Spark refunds 113,000 customers over service charge
Photo: RNZTelecommunications company Spark has been warned by the Commerce Commission after some customers were charged for a service they did not need. Spark has refunded around $15 million to nearly 113,000 customers after they were charged for a wire maintenance service between 2014 and early 2021. Spark also made misleading representations through invoicing customers for the service, which had no use or benefit, she said. The Commission said for affected customers who were still Spark customers, refunds were applied as credit to their accounts. Customers no longer with the provider could have the refunds sent to a nominated bank account, donated or transferred to another customer's Spark account.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 10, 2022 21:40 UTC
New Study Suggests Spiders Dream
In a new study, researchers from the University of Konstanz in Germany discovered that spiders, specifically the jumping spider species Evarcha arcuata, experience moments of rapidly shifting eye movement while they sleep—a sign that indicates they may be dreaming. These twitches are similar to that of other animals who experience REM sleep, the phase in slumber in which dreaming occurs. To find more concrete proof of a dream state, the ecologists will continue to observe spiders, experimenting with rousing spiders from slumber to ascertain how much they depend on sleep or if they are just resting their eyes. While the research is still ongoing, the study has raised interesting questions about sleep’s purpose and evolution, reflecting how humans and animals may be more alike than previously thought. Read more about it at The Wall Street Journal.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 21:02 UTC
Hospital: Police investigate fake document claims
A man allegedly used fake documents to secure a job as a doctor at one of the country’s busiest hospitals where he saw dozens of patients. Stuff understands the man worked in the respiratory department at Middlemore Hospital in south Auckland for several months, before it was recently discovered he was not in fact a registered doctor. Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau has confirmed it filed a complaint to police who are understood to be investigating. A spokesman for the organisation says the man was employed in February “on the basis of documentation that was not authentic”. He worked in a “clinical research position”, was no longer employed by Te Whatu Ora Counties Manukau and a complaint has been made to the police, the spokesman says.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 19:30 UTC
Let’s be very clear why Luxon will throw Uffindell under the Twitter outrage bus & trigger a new by-election in Tauranga
I believe that National will seize upon this moment and force Sam to resign so that they can virtue signal their own right wing values of zero crime tolerance. I don’t like lynch mobs of any type and Trial by Twitter is the ugliest mob of them all. Luxon will tell media in Te Puke that Sam Uffindell is leaving for Hawaii. The woke feel morally superior, National get to virtue signal their own hard line and then use that to justify the even harder solutions they are pushing. If we’ve finished destroying Sam Uffindell, can we do ASB next?
Source:New Zealand Herald
August 10, 2022 19:30 UTC
Insurers offer pointers for domestic cruisers
Domestic insurance plans will cover accidents that happen while on land, said Cruise World general manager Cherryl Browne. It is when treatment is required while on board the ship that insurance becomes a little more complicated. Moreover, Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) will only cover cruise ship treatments that take place in domestic waters and are done by medical providers registered in New Zealand. Christian Judge, communications manager of the Insurance Council of New Zealand, added that good coverage for domestic cruises will include “the cost of a ship-to-shore medical transfer under certain circumstances.”Insurers offer different kinds of policies for domestic cruises, Judge said. Some insurers have specific extensions to their domestic policies that cover cruises.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 19:13 UTC
Crash near Ōhakea leaves people with serious injuries
Emergency services are at the scene of a serious crash on State Highway 1 near Ōhakea Air Force Base. (File photo)State Highway 1 near Ōhakea has reopened after a two-car crash. Police said they were called to the crash at the intersection with Pukenui Rd – the road into Ōhakea Air Force Base – at 4.05pm on Wednesday. Early indications were that people had serious injuries, police said. A Stuff reporter who drove along the road earlier on Wednesday said there were roadworks taking place in the area.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 18:12 UTC
Will Trent Boult play T20 World Cup after snubbing central contract? NZC CEO David White responds
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult's decision to snub New Zealand Cricket (NZC)'s central contract has left many surprised. The release from the central contract has also put Boult's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in doubt. Also Read: Kiwi pacer Trent Boult steps out of his central contract. He knows he will be playing a significantly less amount of international cricket," White was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz. He’s just found it very demanding with a young family and wife he wants to spend more time with," he added.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 18:05 UTC
Trent Boult gives up central contract, intensifies a debate
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has agreed to release Trent Boult from central contract after the fast bowler communicated his request to spend more time with his family and make himself available for franchise T20 leagues. NZC CEO David White has gone on record to say that Boult will be available for the T20 World Cup in October-November. However, I respect the fact that not having a national contract will affect my chances of selection. In Boult and Tim Southee, New Zealand have a fantastic new ball pair that has accounted for a record 541 wickets in 65 Tests. Much before them, Caribbean players could supplement their meagre wages with County deals, playing cricket in England in the summer.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 16:00 UTC
Oamaru crash victim was mother of eight
Photo: GivealittleErin Ross’s daughters knew there had been an accident, but they tried not to think the worst when their mother failed to return home. "Her 9, 11 and 16-year-old daughters were left waiting and wondering for hours, but not for lack of trying," cousin Sinead Gill said. "Erin’s 19-year-old daughter contacted emergency services, went to the hospital in person to ask questions, and rang everyone she could think of." By 10pm, they had learned their 48-year-old mother and father figure had been killed in the accident, and their lives had changed forever. "The older siblings will raise the youngest girls, along with their own young children.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 10, 2022 14:51 UTC
21 work visas granted as employers struggle to get staff
Only 21 visas have been issued since accredited employer work applications opened more than five weeks ago and only two out of five businesses have reached the stage where a migrant can apply. Since the first stage of the visa (AEWV) opened in May, the majority of employer accreditations have been approved - 7883 out of 8723. But the second stage - job checks, which opened on 20 June with a pledge to finish them within 10 days - has been harder. Most employers had limited dealings with the MBIE business unit under the previous work visa process and it was coming as a surprise, he said. "The AEWV policy is an employer-led work visa approach, which is new to employers and requires different behaviours," said INZ general manager of border and visa operations, Nicola Hogg.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 09:48 UTC
Will Trent Boult play T20 World Cup after being released from central contract? NZC CEO David White responds
Boult said that it was a tough decision but thanked New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for the support as he put his family, his wife and three kids first. Naturally, Boult's participation for the national team will reduced considerably as the players with the central and domestic contracts will be preferred but that has put the Kiwi pacer's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in doubt. "I’d imagine that he will be selected for the T20 World Cup in Australia, because he’s been a big part of our plans and preparation for that. He’s just found it very demanding with a young family and wife he wants to spend more time with," White told stuff.co.nz. Speaking about the decision Boult said, being in the twilight of his career, he felt comfortable putting his family first and it was beginning of their preparation for life after cricket.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 06:51 UTC
“I’d imagine that he will be selected for the T20 World Cup in Australia" - New Zealand Cricket CEO on the possibility of Trent Boult playing the tournament
New Zealand pacer Trent Boult stunned the cricketing world earlier today (August 10) with his desire to be released from the central contract list. The left-arm seamer's decision comes on the back of a hectic cricketing calendar, where he will only partake in T20 franchise cricket and for the national team on a sporadic basis. With Boult not being included on the contract list, he will only be considered for selection in the event of an injury to centrally contracted and domestic players. The 33-year-old will partake in New Zealand's upcoming white-ball series against West Indies, but is likely to be a rare sight on the international circuit post the 2022 T20 World Cup. He’s just found it very demanding with a young family and wife he wants to spend more time with."
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 05:14 UTC
'Best father': Pilot killed in crash leaves huge hole in family, community
Tim Gibb died in a light plane crash last week. Olivia Gibb told the Herald about her father and his long years of service to the community. "He has left a great hole in our family and the close knit community of Franz Josef," said Olivia Gibb. Olivia Gibb said her father was a man of "great faith" and worshipped several times a week. The Franz Josef community also held a quiz night to help support the family which raised more than $7000.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 10, 2022 03:45 UTC
Revealed: Inside Air New Zealand’s top-secret Koru Club
Across the ditch, Air New Zealand has a VIP haven of its own: Koru Club. The exact location of Auckland’s Koru Club has now been revealed – via an emergency evacuation plan – to be at the far end of the main Air New Zealand Koru Lounge, hidden behind semi-frosted glass doors with a discrete ‘By Invitation Only’ sign the only hint at what lies beyond. At a glance, Koru Club appears quite similar to the Sydney Virgin Beyond Lounge, albeit on a smaller scale. In the meantime, Air New Zealand’s Auckland Koru Lounge is an excellent alternative, featuring vibrant decor, buffet dining, and an eclectic mix of zones to stretch out while you await your flight. Air New Zealand Koru Lounge access is open to Business Premier (business class) guests, Airpoints Gold status holders and above, and those holding Star Alliance membership.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 03:41 UTC
PAT SMITH’S ENDURING LEGACY
Most people know the Pat Smith Trophy is the greatest prize in Canterbury Rugby League, but how much do you know about the man it is named after? Ahead of Sunday’s CRL premiers grand final, we revisit an article by The Press’ Tony Smith about New Zealand Kiwis and Canterbury legend Pat Smith. His son Peter – a Canterbury and South Island representative in the 1960s – said Pat Smith came from sporting stock. By 1942 Pat was back in Christchurch, and was chosen in the Canterbury rugby team on six consecutive occasions. Pat Smith’s legacy to league continued long after he hung up his boots at 34.
Source:Stuff
August 10, 2022 02:36 UTC