The Minister of Conservation has approved the Bay of Plenty Regional Coastal Environment Plan, resolving the two outstanding appeals relating to the Motiti Protection Area and Matakana Island.

Attribute to Inspector John Thornley, Road Policing Manager for Tāmaki Makaurau:

Police want to acknowledge motorists for their patience and co-operation as we continue to process thousands of vehicles across checkpoints set up in Tāmaki Makaurau under Alert Level 3.

Police can advise that the victim of an assault in Pirimai, Napier, on 1 February 2021 has passed away in hospital yesterday.

A 48-year-old woman had previously been charged with injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to the assault.

The AC Baths’ leisure pool and hydroslides will close for 10 days this month for essential maintenance to be carried out.

The pool is scheduled to close at 2pm on Sunday, March 21 and reopen on Tuesday, March 30 at 6am when the complex opens.

Police investigating the homicide of Rau Tongia in Karori on 20 December are making good progress and are not ruling out further arrests or charges.

Enquiries continue to be made in relation to the firearm recovered throughout the investigation.

The first COVID-19 vaccinations were given in Hawke’s Bay last week to front line nurses so the vaccination to border workers can begin this week.

Nga Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust staff member and kaiwhakairo (carver) Greg Houkamau has spent eight months carving Tāne-te-Wānanga-ā-Rangi for the Invercargill Public Library, which was unveiled in a blessing ceremony this morning.

A prominent standalone freehold commercial property along Ōtaki’s main retail strip has been placed on the market for sale, as its owners realign their property portfolio assets.

Police are now in a position to release the name of the woman who died following a crash between a car and a van on Kumara Junction Highway (SH6), Hokitika, on 17 February.

She was Shirley Ryan, 81, of Hokitika.

Police extend their sympathies to her family and friends.

Lake Dunstan Cycling and Walking Trail scheduled to open at the end of March, is to be delayed by additional rock face work required to complete the last 100 metre stretch of the trail.