Ōtara preschool ruined
Police are asking for the public’s help for information into a heartless act which has ruined an Ōtara preschool.
Sometime between 9am on 7 December and 6pm on 8 December, Ōtara Community Preschool was broken into and windows and property smashed and items stolen.
Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook, says nine internal windows were smashed, along with a microwave and oven and computers being knocked to the ground.
“This type of behaviour is quite frankly disgusting.
“This is an awful situation, a preschool has been left footing the bill for this crime and children are now without their belongings and educational resources.”
Inspector Cook says the offenders acted in a mindless way, destroying property seemingly for the sake of it.
“We are working hard to identify and locate those responsible for this senseless crime.
“We are now asking for the public’s assistance for any information which may help us to hold this person, or people, to account.
“A number of people have come forward with information and spoken to Police since this incident, and we ask anyone who has not yet spoken to us to get in touch.”
Information can be provided by updating Police online now or by calling 105.
Please reference the file number 241208/6023.
Alternatively, you can report information anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Today’s Mind-Bender is the Last of the Year! Can You Guess It Before Everyone Else? 🌟🎁🌲
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 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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By-election for Otara-Papatoetoe area
Just to let everyone know that we have another by-election happening, and here is the reason why. Below are details and dates, so keep an eye on your letter boxes.
The Manukau Court’s Ruling
The Manukau District Court determined that the Papatoetoe subdivision result of the Ōtara–Papatoetoe Local Board election was invalid, ruling that the outcome had been “materially affected” by voting irregularities. Judge Richard McIlraith found that the scale and nature of the irregularities met the legal threshold required to void an election under New Zealand’s local electoral laws.
In his decision, Judge McIlraith stated that the evidence presented — including reports of stolen voting papers, fraudulent use of ballots, and other procedural irregularities — was sufficient to conclude that the integrity of the election had been compromised. The court noted that at least 79 voting papers were identified as having been cast without the rightful voter’s knowledge during a judicially supervised examination of ballot boxes.
While the judge acknowledged that the election had been administered “properly and in accordance with all requirements” by Independent Election Services and the electoral officer, he concluded that the fraudulent activity originated outside the official process and nonetheless impacted the final result to a degree that required the election to be voided.
As a result of the ruling, the court ordered that a new election must be held, with Auckland Council confirming that the fresh poll must be completed by 9 April 2026
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