The Taxpayers' Union is slamming Inland Revenue for hiding behind tax secrecy laws instead of notifying Police after receiving an alleged kidnapping claim linked to a tax scam.

Taxpayers' Union spokesperson Tyler Groenewald says:

"When someone alleges they've been kidnapped, the response is simple: call the Police. Instead, IRD hid behind process."

"Tax secrecy was never designed to be a shield for inaction. Kidnapping isn't a tax matter, it's a serious crime."

Groenewald says the situation exposes troubling double standards.

"IRD had no problem sharing details with Meta. But when it came to reporting an alleged violent crime to Police there was silence."

"If someone suffers because they contacted the wrong government agency, that's not a minor oversight. That's a catastrophic systems failure."

The Taxpayers' Union is calling on Inland Revenue to explain why Police were not notified and what will change to ensure serious criminal allegations are never ignored again.

Police investigating an unexplained death in Devonport are seeking help from the public.

Emergency services were called to the Kerr Street address around 11pm on 1 January to discover a person deceased at the scene.

Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting says a scene examination at the property is ongoing, and people can expect to see a Police presence in Kerr Street throughout the weekend.

A post-mortem is being conducted today.

Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says officers are continuing to conduct enquiries, and as part of these are seeking help from the public.

"We're appealing for assistance from residents and businesses in the Devonport area with road‑facing CCTV cameras," he says.

"Specifically, those on Vauxhall Road, between Grove Road and Church Street."

Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says Police are also keen to hear from anyone who drove on that stretch of Vauxhall Road or Kerr Street, between 10:30am and 10:30pm on 1 January, New Year's Day, who has dash camera footage.

If you can help, please contact Police via 105, either online or over the phone, referencing file number 260102/0177.

Quick thinking and local knowledge by Hamilton Police have helped recover more than $1700 worth of stolen groceries in the city this morning.

Members of the Hamilton Retail Crime Team were conducting enquiries at commercial premises when a call came in regarding a shoplifting incident at another commercial premises. Staff were verbally abused when they tried to prevent a woman from stealing a large trolley of groceries. Members of the Retail Crime Team and a Police Dog Team were fast on the scene, but the offender had already taken off in her vehicle with all the groceries. With details from the public, the team used local knowledge and gut instinct to head to a Pukete address where they found a vehicle parked at an address still full of the stolen groceries.

The offender was found in the house. A 29-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with shoplifting and will appear in court in early January. The groceries were returned to a very grateful team. Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler says this was great work by the retail crime team who continue to act with urgency around shoplifting events across Hamilton and the Waikato.

Please attribute the following to Auckland City Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves:

Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.

Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.

A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.

The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/

Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.

A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.

The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.

• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.

A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.

The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.

• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.

A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.

A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.

The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.

Please quote one of the above file numbers.

Please attribute the following to Auckland City Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves:

Police are asking for the public's assistance after the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of this morning.

Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.

A significant amount of police resource, including dog units were deployed to disperse parties at the disorder.

Police have an investigation underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.

Police have arrested one person but are now asking for help to identify and locate others involved.

• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street. A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised. The offender is still unknown and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road. A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised. The offender is still unknown and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road. A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised. A 21-year-old man was arrested and will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The Police file number is 251228/4774.

Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.

Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.

Please quote one of the above file numbers.

Police are disappointed at the bad, aggressive and careless behaviour on display on Karangahape Road and will be holding any and all offenders to account.

Attributable to Detective Inspector Gerard Bouterey, Field Crime Manager, Central District CIB:

Police investigating a double homicide in Ruatiti on Saturday 13 December can now release the names of the two people who died.

They were 56-year-old Brendon Leigh Cole and 54-year-old Trina Michelle Cole.

Enquiries are ongoing and Police are continuing to search for 29-year-old Mitchell Cole in relation to the investigation.

Please remember - if you see Cole, do not approach him, and instead call 111 immediately.

If you have any information that could assist Police, please contact us via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 251213/6207.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

The Henderson Beat Team had a list, they checked it twice, finding out two shoplifters were not nice.

The tale unfolded at a Henderson supermarket on Sunday afternoon.

Sergeant Rachael England says the team were patrolling when supermarket workers alerted them to offending taking place.

"Two women allegedly stole a large number of groceries from the store in their trolley," she says.

"Our team arrested the pair a short distance from the store."

While the women had a receipt for just under $160 in goods, a pile of groceries in their vehicle's boot required further inspection.

"They had allegedly tried to steal just shy of $1000 in groceries, including luxury cat food, meats and cheeses," Sergeant England says.

Both women, aged 36 and 59, have been charged with shoplifting ($500-$1000).

The incident on Sunday afternoon rounded up to the Henderson Beat Team's 116th arrest since launching in September.

Sergeant England say the team has bedded into the community over the past three months.

"Our team continues to receive a warm reception from business owners and community members on their patrols.

"We've built great relationships with those businesses and security teams at The Boundary and WestCity, meaning we're responding quickly to calls for service."

The women charged will appear in the Waitākere District Court on Christmas Eve.

An investigation into a stolen Bentley has led North Shore Police to recover almost half a dozen stolen vehicles and a shotgun.

Waitematā East's Tactical Crime Unit began investigating a burglary on the North Shore in the early hours of 1 December.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Williams says a luxury Bentley Bentayga SUV was stolen during a burglary.

"In the early hours, an unknown person entered a house taking the keys to the Bentley and driving away in the SUV," he says.

"Inside the vehicle were a range of valuable items including a handbag and bank cards."

An investigation began, which led Police to an address in Glen Eden last week.

"Police searched the property, locating four other stolen vehicles on site," Detective Senior Sergeant Williams says.

"Concerningly, a loaded shotgun was found hidden underneath a bed where a young boy was sleeping."

Police seized the firearm and arrested a 31-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman.

Both have been charged with dishonesty charges relating to the alleged use of stolen credit cards, and unlawful possession of a firearm.

No Bentley was located at the property, but enquiries continued and eventually led Police to Huia late last week.

Detective Senior Sergeant Williams says the Bentley was located and recovered.

"This is a fantastic result with several investigation teams from the North Shore and West Auckland working together, recovering vehicles and a firearm.

"Police are continuing to investigate the initial burglary and theft and we cannot rule out further arrests being made."

The pair arrested in Glen Eden have appeared before the Waitākere District Court and will reappear in March next year.

Operation Diablo has led to the arrest of eight people and the seizure of drugs, firearms and cash from multiple addresses across Southland last week.

Organised criminal groups received pre-Christmas visits as Police executed 12 search warrants at properties and vehicles in and around Invercargill.

The operation was led by Southland's Organised Crime Group and Criminal Investigation Branch, with support from specialist teams including a Drug Detection Dog unit.

Police targeted gang-related drug offending as part of the crackdown.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Baird says the social harm caused by the sale and supply of illicit drugs is significant.

"Gang members facilitating this don't care about the damage they cause," says Detective Baird.

"We will continue to find and prosecute those who think this sort of criminal activity is acceptable."

During Operation Diablo, Police seized:

• Over 32 grams of methamphetamine
• Various quantities of cannabis
• Firearms and ammunition
• More than $3,000 in cash
• Multiple electronic devices.

"It's about preventing harm," Detective Baird adds.

"People deserve to live, work and play in our communities without these negative influences ruining their plans."

Police have arrested five men and three women that have appeared in the Invercargill District Court.

Charges include possession for supply of class A and class drugs, unlawful possession of a firearm and threatening behaviour.

Police continue to investigate.

Further charges and arrests have not been ruled out.

Members of the public are urged to report any concerns or information about illegal drug supply or criminal activity.

• Call 105 or 111 if it's happening now
• Provide information anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Please attribute to Detective Sergeant Graeme Muir, Wellington Criminal Investigation Branch.

Police have arrested one person while investigating a recent stabbing at an Allen Street bar in Wellington.

A 34-year-old woman has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and will appear at the Wellington District Court on Monday 22 December.

What we know is around 1:30am on Saturday 13 December, Police were called to the Ace of Spades bar following reports a man had been stabbed.

The stabbing allegedly occurred during an altercation involving a small number of patrons.

The victim was stabbed in the abdomen and sustained serious injuries.

Police would like to speak with anyone who witnessed or may have video footage of the incident.

Enquiries to date have established that other members of the public were present when the altercation occurred.

We encourage those people to contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and reference the Police file number 251213/4525.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Attribute to Rotorua Area Investigations Manager, Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen:

Police can now name the man who was found deceased in Rotorua on Friday.

He was Nicholas Patrick Mitchell, aged 37, from Rotorua.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

He was found deceased in a vehicle on Ford Road shortly before 8:30pm on Friday.

The homicide investigation into his death is ongoing, and Police are conducting a large area canvass as part of ongoing enquiries in Fordlands today.

Rotorua Area Investigations Manager, Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen says we are still urging anyone who was in or around Ford Road between 8pm and 8:45pm on Friday to come forward.

"We know that someone in the community will have information that will be important the investigation and we ask that you contact us immediately.

"We understand that people may be worried or cautious to come forward, however any information can be treated confidentially," he says.

Police would also like to hear from anyone who saw a white Toyota Hiace van, registration DFR734, in Ford Road or the surrounding areas, during that time.

Information can be provided to Police via 105, using the file number 251212/4041.

You can also contact Crime Stoppers, anonymously if necessary, on 0800 555 111.

Please attribute to Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch, Wellington Area Investigations Manager.

Police are investigating a stabbing at an Allen Street bar in Wellington in the early hours of Saturday morning.

At around 1:30am on Saturday, Police were called to the Ace of Spades bar following reports a man had been stabbed.

The stabbing allegedly occurred during an altercation involving a small number of patrons.

The victim was stabbed in the abdomen and sustained serious injuries.

Bar security staff separated the parties and provided immediate aid to the victim.

He remains in hospital in a stable condition.

Police would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the altercation at 1:30am on Saturday 13 December, as well as anybody may have video footage of the incident.

Additionally, we'd like to speak with anyone who has information regarding those involved in this altercation.

If you are able to assist, please contact Police via 105, either over the phone or online, and reference file number 251213/4525.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.