Arrests for Auckland border breaches
Gang members crossing the Auckland border with their boot stuffed with KFC and cash, an Aucklander travelling to Christchurch to pick up a newly bought caravan and another Aucklander using a forged exemption to visit Taranaki — those are among the latest high-profile allegations that have seen people charged this week with violating Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.
But police still haven’t laid charges in the most closely watched breach allegation: Wa¯naka holidaymakers William Willis and Hannah Rawnsley, who one week ago today admitted wrongdoing in a public apology.
When asked about the case yesterday, police reissued a statement from last week, explaining there is nothing further to add.
“Police appreciates there is a high amount of public interest in this case and we can assure our community that Police is carrying out a thorough investigation into this matter,” the statement reads.
“Every breach we come across is assessed individually to determine what inquiries need to be carried out. Some breach reports require more inquiries to be made than others and these can take some time to be completed. At this stage Police is still making inquiries.”
Eighty-seven people have been charged in Auckland with Covid19-related offences between the start of the city’s strict alert level 4 lockdown last month and yesterday evening. The vast majority of the charges have been for failing to comply with an order under the Covid -19 Public Health Response Act, which carries a maximum punishment of six months’ jail and a $4000 fine.
In the same time period, 189 people were issued formal warnings.