To be attributed to Detective Senior Sergeant Karen Simmons, Operation Commander:
Christchurch put on a stunning weekend for the more than 35,000 people attending Electric Avenue each day of the two-day festival.
The event was well managed and organised, with a large security contingent which proved valuable.
Police assisted event security with fence jumpers, minor disorder and assaults, and evictions due to intoxication.
Police were generally pleased with the behaviour of the majority of those attending. However it was disappointing to see some people heavily intoxicated when they arrived at the festival. Unfortunately Police also observed a lot of people under the influence of drugs.
Crowd behaviour when people were leaving the festival was good, with only minor disorder reported in the CBD on Saturday night.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to a stabbing in Birkenhead on 4 February.
The man was arrested during a search warrant at a Northcote address yesterday morning and is due to appear in the North Shore District Court on Monday, charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. His bail will be opposed.
We would like to thank the members of the public for their assistance and information provided that assisted our investigation.
I would like to acknowledge the various Police teams who have worked tirelessly on this case, as part of our ongoing dedication to holding offenders to account.
A funding boost for the QEII National Trust is a win for farmers and the environment, Federated Farmers vice president Colin Hurst says.
Following strong advocacy from Federated Farmers, the Government have announced an additional $4.5 million for the trust over the next three years.
“When it comes to environmental bang for your taxpayer buck, I can’t think of a better investment than the QEII Trust,” Hurst says.
“But despite the amazing work they do in our rural communities to improve biodiversity and other environmental outcomes, the trust hasn’t had an increase in funding for over a decade.
“During that time the trust has faced huge inflationary pressures and a 28% increase in demand for their services.
“Today’s announcement may not be the doubling of funding Federated Farmers called for, but it’s certainly a positive step in the right direction and will do a lot of good.”
The QEII National Trust was established in 1977, with Federated Farmers dairy chair (the late) Gordon Stephenson a key instigator.
The trust partners with landowners who are willing to voluntarily protect their land without selling or donating it.
Covenants ensure special areas of bush, wetland and biodiversity are protected for future generations, in perpetuity.
There are now more than 5,200 covenants covering 187,774 hectares – the vast majority on farms.
“Without an increase in funding the QEII Trust would have been forced to scale back the number of new covenants it could support,” Hurst says,
“That would have been a huge setback for nature, and the ongoing efforts of many farmers who are committed to protecting special areas of biodiversity on their land.”
Federated Farmers has been given a 30-minute slot in front of the Primary Production Committee to explain why it believes the trust deserves more support.
“We’ll certainly be taking up that opportunity and making a strong case for further funding increases that will allow the trust to expand their work.”
Associate Health Minister Hon Casey Costello is traveling to Australia for meetings with the aged care sector in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney next week.
“Australia is our closest partner, so as we consider the changes necessary to make our system more effective and sustainable it makes sense to learn from its recent experience on aged care sector reform,” Ms Costello says.
Minister Costello will meet with Ageing Australia, visit aged care facilities across the three cities, and meet with Federal and State government organisations, including the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority. She will also meet with New Zealand aged care providers operating in both trans-Tasman markets.
“This visit also provides an opportunity for me to engage with my ministerial counterparts and their officials across my Customs, Seniors, and Associate Police and Associate Immigration portfolio responsibilities,” Ms Costello says.
Minister Costello will meet with the Hon Anthony Carbines, Victoria Minister for Police; Hon Tony Burke, Federal Minister for Home Affairs; and Hon Jodie Harrison, New South Wales Minister for Seniors.
The Minister will also meet with the Commissioners of the Australia Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and the Australia Taxation Office to discuss their experience targeting transnational and serious organised crime.
The BBC has removed its documentary Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone from iPlayer after it was revealed that its teenage narrator is the son of a Hamas official.
The broadcaster stated that it was conducting “further due diligence” following mounting scrutiny.
The film, which aired on BBC Two last Monday, follows 13-year-old Abdullah Al-Yazouri as he describes life in Gaza.
However, it later emerged that his father, Ayman Al-Yazouri, serves as the Hamas Deputy Minister of Agriculture in Gaza.
In a statement yesterday, the BBC defended the documentary’s value but acknowledged concerns.
“There have been continuing questions raised about the programme, and in light of these, we are conducting further due diligence with the production company,” the statement said.
The revelation sparked a backlash from figures including Friday Night Dinner actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, literary agent Neil Blair, and former BBC One boss Danny Cohen, who called it “a shocking failure by the BBC and a major crisis for its reputation”.
On Thursday, the BBC admitted that it had not disclosed the family connection but insisted it followed compliance procedures. It has since added a disclaimer acknowledging Abdullah’s ties to Hamas.
UK’s Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said that she would discuss the issue with the BBC, particularly regarding its vetting process.
However, the International Centre of Justice for Palestinians urged the broadcaster to “stand firm against attempts to prevent firsthand accounts of life in Gaza from reaching audiences”.
Others also defended the importance of the documentary made last year before the sheer scale of devastation by the Israeli military forces was exposed — and many months before the ceasefire came into force on January 19.
‘This documentary humanised Palestinian children’ Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (CAABU), criticised the BBC’s decision.
“It’s very regrettable that this documentary has been pulled following pressure from anti-Palestinian activists who have largely shown no sympathy for persons in Gaza suffering from massive bombardment, starvation, and disease,” Middle East Eye quoted him as saying.
Doyle also praised the film’s impact, saying, “This documentary humanised Palestinian children in Gaza and gave valuable insights into life in this horrific war zone.”
Journalist Richard Sanders, who has produced multiple documentaries on Gaza, called the controversy a “huge test” for the BBC and condemned its response as a “cowardly decision”.
Earlier this week, 45 Jewish journalists and media figures, including former BBC governor Ruth Deech, urged the broadcaster to pull the film, calling Ayman Al-Yazouri a “terrorist leader”.
The controversy underscores wider tensions over media coverage of the Israel-Gaza war, with critics accusing the BBC of a vetting failure, while others argue the documentary sheds crucial light on Palestinian children’s suffering.
Another teenager who appears in the Gaza documentary . . . she has o global online following for her social media videos on cooking and life amid the genocide. Image: BBC screenshot APR
One of the leading Middle East’s leading political and media analysts, Marwan Bishara, has accused President Donald Trump of applying a doctrine of ‘strategic coercion” and “economic blackmail” in his approach to the Gaza ceasefire.
Bishara, senior political analyst of the Doha-based Al Jazeera global television network, was responding to the news that Trump has apparently backed off his plan for expelling more than 2 million Palestinians from their Gaza homeland and to redevelop it as the “Riviera of the Middle East”.
He has now been describing it as a “recommendation” that would not be enforced.
“The idea that Trump starts with [about taking over Gaza] is mad. But there is a method to the madness,” Bishara said.
“The method to the madness, you can see it in the context of Trump’s doctrine, if you will – and that is strategic coercion and economic blackmail.
“In fact, he started his administration by inviting [Israeli Prime Minister] Netanyahu to Washington, blessing him with all kinds of support . . . and blackmailing Egypt and Jordan into accepting two million refugees, or else — and then asking them to come up with something else.”
Bishara said he expected the Trump doctrine to be applied elsewhere in the world, such as with his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
‘This kind of strategic coercion of Arab countries on behalf of the United States and Israel, and economic blackmail — I think we’re going to see it as part of the Trump doctrine throughout the world.
President Trump’s walkback on his “Riviera” plan for Gaza. Video: Al Jazeera
‘Surprised’ over opposition The US president had said in a radio interview with Fox News that he was “a little bit surprised” that Jordan and Egypt had voiced opposition to his plan to “take over” Gaza and displace Palestinians.
“I’ll tell you, the way to do it is my plan — I think that’s the plan that really works,” Trump said.
“But I’m not forcing it, I’m just going to sit back and recommend it.
“And then the US would own the site, there’d be no Hamas, and there’d be development and you’d start all over again with a clean plate.”
A former Egyptian deputy foreign affairs minister to the European Union, Gamal Bayoumi, said the “informal” meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, of the leaders of several Arab countries to discuss an Egyptian counterproposal had led to the softening of Trump’s stance.
Speaking from Cairo, Bayoumi said Trump had appeared “inexperienced concerning international law” and the Middle East, saying the US president’s plan “has no logic . . . to ask the Palestinians to leave their own country.”
The Government is boosting investment in the QEII National Trust to reinforce the protection of Aotearoa New Zealand’s biodiversity on private land, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. The Government today announced an additional $4.5 million for conservation body QEII National Trust over three years. QEII Trust works with farmers and landowners who voluntarily set aside permanently protected areas including forests and wetlands on private property using covenants. “Many of our most at-risk plants and animals are found on private land,” Mr Potaka says. “Landowners provide a significant contribution to conservation efforts through additional planting, pest control, and fencing work. “The QEII Trust has proven extremely effective in collaborating to protect these crucial habitats, particularly in lowland and coastal zones where much of our threatened biodiversity exists. “This funding increase acknowledges the Trust’s excellent track record and growing demand from landowners to protect special areas of bush, wetland, and biodiversity for future generations,” Mr Potaka says. This brings the Trust’s total annual funding from the Government to just under $5.8 million per year for the next three years. “For nearly half a century, QEII Trust has worked with landowners, councils and others to protect over 187,000 hectares of land in 5,200 covenanted areas – you could think of it as about 187,000 rugby fields. “I’m also pleased to announce a one-off funding injection of $750,000 over three years for the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Sanctuary. “The Sanctuary – a popular tourist destination in the Waikato region – is home to native kākāpō, Mahoenui giant wētā, takahē, banded kōkopu, giant kōkopu (native NZ fish) and tuna (longfin eel). “I’m confident this funding will help the Sanctuary continue their work with our precious native species. “Kia kaha te mahi tahi. We all have a role to play in looking after Aotearoa New Zealand’s incredible and vulnerable nature.”
A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in Rotongaro overnight.
Police were called to Hetherington Road at about 10:40pm after receiving reports a male had been stabbed following a roadside altercation. He died at the scene.
A 25-year-old man has been taken into custody and is assisting us with our enquiries.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this matter.
The biosecurity response to the discovery of a single male Oriental fruit fly in Birkdale on Auckland’s North Shore is making good progress, with extra traps in place, stepped-up checks and legal controls introduced, says Mike Inglis, Biosecurity New Zealand regional Commissioner North.
“Special bins have started being delivered for fruit and vegetable waste disposal and that will continue over the weekend, and a mobile laboratory to check fruit and vegetables is in place.
“Our team is back out today as we continue to ramp up our response efforts to ensure there are no other fruit flies around,” Mr Inglis says.
There were already more than 60 Oriental fruit fly surveillance traps in the North Shore area, and nearly 700 traps aimed at other fruit fly species. Over the weekend, around 100 extra Oriental fruit fly traps will be in place within a 1500-metre area of the original find.
“Yesterday, we introduced legal controls to restrict the movement of fruit and vegetables around the location where the fruit fly was found to stop the spread of any other Oriental fruit flies that may be out there.
“We’ve been delivering information to residential letterboxes about the two zones affected by restrictions and people can also find full information about what they need to do here.”
“People will notice biosecurity signage up in the area and we delivered special disposal bins for fruit and vegetable waste this morning.”
Mr Inglis says instead of putting waste in rubbish bins to be disposed of normally, residents in the two zones are being asked to put fruit and vegetable waste into the special response bins for Biosecurity New Zealand to dispose of securely.
Every household in Zone A will have a fruit and vegetable disposal bin, and in Zone B, there will be bins placed around the edge of the zone, primarily on major transport routes and more within the Zone.
“The bins in Zone A will be cleared daily initially, then as required. There will be no need to put them out on the street as they will be serviced, re-bagged and insecticide applied in bags and inside lids where they are currently placed. If residents have any issues with the bin or need them cleared earlier, they can call us on 0800 80 99 66.
“I want to thank the local community for their positive response to our team so far. In the previous 13 occasions we’ve found fruit flies in New Zealand we’ve successfully eradicated them with the help of our horticulture sector partners and local communities, so it’s important everyone plays their part. At present, the restrictions will be in place for a fortnight.”
We will send out a further update at 10am tomorrow.
Old equipment repurposed by businesses must be safe to use, WorkSafe New Zealand says, following sentencing of a Rotorua company whose modified crane became a weapon that changed the life of a teenage contractor.
Harrison Gilbert was struck in the face by an untethered 412-kilogram steel beam being manoeuvred by the mobile crane at Lakeland Steel in Rotorua, on the day of his seventeenth birthday in October 2022.
Mr Gilbert was knocked unconscious and received over 100 stitches in his face, a broken eye socket, a broken nose, several smashed or lost teeth, and skull fractures. He required facial reconstruction surgery and has more to come.
A WorkSafe investigation found the mobile crane had no certificate of inspection, no load safety devices fitted, and unclear labelling on its controls. The load should have had a tag line or tether to steady it. The crane appears to have originally been a log skidder bought in the 1970’s by the previous owner of Lakeland Steel. At some point in time, it was modified into a crane which was inherited by the current owners who did not maintain it.
Mr Gilbert had not been trained in any of the activities associated with the crane, and was dividing his attention between the load and working with the crane operator when he was hit.
“This young worker was traumatically let down through no fault of his own. Simply put, the crane should not have been operational,” says WorkSafe’s area investigation manager, Paul West.
“Businesses must manage their risks. This includes regularly checking all their equipment to check it’s fit for purpose and compliant. Pay extra attention to modified or older equipment so it doesn’t get neglected while still operational.”
The Crane Association says the incident highlights the importance of ensuring freely suspended crane loads are controlled by a tag line or tether.
“In an industry full of risks, it’s important to understand all the elements that contribute to working safely. Businesses must train their staff in selecting and properly using tag lines, because you don’t want injuries like these on your conscience if things go wrong,” says the Association’s chief executive Sarah Toase.
WorkSafe’s role is to influence businesses to meet their responsibilities and keep people healthy and safe. When they do not, we will take action.
Lakeland Steel Limited was sentenced at Rotorua District Court on 20 February 2025.
A fine of $234,000 was imposed, and reparations of $54,131 were ordered
Lakeland Steel was charged under sections 36(1)(a), 48(1) and (2)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015
Being a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), having a duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers who work for the PCBU, including Harrison Gilbert, while the workers are at work in the business or undertaking, namely using a T-Lift Mobile Crane to move steel beams, did fail to comply with that duty, and that failure exposed the workers to risk of serious injury or death.
The maximum penalty is a fine not exceeding $1.5 million.
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Police are investigating after four suspicious fires at churches in Masterton early today.
Emergency services were called to the fires from around 4.25am.
Police have undertaken checks at other churches in the town this morning and have located evidence to suggest three further churches were targeted but did not catch alight.
Police remain at the scenes of the fires this morning, alongside Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Officers will also be conducting reassurance patrols, including in nearby towns Featherston and Carterton.
If anyone has information which could assist our investigation, please contact Police via 105.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A chief executive who oversaw the Port of Auckland for more than a decade has been sentenced today (21 February) in a significant case in relation to a 2020 fatal incident at the port.
In November last year, Judge Bonnar KC in the District Court at Auckland released a decision finding Tony Gibson guilty of one Health and Safety at Work charge, after stevedore Pala’amo Kalati was killed in August 2020.
This is the first time in New Zealand an officer of a large company has been convicted of a breach of their due diligence duty.
The Judge’s decision is seen as one that clarifies legislative health and safety obligations for officers of large companies.
Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, says people are at the centre of prosecutions such as this, and Mr Kalati’s family, will forever feel the impact of what occurred at the Port of Auckland nearly four and a half years ago.
“Our thoughts continue to go out to Mr Kalati’s family, friends, as well as those also impacted by this tragic incident, including the other surviving victim.
“This has not been a quick process, and we fully understand how difficult the ongoing proceedings against the Port and Mr Gibson would have been for those close to Mr Kalati, and the other victim,” says Ms Hewlett.
The District Court found that, as the chief executive of Port of Auckland, Mr Gibson did not exercise his due diligence responsibility for ensuring that the Port complied with its health and safety responsibilities.
“This was a serious departure from the duty of care he should have provided to the workers at the port as the senior officer in charge (the chief executive).
“Mr Gibson had the knowledge, influence, resources and opportunity to address safety gaps and ensure that appropriate systems were in place at the port, but failed to do so,” Ms Hewlett says.
During his more than a decade managing it, the port company was convicted of several offences under health and safety legislation. These past incidents resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.
Mr Gibson knew of safety issues raised around the critical risks that could hurt people on the Port, but did not take timely action to address them, even though it was in his control and influence to do so.
It is hoped this case will serve as a strong reminder to chief executives of large companies that they need to understand the critical risks at their businesses; and assure themselves, through reliable sources, that there are controls and systems in place, and that these are working effectively on the ground.
“In saying this, I recognise there are many officers in New Zealand who are meeting their health and safety obligations, and they should be confident this decision reaffirms the work they do to keep their people safe at work.
“More broadly I also want to recognise the work of the Port sector- port companies, stevedores and unions since the death of Mr Kalati to improve safety on New Zealand ports. This work has included the delivery of the Approved Code of Practice (for loading and unloading cargo at ports and on ships) which was launched last year to ensure consistent base line safety standards. It is important that this work continues to ensure we prevent tragedies like this and that workers come home healthy and safe,” Ms Hewlett says.
Sentencing notes:
In sentencing Judge Bonnar KC fined Tony Gibson $130,000. He awarded Maritime NZ costs of $60,000
The Pacific Blue Line Collective and partners, representing Pacific civil society organisations, faith-based groups, youth, women’s organisations, and movements, remain steadfast
in their position for an outright ban on deep-sea mining in the Pacific.
In a statement, they said: “We remind Pacific Leaders of their responsibility to the protection of the Pacific Ocean. As the Pacific Island Leaders meet for the High-level Talanoa on Deep Sea Minerals at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat this week, it is vital that the duty of care to safeguard our oceans is at the forefront of discussions.”
Greenpeace seabed mining campaigner Juressa Lee says: “Pacific leaders have received a strong and clear message from civil society groups across the Pacific, urging them to reject wannabe deep sea miners with selfish agendas and their propaganda that they can destroy the deep sea to save us from the climate crisis.
“The undersigned groups represent a growing broad and strong resistance from across Te Moananui a Kiwa against this emerging form of extractivism and colonisation.
“This long-standing opposition of civil society asserts their mana and birth-righted guardianship of their homes, and the authority and necessity of Indigenous voices and Indigenous Knowledge Systems in any decisions that pertain to their homes, which includes the ocean.
“Civil society groups argue that Indigenous Rights, the rights of Pacific Peoples, their knowledge systems, and a healthy environment should be at the centre of all conversations and decision-making, alongside the best available, robust and independent science.
“Pacific Leaders and global leaders must hear this call from civil society to centre Pacific communities and the environments of which they are guardians.”
21 February 2025 – Tax Justice Aotearoa is calling on the Minister of Revenue to retain the ability for Inland Revenue to collect vital information that supports effective tax policy making.
“We are concerned that the Minister initiated a review of this important provision within the Tax Administration Act just over a year after IR produced its report on High Net Worth Individuals,” said Glenn Barclay, Chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa.
“That piece of work provided us with the first in depth information on the scale of the inequities of our tax system and the review has the air of an exercise to close down or restrict similar research in the future. We are calling on the Minister to stick with this provision, which is essential to good tax policy making.”
S.17GB of the Tax Administration Act is the provision that enabled Inland Revenue to carry out that ground breaking Report on High Net Worth Individuals in 2023.
The report revealed that the wealthiest 311 families in the country had an effective tax rate of around 9%, while the average taxpayer had an effective tax rate of over 20%.
“The lack of balance in our tax system is now well understood, but without the information gathered under s.17GB we would not have had the research on High Net Worth Individuals and would be guessing about the extent of the problem,” said Glenn Barclay.
S.17GB goes beyond the general information collecting power in the Act, which is not sufficient to provide access to information that could potentially lead to policy change – it is mainly about enforcement.
“The need for this provision is also a symptom of our badly out of balance tax system. If we were already taxing capital in any meaningful way, then it is reasonable to assume that IR would have much better information about what high net worth individuals are worth.
“In the absence of those taxes and that information, this provision becomes even more essential.”
Glenn Barclay also drew attention to the relevance of s.17GB to other recently announced policies.
“Government policies such as the possibility of reducing corporate taxes and encouraging wealthy individuals to come to New Zealand, mean that understanding their contribution to revenue is going to become more important, not less,” he said.
“There is no good reason to reduce or eliminate this power to gather information other than to protect vested interests and we ask the Minister to put the public interest first.”
The University of Auckland’s new recreation centre was formally opened on 21 February by Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Auckland, Professor Dawn Freshwater.
The eight-storey building, complete with rooftop turf, pool, and state-of-the-art sports halls, is being used by staff, students and the public as part of the University’s concerted focus on balancing well-being with academia.
The centre’s name Hiwa, gifted by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, means ‘vigorous, active, robust and sound’, reflecting the University’s aspirations for growth and well-being. The 26,000 sq m facility covers a space equivalent to roughly 3.7 rugby pitches or 100 standard tennis courts and is located on Symonds Street in the heart of Auckland.
With an innovative vertically ‘stacked’ design, it centralises the University’s sport and recreation services into a single premises, overcoming the spatial constraints of its central city location.
Features include a premier rooftop multi-sport turf and two sports halls with the southern hemisphere’s first glass sports floor with integrated LED markings to accommodate six different sports. It also holds capacity for 1,500 spectators, a running track, an eight-lane 33-metre lap pool, a dive tank, spa and sauna, climbing wall, group exercise studios, combat sports studio and expansive cardio and weights areas that make it one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere.
Hiwa serves as a vibrant community hub, offering a café, social spaces and versatile indoor and outdoor areas for various activities. The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater says the opening of Hiwa is a huge milestone for the University following comprehensive planning for a new recreation centre, spanning a decade. She says the investment in Hiwa further enhances the University of Auckland’s position as New Zealand’s pre-eminent, research-led higher education institution.
“We are delighted to open the doors to this wonderful facility to bolster the world-class education our students receive and enhance the well-being of the wider community.
“It’s an important hub for our growing University population and an asset for Auckland. Our community has long desired sport and recreation facilities that befit the world-class campus environment expected of Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading university.”
She said campus experiences, especially in sport and recreation, are known to enhance student success.
“Staff will also have more opportunity to pursue their health and well-being goals, and through public memberships and collaboration with the sport and recreation sector, we hope to positively impact the wider Auckland community.”
As a focal point on campus, Hiwa Recreation Centre is designed to enrich campus life by connecting learning, sporting and social facilities.
The building was designed by Warren and Mahoney in partnership with MJMA Architecture and Design, and constructed by Hawkins, in consultation with Rider Levett Bucknall, Beca and Colliers.
It is the most multi-faceted building on campus, requiring 500 workers on site at the peak of construction. The University’s Chief Property Officer Simon Neale says Hiwa Recreation Centre is the most complex build the University has ever undertaken.
“The project was not without its challenges, being delivered through one of the most challenging periods for the construction industry in New Zealand. The consultant and construction team masterfully navigated the Covid pandemic, supply-chain issues, moving 40-tonne trusses and vast pre-cast concrete beams for the pool hall roof overnight and at weekends.
“But thousands of people and many businesses helped us deliver this significant project for the University, with a strong ethos of partnership between all those involved enabling us to overcome the challenges and to deliver an outstanding facility which will support the health and well-being of our student and staff communities, and high-performance sport, for many years to come.”
Memberships are available to students, staff and members of the public. Casual visitors are also welcome.
As well as the minister, guests at the official launch included Mayor Wayne Brown, Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson, Sports NZ CEO Raelene Castle and Eden Park CEO Nick Sautner.
Bishop said as the former sports minister he had been to a number of sports facilities around the world, and Hiwa was “genuinely quite something. This is a remarkable facility for the university, but also for the city, and the whole country.”
Simpson said she was blown away by the new recreation centre. “We know Auckland needs assets like this, but this is truly international class.”
The event began with an elite diving demonstration for the Minister by engineering student and Commonwealth Games diver Frazer Tavener, and concluded with a shortened seven-aside netball match between the Vice-Chancellor’s Invitational Seven, which included Minister Bishop, and a Sport and Recreation Seven, which featured alumna and former Silver Fern Sulu Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick also spoke during the formalities, ahead of the plaque unveiling. She said: “The magnitude and the quality of this facility will make not only top athletes better for the world stage, but allow students and staff members to be happier and healthier, which will contribute to a better New Zealand. It’s exciting.”
About Hiwa, Recreation Centre Hiwa, Recreation Centre is a showpiece for the University of Auckland and reflects the importance the University places on student and staff health and well-being. It significantly enhances the campus experience for students and staff, offering a state-of-the-art gym, sports centre and social hub, balancing health and relaxation with academia. It also offers gym memberships to Auckland residents and provides an additional recreational space for community outreach.
Hiwa opened on 25 November 2024 (following a dawn blessing on 20 November) and is now operational.
The official opening by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Dawn Freshwater and Hon Chris Bishop, Minister for Infrastructure and Associate Minister for Sport and Recreation, took place on Friday 21 February.
Hiwa facts and figures
Hiwa is a world-class facility for students, staff and the wider community to play sport, keep fit, have fun and socialise and get the most out of their time at Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. Sport and recreation play a vital role in health and well-being. Hiwa befits a global university, meeting the national and international expectations of students. Hiwa is a 26,000 sqm facility, covering a space equivalent to 100 standard tennis courts or 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Spread across eight levels, its innovative design overcomes the spatial challenges of a central city location. It has a unique inner-city rooftop multi-sport turf and track, and two sports halls with the southern hemisphere’s first glass floor, accommodating six different sports. Hiwa includes an eight-lane pool, dive tank, spa and sauna, bouldering wall, and is one of the largest gym fit-outs in the southern hemisphere. As well as the fitness facilities, it serves as a community hub, with a café, and indoor and outdoor multi-purpose spaces. While Hiwa is primarily for students and staff, Hiwa has reinvigorated the city centre. The University recognises Auckland’s need for quality sports facilities and will be working to support the wider sports sector and contribute to making Auckland a world-class city. The University’s physical education programmes and exercise science students will also use the facility.
FAQs What does Hiwa mean? The Hiwa name, gifted to the University by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, means ‘vigorous (of growth), active, robust, sound’. It has multiple synergies with the recreation centre and its place at the heart of our University community.
How much did the new building cost? The sum approved in the University Estate Strategy for the full programme was $320m, which covered demolition and clearance of the site, ground works, temporary facilities for use during construction and the design and construction costs themselves. Final costs will not be known until later this year at which time the overall position will be compiled.
How can the University afford this? Hiwa is the culmination of decades of planning and more than half of the funding for its construction comes from past and present student levies. The former student facilities levy and the current Compulsory Student Services Fee is paid by all students to contribute to student support services and can only be spent on student initiatives.
Why is Hiwa needed? Health and well-being are vital to the success of our students. Research shows that participation in sport, leisure, clubs, societies and fitness activities increases retention and translates into better academic performance among students, as well as a greater sense of community, social connection and belonging. World-class facilities attract high-quality students and academic talent and enhance the University’s relationship with the Auckland community.
The University of Auckland believes this is an investment in the well-being not only of our 46,000 students but of our wider community. Providing world-leading sports and recreation facilities will further enhance the reputation, visibility and attractiveness of Auckland as a premier city in which to study and live.
Attributable to Southern District Crime Manager Detective Inspector Shona Low
Two people have been arrested today, after Southern District Police and New Zealand Customs executed a joint operation.
The operation, which began in mid-January, related to the importation of the Class B Controlled Drug Ecstasy and the Class C Controlled Drug Ketamine to local Dunedin addresses.
Two search warrants were executed in Dunedin this afternoon where Police located a number of items of interest.
A 23-year-old Dunedin man was arrested this afternoon at Queenstown Airport, and a 30-year-old Dunedin man was arrested after a vehicle stop in Christchurch. Both will appear in Court tomorrow. The 30-year-old will appear in the Christchurch District Court and the 23-year-old will appear in the Queenstown District Court, charged with multiple importations. Both will have their bail opposed.
This is an example of the strong partnership Police shares with New Zealand Customs when it comes to investigating the importation of illegal drugs into the country. In executing these search warrants and arresting those we believe are responsible, we’ve made a significant impact in terms of reducing the harm that the drug trade causes within our communities.
We know this won’t stop the supply of drugs, or others from trying to profit from addiction, but it will put a noticeable dent in the availability of illegal drugs in the district.
Customs Manager Investigations, Dominic Adams, said “These were significant intercepts destined for the region. We believe this influx of drugs were intended for the local community in the South Island, where they would have caused considerable harm.
“Customs works really closely with Police districts up and down the country, and in this case we were able to assist Dunedin Police with information and investigative support which has resulted in today’s arrests.”
Please attribute to Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Wilson:
Police investigating the death of a man found deceased on Hokio Beach yesterday morning are asking for anyone in the area at the time to come forward with information.
About 7.30am, Police were alerted to the man’s body by a member of the public.
While his death is not currently considered suspicious, Police are making enquiries on behalf of the Coroner, and are working to establish the circumstances surrounding it.
We are now looking to speak to anyone who was in the area around the time he was last seen, which was between midnight and approximately 2am in the early hours of Thursday 20 February.
In particular, our enquiries have established that a white ute – possibly a Ford Ranger, with “Wild Trax’’ written on the rear – was at the beach, and the two male occupants assisted a female member of the public to tow her vehicle after it became stuck.
While we have no reason to believe these men had any involvement in the man’s death, we are eager to speak to them as we believe they may have valuable information to share.
Anyone who can help with information is urged to get in touch through our 105 service, quoting reference number 250220/5112.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Aiden Sagala sat down for a beer after a hard day’s work nearly two years ago.
No one could have imagined the horrific series of events that would follow for Aiden and his family.
Twenty-one-year-old Aiden had unwittingly consumed liquid methamphetamine, disguised as a can of Honey House Beer, and died on 7 March 2023.
Auckland City Police initiated Operation Lavender to investigate Aiden’s tragic death and the wider shipment of methamphetamine.
Today, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin acknowledges the sentences handed down in the Auckland High Court for the two men charged in the investigation.
Himatjit Singh Kahlon, 42, has been sentenced to 21 years imprisonment, with a minimum period of imprisonment of 10 years, for manslaughter and possession for supply of methamphetamine.
Another man, who has permanent name suppression, has been sentenced to 22 years imprisonment, with a minimum period of imprisonment of 10 years, for multiple drugs offences including possession for supply of methamphetamine and importing methamphetamine.
Ultimately, the investigation seized 747 kilograms of methamphetamine largely stored in a Manukau warehouse.
It was the largest ever single seizure of methamphetamine in this country.
Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “In usual circumstances, this would have been a significant haul dealing a blow to the criminal groups dealing in its supply.
“However, it was not lost of any on us that there has been a tragedy at the heart of this investigation.
“I acknowledge the tenacious investigators who worked on Operation Lavender, bringing these two men to justice.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the assistance of Customs in this investigation.”
Police extend sympathies to Aiden’s family and friends for their loss.
“No matter the outcome today, Aiden’s family have had a bright young man taken away from them far too soon,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.
“I would like to acknowledge their strength throughout this process.”
Methamphetamine continues to cause heartache in communities right across this country.
“Those concealing illicit drugs in food and beverage products play a dangerous game in their sole drive to make money, and in this case a young man has lost his life.”
Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police along with partner agencies continue to strike against criminal groups involved in the importation and distribution of illicit drugs into New Zealand.
On 20 February 2025, a single male Oriental fruit fly (Bactrocera dorsalis) was found in a backyard surveillance trap in the suburb of Birkdale, Auckland.
Biosecurity New Zealand, which is part of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), has mounted an operation to determine if there are more fruit flies and get rid of any population.
For the most up to date information on this response, visit Biosecurity New Zealand’s website.
Changes to your kerbside collections
This area is divided into two zones, A and B, which have different restrictions. To check if you are in the controlled area and which zone applies to you visit Biosecurity New Zealand’s website.
These restrictions mean some changes to kerbside (particularly food scraps) collections in the area.
Map of Zones A and B – Satellite Birkdale, Auckland February 2025 (source: MPI)
Auckland Council waste collections in Zone A
There will be no food scraps collections (the small 23L bin) in this area until further notice.
Follow Biosecurity New Zealand’s instructions to dispose of your fruit and vegetable waste.
All other food waste e.g. meat, cooked meal scraps, dairy products, rice and pasta etc, should also go into your MPI
Rubbish and recycling collections will continue as usual.
Do not put food waste into your recycling bins or rubbish bins.
Zone A general restrictions (source: Biosecurity New Zealand)
No whole fresh fruit and vegetables, except for leafy vegetables and soil free root vegetables, can be moved outside Zone A. This applies to all produce, regardless of whether it was bought or grown.
Compost and green waste from gardens also cannot be moved out of this zone.
Do not compost fruit and vegetables.
Biosecurity New Zealand is providing all households in Zone A with bins for fruit and vegetable waste, along with other food waste. Please follow all Biosecurity New Zealand’s instructions for disposal of fruit and vegetable waste.
Auckland Council waste collections in Zone B
No whole fruit and vegetables grown in the Zone B area can be moved out of the controlled area. You are free to move commercially purchased fruit and vegetables (e.g. fruit and vegetables bought at the supermarket) out of the area.
Rubbish, recycling and food scraps collections continue as normal however all homegrown produce waste and garden waste needs to be disposed of in Biosecurity New Zealand bins located in your area.
If in doubt, don’t take it out.
What else you can do
It requires a big effort from all of us to keep these fruit flies out. If you think you’ve found this fruit fly or seen what look like its maggots in fruit:
Police had a large presence in the Te Puke area today, monitoring a tangi for the father of a prominent gang member.
Police took a prevention approach, focused on maintaining public order and ensuring road safety for all users, while also allowing mourners the space to grieve.
While there were no breaches of the Gangs Act 2024, we are disappointed in the behaviour that led to three arrests and a dozen infringement notices being served for unsafe road behaviour.
The three arrests were for:
– Drug and firearms related offending.
– Possession of a knife.
– Breach of release conditions.
There are also a number of follow up enquiries to be made in relation to other road safety matters from throughout the day.
Police encourage the public to report any instances of unlawful activity on the roads to us, so we can continue to take appropriate action.
If you see any unlawful activity, please contact Police via 111 if it is happening now or 105 if it is after the fact either online or on the phone.
Police have arrested and charged a man in relation to the serious assault in Miramar last weekend.
Emergency services were called about 4.55pm on Saturday 15 February to Miramar Ave, after a man had been approached by a group of young people and assaulted, falling and striking his head.
He was transported to hospital in a serious condition and remains there, where he is continuing to receive treatment.
Today, an 18-year-old man was located and arrested, and has been charged with wounding with intent to injure.
He is due to appear in Wellington District Court tomorrow.
Police would like to thank those who came to the man’s aid immediately after the assault.
We are also grateful to those members of the public who came forward and shared valuable information.
A stretch of State Highway 2 through Central Hawke’s Bay will be closing for 5 nights next month for resealing.
The road, between the intersection with SH50 and Waipawa, will close overnight from Sunday 16 March.
Signposted detours will be in place.
Crews will be onsite between 8pm and 5am each night, with work expected to finish 5am on Saturday 22 March.
During the work, resealing will take place on SH2 between Waipawa and Waipukurau and a full closure will be in place.
People travelling through to Hastings and Napier, will be detoured through SH50. The reverse will apply for southbound road users travelling from Napier and Hastings.
People travelling north to Waipawa will be detoured along SH50 and into Tikokino Road. Note: while the map shows the detour down Tikonkino Road, this detour will change to Ongaonga Road mid-week once the resealing of the Waipawa Bridge is complete.
The detours will be suitable for all vehicles. The detour between Waipukurau and Waipawa is likely to take about 45 minutes.
During the day, the road will be open to two lanes with temporary speed limits in place as loose chip will be present. Emergency services will always be assisted through the closures.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acknowledges the road detours will be frustrating but hopes the night closures will minimise disruption. We appreciate people’s support and patience taking the detours.
NZTA is coordinating as much maintenance work as possible to make the most of these night closures, ultimately reducing disruption to road users while the summer renewal season progresses.
This work is weather dependent. Contingency dates are Monday 24 to Saturday 29 March, 8pm-5am each night.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is reminding drivers to plan ahead as State Highway 2 (SH2) through the Waioweka Gorge will be closed between 10am and 6pm daily on Monday 24 February, Tuesday 25 February and Wednesday 26 February to complete essential maintenance work.
Due to the recent poor weather this work had been postponed, and this is the final push to finish the work to repair and asphalt SH2.
Date
Road status
Saturday 22 February
OPEN
Sunday 23 February
OPEN
Monday 24 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Tuesday 25 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Wednesday 26 February
Closed between 10am – 6pm
Closure points and details
Soft Closures: The soft closure points are Kerei Street, Matawai and Warrington Road, Ōpōtiki. Access for businesses and residents will be maintained at both ends of the affected area, up to the hard closure points.
The soft closure times are 9.40am and 5.40pm – enabling people to get through the site before the hard closure starts at 10am and reach the site before it reopens at 6pm.
Hard Closures: 2 hard closure points will be in the Gorge, closer to the actual road works. There will be no access through the site between 10am and 6pm each workday.
Upcoming work on SH2
Otoko Hill tree removal, drainage and culvert work deferred
Late-Feb to mid-April – Drainage upgrades and tree felling work planned to take place on Otoko Hill this week, between Hihiroroa Road and Fitzgerald Road have been deferred to late-Feb. Once work is underway, crews will be on-site 8am to 5pm. Stop/go will be in place to safely do this work and delays of up to 15 minutes are expected however this wait time could be longer if a tree is being felled. We encourage you to plan your journey and travel outside of these work hours if possible. Tree removal and trimming is required to further the Otoko Hill works, clear fallen debris and remove the risk they present in weather events. This work will continue through until mid-April.
Waimana Gorge
From Monday 3 to Friday 7 March between 10am and 6pm each day the Waimana Gorge will be closed to allow crews to undertake road resurfacing. Closing the Gorge means the work required can be done safely and efficiently. There will be a detour for light vehicles via White Pine Bush Road, Taneatua Road, Valley Road, right to Ōhope Road to Pohutukawa Ave through to Wainui Road then left to SH2, this will add approximately 12 minutes to your journey. The detour is not suitable for HPMV vehicles, HPMV’s are advised to travel outside of these times.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has re-opened the northern section of the State Highway 1 Desert Road between Tūrangi to Rangipō to traffic from noon today (Friday 21 February).
The partial opening allows people in light vehicles to use SH1 to the SH1/SH46 intersection and access SH46 to connect to SH47.
NZTA Regional Manager of Maintenance and Operations Roger Brady says today’s partial re-opening is ahead of schedule, and the remaining maintenance work underway on the Desert Road is progressing well, on track to be completed by mid-March.
The Desert Road, between Tūrangi and Waiouru, has been closed since mid-January in order to allow NZTA contractors to reconstruct 16 lane km (3 sites) of the road, improve drainage, clearing 15km of shoulders, and replace the deck of the Mangatoetoenui Bridge.
Work on the Tirau to Waiouru maintenance project is continuing to progress at pace, with further closures scheduled from Monday 3 March. Work will get underway on SH1 between Putāruru and Lichfield as well as between Ātiamuri and Wairakei, using full road closures to get the work done as quickly as possible.
From 5am on 3 March, SH1 will be closed from SH1/Princes Street, Putāruru to the Vosper Road/SH1 Lichfield intersection and there will be detours in place 24/7. The work will take approximately four weeks to complete (weather dependent). The local detour for light vehicles will be:
Northbound via Vospers Road, Kells Lane, Lichfield Road, Golf Street, Arapuni Street, Princes Street
From 5am, 3 March, the section of SH1 from the SH1/SH30 intersection (Ātiamuri) to the SH1/SH5 intersection (Wairakei Roundabout) will be closed and traffic will be detoured 24/7 for approximately five weeks. The detour for light vehicles will be:
SH30, SH32 and Poihipi Road to Wairakei Drive and vice versa. The detour northbound and southbound via Whakamaru will add 30 minutes to your journey.
All heavy vehicles traveling locally are encouraged to use SH5 via Rotorua which will add 43 minutes to the journey.
Those on longer journeys may prefer to take the heavy vehicle detour through Rotorua on SH5 to avoid both worksites. Those heading from Auckland or Hamilton south, and vice versa, may consider using SH3, SH4 and SH49. This route will add very little time to journeys.
NZTA Regional Manager Roger Brady says the work will significantly improve a critical section of SH1.
“We’re not just carrying out much needed road maintenance, we’re also completing total road rebuilding in some areas. That’s why we’re using full road closures to get the work done in the shortest time possible. If we did this work under traditional stop/go traffic management it could take up to four years to complete.
“We know the road closures are inconvenient and challenging for businesses, residents and all road users. We’re thankful for everyone’s patience and understanding as we work to get the job done as quickly as possible.”
As French Minister for Overseas Manuel Valls lands in New Caledonia tomorrow to pursue talks on its political future, the situation on the ground has again gained tension over the past few days.
The local political spectrum is deeply divided between the two main opposing camps, the pro-independence and those wanting New Caledonia to remain part of France.
The rift has already culminated in May 2024 with rioting resulting in 14 deaths, several hundreds injured, thousands of job losses due to the destruction, burning and looting of businesses, and a material cost of over 2 billion euros (NZ$3.7 billion).
Valls hosted talks in Paris with every party represented in New Caledonia’s Congress on February 4-9.
Those talks, held in “bilateral” mode, led to his decision to travel to Nouméa and attempt to bring everyone to the same negotiating table.
It is all about finding an agreement that would allow an exit from the Nouméa Accord and to draw a fresh roadmap for New Caledonia’s political future.
However, in the face of radically different and opposing views, the challenge is huge.
The two main blocs, even though they acknowledged the Paris talks may have been helpful, still hold very clear-cut and antagonistic positions.
Each camp seems to have their own interpretation of the 1998 Nouméa Accord, which has until now defined a roadmap for further autonomy and a gradual transfer of powers.
The main bloc within the pro-independence side, Union Calédonienne (UC), which since last year de facto controls the wider FLNKS (Kanak Socialist National Liberation Front), has been repeatedly placing as its target a new “Kanaky Agreement” to be signed by 24 September 2025 and, from that date, a five-year “transition period” to attain full independence from France.
Within the pro-independence camp, more moderate parties, such as PALIKA (Kanak Liberation Party) and UPM (Progressist Union in Melanesia), have distanced themselves from a UC-dominated FLNKS, and are favourable to some kind of “independence in association with France”.
On the pro-France side, the two main components, the Les Loyalistes and the Rassemblement-LR, have shown a united front. One of their main arguments is based on the fact that in 2018, 2020 and 2021, three successive referenda on self-determination have resulted in three votes, each of those producing a majority rejecting independence.
However, the third and latest poll in December 2021 was boycotted by most of the pro-independence voters.
The pro-independence parties have since challenged the 2021 poll result, even though it has been ruled by the courts as valid.
Pro-France parties are also advocating for a change in the political system to give each of New Caledonia’s three provinces more powers, a move they described as an “internal federalism” but that critics have decried, saying this amounted to a kind of apartheid.
Talks required since 2022 The bipartisan talks became necessary after the three referendums were held.
The Nouméa Accord stipulated that in the event that three consecutive referendums rejected independence, then all political stakeholders should “meet and examine the situation”.
There have been earlier attempts to bring about those talks, but some components of the pro-independence movement, notably the UC, have consistently declined.
Under a previous government, French Minister for Home Affairs and Overseas territories Gérald Darmanin, after half a dozen inconclusive trips to New Caledonia, tried to push some of the most urgent parts of the political agreement through a constitutional reform process, especially on a change to New Caledonia’s list of eligible registered voters at local elections.
This was supposed to allow citizens who have resided in New Caledonia for at least ten uninterrupted years to finally cast their votes. Until now, the electoral roll has been “frozen” since 2009 — only those residing before 1998 had the right to vote.
Pro-independence parties protested, saying this was a way of “diluting” the indigenous Kanak votes.
The protest — in the name of “Kanak existential identity” — gained momentum and on 13 May 2024 erupted into riots.
Now the sensitive electoral roll issue is back on the agenda, only it will no longer be tackled separately, but will be part of a wider and comprehensive scope of talks regarding New Caledonia’s political future.
Heavy schedule for Valls On Thursday, Valls unveiled his programme for what is scheduled to be a six-day stay in New Caledonia from 22-26 February 2025.
During this time, he will spend a significant amount of time in the capital Nouméa, holding talks with political parties, economic stakeholders and representatives of the civil society and law and order agencies.
He will also travel to rural parts of New Caledonia.
In the capital, two solid days have been earmarked for “negotiations” at the Congress, with the aim of finding the best way to achieve a political agreement, if all parties agree to meet and talk.
On Tuesday, February 25, Valls also intends to pay homage and lay wreaths on independence leader Jean-Marie Tjibaou and anti-independence leader Jacques Lafleur’s graves.
They were the leaders of FLNKS and (pro-France) RPCR, who eventually signed the Matignon Accords in 1998 and shook hands after half a decade of quasi civil war, during the previous civil unrest in the second half of the 1980s.
Valls was then a young member of French Prime Minister Michel Rocard (Socialist) who enabled the Matignon agreement.
On several occasions, over the past few days, Valls has stressed the grave situation New Caledonia has been facing since the riots, the “devastated” economy and the need to restore a bipartisan dialogue.
He told public broadcaster NC La Première that since the unrest started had France had provided financial support to sustain New Caledonia’s economy.
‘Fractures and deep wounds within New Caledonia’s society’ “But blood has been shed . . . there have been deaths, injuries, there are fractures and deep wounds within New Caledonia’s society,” Valls said.
“And to get out of this, dialogue is needed, to find a compromise . . . to prevent violence from coming back. I still believe those (opposing) positions are reconcilable, even though they’re quite far apart,” he said.
“I’m very much aware of the difficulties . . . but we have to find an agreement, a compromise.”
One clear indication that during his visit to New Caledonia the French minister will be walking on shaky ground came a few days ago.
When, speaking to French national daily Le Monde, he recalled the Nouméa Accord included a wide range of possible perspectives from “a shared sovereignty” to a “full sovereignty”, there was an immediate outcry from the pro-French parties, who steadfastly brandished the three recent referendums opposing independence and urging the minister to respect those “democratic” results.
“Respecting the Nouméa Accord means respecting the choice of New Caledonians”, said Les Loyalistes-Le Rassemblement-LR in a media release.
“Shared sovereignty is the current situation. It’s all in the Nouméa Accord, which itself is enshrined in the French Constitution”, Valls replied.
Over the past six months, several notions have emerged in terms of a political future for New Caledonia.
It all comes down to wording: from independence-association (Cook Islands style), to outright “independence” or “shared sovereignty” (as suggested by French Senate President Gérard Larcher during his visit in October 2024).
A former justice minister under Socialist President François Hollande, Jean-Jacques Urvoas, well-versed in New Caledonian affairs, suggested an innovative wording which, he believed, could bring about some form of consensus — the term “associated state”, could be slightly modified into “associated country” (“country” being one of the ways to describe New Caledonia, also described as a sui generis entity under French Law).
Urvoas said this would make the notion more palatable.
Pro-France meetings indoors On Wednesday evening, in an indoor multi-purpose hall in Nouméa, an estimated 2000 sympathisers of pro-France Rassemblement and Loyalists gathered to hear and support their leaders who had come to explain what was discussed in Paris and reiterate the pro-France bloc’s position.
“We told [Valls] the ‘bilaterals’ are over. Now we want plenary discussions or nothing,” pro-France Virginie Ruffenach told the crowd.
“We will tell him: Manuel, your full sovereignty is No Pasaran! (in Spanish ‘Will not pass’, a reference to Valls’s Spanish heritage),” said Nicolas Metzdorf, who is also one of the two New Caledonian MPs in the French National Assembly, speaking to supporters brandishing blue, white and red French flags.
Metzdorf said he hoped that supporters would show up during the minister’s visit with the same flags “to remind him of three “no” votes in the three referenda.
A ban on all open-air public meetings is still in force in Nouméa and its greater area.
The two-flag driving licence declared illegal. Image: New Caledonia govt
Double flags banned on driving licences Adding to the current tensions, an announcement also came earlier this week regarding a court ruling on another highly sensitive issue — the flag.
The ruling came in an appeal case from the Paris Administrative Court.
It overturned a ruling made in 2023 by the former New Caledonian (pro-independence) territorial government to add the Kanak flag to the local driving licence, next to the French flag.
In its February 14 ruling, the Appeal Court stated that the Kanak flag could not be used on such official documents because “it is not the official flag” of New Caledonia.
The court once again referred to the Nouméa Accord, which said the Kanak flag, even though it was often used alongside the French flag, had not been formally endorsed as New Caledonia’s “identity symbol”.
The tribunal also urged the new government to make the necessary changes and to re-circulate the former one-flag version “without delay”.
Meanwhile, the government is bearing the cost of a fine of 100, 000 French Pacific francs (about US$875) a day, which currently totals over US$43,000 since January 1.
The “identity symbols”, as defined by the Nouméa Accord, also include a motto (the wording ‘Terre de Parole, Terre de Partage’ — Land of Words, Land of Sharing’ was chosen) and even a national anthem.
But despite several attempts since 1998, no agreement has yet been reached on a common flag.
This week, hours after the court ruling, an image is being circulated on social media declaring: “If this flags disturbs you, I’ll help you pack your suitcase” (“Si ce drapeau te dérange, je t’aide à faire tes valises”).
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Attributable to Inspector Craig Brown, Southern District Road Policing Manager:
Southern District Police are urging members of the public to pay close attention to road safety following four fatal crashes in less than two weeks.
Five people have died in the four crashes: Three in the Otago Lakes area, and one in Southland. Their deaths have been referred to the Coroner.
Police have noticed three common factors in recent serious and fatal crashes, including speed, poor decision making, and driving while impaired by the likes of alcohol.
Our hearts go out to the families of those involved. They’re forced to face the devastating consequences of these crashes, which potentially could have been avoided.
These crashes have a ripple effect in the community, affecting other motorists, witnesses and the people who are first on the scene. Every fatal crash also has an impact on attending emergency services personnel.
We are urging members of the public to take road safety seriously, slow down, don’t drive impaired and make good judgement calls – your life literally depends on it.
Our people will be out on the roads carrying out enforcement around excess speed, impairment, restraints and distraction. But keeping people safe is a team effort, and drivers have to do their part.
We encourage anyone who sees unsafe driving behaviour on the road to contact us as soon as possible. Call Police, either via 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 if it’s after the fact.
Police hope the public can help the investigation into a fatal vehicle fire in Puketaha early on Wednesday 19 February.
We would like to speak to any witnesses to a vehicle collision on Holland Road, between 3am and 4am that day. In particular, we would like to speak to a woman who was parked on the roadside and spoke with another witness.
We believe she may have information that can assist our enquiries.
If you can assist our enquiries, please update us online or call 105.
Labour Te Atatū MP Phil Twyford has written to the charities regulator asking that Destiny Church charities be struck off in the wake of last weekend’s violence by Destiny followers in his electorate.
Phil Twyford’s formal complaint to Charities Services says Destiny Church has engaged in serious wrongdoing which is grounds for Destiny’s charities losing their tax deductible status under the Charities Act 2005.
“I’m concerned about the impact of Destiny followers violently forcing their way into the Te Atatū Peninsula Community Centre last week; punching, kicking and shoving Council staff and bystanders, while parents and young children were attending a story reading by a drag artist put on by Auckland Council as part of Pride Week,” Phil Twyford said.
“Destiny’s actions were certainly oppressive, which meets the definition of wrongdoing in the law, and so they should lose their tax deductible status.
“They deliberately targeted an event in my community and I’m concerned they will continue to take discriminatory and violent action in other communities.
“Destiny targeted this event because these children were being read to by a drag artist. Destiny leader Brian Tamaki vilified the artist by maliciously and wrongly equating the event with child abuse and pornography. This clearly amounts to improper discrimination which is another example of wrongdoing included in the Charities Act.
“Brian Tamaki has admitted responsibility for the action, having directed it and publicly expressed his approval of it.
“Destiny is in breach of the Charities Act. This organisation should not be receiving a cent of public subsidy through tax deductibility nor the stamp of approval that registration as a charity implies,” Phil Twyford said.