Hoax mayday call in Whangārei wasted police and coastguard resources for three hours.

A hoax mayday call in Whangārei, Northland, wasted three hours of police and coastguard resources, including deploying search and rescue boats and a fixed-wing aircraft. The call could have hindered response to real emergencies, and Senior Sergeant Clifford Metcalfe emphasized the importance of respecting safety and valuable resources. The source of the hoax calls is under investigation.