Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Tomoana Road is closed following a serious crash this afternoon in Hastings.
Police were called to a crash at the intersection of Tomoana Road and Williams Street at around 12.40pm.
Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.
The road is closed, and diversions are in place.
Motorists are advised to follow diversions and expect delays.
ENDS
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Clinton Highway/State Highway 1 is closed following a crash involving a truck and trailer unit at Waiwera South this afternoon.
The driver has suffered minor injuries.
Diversions are in place although they are currently not suitable for heavy vehicles.
Motorists are advised to expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Team
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
A young person has been arrested following an incident involving an imitation firearm on an Auckland bus this morning.
Police were informed at 11.24am today that there was a person on a bus heading to Auckland City from Orakei in possession of a firearm.
The bus stopped on Quay Street and a youth and a woman got off and entered a nearby supermarket.
Armed Police arrived on the scene quickly and located the pair exiting through the supermarket car park and safely took them into custody.
An imitation firearm was located on the youth. They will be referred to Police Youth Aid.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a single-vehicle crash on SH5 near Mamaku on Tuesday 22 April.
He was Paul John Coleman, 51, of Hamilton.
Police extend their condolences to his family and friends.
His death has been referred to the Coroner.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Attributable to Detective Sergeant Rochelle Ross:
Police have arrested and charged three men following an aggravated robbery in Aokautere.
At around 7.45am this morning, Manawatu Police were called to a residential address in Aokautere following a report of an aggravated robbery.
Thankfully, the occupants of the property are uninjured, however they are understandably shaken by the incident.
Upon arrival, Police saw the alleged offenders flee the area in a vehicle.
Police signalled the vehicle to stop, however the driver failed to stop and fled from Police.
Tyre-deflation devices were successfully deployed a short time later and the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.
The three men were subsequently located and were taken into custody without incident.
The three Auckland men, aged 19 to 23, are due to appear in Palmerston North District Court on Monday, charged with aggravated robbery.
We acknowledge the disruption this incident may have had on members of the community and would like to thank the public for their understanding and patience during this incident.
Police would like to reassure the community that this is believed to be an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing risk to the public.
We would also like to praise the public for reporting suspicious activity in the area at the time of the incident, this is a great example of the community assisting Police, leading to these offenders being held to account.
If you witness any suspicious or unlawful activity, please contact Police with as much information as safely possible.
You can contact Police on 111 in an emergency, or for non-emergencies through 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Make a Report” or call 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Attributable to Inspector Mike Henwood, Eastern Waikato Area Commander:
A man is before the courts after fleeing from Police in Te Awamutu last night, damaging three Police vehicles in the process.
At about 8:30pm yesterday, Police received reports of a theft at a commercial premises on Sloane Street, Te Awamutu. Upon arrival, a vehicle of interest was seen travelling away from the scene, the vehicle was signalled to stop and failed to do so. The vehicle was not pursued.
A further report of theft at 9pm was received from another commercial premises in Te Awamutu, and the same vehicle of interest was seen by Police driving away from the area from the area at high speeds. Police did not engage with the vehicle due to the inherent risk that the manner of driving placed upon other road users.
At 10:30pm, Police responded to reports of a disorder at McDonalds in Te Awamutu, the attending units sighted the Toyota Landcruiser on State Highway 3, a co-ordinated response to stop the vehicle was carried out, leading to the vehicle successfully being spiked.
The vehicle continued to drive into Te Awamutu township where spikes were deployed a further two times on Bygrave Place, deflating the remainder of the vehicle’s tyres.
The alleged offender has then intentionally driven his vehicle into a stationary Police vehicle that was parked on the side of the road, causing significant damage to the patrol vehicle, the officer inside the vehicle was thankfully uninjured.
The offending vehicle has then driven into a service station forecourt on Sloane Street where he was blocked in by multiple police units. He has then rammed two Police vehicles, causing extensive damage to the vehicles. No Police staff were injured.
The offender’s vehicle has then come to rest on a security bollard, Police removed the man from the vehicle, and he was taken into custody.
The officers responding to this incident demonstrated exceptional courage and commitment to public safety. Despite being rammed on three separate occasions by a dangerous driver attempting to flee, they placed themselves in harm’s way to protect the community and bring the situation under control. Their actions reflect the dedication and bravery our Police show every day to keep others safe.
A 43-year-old man is due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today facing a number of driving, assault and shoplifting charges.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Wairarapa Police have put the brakes on an anti-social road user event in the Wairarapa overnight, issuing infringements and seizing vehicles.
Operation Kereru saw an increased Police presence in the Wairarapa region, taking a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful road user activity.
In the Wairarapa, Police were able to set up necessary checkpoints to disrupt behaviour before it started.
Over 50 infringements were issued, and on top of these, ten non-operational orders were served. Two vehicles were seized by Bailiffs, and one was impounded.
Wairarapa Area Commander, Inspector Nick Thom says the work of Police staff to get in early to disrupt the planned activity saw a pleasing result.
“As a result of the fantastic work by staff, the vehicles that had gathered were intercepted and had left the area before they were able to get started, all before midnight.”
Two people were recorded over the legal alcohol limit and have been summoned to court, as has a man who was arrested for driving while suspended.
Wairarapa Police continue to work with staff around the Wellington region to disrupt any anti-social behaviour and want to reassure the community that those participating in unlawful activity will be held to account.
Police are reminding members of the public to report any unlawful activity to us, as soon as possible with as much information as safely possible.
This will assist in an effective response, and in cases where we can’t respond immediately, we are able to follow up with drivers and take later enforcement action.
You can report any information to us by calling 111 if it is happening now, or via 105 if it is after the fact, either over the phone or online.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Asia Pacific Report
Activists for Palestine paid homage to Pope Francis in Aotearoa New Zealand today for his humility, care for marginalised in the world, and his courageous solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza at a street theatre rally just hours before his funeral in Rome.
He was remembered and thanked for his daily calls of concern to Gaza and his final public blessing last Sunday — the day before he died — calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s genocidal war on the Palestinian enclave.
Several speakers thanked the late Pope for his humanitarian concerns and spiritual leadership at the vigil in Auckland’s “Palestinian Corner” in Te Komititanga Square, beside the Britomart transport hub, as other rallies were held across New Zealand over the weekend.
“Last November, Pope Francis said that what is happening in Gaza was not a war. It was cruelty,” said Catholic deacon Chris Sullivan. “Because Israel is always claiming it is a war. But it isn’t a war, it’s just cruelty.”
During the last 18 months of his life, Pope Francis had a daily ritual — he called Gaza’s only Catholic church to see how people were coping with the “cruel” onslaught.
Deacon Sullivan said the people of the church in Gaza “have been attacked by Israeli rockets, Israeli shells, and Israeli snipers, and a number of people have been killed as a result of that.”
In his Easter message before dying, Pope Francis said: “I appeal to the warring parties: call a ceasefire, release the hostages and come to the aid of a starving people that aspires to a future of peace.”
‘We lost the best man’
Also speaking at today’s rally, Dr Abdallah Gouda said: “We lost the best man. He was talking about Palestine and he was working to stop this genocide.
“Pope Francis; as a Palestinian, as a Palestinian from Gaza, and as a Moslem, thank you Pope Francis. Thank you. And we will never, never forget you.
“As we will always talk about you, the man who called every night to talk to the Palestinians, and he asked, ‘what do you eat’. And he talked to leaders around the world to stop this genocide.”
Pope Francis called Gaza’s Catholic parish every night. Video: AJ+
In Rome, the coffin of Pope Francis made its way through the city from the Vatican after the funeral to reach Santa Maria Maggiore basilica for a private burial ceremony.
It arrived at the basilica after an imposing funeral ceremony at St Peter’s Square.
The Vatican said that more than 250,000 people attended the open-air service that was held under clear blue skies
Dozens of foreign dignitaries, including heads of state, were also in attendance.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re eulogised Pope Francis as a pontiff who knew how to communicate to the “least among us” and urged people to build bridges and not walls.
In Auckland at the “guerrilla theatre” event, several highly publicised examples of recent human rights violations and war crimes in Gaza were recreated in several skits with “actors” taking part from the crowd.
Palestinian Dr Faiez Idais role played the kidnapping of courageous Kamal Adwan Hospital medical director Dr Hussam Abu Safiya by the Israeli military last December and his detention and torture in captivity since.
Another Palestinian, Samer Almalalha, role played Columbia University student leader Mahmoud Khalil, who is also Palestinian and is a US permanent resident with an American wife and child.
Khalil was seized by ICE agents from his university apartment without a warrant and abducted to a remote immigration prison in Louisiana but the courts have blocked his deportation in a high profile case.
He is one of at least 300 students who have been captured ICE agents for criticising Israel and its genocide.
The skits included a condemnation of the US corporation Starbucks, the world’s leading coffee roaster and retailer, with mock blood being kicked over fake bodies on the plaza.
The backlash against the brand has caused heavy losses and 100 outlets in Malaysia have been forced to shut down.
Singers and musicians Hone Fowler, who was also MC, Brenda Liddiard and Mark Laurent — including their dedicated “Make Peace Today” inspired by Jesus’ “Blessed are the peacemakers” — also lifted the spirits of the crowd.
By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific presenter
The doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have now been closed and the coffin sealed, ahead of preparations for tonight’s funeral of Pope Francis.
The Vatican says a quarter of a million people have paid respects to Pope Francis in the last three days.
Sister Susana Vaifale of the Missionaries of Faith has lived in Rome for more than 10 years and worked at the Vatican’s St Peter’s parish office.
She told RNZ Pacific Waves that when she met the Pope in 2022 for an “ad limina” (obligatory visit) with the bishops from Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, she was lost for words.
“When I was there in front of him, it’s like a blur, I couldn’t say anything,” she said.
Sister Vaifale said although she was speechless, she thought of her community back home in Samoa.
“In my heart, I brought everyone, I mean my country, my people and myself. So, in that time . . . I was just looking at him and I said, ‘my goodness’ I’m here, I’m in front of the Pope, Francis . . . the leader of the Catholic Church.”
At Easter celebration
Sister Vaifale said she was at the Easter celebration in St Peter’s Square where Pope Francis made his last public appearance.
However, the next day it was announced that Pope Francis died.
The news shattered Sister Vaifale who was on a train when she heard what had happened.
“Oh, I cried, yeah I cried . . . until now I am very emotional, very sad.”
“He passed at 7:30 . . . I am very sad but like we say in Samoa: ‘maliu se toa ae toe tula’i mai se toa’.. so, it’s all in God’s hands.”
Siblings pay final respects
The Leung-Wai family from South Auckland are in Rome and joined the long queue to pay their final respects to Pope Francis lying in state at St Peter’s Basilica.
Fatima Leung-Wai along with her siblings Martin and Ann-Margaret are proud of their Catholic faith and are active parishioners at St Peter Chanel church in Clover Park.
The family’s Easter trip to Rome was initially for the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis — a young Italian boy who died at the age of 15 from leukemia and is touted to be the first millennial saint.
Plans changed as soon as they heard the news of the Pope’s death.
Leung-Wai said it took an hour and a half for her and her siblings to see the Pope in the basilica and the crowd numbers at St Peter’s Square got bigger each day.
Despite only seeing Pope Francis’ body for a moment, Leung-Wai said she was blessed to have met him in 2016 for World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland.
She said Pope Francis was well-engaged with the youth.
“I was blessed to have lunch with him nine years ago,” Leung-Wai said.
“Meeting him at that time he was like a grandpa, he was like very open and warm and very much interested in what the young people and what we had to say.”
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police can now release the name of the woman who died in a crash on State Highway 1, Marton on 26 March.
She was 24-year-old My Marie Harder Clemensen, from Khandallah, Wellington.
Police send our condolences to her family and friends at this difficult time.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
Police can confirm one person has died following a crash in Owhata overnight.
The two-vehicle crash on the corner of Te Ngae Road and Tennyson Drive was reported at about 9:10pm.
One person died at the scene. A second person received serious injuries.
Police would like to speak with anybody who witnessed the crash. This includes any dashcam or CCTV footage around the area.
If you have any information, please contact Police via 105, either online or over the phone.
Please reference file number 250426/9296.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Household living-costs price indexes: March 2025 quarter – cancelled
23 April 2025
The Household living-costs price indexes: March 2025 quarter (HLPI) has been cancelled and will not be released on 1 May 2025.
This is due to a range of technical data processing challenges in updating and applying the weights for the HLPIs, following the Consumers price index review: 2024.
We are working with our customers to understand the impacts of this and to find a solution, and we will provide a further update.
New weights from the Consumers price index review: 2024 have been successfully implemented in the selected price indexes and the CPI. However, updating and applying these to the HLPI has been much more complicated.
Cancelling the March 2025 edition of Household living-costs price indexes does not affect the quarterly CPI. Our economic data remains reliable, fit-for-purpose, and within international best practice.
The HLPI is used as an input for one of the measures of child poverty statistics. A key part of our solution will be to ensure we deliver on our obligations to measure child poverty.
We apologise for any inconvenience this causes.
Ends
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COMMENTARY: By Nour Odeh
There was faint hope that efforts to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza would succeed. That hope is now all but gone, offering 2.1 million tormented and starved Palestinians dismal prospects for the days and weeks ahead.
Last Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister once again affirmed he had no intention to end the war. Benjamin Netanyahu wants what he calls “absolute victory” to achieve US President Donald Trump’s so-called vision for Gaza of ethnic cleansing and annexation.
To that end, Israel is weaponising food at a scale not seen before, including immediately after the October 7 attack by Hamas. It has not allowed any wheat, medicine boxes, or other vital aid into the Gaza Strip since 2 March.
This engineered starvation has pushed experts to warn that 1.1 million Palestinians face imminent famine.
Many believe this was Israel’s “maximum pressure” plan all along: massive force, starvation, and land grabs. It’s what the Israeli Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, referred to in March when he gave Palestinians in Gaza an ultimatum — surrender or die.
A month after breaking the ceasefire, Israel has converted nearly 70 percent of the tiny territory into no-go or forced displacement zones, including all of Rafah. It has also created a new so-called security corridor, where the illegal settlement of Morag once stood.
Israel is bombing the Palestinians it is starving while actively pushing them into a tiny strip of dunes along the coast.
Israel only interested in temporary ceasefire
This mentality informed the now failed ceasefire talks. Israel was only interested in a temporary ceasefire deal that would keep its troops in Gaza and see the release of half of the living Israeli captives.
In exchange, Israel reportedly offered to allow critically needed food and aid back into Gaza, which it is obliged to do as an occupying power, irrespective of a ceasefire agreement.
Israel also refused to commit to ending the war, just as it did in the Lebanon ceasefire agreement, while also demanding that Hamas disarm and agree to the exile of its prominent members from Gaza.
Disarming is a near-impossible demand in such a context, but this is not motivated by a preserved arsenal that Hamas wants to hold on to. Materially speaking, the armaments Israel wants Hamas to give up are inconsequential, except in how they relate to the group’s continued control over Gaza and its future role in Palestinian politics.
Symbolically, accepting the demand to lay down arms is a sign of surrender few Palestinians would support in a context devoid of a political horizon, or even the prospect of one.
While Israel has declared Hamas as an enemy that must be “annihilated”, the current right-wing government in Israel doesn’t want to deal with any Palestinian party or entity.
The famous “no Hamas-stan and no Fatah-stan” is not just a slogan in Israeli political thinking — it is the policy.
Golden opportunity for mass ethnic cleansing
This government senses a golden opportunity for the mass ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank — and it aims to seize it.
Hamas’s chief negotiator Khalil al-Hayya recently said that the movement was done with partial deals. Hamas, he said, was willing to release all Israeli captives in exchange for ending the war and Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, as well as the release of an agreed-on number of Palestinian prisoners.
But the truth is, Hamas is running out of options.
Netanyahu does not consider releasing the remaining Israeli captives as a central goal. Hamas has no leverage and barely any allies left standing.
Hezbollah is out of the equation, facing geographic and political isolation, demands for disarmament, and the lethal Israeli targeting of its members.
Armed Iraqi groups have signalled their willingness to hand over weapons to the government in Baghdad in order not to be in the crosshairs of Washington or Tel Aviv.
Meanwhile, the Houthis in Yemen have sustained heavy losses from hundreds of massive US airstrikes. Despite their defiant tone, they cannot change the current dynamics.
Tehran distanced from Houthis
Finally, Iran is engaged in what it describes as positive dialogue with the Trump administration to avert a confrontation. To that end, Tehran has distanced itself from the Houthis and is welcoming the idea of US investment.
The so-called Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction also excludes any role for Hamas. While the mediators are pushing for a political formula that would not decisively erase Hamas from Palestinian politics, some Arab states would prefer such a scenario.
As these agendas and new realities play out, Gaza has been laid to waste. There is no food, no space, no hope. Only despair and growing anger.
This chapter of the genocide shows no sign of letting up, with Israel under no international pressure to cease the bombing and forced starvation of Gaza. Hamas remains defiant but has no significant leverage to wield.
In the absence of any viable Palestinian initiative that can rally international support around a different dialogue altogether about ending the war, intervention can only come from Washington, where the favoured solution is ethnic cleansing.
This is a dead-end road that pushes Palestinians into the abyss of annihilation, whether by death and starvation or political and material erasure through mass displacement.
Nour Odeh is a political analyst, public diplomacy consultant, and an award-winning journalist. She also reports for Al Jazeera. This article was first published by The New Arab and is republished under Creative Commons.
An ocean conservation non-profit has condemned the United States President’s latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry.
President Donald Trump issued the “Unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals and resources” order on Thursday, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow deep sea mining.
The order states: “It is the policy of the US to advance United States leadership in seabed mineral development.”
NOAA has been directed to, within 60 days, “expedite the process for reviewing and issuing seabed mineral exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits in areas beyond national jurisdiction under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act.”
Ocean Conservancy said the executive order is a result of deep sea mining frontrunner, The Metals Company, requesting US approval for mining in international waters, bypassing the authority of the International Seabed Authority (ISA).
US not ISA member
The ISA is the United Nations agency responsible for coming up with a set of regulations for deep sea mining across the world. The US is not a member of the ISA because it has not ratified UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“This executive order flies in the face of NOAA’s mission,” Ocean Conservancy’s vice-president for external affairs Jeff Watters said.
“NOAA is charged with protecting, not imperiling, the ocean and its economic benefits, including fishing and tourism; and scientists agree that deep-sea mining is a deeply dangerous endeavor for our ocean and all of us who depend on it,” he said.
He said areas of the US seafloor where test mining took place more than 50 years ago still had not fully recovered.
“The harm caused by deep sea mining isn’t restricted to the ocean floor: it will impact the entire water column, top to bottom, and everyone and everything relying on it.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz
Source: Ministry for Primary Industries
New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Pendarves Ltd in its recall of a specific range of imported frozen anchovies due to the presence of a marine biotoxin.
“Testing of the product has found the presence of domonic acid, a neurotoxin produced by certain algae that can cause amnesic shellfish poisoning in humans,” says New Zealand Food Safety’s acting deputy director-general Claire McDonald.
“These products should not be eaten. You can return them to the place of purchase for a refund. If that’s not possible, throw it out.”
The affected products were sold at a small number of supermarkets and specialty stores.
Visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page for up-to-date information and photographs of the affected product.
Food recall: Imported whole frozen anchovies
New Zealand Food Safety has not received any notifications of associated illness.
Symptoms are mainly gastrointestinal, especially at low toxin levels. These usually appear within 24 hours of eating and may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, and abdominal cramps.
In more serious cases there can be neurological symptoms. These can take up to 3 days to develop and can range from headaches and dizziness to memory loss and, for severe cases, coma.
If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.
The products have been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.
The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts.
Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.
More information about illness caused by algae, including amnesic shellfish poisoning, can be found on our website.
What is toxic shellfish poisoning?
For general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor
The former head of BenarNews’ Pacific bureau says a United States court ruling this week ordering the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release congressionally approved funding to Radio Free Asia and its subsidiaries “makes us very happy”.
However, Stefan Armbruster, who has played a key role in expanding the news agency’s presence in the region, acknowledged, “there’s also more to do”.
On March 14, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to defund USAGM outlets Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Networks, including placing more than 1300 Voice of America employees on leave.
“This order continues the reduction in the elements of the Federal bureaucracy that the President has determined are unnecessary,” the executive order states.
Armbruster told RNZ Pacific Waves that the ruling found the Trump administration failed to provide evidence to support their actions.
“[Judge Royce Lamberth] is basically saying that the actions of the Trump administration [are] likely to have been illegal and unconstitutional in taking away the money from these organisations,” he said.
Order to restore funding
“The judgments are saying that the US administration should return funding to its overseas broadcasters, which include Voice of America [and] Radio Free Asia.”
He said that in America, they can lay people off without a loss, and they can still remain employees. But these conditions did not apply for overseas employees.
“Basically, all the overseas staff have been staff let go, except a very small number in the US who are on visas, dependent on their employment, and they have spoken out about this publicly.
“They have got 60 days to find a job, a new sponsor for them, or they could face deportation to places like China, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
“So for the former employees, at the moment, we are just waiting to see how this all plays out.”
Armbruster said there were hints that a Trump administration could take such action during the election campaign, when the Trump team had flagged issues about the media.
Speed ‘totally unexpected’
However, he added the speed at which this has happened “was totally unexpected”.
“And the judge ruled on that. He said that it is hard to fathom a more straightforward display of arbitrary, capricious action, basically, random and unexplained.
“In short, the defendants had no method or approach towards shutting down USAGM that this Court could discern.”
Armbruster said the US Congress funds the USAGM, and the agency has a responsibility to disburse that funding to Radio Free Europe, Voice of America, and Radio Free Asia.
The judge ruled that the President does not have the authority to withhold that funding, he said.
“We were funded through till September to the end of the financial year in the US.
“In terms of how quickly [the executive order] came, it was a big surprise to all of us. Not totally unexpected that this would be happening, but not this way, not this hard.”
BenarNews ‘gave a voice’
The BenarNews Pacific bureau was initially set up two-and-a-half years ago but evolved into a fully-fledged bureau only 12 months ago. It had three fulltime staff based in Australia and about 15 stringers and commentators across the region.
“We built up this fantastic network of people, and the response has been fantastic, just like Radio New Zealand [Pacific],” Armbruster said.
“We were doing a really good thing and having some really amazing stories on our pages, and big successes. It gave a voice to a whole lot of Pacific journalists and commentators to tell stories from perspectives that were not being presented in other forums.
“It is hard to say if we will come back because there has been a lot of court orders issued recently under this current US administration, and they sometimes are not complied with, or are very slowly complied with, which is why we are still in the process.”
However, Armbruster remains hopeful there will be “some interesting news” next week.
“The judgment also has a little bit of a kicker in the tail, because it is not just an order to do [restore funding].
“It is an order to turn up on the first day of each month, and to appraise the court of what action is [the USAGM] taking to disburse the funds.”
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: NewzEngine.com
Immediate Release
Source: PodTalk.Live
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people to register as foundation members. It is free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The free Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand. It is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
– Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com
Source: New Zealand Government
One hundred and 10 years ago, on the dawn of this day that we commemorate every year in New Zealand, Anzac troops came ashore here, shoulder-to-shoulder with their brothers from half a world away.
Some anticipated an adventure far from home.
But as the sun rose and the shadows drained from the gullies, it was not adventure that greeted them, but horror.
Instead of the peace we feel now, they faced wave after wave of firing.
Each bullet seeming to come closer than the last, as one soldier put it.
Days became weeks, and weeks became months – but only for those who survived that long.
The metronome of gunfire and shelling kept the dreadful rhythm of life in the trenches.
Gallipoli is a name etched into New Zealand’s national identity.
It represents not only this shore and these hills, but the valour that was shown here on both sides, the terrible sacrifice, and the utter tragedy of war.
Some 16,000 Kiwis served here. At the time, we were a nation of just one million people.
Our contribution as a small nation at the bottom of the world, was disproportionate.
What happened here scarred generations of New Zealanders.
While we remain proud of those who served, we do not glorify what happened here. We know too much to do that. Instead, we acknowledge the courage and tenacity of the Anzacs, and we respect the valour of the Ottoman Turks who resisted them.
Our most decorated Gallipoli veteran, Lieutenant Colonel Cyril Bassett VC said, “real courage isn’t just an act of daring; it’s carrying on.”
And carry on they did. On both sides.
Everyone fought in the same horrific conditions and, through that, unbreakable bonds were formed.
Men of means fought in lockstep with those who came from little.
For the Anzacs, a bond was built between New Zealanders and Australians which we sustain to this day.
The passage of 110 years has lifted the fog of war and given us a clearer view of the futility of the Gallipoli campaign and New Zealand’s role in it. But that greater understanding does not dim our respect for those who fought.
On Anzac Day in particular, we remember the stories of selfless acts of courage that ordinary men committed to save their mates, never knowing that, in doing so, they were writing themselves into the history of our nation.
But it would be a disservice to those whose valour we remember if we forget the real lesson of this campaign: That we should do all we can to prevent anything like it happening again.
Many young Turks lost their lives here defending their country. They fought fearlessly in defence of their position, at great cost. Today, we honour them too.
On behalf of all New Zealanders, I thank Türkiye for protecting the cemeteries and memorials on this site, and caring for our fallen sons as you do for your own.
Visiting this place has become a rite of passage for New Zealanders young and old who seek a connection with those who gave so much for us, so long ago.
Some come looking for their family’s surnames on the headstones.
But some headstones bear the names of men who were struck down too young to bear families of their own.
Whatever motivation visitors have for coming, nobody leaves here unmoved.
Only last year, fire struck the peninsula, reminding us of the fragility of this special environment.
We thank Turkish firefighters for their success in containing the fire and commend the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for restoring the memorials. And as always, we express our gratitude to the Turkish authorities for ensuring this sacred ground is protected into the future.
Soon, the light will reveal the landscape as it did at this hour, on this day, 110 years ago.
It will show us the names etched onto headstones marking where men fell.
It will show us the names of our great grandfathers.
And it will show us the names of men who never became fathers.
We think of them all.
We will remember them.
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Police are appealing for information about another vehicle in relation to the murder of Kyle Whorrall in St Johns over Easter Weekend.
The vehicle, a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652, is believed to be connected to people Police would like to speak to.
We believe they have crucial information to share with us about the events surrounding Kyle’s tragic death.
The vehicle may have travelled to Northland in recent days.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin is asking those occupants to make contact with Police as soon as possible.
“These people of interest could have the information we are looking for that will help us understand why Kyle was killed.
“We know they are likely feeling apprehensive about speaking with us, but we are asking them come forward as soon as possible. It is time to do the right thing.
“If you have any information about this vehicle or the people involved, we also want to hear from you.
“We will be continuing to carry out our enquiries to locate this vehicle and the people with it as a matter of urgency.”
If you have any information, please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858, Operation Aberfeldy.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (National News)
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Marty James, District Manager Criminal Investigations:
Three people have been arrested in relation to the Gang Conflict Warrant currently in place in Eastern District, with powers being invoked eight times overnight.
A 21-year-old man was arrested in Wairoa shortly before 11pm and is due to appear in Wairoa District Court on 2 May on drug and driving-related charges.
A 21-year-old woman was also arrested for disorderly behaviour, while a 50-year-old man has been arrested for breaching bail.
Police are pleased to have undertaken a range of activities overnight, with the aim of suppressing the illegal and dangerous activities of gang members.
We will be deploying additional resources within the coming days to ensure we are utilising the warrant’s special powers to their full extent.
Police will be highly visible in our communities, and we hope this provides reassurance to members of the public who have a right to go about their lives without fear and intimidation.
We thank the public for their ongoing cooperation as we work hard to hold people committing this offending to account.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police (District News)
One person has died after a crash on Papakura-Clevedon Road last night, where a vehicle left the road and entered a creek.
Police were called to the scene about 6.45pm.
Sadly, one person died at the scene.
The Serious Crash Unit has examined the scene, and enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
The Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network today condemned the Fiji government’s failure to stand up for international law and justice over the Israeli war on Gaza in their weekly Black Thursday protest.
“For the past 18 months, we have made repeated requests to our government to do the bare minimum and enforce the basic tenets of international law on Israel,” said the protest group in an open letter.
“We have been calling upon the Fiji government to uphold the principles of peace, justice, and human rights that our nation cherishes.
“We campaigned, we lobbied, we engaged, and we explained.
“We showed the evidence, pointed to the law, and asked our leaders to do the right thing. Our pleas fell on deaf ears. We’ve been met with nothing but indifference.”
The open letter said:
“Dear fellow Fijians,
“As we gathered tonight in Suva at the Fiji Women’s Crisis Centre compound, Israel has maintained an eight-week blockade on food, medicine and aid entering Gaza, while continuing to bomb homes and tent shelters.
“At least 52,000 people in Gaza have been killed since October 2023, which includes more than 18,000 children. The death toll means that one out of every 50 people has been killed in Gaza. We all know that the real number of those killed is far higher.
“Today, at least 13 people were killed in Israeli attacks. Among the dead were three children in a tent near Nuseirat in central Gaza, and a woman and four children in a home in Gaza City.
“Also reportedly killed in a recent attack was local journalist Saeed Abu Hassanein, whose death adds to at least 232 reporters killed by Israel in Gaza in this genocide.
“For the past 18 months, we have made repeated requests to our government to do the bare minimum and enforce the basic tenets of international law on Israel. We have been calling upon the Fiji Government to uphold the principles of peace, justice, and human rights that our nation cherishes.
“We campaigned, we lobbied, we engaged, and we explained. We showed the evidence, pointed to the law, and asked our leaders to do the right thing. Our pleas fell on deaf ears. We’ve been met with nothing but indifference.
“Instead our leaders met with Israeli Government representatives and declared support for a country accused of the most heinous crimes recognised in international law.
“Fijian leaders and the Fiji Government must not be supporting Israel or planning to set up an Embassy in Israel while Israel continues to bomb refugee tents, kill journalists and medics, and block the delivery of aid to a population under relentless siege.
“No politician in Fiji can claim ignorance of what is happening.
“Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed.
“Many more have been maimed, traumatised and displaced. Hospitals, clinics, refugee camps, schools, universities, residential neighbourhoods, water and food facilities have been destroyed.
“We must loudly name what’s happening in Gaza – a GENOCIDE.
“We should name the crime, underline our government’s complicity in it, and focus our efforts on elevating the voices of Palestinians.
“We know that our actions cannot magically put an end to the GENOCIDE in occupied Palestine, but they can still make a difference. We can add to the global pressure on those who have the power to stop the genocide, which is so needed.
“The way our government is responding to the genocide in Gaza will set a precedent for how they will deal with crises and emergencies in the future — at home and abroad.
“It will determine whether our country will be a force that works to uphold human rights and international law, or one that tramples on them whenever convenient.
“There are already ongoing restrictions against protests in solidarity with Palestine including arbitrary restrictions on marches and the use of Palestine flags.
“We have had to hold gatherings in the premises of the FWCC office as the police have restricted solidarity marches for Palestine since November 2023, under the Public Order (Amendment) Act 2014.
“Today, we must all fight for what is right, and show our government that indifference is not acceptable in the face of genocide, lest we ourselves become complicit.
“History will judge how we respond as Fijians to this moment.
“Our rich cultural heritage and shared values teach us the importance of always standing up for what is right, even when it is not popular or convenient.
“We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people out of a shared belief in humanity, justice, and the inalienable human rights of every individual.”
In Solidarity
Fijians for Palestine Solidarity Network
Source: MetService
Covering period of Thursday 24 – Sunday 27 April – Most of the country is in for a dry but cool ANZAC Day dawn service with MetService forecasts looking more favourable for outdoors activities around the South Island while warm, humid air brings rain in from the Far North over the weekend.
Cloudier skies and spells of rain are expected for Northland on ANZAC day, however, temperatures for the Dawn Service are likely to hold around the mid-teens. Working our way down the country, hugging the eastern coast of the North Island is where a risk of passing showers exist for Dawn Services so bring a raincoat. Moving away from those areas it will be chilly temperatures that people need to prepare for with 2°C forecast for Taupō, Masterton and Alexandra.
Through the rest of Friday the risk of rain drifts southward and by midday Saturday rain looks likely for areas north of Taupō. The wet weather is linked to an area of warm, humid air so the potential for heavy falls will accompany the rain.
MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris states, “One area of concern this weekend will be Northland and Auckland, which may see another wet weekend. There is a lot of uncertainty around this weather system and how much rain it may bring so it’s advised to keep up with the latest forecasts.”
This rain may mean a wet pitch but will hopefully not dampen the Auckland FC supporter’s mood for the match on Sunday evening.
South of Taupō, areas of the North Island look to stay dry until the second half of Saturday but by keeping up with the latest forecasts you may still find a time to get out and about without rain on Sunday too.
Generally, the South Island is where the weather is most settled this weekend. After a run of quite gloomy days in Christchurch, where our airport station only detected 7.8 hours of sunshine over 10 days (between Monday 14 and Wednesday 23), they can look forward to a few sunny afternoons for the long weekend with temperatures even climbing into the 20s on Sunday. Match conditions look great for the Warriors game on Friday evening, wrap up warm though as the temperature will plummet once the sun goes down.
Some showers will be sprinkled down the West Coast, maybe a little more widespread on Sunday. People heading out into the hills around Nelson and Tasman will need to keep an eye on the forecast as there’s the possibility of rain setting in on Saturday.
“While some areas will need to keep the raincoats on hand, many parts of the country can look forward to some moments of sunshine. Make sure to keep up with the latest MetService forecast over the long weekend,” Lewis concludes.