St Johns homicide: Police seek witnesses in a white ute
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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Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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84% Same!
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16% Would have liked to try something different
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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