In Brief: Two injured in Huntly crash, Te Aroha fire deemed suspicious

Monday, 27 July 2026

Car v tanker crash

Two people were taken to hospital after a crash between a car and diesel tanker in Huntly on Monday morning.

Emergency services were called to Great South Rd just before 9am, with the road closed between Fletcher and Main streets for just over an hour.

A diesel tanker was being towed from the scene.

St John sent two ambulances and an operations manager to the scene while two fire crews from Huntly also attended.

“Our ambulance staff treated two patients and transported them to Waikato Hospital, both in serious conditions,” a St John spokesperson said.

Great South Rd reopened just after 10am.

Suspicious house fire in Te Aroha

Police are investigating a suspicious house fire that destroyed an unoccupied property in Te Aroha on Sunday night.

Three fire crews from Te Aroha and one each from Paeroa and Morrinsville were called to the blaze on Rewi St about 9.15pm.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Mark Richards said the house was 'fully involved' when firefighters arrived.

'(There was) lots of damage all through,' he said.

Richards said a fire investigator attended the scene.

Police said no injuries were reported and enquiries are continuing.

Teen trio arrested after Te Kūiti aggravated robbery

Three teenagers have been arrested after an aggravated robbery at a Te Kūiti dairy, where a worker was assaulted.

Police say the trio, aged between 13 and 15, were collared after a spate of offending in the King Country, including a July 15 robbery at Patel’s Mini Market.

Several warrants were executed in Te Kūiti on Friday and evidence and stolen goods were found.

Youth proceedings have commenced, police said, including charges of aggravated robbery, burglary and theft.

Dairy owners Hemant and Bhavana Patel told Stuff they want to put up a cage to protect themselves.

Western Waikato area commander Inspector Andrew Mortimore said “meticulous and methodical” investigation were behind the arrests.

“I know our community has been feeling unsettled by these recent incidents, particularly the aggravated robbery – and we hope this action sends a clear message that violence won’t be tolerated.”

Further charges have not been ruled out.