Police are now in a position to formally release further names of victims who died and have been identified following the volcanic eruption on Whakaari / White Island. Name: Richard Aaron ELZERGender: MaleAge: 32Citizenship: Australia Name: Barbara Jean HOLLANDERGender: FemaleAge: 49Citizenship: US (Australian permanent resident) Name: Julie RICHARDSGender: FemaleAge: 47Citizenship: […]
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Sixteenth fatality following Whakaari / White Island eruption
Police have confirmed a further person injured in the Whakaari / White Island eruption, and later repatriated to Australia, sadly died yesterday. This person will come under Australia’s coronial jurisdiction. As a result, New Zealand authorities will not be responsible for releasing this person’s name. Australian Federal Police has worked […]
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Whakaari / White Island – return onto island
Attributable to Deputy Commissioner John Tims, National Operations Commander: A recovery team is this morning returning to Whakaari / White Island, with boots on the ground and resource in the air. Deputy Commissioner John Tims, National Operations Commander:, said as with the first recovery operation, the plan is contingent on […]
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Plan to recover bodies from Whakaari / White Island”
Deputy Commissioner John Tims, National Operations Commander has confirmed police are finalising a plan to recover the bodies from Whakaari / White Island tomorrow morning. Families will be briefed on the operation at 4.30pm and Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement will speak with media in Whakatane. Details for the media briefing […]
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Fatal crash at Wainui
One person has died following a serious crash on Wainui Road, Wainui near Whakatane. Police were alerted to a vehicle that had rolled at around 5:15am this morning. One person was deceased at the scene. Police are investigation the cause of the crash.
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Senseless vandalism destroys community assets
A spate of vandalism over the weekend has wreaked havoc on public conveniences and decimated established gardens in the Whakatāne District. The public toilet facilities at Matahina Dam suffered a severe arson attack on Saturday evening. Only the shell of the building remains after extensive fire damage destroyed the ablution […]
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Three people locked up after pursuit
Whakatāne CIB have started an investigation following a police pursuit that ended in three arrests last night. Senior Sergeant Al Fenwick said three people were arrested following a pursuit that included Arawa Rd. “A firearm was recovered from the vehicle that is believed to have been involved in a number […]
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Aniwhenua facilities vandalised
The Lake Aniwhenua ablution block was destroyed by vandals during the weekend. Extensive damage has rendered the facilities unusable, directly prior to the high-use summer season that sees hundreds of visitors through the site. The vandals, whose identities remain unknown at this stage, removed the basins, toilet seats and wall […]