Coroner finds alcohol, swollen river factor in Jordan Adams’ drowning
Jordy Adams was a confident swimmer but drowned after jumping into a swollen river after drinking. Following his death, Adams’ father Simon raised over $37,000 for Surf Life Saving NZ by running four marathons on four consecutive weekends in 2022. “He was confident around the water and still made a wrong choice jumping into the river,” Simon Adams told NZME at the time. In those findings, she noted the Waiwhakaiho River was flowing high due to high rainfall in Egmont National Park. Photos of the river provided to the coroner showed areas of rapids and whitewater, while the river appeared swollen with brown-coloured water.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 18, 2024 01:08 UTC
Leaked email reveals government departments’ concerns about bootcamp proposal; Oranga Tamariki made changes
Oranga Tamariki is in charge of establishing the academies. Photo / Jason OxenhamThe email shows Oranga Tamariki said it made changes to the Cabinet committee paper in response to the feedback. She said use of force powers already exist for Oranga Tamariki staff working inside youth justice residences. Photo / Mark MitchellA Oranga Tamariki spokesperson also only offered limited comment while decisions are being made. After not being consulted on the proposed legislation, she wrote to Oranga Tamariki in October for information on the use of force powers.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 18, 2024 01:02 UTC
Tussling twins cause mum to crash
Troublesome twins ‘‘fighting’’ in the back of a car caused a Dunedin mother to veer off and crash into a parked vehicle. Senior Sergeant Anthony Bond, of Dunedin, said police were called to Douglas St, St Kilda at 5.30pm on Saturday after reports of a crash. A 26-year-old mother was driving down the street when her young twins started ‘‘fighting each other’’. The mother got distracted by the pair and, while trying to split the fight up, veered off and crashed into a parked car, Snr Sgt Bond said. Due to the age of the children, they were all taken to Dunedin Hospital for an assessment but were uninjured.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 17, 2024 22:48 UTC
Rival gangs to join hīkoi, make a stand against new patch in public law
Police Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham told the Herald the patch law ball was now firmly in the gangs’ court. Photo / NZMEFrom Thursday, police will also have the power to issue dispersal notices, which require gang members to leave an area where three or more gang members have congregated and not associate with those colleagues for seven days. For repeat gang insignia breaches - two or more within five years - the courts can make a prohibition order preventing that gang member from possessing, controlling or having gang insignia at their home. “Wearing your colours or gang patch a home or at a private premise - [you] can do that and are not breaking the law,” Basham said. “The only proviso is if someone breaks the insignia law and that is three times in five years.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 22:11 UTC
Andrew Bayly appointed lead anti-scam minister, reveals big meet-up
The Australian Anti-Scam Centre sits under the ACCC – the equivalent to our Commerce Commission. Bayly said he had visited Australia and Singapore to investigate the anti-scam centres set up in each country. “We don’t have to hire 500 people and put them under the same roof [in an Anti-Scam Centre],” Bayly said. “We are discussing [the] next steps,” New Zealand Banking Association head Roger Beaumont told the Herald. “Tackling online financial scams is part of our plan to rebuild the economy by supporting Kiwis to safely transact and do business online.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 21:03 UTC
Act Party leader David Seymour takes aim at high-ranking critics of Treaty Principles Bill
Seymour then said former Treaty negotiations minister Chris Finlayson’s comments about the bill doing “great damage” showed “haughtiness and bitterness” and he needed to move on from being a politician. It has been revealed by my bill because my bill calls for equal rights for all New Zealanders. Photo / Greenpeace AotearoaSeymour said: “Te Pāti Māori are representing and bringing up the worst in Māoridom.”A mass demonstration against the bill has been held across the country since last Monday. They said Seymour’s bill “seeks to rewrite the Treaty itself” and called the coalition Government to “act responsibly now and abandon it”. ‘I would fight against it’ - Dame JennyShipley, prime minister from 1997 to 1999, said Māori had every right to fight the bill.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 20:12 UTC
Public suspicious of DCC: Vandervis
‘‘Dunedin citizens are very suspicious of the DCC and for good reasons,’’ Cr Lee Vandervis said. Earlier in May, there was an exchange between Crs Barker and Vandervis about debt limits. Cr Vandervis expanded on the subject in reply. Cr Vandervis said ‘‘debt denial’’ by ‘‘spendthrift councillors’’ was a concern to him as chairman of the finance and council-controlled organisations committee. This was run to give DCHL an opportunity to reply to the public feedback, and for presentation of material by consultants.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 17, 2024 18:23 UTC
Health Minister no-show regrettable: Radich
Health Minister Shane Reti. File photoHealth Minister Shane Reti’s no-show at a hospital rally in Dunedin tonight could prevent him from receiving information ‘‘his officials are probably not telling him’’, the city’s mayor says. However, there would be nothing to stop the minister simply tuning into the live-stream. Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich. The minister had ‘‘valued’’ talking to the mayor about the hospital build several times, she said.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 17, 2024 18:06 UTC
The quick fixes that could help solve New Zealand’s biggest problem – Alan McDonald
But the lag in New Zealand’s productivity growth, compared to the rest of the OECD, remains. In fact, the only time New Zealand’s productivity reached the heights of the top half-dozen countries in the OECD was for a few years after 1991, following the implementation of the Employment Contracts Act. It worked recently in Australia, where an enhanced depreciation regime encouraged rapid investment in smaller businesses, resulting in a subsequent productivity boost. At the same time, our banking rules for business loans could be adjusted to provide more flexibility around risk weightings for businesses, particularly smaller businesses. It’s pleasing to see the education, immigration and social development ministers all working together to help resolve these long-standing problems.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 16:20 UTC
Troubling new analysis: Why NZ needs tougher laws for serial speedsters
In their study, Walton and fellow researcher Dr Ross Hendy, of Melbourne’s Monash University, analysed driver data between 2017 and 2019. Researchers argue a policy rethink is needed to get tougher on serial speeders – with an overhauled demerit system being one option. In Switzerland, for instance, fines were scaled to a driver’s wealth, making penalties for speeding far more substantial and, potentially, a greater deterrent. Ultimately, he said the analysis couldn’t conclusively answer whether tougher fines would be enough to deter that hardcore group of speeders. “Or would a new fine system change the total profile of risk, reducing the overall likelihood of being in a crash?
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 16:13 UTC
Māori Lawmakers Disrupt New Zealand Parliament With Haka
Māori Lawmakers Disrupt New Zealand Parliament With Haka Protests erupt against controversial bill aimed at reshaping Treaty of Waitangi interpretationA recent protest at New Zealand's Parliament captured the nation's attention as indigenous Māori lawmakers dramatically disrupted proceedings with the ceremonial dance known as the "haka." This protest was sparked by widespread discontent over proposed legislation aimed at reshaping the interpretation of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's foundational document. Estimates suggest participation has swelled to around 10,000 people, showcasing the widespread anxiety and dissent among the Māori populace. The atmosphere surrounding the Parliament has shifted dramatically, mirroring not only current dissatisfaction but also historical grievances stemming from colonial practices. With tensions rising and the future of the controversial bill uncertain, the Māori community's fierce advocacy continues to resonate throughout the country.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 12:33 UTC
Crash at Hampden Beach leaves three injured
Three people are injured, one seriously, after two off-road vehicles crashed on Hampden Beach this afternoon. A Hato Hone St John spokeswoman said they were notified of the incident at about 12.35pm. One patient was in a serious condition and was airlifted to Dunedin Hospital, she said. Another was taken by ambulance in a moderate condition to Dunedin Hospital and one in a minor condition was taken to Oamaru Hospital. A police spokeswoman said two off-road vehicles crashed on the beach and the vehicles had been removed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
November 17, 2024 11:18 UTC
The misinformation apocalypse is now – Sasha Borissenko
Misinformation refers to misleading information that’s distributed without malicious intent, whereas disinformation describes false content that’s designed to confuse or manipulate audiences. Enter the hate speech void“The test for harmful content is not that it is untrue or of doubtful validity but that it is causative of serious emotional distress. The case dates to 2018, when a sermon containing violent and anti-gay hate speech was published in an Auckland newspaper. The court sympathised with Hoban but noted that the scope of hate speech laws was a matter for Parliament. Earlier this year, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith withdrew a Law Commission referral to assess the scope of hate speech laws.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 11:03 UTC
Air New Zealand flight abandons LAX landing due to smaller aircraft on runway
An Air New Zealand flight was forced to complete a “go-around” at LAX airport in Los Angeles after a private jet took longer to move off the runway than expected. An airline spokesperson said LAX Air Traffic Control requested that flight NZ6 Auckland to Los Angeles complete a standard “go-around” on arrival. “An aircraft took longer to vacate the runway than anticipated. “A go-around is not uncommon and no customers were disrupted because of the request.”
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 08:57 UTC
Police expecting up to 30,000 people on the hīkoi mō te Tiriti when it arrives at Parliament on Tuesday
Victoria University told students and staff more than 30,000 were estimated to be taking part in the protest. The hīkoi arrives along State Highway 5 at Eskdale, Hawke’s Bay. Increased security measures will also be in place at Parliament, and public tours will be cancelled on Monday and Tuesday. The hīkoi arrives in Hastings, Hawke's Bay, for a march on Saturday. Today’s SH1 blockage follows widespread disruption in Auckland last week when thousands of hīkoi protesters marched across Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Source:New Zealand Herald
November 17, 2024 05:31 UTC