‘Teaching them to be frightened’The main focus of Operation Moonshine related to allegations of parents smothering their children to prevent them from crying. Photo / NZMEKey to Operation Moonshine, which involved police and Oranga Tamariki (OT) investigators, were allegations that Gloriavale parents thought it was acceptable to block the airways of crying infants and children. “If they are not happy and enthusiastic about the interview but go ahead with it because they should, that by definition is not consent,” the Gloriavale representative told police. The Gloriavale representative also questioned why police were involving those who had left Gloriavale in the investigation. The Gloriavale representative was also worried that if members admitted behaviour which contravened the law, they would be charged.

Davies told police she heard an “almighty bang”, noticed that her side wing mirror was damaged, and stopped further up the road. Davies “unintentionally” hit Tauaika with her car, knocking him to the ground, causing significant damage to his scooter. When Davies stopped up the road, she got out of her car and saw it had been significantly damaged. Mesui Tauaika, 92, was fatally struck on his mobility scooter at this raised crossing on Peachgrove Rd, Hamilton, in June 2024. “While you are not here to answer for being the cause of his death, it must be acknowledged,” he told Davies.

After failing to stop a young driver for allegedly travelling at excessive speed in a 50kmh zone, police officers went to his house and waited for him to come home. ‘‘Police observed the vehicle coming back into Mosgiel about 20 minutes after the initial call. ‘‘They attempted to stop the vehicle on Gordon Rd, but when they activated their red and blue lights, the vehicle accelerated away. ‘‘The 21-year-old male driver was exhibiting signs of recent alcohol consumption. Sgt Lee said the vehicle was being driven by a 20-year-old man, and his licence was suspended for 28 days.

PHOTOS: GERARD O’BRIENDunedin support workers who drive across town for their job are worried fuel price increases will eat up a lot of their income. Dunedin residential home care support worker Juliette Young said transport costs for healthcare workers had been hefty. I don't think anyone could really live on the wage we're on [today].’’If nothing was done more support workers would quit the profession and vulnerable people ‘‘would be left alone in their pyjamas all day’’, she said. Drivers line up to make the most of cheaper fuel at the NPD station in Andersons Bay Rd yesterday. Several others said increased fuel prices had left support and home-care workers unable to afford to travel the long distances required.

The alleged broad daylight theft of money from the pockets of an unconscious woman lying in the Dunedin CBD has landed two men in the Dunedin District Court. Sergeant Matt Lee said police were called to George St about 5pm on Wednesday after receiving reports from members of the public that two males had taken money off an intoxicated woman who had passed out in the street. ‘‘So she couldn’t stop them from taking the money. ‘‘A 42-year-old male and a 54-year-old male have both been charged with theft and possessed cannabis.’’They were held in police custody to appear in court, he said. Police opposed bail because of the men’s previous convictions, and the seriousness of the new charges they were facing, he said.

A young woman bit a stranger’s arm and "growled like a dog" while remaining latched on for about 10 seconds during a street attack. Brianna Marra then bit her victim for a second time. Marra then stood over her and continued to punch and kick the victim, who pleaded for her to stop. While the victim was still on the ground, Marra grabbed her arm and bit her. As the victim tried to stand up, Marra grabbed her arm again and bit her wrist.

Photo: Nathan McKinnon / RNZWattie's growers and staff are reeling following the company's announcement of the proposed closure of three factories in Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin. Methven farmer Hamish Marr supplied Wattie's with peas for around 20 years, and said the news was devastating for staff and growers alike. Associate energy minister Shane Jones pointed the finger at electricity gentailers - the major companies that both generate and wholesale electricity. "Look no further than the non-competitive structure, the non-competitive level of cost imposed on our manufacturing sector by the electricity sector. That's why the electricity sector either has to be regulated or cut in half."

Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund and Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer present their submissions on proposed seismic changes to the transport and infrastructure select committee in Wellington yesterday. Photo: ScreenshotDunedin risks the "perverse outcome" of losing its characteristic heritage buildings unless the government relaxes incoming seismic changes, a pair of advocates say. Southern Heritage Trust spokeswoman Jo Galer and Dunedin city councillor Russell Lund spoke in a select committee hearing today, urging the government to abandon plans to reclassify Dunedin and coastal Otago from low-risk to a "medium seismic zone". "The practical effect of this reclassification is to expose owners to assessments and higher compliance costs that would not apply if Dunedin remained low seismic risk," Ms Galer said. Cr Lund said the legislation would compel full retrofits of an estimated 100 buildings in Dunedin, many of which were "effectively vacant or significantly underused".

The intersection near Invercargill where two members of Southland's Nepalese community died on their way to work. The intersection near Invercargill where two members of Southland's Nepalese community died on their way to work. Photo / Google MapsThe Nepalese community is in shock after two of its members died in a car crash eight minutes away from work. Anita Pathak and daughter Dikshika Pathak were killed in a two-vehicle crash at a Fairfax-Isla Bank Rd intersection, 30 minutes north of Invercargill, on Tuesday morning. The son and brother of the pair, Dip Pathak, was driving the car, reported The Southland Times.

Increased fuel costs could drive some trucking businesses under, according to an industry association. War in the Middle East has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, meaning oil prices are volatile. The rise in oil prices could cause the cost of goods to rise as more than 90% of freight in Aotearoa is moved by road. The New Zealand Trucking Association said fuel has now overtaken labour as the highest cost for trucking companies. He said the commission would provide updates on retail fuel price movements and compare them with changes in the cost of importing fuel on its website.

High-value computer chips and AI server hardware have become prime targets for organised cargo theft rings across the United States. Millions of dollars in technology components move daily across US highways, creating lucrative opportunities for sophisticated cargo theft operations. The true scale of America’s cargo theft problem is hard to get a handle on. Cargo thieves began targeting tech products soon after the pandemic, officials say. Photo / Getty ImagesThat hasn’t slowed the new crop of cargo thieves.

Key said it wasn’t just about him, and there are many other electricians, plumbers and subcontractors caught in the same situation. Earlier this week Key asked his Instagram followers if he should release a “tell-all” on the situation. Shareholders appointed liquidators to Auckland's Teak Construction on March 2. “Teak has put itself in liquidation after fighting subcontractors for months in court and adjudications over ... withholding of retentions and other sums due. “We’ve cut the ribbon on more than 500 successful builds, from commercial projects, to government, remedial and residential works.”Victopia Apartments is one of the projects Teak Construction Group was working on before the liquidation.

Willis said the Government was monitoring whether the orders fuel companies had beyond the current 50 days’ supply were being fulfilled. She said that in the event of a supply disruption, the Government would first look at alternative places where the country could source fuel. Photo / NZ HeraldWillis said the Government was considering what the “trigger” for considering demand measures would be. These begin with voluntary measures such as encouraging people to conserve fuel and relaxing regulations on what types of fuel can be imported. The amount of fuel that can be purchased could be curtailed and banning the sale of fuel into containers is an option.

Fire crews rushed to the University of Auckland after a blaze broke out on the second floor of a law school building. Fire crews rush to University of Auckland after fire breaks out at law buildingCrews rushed to the University of Auckland after light fitting caught fire in a law school building at the central city campus. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said crews were notified of a fire in an office about 2.40pm today. “Upon arrival the fire, on the second floor of a multi-storey building, was well ablaze,” a spokesperson said. “There are currently four trucks and an aerial truck in attendance, with multiple additional crews on their way to assist.”

Shane Jones. Photo: RNZNew Zealand will have to release about six days worth of fuel as part of a decision by the International Energy Agency. Energy Minister Shane Jones says New Zealand is obliged to contribute to the IEA's release. He says that can be can done by terminating tickets this country holds for its own stocks. Jones says it's yet to be determined how New Zealand will release its stocks, and ensure the impact here is minimised.