Drug import ring-leader jailed
A 68-year-old man who arrived from Hong Kong to lead one of New Zealand's largest and most sophisticated drug import operations hiding meth in umbrella stands has been jailed. Then on about October 22, the third drug consignment arrived, containing 17 umbrella stands, and a further 110kg of methamphetamine. Crown prosecutor Erin Woolley had pushed for a minimum period of 10 years. In setting the sentence, Moore said a minimum imprisonment period was "plainly necessary". Further taking into account his age, health and geographic and cultural dislocation, he set a minimum period of eight and a half years, beyond which would be up to the Parole Board.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 10, 2020 02:37 UTC
Silver Ferns international schedule uncertain
The Silver Ferns' international schedule is uncertain for 2020. Photo: Getty ImagesNetball fans might have a long wait before they see the Silver Ferns' play their next international test. But Silver Ferns' assistant coach Debbie Fuller said that hadn't been discussed. Fuller admits the Silver Ferns' selectors will have a hard job selecting the national team this year, especially in the defensive end. Fuller said a wider Silver Ferns' squad would be named towards the end of the ANZ Premiership.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 10, 2020 02:37 UTC
Enough of the snide talk about homecoming Kiwis -
Our daughter’s job of four years in China has just been vaporised and her visa expiry date is ticking like a time bomb. Like so many people her life has been unexpectedly upheaved and the danger of becoming stateless is a real prospect. That number has shrunk during Covid but there is a momentum and resilience remaining especially in our rural base. And as we enter spring every effort has to be made to utilise the work potential on offer. Couple this with some ‘shovel ready projects ‘ and the Southern spirit and we’re going to bounce back.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 02:15 UTC
Mt Hutt skiers face lengthy traffic jams
Traffic heading towards Mt Hutt. Skiiers are facing hour-long waits to get up Mt Hutt as traffic jams clog the access road. All five car parks filled up before the mountain opened at 9am and police have been called to help with parking on surrounding streets. Mt Hutt said it was working to maximise capacity in its car parks and ensure all vehicles could park safely. The car park full at The Remarkables ski resort in Queenstown yesterday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 10, 2020 01:52 UTC
Crusaders v Blues: Is this a new chapter in the storied conflict?
Photo: Getty ImagesThe bitter rugby rivalry between the Crusaders and Blues and Canterbury and Auckland has been re-ignited ahead of tomorrow night's clash. But with both sides unbeaten after their first three games of Super Rugby Aotearoa Saturday's match up has fans and players hoping for a new chapter in the storied conflict. While that night brings up the bile for Crusaders players and fans, it warms the heart of veteran Blues hooker James Parsons. They came down and absolutely destroyed us and embarrassed us and the following year in 1996 Super Rugby started and that rivalry just followed into Super Rugby from provincial rugby." If the Blues lose I've promised to change my Facebook profile picture to a Crusaders logo for a month.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 10, 2020 01:52 UTC
Pay-what-you-like deal a success
Pen-y-bryn Lodge owners James Boussy (left) and James Glucksman are asking New Zealand travellers to name their own price to stay at the luxury lodge. Co-owner James Glucksman said in the six weeks since the pay-what-you-like promotion began on May 18, things had gone “better than expected”. Potential guests had been offered the opportunity to suggest the price they were willing to pay to stay in the sumptuous surroundings. “We’ve had a lot of inquiries, and with very, very few exceptions, the prices people have named have been reasonable. So that they get a bit of an opportunity to travel around, and we keep things interesting for ourselves.”- Ashley Smyth
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 10, 2020 01:41 UTC
Coronavirus: Two new cases in isolation, minister says facilities not 'maximum security prisons'
There are two new cases of Covid-19 in managed facilities in New Zealand on Friday, Health Minister Chris Hipkins says. JOSEPH JOHNSON/Stuff A police officer stands guard outside the coronavirus isolation centre at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch on Friday morning. Officials also said last Saturday a woman left managed isolation in central Auckland. Hipkins said other than the three who absconded, people in managed isolation were following the rules. His 70 minutes outside managed isolation in central Auckland included a visit to a supermarket.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 01:09 UTC
Top farmer's tweets drag dairy industry through the dirt
Bertram and his wife, Rose, were named joint winners of the top prize at the Dairy Industry Awards on Saturday. By Thursday, animal rights group Safe had distributed several social media posts from 2017 that called Bertram’s win and the credibility of the competition into question. In several tweets, Bertram referred to his cows as “b......”. But it’s not just Bertram who’s let the dairy industry down, it’s the judging panel and the Dairy Industry Awards Trust. Perhaps it’s time the trust did have a look at social media, because the answer from farmers is clear.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 01:07 UTC
Coronavirus: Man accused of fleeing isolation facility now in prison
The man accused of cutting his way out of a Hamilton isolation facility and visiting a liquor shop has been sent to Spring Hill prison. Christel Yardley Martin James McVicar is accused of absconding from isolation at Distinction Hotel in Hamilton. McVicar allegedly absconded from the isolation facility on Thursday night for an illicit alcohol run. SUPPLIED A man took route from Hamilton's Distinction Hotel isolation facility to a nearby bottle shop. Politicians reactHamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said she was deeply disappointed a returning New Zealander deliberately chose to leave a managed isolation facility in Hamilton.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 00:12 UTC
Dunedin's coast: New Zealand’s little slice of Bali full of wildlife
It is much more than a taste of Bali; it's the country's most underrated stretch of coast. Doctor's Point ReserveThis windswept stretch of coast, less than half an hour from the city, is home to sea arches, sea caves, and little blue penguins. The sea caves remind me of Coromandel's Cathedral Cove, except these are entirely off the radar to all but locals. For thousands of years, the sea has sculpted a dramatic scene into the sandstone cliffs near Dunedin, creating an idyllic little beach in the cliffs. It's Bali with seals, penguins, albatross, pyramids, empty beaches, sea caves, tunnels, and lots of good coffee.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 00:11 UTC
Cannabis referendum: Think marijuana is harmless? Think again
"On one hand, we’re saying it's not good to smoke tobacco, and on the other, we’re saying that smoking cannabis is fine." On one hand, we’re saying it's not good to smoke tobacco, and on the other, we’re saying that smoking cannabis is fine. READ MORE:* The five reasons why Kiwis should vote yes in the cannabis referendum* Cannabis policing 'worst waste of taxpayer money', former PM Helen Clark says* Cannabis referendum: Poll shows yes vote leading by 5 pointsMany people liken cannabis to tobacco cigarettes and claim cannabis is less harmful and addictive. CHECKPOINT/RNZ The government and the Drug Foundation say they are committed to keeping the public informed ahead of the cannabis referendum, so that fear mongering and fake news is kept to a minimum. A New Zealand report shows two thirds of construction industry members are worried about the effects of cannabis law reform.
Source:Stuff
July 10, 2020 00:00 UTC
Police name Canterbury crash victim
Harley Kevin Campbell died when his car rolled near the corner of State Highway 75 (Christchurch-Akaroa Rd) and McQueens Spur Rd on July 5. A 27-year-old man from Christchurch died when his car rolled in rural Canterbury. Harley Kevin Campbell from Aranui, Christchurch, died in the single-vehicle crash on the eastern side of Lake Ellesmere on Sunday. The crash happened near the corner of State Highway 75 (Christchurch-Akaroa Rd) and McQueens Spur Rd near Ataahua about 9.30pm. READ MORE:* Three fatal crashes a 'black day' on Canterbury roads* Person flown to hospital after car crashes into Lake Ellesmere in Canterbury* Christchurch man killed in motorcycle crash near AkaroaSenior Sergeant Stephen McDaniel earlier told Stuff that police believed speed was a contributing factor.
Source:Stuff
July 09, 2020 23:37 UTC
Spending recovery continues, but hospitality sector struggles
Retail card spending continued to track up in June after its bumper bounce back in May, figures from Statistics NZ show. The continued spending recovery followed a $2.3b bounce back in retail card spending in May as businesses re-opened after the Covid-19 level 4 lockdown, but bank economists are warning retailers face a tough end to the year. Despite the continued spending recovery, retail card spending in the June quarter was $4.5b behind spending in the same three-month period last year, or 20 per cent lower. “The falls this quarter occurred primarily in April and somewhat in May, with June being a return to more usual card spending,” Hicks said. The biggest drop in spending during the June quarter was on hospitality, with spending down 49 per cent as a result of the closure of bars, restaurants and events during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Source:Stuff
July 09, 2020 23:28 UTC
Gregory back for Highlanders as injuries force changes
Scott Gregory comes back into the side at wing. Photo: Getty ImagesThe Highlanders have made some injury enforced changes and again shuffled their front row for their match against the Hurricanes on Sunday. Scott Gregory comes in on the wing for a concussed Ngane Punivai while Jack Whetton is the replacement for Josh Dickson who broke his leg in the game against the Crusaders last week. The side has Ayden Johnstone, Siate Tokolahi and Ash Dixon starting in the front row and Kayne Hammington and Bryn Gatland are the only two back reserves. Highlanders: Michael Collins, Scott Gregory, Rob Thompson, Sio Tomkinson, Jona Nareki, Mitch Hunt, Aaron Smith (co-captain), Marino Mikaele Tu’u, Dillon Hunt, Shannon Frizell, Jack Whetton, Pari Pari Parkinson, Siate Tokolahi, Ash Dxon (co-captain), Ayden Johnstone.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 09, 2020 23:26 UTC
Demi Moore's bathroom is a bit of a shocker
Demi Moore was all glamour at Paris Fashion Week earlier this year, but it's a different story when she posts on social media from her bathroom. And so it is with actress Demi Moore’s bathroom, but based on what we see, we can’t imagine Arch Digest visiting anytime soon. Yep, Demi’s bathroom is a bit of a shocker, but this is where she has chosen to tell us about her new audio drama, which is also a bit of a shocker. It looks like this is where she is working on her new podcast, because maybe the acoustics are better in the bathroom – but less good with the thick carpet I would suggest. This is clearly a room where Demi comes to relax and chill, but it’s not exactly a spa-like space.
Source:Stuff
July 09, 2020 23:15 UTC