The search focused on a specific site along Moonshine Road, just off State Highway 58, approximately a 20-minute drive from Baby Ru’s home in Taita, where he sustained fatal injuries on 22 October 2023. During this recent operation, police located items considered highly relevant to the investigation, which are now undergoing forensic analysis.

Detective Inspector Pritchard, who leads the investigation, says the fresh information did not originate from public tips but was essential to guiding this search effort. “This was information that wasn’t available when Ru died,” says Detective Inspector Pritchard. “Part of that work included searching for items that have been deliberately concealed.”

Police are urging individuals familiar with Moonshine Road to report any unusual activities or objects seen on the day of the incident last year. The police specifically request sightings of a Grey-Green 1994 Nissan Sentra with the registration TE6972 (similar to the below pictured) believed to have transported items from the crime scene.

“Our message to them is please contact us if you saw something out of place on 22 October last year,” says Detective Inspector Pritchard, stressing the importance of community awareness as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information relevant to the case is asked to contact police on 105, quoting file number 231022/1708. Additionally, tips can be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-nz.org.

Some of the delicious drinks on offer:

Nineteen cafés will compete in the “Top of the Chocs” contest, crafting one-of-a-kind chocolate beverages. From 1 to 13 October, the Whittaker’s Bake Off will feature ten unique baked delights, giving the community another reason to indulge.

Mayor Anita Baker is thrilled with the partnership, highlighting how important it is for Porirua. “We know how much Kiwis love Whittaker’s chocolate, and to have it made on our doorstep here in Porirua is something we’re really proud of. We’ve also got some amazing hospitality outlets, and we know it’s a tough time for that industry. So ChoctoberFest is a great way to get behind local businesses and show some support, while enjoying something delicious,” says Mayor Baker.

Some delicious sweet treats:

James Ardern, CEO of Whittaker’s, echoes this enthusiasm, pointing out the company’s deep roots in Porirua. “We’ve been making chocolate here for more than 50 years. The annual ChoctoberFest is a great opportunity to celebrate that, and we are delighted to be part of it again this year. We look forward to seeing how local businesses get creative with chocolate and to sampling what’s on offer throughout the month.”

With a wide variety of hot and cold drinks, baked goods, and even cocktails, the festival offers something for everyone, including vegan and gluten-free options. Participants can vote for their favourite treats, and by doing so, have a chance to win exciting prizes, including a tour of Whittaker’s factory, exclusive event invites, café vouchers, and a year’s supply of Whittaker’s chocolate.

Porirua’s ChoctoberFest is set to be a crowd-pleaser once again, offering delicious fun while helping boost local businesses. To see all entrants, visit: https://poriruacity.govt.nz/discover-porirua/things-do/choctoberfest-porirua/

Cafes that are in the Competition: Betsy Coffee Truck｜Café Kaizen｜Columbus Coffee Porirua｜Elemental Eats ｜Fuel’d Nutrition｜Get Fixed Bicycle Café｜Gorgeous Goose Cakes｜Little Green Olive｜Nish Cafe｜Pepe’s Cafe｜Peppermill Café｜Sandbar Mana｜Supply Room｜t bay café｜The Cake Café Plimmerton｜The Coffee Cart Elsdon｜The Karaage Kid｜The Regal Shortbread Co.｜Urban Bake House｜Zelati Dessert Cafe.

Led by captain Sophie Devine, the White Ferns posted 158 for five in their 20 overs, with Melie Kerr top-scoring with 43 runs. Contributions from Brooke Halliday (38) and opener Suzie Bates (32) helped set a competitive target. South Africa began strongly with Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, putting on a 51-run partnership. However, Fran Jonas’s dismissal of Brits initiated a dramatic collapse, with Kerr claiming three wickets in quick succession.

South Africa struggled to regain momentum and finished at 126 for nine, handing the White Ferns a well-deserved victory. Kerr was named player of the match for her all-round performance, finishing with three wickets for 24 runs.

Pace bowler Rosemary Mair praised the team’s resilience, saying, “All the odds were against us. To bounce back like we have is unbelievable.”

The victory is expected to have a significant impact on women’s cricket in New Zealand, with New Zealand Cricket head of female engagement Jess Davidson predicting an exciting future for junior cricketers across the country.

Captain Sophie Devine expressed her pride, saying, “This means everything to us. We’ve fought hard and shown what we’re capable of.” As celebrations continue, the White Ferns’ triumph is set to inspire a new generation of cricketers, marking the start of an exciting new era for women’s cricket in New Zealand.

The classes, which take place at Tawa Community Centre (5 Cambridge St.), offer participants an opportunity to have fun, meet new people, and get a workout. The cost is $10 per person, but an exciting introductory offer allows participants to bring a friend for free on their first visit.

For those looking for a casual, welcoming space to get a little exercise while enjoying upbeat tunes, this could be the perfect fit.

The festival will be held in the main shopping area between the roundabouts at Cambridge Street and Surrey Street, with the entire area closed off to vehicles for the day. Visitors will find ample parking on surrounding streets, as well as spaces behind the Tawa Community Centre and near New World on Oxford Street.

An Event Information Caravan, located at the corner of Main Road and Essex Street, will serve as a central hub for lost children and property collection. Volunteers in high-visibility vests will also provide assistance, and first aid will be available at the caravan.

Easy Access and Convenience
Tawa’s public transportation services are adjusted to accommodate festival-goers. Train passengers arriving via the Wellington–Waikanae line will find the Tawa Railway Station just three minutes away. For those traveling by bus, Route 60 will operate with a temporary stop on Oxford Street, a two-minute walk from the event.

Portable toilets will be available on-site, along with public facilities at the Tawa Library. Visitors can also use any of the three ATMs located along the Main Road, though some stallholders may offer cash-out services.

Family and Pet Friendly
As always, Spring into Tawa will cater to families, with entertainment and children’s activities provided free of charge. The event is also dog-friendly, with organisers reminding pet owners to keep their dogs leashed and well-controlled to ensure everyone’s safety.

A Tradition of Community Spirit
Founded in 2000 by local business owners, the event has grown significantly over the years. The introduction of road closures in 2016 allowed for the addition of food trucks, live performances, and a greater variety of activities. Last year, an estimated 9,000 attendees enjoyed the festivities, with the event attracting not just locals but visitors from nearby suburbs such as Porirua, Johnsonville, and Whitby.

Run by the Tawa Residents Association, the event is not-for-profit and relies on stallholder fees, sponsorships, and community grants for funding. With Tawa’s population of 13,000 and strong regional interest, organisers are hopeful for another successful turnout.

The festival offers a unique opportunity for residents to come together, celebrating the spirit of Tawa while enjoying the vibrant local and regional offerings.

A magnitude 5.7 earthquake occurred 30 km west of Wellington, New Zealand at Sun Oct 6 2024 5:08 AM (NZDT). The quake was 30.9 kilometres deep and the intensity was strong close to the quake. The quake may have been felt in Wellington, Picton, Porirua, Lower Hutt, Blenheim, Seddon, Upper Hutt, French Pass, Paraparaumu, Martinborough, Nelson, Levin and surrounding localities.

UPDATES:

The National Emergency Management Agency has advised there is NO tsunami threat.

Councils, emergency services and utilities are conducting checks. As daylight comes teams will have a better idea of any further impacts.

Trains: as per their normal process, the rail line is shut for inspections. Check the Metlink website for updates to services.

State Highways: no apparent impacts.

Electricity: no reported outages as yet.

Water: no reported outages as yet.

Airport: inspected and no apparent impacts.

Jeremy Holmes, WREMO Regional Manager says that this morning’s earthquake was a decent shake and there could be minor damage as a result. “We encourage people to check their properties and report any issues to their landlord or local council” says Holmes.

This is a timely reminder that earthquakes can happen anytime. The correct action to take in an earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold. If you are in bed, Stay, Cover and Hold. – Wremo team.

Person killed in house fire in Porirua

Next week, I will be hosting a series of public meetings focused on our “Keep Kenepuru After-Hours Service” campaign. It’s essential to address growing concerns about health cuts and their impact on our community, and to ensure the decision-makers know that,

“Our community won’t accept any cuts lying down!”

The meetings, taking place on October 9th in Kāpiti and Porirua, provide a crucial opportunity for us to discuss the future of our health services and ensure our voices are heard.

The recent changes in government priorities under Christopher Luxon’s leadership have raised serious alarms. While politicians often tout ambitious targets as signs of commitment, the reality is that many of these targets have proven hollow. The promise to reduce child poverty, for instance, has been undermined by the reversal of key Labour initiatives that directly addressed the issue. National’s decision to reverse the indexation of benefits has left countless families struggling to make ends meet, and the government’s failure to meet their own targets only further emphasizes this point.

Health is another area where we are witnessing the consequences of political decisions. Cuts to health funding are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they translate into real-life impacts for people in our communities. We cannot ignore the stories of families who have been denied timely access to healthcare, or the individuals who have to choose between paying their bills and seeking medical attention.

The Labour government previously laid a strong foundation for health services, prioritizing accessibility and quality care. But now, with National at the helm, we see a worrying trend. The promise of increased funding and resources has not materialised. Instead, we are facing significant cuts that threaten to dismantle the very services our communities rely on, particularly local after-hours services.

The upcoming public meetings in Kāpiti and Porirua are an opportunity for you to voice your concerns about these health cuts. We will gather on October 9th at 1 PM at 10 Weka Road, Raumati Beach, and again at 6 PM at Mungavin Hall, Porirua. These meetings are essential forums for discussion and action, where we can unite as a community to advocate for the healthcare we deserve.

At these meetings, I encourage everyone to share their experiences and concerns. It is vital that we collectively address the impact of health cuts and hold the decision-makers accountable. We need to make it clear that we will not accept a deterioration of our healthcare services, nor will we tolerate empty promises and targets that do not translate into meaningful change. Almost 1200 of you completed my survey, and keeping Kenepuru After-Hours open was unanimously agreed upon.

“Let’s stand united in this fight for our health services”

And ensure that Kenepuru remains a vital part of our community. Join me on October 9th to make your voice heard and to take a stand for the healthcare that we all deserve. Together, we can make a difference.

The show will feature 630 singers and dancers from Tawa’s six primary schools, Tawa Intermediate, Tawa College, and members of the Tawa community. Organisers aim to bring people together through a celebration of local talent and creative expression. The event promises to be a unique opportunity for the community to connect through the arts.