245 days ago

St Johns homicide: Police seek witnesses in a white ute

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

Police are continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend. Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on the night of 19 April.

Police have had several members of the public come forward with information. Today, Police are appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.

It has been established that prior to the fatal attack, the dark coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road at around 9.51pm.

“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank Shops from College Road.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”

Police urge those occupants to come forward.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”

Investigation continues:
Meanwhile, Police are still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.

Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.

He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries.

“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.

“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”

Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.

“We have had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.

“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”

The victim:
Police are not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.

“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.

“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”

Police seeking sightings of vehicle of interest:
Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.

Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.

Please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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More messages from your neighbours
6 days ago

Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️‍💥❔

The Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What has a head but no brain?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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42 minutes ago

East Auckland Christmas light displays 2025

Mark from Northpark

East Auckland Christmas Light displays
FINAL UPDATE. 23 December 2025 11:15.
Google map with all of these houses pin pointed: maps.app.goo.gl...
*************************************
CONFIRMED CHRISTMAS LIGHT DISPLAYS 2025:
7 Northpark Ave, Northpark. 8pm to 10pm Mon-Thu, 8pm to 11pm Fri-Sun. Synchronised to music. Website with status/information: northparklights.remotefalcon.com... (my own light show).
6 Kookaburra Place, Botany Downs. 8:30pm to 10:30pm every night. Donations for Bellyful.
5 Ben Lomond Cres, East Gate Church Christmas Light show. 7Pm to 11pm. Christmas walk-through running 18 – 23 December 7pm – 10pm.
18 Redcastle Drive, East Tāmaki. 9:15pm to 11pm. Synchronised to music. FB page: www.facebook.com...
13 Tui Vale Road Shelly Park. 6:30pm to Midnight. Santa visiting 23rd & 24th December.
9 Drysdale Place, Somerville 8.30 to 11pm.
10 Saidia Place, Huntington Park. 8:30pm to 10:00pm.
1 Woodview Rise, Botany. 8:30pm to 11pm.
57 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
1 Palmcrest Grove, Highland Park, 7pm & overnight.
51a Paparoa Road, Cockle Bay, 8pm to 10pm, 8th Dec to 24th Dec.
111 Bradbury Road, Botany Downs. 8:00pm to 10:30pm [Assuming last year's times].
9 Cyclades Place, Shelly Park. 8:00pm to 11:00pm [Assuming last year's times].
98 Angelo Ave, Howick. On all the time.
29 Meadowlands Drive, Somerville. Unknown times.
181 Whitford Road, Shamrock Park. Unknown times.
24 Maghera Drive, East Tāmaki. Unknown times.
18 Keswick Close, Northpark. Unknown times.
** Kilkenny Drive, East Tāmaki. Unknown times.
** John Brooke Crescent, East Tamaki Heights. Unknown number of houses & times.
** Trust Place, Sunnyhills. 8:30pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Fern Place Beachlands. 8:00pm to midnight. Multiple houses.
** Paerata Rise, Paerata. Unknown times. Multiple houses.
**************************************
NO LIGHTS THIS YEAR (Moved or other reasons):
44 Archmillen Ave, Pakuranga Heights.
9 Harford Place, Pakuranga Heights.
**************************************
These were confirmed in 2024, but unknown for 2025:
2 Edingale Court, Flat Bush. 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
56 Sorrel Cresent, Bucklands Beach. 7:30pm to 9:00pm.
6 Rothwell Place, Sunnyhills. 8:00pm to 10:00pm.
4 Greenbrooke Drive, Flatbush. 830pm to 11:00pm.
75 Hutchinsons Road, Bucklands Beach. 9:00pm and overnight.
6A Kentville Place, Somerville. 8:00pm to 12:00am.
27 Amberwood Drive, Northpark. 7:00pm to 12:00am.
136 Kilkenny Drive, East Tamaki Heights. 8:00pm to 12:00am. [Is this included in 2025 for the street?]
86 Sandspit Road, Shelly Park. Unknown times.
81 Tiraumea Drive, Unknown times.
** Headcorn Place, Botany. 7:30pm to 11:00pm. Multiple houses.
**************************************
Merry Christmas East Auckland!

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1 day ago

Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!

Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?

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Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
  • 78.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
    78.9% Complete
  • 21.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
    21.1% Complete
437 votes