Latest news with #Ngawhika
NZ Herald
02-08-2025
- NZ Herald
Police arrest 10 at Rotorua tangi, enforce Gang Conflict Warrant
Attendees had been informed via an intermediary about behaviours that would not be tolerated during the proceedings. Police used an active Gang Conflict Warrant currently in place in Rotorua because of heightened tensions between rival groups. Ngawhika said the warrant would remain in effect for several more days. As part of the operation, a number of vehicles were stopped, resulting in 10 arrests and one additional person being summonsed to court. All those charged were identified as members of the Mongrel Mob, originating from Rotorua, Hawke's Bay and Kawerau. Four of the individuals arrested had outstanding warrants, while two others were taken into custody for breaching bail conditions. These breaches included associating with members of a specific gang chapter and possessing gang insignia in a public place. Officers monitored traffic and ensured public safety during a tangi in Rotorua linked to the Mongrel Mob. Other arrests were made for the possession of gang insignia, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of methamphetamine. One gang patch was seized under the Gangs Act 2024. Police also charged two individuals with driving while disqualified or suspended. Both of their vehicles were impounded. Ngawhika thanked the public for their co-operation during the operation. 'We would like to thank the members of the public for their patience and understanding on the roads today,' Ngawhika said. Police said they would maintain a highly visible presence in the Ōwhata and Hannahs Bay areas throughout the afternoon and into the night. Ngawhika encouraged the community to report any unlawful activity. 'We encourage anybody to report any instances of unlawful activity on the roads, so appropriate follow-up action can be taken where necessary,' he said. Members of the public should call 111 to report immediate concerns or 105 to report incidents after the fact. Police also advised including as much detail as can be safely gathered.
NZ Herald
29-04-2025
- NZ Herald
Rotorua tyre slashing spree: Police investigate CCTV footage of girls
One girl is carrying what appears to be a large knife and crouches down between cars later found to have slashed tyres. Rotorua area commander Inspector Herby Ngawhika said police were following strong leads to identify the girls. Seventeen complaints had so far been made to police by people who found their tyres slashed overnight on Sunday. Ngawhika said police knew from the Daily Post and comments on social media there were more victims. The Daily Post counted 11 cars with slashed tyres on Pukuatua St, Tutanekai St at the Lakefront and Fenton St near Pukaki St early Monday morning. There were also reports of three more on Hinemoa St and others in the Rotorua Central mall carpark. 'We encourage anyone who's been a victim of this to report it to police, to help us form a fuller and more accurate picture,' Ngawhika said. The owner of the security cameras that captured footage of the girls did not want to be named, but said the pair's parents obviously didn't know where their children were at 4am. Targeted tourists remain upbeat British tourists Samantha Evans, 28, and Kara Lumley, 26, told the Daily Post they would return to Rotorua for a proper holiday, despite their time being cut short when their tyres were slashed. Evans said they parked their rental vehicle on Hinemoa St overnight on Sunday while staying in the CBD. She said she paid for parking from 9am but did not notice three tyres were slashed until they were loading the car to head to tourist attractions at 10am. A car next to theirs had all four tyres slashed, with a third vehicle across the road also hit. She said it took several hours to resolve the issue, including reporting the vandalism to police and spending time on the phone with their rental company and insurance company. They were still not sure if they would be charged. Evans said their insurance covered the car being towed to a nearby tyre store, Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Service, where they met at least six others also waiting to have their tyres replaced. 'We were sitting there in the waiting room, and it was a bit comical in a way. They'd walk in and we'd say 'Slashed tyres?' and they'd say 'Yeah'.' Evans said they swapped stories about their tyre woes. 'We ended up playing cards with some of them while we waited. Everyone was really friendly, including Mohamad [Safraz], the manager, who let me use his phone to make calls.' Evans said they had to cancel their plans for the day to visit tourist attractions, including Skyline Rotorua. 'We are only in New Zealand for two weeks and, obviously, wanted to do lots of things in Rotorua. But we are both positive people, and if you don't laugh, you'll cry.' She said they were sending videos and photos back to their families in Britain. 'They were a bit worried about us and asking if we were safe.' Evans said she reassured them they were okay and said they would not let the situation dampen their feelings towards Rotorua. She said Lumley was particularly happy with getting free coffee while they waited for their tyres to be changed. 'We will come back to New Zealand, hopefully in a couple of years, and we will do Rotorua properly.'
