‘Out of the Blue’: Former Media Boss Dallas Gurney Injured in Brutal Northland Store Assault

By Lions Roar News Crime & Safety Desk

WHANANAKI, NORTHLAND (January 13, 2026) — A prominent community figure and store owner in coastal Northland has been left with a fractured shoulder following a brazen broad-daylight assault that has sparked calls for increased police presence in the region.

Dallas Gurney, the former head of the news station Today FM and current owner of the Whananaki General Store, was allegedly shoved off a deck by an intoxicated customer on Sunday evening, landing heavily on concrete.

⚠️ The Incident: A “Family Store” Confrontation

The assault occurred after Gurney attempted to de-escalate a situation involving a group of highly intoxicated individuals, including two men and several children.

• The Trigger: Gurney asked the group to “keep it civil” after they began swearing loudly in the presence of other families.
• The Attack: When Gurney asked the group to leave, he was blindsided. A man—identified by Gurney as the twin brother of the person he was addressing—pushed him from behind.
• The Injury: The force of the shove sent Gurney “a couple of metres into the air” before he crashed onto the concrete below. He has since been diagnosed with a fractured shoulder and is currently wearing a sling.

🚓 Police Priority Debate

Despite the severity of the attack and the suspects being located just hundreds of metres away in a tent, police were unable to attend the scene until the following day.

• Prioritizing Risk: Whangārei-Kaipara Area Commander Inspector Maria Nordstrom confirmed that a concurrent serious firearms incident in Dargaville required all available units, leaving no staff to dispatch immediately to Whananaki.
• Gurney’s Stance: Gurney clarified that he has “no beef” with local officers but emphasized that the incident highlights a desperate need for more resources in the vast Northland area.
• Investigation: A local officer visited the store on Monday to take a statement. Police have identified the alleged offenders and are working to locate them for questioning.

🏙️ A Message to the Community

In a post on his community radio station, Whananaki FM, Gurney expressed deep regret to the customers who witnessed the violence.

“This is not Whananaki behaviour… this behaviour is so counter to the family atmosphere we have tried to nurture at the store. Please do come back another time so we can shout you tea to make up for it.” — Dallas Gurney