Poll: Should Christchurch have a permanent police helicopter?
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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91.8% Yes
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7.4% No
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0.9% Maybe/something else (tell us in the comments)
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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17.5% Hmm, maybe?
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9.5% Yes!
Do you recognise these men?
Christchurch Police are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the two males pictured.
Police would like to speak to these two males in relation to an incident that occurred on Wainoni Road on 31 October.
If you recognise these people or have any information, please contact Police on 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 251031/1056.
Have you seen Rowena?
Police are urgently appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.
She was reported missing to Police on 22 October 2025, and was last seen on 14 August 2025. Rowena hasn’t been in contact with her children and her family are worried for her safety.
Police investigating her disappearance have identified her as being in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch in the recent months prior to her missing person report being made.
If you have seen Rowena, or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact us immediately.
You can contact us via 105 either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and referencing file number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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