Finn Blackwell

Auckland

Reporter at Radio New Zealand (RNZ)

I write things. Reporter for RNZ. Screaming into the void since 2018. [email protected]. Views are my own

Featured in: Favicon

rnz.co.nz

msn.com

stuff.co.nz Favicon

nzherald.co.nz Favicon

newshub.co.nz Favicon

1news.co.nz Favicon

odt.co.nz

newstalkzb.co.nz Favicon

teaomaori.news Favicon

asiapacificreport.nz + 7 more

Articles

Arrests after vehicle fails to stop for police

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

A person is in hospital and two others have been arrested in Auckland after a driver failed to stop for police. They drove off after being signalled by officers on Wellesley Street in the central city about 4am on Thursday, and police did not pursue. Officers found the vehicle on Sarfield Street in Herne Bay a short while later, arresting two people. A member of the public indicated a third person had fled the scene prior to police arrival, police said in a statement.
Unused central Auckland police station still for sale six years on

1 week ago | radionz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

Police in Auckland say the central city station they moved out of in 2019 is still for sale, a month out from opening a new 24/7 station up the road. Staff left their base on Vincent Street for their current base on College Hill six years ago. RNZ has reported police had paid over $3 million on the building from July 2019 to July 2024. More than $1,240,000 went towards rates, while $706,953 was spent on energy and nearly $470,000 on cleaning and rubbish.
Unused central Auckland police station still for sale six years on

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

Police in Auckland say the central city station they moved out of in 2019 is still for sale, a month out from opening a new 24/7 station up the road. Staff left their base on Vincent Street for their current base on College Hill six years ago. RNZ has reported police had paid over $3 million on the building from July 2019 to July 2024. More than $1,240,000 went towards rates, while $706,953 was spent on energy and nearly $470,000 on cleaning and rubbish.
Building volunteers restore Abilities Group workstations destroyed by fire

1 week ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

Volunteers have spent part of the weekend building workstations for an Auckland recycling plant that burnt down earlier this year. The Abilities Group recycling plant in Wairau Valley was completely destroyed, after catching fire in April. Almost 120 workers with disabilities were employed there, helping sort and process e-recycling, including batteries, phones, laptops and televisions.
Coronial inquest into LynnMall attack completes first phase

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

The first phase of the coronial inquest into the LynnMall attack four years ago has concluded in Auckland on Friday. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot and killed by police, after stabbing four women and one man with a kitchen knife at a Countdown supermarket in Auckland's New Lynn. Two others were injured trying to stop him. Phase one of the inquiry began last week, with two more phases expected to sit later this year.
Coronial inquest into LynnMall attack completes first phase

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

The first phase of the coronial inquest into the LynnMall attack four years ago has concluded in Auckland on Friday. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot and killed by police, after stabbing four women and one man with a kitchen knife at a Countdown supermarket in Auckland's New Lynn. Two others were injured trying to stop him. Phase one of the inquiry began last week, with two more phases expected to sit later this year.
LynnMall attack inquest: Police had no option but to shoot Ahamed Samsudeen

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

The coronial inquest into LynnMall terrorist Ahamed Samsudeen has heard officers had no option but to shoot him during his attack at an Auckland supermarket four years ago. Samsudeen was shot and killed by police after stabbing four women and one man with a kitchen knife at a Countdown supermarket in Auckland's New Lynn. Two others were injured trying to stop him. Inspector Derek Sarney told the inquest Samsudeen did not cooperate with officers trying to de-escalate the situation.
Call for tighter rules after drone and plane nearly collide at Auckland Airport

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is calling for tighter rules and standards after a drone nearly collided with a passenger plane. Investigators have been looking into a near-collision between an Air New Zealand passenger flight and what was likely a drone in April, 2024, after a close call at 2000 feet on the approach to Auckland Airport. The plane was flying to the city from Christchurch.
Auckland CBD's community engagement model could be used in suburbs - police minister

2 weeks ago | rnz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

Social housing, rough sleepers and police responsiveness have been flagged as priorities for Auckland's Northcote community, after a meeting with the police minister this week. The meeting at the Northcote Birkenhead rugby club on Monday night brought together residents and business owners with Police Minister Mark Mitchell, as well as local MP Dan Bidois, police district commander Naila Hassan and other police staff. Mitchell told RNZ the community said to him that they had noticed a change.
LynnMall attack inquest: Police set to give evidence

2 weeks ago | radionz.co.nz | Finn Blackwell

Warning: This story contains graphic details that may upset some readers. The coronial inquest into the death of LynnMall attacker Ahamed Samsudeen continues on Wednesday, after a forensic pathologist explained why he had zero chance of surviving as many as a dozen gunshot wounds. Samsudeen stabbed four women and one man with a kitchen knife at a Countdown supermarket in Auckland's New Lynn in 2021, before being shot and killed by police.