Police have been present today as a funeral procession travelled between Hutt Valley and Porirua and can report that attendees are now dispersing.
Hutt Valley Prevention Manager Inspector Shaun Lingard says: “We acknowledge that the procession caused disruption to traffic flows in the area, and we’d like to thank members of the public for their patience while the funeral procession made its way through our District.
“A significant Police attendance helped ensure public safety around this event. While there were no arrests made today, we will be following up on information gathered relating to unlawful behaviour, to determine what further enforcement action will be taken.
Police will continue to monitor the event as attendees disperse and will take action as required.
If you are concerned about your safety, or witness illegal behaviour happening now, please call 111 immediately.
Police will be monitoring a gang related funeral in the Hutt Valley and Porirua today, Tuesday 29 October.
The funeral is due to take place in Lower Hutt this morning, with a procession to Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Porirua.
Hutt Valley Prevention Manager Inspector Shaun Lingard says: “Police have had a visible presence in Lower Hutt overnight and will monitor the funeral procession out to Whenua Tapu today.”
Unlawful activity will not be tolerated and any unlawful behaviour will be investigated and followed up with enforcement action.”
There is likely to be some traffic disruption in the late morning in Lower Hutt, particularly around Moera, and in the early afternoon in Porirua including SH 58. Motorists should expect some temporary disruption and should plan accordingly.”
If you are concerned about your safety, or witness illegal behaviour happening now, please call 111 immediately.
To report, or send in any footage of the unlawful behaviour, we encourage you to file a report online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, call Police on 105, or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org
Epic views, great camping options at affordable prices, and taking in the outdoors in all its glory – sound like a dream? Make it your reality at any one of Auckland’s 28 regional parks, boasting over 30 campgrounds between them! That’s right, an outdoor adventure is calling, and it’s here in Auckland’s backyard!
The beauty of camping in Auckland is the accessibility – you don’t have to travel too far. Plus, with fees starting at $17 per night for adults and $6.50 for children at our main campgrounds, Auckland camping is an affordable way to holiday at some of our region’s most scenic locations.
Whether you’re a freedom camper, a glamper or a total camping newbie – we’ve got you covered. Your next Auckland-based outdoor adventure awaits – so get booking now!
I’m keen – where do I start?
It’s easy as, all you have to do is choose your preferred spot from the list of regional parks on Auckland Council’s website. Are you looking for a coastal, farm or forest experience? Each campsite listing contains photos of the park, and you can click through to specific photos and information about the different types of camping available.
To make it even simpler, the camping booking site includes a calendar showing availability so you can instantly see dates to choose from. You’ll also find a handy park brochure with a map, information about tracks, interesting features in the area, and important alerts. For most campgrounds you can drive right up to your selected camping area, so you don’t have to lug your gear long distances. However, be aware some campgrounds take a bit more effort to reach, such as the Mita Bay campground at Mahurangi Regional Park (West), which is accessible by foot, and the campground at Waitawa Regional Park, which can only be accessed by sea kayak. Remember to check the access prior to booking to understand the location of the campground.
Be an early bird and book ahead
All our regional parks are precious taonga, each with their own unique features, but over the summer some are busier than others and get booked out quickly. Fortunately, regional park campsites can be booked up to six months in advance, so it’s a good idea to set a reminder on your phone and book your spot as soon as you can so you don’t miss out!
The booking calendar for each campground also shows how many spaces are available, which is handy if you’re planning on camping with a larger group (note there are some group size limits over the summer). And you can book up to seven glorious nights. If your plans change, no worries! You can make unlimited amendments to your booking, or cancel (with a full refund), up to two days before the date of your arrival.
Before you leave home
When you book your stay at a regional park campground, you’ll be emailed instructions including a combination code to get through the gate into the campground. Make sure you note it down on your phone or on a piece of paper before you leave in case mobile reception is patchy at your destination.
Make sure you note down the combination code of your campground before leaving home
The main access gates for regional parks are locked overnight (daylight saving hours are generally 6am-9pm, and 6am-7pm for the rest of the year), so if you’re arriving in the evening, be sure to take note of the closing hours so you don’t end up carting your gear to the campground by foot. When staying, remember if you need to pop out for supplies, the access code will not open the main park gate.
Choose your camping experience – from rugged to glamping
If you’re up for a truly outdoors camping experience, many of Auckland’s regional parks supply only the bare basics – including the classic kiwi long drop! Be sure to read up on the facilities available at specific campgrounds, so you can choose the camping style that best suits your needs.
All campgrounds have drinkable water available (although sometimes you will need to boil it first), but many of the campsites at regional parks don’t have flushable toilets or shower blocks. These rugged campgrounds are a lot more spacious and less populated than commercial campgrounds, offering a truly remote outdoors experience. If that’s a step too far though for you or your fellow camping newbies, Shakespear Regional Park has flushable toilets and two cold showers onsite.
If camping in comfort is more your thing, many of the vehicle-based campgrounds allow campervan and caravans as well but check the rules before booking. Or bypass the regional park entirely and stay in a fully furnished glamping tent at either Ōrewa Beach Holiday Park, Whangateau Holiday Park or Martins Bay Holiday Park.
Do your research on the park so you pack the right gear
Make sure you read up on prime leisure activities at your location. For example, if you’re heading to a great surf beach like Omaha Beach, the kids will want boogie boards for catching waves and riding down the campground’s famous hill, and you’ll all want beach shoes for rock pooling.
While it is possible to fish at some regional parks, it’s strictly prohibited at parks that are also marine reserves. Some parks have access to extensive walking and mountain-bike tracks, golf and disc golf courses and did we mention the birdlife? Also, don’t forget your book from Auckland Libraries for some relaxing reading in the sun.
Be a tidy Kiwi
When you arrive at your site, be sure to follow the rules. Stay off sign-posted wahi tapu areas (sites which are sacred to Māori), and steer clear of restricted conservation areas where birds may be nesting.
Remember that lighting open fires is prohibited across all public areas in the Auckland region, and that noise must be kept to a minimum in regional parks after 9pm.
Also please dispose of all your rubbish correctly in the designated bins if available or take your rubbish home with you.
So, what are you waiting for? Your adventure awaits!
Source: Plant and Food New Zealand – Press Release/Statement:
Headline: Plant elicitors – a vaccine for plants? (BDIS)
Plant elicitors have huge potential to help protect New Zealand crops from disease. Acting much like a vaccine, these elicitors allow plants to defend themselves better against disease. Coming from a biological source like seaweed, they offer a more ecologically friendly crop protection option, too. This week James Sainsbury from our Ruakura site speaks to Dr Joel Vanneste about his research on the recently Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment-funded, 5-year project on plant elicitors led by Dr Marie Magnuson and Chris Glasson from Waikato University. Listen along to learn more about plant elicitors and how they could help manage plant diseases, whether in crops or our native trees. To view our catalogue of podcasts, including extra links on some podcasts, please go to our Scigest page: www.plantandfood.com/scigest
As a result of new information, Police investigating the murder of Baby Ru have completed a targeted search in a semi-rural area north of Wellington.
The concentrated area along Moonshine Road, off State Highway 58, is 20 minutes by car from the Taita home where Ru lived and received the injuries that caused his death on 22 October 2023.
Items of property highly relevant to the homicide investigation were located during the search and are undergoing forensic examination.
Police are not in a position to say exactly what the new information was, but Detective Inspector Pritchard confirmed it did not come from the public.
“This was information that wasn’t available when Ru died.
“Part of that work included searching for items that have been deliberately concealed.”
Detective Inspector Pritchard said Police hope the latest development jogs people’s memory, especially those on Moonshine Road.
Police are also appealing for sightings of the vehicle that shuttled items from the crime scene.
“Our message to them is please contact us if you saw something out of place on 22 October last year.”
That car is a grey-green 1994 Nissan Sentra, registration TE6972.
Anyone who has information that may help the investigation is asked to contact Police on 105, quoting file number 231022/1708.
Child rights organisation Save the Children has welcomed the announcement of the remodelled Ka Ora, Ka Ako Healthy School Lunches Programme, along with the extended investment to deliver to eligible Early Childhood Centres.
The new model will continue to provide free healthy school lunches to 242,000 primary and secondary students and an additional 10,000 preschoolers.
Save the Children Advocacy Director Jacqui Southey, who was part of the Expert Advisory Group for the remodelled programme in her independent capacity, says the extension into ECEs is a welcome addition to the vital programme that improves outcomes for children, as is including children’s views.
“It is heartening to see in the new programme that hot meals continue to feature and include a favourite, Butter Chicken. It is incredibly positive that though the budget for the programme is much tighter, the new suppliers under the School Lunch Collective have committed to quality, nutritious meals that children will enjoy.”
In a Save the Children survey conducted earlier this year with more than 3000 children across the country, Kiwi kids unanimously supported providing children with healthy and delicious lunches at school. In the survey, children said the programme was important to them and their friends, with some children stating that they didn’t have a lot of food at home and their lunches at school were really important to them.
Says Ms Southey: “Children are most impacted by changes to the programme so ensuring their voices were heard as part of the redesign was crucial. Continuing to consult with children on a regular basis is essential to ensure the programme works best for them.”
Save the Children has long been a supporter of food in school provision, and has seen the success of similar programmes in overseas projects.
Says Ms Southey: “These insights directly align with the findings of evaluations of the Ka Ora Ka Ako programme here in Aotearoa New Zealand that show that the programme directly improves the wellbeing of children receiving the lunches, and teachers report improved concentration and positive behaviours of their students. A number of principals have credited the programme with improved attendance levels in their schools.
“Ensuring the best for children has remained at the heart of the redesign of the new model. The Government has committed to funding this programme for the next two years, providing crucial investment toward the wellbeing of children and that supports them and their whānau in this very tough economic climate.
“We call on New Zealand governments now, and in the future, to get behind this important programme and ensure that it has long term sustainable investment that will see it become permanently embedded as part of a progressive education offering delivered by New Zealand schools.”
About Save the Children NZ:
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.
The need for commercial jet boat operators to have a safety first approach to the routes they take has been highlighted in the prosecution of a driver.
Today, Patrick Perkins was sentenced in the District Court at Queenstown following a guilty plea for operating a jet boat in a manner which caused unnecessary danger or risk to other persons or property under section 65 of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.
The charge related to an incident on 30 December, 2022 when Mr Perkins’s jet boat collided with a recreational jet boat on the Clutha River during a commercial run with four passengers on-board. Mr Perkins was the sole director and driver for Go Jets Wanaka Ltd.
Recreational users of the Clutha are many and varied, from rafts of all types, tyre tubes, kayakers, bathers and recreational jet boaters. The river is close to a large population and easily accessed by all, meaning collisions like this can have devastating outcomes.
Investigation’s Manager at Maritime NZ, John Maxwell says experts views are that the Clutha is generally not a difficult river to boat.
“It is predominately a wide deep river with a fast current. It has pressure waves which are best avoided for reasons of passenger comfort and safety, however these hazards can easily be navigated around,” he says.
Like all rivers in New Zealand, skippers must keep right, if going upstream must give way to vessels coming downstream. In addition, skippers must operate vessels in a manner that is safe and will avoid collision should the risk of collision arise.
In this case, the driver of the recreational jet boat had spent most of the day parked up downstream to an island in the middle of the river fishing. A spot he regularly went to.
As the commercial jet boat with four passengers on-board approached the island, where the recreational vessel was waiting, it cut across the river to do a close pass of a rock just downstream of the island.
“Due to the line, Mr Perkins was unable to see the recreational craft at the head of the island. Despite attempting to take action to avoid collision, the commercial boat struck the recreational craft at about 65 kilometres an hour.
Fortunately the driver of the recreational jet boat survived, however, he suffered significant injuries and was in hospital for a prolonged period.
“This incident is a strong reminder to everyone driving jet boats, commercial and recreational, to understand their surroundings, to drive safe lines and to open up corners to ensure visibility. The consequences of failing to do so can be catastrophic for all involved.
“Everyone deserves to come home safe from a day out on the water,” John Maxwell says.
Sentencing notes:
Mr Perkins and convicted and sentenced for one charge under s 65(1) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.
The total sentence of $51,727.41:
– Fine: $4,950 (starting point of $9,000 reduced by 45 per cent to allow for early guilty plea, remorse, payment of reparation and good character).
– Total reparation of $46,777.41 (which had been paid by Mr Perkins ahead of sentencing).
Police have increased visibility at transport hubs across Tāmaki Makaurau following the fatal Onehunga bus attack and will continue with this increased presence over the long weekend.
Auckland City Acting District Commander Sunny Patel says it’s important the public knows that Police are continuing to take action.
“It’s understandable the community are feeling shaken. We want to provide reassurance heading into the long weekend that we will have an ongoing presence around public transport.
“Our beat teams will also maintain their presence in and around key public spaces.
“Our city and transport system are important spaces for the public, and people should be free to use these areas without fear.
“Police and partner agencies will be focused on ensuring these hubs are places where the public and commuters can be safe and feel safe.”
Police continue to encourage the public to report incidents that may be unfolding so appropriate action can be taken.
“If an incident is happening now, I urge people to report it to 111 as soon as they can.”
Information can also be provided to Police by making an online report at 105.police.govt.nz using “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Motorists heading between Taupo and Hawke’s Bay on SH5 were met with free coffee and snacks today, as RoadSafe Hawke’s Bay and Eastern District Police carried out a fatigue checkpoint.
The checkpoint was aimed at educating drivers around the risks of driving fatigued and the importance of stopping to take breaks on long journeys.
More than 100 motorists pulled off the road to enjoy a free cuppa and a muffin, and to chat with staff.
Everyone who was stopped at the checkpoint was also breath tested. Over 1000 tests were completed, all demonstrating great compliance.
Eastern District impairment team Acting Sergeant Dan Snee says it was pleasing to see most motorists were also wearing appropriate restraints.
“As we head into the long weekend, our focus continues to be on the four key causes of death and injury on our roads.
“Those are travelling at excess speed; not wearing your seatbelt; driving impaired, either by drugs or alcohol or fatigue; and driving distracted, for example by your cellphone.
“Our impairment team and road policing staff will be out in force over the weekend, and throughout the upcoming summer, so expect to be stopped anywhere at any time.
“Our goal is to make sure you get where you’re going for the long weekend safely.”
A WorkSafe investigation is underway into a trench collapse in the Auckland suburb of Meadowbank this afternoon.
One person was seriously injured and another received moderate injuries at the site on Rutherford Terrace.
“It is far too early to determine what went wrong here. Our investigation is in its very early stages and the specifics will become clearer with time,” says WorkSafe’s investigation manager, Danielle Henry.
“Excavation failures are particularly dangerous because they can occur quickly, limiting the ability of workers to escape, especially if the collapse is extensive.”
Anyone digging such a trench should be aware of the possibility of collapse and should take proper precautions. These include:
Seeking a geotechnical assessment of the site to check soil stability as part of scoping and planning works
Shoring, benching, or battering back dirt to prevent collapse. Do not assume ground will stand unsupported.
Ensuring safe access to get in and out of a trench
Barriers strong enough to not collapse if people or materials fall against them
Check the excavation each day before starting work and after any event that may affect its stability.
Welcome the new era of gaming and elevate your entertainment and multitasking with incredible deep immersion
AUCKLAND, New Zealand – Oct. 25, 2024 – Samsung Electronics today announces the unveiling of its highly acclaimed Odyssey OLED line-up, which features the introduction of four new models: the Odyssey OLED G93SD, G91SD, G85SD and G61SD.
Samsung Electronics continues to lead the global gaming monitor market, holding the No.1 brand position since 2021[1]. Earlier this year, Samsung captured a 20.6%[2] global market share in this category and leads the New Zealand gaming monitor market with a 43%[3] share in the first half of 2024, according to International Data Corporation (IDC).
“The OLED monitor market is highly competitive, so reaching the top spot requires unparalleled innovation and product quality,” said Jimmy Peng, Head of Visual Display Business at Samsung New Zealand. “Being the market leader in gaming monitors, we have built up an understanding of New Zealand gamers and always look to ensure that we give them the very best. Our latest Odyssey OLED monitors will build on this and provide a larger-than-life viewing experience with resolution which enables Kiwi gamers to have an immersive and real-life gaming experience.”
Setting the new standard, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 series, including the G93SD and G91SD models, delivers an immersive experience with dual QHD (5,120 x 1,440) resolution, a 32:9 ultra-wide screen ratio, 1,800R curved design, a 240Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms grey-to-grey (GTG) response time[4].
The 34” Odyssey OLED G85SD offers ultra-wide QHD (3,440 x 1,440) resolution, a 21:9 screen ratio, 1,800R curved design, Smart Hub, a 175Hz refresh rate and a 0.03ms GTG response time. In addition to the successful of the larger screen sizes within the Odyssey OLED range, Samsung also offers a 27” OLED G6 series monitor, with the introduction of the G61SD, which further diversifies the comprehensive OLED portfolio and providing more options for Kiwi gamers.
The new Odyssey OLED models incorporate Samsung’s proprietary OLED Safeguard to prevent burn-ins and OLED Glare Free technology to minimise light reflection, ensuring a superior viewing experience. As well as AMD FreeSync support which offers extremely smooth and fast action gameplay, reduces stuttering and input latency.
Game, work and relax. For those who want a monitor that does it all, Samsung Electronics presents the Odyssey OLED series is the best for gaming and beyond.
For more information on Samsung’s industry-leading monitor line-up, please visit www.samsung.com/nz/
It was a heady week for the Paris-based global media freedom watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) — celebration of seven years of its Taipei office, presenting a raft of proposals to the Taiwan government, and hosting its Asia-Pacific network of correspondents.
Director general Thibaut Bruttin and the Taipei bureau chief Cedric Alviani primed the Taipei media scene before last week’s RSF initiatives with an op-ed in the Taiwan Times by acknowledging the country’s media freedom advances in the face of Chinese propaganda.
But the co-authors also warned over the credibility damage caused by media “too often neglect[ing] journalistic ethics for political or commercial reasons”.
As a result, only three in 10 Taiwanese said they trusted the news media, according to a Reuters Institute survey conducted in 2022, one of the lowest percentages among democracies.
“This climate of distrust gives disproportionate influence to platforms, in particular Facebook and Line, despite them being a major vector of false or biased information,” Bruttin and Alviani wrote.
“This credibility deficit for traditional media, a real Achilles heel of Taiwanese democracy, puts it at risk of being exploited for malicious purposes, with potentially dramatic consequences.”
RSF director-general Thibaut Bruttin speaking at the reception celebrating seven years of Taipei’s Asia Pacific office. Image: Pacific Media Watch
The week also highlighted concerns over the export of the China’s “New World Media Order”, which is making inroads in some parts of the Asia-Pacific region, including the Pacific.
At the opening session of the Asia-Pacific correspondents’ seminar, delegates referenced the Chinese disinformation and assaults on media freedom strategies that have been characterised as the “great leap backwards for journalism” in China.
“Disinformation — the deliberate spreading of false or biased news to manipulate minds — is gaining ground around the world,” Bruttin and Alviani warned in their article.
“As China and Russia sink into authoritarianism and export their methods of censorship and media control, democracies find themselves overwhelmed by an incessant flow of propaganda that threatens the integrity of their institutions.”
Both Bruttin and Alviani spoke of these issues too at the celebration of the seventh anniversary of the Asia-Pacific office in Taipei.
Why Taipei? Hongkong had been an “likely choice, but not safe legally”, admitted Bruttin when they were choosing their location, so the RSF team are happy with the choice of Taiwan.
Hub for human rights activists “I think we were among the first NGOs to have established a presence here. We kind of made a bet that Taipei would be a hub for human rights activists, and we were right.”
About 200 journalists, media workers and press freedom and human rights advocates attended the birthday bash in the iconic Grand Hotel’s Yuanshan Club. So it wasn’t surprising that there was a lot of media coverage raising the issues.
RSF director-general Thibaut Bruttin (centre) with correspondents Dr David Robie and Dr Joseph Fernandez in Taipei. Image: Pacific Media Watch
In an interview with Voice of America’s Joyce Huang, Bruttin was more specific about the “insane” political propaganda threats from China faced by Taiwan.
However, Taiwan “has demonstrated resilience and has rich experience in resisting cyber information attacks, which can be used as a reference for the world”.
Referencing China as the world’s “biggest jailer of journalists”, Bruttin said: “We’re very worried, obviously.” He added about some specific cases: “We’ve had very troublesome reports about the situation of Zhang Zhan, for example, who was the laureate of the RSF’s [2021 press freedom] awards [in the courage category] and had been just released from jail, now is sent back to jail.
“We know the lack of treatment if you have a medical condition in the Chinese prisons.
“Another example is Jimmy Lai, the Hongkong press freedom mogul, he’s very likely to die in jail if nothing happens. He’s over 70.
“And there is very little reason to believe that, despite his dual citizenship, the British government will be able to get him a safe passage to Europe.”
Problem for Chinese public Bruttin also expressed concern about the problem for the general public, especially in China where he said a lot of people had been deprived of the right to information “worthy of that name”.
“And we’re talking about hundreds of millions of people. And it’s totally scandalous to see how bad information is treated in the People’s Republic of China.”
Seventeen countries in the Asia-Pacific region were represented in the network seminar.
Representatives of Australia, Cambodia, Hongkog, Indonesia, Japan, Myanmar, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, South Korea, Tibet, Thailand and Vietnam were present. However, three correspondents (Malaysia, Singapore and Timor-Leste) were unable to be personally present.
Discussion and workshop topics included the RSF Global Strategy; the Asia-Pacific network and the challenges being faced; best practice as correspondents; “innovative solutions” against disinformation; public advocacy (for authoritarian regimes; emerging democracies, and “leading” democracies); “psychological support” – one of the best sessions; and the RSF Crisis Response.
RSF Oceania colleagues Dr David Robie (left) and Dr Joseph Fernandez . . . mounting challenges. Image: Pacific Media Watch
What about Oceania (including Australia and New Zealand) and its issues? Fortunately, the countries being represented have correspondents who can speak our publicly, unlike some in the region facing authoritarian responses.
“While this puts Australia in the top one quarter globally, it does not reflect well on a country that supposedly espouses democratic values. It ranks behind New Zealand, Taiwan, Timor-Leste and Bhutan,” he says.
“Australia’s press freedom challenges are manifold and include deep-seated factors, including the influence of oligarchs whose own interests often collide with that of citizens.
“While in opposition the current Australian federal government promised reforms that would have improved the conditions for press freedom, but it has failed to deliver while in government.
“Much needs to be done in clawing back the over-reach of national security laws, and in freeing up information flow, for example, through improved whistleblower law, FOI law, source protection law, and defamation law.”
Dr Fernandez criticises the government’s continuing culture of secrecy and says there has been little progress towards improving transparency and accountability.
“The media’s attacks upon itself are not helping either given the constant moves by some media and their backers to undermine the efforts of some journalists and some media organisations, directly or indirectly.”
A proposal for a “journalist register” has also stirred controversy.
Dr Fernandez also says the war on Gaza has “highlighted the near paralysis” of many governments of the so-called established democracies in “bringing the full weight of their influence to end the loss of lives and human suffering”.
“They have also failed to demonstrate strong support for journalists’ ability to tell important stories.”
An English-language version of this tribute to the late RSF director-general Christophe Deloire, who died from cancer on 8 June 2024, was screened at the RSF Taipei reception. He was 53. Video: RSF
Aotearoa New Zealand In New Zealand (19th in the RSF Index), although journalists work in an environment free from violence and intimidation, they have increasingly faced online harassment. Working conditions became tougher in early 2022 when, during protests against covid-19 vaccinations and restrictions and a month-long “siege” of Parliament, journalists were subjected to violence, insults and death threats, which are otherwise extremely rare in the country.
Research published in December 2023 revealed that high rates of abuse and threats directed at journalists put the country at risk of “mob censorship” – citizen vigilantism seeking to “discipline” journalism. Women journalists bore the brunt of the online abuse with one respondent describing her inbox as a “festering heap of toxicity”.
While New Zealand society is wholeheartedly multicultural, with mutual recognition between the Māori and European populations enshrined in the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi, this balance is under threat from a draft Treaty Principles Bill.
The nation’s bicultural dimension is not entirely reflected in the media, still dominated by the English-language press. A rebalancing is taking place, as seen in the success of the Māori Television network and many Māori-language programmes in mass media, such as Te Karere, The Hui and Te Ao Māori News.
New Zealand media also play an important role as a regional communications centre for other South Pacific nations, via Tagata Pasifika, Pacific Media Network and others.
Papua New Guinea’s Belinda Kora (left) with RSF colleagues . . . “collaborating in our Pacific efforts in seeking the truth”. Image: Belinda Kora
Papua New Guinea The Papua New Guinea correspondent, Belinda Kora, who is secretary of the revised PNG Media Council and an ABC correspondent in Port Moresby, succeeded former South Pacific Post Ltd chief executive Bob Howarth, the indefatigable media freedom defender of both PNG and Timor-Leste.
“I am excited about what RSF is able and willing to bring to a young Pacific region — full of challenges against the press,” she says.
“But more importantly, I guess, is that the biggest threat in PNG would be itself, if it continues to go down the path of not being able to adhere to simple media ethics and guidelines.
“It must hold itself accountable before it is able to hold others in the same way.
“We have a small number of media houses in PNG but if we are able to stand together as one and speak with one voice against the threats of ownership and influence, we can achieve better things in future for this industry.
“We need to protect our reporters if they are to speak for themselves and their experiences as well. We need to better provide for their everyday needs before we can write the stories that need to be told.
“And this lies with each media house.
The biggest threat for the Pacific as a whole? “I guess the most obvious one would be being able to remain self-regulated BUT not being accountable for breaching our individual code of ethics.
“Building public trust remains vital if we are to move forward. The lack of media awareness also contributes to the lack of ensuring media is given the attention it deserves in performing its role — no matter how big or small our islands are,” Kora says.
“The press should remain free from government influence, which is a huge challenge for many island industries, despite state ownership.
Kora believes that although Pacific countries are “scattered in the region”, they are able to help each other more, to better enhance capacity building and learning from their mistakes with collaboration.
“By collaborating in our efforts in seeking the truth behind many of our big stories that is affecting our people. This I believe will enable us to improve our performance and accountability.”
Example to the region Meanwhile, back in Taiwan on the day that RSF’s Thibaut Bruttin flew out, he gave a final breakfast interview to China News Agency (CNA) reporter Teng Pei-ju who wrote about the country building up its free press model as an example to the region.
“Taiwan really is one of the test cases for the robustness of journalism in the world,” added Bruttin, reflecting on the country’s transformation from an authoritarian regime that censored information into a vibrant democracy that fights disinformation.
Work is getting underway next week to rebuild the first of 5 planned sites on State Highway 3 in South Taranaki.
The 5 sites, between Patea and Nukumaru, will be rebuilt over the coming months, with crews starting work on the first 2 sites next week.
These sites are included in the 32 lane kilometres of roads around Taranaki that we anticipate will be rebuilt over the 2024/25 maintenance season. Rebuilding the road is important to maintain its reliability and longevity.
SH3 Waitōtara No. 2 (south of Waitōtara River bridge)
Work on the first two sites (SH3 Waitōtara No. 1 and SH3 Whenuakura) is expected to start next Tuesday 29 October.
Both rebuilds are expected to be complete by early December.
At both sites, work will be completed under stop/go traffic management with a temporary speed limit in place. Delays of up to 10 minutes are possible at each site.
The sites will be open to two lanes of traffic during the night and on weekends.
The remaining 3 sites will begin at a later date. We will provide information about these as soon as possible.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi System Manager for Taranaki, Liesl Dawson acknowledges there’s a lot happening on Taranaki state highways this maintenance season.
“A busy few months are ahead as we continue to make the roads more resilient, efficient and ultimately safer for all road users.
“We appreciate the support from all road users and we’re reminding people how important it is to follow the temporary traffic management in place, adhere to all speed restrictions in place and respect our crews while travelling through the roadworks site,” says Ms Dawson.
For more information about the 2024/2025 road maintenance seasons in Taranaki, visit:
Source: Islamic Women’s Council New Zealand (ICWNZ)
25 October 2024 – A small New Zealand charity dedicated to uplifting the lives of Muslim women across the nation has been named as a finalist in an international Shorty Awards alongside major global brands and their marketing teams. The Shorty Impact Awards honour the best and most impactful digital and social media campaigns, projects, and initiatives that address pressing global issues.
In June this year, the Islamic Women’s Council New Zealand (ICWNZ) launched the CHILL campaign to empower New Zealand Muslim women, challenge hate and gendered stereotypes, and pass the mic to local women to tell their own stories.
CHILL stands for Challenge Islamophobic Language and Loathing, and the campaign featured eight Muslim women’s personal stories told through their voices as they go about their lives – working, teaching, creating and sharing moments of joy in their communities. All videos end with the participant saying, “Just CHILL, New Zealand, we’ve got this!”– indicating the country, as a whole, can get in front of the challenges facing Muslim women.
The campaign has been selected as a finalist in the Shorty Impact Awards, an international competition celebrating social impact campaigns. Other finalists include major brands like Amazon, Doritos, L’Oreal and Searchlight Pictures, international marketing agencies and large international NGOs.
“The entire campaign was conceived in-house,” says IWCNZ National Coordinator Aliya Danzeisen adding, “We wanted to create awareness about our community and to encourage New Zealanders to challenge Islamophobic language and stereotypes about Muslim women by empowering women themselves to share their joys, triumphs and challenges in their own words. The response was far more positive than we could have ever expected.”
The campaign was produced by local production company Eyes and Ears and had a shoestring advertising budget exclusively targeting a New Zealand audience. CHILL content reached over 300,000 New Zealanders, with videos going viral locally for a small country, as well as reaching global audiences.
All awards finalists are eligible for an Audience Honor award, so IWCNZ is asking their community and all New Zealanders to get behind the CHILL campaign and vote for it as their people’s choice in both categories. Voting is open to anyone internationally.
“Watching the CHILL campaign grow from an idea into something that has touched people’s hearts has been amazing. It started as a dream, and now it’s creating real change, both in our community and internationally. Seeing this impact has been a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together. For me, we’re winners already.” says ICWNZ Project Manager Shabina Shamsudeen.
Further information and campaign background:
In recent years, social media has been an increasingly hostile space for Muslims. This is no different in New Zealand, where in 2019, a terror attack killed 51 Muslims in their places of worship, forcing New Zealanders to grapple with the impacts of Islamophobia and anti-immigrant hate.
Through CHILL, the Islamic Women’s Council of New Zealand (IWCNZ) sought to challenge that by leveraging the positive power of social media to connect and amplify their stories.
CHILL also sought to empower non-Muslim New Zealanders with material to challenge stereotypes when they encounter gendered Islamophobia in their wider communities. The team decided that through showcasing the diverse lives of Muslim women throughout New Zealand, CHILL would focus on the joy, strength, community belonging and leadership of New Zealand Muslim women, inspiring more people to counter hate.
Alongside a small local production company Eyes and Ears, director Calvin Sang, and photographer Ankita Singh, the creative team behind CHILL also reflects and celebrates New Zealand’s diversity.
The campaign was not without its challenges, including securing funding. After a highly competitive grant process, IWCNZ was awarded a small amount of funding from the New Zealand Government to make CHILL a reality. However, the campaign budget remained tight, and the IWCNZ team relied on their creativity, connections, and skills to ensure this campaign’s impact and production value punched above its weight.
The team also worked to ensure a high duty of care to their participants. As Aliya outlines:
“Our campaign delivery involved dedicated monitoring of social media, with clear processes in place to support our participants if they encountered any abuse through their involvement with the campaign,”
CHILL launched in June 2024 with a community celebration featuring participants and their families. Over the next ten weeks, content rolled out across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter.
The campaign highlights the unique journeys, challenges and successes of Muslim women in New Zealand through eight personal stories:
Anjuman – an assistant principal who works at a special needs school.
Heba – a yoga and wellness instructor who provides free classes to her community.
Samadiana – a gymnast, coach and a nursing student.
Naeema – an artist who runs creative workshops and works in cancer prevention.
Hend – A public servant with a PhD in Politics and International Relations, working to make organisations more inclusive.
Nesra – a primary school teacher and former refugee who is now a teacher at the school she once attended, and proudly encourages all to embrace their multiple identities.
Rizwangul – a former asylum seeker, a Fulbright scholar with two Master’s Degrees. and now a community worker who helps refugees and migrants settle and thrive in New Zealand.
Ugeshni – an operations engineer, outdoor enthusiast and YouTuber working on living more holistically.
Given that CHILL confronts and provides a counterbalance to online hostility, the IWCNZ team was prepared to encounter some bad-faith engagements. Instead, they were thrilled to receive an outpouring of enthusiastic support from New Zealand and around the world.
The campaign had a shoestring advertising budget, exclusively targeting a New Zealand audience. CHILL content reached over 300,000 New Zealanders, with videos going viral locally for a small country, as well as reaching global audiences.
Some examples of the reach of the campaign include: on Instagram, the campaign teaser was viewed over 57,000 times. Nesra’s story was especially popular, reaching 55,000 views. On Facebook, Hend’s story gained nearly 14,000 impressions.
Within New Zealand, the campaign has been highlighted by a range of group, the Human Rights Commission, Race Relations Day, nationwide media like Radio New Zealand, government ministries like the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and high-profile organisations like Sport New Zealand.
Globally, CHILL has also been picked up and share.
Most importantly, the campaign has been energising and powerful for the participants themselves.
“By taking part in this campaign, I’ve felt a profound sense of purpose—helping inspire others while building awareness of the strength, diversity, and beauty within our community.”– Naeema
If you shop online for groceries, beware: New World and Pak’nSave have quietly removed the ability to sort items by price, sparking concerns among consumers.
Consumer NZ has found that the ability to rank products by price – an essential tool for online shoppers – has vanished from the websites of two major supermarkets owned by Foodstuffs.
“Shoppers are accustomed to having the option to filter by price on most retail websites, so this change is surprising and disappointing,” said Chris Schulz, investigative journalist at Consumer NZ.
Numerous retailers – including Woolworths and The Warehouse, amongst others – still offer this crucial feature. Yet, New World and Pak’nSave have removed it entirely from their websites, opting instead to default to sorting products by their popularity.
A Consumer member alerted the watchdog to the removal of the price-sorting tool, expressing their frustration at the development. “In a time when grocery prices are rising, making it harder to find the cheapest options is simply unacceptable,” the member stated.
Consumer verified the claim and confirmed that while the option to sort by price is no longer available on the websites, it remains accessible through the supermarkets’ shopping apps.
Impact on consumer purses and choices
To understand the implications of the move, Consumer conducted a survey of common grocery items on both supermarkets’ online shopping sites.
The results showed that Pams products, the home brand for both supermarkets, dominated search results.
This raised questions about how the removal of the price sorting feature would affect consumer choice and transparency.
“Such a move may limit options for shoppers and ultimately bolster supermarket profit margins at the expense of local suppliers,” Schulz noted.
Foodstuffs’ response
Consumer reached out to Foodstuffs for clarification on why the sort-by-price tool had been removed.
A spokesperson stated, “We’re upgrading our digital platform to improve our e-commerce offerings, including more transparent unit pricing. A new sorting feature will be added soon to allow price and unit price comparisons.”
However, the spokesperson did not specify when the price-ranking tool would return, leaving consumers in the dark.
In contrast, Woolworths, a key competitor, confirmed that it has no plans to remove its price-sorting feature, emphasising its importance in providing customers with the best value.
Consumer’s stance
Schulz described the removal of the sorting option as “bizarre”, especially amid ongoing concerns over food prices due to the ongoing the cost-of-living crisis. “This change could hinder consumers from making informed decisions about their purchases.”
He also reiterated previous concerns about supermarkets prioritising their own brands in search results, emphasising the need for greater transparency and choice in the grocery market.
Consumer urges shoppers to remain vigilant and advocate for better online shopping tools that empower them to make informed purchasing decisions.
Tapuwae Roa is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria Ngawati as Chair of its Board of Directors, succeeding Kate Cherrington, who has held the role since 2019.
Previously serving the trust as an Alternate Director in 2019 and full Director since 2021, Ngawati has worked across the education and health sectors over the last two decades and brings a track record of social entrepreneurship as the Founder of kaupapa Māori Charitable Trust IndigiShare and previous Edtech platform, AkoMaiWay.
“I grew up around the conversations of the people that started and supported Te Pūtea Whakatupu, and as an urban-grown Māori who is connected to my whakapapa, I am privileged to be a part of a trust that values the sustenance of this identity. Haramai te ataahua o te kaupapa nei,” says Ngawati.
Retiring as Chair, Kate Cherrington (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi, Te Kapotai) was appointed to the board of Tapuwae Roa (then Te Pūtea Whakatupu Trust) in 2018 under the leadership of Norm Dewes and has overseen the transformation of the Trust, embracing its impact-led focus.
Cherrington was part of the leadership team of Trustees along with Tapuwae Roa’s Kaihautū, Te Pūoho Kātene, to develop and implement the Trust’s intergenerational Theory of Change and overall strategy, which continues to act as its foundational framework in driving social impact into Māori communities.
“The evolution of Tapuwae Roa requires a leadership style that reflects the innovation, tenacity and mātauranga Māori expertise that Maria brings, and I am so happy to be alongside this wahine toa as she navigates Tapuwae Roa through its next phase of mahi and investment into the communities that we serve,” says Cherrington.
Cherrington will remain on the Board as Director alongside Awerangi Tamihere (Director), Tatiana Greening (Alternate Director), Bernie O’Donnell (Alternate Director), and Naomi Manu (Alternate Director).
The Government is progressing changes to better protect Kiwis and their property from fires, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.
“Following the tragic Loafer’s Lodge fire in 2023, 37 boardings houses across the country were assessed and I am pleased to say that all fire safety recommendations from the review have now been completed. This is an important milestone which will reduce the chances of a tragedy like that happening again.
“The Government is now prioritising a full review of the fire safety provisions in the Building Code to improve the fire safety of all buildings. This is the first full review in more than a decade.
“We have now released a discussion document which outlines issues that need addressing to ensure the fire safety provisions in the Building Code keep pace with changes in urban design and modern methods of construction.
“The way we build has changed significantly in the last decade. Newly evolving products and technologies are adding complexities to buildings, which have implications for fire safety and firefighting.
“One of the challenges for the review is to ensure requirements are cost-effective, meet social expectations for safety standards and are well supported by industry.
“In addition to the review, there is a Bill currently before select committee which contains a number of provisions that will improve building fire safety.
“The Building (Earthquake-prone Building Deadlines and Other Matters) Amendment Bill includes:
a new offence and penalty for independently qualified persons who negligently certify that the building owner or their agent has met all of the inspection, maintenance and reporting requirements in the compliance schedule
a clarification that an independent qualified person should only certify a specified system if it meets the requirements in the building’s compliance schedule
amended regulations to increase the fines for building owners who fail to supply or display a Building Warrant of Fitness.
“With several initiatives underway, we are moving quickly to ensure Kiwis and their property are better protected from fires. We are committed to improving our built environment so that Kiwis can live, work and play in safe, high-quality buildings.”
As Wellington City Council reviews its Long-Term Plan, a new Wellington Chamber of Commerce-Curia poll shows a significant majority of Wellington City residents believe the council is spending too much on cycleways.
The poll shows three quarters of residents believe Wellington City Council is spending “too much” on its cycleway program.
Voters of the five largest political parties believe the council is overspending on cycleways, including 51% of Green Party voters.
Overall, 76% of Wellington residents believe the council is spending too much on the bicycle network.
17% believe the spending is “about right”; 3% say it’s “too little”; 4% say they’re “unsure”.
The poll of 1099 Wellington city residents was conducted between September 15 and September 25, with a representative sample of the population in terms of gender, age and ward.
Respondents were asked the following question:
Wellington City Council has spent $52 million dollars on cycleways in the past three years, an average of $642 per household. It is planning to spend another $56 million on cycleways over the next three years. Do you believe this level of spending is – too much, too little or about right?
It comes as Wellington City Council revisits the spending in its LTP. The city’s 10-year budget will now have to be amended after the council reversed its decision to sell its shares in Wellington Airport.
Wellington Chamber of Commerce CEO Simon Arcus says it’s time to review all of council’s spending, including the bike network plan.
“This is the first definitive survey of Wellington residents on cycleways. It is fairer and far more compelling than the conclusions from public consultation for the Long-Term Plan and the cycle network surveys, which never consulted the public on cost,” says Mr Arcus.
“Put simply, the council needs to stop talking how much it will be spending and start thinking about how much it has to spend, with revenue as the starting point. Council must be working on a plan to reduce rates for Wellington resident and businesses,” he said.
“There can be no non-negotiables in the process of re-drafting the LTP. All options need to be on the table, and that includes the transport network.
“Let us be clear that we do support cycleways, as part of an integrated transport network – one where investment is equitable and based on the needs of every resident. Right now that isn’t the case,” said Mr Arcus.
“This poll shows three quarters of Wellington residents believe the council is over-spending on the cycle network.
“The collapse of the LTP process is a profound signal the current ideas have failed and new principles for expenditure need to be considered.
“Let’s think more strategically about alternatives to the cycle spend and look closely at the success of Te Kāinga Te Pu, part of Wellington City Council’s Te Kāinga Affordable Rental Programme. This has been an excellent initiative, converting vacant office space to affordable residential living. People can live in the heart of the city with improved quality of life and sustainable outcomes without the need to build extensive cycleways.
“There is a lot more work to do to make sure the LTP sets Wellington up for a prosperous future. We think the council has to look at this through the right framework and will contribute more on that soon,” said Mr Arcus.
It also follows the decision of Local Government Minister Simeon Brown to appoint a Crown Observer to oversee the council’s management of the LTP.
“We welcome this decision by Minister Brown to bring order and accountability to the council table.
“Wellington faces many tough decisions that are crucial to its future. Rewriting the city’s Long-Term Plan months after its passing is a significant and unusual step. It’s important that everything is on the table when projects have to be cut.
“Wellington’s rate rises are among the highest in the country, and that isn’t sustainable in the short or long term.
“This is a vital opportunity to revisit the council’s budget and ensure it’s focused on the things that matter, not pet projects and nice-to-haves.
“A Crown Observer will assist in that process. We encourage the council to heed the Observer’s advice, listen to ratepayers and the business community for the many decisions that are still to come.”
Note:
Business Central is the home of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and part of the BusinessNZ network, alongside EMA, Business Canterbury and Business South.
Fire and Emergency drone crews identified 16 hotspots overnight, with crews now focused on dampening them down today.
Incident Controller Mark Tinworth says three helicopters and 22 personnel on the ground will be in operation.
“The fire remains contained, and has not grown in size overnight.
“A big thank you to our crews and helicopter pilots who will be working hard again today as we continue efforts to extinguish this fire.”
Cordons are back in place with access to residents only on Island Block Road and Falls Road between 8am and 6pm to allow air operations to continue and restrict access to the public on the fire ground.
For residents in the area, we understand there may be concerns regarding water tanks and ash-debris fall. People can visit Health New Zealand’s Waikato website for more information about this here:Meremere Wildfire, North Waikato – WaikatoDHB Newsroom
Fire and Emergency’s Waikato Local Advisory Committee will be visiting the Incident Management Team this morning.
Subnational population estimates: At 30 June 2024 (2018-base)– Information release –25 October 2024.
Subnational population estimates give the best available measure of the population, by age and sex, usually living in New Zealand’s 16 regions, 67 territorial authority areas, 21 Auckland local board areas, and other areas.
Key facts In the year ended June 2024, provisional estimates of the population usually living in each area indicate:
many areas had slower population growth than in the year ended June 2023, with national population growth at 1.8 percent in 2024, down from 2.5 percent in 2023
nationally, net migration (73,300) contributed to population growth more than natural increase (20,300).
Visit our website to read this information release:
The Aged Care Association (ACA) is expressing serious concerns about the future of palliative care on the West Coast following comments from palliative care doctor Wendy Pattemore regarding the region’s new Korowai programme. Dr. Pattemore highlighted that while the programme currently focuses on palliative care patients, it may be expanded to include chronic disease patients due to the lack of residential care beds on the Coast.
The ACA is urging Te Whatu Ora to engage more meaningfully with residential care providers to address these critical gaps and ensure comprehensive palliative care options are available for families in need.
“Is this a sign that Te Whatu Ora has given up on working with residential care providers on the West Coast to enhance and expand the much-needed provision?” asks ACA Chief Executive Tracey Martin. “While we strongly advocate for more support for palliative care education and services, we are deeply concerned that the system is abdicating its responsibilities to ensure West Coast families have access to the best supports for them and their loved ones at end of life.”
Martin emphasised the importance of giving families realistic options that consider their physical, mental, and emotional abilities, rather than relying solely on home-based care solutions.
“The ACA has articulated on a number of occasions the issue of palliative care being absent from key discussions on the Funding and Delivery Review of Aged Care currently being undertaken by Te Whatu Ora. One thing we all know for certain is that 100% of us will eventually die. However, our members are reporting instances around the country where families try to care for their loved ones at home, only to find the physical and emotional pressure too great. These families often turn to our members in desperation, requesting urgent admissions for their loved ones in their final days or even hours. Many of these families then have to add guilt to their grief.”
Martin stresses that residential care providers must be part of the future design of aged care services, with palliative care integrated as a standard offering, whether in the home, community, or aged residential care settings.
“We continue to ask to be part of the design of future aged care provision, with palliative care to be a natural inclusion alongside home and community support, and aged residential care,” Martin said.
Ban all imports into Aotearoa New Zealand from illegal Israeli settlements
End government procurement of goods and services from companies identified by the UN as complicit in the building and maintaining of illegal Israeli settlements
Direct the Superfund, ACC and Kiwisaver providers to end investments in the companies involved in illegal Israeli settlements
The Christchurch City Council has shown the way. The Luxon government must follow.
PSNA has asked the government to take these steps – we have had no response for two months.
John Minto
National Chair
Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa
Nationwide rallies/marches/MP protests/vigils this week
North Island Opononi – Gathering for Palestine Sunday 27 October No Rally this weekend
Kerikeri – Rally Saturday 26 October No Rally this weekend
Whangarei – Rally Saturday 26 October No Rally this weekend
Auckland – Talk by Vijay Prashad Thursday 24 October 7:00 pm Western Springs Garden Community Center 956 Great North Road, Western Springs
Auckland – Picket Friday 25 October No Picket this Friday – Labour Weekend Next picket Wed 30 October @ 4:00 pm outside the US Consulate
Waiheke – Market Stall – hosted by Stand With Palestine Waiheke! Every Saturday 8:00 am – 1:00 pm Ostend Market, Waiheke Island
Auckland – Banners around Tamaki Makaurau Every Saturday 10:00 am Text John on 021 899 659 for location
Auckland – Rally Saturday 26 October 2:00 pm Te Komititanga – Britomart Square, Tamaki Makaurau
Thames – Vigil to Stop the war on Children (Hosted by The Basket – Social and Environmental Justice – Hauraki) First Saturday of the month
Tauranga – Flag wave Monday 28 – Labour Day 1:00 am Coronation park, Mt Maunganui
Whakatane Saturday 26 October Rallies are being organised Watch this space
Hamilton – Flag Waving for Palestine Saturday 26 October 1:00 pm Flynn Park, Hamilton
Raglan To be advised Watch this space
Cambridge – Rally for Palestine Every Saturday 11:00 am Cambridge Town Hall
Rotorua – Rally for Palestine Every Thursday 4:30 pm National MP Todd McClays Office – Cnr Amohau and Ranolf St lights, Rotorua
Gisborne – Farmers Market – Vigil to Stop the war on Children Every Saturday 9:30 – 11:30 am Gisborne Farmers Market
Napier – Rally for Palestine Saturday 26 October 11:30 am Marine Parade Soundshell Roundabout
Hastings – Rally for Palestine Sunday 27 October 1:00 pm Hastings Town Clock – Hastings CBD
Palmerston North – Rally for Palestine Sunday 27 October 2:00 pm The Square, Palmerston North
New Plymouth – Flags on the Bridge Friday 25 September 4:30 pm Paynters Ave Bridge, New Plymouth
New Plymouth – March for Gaza Saturday 26 October 1:00 PM Huatoki Plaza, Ngamotu, New Plymouth
Whanganui – Rally for Palestine Saturday 26 October 11:00 am Riverside Market, Whanganui
Carterton – Gathering for Gaza Every Tuesday 12:00 midday Memorial Square.
Martinborough – Vigil for Palestine Every Wednesday 11:00 am The square at the top of Kitchener St, Martinborough
Masterton – Gathering for Gaza Every Sunday 9:30 am Town Hall Lawn, Masterton
Featherston – Gathering for Gaza Every Saturday 11:00 am The Squircle (opposite the op shop).
Wellington – Vigil for Palestine (by Aotearoa Healthcare Workers for Palestine) Every Friday 6:00 pm In front of Wellington Hospital 49 Riddiford Street, Newtown, Wellington
Wellington – Flags on the Bridge (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective) Every Friday 7:15 – 8:15 am Hill Street bridge Overbridge, Wellington
Wellington – Obela boycott rally (hosted by the Falastin Tea Collective) Saturday 26 October 1:00 – 2:00 pm Outside Countdown in Newtown, Wellington Meeting on the corner of Hanson St and John St
South Island Nelson – Rally for Palestine Saturday 26 October 10:30 am Rocks Road by the beach
Blenheim – Rally for Palestine Saturday 26 October 11:00 am Blenheim Railway Station
Littleton – Flag Waving for Palestine Wednesday 23 October 4:00 pm Corner of Sutton Quay and Norwich Quay, Littleton
Christchurch – Flag Waving for Palestine Friday 25 October 4:00 pm Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Christchurch – Rally Saturday 26 October 1:00 – 2:00 pm Bridge of Remembrance, Cashel Street, Christchurch
Timaru No Rally this weekend
Dunedin – Rally and March Saturday 19 October No Rally this weekend
Queenstown No Rally this weekend
Invercargill – Rally for Palestine Sunday 27 October 1:00 pm Wachner place Invercargill.
New median barriers installed on the State Highway 60 Ruby Bay Bypass are proving their worth.
Earlier this year, new safety measures were put in place on the highway between Dominion Road and Harley Road. This work also included the construction of a new right-turn bay for traffic at the Tasman View Road intersection.
Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says the barriers have prevented head-on crashes.
“Since they were installed in June, they’ve been hit five times. That’s five potential head-on collisions prevented.”
“They’re doing exactly what they’re designed to do. Reducing the risk of serious crashes and keeping people safe,” Mr Service says.
However, he says the barriers damaged by these crashes must be repaired.
“They need to be fixed so they can keep doing their job, which requires a road closure. We realise closures are disruptive, but this is the best option. Remember, closures for serious and fatal accidents are far worse, and that’s what we want to avoid.”
From 3 November to 7 November, the Ruby Bay Bypass will be closed nightly between 7 pm and 5 am to fix the barriers.
Mr Service says contractors will make the most of the closure to complete other road repairs and install new safety improvements.
“Contractors will conduct reseals where we have widened road shoulders and added the new right turn bay. It’s about making the road more waterproof and more resilient.”
“They’ll also look to install new rumble strips – Audio Tactile Profile (ATP) road markings – which alert drivers with an audible and tactile warning when drivers drive over them. Mr Service says.
Local road detours will be available while the highway is closed. People travelling between Motueka and Richmond/Nelson must detour via Mapua Drive, Stafford Drive and Aporo Road. Road users should allow an extra 10 minutes for their journeys.
Residents needing to access Gardner Valley Road or Tasman View Road will need to use Dominion Road or Harley Road. Residents needing access to Stagecoach Road and Chaytor Road must use Seaton Valley Road.
Works Schedule and Detour Routes:
Sunday, 3 November to Thursday, 7 November. 7 pm – 5 am
SH60 Ruby Bay Bypass closed overnight between Dominion Road and Harley Road
Local road detours available:
People travelling between Motueka and Richmond/Nelson must detour via Mapua Drive, Stafford Drive and Aporo Road.
Residents needing to access Gardner Valley Road or Tasman View Road will need to use Dominion Road or Harley Road. Residents needing access to Stagecoach Road and Chaytor Road must use Seaton Valley Road.
More Information:
Research shows median barriers virtually eliminate head-on crashes and reduce deaths and serious injuries from run-off-road crashes by around 40 to 50 percent.
Head-on crashes are the leading cause of death on state highways and account for approximately half of all deaths recorded. Safety barriers offer a second chance. They help reduce the chance of a simple mistake costing lives and destroying families.
The latest UNEPEmissions Gap Reporthas warned that if countries do not commit to rapid action to cut rising climate pollution emissions, the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C will be gone within a few years, but Greenpeace says despite the Luxon Government’s failure so far,there is hope.
Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director Dr Russel Norman says, “Here we have yet another stark warning that if we are to leave our children a habitable planet, emissions have to come down rapidly and a reminder that in this global crisis, every country must play its part.
“Yet here in New Zealand, we have a government of climate extremists hell-bent on doing the exact opposite. Just yesterday, we saw offshore wind energy companies pull out of New Zealand because this government is fast-tracking a seabed mining project that would block offshore wind turbines.
“Christopher Luxon has stated that he wants to restart oil and gas exploration, mine for coal, and build a new fossil gas import terminal. As today’s UN report confirms, these actions are entirely at odds with a liveable climate – they are the actions of a climate extremist.
“Luxon’s awkward presence at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa today is not only tainted by the sinking of the Manawanaui, it is tainted by his climate extremism, which is not popular in the Pacific.
“Even his own government ministry said New Zealand doesn’t need any new fossil gas,” says Dr Norman.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) recently released itsupdatedreport on Electricity Demand and Generation Scenarios looking out to 2050, which confirmed that there is no need for new fossil fuels to ‘keep the lights on’ in Aotearoa. Wind and solar are the cheapest sources of new electricity generation and sufficient for the transition.
“For 15 years, the UNEP has been sounding the alarm on the great chasm between political will for climate action and the worsening emissions trajectory fuelling rising temperatures. These reports form a shameful litany of failure by successive governments to tackle the climate crisis with the urgency it demands,” says Dr Norman.
“New Zealand’s biggest polluter is the dairy industry’s super-heating methane emissions, and yet no Government has been able to find the backbone to stand up to Fonterra and regulate against the drivers of their emissions: synthetic nitrogen fertiliser, imported palm kernel and too many cows.”
The Emissions Gap Report 2024 found that it remains technically possible to get on a 1.5°C pathway, with solar, wind and forests “holding real promise for sweeping and fast emissions cuts”, alongside energy demand reductions. However, a failure to increase ambition in countries’ 2035 climate action plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), would put the world at risk for a temperature increase of 2.6-3.1°C by the end of this century.
The UNEP also called on countries to explain how their 2035 NDCs contribute to tripling renewable capacity deployment and doubling annual energy efficiency rates by 2030, agreed at COP28 last year, and to transitioning away from fossil fuels.
Attributable to Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Metro Area Prevention Manager:
A valuable report from a member of the public led to the arrest of two people following a robbery in St Albans, Christchurch last night.
Police responded following a report of people wearing masks walking down Bishop Street around 10:45pm.
They were then seen entering a residential address further down the road, where they have forced entry and threatened the occupant with a weapon.
Shortly after they gained entry, responding Police located and arrested the two alleged offenders at the address.
Luckily no-one was injured.
One young person is due to appear in the Christchurch Youth Court in due course, and a 26-year-old man is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court today on charges of aggravated robbery and being disguised for burglary.
This highlights the importance of reporting suspicious behaviour as soon as you see it, on 111. In this case, it allowed Police to respond to the robbery as it was happening and arrest those involved.
The Honourable Denis Clifford has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the Criminal Cases Review Commission, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.
“Hon Clifford brings a wealth of expertise and experience that will prove invaluable to the Commission.
“He has served as a judge at both the Court of Appeal and High Court, and has practiced extensively in commercial and public law as a former partner at Buddle Findlay.
“Before joining the independent bar in 2002, he held the position of Legal Advisor, Policy and Legal in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
“Suzanne Robertson KC, and Emma Finlayson-Davis are also being appointed to the Commission, together with the reappointment of Commissioner Professor Tracy McIntosh.
“I’d like to thank outgoing Chief Commissioner Colin Carruthers KC, as well as Nigel Hampton KC and Dr Virginia Hope who are also completing terms as Commissioners.”
The new appointees will commence on 2 December 2024.
This bill would repeal and replace the Mental Health (Compulsory Assessment and Treatment) Act 1992. The bill aims to create a modern legislative framework for compulsory mental health care. It would:
· establish principles to guide decision-making about compulsory care
· enable patients to express their preferences and specify what care they agree to
· set out the rights of patients, children, and young people
· establish a complaints process
· update the processes for assessment and care of patients
· provide for people who enter compulsory mental health care through the justice system
· reduce restrictive practices such as seclusion
· set out how compulsory mental health care will be administered, monitored, and reported on.
You can request to make a private or anonymous submission
Any person can ask to make a private or anonymous submission to the committee. An anonymous submission means that your name would not be associated with your written submission. A private submission means that your submission would not be publicly available until after the committee finishes its consideration of the bill. You can also ask to make an oral submission without making a written submission first.
If you would like to have your submission received anonymously or privately, please mention this in your written submission. If you have any questions about making a submission, you can contact the Health Committee Secretariat by emailing health@parliament.govt.nz or phoning (04) 817 9520.
Tell the Health Committee what you think
Make a submission on the bill by midnight on Friday, 6 December 2024.
Please attribute to: Waikato Police Tactical Crime Unit Detective Senior Sergeant Ian Foster.
Two men, aged 41 and 37, are facing 37 charges of burglary, with more charges likely following the execution of two warrants at homes in Hamilton and Huntly area on Friday last week, October 18.
They first appeared in Hamilton District Court on Saturday and were remanded in custody to reappear this week.
Last Friday Police executed two warrants at properties in the Rototuna and Huntly area.
At the first property, a large volume of stolen goods was located, with bags of pearls, rings, necklaces – sometimes whole jewellery boxes full of items, and large amounts of gold.
At the second property police located a raft of stolen items including a rubbish sack full of designer bags.
Alongside jewellery and heirlooms at both properties were watches, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel and Prada handbags, and Givenchy and Hermes items in original packaging.
There was also a large array of other heirlooms and jewellery that no doubt has significance and value to their owners, the victims of the burglaries.
The 37 charges relate to burglaries that have occurred since May this year, however we believe that this offending in the Hamilton and Auckland areas, dates back further. Some of these items have then been on-sold.
There is a large volume of recovered items to work our way through and we are currently in the process of informing the victims that have been identified and we are still arranging for the return of some precious items.
“It is a really great result to be able to recover this volume of stolen items and make these arrests.
A lot of hard work has gone into this investigation by our teams and there is a lot more hard work to come.
We will continue to work our way through the items attempting to identify and return all the jewellery which will have significant sentimental value to the victims of these burglaries.”