Latest news with #LevinInvasion
RNZ News
24-06-2025
- RNZ News
'Levin invasion' reaction to government's tough talk on boyracers
A crowd of 1000 people and 200 cars filled the Horowhenua town of Levin just over three weeks ago, doing burnouts and other anti-social activity that caused a public outcry and large police response. Two men behind the 'Levin invasion' say the night was a reaction to the government's tough talk. Meanwhile, the mother of a woman killed during illegal street racing has a simple plea for those involved in such activities: stop, now. Jimmy Ellingham reports. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Boyracer charged over burnout during 'Levin invasion' sorry for involvement
About 30 police were deployed after a gathering of more than 200 cars ended in antisocial behaviour on the streets of Levin. Photo: NZ Police / Supplied A boyracer charged over his involvement in what's been called the "Levin invasion" has come forward and apologised. The street racer said he had written apology letters to people disrupted by the event and was selling the now impounded car he used to do a burnout. Police said a crowd of about 1000 gathered at the event last Friday. Four bystanders aged between 16 and 20 were hit by vehicles. One woman had both her legs run over. Fireworks and vehicles were used against officers trying to break up the gathering. Several of their cars had tyres slashed and police had to use sponge rounds to disperse the crowd. Nine cars were impounded on the night and 15 arrests made. Since then some of the impounded vehicles have appeared for sale on Facebook Marketplace . Police have warned buyers to beware when buying any car online and check it is suitable and safe. One of the drivers charged has admitted it was a dumb thing to do and told Checkpoint he regretted getting involved and did not want to be associated with the impounded car. "I'm very f***ing sorry... a lot of us aren't impressed with the behaviour. "I've already said very formal apologies to a lot of people around the area." The driver, who didn't want to be named, said he was heading home from the car meet at the end of the night when a large group of street racers began following behind him. "Everyone got out their cars, started recording me and were like 'Do a skid, do a skid.' So I f***ing did a skid. "There was a police helicopter in the sky and watching. And then he followed me after the skid to my mate's place and then police pulled up the driveway." The driver's car was impounded, and he then listed the impound papers for sale, a cheaper way to get rid of the vehicle. He said after the events of the weekend, he didn't want to be involved in those sort of meets again. "I can't guarantee it's not going to happen again. But on my end, I'm not going to be associating with it. "I just wanna try and move forward really cause I've got quite a few other things going on like at home and all that so I don't need, you know, silly **** like this ruining it." He said he doubted boyracers would listen to warnings from police and the government, and believed they had tried to find other ways to race. "Me and my mate tried opening up a little skid pad on his farm, but that got quickly postponed from the police. "So we just took it to the streets really. And that's how it is. I think that's how it's always going to be, to be honest." Proposed new legislation to bring in harsher penalties on boyracers was announced by the government in May. If put in place drivers could risk their cars being crushed, rather than impounded. Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the current penalties weren't enough to deter the behaviour. "Kiwis are sick of seeing these idiot drivers putting everyone around them at risk, so we're taking action through a range of much tougher penalties." The boyracer said he didn't think the risk of losing a car was going to be enough to stop most drivers. "All the ones with a job and everything, they've got money to go out the next day and buy another car so they're not too worried." Police have initiated an investigation phase into the events in Levin and it is likely there will be more charges and possible impounds of vehicles to come. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- RNZ News
Boyracer apologises for 'Levin invasion' car meet chaos
A boyracer charged over his involvement in the 'Levin invasion" said he's written apology letters to people disrupted by the event and is selling the now impounded car he used to do a burnout. Police say a crowd of about thousand gathered at the event last Friday. Four bystanders aged between 16 and twenty years old were hit by vehicles and one woman had both her legs run over. One of the drivers charged admits it was a dumb thing to do, and said he regrets getting involved and doesn't want to be associated with the impounded car. He spoke to Lisa Owen.
1News
01-06-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Boy racers involved in Levin event say they 'don't condone' violence at police
Two boy racers who were at the Levin invasion over the weekend say they "don't condone" the violence directed at police officers. Five spectators and several police officers were injured as the gathering of around 1000 people spiralled out of control on Saturday. A woman who was spectating the event had both of her legs run over. 1News has seen footage of a young man getting hit by a skidding vehicle, badly injuring both of his legs. He is currently unable to walk and is awaiting surgery. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. ADVERTISEMENT This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. Several officers were injured after being pelted with rocks, bottles, and struck by fireworks as they worked to break up the gathering. Two boy racers – who did not want to be identified on camera – told 1News they took part in the skidding but left when police showed up with riot shields. "Half of the people that were shooting fireworks at the cars and creating that violence towards police don't even have a skid car there, they're just spectators,' one boy racer told 1News. He claimed the leader of the 2025 Levin invasion ended up 'in the cells'. Ten people have been arrested in relation to the event, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said more are likely. 'Could have been a lot worse' ADVERTISEMENT Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell have both condemned the illegal street activity in Horowhenua. The Police Commissioner described those who took part as 'menaces and morons', while Mitchell referred to those involved as 'moronic bloody idiots'. "Two of my colleagues were injured last night by fireworks. It could have been a lot worse," Chambers said. "These idiots were intentionally targeting our police officers and firing skyrockets at them, including bottles, rocks. I think there were a couple of idiots that had tomahawks," Mitchell added. 'I'd rather not live than stop skidding' The boy racers say they love to skid but want somewhere to do it safely – without the violence. "We don't mean to piss off the community. We really don't because we're part of the community," one of the boy racers told 1News. ADVERTISEMENT "I'd rather not live than stop skidding." The other of the two young men said they've tried to get skid pads "but the government keeps saying that we can't get one 'cause we've got no registrations or warrants on our cars". After 1News pointed out that it was the law to have registrations and warrants on vehicles, he was adamant he would continue to skid. "We're still out here dong it anyway," he said. "Would they rather the streets get teared up or a skid pad?" Two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. The changes will be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025.
1News
31-05-2025
- 1News
Arrests after Levin boy racer event injures police, spectators
Ten people have been arrested after police and spectators were injured following a boy racer event involving around 1000 people in Levin and Palmerston North overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford St and Bath St at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. "Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against police who were attempting to break up the gathering," Manawatū Area Prevention Manager Inspector Ash Gurney said. ADVERTISEMENT Spectators crowd the Oxford/Bath Street intersection as boy racers did burnouts yesterday evening. (Source: 1News) "Two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation." By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Five people were arrested and will appear in the Levin District Court in the coming days on disorderly behaviour and driving charges. Five bystanders struck by cars doing burnouts ADVERTISEMENT The group then moved to the intersection of State Highway 57 and Tavistock Rd, where police "were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts", Gurney said. A bystander was struck by a car doing a burnout. An ambulance attempting to get to the pedestrian was delayed by people and vehicles and blocking the roads, Gurney said, leading police to "employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd – to allow it through". Several police vehicles were damaged and had tyres slashed during this period, he said. The crowd then moved to the intersection of SH56 and Tiakitahuna Rd, where "further burnouts and unsafe driving took place". Gurney said four bystanders – aged 16 to 20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries. One driver who struck the bystanders was tracked by the police Eagle helicopter. An 18-year-old man was taken into custody "after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers". He is due to appear in the Levin District Court on Tuesday on a raft of serious charges. Diesel poured on intersection Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city, where the group – which had dwindled to an estimated 200 people – set up again around 2am. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight. ADVERTISEMENT Over the next hour, "several other instances" of single vehicles doing skids and burnouts were identified by officers. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' Gurney said. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured." Gurney said staff will be deployed from Central District and Wellington to respond to "any potential further activity" this weekend. 'This behaviour has no place in our communities' - mayor In a post to Facebook this morning, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said he understood the "concern and disruption" that last night's event had caused for the community. ADVERTISEMENT "This behaviour has no place in our communities. I want to acknowledge the significant planning and swift response by police and emergency services to keep our people and our roads safe," he said. "Their work helped prevent a repeat of last year's dangerous and unacceptable events." Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000. - Additional reporting by Abbey Wakefield
