Name release, fatal crash, Pukete
Jaeger Hemara, 25, of Whatawhata, has been named as the man who died after a crash on Church Road in Pukete on 26 September. Enquiries remain open. Police said their thoughts are with his loved ones.
Releases in this digest
Headlines link to our pages; synopses are MediaRelease.co summaries.Name release, Fatal crash, SH1, Waimate
Police have named Elisabeth May Cunningham, 87, and Allan Hugh Lyall, 88, of Mosgiel, as the two people killed after a single-vehicle crash on the Waimate Highway on 14 September. One died at the scene and the other in hospital on 17 September. Enquiries continue.
Name release, fatal crash, Alexandra
Sietske Reinds, 90, of Alexandra, has been named as the person who died after a crash on Killarney Street on 19 September. Investigation work is continuing. Police said they are thinking of her family.
Name release: Fatal crash, Kawarau Falls, Queenstown
Sandesh Singh, 29, of Jacks Point, has been identified as the man killed in a crash on State Highway 6, Kingston Road, on 4 October. Crash enquiries are continuing. Police extended condolences to his family.
Delivering better outcomes through practical solutions and lasting change
Clean Air Rotorua has won the Spirit of Service Better Outcomes Award for cutting winter pollution through councils and health services working with residents. Finalists include the Ministry of Education's Awhi Mai Awhi Atu school counselling programme and NZTA's average speed safety cameras. The Public Service Commission said the projects show practical, evidence-based public service.
Commission puts retailers on notice: product safety is non-negotiable
PD Mart, formerly Panda Mart, faces court action over alleged sales of non-compliant goods at its Auckland and Christchurch stores, including children's products. The Commerce Commission says 57 product types failed standards and some car seats were wrongly presented as meeting safety rules. Fair Trading GM Rebecca McAtamney said low prices do not excuse weak safety compliance.
Veterans' Affairs support events helping Bay of Plenty veterans
Veterans' Affairs is taking support services to the Bay of Plenty this October, including events at Baypark Stadium in Mount Maunganui on 13-14 October. Current and former NZDF personnel are invited. The roadshow aims to make advice easier to reach locally.
Veterans' Affairs support events helping Tāmaki Makaurau veterans
Veterans' Affairs is hosting Tāmaki Makaurau support sessions in Manukau on 15-16 October at the Due Drop Event Centre. Serving and former NZDF personnel and their whānau can get advice and assistance. The events form part of greater Auckland outreach.
Midshipman seeks to reunite families with ancestors’ medals
Navy Midshipman Jack Higgins, 19, from Te Kuiti, is trying to return researched family medals to descendants of earlier service people. The warfare officer, who joined in January, traces a long military line in his whānau. NZDF said he wants the medals with the families who should hold them.
New measles case in Wellington linked to international travel
A measles infection linked to overseas travel has been confirmed in Wellington, Health New Zealand said. Public health staff are working with the patient and contacts and listing places visited while infectious. Anyone who may have been exposed is being told what symptoms to watch for.
Continued progress across primary care
Quarterly primary care indicators show more people getting into general practice, better childhood immunisation progress and higher use of smoking cessation support. Health New Zealand uses the measures to track how well everyday care keeps people well. The agency said practices nationwide are driving the gains.
Fatal crash, Temuka-Orari Highway, Temuka
A person has died in a two-vehicle crash on the Temuka-Orari Highway near Opuha Street East about 3.30pm. The Serious Crash Unit closed the road for a scene examination after emergency treatment at the scene failed to save one occupant. A 50km/h temporary limit was left in place overnight.
A lesson in consequences for burglar
A 22-year-old man has been charged with six burglaries after early learning centres in Papatoetoe and Ōtāhuhu were targeted through September and October. Forensics and a tracked stolen device led police to an Ōtāhuhu address where some property was recovered. He is in custody and due back in Manukau District Court on 28 October.
Expect a checkpoint - anytime, anywhere
Twenty drink-drive arrests were made across Southland last weekend, including 16 around Invercargill and others in Tuatapere, Gore and Te Anau. Acting Senior Sergeant Blair Shirley warned against driving after drinking or using drugs. Checkpoints are expected to continue around the region.
Homicide investigation launched: Dargaville
Police have opened a homicide file after a man was found dead on Hoeroa Street in Dargaville about 2.40pm yesterday. Officers are examining how he died. Further details will follow as the investigation develops.
Update: Body found in search for Braydon Hepworth
A body found during a Hereford Street search warrant is believed to be missing Christchurch man Braydon Hepworth, 21, Detective Inspector Scott Anderson said. Formal identification is continuing and the death is unexplained for now. Hepworth had been the focus of a missing person investigation.
Government moves to end prolonged confinement of dogs
Proposed animal welfare rules would curb keeping dogs shut in cages, crates or kennels for very long stretches, Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said. Public feedback is being sought on the companion-animal settings. Hoggard said dogs need room to move, social contact and time outside prolonged confinement.
More psychology hubs to grow the frontline
More Psychology Intern Hubs will open next year so trainee psychologists can secure supervised placements, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey said. The expansion targets a bottleneck between university study and frontline practice. Doocey said students are ready to join the workforce but have struggled to find internship places.
RMA national direction reforms complete
National direction under the Resource Management Act has been overhauled to speed electricity and telecommunications builds, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop said. The final package is meant to cut cost and delay for network upgrades. Bishop described it as the largest national-direction rewrite in the Act's history after two years of reform.
More Kiwis choosing teaching
Enrolments in initial teacher education have risen 40 per cent since 2023, according to Education Minister Erica Stanford. She said more New Zealanders are choosing teaching as the Government focuses on recruiting and retaining classroom staff. The figures cover programmes that prepare graduates for schooling roles.
Government cracks down on rockpool vandals
New summer fishing rules will tighten controls on taking marine life from rockpools along the Auckland and Coromandel coasts. Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones and Under-Secretary Jenny Marcroft said fossicking has stripped some accessible habitats. Ministers want clearer limits so the pastime does not wipe out species for the next generation.
Next steps in fight against organised crime
Agency chiefs have held the first meeting of a new Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime board meant to align the fight against organised crime. Associate Police Minister Casey Costello said fragmented agency effort is not enough against networks that cross borders. The board is intended to tighten coordination across policing and related agencies.
Four more school redevelopments get the green light
Four schools will share another $37 million for redevelopment, pushing this year's approved school upgrade package past $200 million. Education Minister Erica Stanford framed the spend as catching up on ageing classrooms and adding places where rolls are rising. Projects were chosen through the Ministry of Education's redevelopment programme.
House fire, Wharekaho
Police will carry out a scene examination with fire investigators after a house fire on Wharekaho Road, Wharekaho, early on Thursday 8 October. Emergency services were called about 2.25am after an occupant raised the alarm, and that person is being supported. A scene guard stayed in place overnight, and Senior Sergeant Chris Painter said further information will be released when possible.
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