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Dramatic images as West Auckland plant nursery goes up in flames

Dramatic images as West Auckland plant nursery goes up in flames

A large fire has ripped through a West Auckland plant nursery overnight, with dramatic images showing the “dangerous and out-of-control” blaze at its height. Firefighters are this morning monitoring and dampening hotspots after struggling to control the inferno. More than 60 firefighters scrambled to the scene, RNZ said. Fire and Emergency NZ told the Herald 16 fire engines were also sent. The blaze ripped through Van Lier Nurseries, a family-owned flower wholesaler on Riverhead Rd. Company director Harry Van Lier told the Herald he was with a fire investigator this morning. Dramatic images taken at the height of the fire show thick plumes of smoke rising from a warehouse surrounded by paddocks. Embers flew into the sky, and the fire glowed bright white and orange. The inferno lit up the clouds of smoke against the dark evening sky. Fire and Emergency Waitemetā assistant commander Garry Lane told the Herald it was a dangerous and out-of-control fire when crews arrived. Crews were called at 9.44pm, a Fire and Emergency spokeswoman told the Herald this morning. The building was well alight when crews arrived. Embers flew into the sky, and the fire glowed bright white and orange. The inferno lit up the clouds of smoke against the dark evening sky. Photo / Hayden Woodward At the height of the fire, thick plumes of smoke rose from a warehouse surrounded by paddocks. Photo / Hayden Woodward Firefighters are monitoring and dampening hotspots at a plant nursery after struggling against a raging blaze in West Auckland in the night. Photo / Hayden Woodward The fire was burning an area of about 1250 sq m, the spokeswoman said. “[Crews] made entry but decided it was too dangerous to fight the fire from the inside,” Lane said. “As a result, they withdrew and commenced operations from outside the building,” he said. Two ladder trucks battled the blaze, and firefighters used multiple hoses to douse the flames. Firefighters contained the inferno at 11.53pm and the incident was scaled down at 1am, the Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said. Two fire engines were still on the scene at 7.30am while crews monitored and dampened hotspots. A fire investigator would be on the scene today, she said, and it was too early to determine the cause of the blaze. Fire and Emergency shift manager Paul Radden told RNZ neither of the heavy arterial trucks from Auckland stations was working. Wellington lent one to the city’s firefighters this week, but it broke down and another was called in from Hamilton. Lane told the Herald they had called for Hamilton’s truck, but it was then turned back. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

Crime data: Reduction in overall violent crime victims, but uptick in victims of sexual assault

Crime data: Reduction in overall violent crime victims, but uptick in victims of sexual assault

A new community beat team is being rolled out in Henderson in West Auckland as new data shows another reduction in overall victims of violent crime. The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey (NZCVS) data shows that in the 12 months to May, there were 156,000 victims of violent crime. Violent crime includes incidents of sexual assault, non-sexual physical assault and robbery. There were 1000 fewer victims than the last update (the 12 months to February) and 29,000 fewer victims than in the 12 months to October 2023, just before the Government came to power. The Government has a target to reduce the number of victims of violent crime by 20,000 by 2029 compared with the October 2023 baseline of 185,000. These latest figures show that target continues to be exceeded. There were 41,000 victims of family violence and 115,000 victims of non-family violence. This is a reduction of 6000 victims of family violence compared to the February 2025 figures, but 800 more non-family violence victims. “When compared to October 2023, there were 3,000 fewer victims of family violence (8% decrease) and 40,000 fewer victims of non-family violence (26% decrease),” the NZCVS said. However, there has been an increase in sexual assault victims, with 3000 more between February and May. “This increase means that the number of victims of sexual assault was above the baseline number. There were 2,000 more victims of sexual assault (3% increase) between October 2023 (76,000 victims) and May 2025.” There has been a continued decline in the number of non-sexual assaults and robberies since June 2024. The Government is welcoming the latest crime data. Photo / Dean Purcell While the number of violent crime victims in Auckland increased from October 2023 and June 2024, it has fallen since then. “There were 5,000 fewer victims of violent offences (9% decrease) in Auckland in May 2025 (46,000), compared to February 2025 (50,000). Compared to October 2023 (62,000), there were 16,000 victims (26% decrease). “In other regions, the trends since the peak in June 2024, have not been as consistent as in Auckland. For example, Canterbury saw a large decrease in the number of victims between October 2024 and February 2025. However, in May 2025, it was the region with the largest increase of victims. “In May 2025, there were 28,000 victims of violent crimes in Canterbury. This was 8,000 more victims (43% increase) than February 2025 (20,000 victims) and 4,000 more victims (15% increase) than October 2023 (24,000 victims).” Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith highlighted there were 4000 fewer Māori victims than in February, “a nine per cent decrease on the last update,” Goldsmith said. “Māori are disproportionately more likely to be the victims of crime, so this is another positive step in the right direction.” While the number of European victims has risen 9000 compared to February, there has been a large decrease for victims of other ethnicities. There were 9000 fewer of these victims than in February. The number of victims is down in May across the three ethnic groups compared with October 2023. The minister said this data is volatile and there was more work to do to keep the numbers down, adding that there were still 156,000 victims too many. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith highlighted there are 4000 fewer Māori victims. Photo / Mark Mitchell Alongside the latest statistics, the Government also announced Henderson will be the home of the newest community beat squad. Over the past year, 63 beat officers have been rolled out in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Rotorua and New Plymouth. The Henderson team of seven will take that number to 70 when they begin in the next few weeks. “Lifting the presence of police officers in our communities is one of this Government’s law and order priorities,” said Police Minister Mark Mitchell “Having Police visible out on our streets goes a long way to deterring crime, and ensuring the public are and feel safe.” He...

'Frustrating': Lawson starts eighth at Zandvoort, outqualified by teammate

'Frustrating': Lawson starts eighth at Zandvoort, outqualified by teammate

For the third race in a row, Liam Lawson will start inside the top 10, after qualifying eighth for Formula One’s Dutch Grand Prix. Fresh from points finishes in both Belgium and Hungary before the summer break, and having scored every time he’s started inside the top 10 this season, Lawson was part of a standout day for Racing Bulls, highlighted by teammate Isack Hadjar qualifying fourth. Perhaps frustratingly for Lawson, though, his best qualifying time came in the second session (Q2) and would have seen him start seventh, had he posted it in the third, with a difference of 0.378s. “It’s good to be in Q3, but it was very promising there throughout qualifying,” Lawson said. “I don’t really know why, but we went slower in Q3. [There’s] some stuff to look into. “We were feeling pretty good after Q2. Naturally everyone makes a step in Q3, and we didn’t. “[It’s] frustrating, we had good potential. We need a good start and to try and stay where we are. “It’s going to be a hard race for sure, it’s very physical here. It’s probably going to be a long day.” Hadjar’s position is a huge boost for the French rookie, who has not scored a point in a Grand Prix since Barcelona earlier this year. Regardless, while Lawson will be disappointed to be starting behind his teammate, eighth is a vast improvement from the Kiwi’s last visit to Zandvoort, when he started last after being shoehorned into the then AlphaTauri car after injury to Daniel Ricciardo. Still, that race saw Lawson make his way up the field to finish 13th in his first taste of Formula One. On a day where both McLaren drivers broke the Zandvoort lap record, it was Oscar Piastri who took pole position, as his best time of 1m 8.66s was enough to hold off the challenge of his teammate Lando Norris, who was 0.012s behind. Since Zandvoort returned to the Formula One calendar in 2021, the last four pole-sitters have all claimed victory – thrice to Max Verstappen and the last to Norris. Piastri’s lap came after Norris had topped the timings in all three of the weekend’s practice sessions and is a vital blow in the championship race, with just nine points separating the two McLaren cars. Verstappen, meanwhile, will start third in his home race, while Red Bull teammate Yuki Tsunoda qualified 12th, as his struggles in the RB21 continued. While wet conditions were expected at Zandvoort, and despite the weather holding, Lance Stroll was still unable to keep his Aston Martin on track and crashed into the barriers at turn 13 just five minutes into Q1. Liam Lawson ahead of Isack Hadjar at the Dutch Grand Prix. Photo / Red Bull Amid the chaos, though, Lawson had no issues advancing. The Kiwi posted his – at the time – best effort of the weekend so far, 1m 9.779s to set the fifth-fastest time of the weekend, and was just 0.441s off session leader Piastri. However, with three points finishes in his last four races, Lawson and Racing Bulls are no longer content at just escaping Q1. Into Q2, where Norris posted an all-time lap record of 1m 08.874s, Lawson’s first lap time of 1m 9.726s initially had him inside the top 10 and eyeing another place in Q3. However, once all the remaining drivers had posted their banker laps, Lawson’s time had him 12th and 0.074s shy of safety. Again, though, Lawson’s second effort meant he’d walk into the next stage of qualifying, as his 1m 9.383s lap moved him from up into seventh as one of the final drivers to post a time. That mark saw Lawson go from 0.074s down to 0.110s clear of elimination, and 0.056s in front of Hadjar. Norris’ lap record lasted just one minute into Q3, as Piastri posted a time of 1m 8.662s to get the session under way, while Lawson’s opening effort of 1m 10.331s had him 10th, 1.669s off the lead and 0.608s behind Hadjar. However, that time came down to a snap of oversteer at turn three and gave Lawson room to improve if he could get things right on his final attempt. With just under three minutes left, Lawson left the Racing Bulls garage...

PSNA legal challenge to NZ Superfund’s investments supporting illegal Israel settlements

PSNA legal challenge to NZ Superfund’s investments supporting illegal Israel settlements

The Palestine Solidarity Network has issued judicial review proceedings to challenge the New Zealand Superfund’s investments in companies helping to build or maintain illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian Territories. The case will be heard in the Auckland High Court on 14/15 October. The named plaintiffs are PSNA Co-Chairs, Maher Nazzal and John Minto, […]

'Big, strong change sweeping through': Gales could close Harbour Bridge

'Big, strong change sweeping through': Gales could close Harbour Bridge

The last day of winter is set to bring severe and potentially damaging winds to many parts of the country; with a warning the Auckland Harbour Bridge may need to close. Today’s forecast for Auckland is heavy showers with squally thunderstorms until this evening, and a high of 16C. “We’ve got a big, strong southwesterly change sweeping through, and that’s where we’ve got these widespread severe gales coming from,” MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino told the Herald. MetService has issued an orange strong wind warning for Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula for between 3pm and midnight. The forecaster said there was a chance it would upgrade this to a red warning, saying gusts up to 120km/h were possible in exposed areas. “Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures is possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,” MetService said. Civil Defence group Auckland Emergency Management said people should prepare by tying down outdoor furniture or trampolines, clear branches and debris and stay indoors during the gusts. MetService said it had already recorded gusts up to 100km/h in parts of Northland this morning. “And ... the west coast of Northland and Auckland has the potential [to see] even stronger, damaging gusts.” More than 2700 lightning strikes have also been detected since midnight, most offshore. The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said it would likely close the harbour bridge for “brief periods” today. “To ensure safety, speed limits on the bridge may be reduced, lanes on the bridge may close, or short periods of full closures may be required,” the NZTA said. “Keeping road users safe and protecting the bridge are a priority. Decisions to lower speeds or close lanes are carefully considered.” The transport agency said motorists needing to cross the bridge should use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18 instead. Five other strong wind watches have been issued for both islands. Northland will fall under a watch between 1pm and 9pm, Waikato north of Te Awamutu is under a watch from 3pm to 11pm, and the Bay of Plenty west of Kawarau is under watch from 4pm to midnight. The Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings, along with the Tararua District, will fall under a watch from midday to 11pm tomorrow, while a watch comes into place for Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore and Stewart Island from 10am to 6pm tomorrow. MetService said all watches it had issued on Sunday morning had a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning. Martino said springtime was typically the windiest part of the year. “It’s pretty appropriate for the start of spring that we’re blasting into some strong westerly winds. And we do have another few days of pretty unsettled westerly fronts sweeping by,” she said. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.

Red alert: Auckland Harbour Bridge closures cause major traffic disruption

Red alert: Auckland Harbour Bridge closures cause major traffic disruption

A red alert has been issued for Auckland Harbour Bridge as severe and potentially damaging winds strengthen, causing major traffic disruption. MetService has issued a red alert for the bridge until midnight tonight ahead of strong winds that are expected to force intermittent closures of the Auckland Harbour Bridge throughout the day, with the most frequent expected between 5pm and 9pm. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) posted to social media at 1.10pm saying the bridge had been closed in both directions due to severe wind gusts. The bridge has since reopened, but with reduced speed limits. The closure lasted around ten minutes. Earlier Sunday morning lanes were also reduced on the bridge due to strong wind gusts. Auckland Transport (AT) noted the winds were “likely to cause short duration closures and lane reductions to the Auckland Harbour Bridge throughout the day” and advised riders check their service before they travel. “Buses that cross the harbour bridge may be delayed, cancelled, or detoured intermittently throughout the day. Some buses may terminate their routes at either side of the bridge.” The disruptions are expected to affect routes NX1, NX2, MEX, 866, 802, 82, 95B, 95C, 939, 923, 97R, 97B, 966, 931, and 933. “We’ve got a big, strong southwesterly change sweeping through, and that’s where we’ve got these widespread severe gales coming from,” MetService meteorologist Silvia Martino told the Herald. The NZTA had earlier warned it would likely close the harbour bridge for “brief periods” today. “To ensure safety, speed limits on the bridge may be reduced, lanes on the bridge may close, or short periods of full closures may be required,” the NZTA said. “Keeping road users safe and protecting the bridge are a priority. Decisions to lower speeds or close lanes are carefully considered.” The transport agency said motorists needing to cross the bridge should use the western ring route on State Highways 16 and 18 instead. MetService has issued an orange strong wind warning for Auckland, Great Barrier Island and the Coromandel Peninsula for between 3pm and midnight. The forecaster said there was a chance it would upgrade this to a red warning, saying gusts up to 120km/h were possible in exposed areas. “Damage to trees, powerlines and unsecured structures is possible. Driving may be difficult, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles,” MetService said. Civil Defence group Auckland Emergency Management said people should prepare by tying down outdoor furniture or trampolines, clear branches and debris and stay indoors during the gusts. MetService said it had already recorded gusts up to 100km/h in parts of Northland this morning. “And ... the west coast of Northland and Auckland has the potential [to see] even stronger, damaging gusts.” More than 2700 lightning strikes have also been detected since midnight, most offshore. Five other strong wind watches have been issued for both islands. Northland will fall under a watch between 1pm and 9pm, Waikato north of Te Awamutu is under a watch from 3pm to 11pm, and the Bay of Plenty west of Kawarau is under watch from 4pm to midnight. The Hawke’s Bay south of Hastings, along with the Tararua District, will fall under a watch from midday to 11pm tomorrow, while a watch comes into place for Dunedin, Clutha, Southland south of Gore and Stewart Island from 10am to 6pm tomorrow. MetService said all watches it had issued on Sunday morning had a moderate chance of being upgraded to a warning. Martino said springtime was typically the windiest part of the year. “It’s pretty appropriate for the start of spring that we’re blasting into some strong westerly winds. And we do have another few days of pretty unsettled westerly fronts sweeping by,” she said. Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.