837 days ago

Poll: Should Christchurch have a permanent police helicopter?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Could a permanent police helicopter be in the pipeline for Christchurch?

As authorities in the city grapple with a wave of car thefts and reckless driving by youths, top brass haven’t ruled it out.

In the last 10 months, police in Christchurch have chartered commercial helicopters to help catch rampant young offenders on four occasions, most recently on Wednesday when a trio of youngsters in a stolen car left a trail of havoc from Heathcote to Belfast – ripping up a sports field, forcing a school into lockdown, and closing part of a highway.

They allow fleeing drivers to be tracked from the air, meaning officers don’t have to engage in risky pursuits, particularly when roads are busy during the daytime. It also spares their patrol cars from being damaged by youth offenders, who’ve shown a willingness to ram their way out of tricky situations.

Read the full story from reporter Blair Ensor here and share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Should Christchurch have a permanent police helicopter?
  • 91.8% Yes
    91.8% Complete
  • 7.4% No
    7.4% Complete
  • 0.9% Maybe/something else (tell us in the comments)
    0.9% Complete
570 votes
More messages from your neighbours
10 hours ago

Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’

If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.

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1 day ago

Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”

We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?

Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.

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Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
  • 40.8% Yes
    40.8% Complete
  • 33.4% Maybe?
    33.4% Complete
  • 25.8% No
    25.8% Complete
449 votes
9 hours ago

Appeal for information following burglaries: Christchurch

The Team from Canterbury Police

Police investigating a stolen trailer and motorcycles in the Christchurch area are seeking help from the public.

On Monday 15 December, Police received a report that the trailer [pictured] had been stolen sometime overnight on Sunday 14 December, from an address on Kairua Road in Hornby.

The trailer - registration U110C - was then used in a burglary of four motorcycles from an address on Almond Lane, Prebbleton on Monday 15 December.

Police have since located the trailer and are now needing the public’s assistance to try find where the trailer has been or who may have been driving the vehicle towing it.

If you have any information regarding the thefts or the trailers movements from Sunday 14 December, around 4pm, onwards please contact Police.

Information can be provided through 105, either online or over the phone, please use reference number: 251215/1054.

Alternatively, you can make a report anonymously though Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, using the same reference number.