A huge fire at a McDonald’s restaurant in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga is being treated as suspicious. The fire spewed smoke across the East Auckland suburb this afternoon and closed Pakuranga Rd in both directions. Witnesses said they heard explosions and thought the fire had started from the playground attached to the restaurant. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said a fire investigator had been requested, as the fire is being treated as suspicious at this stage. The fire has now been extinguished and Pakuranga Rd has reopened in both directions. Earlier a police spokesperson said emergency services were attending a building fire on Pakuranga Rd. “The fire, at the McDonald’s restaurant, was reported to police at about 3pm. At this stage there are no reports of injury. “People are being evacuated from buildings in the immediate area as a precaution.” A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said at about 2.59pm, they received multiple calls about a building on fire on Pakuranga Rd. “Upon arrival, we found the McDonald’s well alight.” “We have six trucks, including a ladder truck, at the scene. The fire is under control, and crews are currently working to extinguish the fire. “Everyone was evacuated, and there are no reports of injuries.” A video sent to the Herald showed thick grey and black smoke coming from the building on Pakuranga Rd. At the height of the fire a staff member at the nearby petrol station told the Herald he could see plumes of smoke coming from the nearby McDonald’s. “There are heaps of fire trucks and police cars,” he said. “We have had to close our pumps. You can’t see anything outside because the smoke is so thick.” A witness told the Herald he was filling up at the petrol station when he smelled what he thought was gas. “There was a ute next to me smoking from the exhaust, so I thought nothing of it,” he said. “After I had paid and came out, the playground (at McDonald’s) on fire was obvious.“ ”I went over to see if I could help, but the heat was intense, and a few of us started to worry about whether it would reach the petrol station, so we got out of there pretty quickly.” Reverend Amos Muzodiwa, from the nearby Trinity Church, told RNZ he saw a big fireball. He could still hear explosions at about 3.25pm. “It started around the play area from what I could see initially but it has now engulfed the whole building. “The kids are coming out of Pakuranga College so they are battling to control the movement of kids so they don’t walk into the smoke.” Muzodiwa told RNZ the fire appeared to have started near the children’s playground. A McDonald’s spokesperson confirmed there was a fire at the McDonald’s Pakuranga restaurant. “The McDonald’s Pakuranga restaurant has suffered significant damage as the result of a fire on Monday afternoon. “Procedures were followed to alert emergency services and safely evacuate customers and staff. “McDonald’s is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire.” The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night. Emergency services were notified of the fire at around 3pm on Monday. Fire and Emergency NZ said the building was "totally involved" in flames by the time crews arrived. Six fire trucks from Howick, Ellerslie, Mt Wellington, Otara, and Papatoetoe were in attendance at the blaze. One was a ladder truck, a FENZ spokesperson said. "Everyone was out at the time and there are no reports of injuries." FENZ said the fire was being treated as suspicious. "A fire investigator is attending to determine cause and origin." Pakuranga Rd was closed for nearly two hours in both directions with road users advised to avoid the area. "Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonalds are underway," police said. A staff member at nearby KFC Pakuranga, across the road from the McDonald's, told 1News he heard a couple of explosions coming from the restaurant as the blaze began. He said he heard "one or two" explosions, followed by thick, black smoke billowing into the air. The restaurant was adjacent to a Z petrol station and 250 metres along the same road from Pakuranga College. A staff member at the service station said they had closed their fuel pumps and there was "huge fire and huge smoke" coming from the fire. The Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre Courts were also closed this evening due to the blaze. Auckland Transport said several bus routes, the 72C, 72M, 72X, 734, 420, and 421 were detoured due to the blaze. Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown thanked emergency services who had been responding to the incident. "Please follow the advice of emergency services, avoid the area, and stay safe." A McDonald's spokesperson said the McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga had "suffered significant damage" in the fire. "Procedures were followed to raise the alarm and safely evacuate staff and customers. McDonald’s is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." Police were notified of the blaze on Pakuranga Rd at around 3pm on Monday. (Source: 1News) A large fire which caused "significant damage" to a McDonald's restaurant in east Auckland this afternoon is now being treated as suspicious. Fire at Pakuranga McDonald's. (Source: PCBL) Police were notified of the blaze on Pakuranga Rd at around 3pm on Monday. (Source: Supplied) Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student Police said they were investigating the incident which occurred outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa at around 3pm on Monday Crime and Justice Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Emergency services were called to the property on Mahia Rd just before 10am to a report of a man "seriously injured" Blaze at McDonald's in east Auckland treated as suspected arson Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight Person dies following morning crash on Auckland motorway A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning New Zealand 'Wake up call': Businesses warned over lithium battery fires Authorities urge the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling but have also told merchants to "take responsibility for disposal" Tree planted as Kyle Whorrall's mother Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei blessed and planted a provided pōhutukawa tree at St Johns Bush in honour of the slain PhD student from the United States Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one US prisons bureau has challenges — reopening Alcatraz is now another Auditor-General launches probe into school lunches Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon A large fire which caused "significant damage" to a McDonald's restaurant in east Auckland this afternoon is now being treated as suspicious Emergency services were notified of the fire at around 3pm on Monday Fire and Emergency NZ said the building was "totally involved" in flames by the time crews arrived and Papatoetoe were in attendance at the blaze FENZ said the fire was being treated as suspicious Pakuranga Rd was closed for nearly two hours in both directions with road users advised to avoid the area "Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonalds are underway," police said told 1News he heard a couple of explosions coming from the restaurant as the blaze began He said he heard "one or two" explosions The restaurant was adjacent to a Z petrol station and 250 metres along the same road from Pakuranga College A staff member at the service station said they had closed their fuel pumps and there was "huge fire and huge smoke" coming from the fire The Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre Courts were also closed this evening due to the blaze Auckland Transport said several bus routes Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown thanked emergency services who had been responding to the incident "Please follow the advice of emergency services A McDonald's spokesperson said the McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga had "suffered significant damage" in the fire "Procedures were followed to raise the alarm and safely evacuate staff and customers McDonald’s is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." A stranger allegedly tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland primary school yesterday before bystanders intervened and the man drove off Police confirmed they were investigating an incident from around 3pm on Monday outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa "Police are still working to understand exactly what was occurring at the time and our enquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson said "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said in a statement to social media that other parents had intervened "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the police." Vasau told 1News the pupil was "doing fine" following the incident and was surrounded by a "supportive "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe It's about working with that child to make them feel safe again but also looking forward to returning back to school with a little bit of normality." Police had reacted "pretty quickly" to the reports "They've been in this morning to touch base and connect the community police constables are going to come back to tomorrow to address the whole school in relation to what had happened and around keeping themselves safe before and after school." Increased police patrols would remain in the area after school from Wednesday Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 Police say a fire at a McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga is being investigated as a suspected arson Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Rd just before 3pm yesterday Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant which has "sustained significant fire damage as a result" "At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson "A scene examination is being conducted this morning and police will work alongside a fire investigator," she said Gillespie said part of these inquiries would be working to understand how the fire began She said police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire Anyone with information was urged to contact police online or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said "Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear "We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work." Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge "Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said A string of fires linked to highly combustible lithium-ion batteries has been deemed a "wake-up call" for waste businesses by Auckland officials with the public facing exposure to toxic smoke from repeat blazes Auckland Council is urging "industry vigilance" around the problem after a scrap metal company was fined $30,000 over a 2023 fire that released toxic smoke near Ōtāhuhu A fire at a recycling plant near Glenfield last month was also initially linked to lithium batteries although investigators were continuing to probe the blaze Auckland Council compliance field operations manager David Pawson emphasised "the importance of remaining vigilant despite the novelty of the issue" Authorities urged the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling The batteries were inside most portable electronic devices Pawson said in a statement: "We recognise this is a new issue and we’re all finding our way with lithium-ion batteries and those handling them "But businesses still need to take responsibility for their disposal — this is their business Emergency alerts were issued to tens of thousands on Auckland's North Shore last month after the largest fire "for a few years" broke out at an Abilities Group recycling plant Residents were urged to close windows to avoid fumes and some beaches were closed due to chemicals released into waterways Takapuna fire station officer Steven Callagher said there were reports that flames broke out in the area of the facility where batteries were recycled and an official cause had not been determined Other recent battery-linked fires have broken out in rubbish trucks in Auckland caused by the ignition of a lithium-ion battery within a large scrap metal stockpile highlighted a "growing national and international issue surrounding battery disposal and fire risk," according to Auckland Council recognised the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries He noted: "There has been considerable difficulty in finding a technical solution to the problems with batteries catching on fire "This is not only a national problem but an international one; these orders form a workaround solution until more technical solutions The judge described the situation as “a new and emerging issue" While acknowledging Sims Metal’s cooperation and the absence of intentional wrongdoing reduced from an initial starting point of $50,000 The enforcement orders issued require Sims Metal to implement several improvements at the James Fletcher Drive site in Favona "The orders are registered with the Environment Court and will remain in place unless superseded by conditions with a new resource consent," the council said Pawson said the council viewed the 2023 case as an "important precedent in balancing empathy for emerging challenges with the necessity of regulatory compliance "It also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and industry-wide collaboration to adapt to evolving environmental risks." A Sims Metal spokesperson said: "Following the May 2023 fire at our Favona facility we have implemented more stringent control measures to support the ongoing management of potentially concealed materials like lithium-ion batteries "We are grateful to the communities and businesses in and around Ōtāhuhu We want to reiterate our appreciation to FENZ and all those who acted diligently to extinguish the May 2023 fire safely and continue to refine and improve our processes." A pōhutukawa tree has been planted in honour of Kyle Whorrall the US PhD student slain during an attack at an Auckland bus stop last month The 33-year-old was attacked at a bus stop on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank on April 19 friends and colleagues of Whorrall gathered for a vigil on April 24 at the bus stop where he was attacked Whorrall's mother Carole was joined by members of the community and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei for the blessing and to plant a pōhutukawa tree in honour of his life The planting ceremony began with a blessing by Otene Reweti from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei "This tree will stand as a memorial to Kyle to come to this special place and remember Kyle and what he has done and what he was looking to do "This tree indicates times to harvest different things in our seasons and also pōhutukawa in terms of the star from Matariki and pleiades So Kyle is one of those that we are reminded again of his tragic passing in this area," said Reweti Carole was flanked by Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson and one of Whorrall's flatmates as she shovelled dirt onto the base of the tree She softly commented that she enjoyed gardening as the sun shone down on her in St Johns Bush Others shared a poem or short tribute to Whorrall's life and the tragedy that it was cut short Ōrākei Local Board chairperson Scott Milne said that in times of tragedy it was important to "look at the good stuff" and find moments of connection with one another "We have now forged a relationship across the waters This family will come back to see this tree thrive and out of that tragedy we will find good," he said He told Te Karere the tragedy had "turned our community upside down" "Yet in the matter of a few short weeks the community have come together certainly like nothing I have ever seen before "There is just this deep disappointment and we all feel so privileged to live here He said he hoped over time the grief would "turn to healing" and that Carole would continue to come back and see the tree flourish and grow "People understand they have to talk more to each other watch out for one another and we want to make something of this lovely young man's life by changing our attitude." He said the board had worked hard to build relationships over the past six years "The relationship with Ngāti Whātua is deeply personal and important to this board A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody after being charged with his murder and a 32-year-old woman was also charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said the investigation was "by no means over" as police believed "there were other occupants in the vehicle" when Whorrall was attacked He said officers have since seized a black SUV on the North Shore It was being forensically examined by police "Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us." The detective inspector said police were also seeking "critical witnesses" including a white Toyota ute that was cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them He said police were still working to fully understand the events leading up to his death A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate Eleven inmate deaths in less than two months A US$3 billion (NZ$5 billion) repair backlog a stunning directive from President Donald Trump for the crisis-plagued federal Bureau of Prisons to “REBUILD AND OPEN ALCATRAZ!” — the notorious penitentiary on an island in San Francisco Bay that last held inmates more than 60 years ago Even as the Bureau of Prisons struggles with short staffing chronic violence and crumbling infrastructure at its current facilities Trump is counting on the agency to fulfill his vision of rebooting the infamously inescapable prison known in movies and pop culture as The Rock Trump declared in a social media post that a “substantially enlarged and rebuilt” Alcatraz will house the nation’s “most ruthless and violent Offenders” Newly appointed Bureau of Prisons Director William K Marshall III said that the agency “will vigorously pursue all avenues to support and implement the President’s agenda” and that he has ordered “an immediate assessment to determine our needs and the next steps” We look forward to restoring this powerful symbol of law and justice,” Marshall said in a statement “We will be actively working with our law enforcement and other federal partners to reinstate this very important mission.” an 8.9-hectare spit of land with views of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline was once the crown jewel of the federal prison system and home to some of the nation’s most notorious criminals including gangsters Al Capone and George Machine Gun Kelly But skyrocketing repair and supply costs compelled the Justice Department to close the prison in 1963 and the Bureau of Prisons has long since replaced Alcatraz with modern penitentiaries including a maximum-security prison in Florence The former and perhaps future penitentiary is now a popular tourist attraction and a national historic landmark It’s controlled by the National Park Service as part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area meaning the Bureau of Prisons could be in for an interagency tug of war if it tries to wrest away control of the island Trump’s Alcatraz directive is yet another challenge for the Bureau of Prisons as it struggles to fix lingering problems while responding to the president’s priorities on incarceration and immigrant detention includes taking in thousands of immigration detainees under an agreement with the Department of Homeland Security The problems at the Bureau of Prisons transcend administrations and facilities An ongoing Associated Press investigation has uncovered deep previously unreported flaws within the Bureau of Prisons over the last few years including widespread criminal activity by employees and severe understaffing that has hampered responses to emergencies then-President Joe Biden signed a law strengthening oversight of the agency It remains the Justice Department’s largest agency 155,000 inmates and an annual budget of about US$8 billion (NZ$13.4 billion) but the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures have eliminated some pay bonuses that were credited with retaining and attracting new staff That has resulted in long overtime shifts for some workers and the continued use of a policy known as augmentation teachers and other workers are pressed into duty to guard inmates A Bureau of Prisons official told Congress at a hearing in February that more than 4000 beds within the system — the equivalent of at least two full prisons — are unusable because of dangerous conditions like leaking or failing roofs a 37-year-old Florida businessman who was found dead April 28 in a suspected suicide at a federal jail in Miami He was awaiting trial on charges that he kidnapped and killed his estranged wife in Spain inmate Ramadhan Jaabir Justice was killed in a fight at the federal penitentiary in Pollock where he was serving a nearly 11-year sentence for a conviction related to an armed robbery As Trump was ordering Alcatraz’s reopening correctional officers at the same Miami jail were fighting to curb the spread of tuberculosis and Covid-19 isolating inmates after they tested positive for the diseases immigration detainees at the facility ripped out a fire sprinkler and flooded a holding cell during a lengthy intake process the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin has sat idle for more than a year after the Bureau of Prisons cleared it of inmates in the wake of rampant sexual abuse by employees the agency made the closure permanent and idled six prison camps across the country to address “significant challenges crumbling infrastructure and limited budgetary resources” While Trump hails Alcatraz as a paragon of the federal prison system’s cherished past other facilities stand as reminders of its recent troubles They include the federal jail in Manhattan which remains idle after Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide there in 2019 exposed deep flaws in its operations where 23 inmates have been charged in recent months with crimes ranging from smuggling weapons in a Doritos bag to the stabbing last month of a man convicted in the killing of hip-hop legend Jam Master Jay The Auditor-General's office has announced plans for an inquiry into the school lunch programme that has drawn criticism since a revamp It will cover Ministry of Education planning procurement and contract implementation under David Seymour's alternative model Terms of reference for the inquiry set out its scope: The Auditor-General's office said it decided to investigate because of concerns raised about aspects of the revised lunch programme and what the Ministry communicated with previous providers," it said "Because of the importance of these services we have decided to carry out an inquiry." the Office noted the ministry had in October last year awarded a two-year contract to the School Lunch Collective under which lunches would be provided for $3 each The ministry was also reported to have paid a further $8.9m to the collective for Year 9 and older students which had been part of the School Lunch Collective A further $4m grant was provided to KidsCan for a food programme in Early Childhood Education services rnz.co.nz Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted Counties Manukau Police say Pakuranga Road is open again in both directions following a dramatic fire that broke out at the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant before 3pm this Monday afternoon Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonald’s are now underway “Police would like to thank the public for their patience while the fire was extinguished.” a Times reporter at the scene on Pakuranga Road said about eight Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) trucks and crews were fighting to put out the dramatic blaze and police had closed nearby streets to traffic because of the smoke The fire was reported to FENZ at 3pm and fire trucks and personnel from the stations of Howick Papatoetoe and Auckland City were in attendance The McDonald’s Pakuranga restaurant is situated next to a Z fuel station at 472 Pakuranga Road Pakuranga Road was closed in both directions and travelling from Howick it was closed at the intersection with Bucklands Beach Road “emergency services are in attendance at a building fire on Pakuranga Road” “At this stage there are no reports of injury,” said police “Pakuranga Road has been closed in both directions and road users are advised to avoid the area “People are being evacuated from buildings in the immediate area as a precaution,” police said earlier The Times appreciated the photographs sent in by staff and members of the community an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland Keep informed with the latest breaking news Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/ A fire at a Auckland McDonald's is being treated as suspicious Emergency services responed to a fire at a McDonald's in Pakuranga People were evacuated from nearby buildings as a precaution Firefighters had secured the petrol station next door and were fighting the blaze from there Fire and Emergency said it sent six fire trucks to the scene and crews arrived shortly after 3pm to find the McDonald's "fully alight" They say the building was fully engulfed but all staff and customers were safely evacuated A McDonald's spokesperson confirmed the fire was at their Pakuranga restaurant "The McDonald's Pakuranga restaurant has suffered significant damage as the result of a fire on Monday afternoon "Procedures were followed to alert emergency services and safely evacuate customers and staff McDonald's is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire," a spokesperson said A worker at the next door Z petrol station said there was a lot of smoke and they could see flames They had closed the petrol station down and moved away from it He could still hear explosions when he spoke to RNZ at about 3.25pm "It started around the play area from what I could see initially but it has now engulfed the whole building," he said "The kids are coming out of Pakuranga College so they are battling to control the movement of kids so they don't walk into the smoke," he said it has started near the children's playground Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The road between Duke Street and Frederick Street has been closed New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image. A fire at a McDonald's in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga is being treated as suspicious, Fire and Emergency NZ say.  Police and fire crews were called to the blaze in Pakuranga Rd about 3pm today. At this stage, there were no reports of injury, police said. People were evacuated from nearby buildings as a precaution. Pakuranga Rd was closed in both directions, but has since reopened. They say the building was fully engulfed, but all staff and customers were safely evacuated. A McDonald's spokesperson confirmed the fire was at their Pakuranga restaurant. "The McDonald's Pakuranga restaurant has suffered significant damage as the result of a fire on Monday afternoon. "Procedures were followed to alert emergency services and safely evacuate customers and staff. McDonald's is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." Reverend Amos Muzodiwa, from the nearby Trinity Church, said he saw a big fireball and could still hear explosions when he spoke to RNZ about 3.25pm.  "It started around the play area from what I could see initially but it has now engulfed the whole building. There was a lot of smoke, a thick black cloud." It appeared to him it has started near the children's playground.  Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd. Video / Supplied, Te Rina Triponel MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9. Video / MetService Police said emergency services were called to a Mahia Rd property just before 10am after a report of a person seriously injured. Christchurch, Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total. Video | George Heard Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes. Video \ NZME NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff, ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending. The moa might be extinct, but they’ve left an imprint! Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find. Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd. Video / Supplied, Te Rina Triponel A video of a dog abuse incident is circulating on social media, showing a dog swinging in the air and slamming into the ground on a walk in Manurewa. Video / Supplied A memorial tree has been planted at the entrance of St John’s bush in honour of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall. Video \ Jason Dorday Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail, dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki. Video \ Jason Dorday Reporter Angelina is in Auckland, where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best. Aotearoa group En-Locked is in the house, let’s see how they do! $2b for NZ Defence helicopters, Trump’s influence on global elections, and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health. The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years. This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation. The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement. Video / Alex Burton Albanese wins Australian election, Kiwis worry about wild weather, and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement. Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house. Video / supplied Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing, Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims. Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022. Video / Brodie Stone Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account. Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation. Video \ Jason Dorday Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency. Sir Bob Jones, a prominent business figure, has died at his Wellington home aged 85. North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision. Video \ Supplied Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city. Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight, mainly in the Wellington area. The worst of the weather is over, more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table. NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024. Video / Dean Purcell Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking', looked up, and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm. Video / Julie Paterson Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand, bringing floods, snow, extreme wind and widespread disruption. Video / NZ Herald, MetService, Vanessa Weenink MetService Head of Weather News, Heather Keats, breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds, heavy rain and dangerous high tides. Hon Mark Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall, and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park, where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis. NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media You are not permitted to download, save or email this image. Visit image gallery to purchase the image A fire at a McDonald's in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga is being treated as suspicious Police and fire crews were called to the blaze in Pakuranga Rd about 3pm today Pakuranga Rd was closed in both directions but all staff and customers were safely evacuated McDonald's is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." said he saw a big fireball and could still hear explosions when he spoke to RNZ about 3.25pm "It started around the play area from what I could see initially but it has now engulfed the whole building It appeared to him it has started near the children's playground A McDonald's restaurant is on fire in the east Auckland suburb of Pakuranga closing a major arterial road in both directions See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes Come along to Pakuranga Library every first Sunday afternoon during term time for our kids Makers Club Every session we will learn to make and create something fun and awesome Suitable for primary and intermediate school age tamariki © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news hosted the opening game of the U20 Rugby Championship on Thursday night New Zealand and Australia couldn’t be separated It didn’t take long for a young local rugby player to stamp his mark on the world stage with Pakuranga United Rugby Club’s (PURC) Harlyn Saunoa scoring a try in the fifth minute of the opening match against Australia Saunoa was on the end of a slick backline move catching the ball close to the line before calmly scoring in the corner PURC’s Randall Baker was also involved in the action early playing a crucial part in a counter-ruck penalty in the 22nd minute Both local players were busy throughout the game carrying the ball multiple times in their respective performances After a good shift in the first encounter of the tournament Baker was substituted early in the second half with what looked like a lower leg injury just as Australia launched their comeback in the second half Australia scored a try at the hooter and needed a conversion to level the scores Australia’s winger was able to successfully convert the try ending the first game of the competition in a draw Saunoa attended Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) and plays his rugby for Pakuranga while currently being involved in the wider training squad with the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific before playing for Pakuranga United Rugby Club The New Zealand U20s will take on Argentina on Tuesday night at 11.50 pm All games of The U20 Rugby Championship are broadcast live on Sky Sport Join Pakuranga Library for a half-hour of fun and interactive afterschool activity (theme varies every week) Suitable for primary and intermediate school aged tamraiki A person in is in a critical condition in Auckland after a fire in a Pakuranga apartment block Emergency services were called to the scene on Grassways Avenue at about 12.45pm Police said one person had been taken to Middlemore hospital in a critical condition Fire and Emergency crews rescued one person from the top floor of the three story building FENZ said roughly 24 firefighters were at the scene Show more Spark your imagination during these school holidays and dive into a world of buzzing interactive experiences at Pakuranga Library Suitable for all ages; parental assistance and guidance may be required for younger tamariki FunkAccessibility: Limited mobility parking A resoundingly famous name in New Zealand music returning to the stage with his new solo album He’s supported by party-starters Automatic80s whiz kids Brother Sister channel their passion for throwback 80s culture into their uplifting blend of electro-driven synth pop Then step into the thrilling world of AutoMatic80s where the hits of the 80s come alive – from bands like Human League to artists like Kate Bush and Robert Palmer Performing tracks from her debut album release Vanessa Tottle – Trip Hop singer-songwriter and music producer – is set to take you to another dimension this summer Inspired by the new wave of fearless country music songwriters over the past decade Oni Kidman comes from a family steeped in Aotearoa music Her dad is Rikki Morris and her uncle is Ian from Th' Dudes Our headline act is Aotearoa’s own Rikki Morris and written and performed a New Zealand number one single Be prepared to dance till you drop – and bring your sunscreen Got a question? Check our FAQs or follow us on Facebook for the latest updates Four people have been injured following a single-vehicle crash in East Auckland this afternoon Emergency services responded to the Pakūranga crash on William Roberts Rd Hato Hone St John said it responded to the motor vehicle crash with one ambulance and one rapid response unit “Our crews assessed and treated three patients in a minor condition at the scene and one patient in a moderate condition who was transported to Middlemore Hospital.” Police said there are no reports of the incident blocking the road The vehicle appears to have crashed into a wooden walkway outside the Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts Police are making inquiries to determine the circumstances that caused the crash Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night Emergency services are responding to a fire in an apartment building in east Auckland this afternoon Police Inspector Jason Homan says the fire is in a building in Grassways Avenue “One person reported to be in a critical condition has been transported to Middlemore Hospital please avoid the area while emergency services attend.” The fire was reported to Fire and Emergency NZ at about 12.40pm and Otahuhu stations are believed to be responding to the incident A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency NZ says multiple calls were received about the fire and one person was rescued from the building A spokesperson for Hato Hone St John says: “Hato Hone St John was notified of a fired incident in Pakuranga at 12.43pm and responded with one ambulance two rapid response units and one manager to the scene “Our crews assessed and treated one patient who was transported to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition.” Join Pakuranga Library for 9 days of family-friendly holiday activities as we countdown towards Christmas Designed with school-aged tamariki (5-10yrs) in mind but all are welcome Parental assistance is recommended for younger tamariki Mon 16 Dec : Paper snowflakes arts and crafts Wed 18 Dec: Cardboard gingerbread house making If you’ve driven around Pakuranga in the last few weeks you’ll have seen the speed limits on several of our major roads have been restored to their previous limits of 60km/h Auckland Transport (AT) completed work to restore these local speed limits after they were lowered as part of the last Labour Government’s blanket speed limit reductions policy these slower limits have been a point of contention for local Pakuranga residents who have consistently raised it with me as a major issue that needed to be addressed It was also a key concern for those in other areas around the country who had also seen unnecessary reductions to the speed limits on major roads in their towns and cities the National Government campaigned in 2023 on reversing these blanket speed limit reductions on local streets and key arterial roads When we were elected and I was asked to serve as Minister of Transport fulfilling this promise was one of my key priorities and I’m proud to have been able to deliver for Pakuranga residents and commuters across the country Our sensible speed limit rule also strikes a balance by enforcing slower speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times only rather than slowing everyone down during other times of the day the reductions undertaken by Labour were made without any real evidence of a problem the data they initially used to justify the reductions in Auckland was taken at the height of the Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021 hardly a reliable sample when many commuters were stuck at home and off the road Those of us who drive these local roads every day know they’re safe to drive at the higher limit of 60km/h and are able to accommodate such speeds and the impending 2026 opening of the Reeves Road Flyover will better enable Pakuranga residents to get where they need to go quickly and safely Thank you to the thousands of locals who signed my petition back in 2023 calling for this change to be made Come along to Pakuranga Library every third Sunday afternoon term time for our kids no-bake baking club share and make some of our favourite no-bake recipes Since the 2023 general election, I have served as a Cabinet Minister in the National-led Coalition Government with responsibility in four portfolios: Health, State Owned Enterprises and Auckland. As a Minister, and among other tasks, I have led work to: Prior to entering politics, I completed Law and Commerce Degrees at the University of Auckland and worked in Commercial Finance at the Bank of New Zealand, as well as serving as an elected Local Board member at Auckland Council. By clicking subscribe you agree to receive emails from Pakuranga and the National Party. More than 900 newly qualified health professionals are set to receive financial support to kick-start their careers, Health Minister Simeon Brown says. “The Government is committed... Regulations that will soon allow podiatrists to prescribe certain medicines have been approved, giving patients with painful foot and leg conditions better access to healthcare, Health... Associate Health Minister David Seymour and Health Minister Simeon Brown are pleased that hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are set to benefit from access to... Health Minister Simeon Brown and Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey have today officially opened Manaia House, a new community mental health and addictions facility in the... TWN is being produced by AUT journalism students working under Covid19 pandemic restrictions The future of Pakūranga Plaza has been brought into question after Panda Mart has begun buying out stores One of the New Zealand’s first shopping centres has evolved into a makeshift storage facility for the megastore Panda Mart Panda Mart opened its first store in the plaza in 2023 While its megastore has attracted new customers to the area it has begun to expand throughout the mall Unoccupied stores across Pakūranga Plaza are being used as storage space for all-in-one store Panda Mart Unique Desire is one of the few stores still operating in the plaza and its owner has witnessed ongoing changes in the mall and we had people who wanted to visit the mall,” says Alaaie Talat When Panda Mart first started acquiring leases around the plaza We thought other stores were opening up in the mall,”  Alaaie says the team noticed a pattern in the intended use of these stores In its prime Pakuranga Plaza was the hub for East Aucklanders’ shopping needs plans were set in place for it to be redeveloped as housing and a retail centre many stores decided not to renew their leases The Covid-19 pandemic delayed this redevelopment leaving behind a mall with nobody to occupy none have had as large of an impact as Panda Mart Pakūranga MP Simeon Brown has said that the plaza’s situation is “challenging" as roadworks and the construction of the Reeves Road flyover have prevented customers from easy access Panda Mart has not responded to TWN inquiries Oceania football rides the crest of a new World Cup wave Kiwi chains join matcha trend, could worsen shortages in Japan Improving student life in Auckland all part of council masterplan Disclaimer: Views expressed on TWN are those of the editorial team and contributors and not of the university Manukau CityAsking price $969,000331Brand New Elegance in Prime LocationExperience the ultimate in comfort and modern living with this brand-new freehold residence in the heart of Pakuranga Perfectly suited for first-home buyers and savvy investors offering not only a vibrant lifestyle but also the potential for excellent rental returns well-appointed rooms and high-quality modern fittings this home ensures both comfort and practicality The ground floor boasts a bedroom with an ensuite and backyard access and an internal single garage for added convenience the second floor becomes the hub of the home and living area flows seamlessly onto a deck creating a perfect space for entertaining or relaxing The sleek kitchen is equipped with premium Bosch appliances while a separate toilet adds extra ease to the space two generous bedrooms each feature their own ensuite offering the perfect balance of privacy and comfort for modern family living • Modern kitchen with top-quality Bosch appliances this home is just minutes from Pakuranga Plaza Don't miss the opportunity to be the first to enjoy this brand-new luxury home - call us today See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson 20 May 2025 13:00533540m²ONLY ONE OF ITS KIND - Near New Stunning Views!Auction: 62 Highbrook Drive East Tamaki on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at 1:00PM (unless sold prior) This nearly-new luxurious home sits on a generous 540sqm section Enjoy breath-taking views of the Tamaki River and surrounding mountains from this rare and private property in sought-after Pakuranga Heights The practical multi-level floor plan adds versatility and charm to this modern retreat including 2 master suites with walk in wardrobes • 3 bathrooms plus 2 additional separate toilets • 3 generous living areas spreading each level • Single garage and 2 off street parking spaces terraced garden with vegetable beds seamlessly connecting a outdoor deck to the parking area • Modern kitchen featuring high-quality Bosch appliance • The huge 143 sqm ground floor provides home business and extra accommodation potential to meet personalized family needs this is a spectacular sanctuary for busy executives and families who value their privacy and serenity when home Cleverly thought out design has delivered a sophisticated and sleek home perfect for inter-generational accommodation and interaction Positioned for easy access to the very popular east Auckland lifestyle whilst maintaining that coveted privacy and being surrounded by greenery this address is just minutes' drive to motorways and shopping Contact us today to arrange a private viewing or pop-up to our open home See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started Auckland Police say they were on the money arresting two teenage offenders shortly after an aggravated robbery in Panmure this morning two offenders entered the Cash Converters store on Queens Road says the pair were allegedly carrying weapons at the time “They allegedly took the store’s till and used those weapons to smash cabinets and take jewellery on display,” he says “Both fled the store and got into the stolen vehicle they arrived in.” Police say officers were quickly contacted and deployed to the area Friend says the stolen vehicle was located on Swan Crescent in Pakuranga “A police dog handler deployed in the area and tracked to an address in the nearby area.” police say they have since located two 16-year-old males who have been arrested The Cash Converters store’s till has also been recovered “Charges will be laid in due course as our investigation continues,” Friend says “I’d like to acknowledge the various police teams that deployed to the aggravated robbery this morning as we continue to hold offenders to account.” Police officers descended on a fast-food restaurant in east Auckland after receiving reports of young people fighting A police spokesperson says officers responded to a report of a disorder taking place at a location on Pakuranga Road in Pakuranga The Times understands the incident unfolded near McDonald’s Pakuranga “Groups of young people were reported to be fighting,” the police spokesperson says “The groups were dispersed by police and nearby school staff There will be some follow up around those involved.” It could be the theme song of Pakuranga Plaza substituting the words world for mall and tonight to today: There’s a kind of hush This writer’s found himself singing those lyrics when visiting the Pakuranga shopping centre these past four months tough year for businesses trading at Pakuranga Plaza and within its adjacent precinct surrounded by the ongoing construction works associated with Auckland Transport’s building of Eastern Busway infrastructure and Rā Hihi (Reeves Road Flyover) It has disrupted people’s access in and out of the Pakuranga town centre and to providers supplying goods and services to Plaza tenants and other businesses there What it has done is put people off from visiting and shopping there leading to a decline in economic fortunes: Less customers Adding to the troubles has been the cost-of-living crisis and ongoing pains of post-Covid The Times recently visited Pakuranga Plaza again as the traditional Christmas retail season kicked off While other malls across Auckland were enjoying bumper crowds and trade with elaborate and stylish Christmas decorations adorning their facilities and appropriate yuletide music in the air The Times spoke to more business owners and operators at the Plaza says the reason why they don’t want to be identified is because they feel they “could be penalised with higher rents” by the landlords – Pakuranga Plaza on behalf of Singapore-based owners Sedar Properties The anonymous business operator says mass-product retailer Panda Mart has been good for the Plaza in attracting shoppers and that AT “has made an effort tidying up traffic flow for Christmas” when entering the store of Talat Alaaie – Unique Desire (Hand Made like no other) – it’s a complete contrast to most other small shops inside the centre: It’s open for trading There’s a beautiful aroma of incense in the air and well-stocked beautiful garments and items imported from different Asian destinations It’s the most colourful and serene space at the Plaza He tells the Times of the shop’s economic fortunes: “Every single month is a struggle I’ve seen the impact for the last year and a half who also has a shop at Royal Oak that’s also slowed down says “higher interest rates and the cost of living have played a role” in the downturn and he’s had to “lay off staff” describing a breakdown of how he sees the reasoning for decreased sales Elderly people used to come here from retirement villages for shopping trips Alaaie is complimentary about Pakuranga Plaza management saying they’re “beautiful and try their best” Jeffrey Dong has eHome Furniture open near the Woolworths supermarket entrance He decided to set up shop there because “the rent is pretty cheap” and the landlords are “very good Trade is “up and down” but a big part of his business is online sales One of the well-known businesses at the Plaza is Astina Floral Design but director Astina Shi admits there has been a “drop” enjoys the environment because of her regular interaction with customers who has run PF Op Shop inside the Plaza for a year as his business turnover in 2024 has been “not that good” “Not so many people are walking through this area The number of customers has decreased a lot.” Over the past four months as the Times has done this series of stories about Pakuranga Plaza A road surface on the flyover has now progressed from the William Roberts Road end to almost extend to the Ti Rakau Drive junction with Reeves Road Its giant metal and concrete structures pass over near Cortina Place and in that formerly vibrant trading street a business he started in Highland Park in 1983 He’s been there “coming up three years” and when asked if he believes the Eastern Busway construction works have caused disruption to his trade “It definitely suppresses business and I don’t see it changing for another year “It’s a bit of a struggle down here,” adding this year is “just as bad” as last year’s trade Mirbach did have a “reasonable month” in November The consistent message the business owners relayed in all our conversations was: there is hope that next year will be better for business The Times has asked many questions of Pakuranga Plaza management over the past four months to which there has been the consistent answer We appreciate your understanding and interest in Pakuranga Plaza,” management wrote in a statement on December 5 “If or when there are updates that we can share publicly about any tenant changes we’ll be sure to communicate these through our official channels.” That’s the message from staff at The Warehouse Pakuranga which closed its doors for the last time on Sunday The Times exclusively reported on November 7 that The Warehouse Pakuranga which traded from its well-known store space at Pakuranga Plaza for 31 years was closing for good by the end of January That day came a little earlier than expected and the Times was there to say goodbye and thanks for the service on behalf of the east Auckland community The Warehouse Pakuranga store manager Vivian De La Coliniere admitted it was “a sad day” The important news for staff members who wanted to continue being employed by The Warehouse is they’ve all got jobs into the future “We have relocated everybody that wished to be relocated which is an absolutely fantastic result,” says De La Coliniere “I think that’s why everybody has been upbeat Those who wanted to be deployed have been.” De La Coliniere says The Warehouse had a clear idea how it wanted to display its gratitude to the east Auckland community for its loyalty and support as customers over three decades when we had our closing down sale from January 1 that was our way of giving back to the community “That’s how we wanted to show appreciation to say thank you for all the support and give back to our customers.” the executive general manager store operations for The Warehouse says: “We’d love to say a huge thank-you to our Pakuranga community for their amazing support over the last 30 years and to our team who made the store a special place.” when considerable discounts were offered on goods there were posts on social media expressing sympathy for the team working at The Warehouse Pakuranga because the shopping public – in their scramble to get a last bargain at the Red Shed – were leaving the store in a very untidy state each day “It was difficult for staff,” says De La Coliniere We had some great [public] feedback as well “Going through what they’re [staff] going through at the moment De La Coliniere has been an employee of The Warehouse for 14 years and arrived at the Pakuranga store in March last year He knows through vast experience of the retail sector the factors that have led to The Warehouse closing its Pakuranga store He acknowledges the tough national economic situation has played its part through the cost-of-living crisis and people having less money in their pockets to spend But all the disruptive large-scale building works around the Pakuranga shopping and town centre associated with Auckland Transport’s Eastern Busway infrastructure was also a major reason it’s everything that’s happening around us like the Times has done for the past year in many news stories that the Eastern Busway and Ra Hihi (Reeves Road Flyover) project works have had a direct impact on the downturn in trade at Pakuranga Plaza “It’s probably brought it [trade] down a bit within the area I actually counted and there were 29 vacant tenancies in the mall.” He understands the tax and rates-funded transport projects are needed “East Auckland has the same population as Invercargill it’s going to be much more beneficial to the community.” A standout memory De La Coliniere told the Times was The Warehouse Pakuranga was one of only two stores active during Covid era lockdowns there was no online [sale / purchases] for a day but then the Government said you can open up for essentials only “This store provided the country with those When they were ordering online during Covid “It was already an online store and had the infrastructure to do it and because of the size of it and all the restraints – the two-metre distancing The manager who was here at the time did the morning and I did the evening The Times contacted Pakuranga Plaza on Monday asking what business is going to operate in the vast store building that The Warehouse formerly occupied We appreciate your understanding and interest in Pakuranga Plaza we’ll be sure to communicate these through our official channels,” says Pakuranga Plaza https://www.times.co.nz/business/exclusive-the-warehouse-at-pakuranga-plaza-is-closing/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/christmas-present-for-pakuranga-plaza-and-woolworths-says-sorry-to-customers/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/theres-a-kind-of-hush-at-a-pakuranga-plaza-christmas/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/pain-down-at-pakuranga-plaza/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/auckland-transport-responds-to-concerns-at-the-plaza/ https://www.times.co.nz/business/cheerleader-collings-flies-flag-for-pakuranga-plaza/ https://www.times.co.nz/news/busway-construction-drives-pharmacy-from-pakuranga-plaza/ https://www.times.co.nz/business/mp-weighs-into-debate-over-problems-at-plaza/ https://www.times.co.nz/business/public-opinion-on-the-pain-at-the-plaza/ Pakuranga Plaza is being gifted a welcome Christmas present with confirmation one of its biggest and most well-known tenants will keep operating at the beleaguered shopping centre Woolworths Group New Zealand has told the Times it’s in it for the long haul saying it has no plans to close Pakuranga Woolworths – known as Countdown until recently – a supermarket that has been in the premises – and as a Foodtown previously – for at least four decades But Woolworths NZ is saying sorry to customers that have found it difficult getting to and from the Pakuranga Woolworths store over the past year because of the major construction works surrounding it The Times asked Woolworths if it’s staying after breaking the news on November 7 that another large is closing its Pakuranga store at the end of January after 31 years Many other smaller retail shops and food and beverage businesses at Pakuranga Plaza have stopped trading there over recent years with the rate of closures being noticeably higher over the past 12 months Construction works for Auckland Transport’s Eastern Busway and the Reeves Road Flyover (Rā Hihi) that have completely encircled the Pakuranga town centre precinct for more than a year have created continual interruptions and diversions to businesses operating there and for their customers and clients trying to access their goods and services Confirmation that Woolworths Pakuranga is staying put and keeping its doors open will be happy Christmas news for Pakuranga Plaza and its economic fortunes as it maintains a reason for customers to keep shopping at and visiting the town centre Woolworths acknowledges the construction works have been painfully frustrating “We apologise to customers affected by the construction and look forward to a return to norm once development has ceased,” Woolworths Group New Zealand tells the Times in a statement “While the construction work surrounding Pakuranga Plaza created some temporary disruptions we’re experienced in managing this and worked to ensure minimal impact to customers “The Pakuranga Plaza store is an important location for the community and there are no plans currently to close or alter the premises,” says Woolworths Group New Zealand “While we are always looking for ways to improve our store network we will update the community if there are planned changes.” The Times also made attempts to contact Panda Mart for this story it told the Times: “Regarding the potential closure of The Warehouse at Pakuranga and the possible relocation of Panda Mart into that space we don’t have specific information on these developments we recommend contacting Pakuranga Plaza management directly,” said Panda Mart Pakuranga asking a series of questions including whether Panda Mart is moving into the premises occupied by The Warehouse Pakuranga “We appreciate your understanding and interest in Pakuranga Plaza we’ll be sure to communicate these through our official channels,” said the Pakuranga Plaza management team EXCLUSIVE: The Warehouse at Pakuranga Plaza is closing Pain down at Pakuranga Plaza Website labels Pakuranga Plaza “worst” mall in Auckland Cheerleader Collings flies flag for Pakuranga Plaza Busway construction drives pharmacy from Pakuranga Plaza MP weighs into debate over problems at Plaza Public Opinion: On the pain at the Plaza The Times is published by Times Media, an independently-owned publishing company based in East Auckland, founded in 1972. Keep informed with the latest breaking news, sports, events & competitions. Our digital papers are emailed twice month on a Thursday. Most people in east Auckland would empathise that it’s sad to see what’s happened to Pakuranga Plaza. A once thriving shopping centre where the community used to buy their consumer goods and congregate to eat and socialise is now a sad reflection of its glory days of the past. There are still businesses such as Countdown / Woolworths and Panda Mart that are doing what could be described as good foot-traffic trade, but the amount of empty retail store spaces in Pakuranga Plaza is, to put it mildly, shocking. The Times has spent time at the Plaza and counted more than 20 vacated, non-trading store premises inside it. There are also empty road-facing exterior shop spaces, including in Aylesbury Street. Nine out of the 10 outlets in the food court are empty and inactive, with only Subway open. A major factor in the decline of business being conducted at Pakuranga Plaza is all around it are construction jobs associated with Auckland Transport’s Eastern Busway project. According to business owners and operators at the plaza, these building works are putting off the public from entering the Plaza precinct. The Times sent questions to Pakuranga Plaza management, who replied: “As we have no updates to provide, the owner is respectfully declining to answer your queries at this stage.” Jing Huang, who works at Bargain City, a bulging multi-goods retail shop, says: “A lot of our customers have stopped coming because of the change of entry [road] access. “It’s also difficult finding out when the works will end. Our customers keep asking. Nobody knows.” KP, who only wants to be identified by her initials, has worked at the Plaza for 15 years and owned her business there for 11. She’s determined to keep operating her retail shop inside the mall, but says it’s very difficult following the Covid era, then enduring the subsequent downturn and recession, and for the past year the construction works in and around the Plaza associated with the Eastern Busway project, including the Reeves Road Flyover. She admits her business turnover is “down 50 per cent, especially because of the closed roads”. KP’s unimpressed with what she describes as the lack of information being provided to Plaza tenant businesses and mall customers by AT. It was provided previously, with information display boards and notices, she says, but that has stopped. “We’ve had no correspondence for a long time. There’s not enough information being put out to the public. “Generally, I’m frustrated, and facing another two years of this [ongoing construction works].” KP’s annoyed that Plaza public parking spaces have been acquisitioned for the use of construction workers’ vehicles and trucks. “There is no consideration for customers. Parking is difficult and there are almost daily changes to the road access entries to the Plaza car parks. “People have stopped coming here. With the removal of houses on Pakuranga Road and Ti Rakau Drive [for Eastern Busway], we have also lost a lot of customers because of that. “The elderly from the rest homes are not coming here, as there is no way to get in. No signage. “What I’m most frustrated about is the fact they do things around the mall – daily changes to access routes in and out, block roads with cones. Why not tell us?” KP is a dignified woman who is undoubtedly strong in spirit, but she does admit the whole situation has been an “absolute nightmare”. Every time heavy machinery associated with the construction works is used nearby, and the ground is shaking, she has “run around the shop trying to keep my stock from falling off the shelves”. A male business owner with two shops in Aylesbury Street and who doesn’t want to be named agrees that difficulties for motorists trying to get into the mall precinct is putting them off from driving in. “Yes, of course, and people are struggling with parking access and are avoiding the area.” Another man, who also doesn’t want to be named and has run his business for four years on the other side of the plaza facing Pakuranga Road, says he and his staff have also witnessed arguments, abuse and vehicle collisions in the plaza roadways and parking areas, “because it’s more congested”. “Not enough thought has gone into directing traffic. We hear drivers arguing, and people are losing their patience. “From our point of view, the [AT] work needs to be done. But as a business owner, with it continuing for another one-two years, it’s a bit worrying.” Single Level and Convenient!Tucked off the street this single-level brick and weatherboard beauty is designed for those who want an easy low-maintenance lifestyle without sacrificing space or comfort This well-presented property is ready to welcome first-home buyers you'll find three generously sized bedrooms serviced by a separate toilet and bathroom for practicality This place was made for living and entertaining with an open-plan living that flows effortlessly to a partially covered deck- the ideal spot for hosting BBQs the garage has been thoughtfully repurposed as a sleepout- perfect as a teen retreat there's a carport and off-street parking to keep things easy the outdoor spaces are low on maintenance but high on usability Serious vendors mean serious opportunities-don't miss your chance to secure this solid gem Given it was the first mall and second Foodtown in New Zealand it’s lasted OK. Has been dying a death since I first dated Tracey Baker nearly 30 years ago. It’s ripe for the phoenix to rise but I expect that it will always struggle against the much larger modern style Botany Town Centre that will be only another five mins down the road with the new busway. Pakuranga Plaza definitely services the daily needs of its local community. For what it is, it punches well above its weight. Countdown, Bargain Chemist, Porterhouse Grill, Post Shop, Panda Mart, Library, Citizens Advice Bureau, night markets, petrol station, Plunket, few bakeries/cafes, few eateries on the outside and The Warehouse for now. And with The Warehouse going it’s only going to get worse. I hate to change the narrative, but this place was dying way before the Reeves Road Flyover started construction, and everyone there knew it. It used to be great 20 years ago but you’re right, it’s been slowly dying since Botany (Town Centre) and Sylvia Park opened. I used to go there lots too with Mya when she was a baby. However, every time I visited over the last few years I was surprised when shops were still there. Just a shame that there has never been a plan to update, revamp or modernise what was left of the shopping part, it’s kind of like they were just left to either leave or just barely survive. The new owners want to redevelop. They want to put in apartments and some retail. However none of us know what type of retail eg whether targeted for the apartments or includes the rest of the community. For those who don’t know, it’s been zoned for redevelopment for the past 10-15 years. It’s been pretty much deserted for years, which is why the shops closed, inc The Warehouse, not the other way around. You can find all the details on the council website. Manukau CityBy negotiation422607m²Stylish Home in Prime Pakuranga Heights LocationNestled in the verdant suburb of Pakuranga Heights spacious four-bedroom home offers an exceptional opportunity to craft your ideal living environment modern layout designed for contemporary living The bright formal lounge captures abundant natural light and offers picturesque views including a master suite complete with a walk-in wardrobe and two modern bathrooms with sleek finishes—one of which is an ensuite equipped with dual sinks for added convenience The property boasts dual driveways that provide ample off-street parking along with a double standalone garage perfect for storage is ideal for hosting gatherings and enjoying outdoor activities with the property zoned for reputable schools such as Elm Park School ensuring quality education options for families Convenience is paramount with this residence It is within walking distance of Lloyd Elsmore Park which features a swimming pool and leisure centre and is also close to Pakuranga College and Farm Cove Intermediate A variety of amenities—including Pan’k Save supermarkets and restaurants—are just few minutes drive away Public transport options are conveniently located nearby while the Half Moon Bay Marina Ferry Terminal offers flexible commuting options to the CBD or leisurely trips to nearby islands with family and friends offering a superb opportunity for new owners to move in and welcoming outdoor areas make it a family haven you’ll be proud to call home Contact us today to arrange a viewing or jump to our Sat/Sun Openhome See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Public housing agency Kāinga Ora says it’s pausing a development that would have seen 15 new one-bedroom walk-up apartments built at a site in east Auckland The new homes would have been situated at a property in Pakuranga Road adjacent to Fairburn Reserve and over the road from Pakuranga Plaza They were initially intended to be ready for tenants to move into in October this year an update on the Kāinga Ora website states the project is “currently on hold pending future budget decisions” The Times asked the agency why the development has been paused and when it expects to be able to announce if it’s going ahead or is being cancelled Kāinga Ora regional director central and east Auckland John Tubberty says: “We are continuing to work our way through decisions about future social housing development with a focus on priority locations and best value for money “We expect decisions on where we will deliver houses through to June “In relation to the site at 105 Pakuranga Road this site remains under assessment and as decisions are made we will continue to keep the community and stakeholders informed.” The coalition Government has made numerous changes to Kāinga Ora since coming into office including commissing an independent review into the agency and installing a new board Housing Minister Chris Bishop recently said that under the previous Labour Government “hundreds of millions of dollars allocated to it and was asked to do everything from urban development as well being a landlord to and looking after tenants” “Despite billions thrown at it and billions borrowed the waitlist quadrupled under the last government “It is critical that Kāinga Ora is a highly performing organisation but for the people it houses and for the communities it operates in.” The Times revealed late last year that Kāinga Ora was planning to build more than 70 new homes in neighbourhoods across east Auckland new homes in Bucklands Beach Road and Gills Road in Bucklands Beach; Cascades Road Edgewater Drive and Aurea Avenue in Pakuranga; and Gossamer Drive in Pakuranga Heights After breaking the news on Times Online on November 7 about The Warehouse at Pakuranga Plaza shutting its doors at the end of January PJ TAYLOR was back outside there the next day to ask people what they thought about the retail icon’s closure after 31 years: as you’ll have to go to Botany or Sylvia Park.” We go there most days to get our bits and pieces and we hope they get deployed to other stores.” I come here to get my groceries – the milk I’m very sorry for the staff because they’ll have to go somewhere else to work.” and because of the construction works around here The closure is just another nail in the coffin for it.” The Eastern Busway is about creating more lifestyle and climate-friendly travel options for the growing East Auckland community To find out more, please visit the Eastern Busway project website. New vehicle lanes heading towards Pakūranga and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists will open soon on Tī Rākau Drive They will run from Gossamer Drive to Pakūranga Highway as part of the Eastern Busway project Work will then start on building the busway along the middle of Tī Rākau Drive There will be changes to the way that motorists move in and out of side streets Intersections with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will enable vehicle u-turns and shared path users to cross Tī Rākau Drive Thursday 17 April to Saturday 19 April: Ti Rākau Drive will have one lane open in each direction and access will be available to side streets Sunday 20 April: new lanes on Tī Rākau Drive heading towards Pakūranga will open to motorists and construction will start on the busway along the middle of the road There will be two traffic lanes open in each direction Work may continue until Tuesday 22 April if adjustments are required or the weather is wet The changes may create short-term delays while people get used to the new road layout and the temporary speed limit that will be in place until the busway is completed walk and ride with patience so that everyone reaches their destination safely it will improve how the transport network runs with efficient use of roads and more travel options for people to choose from Artist's impression of the future busway and Edgewater Station on Ti Rakau Drive This map shows how the completed Eastern Busway will link with existing public transport services and active modes in east Auckland Download the map (PDF 326KB) The services on the map show the proposed routes as part of Regional public transport plan (RPTP 2023 - 2031) A neighbour of a man who was fatally shot in East Auckland on Monday morning said he was known as a "kind grandfather" Police announced a homicide investigation has been launched after finding the man wounded in a car at around 6:45am shortly before he died at the scene who lives on Pixie Place in Pakuranga Heights near where the shooting happened said the man was retired and lived in a three generation household They said he was often seen gardening or playing with his grandchildren and always playing with the kids on the street," the neighbour said "He would watch the kids riding their bikes on the street he's really the kind of grandfather who would play with the kids kind man [was shot] - who could he have offended?" five gunshots were heard by residents in the area Police arrived minutes later and found the wounded man in a courier van Police were seen searching a Post Haste van in the afternoon Officers set up cordons that remained in place for much of Monday "The community can expect to see an increased police presence in the area today and in coming days as we work to piece together what has led to this and who is responsible," said Counties Manukau CIB Detective Inspector Shaun Vicker "We are continuing to speak to a number of people in the area at the time and are keen to hear from anyone who hasn't already spoken with us." The deceased man's neighbour said they were not aware he worked and always assumed the courier van was being driven by another person in the family the neighbour said they are concerned about the safety of the neighbourhood It's a very busy street where you can see mums and kids walking to and from school." They hoped police and Neighbourhood Watch would continue to patrol the area over the next few days Another neighbour is terrified the killer is still on the loose who has lived in the area for nearly two decades was getting ready for work when she heard the shots "I had just gone into the bathroom and that's the side of the house near where this all happened I was just standing there and next minute I could hear bang bang - it was very fast and all in a couple of seconds "I was half asleep and I thought to myself 'it definitely sounds like gunshots' It didn't seemed like the backfire of a car." Her husband left for work just minutes after the shooting "It was probably a matter of only five to 10 minutes at the latest that he packed up I think it was just too soon after the shooting that he left to go to work A bit later I could hear the police helicopter flying overhead and then more sirens arriving." Craig said this was the first time such an incident had happened in their quiet neighbourhood "It is a pretty quiet neighbourhood and everyone keeps to themselves I don't even know the majority of the people in my own little street "You don't expect something like this to happen it is very frightening to have something like that happen in such a nice neighbourhood "They haven't caught the shooter and we don't know who did this Police are still looking for the people they believe are responsible for the shooting East Aucklanders will have to journey a little further to get a bargain as The Warehouse at Pakuranga is closing The Times can report the closure of “The Red Shed” at Pakuranga by the end of January after approaching The Warehouse Group for confirmation Loyal readers and members of the community contacted the Times letting us know the word on the street this week has been that The Warehouse at Pakuranga is shutting its doors for good points to the disruptions to retail trade caused by the large construction projects happening in and around Pakuranga Plaza as a major factor in the Pakuranga store’s closure and the impact of ongoing roadworks around Pakuranga Plaza we’ve made the difficult decision to not renew our lease and close our Pakuranga store by the end of January 2025,” Carter says “We want to thank all our amazing customers for their support over the years.” When the Times visited The Warehouse at Pakuranga on Tuesday staff there were reluctant to answer questions about the potential store closure “Our top priority is to support our team and work with them on redeployment opportunities in our nearby stores like Botany and our aim is to offer all our team members redeployment opportunities.” The Times also approached Panda Mart for comment about the closure of The Warehouse because it’s one of the more prominent retailers at Pakuranga Plaza and uses smaller shop spaces formally used by other now-departed operators at the Plaza to store stock Panda Mart responded to the Times: “Regarding the potential closure of The Warehouse at Pakuranga and the possible relocation of Panda Mart into that space we don’t have specific information on these developments.” Panda Mart directed us to contact Pakuranga Plaza management “for accurate and up-to-date details” Our questions to Pakuranga Plaza management that were sent before receiving Panda Mart’s reply News of The Warehouse’s closure at Pakuranga is another serious blow to the economic fortunes of Pakuranga Plaza It follows a series of news articles the Times has published in recent months that described the frustrations of remaining retailers and business tenants at Pakuranga Plaza and how the shopping centre has become a poor imitation of a once proud and vibrant place where people previously congregated to shop and socialise The Warehouse Group announced its 2024 financial results “reflecting one of its toughest years on record” down 6.2 per cent compared to the 2023 financial year The Group reported a net loss after tax of $54.2 million “significantly impacted by the disposal of Torpedo7 in March 2024” described the last financial year as “one of the most challenging in the company’s 42-year history” “The economic climate in Aotearoa New Zealand has been difficult for most retailers and a weak economy significantly reducing consumer demand our trading performance and operational execution have fallen short and exacerbated these challenges “The poor financial performance we’ve reported this year is not acceptable “The board and executive leadership team are acutely aware of the disappointment shareholders will be experiencing and the big job ahead of us to get the company back on track.” For earlier Times’ stories about Pakuranga Plaza this year Manukau CityPrice by Negotiation211Brand New Make it Your OwnStep into a lifestyle of effortless comfort and modern elegance with these 8 stunning new freehold townhouses - where smart design meets everyday luxury • Your 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won't want to miss tucked down the driveway away from the main road and a premium lifestyle directly onto Lloyd Elsmore Park Every inch has been upgraded-new double-glazed windows The open-plan living space is built for connection with a gorgeous island bench at the center-entertain cook and create memories in one space Step outside to a spacious deck and covered pergola and laid-back evenings while the kids play in the yard - Three spacious bedrooms (including an oversized master) - One modern bathroom + two toilets for extra convenience - Double garage-currently set up as a sleepout And let's talk about location-zoned for Pakuranga College & Farm Cove Intermediate The mood of many east Auckland motorists over the past week is best summed up by Maurice Williamson when he says: “Commonsense returns to the Pakuranga Highway.” Auckland Transport director and former Pakuranga MP was happily observing the busy Pakuranga arterial road as speed limit signs were being altered Alongside him was equally happy Pakuranga MP the former Transport Minister and now Health Minister standing on the side of Pakuranga Road as workmen changed all the 50km/h speed-limit signs back to 60km/h a limit they’d been at for many years,” Williamson says when serving as MP for Pakuranga and Minister of Transport it was clear to me that 50km/h on the six-lane arterial Pakuranga Road was a ridiculous speed limit “We set about a very long-winded process to have the speed limit raised to 60km/h the speed the vast majority of drivers were already driving at “Transport officials used measuring equipment and found the average speed “I put pressure on the road controlling authority at the time and eventually got them to increase the speed limit to 60km/h “What was interesting is the average speed driven dropped by nearly 3km/h to 65.7km/h it actually went a bit slower,” says Williamson “It appears drivers will abide by a law that’s sensible but ignore it if it’s totally ridiculous.” Brown says he welcomes Auckland Transport (AT) confirmation for speed limit changes on key arterial roads in Auckland enabling motorists “to get to where they want to go “AT has confirmed that Labour’s blanket speed limit reduction on Pakuranga Road will reverse while the reduction on Te Irirangi Drive has already been reversed “These changes follow our Government’s new sensible speed limit rule which reverses Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions “Our Government campaigned on reversing Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions on local streets and key arterial roads “These changes strike a balance by ensuring slower speed limits outside schools during pick-up and drop-off times rather than slowing everyone down during other times of the day,” Brown says Williamson says upon returning from his posting as New Zealand’s Consul General to the United States he was “shocked to find the Labour Government of the day had decided to set the speed limit on Pakuranga Road back to the old 50km/h as part of blanket reductions across the city” “Drivers who use this road every day know it can be safely driven at higher speeds “I was delighted the National Party campaigned heavily in the 2023 election to reverse the blanket speed limit reductions “I particularly want to commend our local MP Simeon Brown who was the Minister of Transport that delivered the speed setting rule change allowing our roads to go back to commonsense speed limits “For many of you that regularly drive the highway but at least now what you do will be legal again,” Williamson says Over the past week the speed-limit reversal programme has involved sign changes to Howick ward streets: Aviemore Drive At this point you almost have to feel sorry for Pakuranga Plaza The Times has reported extensively this year on the Plaza’s ongoing struggles as its tenants workers and shoppers deal with the daily turmoil associated with construction of the Eastern Busway and the Reeves Road Flyover From the shopping centre being targeted by criminals to the popular Life Pharmacy moving out to local MP Simeon Brown weighing in on what’s gone wrong there to members of the public speaking out on the situation and most recently the revelation The Warehouse at the Plaza is closing down New Zealand online magazine and news website TheSpinoff has this week published a story ranking the 33 malls of Auckland from best to worst with – you guessed it – Pakuranga Plaza taking out the lowest spot The story inaccurately says there’s nothing inside the Plaza and describes its car park as a “wasteland” Abandoned alcove after abandoned alcove are each scrubbed clean with Jiff and left to echo “Wires hang down from the ceiling and menus have been ripped off their backlights.” The story points out the Plaza’s food court is empty except for a solitary Subway outlet and that it seems like “almost every shop front is shuttered” “The bookshop has paperbacks at half price and yet still looks empty The one lady looking at the hippie clothes in Unique Desire looks like she owns the place beautiful flower arrangements but no one is walking past “One shop has been happily taken over by the ping pong club and four seniors are tapping away across the tables.” The story concludes by stating multiple stores at the Plaza are being used to store items for the Panda Mart retail outlet you can buy anything for incredibly low prices actual furniture and anything else you might possibly discover you need “It’s hard to imagine any other shop being able to thrive with this next door Residents in east Auckland can only hope that brighter days are ahead for what used to be the area’s most popular and busiest shopping centre MP weighs into debate over problems at Plaza – Times Busway construction drives pharmacy from Pakuranga Plaza – Times Pain down at Pakuranga Plaza – Times EXCLUSIVE: The Warehouse at Pakuranga Plaza is closing – Times Teen gangs target Plaza service station – Times The Times understands multiple vehicles have been involved in a crash in Pakuranga this morning About five vehicles are said to be involved and emergency services were at the scene of the incident on Pakuranga Road adjacent to Lloyd Elsmore Drive Several lanes on Pakuranga Road were said to be blocked A St John Ambulance spokesperson says: “Hato Hone St John was notified of this incident at 8.13am today on Pakuranga Road and Bells Road responding with two ambulances one rapid response unit and an operations manager “Five patients were assessed at the scene Three people were treated for minor injuries and two people were transported to Middlemore Hospital in a moderate condition.”    A police spokesperson says they received a report of the crash at 8.41am and ambulance services are assessing people at the scene Police continue to remain in the dark in their search for the alleged killer of a Pakuranga grandfather who was gunned down two weeks ago When asked about the latest in their search for the shooter of Tuipulotu Kokohu Vi “[there were] no further updates at this stage [and] the Police investigation remains ongoing.” The Pakuranga man was driving his van out of his home about 6.45am on August 19 when it was struck by a volley of bullets Friends, family and members of his church congregation farewelled the 59-year-old, also known as Saia at a Tongan Methodist Church in Ellerslie on Friday evening It came after a service Thursday evening at Tipene Funeral Homes He was buried on Sunday at an Auckland cemetery church-going man who doted on his grandchildren Friends and neighbours have expressed disbelief that anyone would want to harm him The funeral notice said the Vi family wanted to express their “sincere gratitude” to everyone who had supported them during their time of loss A Marvon Downs Ave neighbour told the Herald the crack of the bullets sounded like “they were just outside [her] window” “I ran outside and saw our next-door neighbour’s courier van had driven into our neighbour’s fence,” she said me and my partner ran over to see if he was still alive and if we could save him Both the van’s passenger and driver’s side windows had been smashed A member of the Vi family who answered the door at his home said she didn’t know why anyone would want to hurt their grandfather He was a very hard worker and just a very loving person overall He committed his life to the ministry of God.” The Herald understands he lived with his wife The neighbour who rushed to Vi’s aid immediately after the shooting said Vi would often wave as he walked his dog and described him as a “homebody” who loved his grandchildren Family members also praised him on social media as a kind and smiling man The Herald recently revealed Vi’s son was targeted in a drive-by shooting just last month on the North Shore His son and daughter – who lived with her father – are facing serious charges of money laundering and drug importing also lives at the Pixie Place address and has worked as a courier driver The 33-year-old son was on bail at a North Shore address that was targeted in a similar shooting earlier last month, as previously revealed by the Herald. He was living at a property on Rambler Cres that was sprayed with bullets in a drive-by shooting in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven around 6.30am on July 23 He is facing serious drug importing and money laundering charges laid in Operation Worthington, as an alleged client of a Chinese money laundering syndicate. 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