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Home / New Zealand / Crime

Ruatiti double homicide: Police issue arrest warrant for Mitchell Cole, hunt continues for wanted man

NZ Herald
16 Dec, 2025 12:38 AM2 mins to read

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Morning Headlines | Jewish council urges leaders to reflect, warning over alpine dangers and Rob Reiner’s son in custody | Tuesday December 16, 2025

Police have issued a warrant to arrest a Whanganui man as they investigate a double homicide.

A photo was released yesterday of 29-year-old Mitchell Cole as part of the police investigation into two deaths in Ruatiti and sought help from the public in locating him.

Central District Commander Superintendent Dion Bennett said police were still making inquiries to locate Cole.

He was believed to be in the Ruatiti area and the public had been warned not to approach him if seen.

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Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of 29-year-old Mitchell Cole. Photo / Police
Police have issued a warrant for the arrest of 29-year-old Mitchell Cole. Photo / Police

“Police have concerns for Cole and we also want to speak to him in relation to our ongoing inquiries,” said Bennett.

Additional police staff have remained in the Ruatiti area to help with the investigation and a warrant has been issued for the 29-year-old’s arrest for unlawful possession of firearms.

“Police will pursue every lead available to us in relation to this investigation and are working to locate Cole as quickly as possible.”

The public have been urged to call 111 if they see Cole while non-urgent information about the incident can be shared by calling 105 on the phone or at 105.police.govt.nz, using the reference number P064773873.

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Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

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