First Responders – Fire crews respond to multiple calls after Mangawhai tornado

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January 26, 2025

Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency NZ is responding to multiple calls following a reported tornado in the Northland community of Mangawhai around 3am today.

Response Coordinator Graeme Quensell says firefighters from several brigades in the area are already at the scene assisting residents and other crews have been dispatched from Waitemata.

Incidents include roofs lifted from homes, fallen trees and downed powerlines.

About 16 calls have been received from Mangawhai and one from Langs Beach to the North.

An Incident Management Team has been established.

Graeme Quensell said that people in the area should make safety their first priority and wait until daylight to assess damage to their property. They should treat all power lines as live, and please avoid driving in the area so as not to hold up emergency services.

MIL OSI

First Responders – Mangawhai tornado update #2 from Fire and Emergency NZ

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January 26, 2025

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters are continuing to check homes and properties in the area where a tornado affected an area of Mangawhai earlier this morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ started to receive 111 calls from about 3am, Northland District Manager Wipari Henwood said.

Reports included people needing to be rescued from damaged property, rooves lifted from buildings, trees fallen onto homes, windows blown in and fallen power lines, as well as trees blocking roads.

Most of the calls have been from people in the Molesworth Drive and Old Waipu Road area, with a couple from Langs Beach and Ruakaka reporting wind damage.

“Our initial response prioritised the calls that related to life safety. Firefighters extricated two patients and handed them into the care of St John,” Wipari Henwood said.

“We are now working through all the calls for help with property damage and making systematic checks of homes in the wider area.”

Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone team has been deployed from Auckland and will help with damage assessments.

Crews from seven brigades have responded to about 16 calls so far.

Cordons are in place on Moir St and Molesworth Drive and power is still out in the area. People should treat all power lines as live and stay well away from the area so emergency services can move freely.

Fire and Emergency continues to work with Police, St John and Civil Defence Northland in the coordinated response to the tornado.

MIL OSI

Second fatality following crash, Milford Clandeboye Road

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January 26, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police can confirm a second person has died following a crash on Milford Clandeboye Road on Wednesday 22 January.

The person was transported to hospital in a critical condition following the crash and passed away on Friday evening (24 January) as a result of the injuries sustained.

Police extend our condolences to the family and loved ones of those involved.

Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Unexplained death, Queenstown

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January 26, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

An investigation is underway after the death of a woman at a Queenstown property on Saturday 25 January.

Emergency services were called to the Windsor Place property about 2.30pm.

Police are now working to establish the full circumstances of how she died. Her death is currently being treated as unexplained.

As part of our enquiries, Police would like to speak to anyone who was in the vicinity of Windsor Place between 8.00am and 3.00pm and who might have information that would assist.

If you can help, please use our 105 service, and quote reference number 250125/8733.

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

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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State Highway 2 closed, Takapau

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January 26, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

State Highway 2 is currently closed north of Takapau following a crash.

The two-vehicle crash was reported to Police at around 8:10am.

Initial indications are that there are serious injuries.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

Detours are in place.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

Parents and drivers urged to keep kids safe as schools start back

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January 25, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

Police are urging families to prioritise the safety of our tamariki who are preparing to head back to school over the coming weeks.

The start of the school year is often an exciting moment for families, and road safety should be front of mind alongside your regular back-to-school checklist.

Inspector Peter McKennie of the National Road Policing Centre says road safety around schools is something to take note of all year round and especially at the beginning of the year.

“We continue to remind parents of the crucial role they play in teaching children about the potential dangers they face when going to and from school.

“Show your kids the safest way to get to school and back home – including the safest places to cross – and practice it with them, so when it comes time to doing it alone, they are confident.

“Teach them to use the marked pedestrian crossings and to look both ways before they cross, and arrange pick-up spots to meet.”

Inspector McKennie reminds drivers to remain attentive on the road, as children can often be unpredictable and appear out of nowhere. This applies both in rural and urban areas, as their differing environments still present similar safety concerns.

Together with our schools across the country, we all want to ensure the start of the school year is a memorable one for all the right reasons.

ENDS

Road safety advice for back-to-school time:

Be alert as children can be unpredictable and dart out onto the road.
Parents set the best example for our young people on how road users need to be safe and smart on our roads.
Be aware that there will be children on the roads cycling to and from school. Give them space and share the road.
The speed limit is 20km/h when driving past a stationary school bus, and you need to reduce your speed below 30km/h when passing schools.
Allow for plenty of time for school drop-offs so you are not rushed, and give the road your full attention.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

Often drop off and pick up zones can be crowded before and after school. Suggesting a meeting point further down the road might be a safer option to avoid congestion around the area.
Take the time to show your children the safest route to get to school and back home and practice with them, including the safest places to cross. Remind them to look left and right and look out for cars.
Encourage your child(ren) to use the marked school crossing whether that be a pedestrian crossing, kea crossing or their school traffic wardens.

MIL OSI

Fatal crash, Buchanans Road, Hei Hei

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January 25, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (National News)

One person has died following a two-vehicle crash in Hei Hei this afternoon.

Police were called to Buchanans Road at around 1.40pm.

Sadly, one person died at the scene.

The road remains closed while the Serious Crash Unit conduct a scene examination.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

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Serious crash, Buchanans Road, Hei Hei

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January 25, 2025

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Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Emergency services are responding to a two-vehicle crash in Hei Hei this afternoon.

Police were called to Buchanans Road at around 1.40pm.

Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

Buchanans Road is closed between both Vanguard Road intersections and the intersection with Hei Hei Road.

Motorists are advised to take an alternate route and expect delays.

ENDS

MIL OSI

Activist News – No humanitarian visas for Palestinians victims of genocide but plenty of rest and recreation for Israeli soldiers involved in genocide – PSNA

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January 25, 2025

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Source: Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA)

Nationwide rallies this weekend will be calling for the government to suspend entry to New Zealand from soldiers in the Israeli Defence Forces.

“New Zealand should not be providing rest and recreation for Israeli soldiers fresh from the genocide in Gaza”, says PSNA National Chair John Minto. “We wouldn’t allow Russian soldiers to come here for rest and recreation from the invasion of Ukraine so why would we accept soldiers from the genocidal, apartheid state of Israel?”

As well as the working holiday visa, since 2019 Israelis can enter New Zealand for three months without needing a visa at all. This visa-waiver is used by Israeli soldiers for “rest and recreation” from the genocide in Gaza.

Israeli Defence Forces actions have resulted in at least 47,000 Palestinians killed – 70% of whom are women and children.

The International Court of Justice has declared Israeli actions a “plausible genocide” Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch have used the terms genocide and extermination which the latest report from United Nations Special Rapporteur, Francesca Albanese, is entitled “Genocide as colonial erasure”.

Meanwhile the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

All these red flags for genocide have been visible for months but the government is still giving the green light to those involved in war crimes to enter New Zealand.

PSNA has written to the government again in December asking for the suspension of travel to New Zealand for all Israeli soldiers and reservists.

New Zealand has signed the Genocide convention which requires us to prevent and punish the crime of genocide. The government is complicit with its silence.

It’s long past the time for the government to step up.

John Minto

National Chair

Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa

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Fire Safety – Outdoor fires banned in parts of Otago from Monday

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January 25, 2025

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Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibited fire season for the Lakes and Glendhu Bluffs areas in Otago from 8am Monday 27 January, until further notice.

A prohibited fire season means no outdoor fires are allowed in the district and all fire permits are revoked.

Otago District Manager Phil Marsh says forecast rain did not happen over the last few days, which means conditions are hot and dry enough to be a significant fire risk.

“Even if we do get some rain this week, it won’t have much impact on our dried-out tussock and grasslands,” he says.

“If a wildfire gets going in this environment, and there’s even a bit of wind, it can be really difficult to bring under control.

“We’ve made this decision to prohibit fires to protect the people, property and environment of the Lakes and Glendhu Bluffs areas.”

Phil Marsh urges people to think about the fire risk of activities such as mowing, using power tools, or parking vehicles on long, dry grass.

“When planning your activities, check the forecast fire danger for that day – consider working in the morning, and avoid hot, dry and windy days altogether,” he says.

“We’ve had several unwanted vegetation fires in Central Otago over the last couple of weeks caused by people operating machinery.

“One fire in Gibbston last week appears to have been caused by light magnified through a glass bottle onto dry grass.

“If you’re not sure what the fire risk and restrictions are in your location, go to checkitsalright.nz .

“Enter your address and follow the guidance provided – this is the best way to help us prevent fires in Otago this summer.”

MIL OSI