How a simple banana cost me $401
How a simple banana cost me $401Ministry for Primary Industries/YouTube New Zealand biosecurity warning from MPIIt was a weekend away that I had been craving for weeks. ALAN GRANVILLE/STUFF A very expensive lunch (stunt banana used). The banana had travelled with me to Australia and then back again and was just metres from freedom. I asked Biosecurity New Zealand if they often waive the $400 fine. I never even got to eat my $400 (plus $1 cost) banana aka my most expensive and well travelled lunch ever.
Source:Stuff
August 15, 2018 02:33 UTC
Timaru lawyer dies after bicycle crash
Timaru lawyer dies after bicycle crashSUPPLIED Timaru lawyer Jane Walsh has died after crashing off her bicycle early on Sunday morning. The family of a Timaru lawyer who died in hospital after crashing on a bicycle in Timaru in the early hours of Sunday will remember her as a treasured wife, mother, daughter, and sister. Jane Walsh, 37, suffered serious head injuries and was taken to the intensive care unit at Timaru Hospital after crashing on her bicycle in the Timaru suburb of Highfield, shortly after midnight on Sunday. The company's Crown solicitor Andrew McRae said Walsh was "a highly valued colleague and an exceptional lawyer". Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is urged to contact Timaru police on 03 687 9808.
Source:Stuff
August 15, 2018 02:26 UTC
Quinovic 'by far the worst experience' renter has ever had
For former Quinovic tenant Joy Charles the attitude of the advertisements was no surprise. Charles said she had had the worst experience with Quinovic in her history of renting over 80 homes in countries around the world. Another former Quinovic tenant lived in a leaky, mouldy apartment managed by the company. The damages were paid by the owners of the property, not Quinovic, Coombs said. After spending six weeks repairing his property Shaw sold it at a loss.
Source:Stuff
August 15, 2018 01:55 UTC
Quiz: How much do you know about Katy Perry?
Quiz: How much do you know about Katy Perry? Katy Perry is bringing her Witness World Tour to Auckland's Spark Arena on August 20 and 21. Katy Perry fever is rising around the country as its now less than a week until the pop star performs two concerts at Auckland's Spark Arena. To celebrate her imminent arrival, Stuff has put together this quiz on the 33-year-old born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson. READ MORE:* Katy Perry weighs in on Jacinda Ardern and why the Auckland concerts will be special ones* Katy Perry tickets posted to GrabOne for less than $70* Katy Perry announces special guest Zedd for her New Zealand shows* US popstar Katy Perry has eye on New Zealand property* American Idol singer on surprise Katy Perry kiss: I wasn't harassed* Katy Perry awarded NZ$4.8m in battle over Los Angeles conventPaul Kane Katy Perry will perform two shows in New Zealand next week.
Source:Stuff
August 15, 2018 01:52 UTC
Bill would make certificate gender changes easier
a_010218nzhmminquiry41.jpg Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin is responsible for shepherding the bill though Parliament. The bill is in the name of Internal Affairs Minister Tracey Martin, a New Zealand First MP. "A birth certificate is a historical record based on fact, not a political tool to further an ideology. "By choosing you own gender in your birth certificate, the certificates will become an object of unscientific gender ideology and effectively tell medical professional that they got it wrong at the time of birth." Mr Hudson said the original birth certificate would not be erased under the changes.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 07:18 UTC
Barrett confirmed as All Blacks, Wallabies squads announced
All Blacks first five-eighth Beauden Barrett. Photo: Getty ImagesBeauden Barrett is a confirmed starter in a trimmed-down All Blacks team to face the Wallabies in Sydney. Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara suggested the All Blacks consider shifting Barrett - whose Super Rugby campaign was mixed - to fullback to cater for Mo'unga. Fox confirmed that won't happen, banking on the past Test deeds of two-time world player of the year Barrett. Australia coach Michael Cheika named the following 28-man squad for the opening Rugby Championship match against New Zealand on Saturday.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 05:48 UTC
Steel win with thrilling comeback
The Southern Steel have completed one of the great comebacks to defend its ANZ Premiership title. The Steel trailed the whole game, before Te Paea Selby-Rickit made the winning shot with 25 seconds to play. Its attack began to operate more clinically and the defence began slowing down the Pulse. It opened up another six goal gap, before the Steel got back within one with 1min 40sec to play. The Steel then coolly took the lead, before holding out one final attack to claim the title.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 05:37 UTC
Skiers evacuated from stalled chairlifts at Mt Hutt
Mt Hutt webcam showing the empty six-person chairlift after a power cut this morning. Photo / Mt Hutt via NZ HeraldSkiers and snowboarders have been lowered from chairlifts after a power cut on Mt Hutt this morning brought them to a standstill. Mt Hutt staff said in a social media post power at Blackford Rd dropped out at 11.16am. At 12.30pm Electricity Ashburton had restored limited power, allowing Mt Hutt staff to complete unloading the Summit 6 chairlift. MetService said Mt Hutt was in for a fine day with strong, gusty northwest winds, and a high of 2C.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 04:07 UTC
Firefighters tackle blaze near forestry block
A helicopter with a monsoon bucket was called to battle a scrub fire in Allanton this afternoon. Firefighters from Mosgiel were called to the scene at 3.15pm today to reports of a scrub fire threatening a block of pine trees, near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Riverside Rd. ''There was no way of getting a truck anywhere near it.'' A Helicopters Otago helicopter armed with a monsoon bucket had been deployed, getting to work on the fire for a period before being stood down about 4.50pm, he said. Shortly after 5pm Mr Norris said the fire had been contained, and the crew from Mosgiel gone home, following the arrival of another from Waihola.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 03:56 UTC
Reduce total MPs to 100, cut Maori seats: Seymour
Photo: ODT filesACT has unveiled a plan to slash the number of MPs to 100 - and erase the Māori seats. Leader David Seymour has today unveiled a "Smaller Government Bill" which proposes to cap the number of MPs at 100, restrict the size of Cabinet's executive to 20 and scrap the seven Māori seats. Seymour also proposed doing away with the seven Māori electorates. "We now have 27 Māori MPs, 20 of whom were elected through the general roll. Even without the seven Māori seats, Māori would still be proportionately represented in Parliament.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 01:52 UTC
Police arrest pair after alleged kidnapping attempt
Police have arrested two people after an alleged kidnapping attempt in North Dunedin yesterday. Detective Jenepher Glover, of Dunedin, said a man and a woman (both 29) were arrested this morning in relation to the incident. Both of the alleged kidnappers were to appear in the Dunedin District Court on Tuesday on charges of kidnapping and assault with intent to injure, Det Glover said. "The victim received minor injuries in the incident," she said. Det Glover thanked the members of the public who had assisted police with the investigation.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 01:18 UTC
Woman seriously hurt after falling off bike in Timaru
A 40-year-old woman suffered serious head injuries after falling off her bike in Timaru last night. A police spokeswoman said emergency services were called to the incident in June St just after midnight. The woman was biking home and was not wearing a helmet when she fell and hit her head, the spokeswoman said. She was taken to hospital by ambulance in a serious condition. The police Serious Crash Unit were investigating.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 12, 2018 00:11 UTC
Teacher sharing her adventure
Queenstowners Emily and Chris Forne competing in this year's Godzone race. Photo: Alex SocciA Queenstown teacher is preparing to share her experiences tackling – and winning – a mammoth adventure race with a home audience. Six-time GODZone competitor, and Shotover Primary School teacher, Emily Forne, 35, won her first title this year, in a team alongside husband and fellow veteran competitor Chris Forne. It was their first time doing a longer adventure race together, and it paid off. “It’s looking at the ins and outs of doing it and coming out on top.”The event will be held next Thursday, 7pm, at Shotover Primary School.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 11, 2018 23:37 UTC
French theme park trains birds to retrieve litter
Hand-reared the six rooks and trained them to collect garbage at the theme park by offering a treat for each piece of rubbish collected. Photo: Getty ImagesA French theme park has trained six rooks to pick up cigarette butts and other rubbish dropped by visitors in return for food. Research has shown hand-reared rooks to be adept at using tools in captivity to get food. Gaborit said his birds had already tried to dupe him by collecting wood shavings in place of rubbish. The birds will embark on their cleaning duties in the coming days.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 11, 2018 23:26 UTC
Why Aaron Smith quit leading the haka
Aaron Smith performs the haka prior to the International Test match between the All Blacks and France at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Photo: Getty ImagesAll Black star Aaron Smith has revealed his public toilet tryst cost him "mana" and the haka leadership. At the time, the 29-year-old - a veteran of 74 tests - was leader of the All Blacks haka. Smith went on to reclaim his starting spot in the All Blacks later in 2016 and in October 2017 led the haka again. Talking in the book also about the haka, Colin Meads, who died in August last year aged 81, said emphasis on the haka had become too big.
Source:Otago Daily Times
August 11, 2018 23:03 UTC