Whistleblowing law 'promises everything but delivers nothing'
Whistleblowing reforms announced by State Service Minister Chris Hipkins do not go far enough, the Ombudsman, Justice Ministry and the Serious Fraud Office believe. ROBERT KITCHIN/STUFF The Government had gone "as far it could" with public sector whistleblowing reforms and had more talks to have with the private sector, State Services Minister Chris Hipkins said. SUPPLIED Protected Disclosures Act is "dangerous" and as things stand people are best off going to the media, whistleblower Christine Fenton warned. TVNZ said the State Services Commission failed to include media organisations in its early "targeted consultations" which may have contributed to a misunderstanding about what the media could publish. "People are currently more protected by going to the media than through government departments as per the Protected Disclosures Act," she said.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 02:26 UTC
Mistreated shoe box cat now living happily with eight lives left
Photo: SuppliedOne year ago, a week-old Christchurch kitten was trapped inside a shoe box and thrown from a moving vehicle, sparking national outrage. Taz was thrown from a moving vehicle in a shoe box. Photo: SuppliedSaid an SPCA spokeswoman: “Despite this, Brighton (Taz) proved a resilient and happy kitten. "He went on to spend some time with a foster family and made a full recovery in a few short weeks.”Taz’s foster family said he “instantly became best friends” with baby Ella Rose. Said Taz’s foster mother Haylie: “Taz enjoys catching his knitted mice and loves my daughter, he will literally follow her everywhere.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 02:15 UTC
Ikea to open multiple physical, digital stores in NZ
Ikea will open three physical and digital customer "meeting points" across New Zealand as the retailer prepares to open its first full-sized store in Auckland. Last year, Ikea announced it would open its first New Zealand-based store in the Auckland area after gaining franchise rights. These include a full-sized Ikea store in the greater Auckland, a planning studio in Wellington and a second smaller-format store in Christchurch. Jan Gardberg, country retail manager for Ikea New Zealand, said the company was looking forward to giving access to people across the entire nation. "While planning has been underway, we have also been getting to know more about life at home in New Zealand."
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 01:52 UTC
Memorial realised for Christchurch red zone stayer John Taylor
A woman taking her dogs for a walk pauses at the John Taylor memorial seat. The last man in Christchurch's Avonside red zone is gone, but a memorial marks his presence. READ MORE:* Alone in the Christchurch red zone: One man's final stand* What is about to happen to Christchurch's red zone? * Regenerate Christchurch releases red zone vision statement* First steps into Christchurch's residential red zoneA memorial ceremony will be held for Taylor at 10am on Saturday. Stacy Squires/Stuff The design of the John Taylor memorial seat is a nod to his paraplegia.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 01:52 UTC
Film takes aim at fast fashion
Moviegoers may scorn the billionaire fashion bosses in Greed, but anti-slavery activists said anyone who buys cheap clothes risks fuelling factory abuses. The film by British director Michael Winterbottom, starring Steve Coogan, takes aim at high-flying moguls whose lavish lifestyles, yachts and parties are built on sweatshop labour. Director Winterbottom said his inspiration for the film came from a conversation about the "colourful character" of British billionaire Philip Green, whose Arcadia group owns a string of fashion chains including Topshop. Sir Philip Green and supermodel Kate Moss at Topshop's London Fashion Week show in 2017. Jakub Sobik of Anti-Slavery International said films like Greed were important in highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable workers in the fashion industry.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 01:41 UTC
School uniform debate: Principals argue for and against
Reports that an Invercargill school would require girls to speak to a counsellor if they wanted to wear trousers or shorts has raised the question of whether school uniforms are necessary at all. Composite: Stuff School uniforms - breaking down barriers or stifling individuality? * Mufti vs uniform survey sparks debate* Parents rush to buy uniforms"They were interested in my opinions on uniform and whether or not I was supportive of there not being a uniform," she said. Both principals said their school's uniform status promoted individual development and expression, with Umbers using Steve Jobs as an example of someone who essentially wore a uniform without stifling his creativity. The uniform gave Marsden students a "base equality", she said.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 01:37 UTC
Four Kiwis with coronavirus 'stable' in hospital
Former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise ship leave after spending weeks on board in quarantine due to fears of spreading the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Yokohama. Photo: Getty ImagesFour Kiwi cruise ship passengers who have tested positive for coronavirus are in a stable condition in a Japanese hospital. Six Kiwis who flew to Auckland on an Australia-assisted emergency flight home last night after being evacuated from the Diamond Princess are in quarantine at the military base at Whangaparaoa. It emerged yesterday that 12 evacuees from the Diamond Princess were barred from boarding the emergency flight home. Ten Australians and two Kiwis tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus just before they boarded the plane.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 01:30 UTC
Award winning Waikato teacher all about the kids
Award winning David Henry School teacher Catherine Broman is all about getting to know her students. After 40 years of dedication a Tokoroa teacher has been named one of the country's best. The well known teacher, who has taught at most Tokoroa schools after growing up in the town, said being nominated came as a shock. Broman, whose husband and son are also teachers, said she always wanted to get into the profession and was honoured to receive the award. "This is never going to happen again in my lifetime and [shows that my husband] is not as good a teacher as me.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 01:30 UTC
4WD is no use if you're floating
This one is almost beyond words...A Nissan ute driver in the UK sees a large flooded area of road, complete with a rescue crew IN A BOAT and yet still decides it is a good idea to forge on ahead. I mean, after all, their ute does have four-wheel drive and a snorkel - so it can go anywhere, right? SUPPLIED The snorkel doesn't mean it is a submarine, mate. Well, as common sense would suggest, four-wheel drive is really only any use if the wheels are actually touching the ground, something that common sense should also tell you doesn't happen when you are floating, as the driver - who clearly lacks any form of common sense - quickly finds out. But the absolute best part of this video, however, is the utter disbelief of the rescue crew watching the idiot soldier on in.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 01:18 UTC
Young rural women join forces to empower Canterbury farmers
Presented by The Rolleston Lions Club, "Two Rural Heroines" will raise money for the Will To Live Foundation and Use Your Voice. Both young women have been on their own respective missions to change the thinking of rural New Zealand when it comes to farm health and safety and mental health and well-being. Talking to rural communities in their local pubs, she has started a ripple effect, encouraging people to speak up about their mental health. This idea was recognised by the Mental Health Foundation and Like Minds, Like Mine, winning the 2019 Creative Grant. Bremner and Perriam believe that it's time to start open discussions addressing mental health and on farm health and safety.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 01:07 UTC
Prada challenges definition of femininity
Prada Autumn/Winter 2020. As models zigzagged through archways and piazzas on a set in the grand hall of the Fondazione Prada Milan, cinched waists created feminine hourglass silhouettes while flower motifs and fringes decorated straighter styles. Colours included bold, bright reds, greens, yellows and purples, but also black and dark greys. Sportswear was also introduced for the everyday but glammed up for an updated look that challenged its utilitarian purpose. In show notes creative director Miuccia Prada, who runs the company with husband Patrizio Bertelli, said she wanted to champion and challenge typical definitions of femininity - softness, fragility and sensuality and give her multidimensional women "tools of glamour" and "uniforms of beauty".
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 01:07 UTC
Kiwi jailed over Adelaide cold case killing
A New Zealand man found guilty of the cold-case killing of Robert Sabeckis in Adelaide two decades ago has been jailed for at least six years. Paul Maroroa admitted fatally shooting Mr Sabeckis in January 2000 after a struggle over a gun but argued that he acted in self-defence. Justice Sam Doyle on Friday jailed him for nine years with a non-parole period of six years. Maroroa fired three shots at Mr Sabeckis, one hitting him in the arm and another, fatally, in the chest. "You left him to die in the car park," Justice Doyle said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 00:45 UTC
Bullied Australian boy will go to Disneyland, thanks to comedian and donors
Latrell Mitchell and the squad sent nine-year-old Quaden Bayles a message after he went viral earlier this week in a distressing video. Quaden Bayles, the nine-year-old Austrian boy who was bullied about his dwarfism, will get an all expenses paid trip to Disneyland. Millions of people have seen the heartbreaking video of the child crying, and saying he wants to die, after being bullied at school. FACEBOOK/YARRAKA BAYLES Yarraka Bayles shared a video of her son crying hysterically after school after being bullied. thelowdown.co.nz – Web chat, email chat or free text 5626Anxiety New Zealand - 0800 ANXIETY (0800 269 4389)Supporting Families in Mental Illness - 0800 732 825.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 00:45 UTC
Jamieson puts NZ on top on day one against India
New Zealand's Kyle Jamieson celebrates the wicket of India's Cheteshwar Pujura with teammates. Photo: ReutersKyle Jamieson's test debut should have been a mightily daunting proposition. Instead, daunting debut or not, Jamieson was the star performer on day one of the first test at the Basin Reserve, claiming 3-38 to give the Black Caps just the start they were after in what could be a summer-saving series. Surviving it all was Rahane, who was the only batsman to look comfortable in the breezy bowler-friendly conditions. And, after Jamieson's dream day put the Black Caps on top, they might need to do just that to get back into the contest.
Source:Otago Daily Times
February 21, 2020 00:33 UTC
Coronavirus: Stones hurled at Ukrainian evacuees from Wuhan
Efrem Lukatsky/AP A Ukrainian riot police officer detains a protester, who planned to stop buses carrying passengers evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, outside Novi Sarzhany, Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky/AP Ukrainian Prime Minister Oleksiy Honcharuk, centre, Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, left, and Zoryana Skaletska healthcare minister attend a briefing in Novi Sarzhany, Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky/AP Ukrainian riot police prepare to push back protesters, who planned to stop buses carrying passengers evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan. Efrem Lukatsky/AP A Ukrainian passenger evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan, looks though a bus window outside Novi Sarzhany, Ukraine. Efrem Lukatsky/AP Ukrainian riot police run to push protesters, who planned to stop buses carrying passengers evacuated from the Chinese city of Wuhan.
Source:Stuff
February 21, 2020 00:22 UTC