Incident at Queensgate Shopping Centre – Lower Hutt

He poroporoaki ki a Kahurangi Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi

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February 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Government

Kahurangi Iritana Te Rangi Tāwhiwhirangi was close to many people and her passing will be felt across the motu, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says.

“Kahurangi Iritana was an icon who remained staunch to the spirit and substance of tino rangatiratanga.

“Her work over many kaupapa, including kohanga reo, reinforced the principle that Māori succeeding as Māori, by Māori, for Māori and for everyone, is a beating heart of our country’s future.

“Kahurangi Iritana’s commitment to challenging the status quo helped ensure te reo Māori was sustained and thrived in homes and communities across the motu.

“That was one of her greatest gifts to Aotearoa: the words – the language – that speaks to the wairua of our people was strengthened and shared across generations.

“Her efforts across multiple kaupapa epitomise mana wahine and pūkengatanga.

“To her whānau, we extend our mihi aroha and deepest condolences.

“While her tūpuna and ancestors have called her home, her legacy will continue with us for the great benefit of Iwi, Māori and of all Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Otaika homicide: Name release

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February 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are today releasing the name of a Northland man fatally shot in Otaika this week.

He was 18-year-old Kyle Zachary Jenkins, of Maungatapere.

The homicide investigation continues into Kyle’s murder.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer says: “Our thoughts are with Kyle’s family at this very difficult time.

“They are continuing to grieve his death and have asked for privacy at this time.”

Police are continuing to maintain an appeal for information about what took place on the Otaika Valley Road layby.

“Our investigation continues to piece together why this tragic event occurred, and identify the person responsible,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

An online portal has been set up for any footage or photographs to be uploaded.

Please go to https://distant.nc3.govt.nz

Anyone with further information should call Police on 105 and reference the file number 250129/0335.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Sudden death, Hamilton

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February 2, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Kristine Clarke:

Police are making inquiries into the death of a woman in Hamilton overnight.

Emergency services were called to a Forest Lake address shortly before 12:30am today to reports the 19-year-old was unresponsive.

On arrival, medical staff confirmed she had sadly died.

Police were speaking with those present at the address at the time, and completing further scene and area inquiries, to help determine what took place.

The death is currently being treated as unexplained.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Te Atatu Road closed following crash

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February 1, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

District:

Waitematā

A section of Te Atatu Road is closed and diversions are in place, while emergency services respond to a crash reported at 4.30pm.

There are reported to be serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

ENDS

Otaika homicide: Police make additional appeal

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February 1, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are releasing further information in the Otaika homicide investigation as the appeal for footage continues.

An investigation team has begun the task of piecing together what took place on the layby on Otaika Valley Road earlier this week.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Pilmer, of Whangārei CIB, says a post-mortem examination on the motorcyclist has been completed.

“I can confirm that the victim was shot,” he says.

“At this point in the enquiry we are not in a position to release further details around the injuries or firearm likely used in this homicide.”

Since an appeal for information was launched on Thursday, a steady stream of footage has been sent into Police for examination.

“This is an encouraging start, and this is already helping us piece together a timeline of movements in-and-around that layby,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says.

“We now know from dashcam footage that there were a number of vehicles parked in the layby prior to the victim arriving on his motorbike.”

Police are continuing to ask those in the community to make contact if they have footage or information.

“At this point in the enquiry, we believe the victim has been shot in that layby late on 28 January, between 7pm and 11pm.”

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Pilmer says Police anticipate releasing further information about the victim over the coming days.

“We’re continuing to support the man’s family as our investigation continues.

“Our focus is on finding answers for the family for how the victim has died in such a violent manner.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Police would like any sightings of the victim’s blue and silver coloured road bike that was parked in the layby.

That is particularly between 8pm on 28 January through to 5am on 29 January.

Anyone with dashcam or CCTV footage around key locations between 7pm on 28 January and 5am on 29 January should contact Police.

Those areas of interest are along Otaika Valley Road, between the intersections with State Highway 14, Maungatapere, and Loop and Cemetery Roads, in Otaika.

An online portal has been set up for any footage or photographs to be uploaded.

Please go to https://distant.nc3.govt.nz

Anyone with further information should call Police on 105 and reference the file number 250129/0335.

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

ENDS.

Jarred Williamson/NZ Police

Activist News – Government ministers and Human Rights Commission give green light to Destiny Church assaults against Palestine solidarity protest this weekend – PSNA

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February 1, 2025

Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

The Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa is alarmed Winston Peters and the Human Rights Commissioner have given the green light to Destiny Church assaults against Palestinian support protests this weekend.

PSNA has been contacted by police to say that Brian Tamaki’s Destiny Church has just issued direct threats to ‘shut down’ PSNA if the government and police won’t do it for them.

Tamaki has done this several times over the past 16 months but PSNA Chair John Minto says the orchestrated claims of antisemitism against PSNA this past week have encouraged Brian Tamaki to now believe he could get away with unleashing violence against peaceful protests against the ongoing Israeli genocide in Gaza and the Occupied West Bank.

“We are most concerned about our supporters in smaller centres. We have about 30 local protests in support of Palestinian rights over the next two days. It just takes two or three Destiny Church adherents to get it into their heads that they are doing God’s work and turn up to beat up our people.

Minto says he can understand why Tamaki thinks he is licenced to carry out his threats.

“Our government still has not uttered one word condemning Israeli genocide. But when we say we want to tell Israeli soldiers who are on holiday here that they are not welcome in Aotearoa, then the Human Rights Commissioner distorts this into the threats of violence and the Foreign Minister falls into line behind him.”

“We did not advocate violence. We are not encouraging nor are we promoting violence – even against Israelis guilty of participating in genocide having a happy holiday here.”

“In particular we are concerned that the Human Rights Commissioner Stephen Rainbow is leading the claims against Palestinian human rights supporters.”

“Rainbow was a prominent champion of Israeli apartheid before the was appointed Human Rights Commissioner.”

“Only a year ago he was writing such articles for the Israel Institute NZ, entitled “With every chant, Israel’s case grows stronger” condemning “kaffiyeh wearing antics of Labour and Green MP’s of late.”

“Rainbow has not parked his Zionist apartheid politics at the door of the Human Rights Commission. He is misusing his high status semi-judicial position to openly promote on behalf of Israel – as a state committing genocide – by misrepresenting PSNA.’

“No wonder Brian Tamaki and his Destiny Church think the government will turn a blind eye to Destiny Church escalating into physical attacks.”

Minto says Palestinian New Zealanders will be feeling our government and institutions are sanctioning violence against them.

“Many Palestinians in this country have lost immediate family in the massive Israeli onslaught on Gaza over the past 16 months. They are well aware the New Zealand Foreign Minister has been absolutely silent about any blame on Israel. Yet he is instantly quick to condemn local human rights groups which these Palestinians belong to.”

“To send a message of reassurance to Palestinian New Zealanders and hopefully restrain Tamaki, Paul Goldsmith, as Rainbow’s minister, must at the very least immediately suspend Rainbow as Human Rights Commissioner.”

John Minto

National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

Marama Davidson to mark return to politics at Waitangi

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February 1, 2025

Source: Green Party

Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson will return to politics at Waitangi on Monday the 3rd of February where she will hold a stand up with fellow co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick.

“I am alive, I am well and I am back,” says Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

“I’m delighted to be returning to my Taitokerau whenua, and to stand alongside my fellow wahine co-leader Chlöe and our Green Party colleagues to demonstrate our movement’s core beliefs in upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and in championing the wellbeing of people and planet.

“I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to return to my work. And I am grateful, beyond words, for the aroha and support my whānau, my community and so many have graced me with this past year.

“I believe in community – I believe in our collective strength, and my journey over the past year has made so clear how necessary it is to take care of others, and to be taken care of.

“We know the value of caring for one another. Together, we will create the future our mokopuna deserve,” says Marama Davidson.

Body found on Bethells Beach believed to be missing swimmer

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February 1, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police were notified about 8:10pm yesterday that a body had washed up on Bethells Beach.

Although formal identification is ongoing, Police believe it is likely the body of the man who got into difficulty in the water at Piha on Tuesday evening.

The man’s family has been advised and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

The death will be referred to the Coroner.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre

Operation Rimu – Homicide, Ōpōtiki

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February 1, 2025

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam:

A man has died after a violent altercation in central Ōpōtiki overnight, and Police have launched a homicide investigation.

Emergency services were notified that a group of around six people were fighting on Church Street about 12:20am.

One of those involved had received an injury to the chest consistent with a stab wound.

Despite medical attention, the man died at the scene.

While no arrests have been made, Police are following lines of inquiry to identify and locate those involved.

It is believed gang members were involved.

If anyone has any information on what happened, who has not yet spoken to Police, we would urge you to do so.

Get in touch via 105 over the phone or online.

You can also give information anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre