Southern district news

Police statement - Coroner's findings in Lachie Jones death

rpel50 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 05:13:39 +0000

Location:

Southern

Please attribute to Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson:

Police acknowledge the findings by the coroner into the tragic death of three-year-old Lachie Jones who was found deceased in a Gore oxidation pond in January 2019.

Police will now need to consider the findings and the direction by the coroner for Police to undertake a third investigation. We will work diligently on all aspects we need to undertake to progress that with the appropriate resources and urgency to complete this direction as is required.

Ten arrested and charged after search warrants in Southland

fljpp1 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 04:44:43 +0000

Location:

Southern

Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird,

Ten people have been arrested and are facing over 70 drug charges following a series of search warrants in Southland and Otago this week.

Police seized approximately $16,000, ammunition, drugs, and other drug paraphernalia.

The Southland and Otago Coastal Organised Crime teams executed the warrants as part of Operation Strata, targeting drug dealers with gang connections.

There were 15 warrants in total, in Invercargill, Dunedin, Gore, Mataura, and other rural properties.

Hundreds of firearms seized from Gore property

bnjhy3 — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 01:06:12 +0000

Location:

Southern

The shocking discovery is believed to be one of New Zealand’s largest seizures of weaponry.

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Unattended kayak located, Lake Te Anau

DRZ667 — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:13:21 +0000

Location:

Southern

Police are appealing for information after an unattended kayak was found on Lake Te Anau late Tuesday afternoon (10 June).

The red and white kayak was located floating upside down, with paddle, a stainless-steel flask and some fishing tackle nearby.

Police hope the kayaker made it ashore and returned home without alerting anyone of their mishap.

Police urge anyone who recognises the kayak or has failed to return home from fishing on Lake Te Anau today to contact Police, quote event number P062824240.

ENDS

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Fatal crash: SH8, Roxburgh

CCNRS7 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 19:44:30 +0000

Location:

Southern

A person has died after being hit by a car on State Highway 8 in Roxburgh last night.

Emergency services were called to the crash, between Tamblyn Road and Selkirk Place, about 7.20pm.

The person was a pedestrian and died at the scene.

Police are providing support to their next of kin.

The Serious Crash Unit has conducted a scene examination. State Highway 8 was closed for several hours but has since reopened.

Police would like to thank the emergency response teams who assisted at the scene, and motorists for their understanding and patience.

Operation cracks down on antisocial road user behaviour in Invercargill

CCNRS7 — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 02:37:29 +0000

Location:

Southern

Southern District Police issued numerous infringements and ordered multiple vehicles off the road over the weekend in an operation targeting antisocial road user behaviour.

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Southern Police warn motorists to take care on roads

SNEE38 — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 20:12:23 +0000

Location:

Southern

Southern Police are asking motorists to drive to the conditions and take extreme care today with black ice forming on Southland roads and snow incoming later throughout Otago.

Police have already attended one black-ice related crash this morning and are aware of another.

Thankfully no one has been injured but we want to ensure everyone gets to their destination safely.

Drivers need to be aware of the potential for slippery road surfaces and to drive the conditions.

ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre

Appeal following Queenstown assault

CCNRS7 — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 03:15:34 +0000

Location:

Southern

Queenstown Police would like to speak to the victim of a seemingly unprovoked assault in late May.

The assault happened about 2.40am on Sunday 25 May 2025, on the footpath near Searle Lane and Camp Street.

At the time, the victim was looking down at his phone and walking in the direction of the Cookie Time shop when he was punched by one of three men who had left a bar in Searle Lane.

After the incident, a member of the public briefly spoke to the victim, handing back his beanie, which fell off during the assault.

Man to appear in court after driving with excess breath alcohol, Oamaru

fljpp1 — Fri, 30 May 2025 07:15:15 +0000

Location:

Southern

Southern Police are urging motorists to drive safe this holiday weekend after a driver was arrested and charged with excess breath alcohol.

At around 5.20pm, Oamaru Police were notified by a member of the public of a vehicle driving dangerously on State Highway One.

A Police unit saw the vehicle on the main street of Oamaru and signalled the vehicle to stop.

The 31-year-old man driving from Christchurch to Invercargill returned a breath alcohol result over five times the legal limit.

The man was taken into custody at the scene.

Police seeking information about vehicle in relation to Waikaia fires

bnjhy3 — Thu, 29 May 2025 22:01:03 +0000

Location:

Southern

The vehicle is a red BMW Z3 convertible, like the one pictured, which was seen leaving the Waikaia township at speed around the time of the fire last year.

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