Martinborough Community Patrol

14/12/2025

Hey Martinborough! It was great seeing you all at the Santa Parade!

09/11/2025

Please keep an eye out folks.

24/06/2025

Every year in June, Volunteering New Zealand acknowledges the work of volunteers in our communities. And today the South Wairarapa District Council held a “We Thank You” function for volunteers, hosted by Mayor Martin Connelly. Representatives from the Martinborough and Featherston Community Patrols attended and were given Certificates of Appreciation, and morning tea!

Speakers at the event said that research into volunteers shows that they are generally happier, healthier and live longer and they actually gain more than they give through the connections and contributions to society they make.

So if you want to be happier, healthier and live longer why not think about volunteering for the Martinborough Community Patrol? Please contact Claire at [email protected]

17/06/2025

A big shout out to Martinborough Wine Tours. They are one of the wonderful sponsors of the Community Patrol and we are especially grateful for their involvement.

Not only are they a valued sponsor, but their main man, Matthew, is also one of our most experienced patrollers.

Martinborough Wine Tours offers behind-the-scenes visits to wineries, hands-on experiences at vintage, and chats with winemakers and vineyard owners.

Thank you to everyone at Martinborough Wine Tours for your ongoing support to help keep our community safe.

11/06/2025

Real Police officers are warning Kiwis to be vigilant of cold callers posing as Police officers, as a pesky scam rears its head.

In the past year, Police have worked quickly to warn the public as these scam calls emerged.

Waitematā CIB’s acting Detective Senior Sergeant Ben Bergin says, “unsuspecting victims are essentially being called out of the blue under a ruse”.

“The story changes slightly, but it will usually involve some sort of investigation and this ‘officer’ will report having located a valuable item of yours, such as a passport.

“He will need your help or ask for your personal information.

“The caller speaks with an English accent and provides a bogus ID number to the victim.”

If you receive a phone call such as this, Police advise the public to be extremely cautious.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Bergin says previous iterations of this scam has involved scammers asking people to withdraw cash as part of ‘an investigation’ or handing over bank details.

Police made several arrests last year over the scam.

“We strongly advise that you hang up,” he says.

“From time-to-time, Police officers may contact you as part of their genuine duties.

“It can be a bit surprising to receive a call unexpectantly, so stop and think if you get a far-fetched story shared down the telephone line.”

In the past week, Police have received reports from Kiwis on both islands, including: Warkworth, Riverhead, Royal Oak, Ngaruawahia and in the Clutha and Queenstown-Lakes districts.

“Fortunately, at this stage we are not aware of any victims losing money,” acting Detective Senior Sergeant Bergin says.

“Those recipients have done the right thing and ended the call and reported it to the real Police.”

If you have received a similar call, please report this to Police online now or call 105.

𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗭𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 ⤵️

🚔Police will never ask for your bank details, pin numbers or banking log in.
🚔Police do not offer prize money
🚔 Police will never ask you to go to a bank and withdraw your own cash
🚔 Stop and think: If the call seems off, hang up and call 105 to verify the officer’s identity, or request a callback.

28/05/2025

If you’d like to be a Martinborough Community Patroller please contact Claire at [email protected]

www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360702962/wairarapa-community-patrol-crews-log-nearly-1300-hours

Wairarapa community watchdogs who act as “extra eyes and ears” for police and other agencies assisted in hundreds of incidents last year to help fight crime.

Three community patrols in Wairarapa – Masterton, Featherston and Martinborough – are affiliated with Community Patrols of New Zealand (CPNZ).

They are operated by local volunteers, whose job was to note anything that could be suspicious and inform police immediately of incidents requiring urgent attention.

From January to December 2024, the three patrols recorded a total of 421 incidents, 1295 patrol hours and 13,160km travelled, CPNZ figures showed.

A police spokesperson said Wairarapa’s three community patrols were very well run.

“Each patrol is tailored to suit their community, and they strategically patrol their own towns based on their community’s needs. They are the extra eyes and ears for the police, and their contribution is greatly appreciated.
“Over the years they have provided invaluable information to police to both solve crimes and also ensure the prevention of problems within the community from escalating.”

Police also notified patrol crews of suspicious activity and trouble spots to monitor and kept them informed about local events.

Martinborough observed 285 incidents. About half, 142, were vehicle related, followed by 101 property-related incidents.
A total of 308 patrol hours were completed, covering 3181km travelled.

The Martinborough patrol secured its annual operating expenses through a combination of local grants, sponsorships and community donations, and it was on the lookout for new volunteers.

Nationally in 2024, there were a total of 65,468 incidents, 121,516 patrol hours and 1.05 million kilometres travelled.

The highest categories of incidents were special service at 38%, property related at 21%, and vehicle related at 19%.

Volunteers who act as “extra eyes and ears” for police and other agencies assisted in hundreds of incidents last year.

15/05/2025

Wairarapa Police are working to track the offenders behind 29 car thefts in the space of two weeks.

The number of thefts is an increase on the 37 vehicles that were stolen in the two months to May last year. Wairarapa Area Prevention Manager Senior Sergeant Gill Flower said the recent rise is believed to be down to groups of criminals operating in the area.

“There’s no reason behind some of these thefts – they’re doing it for their enjoyment and don’t care about all damage they’re doing to the cars and the impact it has on people.

“Of the 29 recent cases, 25 have been in Masterton. Mazda Demios and Ford Couriers have been the main target for these offenders, and we’re asking people to take some additional steps to keep their vehicles safe.

“Some of the vehicles have been left unlocked, or keys left in places that are easy to access. People are also leaving items in their cars, and that attracts attention too. These offenders aren’t above stealing your prescription glasses, so the less you can leave in your car, the better.”

Senior Sergeant Flower said steering wheel locks were a cost-effective way to immobilise a car and make it less attractive to thieves.

“Some people can’t afford insurance, but a steering wheel lock will mean your car is undrivable. It’s a worthwhile investment, especially if you have to park your car on the road.

“We’re working hard to track these offenders, but we need the public’s help to do that.

“If you see suspicious behaviour, call 111,” Senior Sergeant Flower said. “The faster we get a report, the quicker we can act.”

Even in cases where Police can’t respond immediately, the reports helped Police track where offenders were operating.

“For us it’s valuable intelligence.”

“If you can’t report something straight away, please still tell us about it by making a report through 105.

“We’re working hard to find these offenders, but we need the community to help us.”

18/04/2025

Come down to the Community Market and see the patrol car! Complete with sign, thanks again to Select signs for their great work! Email us if you’re keen to be a volunteer.

27/03/2025

We'll be parked outside the Easter Market at the Waihenga Centre from 11.00 to midday on Saturday 19 April (Easter Saturday). Come and talk to us about how a commitment of just 2 hours a month can help keep our community safe.

27/03/2025

This is Tony from Select signs. The Martinborough Community Patrol loves the amazing work Tony and his team did with our car livery. As a cherry on top, they also made up this sign for us to pop in the windscreen when the car is parked in town – such a great idea. For all your signage needs, we would recommend you talk to Tony!

10/03/2025

You all know how grateful the Community Patrol is when local businesses help us out. Recently, quite a few items in our first aid kit expired and needed replacing. Chloe and her superstar team at Unichem Martinborough Pharmacy happily helped us out and replaced the items at no cost to the patrol. How amazing is that?! Please support the Martinborough Pharmacy whenever you can – they’re the best!

26/02/2025

Wairarapa Police are investigating burglaries in the area and would like to remind the public of the importance of timely reporting when an emergency occurs.

Police have seen reports made after an incident has occurred, and in some cases, reports have been made several hours after that incident.

Wairarapa Area Response Manager Gareth Barnes urges the public to contact Police immediately, especially in emergency situations where you feel unsafe and where there is threat to life or property.

“Police do everything we can to identify and locate those responsible for committing offences in our community, but we cannot do it without you.”

“Please call us, the quicker you report, the quicker we can act.”

When there is an emergency, please call Police immediately on 111. For non-emergencies, please contact us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or by calling 105.

If you see any suspicious or unlawful activity happening in the community, please contact us on 111 with as much information as you can safely gather at the time, so we are able to respond.

“No matter what time of the day or night, 111 and 105 operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”