NZ Herald reporter: Authorities could take closer look at Warrant of Fitness standards after Wellington fire
Follow the podcast onA Wellington Council Building Compliance team is giving FENZ and MBIE information about the Loafers Lodge building, after this morning's deadly blaze. The Council's confirmed the Lodge was issued a Building Warrant of Fitness in March. She says the Prime Minister has confirmed retrofitting sprinklers wasn't a requirement. "I think, considering the gravity of this situation and the number of deaths, this is something authorities potentially could be taking a closer look at." Corrections confirm of nine people living at the building on community sentences or orders, seven are accounted for.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 16, 2023 04:52 UTC
As it happened: Voters back key government budget measures; Government to pay $132m to residents over toxic foam
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he wanted an end to the political games over Labor’s housing policy, following internal criticism of its substance. LoadingThere is a move to rewrite Labor’s housing platform at the party’s national conference in Brisbane in August amid fears the party is ceding ground to the Greens among younger voters in capital city seats. Conference delegate, Julijana Todorovic, a senior member of the Socialist Left and convenor of internal party group Labor for Housing has described the party’s housing policy as “five lines of fluff” and has called for it to be overhauled. Speaking to journalists today, Chalmers said he disagreed with Todorovic and defended Labor’s housing policy as “broad and comprehensive”. “We want to see the Housing Australia Future Fund pass the parliament, we want to see an end to the political games over that, so that we can build 30,000 social and affordable homes, including for women and children fleeing violence,” he said.
Source:Stuff
May 16, 2023 00:40 UTC
Open mike 16/05/2023
Poets Louise Wallace and Jane Arthur talk their new collections, writing about motherhood, birth, death, love poems… and exclamation marks! take, by Louise Wallace care of cortisol take all offers of transport take a bra so big it has its own special challenges take anyone else’s take and kick it ...
Source:Stuff
May 16, 2023 00:25 UTC
Wellington fire at Loafer's Lodge hostel: New details emerge
Fire and emergency crews were called to the Loafers Lodge Hostel on Adelaide Road in Wellington just before 12:30am to battle a fire raging on the top floor. Efforts to establish how many hospital staff were in Loafers Lodge at the time of the fire was underway by Capital and Coast District Health Board. Damage is seen on the Loafers Lodge hostel building following a fatal fire in WellingtonUp to 10 people have died after a fire broke out at a hostel building in central Wellington overnight amid fears there could be more fatalities (pictures is the Lodgers Loafers hostel)'There was quite a family unit. Ms Hocking added that Loafers Lodge was not currently used as a supplier of emergency housing. 'We sympathise with all those affected by the fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington this morning,' Hocking said.
Source:Stuff
May 16, 2023 00:24 UTC
Gun Control NZ Slams ACT Party For Wanting To Dismantle An Important Crime-fighting Tool
Gun Control NZ Slams ACT Party For Wanting To Dismantle An Important Crime-fighting Tool“Gun Control NZ is horrified by the hypocrisy of the ACT party claiming to support the safety of New Zealanders while wanting to destroy the new firearms registry. Registering guns makes it much harder for criminals to access guns and reduces firearms-related violence.” says Gun Control NZ co-founder Philippa Yasbek. “A gun registry will help Police prevent and solve crimes, and make police officers safer. The recent gang-related gun violence in Auckland was fuelled by guns bought by licensed firearms owners. “David Seymour’s parroting of NRA talking points shows the gun lobby’s success in a reverse take-over of the ACT party.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 23:40 UTC
Breakfast briefing: More stimulus for China?
Here's our summary of key economic events overnight that affect New Zealand, with news rumours are flowing that China is about to restart some serious stimulus to bolster its stuttering economy. And total American consumer debt rose by +US$148 bln in Q1-2023 to a new record of US$17.0 tln. Mortgage debt rose on higher mortgage rates accounting for 70% of their total consumer debt. Delinquency rates across all types of consumer debt remain low by historic benchmarks, but they are rising quickly now. Hong Kong was up a strong +1.8% and Shanghai was up +1.2% both after rumours that new Chinese stimulus was on the way.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 22:47 UTC
PM Hipkins visits Wellington Loafers Lodge fire scene
nzherald.co.nz published this video item, entitled “PM Hipkins visits Wellington Loafers Lodge fire scene | nzherald.co.nz” – below is their description. Watch live: PM Chris Hipkins visits Wellington’s Loafers Lodge after this morning’s deadly fire. Full story: https://bit.ly/3o32m6q Check out our playlists: https://goo.gl/Swd249 Like NZ Herald on Facebook: https://goo.gl/tUC4oq Follow NZ Herald on Instagram: https://goo.gl/oLicXe Follow NZ Herald on Twitter: https://goo.gl/Wi6mbv nzherald.co.nz YouTube ChannelGot a comment? Leave your thoughts in the comments section, below. Please note comments are moderated before publication.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 15, 2023 22:47 UTC
Australia news LIVE: Voters back key government budget measures; Government to pay $132m to residents over toxic foam
Treasurer Jim Chalmers said he wanted an end to the political games over Labor’s housing policy, following internal criticism of its substance. LoadingThere is a move to rewrite Labor’s housing platform at the party’s national conference in Brisbane in August amid fears the party is ceding ground to the Greens among younger voters in capital city seats. Conference delegate, Julijana Todorovic, a senior member of the Socialist Left and convenor of internal party group Labor for Housing has described the party’s housing policy as “five lines of fluff” and has called for it to be overhauled. Speaking to journalists today, Chalmers said he disagreed with Todorovic and defended Labor’s housing policy as “broad and comprehensive”. “We want to see the Housing Australia Future Fund pass the parliament, we want to see an end to the political games over that, so that we can build 30,000 social and affordable homes, including for women and children fleeing violence,” he said.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 20:53 UTC
/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/nzme/DF2UDFU2L5ACZJMJLQCYHGLISU.jpg)
National leader Christopher Luxon part of poll problem, but no appetite to roll him
Labour polled 35.9 per cent in the poll, with National just trailing on 35.3 per cent. The poll had more bad news for Christopher Luxon. The poll also found 47 per cent of people believed Luxon to be “out of touch”, compared with 35.6 per cent thinking the same of Hipkins. MPs think a large part of the problem is with Luxon himself. But the more pessimistic scenario for National is if it cannot establish a polling lead by the time the campaign truly starts.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 20:46 UTC
Several dead in fire at hostel that ‘housed deportees from Australia’
A general view of the scene after a fire at Loafers Lodge on May 16, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. “We are deeply shocked and saddened by news of a fire at the Loafers Lodge Hostel in Wellington overnight,” the spokesman said. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said it was not known whether any Australians were staying at the hostel. A close-up of the damage to Loafers Lodge exterior. Tamrat Isse Adan has lived in a room on the second floor of the Loafers Lodge since last year.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 20:46 UTC
Tom Walsh getting back to where he once was
Photo: PHOTOSPORTShot-putter Tom Walsh feels his form is getting close to where it should be as he looks to return to the top of the sport. Finishing second to local-rival Jacko Gill over the summer might have suggested that Walsh wasn't at his best, however he doesn't believe that was the case. Speaking from the United States, where he's preparing for the northern season, Walsh feels it was still one of his better New Zealand seasons. Walsh led the way on the world scene from 2016 to 2019, winning the World Championship title in 2017 and the indoor titles in 2016 and 2018. Walsh says it wasn't a matter of technical issues that was holding him back.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 19:14 UTC
Kiwifruit industry: Automation will lead to fewer but more skilled workers
Based on your current location, we selected the Latin America edition of FreshPlaza.com for youYou are currently in the Latin America edition of FreshPlaza.comPlease click one of the other regions below to switch to another edition.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 18:09 UTC
Horror end to Canterbury jet boat outing
The Rangitata River is a braided river which features numerous channels that jet boaters can choose to travel down. Three were rushed to Christchurch Hospital and are all now in stable condition, according to a hospital spokesperson. This alert came from a section of the Rangitata River, running from Mt Hutt to the east of the South Island. Jet Boat New Zealand’s Len French confirmed the incident had been caused by the jet boat hitting a gravel bank and rolling, causing considerable injuries. The Canterbury region has a history of jet boat accidents, including one in October 2021 that injured eight in a crash.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 15, 2023 08:47 UTC
National unveils new fiscal initiatives in pre-budget speech
In a speech to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce on Monday, Luxon announced three new initiatives to encourage fiscal discipline. A National government would require the Treasury to report on the performance of major spending initiatives, alongside the annual budget documents. Secondly, it would link public sector chief executives—and other senior executives—pay packages to the performance of their agencies and programmes they oversee. Performance pay in the public sector can be much more complicated than in the private sector, where the primary goal is to turn a profit. Inland Revenue would write the receipt—showing total revenue and spending—while Treasury would produce an annual “Report Card for Taxpayers” that reported revenue, spending, and debt on a per household basis.
Source:New Zealand Herald
May 15, 2023 08:45 UTC
5 Farm Fatalities In 3 Months Show Not Enough Being Done
5 Farm Fatalities In 3 Months Show Not Enough Being DoneAg Drive is calling on the agriculture industry to step up and do more to keep people safe on farm, with 5 fatalities in the first 3 months of 2023, with the launch of their ‘Change the Culture’ campaign. WorkSafe data shows that from 1 January – 31 March 2023, there were 5 farm fatalities and 30 WorkSafe notifiable injuries. In the 12 months to January 2023, there were 14 fatalities in total, and there are more fatalities on farms than in any other industry in New Zealand. To have five in three months is frankly inexcusable,” says Ag Drive Director Andre Syben. The Ag Drive ‘Change the Culture’ Campaign will give away 10 x 1 day machinery operation Ag Drive Courses for free, to the value of $6500.
Source:Stuff
May 15, 2023 03:29 UTC