to an end they will be held accountable. Police will explore every legal avenue available to us, in particular the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act.”

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Notes for media:

Arrests

• A 34-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with participation in an organised criminal group, and engaging in money laundering transaction. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 22 May. 
• A 60-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with participation in an organised criminal group, engaging in money laundering transaction, and two counts of conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 22 May.
• A 29-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with participation in an organised criminal group. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 22 May.
• A 41-year-old Upper Hutt man has been charged with participation in an organised criminal group. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 3 June. 
• A 47-year-old Lower Hutt woman has been charged with possession for supply. She is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 28 May.
• A 42-year-old Christchurch man has been charged with engaging in money laundering transaction. He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on 26 May.

By the numbers:

Operation Shelby has led to:

• 6 arrests
• Five 200 gram bags of methamphetamine seized from a Christchurch address on Wednesday;
• Approximately $100,000 recovered during search warrants on Wednesday
• 1 kilogram of meth found in April
• Approximately $104,000 recovered in April

As the case is before the court, Police are unable to comment further.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/22/senior-gang-member-arrested-as-police-seize-meth-cash-in-christchurch/

A search and rescue operation is underway for a man missing on a yacht in the Cook Strait.

The Air Force, Navy and Police were searching for the vessel on Thursday night, following a mayday call made in the afternoon.

Harbourmaster Grant Nalder told RNZ the yacht had been near Baring Head and was having difficulties returning to Wellington.

He said two people had been on the vessel heading north from Wellington on Wednesday, when one became unwell.

CoastGuard and the Police Maritime Unit went out to Cape Palliser on Thursday morning and brought that person back to Wellington.

Nalder said the other person was still attempting to return to Wellington on Thursday night, with Police trying to locate where he was.

He said Police were the lead agency on the rescue operation.

Maritime NZ also referred queries to Police, saying “This is a CAT 1 SAR, meaning police is the lead agency.”

RNZ has approached Police for comment.

According to the New Zealand Search and Rescue website, Category 1 operations are locally coordinated by people who are familiar with the area, and can include close-to-shore marine searches (usually within 12 nautical miles of New Zealand).

A spokesperson for the Defence Force confirmed it was also involved in the search for the sailing vessel.

“Crew on a Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A are launching an aerial search while Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Taupo is also in the area after responding to mayday broadcasts earlier this afternoon. The vessel with one person on board has reported becoming lost while en route to Wellington Harbour. New Zealand Police is the lead agency coordinating the search.”

Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed a Philip Rescue Helicopter left Palmerston North shortly before 7pm and circled the area, before landing in Wellington at 8.30pm.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/search-operation-underway-for-yachtie-near-baring-head-wellington/

A man on a yacht near Baring Head is having difficulties returning to Wellington, according to the harbourmaster.

Grant Nalder told RNZ that there were two people on the vessel, heading north from Wellington, but one became unwell on Wednesday.

CoastGuard and the Police Maritime Unit went out to Cape Palliser on Thursday morning, and brought that person back to Wellington.

Nalder said the other person was still attempting to return to Wellington on Thursday night, with Police trying to locate where he was.

He said Police were the lead agency on the rescue operation.

Maritime NZ also referred queries to Police, saying “This is a CAT 1 SAR, meaning police is the lead agency.”

RNZ has approached Police for comment.

According to the New Zealand Search and Rescue website, Category 1 operations are locally coordinated by people who are familiar with the area, and can include close-to-shore marine searches (usually within 12 nautical miles of New Zealand).

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/rescue-operation-underway-for-yachtie-near-baring-head-wellington/

State Highway 5 is down to one lane following a truck going off the road at Tarawera.

It happened around 8pm, around halfway between Taupo and Napier.

The driver does not appear significantly injured, but there will be delays for motorists while a heavy haulage tow is called for.

ENDS

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/napier-taupo-road-down-to-one-lane/

The move-on orders legislation has passed its first reading, following a heated debate at Parliament.

Around 80 people were sat in the public gallery to watch the debate, following a call to action from the Green Party.

Even though the legislation has passed its hurdle, a long debate on when the select committee has to report back on the bill has to be extended into next week.

The Summary Offences (Move-on Orders) Amendment Bill would give police the power to issue move-on orders to people who are displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening, or intimidating behaviour.

They will also apply to people who are obstructing or impeding someone entering a business, breaching the peace, begging, rough sleeping, or displaying behaviour indicating an attempt to inhabit a public place.

After being issued with such an order, the person has to leave a specified order for up to 24 hours, and what the officer deems to be a “reasonable distance” away.

People as young as 14 would be subject to the orders.

The legislation has been heavily criticised by opposition parties, homelessness organisations, and the Police Association.

Speaking at the first reading on Thursday, justice minister Paul Goldsmith said the bill was not criminalising homelessness, but would simply give police the power to issue move-on orders.

Only people who refused to follow the orders would face prosecution, and people lawfully protesting or conducting charitable or not-for-profit fundraising would be exempt.

Goldsmith said there had been “unprecedented” levels of disruption in city centres with businesses, residents, and visitors playing the price.

“Our focus is ensuring that we reclaim those streets and those town centres for the enjoyment of people who live there, who work there, who visit there,” he said.

He said many “disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful” acts could occur before police had any means of intervention, and that was what the legislation sought to change.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find anybody who lives, works, or visits our city centres that hasn’t witnessed disorderly behaviour.”

Goldsmith insisted there were “many tools” to help people in need, including access to the welfare system, additional Housing First homes, more funding for frontline services, and expanded wraparound support.

“It’s often said, ‘oh well, what about your empathy for those who are in genuine need?’ And I’d just say this, my empathy lies particularly with those New Zealanders who have put their life savings into a small business, who get up every day to do their business, to provide for their family, for their community, and for their customers,” he said.

“And they find a number of people lined up outside their businesses abusing those who come and go, and make it difficult for them to succeed, and to live, and to provide for their families. That’s where my empathy lies.”

‘Would you like them to go sleep in a bush?’ – Opposition parties slam bill

Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni said the bill was “purely ideological” and insisted it did criminalise homelessness.

“You stand up in this House and say you’re not criminalising, despite the fact if they don’t move on they can be fined or they can be sentenced.”

Sepuloni said it was “crazy” that the government would talk about disorderly behaviour when two of the categories that would trigger a move-on order were homelessness and begging.

“It’s not nice, and it’s hard when you have to explain it to your kids, but it’s even worse for the people that are actually living as homeless people, because they have nowhere to lay down with a roof over their heads at night time.”

Green MP Tamatha Paul said the government was misleading the public by saying it was not criminalising homelessness.

“If they comply and go home, they’re not going to be charged. The minister realises they don’t have a home, right? Where exactly are they supposed to move on? Should they go to your house?”

Paul was particularly aggrieved that the orders applied to people as young as 14.

“Where exactly are these kids meant to go? Would you like them to go sleep in a bush? Would you like them to go sleep under a bridge? They have nowhere to go, they have no parents, they have no responsible adults, and now they will be caught up in the justice system for the rest of their life.”

Paul, who had organised to get people into the public gallery, said those watching on worked on the frontline, and urged the government to listen to them.

Both Paul and Labour MP Willie Jackson mentioned that Goldsmith had advocated for a similar policy as an Auckland City councillor.

Jackson said Goldsmith had now “got his wish” almost 20 years later.

“Congratulations Minister Goldsmith, well done, what a political achievement,” Jackson remarked sarcastically.

“Hold on to anger towards the poor long enough … and you too can be a National cabinet minister.”

Bill gets coalition backing

National’s coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First voted in favour of the bill.

ACT MP Simon Court said there had been “political gaslighting” around the bill, and all it did was equip police to deal with public disorder.

“You are denying the lived reality of young people who I’ve worked with, in the central city, in K Road and other business, who told me they were afraid to come to work until it was light because of the intimidation and fear they felt from people who they could identify as being regularly occupying places in public spaces,” he said.

“The Greens and Labour are denying the reality of people who choose to live in urban centres, with all the enormous investments and infrastructure like City Rail Link in Auckland, we want people to come and live.”

New Zealand First’s Casey Costello, said as minister for seniors she wanted older people to be able to feel safe and part of the cities they lived in.

“It is returning our streets to the communities that own them, not allowing us to be intimidated and to be frightened, to just be in our own cities.”

MPs debate report back timeframe

Goldsmith wanted the Justice Committee to report back on the bill by 3 September.

“The reason for this slightly faster turnaround of three and a half months, rather than the usual period, is because this government wants to get on with this legislation, and have it enforced quickly, and because we believe three and a half months does provide plenty of time for full consideration of the issues,” he said.

It prompted a filibuster attempt from the opposition.

Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan argued it should be moved to 22 September – two days before the House is expected to rise before the election.

Xu-Nan said the bill had a Section 7 report by the Attorney-General, which had found removing rough sleepers and beggars did not appear to be justified.

The Green MP said this deserved further scrutiny, and also noted the government could have introduced it sooner, given it received a Regulatory Impact Statement in November.

“If they introduced something like this earlier in the year, they could in fact allow for a full six month select committee, without having to have a truncated process. Instead the bill has decided to introduce bills of a lesser significance, despite knowing something like this would have an impact and undermine our Bill of Rights.”

Labour agreed the report back timeframe was too short, with Justice Committee member Duncan Webb tabling his own amendment to stop the committee from meeting while the House was sitting.

Because Parliament had to rise at 6pm, the debate on the report back date was interrupted.

It means, despite the bill passing its first reading, the debate on exactly when it will next appear before the House will resume next Tuesday.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/move-on-orders-bill-passes-first-reading-following-heated-debate/

The principal of a West Coast secondary school says there are too many barriers to hiring teachers who were trained or born overseas.

Sam Mortimer from Greymouth High said newly-qualified teachers weren’t paid enough to meet minimum pay rates for a “Green List” work visa, and the paper work is excessive.

She told RNZ nearly all the teachers she hired came from overseas.

“Our last one for a maths position, we didn’t have a single New Zealand resident application. We had some people that were training in New Zealand but not a single New Zealander applying for the roles,” she said.

Mortimer said hiring foreign teachers was challenging if they were beginning or early-career teachers because they often did not meet the threshold for minimum earnings.

“They just don’t reach the threshold to get a visa which tells you a little bit about our beginning teachers’ pay rates when they don’t even hit the minimum for getting a visa,” she said.

Mortimer said being an accredited employer did not help much.

“It’s just very difficult and challenging and time-consuming,” she said.

‘Why do we have to jump through so many hoops?’

Mortimer said the Education Ministry provided $4000 toward the cost of using recruitment companies but they tended to charge about $8000.

“So we take that hit every time as well,” she said.

Mortimer said she understood the need to ensure overseas recruitment was legal and above board, but schools should be trusted to offer genuine jobs and pay their teachers correctly.

“Why do we have to jump through so many hoops,” she asked.

Mortimer said the administrative load associated with hiring teachers was very time-consuming and she was lucky to be able to pass that job on to other staff.

She said teachers wanting registration to teach in New Zealand had to provide details of their qualifications and overseas registration to the Teaching Council and then go through a similar process to ensure they were placed on the right step of the salary scale.

“It doesn’t mean anything because when you actually get offered a job and you arrive you have to do something called salary assessment and then you again have to put all of your qualifications in,” she said.

“You don’t just have a seamless thing from one to the other. They have to be all looked at by me again, I have to verify everything, then it goes to salary assessment for them to decide where you are on the [salary] steps.

“For some of our teachers coming from overseas I know of instances of up to three months where they’re being paid on untrained teacher wages or right at the bottom of the trained-teacher wage if they can show that first before they can get their proper pay. And these are people that have already put out a lot of money to pay for visas, to pay for transport to come to New Zealand so it’s very unfair.”

Mortimer said teachers from the US and South Africa were keen to come to New Zealand.

The school’s executive assistant Emily Westacott said it had to estimate for Immigration New Zealand what teachers would be paid as part of the visa application.

She said in a recent case the school ended up with a lot of back and forth with Immigration New Zealand because a prospective teacher did not meet the minimum wage requirement.

“We ended up writing to the minister to just get her support because we needed this teacher to come in but even with a green list role, a secondary teacher, it wasn’t enough,” she said.

She said removing the minimum wage requirement for accredited employers would remove a lot of the stress.

“Secondary teachers are a green list role. It should just be a given that they’re coming to a New Zealand school, they’re going to be looked after, they’re going to be paid correctly and fairly because it goes through the Education Payroll system,” Westacott said.

“That process could be streamlined. Remove that requirement to put the salary in the job check, that would remove a lot of the stress.”

Administrative obstacles

Meanwhile, a New Zealander with Australian teaching qualifications told RNZ she nearly gave up because of the paperwork and fees.

Sophie Kemp said she decided to come back to New Zealand to teach this year but she nearly gave up because of the administrative obstacles.

Kemp told RNZ she assumed her qualifications and registration would be automatically recognised, but she had to pay about $850 for the Teaching Council to check she was registered in Australia and register her in New Zealand, plus the cost of an Australian police check.

Once she found a job, she had to provide information to Education Payroll to ensure she was paid at the right step of the salary scale, a process that included paying $750 for an international qualifications assessment by the Qualifications Authority.

She said the requirement seemed ridiculous.

“It’s not like I’m coming from some far away place where my qualification’s in a different language and it could be a culturally really different education system that I’ve trained in. It’s literally just Melbourne and pretty easy to look up if that Master’s of Teaching is an appropriate initial teacher education programme. Not $750-worth I would have thought,” she said.

Kemp said she assumed the trans-Tasman mutual recognition agreement would eliminate the need for so much paperwork and the charges.

She said the sums involved were a lot for someone on a New Zealand teacher salary.

“It just seems totally counter-intuitive to me that New Zealand is crying out for teachers, good qualified teachers, to come and help and they’re met not only with the admin that you have to go through,” she said.

“It takes months to get all these administrative jobs done and then for them to get back to you and then you finally start getting paid appropriately. It takes a long time, it’s incredibly expensive. Wouldn’t you want to make it easy?”

‘Still practical visa pathways’

Immigration New Zealand said it acknowledged that recruiting recently-qualified overseas teachers could present challenges for schools, particularly if they were on lower salary steps and could not meet some visa requirements straight away.

“For teaching roles eligible for the Green List Tier 1, Straight to Residence is designed for experienced teachers who are working at, or are offered, roles paid at the New Zealand median wage. It is not intended for newly graduated teachers or those early in their careers who are not yet earning at this level,” it said.

Immigration New Zealand said minimum pay thresholds were a core part of immigration requirements and were applied consistently across all sectors.

“They are used to reflect skill and experience and to ensure migrant workers are appropriately paid in line with the New Zealand labour market. These thresholds apply regardless of how salaries are funded, including in centrally funded school systems, which is why state and state integrated schools are not provided with a waiver from these requirements,” it said.

“While teachers on lower salary steps may not meet Green List thresholds immediately, there are still practical visa pathways that allow schools to recruit overseas teachers and support them to gain experience and progress over time.”

The Education Ministry said the International Qualifications Assessment ensured all overseas qualification holders were treated fairly.

“It is not possible to tell from the name that an overseas qualification is comparable to a New Zealand qualification. Not all Australian qualifications are equivalent to New Zealand programmes. The structure and programme requirements for qualification, such as master’s degrees, can differ between jurisdictions,” it said.

“The qualification content may also differ between individuals depending on their study pathway. Confirmation that the provider, programme of study, study pathway is officially approved and accredited helps to determine quality assurance measures are in place.”

The assessment also verified if the qualification was genuinely awarded to the holder and an additional evaluation confirmed it met this country’s initial teaching education programme standards.

Immigration and Education Minister Erica Stanford said newly-qualified teachers earned enough to qualify for a five-year Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV).

“Newly qualified teachers who gain their teaching qualification in New Zealand will also be eligible for a Post-Study Work Visa and then a further five-year AEWV,” she said in a statement.

“The Green List Straight to Residence pathway is deliberately targeted at experienced teachers, not newly graduated teachers. This is a feature across Green List Straight to Residence roles in general which targets experienced people in a given role, not new graduates. People who are just starting or at the beginning of their teaching career have up to five years on an Accredited Employer Work Visa to reach the required wage rate for residence,” she said.

Stanford said accredited employer status was needed for either the Accredited Employer Work Visa or the Straight-to-Residence Visa and getting it was a straightforward process for schools that took on average two to four working days.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/too-many-barriers-to-hiring-overseas-teachers-secondary-school-principal-says/

Queens Drive in central Lower Hutt has reopened after an earlier incident.

That incident had been resolved, police said.

The road had earlier been blocked while police were at the scene.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/central-lower-hutts-queens-drive-reopens-after-police-incident/

Queens Drive in central Lower Hutt has been closed while police respond to an incident.

Police aren’t providing details, but say there there is no threat to the public.

Cordons are in place and motorists are advised to avoid the area.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/central-lower-hutts-queens-drive-closed-as-result-of-police-incident/

Police are warning of scams from overseas visitors after a tourist from the UK swindled tens of thousands of dollars from a couple.

It is the 14th prosecution in the past three years by the Auckland City Financial Crime Unit of a foreign national for a scam.

Andrew Yeshua Glauberman, 21, pleaded guilty to two fraud offences and a handful of shoplifting offences.

His associate, 29-year-old Thomas Jay Taylor, had a warrant issued for his arrest for obtaining by deception.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said the pair dropped a flyer in a mailbox advertising a fake painting company called Everlast Home Improvements.

“Unfortunately, the unassuming victims have engaged the services of the bogus company and handed over $27,000 as a deposit.”

While an associate turned up the following day, he only carried out a lazy sanding job on the exterior, he said.

Bolton was keen to hear from anyone in Auckland or further afield who may have received such a flyer and handed over money.

“If you haven’t received the services that you’ve put a deposit down on, it’s highly likely you’ve been scammed and we need to hear from you.”

Bolton said the Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Unit arrested Glauberman and his associate for five shoplifting offences and obtaining by deception at a Manukau hardware store.

Glauberman would remain in custody until he is sentenced on 11 September, Bolton added.

“If Taylor returns to New Zealand, he will receive a welcoming committee from New Zealand Police and he will be arrested.”

Bolton hoped these charges would send a message to foreign nationals who thought New Zealand was a soft target.

Other scams have included “ghost-tapping” of stolen credit cards, impersonating the police, text messaging, foreign exchange, blessing, term deposits and travelling – including deposits for roof and paint work.

Bolton said most offenders faced jail time and ultimately removal from the country.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/police-warning-after-tourist-convicted-of-painting-scam/

Legislation which provides Police with the power to issue move-on orders as a tool to deal with disorderly behaviour in public places has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.

“Our government is committed to fixing the basics in law and order, and building a future where everyone feels safe to visit, work and live in our central cities. 

“Our streets and town centres have endured unprecedented levels of disruption in recent years. Many people no longer want to be there. Businesses, residents and visitors are paying the price. 

“You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who lives, works or visits our city centres that hasn’t witnessed disorderly behaviour. That’s why so many people and central city businesses support move-on orders. Many are just trying to make a living, but have to face disruptive people camped outside their store, day in day out. 

“We currently have many tools to help those who are in need, including access to one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, but we have limited tools to deal with disorderly behaviour. It means many disruptive, distressing, and potentially harmful acts can occur before police officers have any means of intervention. This legislation changes that. 

“There has been much said about this legislation, so let me set the record straight, the Government has no policy to criminalise homelessness. 

“What we do have, is a policy to give Police the power to issue move-on orders to people displaying disorderly behaviour in public places. Only people who refuse those orders, will face prosecution. A move-on order is not a criminal charge.

“This is about reclaiming our streets and our city centres for the enjoyment of everybody.”

Under this legislation Police will have the power to issue move-on orders to people who are: 

• Displaying disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating behaviour.
• Obstructing or impeding someone entering a business.
• Breaching the peace.
• All forms of begging.
• Rough sleeping.
• Behaviour indicating an intent to inhabit a public place.

These orders will: 

• Require a person to leave a specified area for a specified amount of time, up to 24 hours.
• Require a person to move on a reasonable distance from the area, as specified by the constable.
• Apply to people aged 14 or older.
• Be issued in writing or electronically, as is operationally appropriate.

“New Zealanders are fair-minded people, and our culture is one where we seek to help those who are in need. But that doesn’t mean we should accept our city centres, particularly our showcase tourist spots, as places of intimidation and dysfunction.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/move-on-orders-pass-first-reading/

Queens Drive in central Lower Hutt is currently blocked while Police respond to an incident this evening.

Police were called to the incident around 4.50pm.

There is no threat to the public, however, cordons are in place on Queens Drive and motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/road-blocked-queens-drive-central-lower-hutt/

Two men are due to appear in Tauranga District Court following a fuel theft from a construction site.

Police saw vehicles that had been broken into, alongside equipment used to siphon fuel, on Takitimu Drive around 11.35pm Wednesday.

The two men then fled into a nearby swamp in an attempt to hide by submerging themselves, before being tracked by a police dog unit.

The pair were taken into custody and treated for dog bite injuries.

A 55-year-old has been charged with burglary and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court next Monday.

The other, a 52-year-old, is also alleged to have stolen about $12,000 worth of copper from a property in Mount Maunganui last month.

He has been charged with two counts of burglary and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Thursday.

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

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/21/duo-charged-over-tauranga-fuel-theft/