Poll: Do you think New Zealand police should be routinely armed?
Neighbours are worried after a spate of drive by shootings in South Auckland.
An Otara resident says he slept on the floor with his children after a house he lived near was shot at in the most recent drive-by shootings as gang tensions boiled over onto the streets of a south Auckland community.
Gary Cooper said they were home on Saturday evening when they heard two loud bangs, shortly after 10pm.
Armed police teams were scrapped earlier this year and will not return after strong public opposition.
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster in June said the controversial armed response teams would not become permanent in New Zealand after a six-month trial.
The decision not to roll-out ARTs had been made based on preliminary findings from the trial evaluation, feedback received from the public, and consultation with community forum groups.
Coster in June told Stuff it was clear from the feedback, including 4000 letters in the last week, that there was not support for ARTs as something that aligned with the style of policing people wanted for New Zealand.
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71.3% Yes
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19.2% No
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9.6% Undecided. It's too complex.
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Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
Denim, but make it one-of-a-kind 💙
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Step by step for a great cause!
Our amazing Hillary Hikers from Edmund Hillary Village showed their support for Bowel Cancer New Zealand's Move Your Butt campaign this month!
Sporting the bright purple and orange campaign shirts, these wonderful walkers hit the Auckland waterfront and marched from Mission Bay to Kohimarama, raising awareness for bowel cancer and the importance of early detection along the way.
Click read more to read the full story.
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