Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says New Zealand Police has lost a mighty totara following the death of Sergeant Patrick (Paddy) Whiu.

Sergeant Whiu, aged 62 years, died at his home in Northland yesterday morning, following a short illness.

Police Commissioner Peter Marshall says Paddy had served in the New Zealand Police for 41 years, graduating from the George Austing recruit wing in April 1973, where he was posted to Whangärei and later to Kaeo in 1985, as the sole charge officer.

In 1997, Paddy became Northland's first Iwi Liaison Officer (ILO) and later began contributing to and facilitating ILO courses at the Royal New Zealand Police College.

In 2001, he received a Queens Service Medal (QSM) for public services in the New Years Honours. In 2004, he was honoured with a Commissioner's Commendation for his role in the foreshore and seabed hikoi, from Northland to the steps of Parliament.

Since 2007, Paddy had played an integral role in the Maori, Pacific and Ethnic Services (MPES) team at Police National Headquarters, forging relationships with Iwi leaders in support of Maori Wardens and led training to build the Wardens' effectiveness and professionalism.

Commissioner Marshall says, "Throughout Paddy's career, he was instrumental in developing relationships between New Zealand Police and Maori, significantly increasing trust and confidence among Maori to work with Police to reduce crime and crash."

"On Waitangi Day last week I was proud to present Paddy with his Silver Merit Award, which is the highest honour bestowed on a Police officer for meritorious performance of duties."

"Sergeant Paddy Whiu leaves an inspirational legacy. As the well-known Maori proverb says - 'Kua hinga he totara i te wao nui a Tane.'  A totara has fallen in the forest of Tane", says Commissioner Marshall.

Paddy Whiu is lying in state at Kaingahoa Marae in Kaikohe. Arrangements for his tangi are currently being finalised.

Moe mai e Paddy, te moengaroa.

A formal identification process has commenced following the discovery of a body in ocean off the Coromandel coast overnight.

Waikato Police Search and Rescue coordinator, Constable Dave Pitchford, said a member of the public rang 111 to report what looked like a body 200m off the shore in front off the Surf Life Saving Club at Whiritoa 5.25pm.

"With the assistance of the Whiritoa Surf Club and Whangamata Coastguard the body was recovered and taken to Waikato Hospital where forensic examinations will begin to help us identify who this person is.

"At this point we are keeping an open mind in relation to the identity of the person who's body was found and are keeping an open mind in relation to if this person maybe a 52-year-old Katikati man missing since his boat capsized off Bowentown on 28 January."

Mr Pitchford said while these lengthy examinations were going on it was important to acknowledge the assistance provided once again by volunteer organisations.

"During the search we had lifeguards, volunteer fire-fighters and search and rescue staff as well as Coastguard and mine rescue personnel all working to assist Police in the search.

"Then last night, thanks to a call from the public a number of volunteers mobilised again to assist Police in the body recovery. These often unsung heroes are repeatedly giving of their time to the benefit of their wider communities and from a Police perspective their efforts are very appreciated."

Waikato Police say the consequences of poor decision making on the behalf of young people are readily apparent today as officers investigating the death of a young man early this morning deal with a variety of victims.

District Commander, Superintendent Win van der Velde, said family liaison officers were working with the   family of a 17-year-old Hamilton man who lost his life after the stolen car he was trying to flee from Police in crashed into a stone retaining wall.

"The young man's family are understandably devastated by what has happened but there are other victims who we are having to help navigate through this whole tragic process.

"Those other victims include a 14-year-old boy who was a front seat passenger in the car when it crashed who is currently in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital with serious leg injuries. Another is a 15-year-old girl travelling as a rear seat passenger who was able to walk away from the crash because she had the presence of mind to be wearing her seatbelt."

Mr van der Velde said another victim coming to terms with the death of the young man was his staff member who saw a car travelling down the road with no headlights on shortly before 2am and less than a minute later was fighting to save a young man's life.

"The car was seen driving without lights on at 1.48am and the officer has activated his lights and siren, advised North Comms he is trying to stop a fleeing driver, become concerned about the nature of the offender's driving and advised he is abandoning the pursuit then witnessed the crash all in less than a minute.

"The offending car travelled approximately 1500m from when it was first seen to when it came to a violent halt, in that short distance our officer had to go from carrying out a routine traffic stop to fighting to save a young man's life and this is the huge expectation we place on our officers."

Mr van der Velde said this morning's fatality was all the more tragic given the avoidability of what happened.

"Here we have a young man in the prime of his life who chose to drive in breach of his learner driver's licence conditions which prohibited him from driving at that hour of the night and from carrying passengers.

"The ramifications of that decision were further compounded by his decision, when seen driving without his headlights on, to then accelerate away from Police when lights and sirens were activated to indicate for him to stop."

Mr van der Velde said the preliminary indications from what will be three separate investigations are that speed was a significant factor in the crash.

"This matter will be the subject of three investigations, a criminal investigation, a Coronial investigation and a procedural investigation conducted by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

"In addition the Police investigation will be overseen by an independent out of district senior investigator."

Mr van der Velde said today's tragedy highlighted the issue of the vulnerability of youth and showed why there was a need for graduated driver licences.

"Young people do not yet have the skills to always make the right decisions not only on the roads but in life in general which is why we have a graduated system- to allow them to build and develop their experience.

"Tragically this young man, because of a combination of what in isolation could be accepted as minor poor judgements, has paid with his life and left a number of people having to come to terms with his loss."

18 month old child dies in driveway incident

At 1pm today police and emergency services attended an address at State Highway 12 Ohaeawai Northland.

The infant was struck by a vehicle in a driveway and has since died. The driver of the vehicle is helping police with inquiries.

An investigation has been commenced.

Next of kin have yet to be advised.

No more information will be released today

Green Party expresses sadness at death of Sir Paul Holmes

The Green Party is saddened by the death of Sir Paul Holmes today and passes on its condolences to his family and friends.

"Sir Paul challenged politicians in a way that made his interviews interesting to the viewer and listener," said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

"His focus was on the people listening and watching, not on making life easy for the politicians.

"Over many decades he helped shaped political discourse in New Zealand through his TV interviews, newspaper columns and radio shows.

"Our thoughts are with Sir Pauls wife Lady Deborah, his children, family and friends," said Mrs Turei.

Prime Minister John Key says today’s news that Sir Paul Holmes KNZM has passed away is the end of a broadcasting era.

“Paul Holmes was a gentleman broadcaster. He conducted his interviews with intelligence and insightfulness, and while he never suffered fools, his interviews were never without kindness and empathy,” says Mr Key.

“He was a trailblazer in New Zealand journalism with a style that was all his own.

“I also counted him as a friend and I want to personally acknowledge the pain Deborah, Lady Holmes, Millie and Reuben are now feeling and offer my heartfelt condolences,” says Mr Key.

“Paul has been part of New Zealanders’ lives since the 1970s. For more than a decade he was compulsive viewing at 7pm and, up until very recently, he was still on Q&A and his radio show. It is hard to imagine a broadcasting spectrum without him.

“It was a privilege to be with him last month as he received his Knighthood for services to broadcasting – I cannot think of anyone who deserved this more.

“Farewell Sir Paul, you will be missed.”

Police investigating the death of a 48 year-old man near Rongotea, Manawatu, on Saturday 27 January are treating the death as not suspicious.

Richard Francis Baxter Mclean, formally of Marton, was staying at a Bainesse Road property near Rongotea and was found dead by the home owner at around 8:30am on Saturday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marc Hercock says: "The cause of death still remains unexplained, however, there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Mclean's death and Police are not looking for anyone in relation to his death."

Police are in the process of finalising their investigation for referral to the coroner.

Please respect the family's need for privacy at this time.

Police are working to establish the circumstances around the unexplained death of a 48 year-old man in Manawatu on Saturday 27 January.

Detective Senior Sergeant Marc Hercock says: "The man was staying at a Bainesse Road near Rongotea property in Manawatu and was found dead by the home owner at around 8:30am on Saturday. The home owner then called emergency services."

A scene examination has been completed and Police are in the process of making further lines of inquiry to piece together the man's last movements.

"We hope to have a post-mortem completed by tomorrow evening. At this stage the cause of death remains unexplained," says Detective Senior Sergeant Hercock.

Further updates will be issued as soon as they become available. No further updates about the deceased will be released until the post-mortem has been completed.

Media enquiries should be referred to Communications Manager Sara Stavropoulos on 027 702 0850.

Wellington Police have been asked to release the following statement on behalf of the family of Steve Andrews.

To be attributed to family spokesperson Helen Coffey:

We wish to express our deep gratitude to all of Steve's friends and acquaintances who have offered us their support.

As a family we've have been reading the numerous stories you have shared.

The stories have made us both laugh and cry. They have all shown how many lives he touched.

We have been overwhelmed by the contributions you have made which have been a huge help to get him home.

It has been a huge relief to finally have him with us after navigating what, at times, has seemed like a lengthy legal process.

• The funeral will begin at 1.00pm on Monday 28 January at the Holy Cross Church, Miramar.
• The family wish to thank the media for respecting their privacy and request they are not approached when arriving or leaving the funeral.
• Media are asked to remain outside the Church and are advised that the burial is private.

At approximately 3pm today police were called to the report of a fatality on the grounds of Opotiki College.

A local man in his 70s had been assisting with repairs on mowing equipment belonging to the college when he was caught in the machinery leading to fatal injuries.

There are no suspicious circumstances. The Department of Labour have been advised and the matter will be referred to the Coroner.

The man's name is expected to be released tomorrow once all of his next of kin have been advised.

Police can confirm  that the identity of the body located in Balclutha River on Saturday  19th January was that of missing teenager Blake  Mckenzie Sinclair aged 18 years of Clydevale who went missing on Saturday 12th January following a boating accident.

One person was killed in a car crash on Rutherford Road Pukekohe this morning. The crash occurred at about 1115 am. Emergency services attended but the occupant of the car died at the scene. The Police Serious Crash unit are investigating the cause.