/news/rss ob体育接口 Get the latest news from Newstalk ob体育接口. From breaking news to the debate and opinion, we bring NZ the news from around the world as it happens.   Sat, 26 Apr 2025 16:07:58 Z en /news/national/lake-tekapo-tourists-rock-cairns-frustrate-community-and-church/ /news/national/lake-tekapo-tourists-rock-cairns-frustrate-community-and-church/ Photographer Shellie Evans criticises the growing number of stone cairns at Lake Tekapo, calling them unnatural.  Caroll Simcox from the Church of the Good Shepherd shares concerns about preserving the natural landscape.  Environment Canterbury discourages rock stacking but doesn’t see it as a major issue.  “What ever happened to ‘take only photographs, leave only footprints’?” asks Shellie Evans.  The fulltime traveller and part-time photographer was horrified to see the latest crop of stone cairns on the shore of Lake Tekapo.  “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I crossed the road to have a look at the lake from in front of the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo. Hundreds & hundreds of rock cairns have sprouted out of the rocky foreshore in all directions,” said Evans in her Facebook post.  The scale of rock cairns being built by tourists at Lake Tekapo has shocked some. Photo / Shellie Evans  The cairns are the creation of visitors. Piles of rocks that are constructed for the purpose of a photograph on social media. It’s not a new phenomenon, nor is it confined to Lake Tekapo, but Evans believes it’s getting worse at the tourism hotspot.  “This has happened over summer, there were nowhere near the numbers when I last visited in late November,” says Evans.  Evans’ disapproval of the tourist activity is echoed by the neighbouring Church of the Good Shepherd – the attraction that brings visitors to that part of the shoreline.  Church committee member and Lake Tekapo Community Board representative Caroll Simcox says it’s frustrating.  “It’s not natural. We spend such a lot of time trying to preserve the heritage and the natural landscape around the church. Having said that, they are relatively temporary,” says Simcox.  The Church of the Good Shepherd on the shore of Lake Tekapo, with a rapidly changing landscape in front of it. Photo / George Heard  As evidenced by the comments on Evans’ Facebook post, many locals demolish the cairns as they walk through the area. Simcox says nature plays its part as well.  “We know that when a big storm comes up it’s going to knock them all down again and we’ll wait for them to start again next year,” says Simcox.  Like Evans, Simcox believes it’s reached a new level.  “I did notice this year the lakebed is far more damaged or modified than it has been before because the numbers of tourists are up right back to where they were before Covid, possibly even more this year,” says Simcox.  Evans’ post garnered widespread support with the majority of responses condemning the rock-stacking practice. Only a few defended the right of tourists to create cairns.  Tourists at Lake Tekapo creating rock cairns. Some locals believe the impact on the lakefront has never been so severe. Photo / George Heard  Others reiterated the point that water levels would soon return the shore to a flatter shape, and that the post was making a mountain out of a molehill.  Simcox says she understands both sides.  “People think we’re the fun police, but people come here to see what they believe to be a natural landscape. We also acknowledge that there are families down there who have fun building these things and it doesn’t seem wilfully destructive, and it doesn’t seem like a big deal, but we’d much prefer that the lakebed was just left in its natural state,” said Simcox.  Environment Canterbury (Ecan) doesn’t consider building cairns a big deal but it does discourage it.  “While rock stacking isn’t a major concern, we encourage visitors to leave the landscape as they found it,” said an Ecan spokesperson.  Simcox says Mackenzie District Council wants to offer the area greater protection, but that may not prevent the rock stacks from reappearing next summer.  Another rock stack – one of hundreds, built by visitors to Lake Tekapo. Photo / George Heard  “The council’s proposing a... Sat, 26 Apr 2025 03:53:00 Z /news/sport/by-the-numbers-auckland-fc-on-brink-of-a-league-history-with-premiers-plate-bid/ /news/sport/by-the-numbers-auckland-fc-on-brink-of-a-league-history-with-premiers-plate-bid/ This Sunday at Go Media Stadium, Auckland FC (AFC) have the chance to lock in the A-League’s Premiers Plate - a draw against Perth Glory will be enough.  If they pull it off, the Black Knights will become the second expansion club to top the table in their debut season and the first professional New Zealand football team to lift a trophy.  Bonnie Jansen looks back at AFC’s remarkable rise, breaking it down by the numbers from their opening match on October 24 through to April 27, ahead of their last two fixtures.  200,000+  The number of people through the gates for the club’s first 12 home games. It gave them an average attendance of 17,591. Sixty % of membership passes were bought by adults, 15% by juniors and 25% family.  200,000+  Alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages sold at Go Media Stadium throughout the season surpassed 200,000.  The average sized crowd at an Auckland FC home game is 17,591. Photo / Photosport  40,000  Roughly 40,000 of the 100,000-plus food items sold across the home matches were portions of hot chips.  37,361  The distance travelled in kilometres by goalkeeper Alex Paulsen from Wellington to Auckland, via English Premier League club, Bournemouth.  27,009  The club’s largest home attendance marked the highest ever for a regular-season A-League match in New Zealand. That crowd was for Auckland FC’s match against the Wellington Phoenix on February 22.  20,000+  Auckland FC jerseys have been sold through direct and third-party channels - 1000 of those have been overseas orders. The club confirmed they were forced to restock merchandise five times across the season, which was three times more than anticipated. October was the club’s busiest month of sales.  Fans before the December 7 Auckland FC vs Wellington Pheonix football match at Go Media stadium in Auckland. Photo / Sylvie Whinray  5,500  Roughly the number of unique cocktails served in the Black Knight members’ lounge at Go Media Stadium.  532  532 minutes or 8.9 hours is the length of time it took for Auckland to concede its first goal. The duration broke an Australian football record that had stood since 1986. Their first goal conceded came in their sixth fixture of the season against the Phoenix when Kosta Barbarouses scored in the 82nd minute.  27  27-year-old Joe Champness signed on this month with Iranian top-flight club Havadar without having made a competitive appearance for the Black Knights.  23  The number of goals Auckland FC has conceded marks the fewest in the men’s competition this season.  21, 22, 23  The Go Media Stadium bays that are home to The Port - the club’s fanbase.  13  Auckland FC are 13 games unbeaten and counting.  11  The number of different goal scorers. Uruguayan import Guillermo May leads the charge with nine goals, Logan Rogerson and Neyder Moreno have eight and seven, respectively. All White defender Nando Pijnaker has four.  Neyder Moreno of Auckland FC has scored seven goals this season. Photo / Photosport  11  Auckland FC’s squad features 11 players who have had one cap or more for the All Whites. The Wellington Phoenix have seven senior New Zealand men’s players.  11  They’ve had 11 clean sheets in 24 games, highlighting the role AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Alex Paulsen has played in their success.  10  Goals scored against the Phoenix across their three fixtures. The scores were 2-0, 2-1, and 6-1.  Auckland FC Logan Rogerson battles it out with Wellington Phoenix Alex Rufer during the local derby at Go Media Stadium in December 2024. Photo / Photosport  4  Auckland FC was the first A-League team to win its first four games. Their sixth straight victory took the Black Knights past Western Suburbs, which had won five in a row at the start of the 1977 National Soccer League season.  3  Three derbies... Sat, 26 Apr 2025 03:47:14 Z /news/national/diver-bitten-by-shark-thought-to-be-a-great-white-in-dusky-sound-fiordland/ /news/national/diver-bitten-by-shark-thought-to-be-a-great-white-in-dusky-sound-fiordland/ A diver is recovering in Southland Hospital after being bitten in Fiordland by a shark he says was a great white.  The shark bit the man’s leg, but he is “recovering really well” after the incident in Dusky Sound, Pure Salt Charters’ co-owner Maria Kuster said.  A helicopter flew the man to Southland Hospital in Invercargill after he was bitten on Thursday.  A diver is recovering in Southland Hospital after being bitten by a shark in Tamatea Dusky Sound on Thursday – with the man and his dive buddy describing it as a great white.  The man, who suffered moderate injuries after being bitten in the calf, didn’t want to be identified or talk to media.  But the co-owner of the charter boat he was diving from told the Herald she’d spoken to him in hospital this morning and he was “recovering really well”.  “He’s hoping to return home soon,” Pure Salt Charters co-owner Maria Kuster said.  Both the man and his dive buddy eyeballed the shark immediately after the incident, and described it to charter staff as a great white.  “Both him and his buddy saw it, [they said it was a great white] no question”.  Great White sharks are native to the South Island, but a few can also be seen around the Coromandel. Photo / Clinton Duffy, DoC  The pair were diving in Bowen Channel in the remote sound in the southwest section of Fiordland National Park about 4.30pm on Thursday when the man was bitten.  “It was one bite and let go.”  The man didn’t need help to get back to the surface, and when asked why, Kuster said: “Adrenaline. He found himself on the tender before he knew it.”  She wasn’t aboard but had been told the man was conscious and alert, but in shock.  He was given first aid and a helicopter had landed on the charter boat’s on-board heli pad within an hour to fly the man to hospital, Kuster said.  “The whole situation was as smooth as it could be. That’s why you have those systems in place.”  A Hato Hone St John Ambulance spokeswoman confirmed a man was flown by helicopter from Dusky Sound to Southland Hospital in a moderate condition just after 5.30pm on Thursday.  Dusky Sound is only accessible by helicopter or ocean-going vessels. Photo / Stephanie Holmes  Kuster didn’t want to say how old the man was or where he came from – although their clients were always New Zealand-based as Dusky Sound was off the regular tourist trail.  The man held no animosity towards the shark, but she hadn’t asked if he planned to return to the water, she said.  A diver was bitten by a shark - which he says was a great white - in Bowen Channel in Dusky Sound, Fiordland. Image / Google Maps  Kuster has been involved in the charter boat business for 15 years and had never seen a great white in Dusky Sound, she said.  “[We see] seven-gills all the time. We always say, ‘If you’re not seeing a shark, your eyes aren’t open’.”  A curious great white was captured eyeballing a camera set up to record fish species in Fiordland last month, with footage showing the mature male snapping at a bait pot.  A great white shark was filmed eyeballing a camera set to record fish species in Fiordland. Photo / Department of Conservation – Sea Through Science  Scientists working on the project were amazed by the rare on-camera appearance, which occurred during a survey in Dusky Sound last month, RNZ reported.  “It was quite a shock”, Sea Through Science researcher Adam Smith said.  “It’s great to see these majestic creatures in their natural environment and to see how curious they are. We’ve only seen a [great] white shark once before during our surveys, at the Kermadec Islands, the other end of New Zealand.”  The Herald contacted shark scientist Riley Elliott, but he didn’t want to comment without confirmation the shark involved was a great white, such as by seeing photos of the bite marks.  Department of Conservation marine scie... Sat, 26 Apr 2025 03:36:00 Z /news/national/missed-forever-police-name-woman-killed-in-marton-crash/ /news/national/missed-forever-police-name-woman-killed-in-marton-crash/ Police have named the woman killed in a crash at Marton last month.  She was 24-year-old My Marie Harder Clemensen, from Khandallah, Wellington.  The crash between a car and truck happened on State Highway 1 near Marton, around 35km southeast of Whanganui, shortly before 10pm on March 26.  An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.  Clemensen was originally from Haslev in Denmark.  Her father Finn John Jensen announced on Facebook that her funeral would be held on May 2.  On March 28 he confirmed her death to his family and friends.  “My beloved daughter My Marie Clemensen has sadly been taken from us,” he wrote.  “She was driving wrong in New Zealand. She will always be missed and loved.”  My Marie Harder Clemensen died in March after a crash between a car and truck near Marton. Photo / Threads  Jensen said Clemensen was “the world’s best and loveliest daughter”.  Clemensen’s partner Marcus Andreassen also paid tribute on Facebook.  “My beloved... sadly passed away on Wednesday... I received the terrible message on Thursday night,” he wrote.  “She will obviously be missed forever... I am of course in great sorrow.”  It appears Clemensen’s mother Charlotte had visited her in New Zealand in early March.  She posted photographs from her time in Wellington.  “It was wonderful to see the smallest child again after three months,” Charlotte Clemensen wrote.  “We were driving through Wellington home... in the evening we went out to celebrate My’s Birthday... I just took a trip to My’s work and then it was really nice to see where she does her everyday life.”  The mother and daughter also took a trip to the South Island together.  Anna Leask is a senior reporter who covers national crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2008 and has worked as a journalist for 19 years with a particular focus on family and gender-based violence, child abuse, sexual violence, homicides, mental health and youth crime. She writes, hosts and produces the award-winning podcast A Moment In Crime, released monthly on nzherald.co.nz  Sat, 26 Apr 2025 02:27:32 Z /news/national/tvnz-viewers-claim-anonymous-destiny-church-whistleblower-s-face-visible-tvnz-cuts-clip-out-of-abundance-of-caution/ /news/national/tvnz-viewers-claim-anonymous-destiny-church-whistleblower-s-face-visible-tvnz-cuts-clip-out-of-abundance-of-caution/ Some TVNZ viewers claim a Destiny Church whistleblower’s face was too visible during a 1News at Six bulletin.  An edited bulletin was uploaded to TVNZ’s site without the Destiny Church story.  TVNZ says it removed the segment out of an “abundance of caution”.  The broadcasting watchdog has confirmed it has received complaints after TVNZ said it cut a story featuring an anonymous Destiny Church whistleblower from the digital version of a 1News bulletin out of an “abundance of caution”.  Some viewers claim the whistleblower’s face was too visible during the segment and say they were shocked by what they saw.  TVNZ chief correspondent John Campbell launched Under His Command, an investigation into Destiny Church, on the broadcaster’s streaming service TVNZ+ on Thursday morning. That night’s 1News at Six teased the series and featured clips from it.  Campbell, in the clips that aired on 1News, interviewed a woman who was said to be living in hiding after fleeing abuse from her former partner, a member of the Destiny Church’s anti-violence group, Man Up.  But the face of the victim – who is said to be “under a protection order” and “asked for her face to be hidden” – was too visible during the bulletin, according to some viewers.  Today, the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) confirmed it has “received complaints about the broadcast”.  “The authority generally does not comment on a complaint until it has formally considered it and issued a decision, which will outline in full the BSA’s reasoning and findings,” a spokesperson said.  “We are therefore not in a position to say anything about the nature of any alleged breach, or to speculate on the outcome of any potential decision or the analysis that could lead to it, or to make any public comment that could prejudice future consideration of a complaint.”  An edited version of 1News at Six was later uploaded to the TVNZ+ website, but with the Destiny Church segment removed.  “1News at Six was uploaded to TVNZ+ late last night. A story was removed from the bulletin out of an abundance of caution which caused a delay,” a TVNZ spokesperson told the Herald.  “John Campbell’s five-part series premiered on TVNZ+ yesterday [Thursday]. It remains available and there have been no changes to this series.”  A TVNZ spokeswoman wouldn’t comment when asked why the story was removed from the 1News bulletin, if the content is still live on TVNZ+.  Some viewers took to social media to express their shock at the level of visibility of the woman’s face on 1News.  “The live bulletin showed her face, clearly, although the lighting setup was dark, her face was visible.  “My partner and I couldn’t believe what we were seeing,” one person said on social media.  “Her face was clearly visible while they were saying that she spoke on the condition of anonymity ... Seriously poor standard of editing.”  Another social media user commented: “I took a photo of it, thought I was seeing things … but nope, maybe I need to send it to the BSA [Broadcasting Standards Authority].”  Another viewer said they saw the programme live and were “yelling at the TV” over the issue.  Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.  Sat, 26 Apr 2025 01:04:40 Z /news/national/abilities-group-recycling-plant-fire-north-shore-residents-get-first-look-at-destruction/ /news/national/abilities-group-recycling-plant-fire-north-shore-residents-get-first-look-at-destruction/ Abilities Group recycling plant in the Wairau Valley on Auckland’s North Shore was destroyed by a massive fire on Thursday night.  Hillside Rd - where the plant was - has reopened, allowing residents to see the destruction up close.  Some were in tears as they saw the blackened, tangled remains of the charity-run plant, which provides employment for more than 100 people with disabilities.  Stunned and tearful North Shore residents are this morning getting their first peek at the extent of the devastation after a massive fire at a recycling plant in Wairau Valley on Thursday.  The hours-long blaze sent fireballs shooting into the sky as thick, black smoke with a strong chemical smell forced residents, relying on their own eyes and multiple emergency alerts, to stay inside with their windows and doors closed.  Smoke could be seen across the city as almost 100 firefighters from Auckland and Hamilton responded to the 5.30pm fire at Abilities Group, including two who had to be rescued after their aerial unit failed and left them trapped above the flames raging through the charity-run plant on Hillside Rd.  The fire was brought under control on Thursday night, with firefighters dampening hotspots yesterday.  More than 100 firefighters responded to the major fire at Abilities Group on Auckland's North Shore on Thursday, including those using aerial units. Photo/ Dean Purcell  This morning, with Hillside Rd reopened, residents got their first look at what was left - a crumpled, blackened mess of tangled building materials and other debris too charred to be identified.  “Lots of residents are coming to see, now that [the] road’s opened up”, said one, adding there was still a “pretty strong” smell in the air.  “[There’s] a few tears from locals,” she said.  Fire and Emergency NZ are back at the scene today of the blaze at the Abilities Group recycling plant on Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Hayden Woodward  A tradie who worked in the area told the the scene had left him “in shock”.  “I thought there would be something left. Sad day.”  Abilities Group provided work for disabled people but its plant was destroyed in Thursday's fire that may have been started by a lithium battery. Photo / Supplied  The cause of the fire is not yet known, but it may have been caused by lithium batteries, Fire and Emergency NZ said yesterday.  More than 100 disabled employees have been affected by the plant’s destruction.  Yesterday, a Givealittle page was set up to replace equipment and to support staff at Abilities Group, which employs many people with disabilities.  Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.  Fri, 25 Apr 2025 23:58:51 Z /news/world/pope-francis-funeral-thousands-gather-in-vatican-city-to-farewell-head-of-the-roman-catholic-church/ /news/world/pope-francis-funeral-thousands-gather-in-vatican-city-to-farewell-head-of-the-roman-catholic-church/ Pope Francis’ funeral will take place today at St Peter’s Square in Vatican City.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will attend, alongside world leaders such as Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump.  Pope Francis will be buried at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, following the service.  A funeral steeped in centuries-old tradition is set to take place today as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, is farewelled.  Between 200,000 and 500,000 people are predicted to descend on St Peter’s Square in Vatican City to pay their respects to the pontiff, who died on Easter Monday (local time), aged 88.  At least 130 of those mourners will be heads of state and delegations from around the world, Vatican officials confirmed on Thursday.  The funeral is set to begin at 10am local time (8pm NZT), following plans laid out by the Funeral Rites of the Roman Pontiff – a 20-page document dubbed The Shepherd of the Lord’s Whole Flock.  The service – expected to be conducted entirely in Latin – will last about two and a half hours and will be led by the dean of the College of Cardinals, 91-year-old Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re.  A sermon will pay tribute to Pope Francis’ life.  The Swiss Guards, who provide personal security for the Pope, also have a role in the funeral service; kneeling for the consecration of the host and the blessing of the bread and wine.  The guards were reportedly put under a strict curfew in February when Pope Francis became severely ill with pneumonia. It was reported they were undergoing protocol drills in preparation for the Pope’s death.  PM Chris Luxon, Prince William, US President Donald Trump among mourners  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, London, hours after the death of Pope Francis. Photo / Supplied  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will represent New Zealand at the Pope’s funeral today, joining a host of world leaders and dignitaries paying their respects in person.  Luxon travelled from Turkey yesterday, where he gave a speech at the Gallipoli Peninsula as part of the annual Anzac Day commemorations.  United States President Donald Trump and the First Lady, Melania Trump, will also attend the papal funeral, as will Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.  Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, British PM Sir Keir Starmer, Argentina’s President Javier Milei and France’s President, Emmanuel Macron, are all on the confirmed guest list.  Other world leaders and dignitaries confirmed to attend the funeral today include Ireland’s President Michael Higgins, India’s President Droupadi Murmu, Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos, President of the Central African Republic Faustin-Archange Touadera, Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini, Israel’s ambassador to the Holy See Yaron Sideman and Croatian President Zoran Milanovic.  The Prince of Wales, Prince William, will be there in place of his father, King Charles.  Traditionally, British sovereigns do not attend funerals. When Pope John Paul II died in April 2005, the then-Prince Charles attended the funeral to represent his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.  Other royal families represented include Queen Mary of Denmark, Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia, and Monaco’s Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.  Final resting place breaks with tradition  Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, where Pope Francis will be laid to rest. Photo / Audrey Young  A funeral bell will toll after the funeral service, as the body of the Pope is taken through what is known as the door of death, to the left of the altar at St Peter’s.  In keeping with the pontiff’s wishes, Pope Francis will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore – outside of the Vatican, where many Popes before him are buried... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 21:12:42 Z /news/national/two-by-twos-church-leader-wayne-dean-responds-to-sex-abuse-claims-fbi-nz-police-investigation/ /news/national/two-by-twos-church-leader-wayne-dean-responds-to-sex-abuse-claims-fbi-nz-police-investigation/ Wayne Dean, head overseer of the Two by Twos church, has addressed investigations into sexual abuse allegations.  New Zealand Police have launched several investigations after 27 people reported abuse within the church.  A number of people before the courts of jailed for offending have been previously linked to the secretive sect.  The man at the helm of the controversial Two by Twos church has broken his silence about investigations by the FBI and New Zealand Police into allegations of sexual abuse.  Head overseer Wayne Dean has repeatedly refused to give interviews about his church, which has no official name.  But he has addressed the multiple investigations underway in an email to the Herald.  The Two by Twos are a controversial home-based fundamentalist Christian church.  The movement was founded in 1887 by Scotsman William Irvine, but some profess its beginnings can be traced back to Galilee, where Jesus Christ is said to have been raised.  Officially, the church has no name, no official buildings, and is not registered as a charity.  Its members meet at private homes for “House Church” on Sundays and gather at community halls for gospel sessions led by “workers” – pairs of preachers – several times a week.  The church is thought to have several thousand members in New Zealand.  Wayne Dean (second left) pictured in 2020 with other overseers of the Two by Twos church from NZ and Australia.  Last year, the FBI launched a global investigation into the church, described by some as a cult, after several former members made allegations of sexual abuse.  In February, the New Zealand Police became involved, and members here who had contacted the FBI received an email from the national adult sexual assault team.  Dean told the Herald no authorities had been in contact with him or other church leaders.  But if they did, the church would “cooperate fully”.  The FBI has been investigating the church and its members since at least 2014. Photo / FBI  “The FBI and the New Zealand Police have not contacted us regarding the investigation we hear of in media reports,“ he said.  “Nor are we aware of our NZ Fellowship being under any investigation.  “We do understand that some individuals who are and have been members of our fellowship have or are being investigated for allegations of child sexual assault, and in some cases, charges have been laid.  “We will cooperate fully with any authorities should they request any information we may hold.”  Dean said the church had “put in place safeguards to protect children”.  “And we will not tolerate any forms of abuse.”  He would not comment further.  “We do not see any benefit in responding to your reporting,” he said.  “Nor are we interested in an interview.”  Dean later answered several further questions by email about what church members could do to report abuse - and what action church leaders took if it was raised with them.  “If we are made aware of any abuse where the victim is currently a child we will immediately contact both police and Oranga Tamariki,” he said.  “For other historical cases, only the victim can report this to the police - we do however encourage the victim to report it and we will support them to do so.  “When notified of abuse we take steps to mitigate any immediate risk to children - consulting with police when the abuse has been reported to them and following their advice.  “We encourage and support people to report to police. This is noted in various documents on the (church) website including in the guidelines published under the New Zealand section.”  A number of people either in or connected to the Two by Twos church have been charged over the years with sexual offending. Photo / File  Last week Detective Inspector Warwick McKee - the national manager of adult sexual assault and child protection -... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:32:54 Z /news/national/ai-deepfakes-in-australian-election-pose-warning-for-new-zealand/ /news/national/ai-deepfakes-in-australian-election-pose-warning-for-new-zealand/ Australian Senator David Shoebridge warns AI deepfakes threaten democracy and urges New Zealand to take heed.  Deepfakes have been used in elections globally, with no current laws in Australia or New Zealand prohibiting political use.  Shoebridge emphasises the need for legislation, citing risks of misinformation spreading rapidly via social media.  An Australian senator says AI is posing a threat to democracy in the Australian election and should serve as a warning to New Zealand voters.  Deepfakes – AI-generated images that produce realistic content of someone saying or doing something they are not – have become increasingly common in elections around the world.  There is currently no law in place in Australia or New Zealand prohibiting political deepfakes and Greens Senator David Shoebridge said that has left politicians in his party “exposed”.  “It could be produced by our domestic political opponents, or it could be produced by players outside of the Australian jurisdiction, [like] those backed by the fossil fuel industry who want to prevent Australian politics taking significant action,” he said.  Greens Senator for New South Wales David Shoebridge outside the Australian Parliament House in Canberra.  Last year, a deepfake impersonating then-President Joe Biden told thousands of voters in the US state of New Hampshire not to vote in the upcoming primaries.  Leading parties in India’s election also created deepfakes of each other.  One deepfake portrayed the daughter of a militant leader as a middle-aged woman encouraging Tamils to fight for their political freedom. The woman died in 2009 at the age of 23.  Abhinav Dhall, Associate Professor of Data Science and AI at Melbourne’s Monash University, said deepfake production is no longer reserved for highly skilled programmers or tech giants.  “There are a lot of apps and open-source tools available, using which pretty much anyone can do things such as swapping a face in an image or generating a video from an image,” he said.  Australia introduced legislation last year criminalising non-consensual pornographic deepfakes, but there is no law preventing the spread of political deepfakes.  Shoebridge said an inquiry into social media’s responsibility for the content showed major players aren’t interested in leading the charge.  “[They] said to us, if Parliament’s not going to act, why should they take the political risk of acting in the absence of Parliament?  “A lot of people are taking their information now from social media channels and consuming facts extremely rapidly. In those circumstances the risk of a compelling short grab from a deepfake, I think it’s very real.”  The Australian Government has introduced a law change banning deceptive deepfake videos and voice clones during elections and referendums, but Shoebridge said the law change won’t take effect until next year.  “I don’t think there’s any question that deepfakes have a real risk of skewering our democracy in this upcoming federal election campaign,” Senator Shoebridge said.  “Watch closely what’s happening in Australia and seriously think about what measures are needed to protect New Zealand’s democracy and hopefully you can learn from any mistakes we make.”  Australians head to the polls on May 3.  Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:29:12 Z /news/national/fullers-ferry-death-passenger-dies-on-waiheke-service-delays-follow/ /news/national/fullers-ferry-death-passenger-dies-on-waiheke-service-delays-follow/ A passenger died on a Waiheke ferry, causing delays and commotion at the dock.  Witnesses reported poor communication from Fullers staff to waiting passengers.  The man’s death has been referred to the coroner, and Fullers is providing support to the crew.  A sudden death has been reported on a Waiheke ferry service, causing delays and commotion at the dock on Thursday.  Waiheke business owner Sean was waiting for the 2pm boat to Devonport when the ferry arrived.  “When I arrived at the ferry building around 1.45pm, the 2pm was disembarking and there was a lot of commotion,” he told the Herald.  “[There were] some security guards and some staff running on to the boat.  “Ambulances showed up, two fire trucks and people running on with AEDs.”  Sean said about 300 people, mostly cruise passengers, were waiting to get on the boat at the same time.  “While I was boarding, a gentleman told me an older gentleman had died in the toilet.”  Eventually, Fullers crews moved the boat to another dock after a long delay.  Sean told the Herald he was disappointed by how little communication there was between Fullers staff and waiting passengers.  Fullers' communication with travellers after the death was disappointing, a passenger said. Photo / Jason Oxenham  “The crew made no announcement to the staff,” he said.  “It was getting pretty frustrating for a holiday weekend. There were a lot of cruise ship people who were asking us locals if we should take a water taxi because my cruise ship is about to leave at 3.30pm or 4pm.”  When the 3pm ferry began to board, Sean told the waiting Fullers crews that they hadn’t communicated with the waiting passengers.  “They said [they] didn’t know what was going on,” he said.  “But nobody knew how to get back to Devonport for those on a cruise ship. Even if you don’t know anything, tell everyone you don’t know anything.”  Fortunately for the cruise passengers on the 3pm ferry, their cruise ship had delayed itself for them to board.  A Fullers spokesperson said the organisation was deeply saddened to confirm that a passenger had died on a ferry service from Auckland to Waiheke Island.  “Our thoughts are with the individual’s family at this difficult time. Out of respect for the individual’s loved ones, we will not be sharing any further details.  “While this is an unusual occurrence, we understand our crew acted appropriately in these difficult circumstances. We are providing support to our crew, including but not limited to offering counselling services.”  Police can confirm a sudden death was reported on a ferry that had docked at Matiatia Wharf on Waiheke Island, a spokesperson said.  “The man was located deceased by crew after it had arrived at 2pm.  “His death has been referred to the Coroner.”  Fri, 25 Apr 2025 20:16:41 Z /news/national/man-critically-injured-after-suspected-stabbing-in-henderson-west-auckland/ /news/national/man-critically-injured-after-suspected-stabbing-in-henderson-west-auckland/ A man has been taken to hospital in a critical condition early today suffering what are believed to be stab wounds in West Auckland. A team of forensic experts, detectives, and specialist search group members are in Coburg St in Henderson Valley after the 2.15am incident. The cul-de-sac was still cordoned off early this afternoon after specialist staff from ESR and police photography documented evidence and blood trails this morning. Trails of blood were spread throughout the scene, leading from one address across the road to a nearby footbridge at Murillo Reserve. Police are also examining part of a reserve in Henderson Valley after last night's violent incident. Photo / Hayden Woodward The reserve is also cordoned off, with some forensics staff focusing attention there. A St John spokesperson said staff took one person to Auckland Hospital. In a statement, police said they were called to the street early this morning after a report of disorder. “A man was located with what are believed to be stab wounds. “He has been transported to hospital in critical condition. “Inquiries into the full circumstances of the incident are ongoing.” - RNZ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:23:36 Z /news/national/cement-company-s-opposition-to-hikurangi-subdivision-resolved-out-of-court/ /news/national/cement-company-s-opposition-to-hikurangi-subdivision-resolved-out-of-court/ A housing subdivision in Whangārei is going ahead after a nearby quarry’s opposition was settled out of court with a deal that should stop future residents from complaining about the quarry’s operations. The 5.58ha subdivision at 35 Boundary Rd, Hikurangi, is on land that was zoned residential in 2005 and bought by Hika Ltd about three years ago for a housing development aimed at first-home buyers. Last September, independent commissioner Bill Smith, acting on behalf of Whangārei District Council (WDC), granted Hika resource consent to create 51 residential allotments, a large rural-zoned lot, roading and a drainage reserve. Boundary Rd in Hikurangi, where a subdivision has been approved. Photo / Denise Piper However, Fletcher Concrete and Infrastructure Ltd (trading as Golden Bay Cement), which operates the Wilsonville Quarry between 200 and 250 metres away, appealed to the Environment Court, arguing that a subdivision so close could result in complaints from future residents about noise, dust, vibrations, blasting and other quarry-related activities. Such complaints could hinder operations and future expansion of the quarry, which was a crucial source of limestone for its cement production, Golden Bay said. At mediation in February, Golden Bay and Hika representatives reached an agreement to accept the developer’s earlier offer to make provision for various covenants, including a no-complaints (reverse sensitivity) one. The mediated agreement has since been considered and approved by Environment Court Judge Jeff Smith, who recently released details of it. Under the no-complaints (reverse sensitivity) covenant, anyone occupying or using the subdivision will be prohibited from complaining – directly or indirectly – about Wilsonville Quarry’s approved operations. Judge Smith said he was satisfied the agreement was an appropriate response to Golden Bay’s concerns. “The agreement recognises the long-standing residential zoning of the land, in proximity to a Quarrying Resource Area and Mining Area, and the potential for effects on both the residential development and Wilsonville Quarry.” He said the no-complaints covenant would not have been the court’s preferred way of resolving the dispute. However, because it was not the main solution agreed, he would allow it. The arrangement also included Hika agreeing to reduce the number of housing lots in the subdivision from 51 to 44 so a buffer zone could be extended between the subdivision and quarry, and to retain some natural land formations that would also have a buffering effect. “The parties have taken a balanced approach in agreeing on changes to the [resource management] consent. Overall, I consider that the sustainable management purpose and the other relevant requirements of the [Resource Management] Act are broadly met”, Judge Smith said. Taken from the consented subdivision site at 35 Boundary Road, this image looks southward to existing housing and land where another subdivision is already under way. Photo / Hika Limited The cement company did not respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Hika said he was pleased with the outcome of the mediation. While still an expensive process, it had saved both parties the need to go through more complex and time-consuming court proceedings. Hika has been developing land in Northland since the early 2000s. It was hoped economic conditions would be positive enough to begin earthworks at Hikurangi this October, the company said. The subdivision would provide affordable housing options that were badly needed and would complement one already being built by the He Puna Marama Trust to the south of the site. The agreed buffer zone to the north would extend one that already existed near Cinder Way and would be planted in native trees, creating a park-like area that would not only be an amenity for subdivision residents but also for the wider community, the company said. There would be a similar... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:21:48 Z /news/national/waikato-kiwi-translocation-season-2025-another-record-breaker/ /news/national/waikato-kiwi-translocation-season-2025-another-record-breaker/ Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Save the Kiwi and Ngāti Korokī Kahukura have done it again: the 2025 kiwi translocation season has wrapped up in Waikato and it has been another record-breaker. Since February, 232 kiwi were moved from the sanctuary to new homes at Capital Kiwi in Wellington, Tongariro National Park and Taranaki Maunga, exceeding last year’s number of 222 translocated birds. Save the Kiwi chief executive Michelle Impey said the Waikato translocation’s scale was impressive. “Typically in kiwi conservation, when we move kiwi, we are talking about maybe 40 birds over two or three years. “Moving hundreds at a time is just fantastic and showing we are working towards abundance [of the species].” For the translocation, birds that were collected from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s main mountain went through a thorough health screening, including blood and faecal tests for the first 30 birds. After their big health check, the kiwi were released into the southern enclosure of SMM. Since February, a group of volunteers has been going inside the enclosure a couple of times a week to track down burrows and retrieve the birds for a second, quick health check ahead of their move to new homes the same day. SMM science, research and species lead Dr Janelle Ward said overall the kiwi were in good health. “But there were a few birds that were a bit skinny because of the drought.” Kelsi Thompson (left) was undertaking the kiwi health checks on departure day. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer The drought makes the ground more firm which means kiwi can’t probe it with their beaks as easily or as deep when they are looking for food. After the kiwi moved to SMM’s southern enclosure, things turned around. “The majority of them quickly gained weight, actually there were some of the biggest birds that I have seen.” Kelsi Thompson, kiwi keeper at Gallagher Kiwi Burrow in Taupō, undertook some of the departure day health checks and agreed with Ward’s observation. During the second health check, the birds get weighed and it is ensured the birds are in good condition. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer “One kiwi had put on 140g in five days. [At the health check] her tummy was nice and full and soft, which is great.” It was a special season as this year marked the 20th anniversary of the return of kiwi to SMM and for the first time visitors were able to witness a health check. Thompson said it was special to share this with people. “A lot of people have never seen a kiwi before, or if they did, it was often behind glass and in a nocturnal house where they couldn’t see them very well. “To allow them to see them properly was pretty amazing. ”She said the first-hand experience was important as it allowed people to form a connection and would bring more people on a journey to care and help protect kiwi. Thompson said seeing and handling a kiwi never ceased to be exciting for her, even though she would have handled hundreds by now. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the return of kiwi to SMM and for the first time visitors were able to witness a health check. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer “I still tear up sometimes when I handle a really good [healthy] kiwi. There is just something special about them. They have this aura ... I just want to help protect them.” Looking at the next translocation season, Save the Kiwi said there might be some new additions to places receiving kiwi. Every site needs a permit from the Department of Conservation which also specifies the number of kiwi a site can receive. Capital Kiwi is close to fulfilling its permit and will soon not be able to receive any more kiwi. Impey said it was “a nice problem to have” with the team now looking at new, safe places. “We already have new sites in our sight, a couple of them are in Waikato, but we can’t share any specifics yet.” The relationships between iwi are an important part when it com... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:15:06 Z /news/national/government-extends-aid-for-drought-hit-farmers-in-horizons-region-facing-long-recovery/ /news/national/government-extends-aid-for-drought-hit-farmers-in-horizons-region-facing-long-recovery/ The effects of the long, dry summer on farms in the Horizons Regional Council region are expected to continue for months to come, prompting assistance from the Government. Last week Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced extended financial support for drought-hit farmers. “We want to help eligible farmers whose income has been severely affected by drought-stricken conditions,” Upston said. In March, $100,000 of Government funding was made available when a medium-scale adverse event was declared after months of dry conditions in a number of areas of New Zealand. From April 28, Rural Assistance Payments will be available to eligible farmers across Northland, Waikato, Taranaki, Horizons and the top of the South Island until October 28 when incomes are forecast to improve. “We know farmers in these regions have been significantly impacted by low rainfall over recent months and we want people to be able to access support when they need it,” Upston said. Whanganui farmer and ex-president of Federated Farmers Whanganui Mike Cranstone said despite the drought being over, the effects would spill over into the next seasons. Mike Cranstone says the effects of the drought will be felt by farmers into spring. Photo / ob体育接口 “Obviously, it has an impact on production this season, whether it’s lower lamb carcass weights or milk production on dairy farms,” he said. “With the dry autumn we’ve had this year, it’s likely to impact on lambing percentages next spring.” Cranstone said adapting to more extreme seasons had become part of the job and there was an increased focus on reducing the impact of the now inevitable weather events. “Farmers are used to these challenges and having to adapt to different seasons so it’s nothing really new,” he said. “What farmers try to do is to minimise the impact on production next season.” An element that helped local farmers get through the dry season was cheap feed from the less-impacted East Coast farms. “Farmers are using feed crops a lot more now to protect their lamb growth rates in extended dry periods,” Cranstone said. Patterson encouraged affected farmers to contact their local Rural Support Trust to see what help they could get and to apply for the Rural Assistance Payments. “Droughts often have a sting in the tail with the cold, tough winter months still to come. We know how hard it can be to recover from a drought and we are here to support farmers through it,” he said. Olivia Reid is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:09:38 Z /news/national/taup%C5%8D-athlete-falls-50m-down-cliff-face/ /news/national/taup%C5%8D-athlete-falls-50m-down-cliff-face/ Louisa Redward, 43, fractured her wrist after a 50m fall at Taupō’s Spa Thermal Park. Emergency services rescued Redward, who was in a moderate condition and later discharged from hospital. Redward thanked the responders and credited her bike helmet for preventing more serious injuries. An obstacle course athlete said she was “lucky” to escape with a fractured wrist after plummeting 50m down a cliff face at Taupō’s Spa Thermal Park. Louisa Redward, 43, wanted to publicly thank the emergency services staff who came to her rescue. “I’m very lucky,” Redward said. “I think I’ll get a Lotto ticket this week.” Redward’s fall was captured on video and the footage has been posted to her Instagram account. “A lot of people are like, ‘OMG that’s so intense’, and messaging to see if I’m okay,” Redward said. “It feels like I’ve broken a couple of ribs, and I’ve got plenty of bruising and swelling but it could have been way worse.” Redward has since seen the doctor and discovered her wrist was fractured. “Watching the video, it looks bad but I’m lucky I’ve come out relatively unscathed. It was probably a bit of a jackass moment.” Redward was on a “recovery bike ride” on April 13 after taking part in the Ultimate Athlete obstacle course race in Mt Maunganui the day before. Taupō mum Louisa Redward, 43, said she was lucky to escape a 50m fall down a cliff with only a fractured wrist. She was with her friend, Laura Grant, when they decided to give the rope swing a go. “Unfortunately, everything went wrong,” Redward said. Redward said her hand slipped off the rope. Emergency services were alerted by a 111 call at 6.49pm that a person had fallen down a bank at the Spa Thermal Park. A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said three crews from Taupo attended the rescue. A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said one patient in a moderate condition was transported. Police search and rescue coordinator Senior Constable Barry Shepherd was also on the scene. “All the first responders were great,” Redward said. “They made sure I was warm and comfortable.” Louisa Redward wanted to thank all the emergency services staff who rescued her. Redward said while she has been in some “sketchy situations” in the past related to her sport, she has never had a broken bone or major injury. “I was so thankful for the Hato Hone St John paramedics and not to mention the green whistle,” she said. Fire and Emergency station officer Sean McAvinue said fire crews used lines to get down the cliff to Redward. They then assisted St John crews in stabilising her in a rescue basket. McAvinue said all three emergency services worked together to get her to the top of the bank, before carrying her 700m to the road for further medical attention. “We’ve got a great working relationship with the other emergency services,” he said. “It’s nice and easy, everyone knows everyone here, and we’ve got good rapport. “We all work and train together, so we understand each other’s systems and capabilities and we always have a common objective in supporting our patients.” After being transported by ambulance to Taupō Hospital, Redward was discharged 12 hours later. The mum of 10-year-old twins was glad she was wearing her bike helmet. “I have a bruise on my head so 100% it would have been way worse if I wasn’t wearing one.” Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato. She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:07:06 Z /news/national/wwii-vet-mistakenly-listed-as-dead-on-rangiora-war-memorial-near-christchurch/ /news/national/wwii-vet-mistakenly-listed-as-dead-on-rangiora-war-memorial-near-christchurch/ How did a Kiwi soldier who died in 1994 end up on two World War II memorials honouring our fallen soldiers? Cherie Howie traces an 80-year-old family mystery. My grandad is listed among the World War II dead on the Rangiora War Memorial. He’s on the roll of honour at Rangiora High School for fallen former pupils, too. But – spoiler alert – he was also married in 1947, raised six kids over three decades, and eventually counted 23 grandchildren among his legacy. Grandad, who died in 1994 aged 76, wasn’t the kind of person to make a fuss. When he heard his name read out among the war dead old boys at a school reunion in 1984, he thought it was funny. “I thought about getting [the inscriptions] rubbed out, but then I thought, ‘Why bother?‘,” he told a reporter when the error went public. The story, with headlines such as “Back from dead”, went international. World War II sapper David Dawson's name on the Rangiora War Memorial. Dawson survived the war and was mistakenly – and mysteriously – included among the district's fallen soldiers. But it was hardly new to our family. Grandad had been showing his relatives the mistaken inscription at the cenotaph on the corner of High and Ivory Sts for years. “We’d go there as kids,” says my mum. “He used to laugh about it.” What he couldn’t do was tell them how it happened. Prisoner 159 Grandad made it out of the deadliest conflict in history with his life, more than can be said of the 50 million-plus civilians and military personnel killed in an almighty clash that dragged on for almost six years. But the experience was no dance among the daisies for the man I remember in his sunset years as a prolific reader, the keenest of gardeners, and an all-round good guy. After time in North Africa, a layover I know little about except that he summited one of the pyramids of Giza (now illegal), grandad found himself part of the Allies’ ultimately failed fight to push back the Nazi invasion of Greece in 1941. Grandad (right) and a friend at the Great Sphinx near Cairo early in the war before he was captured during the Battle of Greece in 1941. As a sapper (combat engineer), grandad and his comrades would be sent ahead to build reliable routes, and then kept back to make sure the enemy’s path was not so straightforward. The story of how grandad ended up on two memorials to war dead has its provenance in the Battle of Greece, where, after escaping from the north, his unit was told to remain behind to blow up a bridge over the Corinth Canal. But enemy tanks on their flank and paratroopers from above cut the unit off, forcing grandad and hundreds more to retreat into the hills. (1941.) Men from the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, after the retreat from Greece. #WW2 #HISTORY pic.twitter.com/GQ9B7RPZCI— rgpoulussen.bsky.social (@rgpoulussen) May 19, 2023 He’d later tell his kids how he hid as the Germans passed, remaining silent and still as one stopped to relieve himself in the bush grandad was concealed in. Grandad soon wound up part of a group of about eight New Zealand and Australian soldiers evading capture, one despite a broken leg. They were eventually discovered eating dinner at a local farmhouse. In an act of kindness not shown to so many caught in a conflict not of their making, the German soldiers let the men finish their meal before taking them prisoner. Grandad in his capture photo after he was among 10,000 Allied soldiers taken prisoner by the Nazis during the Battle of Greece in 1941. He looks a little pensive. Photo / Naturhistorisches Museum Vienna Ten thousand Allied soldiers were captured in the military failure and sent to prisoner of war camps, including the massive Stalag XVIII-A in Wolfsberg. The camp was one of the biggest for prisoners of war in Austria, with more than 50,000 incarcerated at its peak, including more than 1500 Kiwis – among them prisoner 159, grandad. Cabbage water and ‘petty sabotage’ “Sometimes”, gran... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 03:03:46 Z /news/national/emotions-high-as-tauranga-mount-rsas-mark-anzac-day-with-dawn-services/ /news/national/emotions-high-as-tauranga-mount-rsas-mark-anzac-day-with-dawn-services/ A large crowd attended the 2025 Anzac dawn service at Mount Maunganui, honouring veterans and service members. The Tauranga RSA prepared to merge with the Mount RSA, marking a bittersweet occasion. Papamoa’s dawn service, featuring students and the local Turkish community, has grown significantly. On the cusp of dawn, a large crowd gathered outside the Mount Maunganui cenotaph in Marine Parade for the 2025 Anzac dawn service. Warbirds buzz over the Mount Maunganui cenotaph. Photo / David Hall The crowd received a welcome from Mount RSA president Greg Baxter, who reminded them of what Anzac Day stands for. “To honour the service and the sacrifice of those who have served our nation.” A member of the Western Bay Cadet Unit stands in silence at the dawn service in Mount Maunganui. Photo / David Hall A mixture of veterans, service members, cadets and civilians lined the streets, with the crowd stretching on to the bank of Hopukiore Reserve. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas, now riding with the Patriots motorcycle group of past and present service members, said the day was a chance to reflect on those who died for our country. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas. Photo / David Hall Sentinel guard commander Dusty Roper, of the Western Bay Cadet Unit, was attending his fifth Anzac Day service and had looked forward to leading his group on to the cenotaph grounds. “We have been practising, practising the drill movers, and practising the sequence and getting everything down.” Sentinel guard commander and Western Bay cadet Dusty Roper. Photo / David Hall A Western Bay cadet acts as a sentinel guard at the cenotaph. Photo / David Hall At the Tauranga RSA, emotions ran high on a bittersweet day as the branch prepared to merge with the Mount RSA in February. “It is a sad day,” Tauranga city councillor Marten Rozeboom said. Former Tauranga RSA president Captain Fred Milligan. Former president and Royal New Zealand Army Captain Fred Milligan enlisted in 1955 and fondly remembered his time there. He recalled an officer leaving a driver in his charge who had become “irritating”, when he was a lance corporal. “He asked, ‘What can I do’? So I told him, ‘go away and paint The Last Post’,” Milligan said. The man in his charge disappeared for some time before eventually reappearing. Milligan said it turned out the man had painted all the posts near a live training area. When he joined the army, it was a class of 30 people. “Now, there are seven of us left.” Milligan has witnessed Anzac Days in Australia and New Zealand and placed a wreath at a service in Southport, Queensland. “I couldn’t believe it. The crowd they got there in Southport was just unbelievable.” The “evocative” Pāpāmoa dawn service was initially set up to relieve pressure on the dawn service at Hopukiore and has grown larger yearly. It marked the third anniversary at Pāpāmoa, organiser Buddy Mikaere said. Pāpāmoa dawn service organiser Buddy Mikaere. Photo / Andrew Warner The dawn service included students from Pāpāmoa College and involved the local Turkish community. Anzac Day is special for Mikaere because his family has been involved in nearly every major conflict for more than 100 years. It featured a significant Māori component with the benediction in tereo, accompanying two waitai. After the dawn service, Mikaere said the Pāpāmoa fire brigade hosted breakfast. The Last Post and the placing of the wreaths were among the highlights of this year’s dawn service, hosted by the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council, District Mayor James Denyer said. “It is important to remember the service and huge sacrifices made on our behalf.” Anzac Day also allows the mayor to see representatives from all sections of his community come forward to place their wreaths. “It also gives us a chance to reflect on the suffering that wars create and learn the lessons of the past.” Denyer attended the dawn service in Katikati and the civic service in Te Puke. This Anzac Day ma... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:35:01 Z /news/national/stolen-napier-rsa-trailer-recovered-by-police-in-time-for-anzac-day/ /news/national/stolen-napier-rsa-trailer-recovered-by-police-in-time-for-anzac-day/ A trailer used to take rubbish to the dump that was stolen from the Napier RSA two days before Anzac Day has been found and returned to the club by police, thanks to information provided by the public. Police on Thursday executed a search warrant at a Napier property where they recovered the stolen trailer. Detective Sergeant Andrew Boyd leads the Hawke’s Bay Tactical Crime Unit and is a returned serviceman. Boyd said it was “humbling” to help with the swift return of the trailer to the RSA before Anzac Day. “Trailers are a hot commodity to thieves because they are easily re-registered,” he said. The trailer was stolen from the Napier RSA carpark at 5.24am on Wednesday with a wheel lock still attached, which Boyd said wasn’t enough to deter the criminals. “If you’ve got a trailer, please consider looking at new technology to help with security, such as air tags with GPS capability for tracking purposes,” he said. “We also encourage securing trailers to a fixed structure.” Napier RSA chief executive Anne Woolrich said the trailer was now back in their possession and she wanted to give a huge shout-out to Napier police and the community, which provided leads. “We are grateful,” she said. A police spokesman said the investigation into the theft was ongoing and they would like to hear from anyone with information that could lead to the culprits or help identify the vehicle in the CCTV image (pictured with this story). If you have information that can help, please contact police via 105 or online, using the reference 250423/9978. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:24:34 Z /news/sport/northern-mystics-captain-micheala-sokolich-beatson-on-anz-premiership-s-murky-future/ /news/sport/northern-mystics-captain-micheala-sokolich-beatson-on-anz-premiership-s-murky-future/ Northern Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson admits the lack of communication about the future of the ANZ Premiership is troubling. Netball New Zealand (NNZ) has refused to confirm the survival of all six franchises beyond the expiration of their current broadcast deal with Sky this year. NNZ chief executive Jennie Wyllie said they are considering several competition options for 2026. Sokolich-Beatson told Newstalk ob体育接口 that NNZ has not said anything to the players. Mystics captain Michaela Sokolich-Beatson: 'The people that make the decisions will make the right decision.' Photo / Photosport “Not that I’ve heard, which is kind of unsettling. But I also understand the lay of the land. It is what it is and I’m sure they’ll give us an update when they’ve got one themselves.” The uncertainty has prompted some to look abroad, with former Stars coach Kiri Wills joining the Queensland Firebirds in Australia’s Super Netball. Sokolich-Beatson admits her offshore prospects might be limited. “I don’t know if I’d be wanted overseas. I’m 28 now. Teams might not want to invest in an older player. Teams like to invest in youth because you can get more out of them.” The Mystics skipper is keeping faith in Wyllie, despite the lack of communication. Sokolich-Beatson said she is sure the NNZ chief executive has the best interests of the players at heart. “I don’t know what she’s dealing with behind the scenes, but I’m sure she’ll do the best thing she can for us as players and for netball in New Zealand.” Sokolich-Beatson said she thought players were under the impression “the people that make the decisions will make the right decision – whatever that may be with what they have on offer”. Preseason has looked a little different for the Mystics in 2026 after the departure of Grace Nweke to the New South Wales Swifts and Phoenix Karaka on maternity leave. Midcourter Peta Toeava has been training at goal attack, with a new-look shooting circle taking shape. Usually a wing attack, Toeava is loving the change, Sokolich-Beatson said. Northern Mystics' Grace Nweke and Peta Toeava. Photo / Photosport “Peta would love to be a goal attack fulltime, I think. She’s practising her shooting all the time so for us it gives another option. Is she our first go-to goal attack? No. Is she our second? Probably not. But she’s there as a third back-up if we need her.” Sokolich-Beatson said they only have three shooters – Donnell Wallam, Filda Vui and Hannah Glen. “If one of them gets injured or goes down, then we only have two. Then you’ve got no changes, nothing to fall back on. We’ve been in that situation before and it hasn’t served us well.” The ANZ Premiership starts on May 10. Nathan Limm has been a Multimedia Journalist with Newstalk ob体育接口 and New Zealand’s Herald since 2020. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:22:55 Z /news/national/northland-rsas-report-huge-turnouts-at-region-s-anzac-day-services-2025/ /news/national/northland-rsas-report-huge-turnouts-at-region-s-anzac-day-services-2025/ A huge crowd of about 5000 people - some still in their slippers - turned out for the Anzac Day dawn service at Whangārei’s Laurie Hall Park. Returned Service Association (RSA) leaders from elsewhere around the region reported high attendance for remembrance events in their areas. This Anzac Day marks the 110th anniversary of New Zealand and Australian troops landing on the Gallipoli peninsula, now part of Turkey, where nearly 2800 New Zealanders died during the campaign in 1915, and 5212 were wounded. Whangārei RSA president Brian Towgood said he was “very impressed” not only with the number of veterans and serving personnel who attended the Laurie Park dawn service and parade that started about 5.30am but by the huge public turnout, particularly the youth among them. A police escort led the Anzac Parade in Whangārei, which was shortened this year starting from the corner of Rust Ave and Bank St, rather than Hannah St. Photo / Tony Hickland, NZ Police And, Towgood said, the following 10am service in Maunu was the biggest he had ever seen there. He believed the enthusiasm and desire of young people to know about Anzac as part of their history was a major driving force in increased attendances at the annual commemorative services. Towgood also pointed to initiatives such as a leadership academy in Whangārei based on the values of the 28th Māori Battalion as further impetus for the growing interest in continuing the Anzac spirit. The military-style Leadership Academy of A Company, which is hosted by Whangārei kura Te Kāpehu Whetū, takes about 20 boys a year and provides extra support and training in leadership and tikanga Māori alongside their normal studies. The Whangārei dawn service was attended by people of all nationalities and from all walks of life. Several people attended in wheelchairs and on mobility scooters. Others arrived with babies in prams while some brought their beloved pet dogs. Thousands of people, some still in their slippers, attended this morning's Anzac Day commemorations in Whangārei. Photo / Sarah Curtis There was a solemn silence throughout the service, which began with a police escorted parade led by Northland Caledonian Pipe Band. Marching behind them were representatives for veterans, NZ Defence Force, NZ Police, NZ Cadet Forces, Fire and Emergency NZ, Hato Hone St John, and the Leadership Academy of A Company. The crowd listened intently as various dignitaries gave addresses and laid wreaths beneath the cenotaph, which was flanked by the flags of New Zealand, Australia, the UK, RNZN, RNZAF, and Merchant Mariners. Daylight only began to break near the end of the service as school students and young people from service groups were invited to lay their floral tributes alongside wreaths already there. Other than a few isolated spots of rain, there was no sign in Whangārei of the downpours forecast to pelt the region tomorrow. Nonetheless, many among the crowd were at the ready, rugged up in warm coats and carrying umbrellas. Kerikeri Returned Services Association president Bill Godfrey said a large crowd had also gathered there, possibly up to 500 people and noticeably more than last year. Godfrey put the increased attendance down to the “excellent work” of students from Kerikeri High and Spring Bank schools, who he said had run the event for the past few years, the RSA stepping back to a supervisory role. Dignitaries line the stage beside the cenotaph at this year's Anzac Day dawn service in Laurie Park, Whangārei. Photo / Sarah Curtis He said the event in Kerikeri consciously relied on students as speechmakers, rather than politicians. This year, a student gave a captivating account of her grandparents’ life in the Channel Islands during the German Occupation, Godfrey said. Northland RSA president Colin Kitchen said there had also been a strong public presence at this morning’s dawn service in Kaitaia, despite inclement weather that could have kept people away. Fortun... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:20:43 Z /news/national/fountain-in-auckland-s-mission-bay-dyed-red-on-anzac-day-morning-police-investigating/ /news/national/fountain-in-auckland-s-mission-bay-dyed-red-on-anzac-day-morning-police-investigating/ Auckland’s Mission Bay fountain was dyed red in an apparent Anzac Day protest. Councillor Desley Simpson condemned the act, describing it as wilful damage of public property. Police are assessing the incident, which involved cordial or red dye being poured into the water. A famous Auckland fountain has been dyed bright red in an apparent protest on the morning of Anzac Day. Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson shared images of the blood-red Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain in Mission Bay on Facebook. Simpson said, “I respect the right for peaceful protest What I don’t respect or condone is willfull [sic] damage of public property. “Our wonderful Mission Bay fountain was only cleaned yesterday! A police report has been done, we have CCTV in the area and another clean will occur today.” In an apparent protest, a famous Auckland fountain has been dyed bright red on the morning of Anzac Day today. Photo / Desley Simpson Police said they received a report over the counter at a police station mid-morning today from someone who was at the fountain about 5am to help set up for the Anzac Service. “They reported seeing people near the fountain and on closer inspection they discovered that the water had been dyed red.” Police said a report was made to them by someone who appears to be a council contractor. The report is in the very initial stages of assessment, police said Mission Bay fountain colours This is not the first time the Mission Bay fountain water was dyed a bright red. Kids have no problem of the colour of the water in the Mission Bay fountain, which is bright red. Photo / Dean Purcell In January of 2018, there was speculation that the red colour could be blood or even some strange bacteria breeding in the waters, but it was found to be cordial or red dye. Auckland Council’s head of operational management and maintenance community facilities, Agnes McCormack, said contractors had been down to check the fountain after reports of a change in colour at the harbourside pool. “It appears someone has put a bottle of cordial or red dye into the water,” McCormack said at the time. The change in the water’s colour did not deter people from taking a dip at the suburban Auckland attraction. In 2020, an Auckland man says he was horrified to find Mission Bay’s Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain a slimy green and the public toilets blocked and filthy. Greg Hurt said he was horrified to find Mission Bay's iconic Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain a slime-tinged green. Photo / Supplied Greg Hurt was showing visiting friends from Australia around the area just before Christmas, but said they were all disgusted at what they saw. “The fountain was green, because people had been swimming in it. “The public toilets were just disgusting,” he told the Herald. Auckland Council’s acting head of maintenance and operations, Julie Pickering, said that despite the no-swimming sign at the Trevor Moss Davis Memorial Fountain, people continued to bathe in it. “We would like to remind everyone that entering the fountain is not allowed,” she said. “Not only is it dangerous for children, the water is untreated and it is not supervised by a lifeguard.” Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:13:46 Z /news/crime/judge-rejects-nelson-man-s-emergency-excuse-for-driving-while-drunk-for-the-seventh-time/ /news/crime/judge-rejects-nelson-man-s-emergency-excuse-for-driving-while-drunk-for-the-seventh-time/ A man tried arguing a family emergency was the reason he chose to drink-drive, but a judge was not buying it. Gregory Robinson has now logged his seventh conviction for driving while over the alcohol limit, and despite his efforts to avoid being disqualified, he’s now off the road for a year and serving a sentence of community detention. Robinson was at dinner with friends on a Saturday night in July last year when he got a message about a “family emergency”. His former partner said she needed to get her daughter to the hospital and she would be dropping Robinson’s son at his house. Robinson had already drunk some Bourbon pre-mix drinks but thought he would be okay to drive. He was stopped by the police for speeding on State Highway 60 on his way to Richmond, near Nelson. A breath test showed him with 502 microgrammes of alcohol per litre of breath. The legal limit for drivers aged 20 and over is 250mcg, and infringement notices are issued for readings under 400mcg. He later admitted a charge of driving with excess breath alcohol on a third or subsequent time. Robinson has six previous drink-drive convictions dating back to 1980. His most recent was in 2016. The self-employed builder tried arguing his reason this time was good enough to prevent him being disqualified from driving. But Judge Tony Snell said during last week’s sentencing in the Nelson District Court he had plenty of options to get home. Rather than get behind the wheel himself, he could have taken a taxi or asked a friend to drive him home. Judge Snell said Robinson’s view that he felt he was under the limit at the time was speculation, and he was not responding to a genuine emergency when he decided to drive. “Your choice to drive may have been motivated by your need to get home, but it was a poor decision. “It was made by you, thinking you were under the limit, rather than any emergency to get home.” He declined Robinson’s application to avoid mandatory disqualification. Judge Snell also noted Robinson’s 39 previous convictions for a “wide range” of offences, from driving to violence, drugs, and dishonesty, and this time, the offending was aggravated by his driving over the speed limit. The judge noted Robinson, who worked in a physical role as a builder, claimed he was unable to do community work for health reasons. Robinson was given credit for the “modest” breath alcohol reading and his early guilty plea. He was sentenced to six months of supervision, with three months of community detention, which was imposed with an 8pm-to-6am curfew. Robinson was also disqualified from driving for a year. Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at ob体育接口. She was previously RNZ’s regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:06:27 Z /news/national/dunedin-robotics-factory-deeply-saddened-by-worker-s-death-worksafe-investigating/ /news/national/dunedin-robotics-factory-deeply-saddened-by-worker-s-death-worksafe-investigating/ Scott Technology Ltd in Dunedin is ‘deeply saddened’ by a worker’s death at their robotics factory. WorkSafe and police are investigating the incident, with a non-disturbance notice issued to preserve the scene. The company is supporting the worker’s family and has requested privacy during this difficult time. A Dunedin robotics factory says it is “deeply saddened” by the death of a worker. WorkSafe opened an investigation into the death yesterday after emergency services were scrambled to the business in the afternoon. The business, Scott Technology Ltd, says on its website it produces “smart automation and robotic solutions”. A company spokesperson said it was deeply saddened by the “tragic” event. “We can confirm that a serious accident occurred at our Dunedin site resulting in a fatality. “Our thoughts are with the individual’s family, friends and colleagues during this difficult time. The spokesperson said the company’s priority was supporting and protecting the worker’s family. “Out of respect for the family and friends, we ask for privacy at this time.” A WorkSafe spokesperson said it opened an investigation into the incident yesterday afternoon. “We have issued a non-disturbance notice to preserve the scene of the incident. “The business is co-operating with our investigation.” The spokesperson said WorkSafe was called to the scene in Kaikorai Valley Rd about 4pm. Police are investigating on behalf of the coroner. St John said it sent a rapid response unit, an ambulance and an operations manager to the scene. Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:51:30 Z /news/national/police-seek-silver-mitsubishi-linked-with-kyle-whorrall-homicide-in-st-johns/ /news/national/police-seek-silver-mitsubishi-linked-with-kyle-whorrall-homicide-in-st-johns/ Police are searching for a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis linked to Kyle Whorrall’s alleged murder. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin urges those with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers. A Gofundme for Whorrall’s family has raised $39,129 for travel and related expenses. Police are hunting for another vehicle linked to the alleged murder of Kyle Whorrall in St Johns over Easter Weekend. The police said the vehicle is a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis with the registration number GNG652. Police said this vehicle is believed to be connected to people police want to speak to as part of their investigation. “We believe they have crucial information to share with us about the events surrounding Kyle’s tragic death,” police said. The vehicle may have travelled to Northland in recent days. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin is asking those occupants to make contact with police as soon as possible. Police are appealing for information about a silver 2004 Mitsubishi Grandis, registration GNG652, in relation to their investigation into a Medowbank homicide. Photo / NZ Police “These people of interest could have the information we are looking for that will help us understand why Kyle was killed. “We know they are likely feeling apprehensive about speaking with us, but we are asking them come forward as soon as possible. It is time to do the right thing. “If you have any information about this vehicle or the people involved, we also want to hear from you. “We will be continuing to carry out our enquiries to locate this vehicle and the people with it as a matter of urgency.” Police said if you have any information, please contact police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858, Operation Aberfeldy. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Gofundme for slain student Kyle Whorrall’s family A Gofundme set up to help the grieving family of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall has raised just shy of $40,000. At 8am, the amount raised was sitting at $39,129. A message on the Gofundme page said the money would go towards travel costs for his family and other related expenses. “Although no one can eliminate the overwhelming grief and difficult tasks that Kyle’s family now faces, we can help relieve the associated financial burden.” To donate to the Gofindme, please click here Auckland University student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop and died later in hospital. Whorrall was fatally attacked last Saturday on St Johns Rd in Meadowbank, East Auckland, while he waited at a bus stop with his groceries. At a tearful vigil held yesterday, flatmates, who described themselves as his “chosen family”, broke down as they tried to speak. “He was gentle, he was kind, he was very thoughtful,” one of the five flatmates said. “He loved crafting and painting and sewing and creating plushies – he loved plushies so much, and plants. “He cared deeply about what he did and the people in his life.” Kyle Whorrall's flatmates at a vigil for him at St Johns Rd on April 24, 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell About 100 people gathered for a vigil for Kyle Whorrall at a St Johns Rd bus stop on April 24, 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said yesterday police had arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with Whorrall’s murder. He appeared in the Auckland District Court yesterday and also faced an aggravated robbery charge. His case has been transferred to the High Court at Auckland for his next appearance on May 14. As a youth, he has automatic name suppression. A 32-year-old, charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, also appeared and was granted interim name suppression. Charging documents seen by the Herald allege she “actively suppressed” evidence against the teen by selling a car to help him escape after arrest. She has been remanded until the same date without plea. Whorrall was struck with a “l... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 01:48:26 Z /news/crime/nelson-man-jailed-after-supplying-younger-sister-with-alcohol-and-drugs-sexually-violating-her/ /news/crime/nelson-man-jailed-after-supplying-younger-sister-with-alcohol-and-drugs-sexually-violating-her/ Warning: This story includes details of sexual offending that may upset some readers. A teenage girl was sexually violated by her older brother after he plied her with drugs and alcohol during a Christmas trip to his home. Every day since, she has wanted to die. Now, the man who shattered his sister’s life and tore apart his family has been sent to prison and registered as a child sex offender. He had initially been charged with rape, but later admitted a lesser charge of unlawful sexual connection with a person under 16, plus other charges linked to his supplying the victim with alcohol and drugs. It saved the victim from having to give evidence at a trial, Judge Stephen Harrop said during sentencing in the Nelson District Court last week. He also described the offending as none other than incest. The victim, who was not in court for the sentencing, said in her victim impact statement that for a long time she had felt it had been her fault and had asked why her brother, now in his early 20s, had thought it was okay to do what he did. When Judge Harrop summarised her statement, he told the defendant: “If there was a short way to tell you how much this has affected her, she would say she wished you had killed her afterwards”. She wrote that she would have preferred dying over losing the brother she had loved and who had betrayed her in such a way. “She misses you and hates you, and wanted to die every day. It felt like she was slowly dying,” Judge Harrop read from her statement. He said the extent of damage caused was evident in the mother’s statement. The woman said no words existed that spoke of the canyon left in her heart and body. “You damaged my baby. You have changed her pathway in life, and your younger sister who tried to help,” she said. The defendant, whose name is suppressed to protect the victim and wider family, was homeless and living in a tent and had been cut off by his family. Defence lawyer Tony Bamford said in arguing for a sentence other than prison, the personal loss was the greatest penalty a young man in his situation could ever suffer. Crown prosecutor Jeremy Cameron said in asking the court to refrain from focusing on any latent drug or alcohol problem that the defendant’s conscious decision to disinhibit himself in such a way did not reduce his moral culpability. Cameron said a key defining feature was the relationship between the pair and the breach of trust. A family torn apart In December 2023, the victim travelled to Nelson with family to visit the defendant and another sibling over Christmas. On December 23, the victim and her younger sister were alone with the defendant in his house when he offered the victim cannabis. He then got a bottle of spirits from the fridge, which was a quarter full, and the pair had several shots until the bottle was finished, the summary of facts said. The defendant then got more alcohol, which he offered to the victim, before she lay down to rest on her mattress in the defendant’s room. The summary said the victim was so affected by alcohol and cannabis that she had difficulty recalling what happened next. The younger sister heard what was happening in the room and “covered her ears and cried”. She messaged another sibling, who told her to go into the room. The younger sister’s attempt to go into the room interrupted what was described as sexual activity. The other sibling arranged for a friend to pick up her sisters, as the defendant disposed of the sheets in a rubbish bin outside a supermarket. No explanation On December 26, the victim’s mother went to the police. A medical examination and police interview followed. In February 2024, the defendant turned up voluntarily at the Nelson Police Station, where he admitted supplying cannabis and alcohol to his sister and that they were both intoxicated. He also admitted to having a sexual connection with her, but that it was “consensual”. Judge Harrop said that the vict... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:28:08 Z /news/national/dominique-mcshain-suson-death-kiwi-influencer-dies-at-21-after-colon-cancer-diagnosis/ /news/national/dominique-mcshain-suson-death-kiwi-influencer-dies-at-21-after-colon-cancer-diagnosis/ Kiwi influencer Dominique McShain-Suson has died at age 21 after battling incurable colon cancer. McShain-Suson gained a significant following on TikTok and Instagram, sharing her cancer journey and life events. Her advocacy raised awareness about colorectal cancer, especially among younger adults. Kiwi influencer Dominique McShain-Suson has died at age 21 after her battle with incurable colon cancer. The news of her death comes a year after she shared online that she was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer. The young woman, originally from Dunedin, died on Wednesday, People reported. McShain-Suson’s TikTok and Instagram gained a significant following as she shared her treatment and life dealing with cancer, including highlights such as her wedding to Sean Suson and their Thailand honeymoon. In her final Instagram post on April 7, McShain-Suson said: “My life may be short, but I genuinely think I’ve squeezed every bit out of it. “I won the lottery with a family that loves me unconditionally, friends who would 10000% donate a liver to me or do anything they could (and probably argue over who gets to do it), and the sweetest husband, Sean, who’s been my rock through everything - before and after my diagnosis.” McShain-Suson went on to describe the acceptance she felt after grieving the loss of future “key adult moments”. Her post was flooded with an outpouring of support from family, friends and followers. McShain-Suson, who studied psychology at Canterbury University, made her final TikTok on April 11. “Sorry for lack of update, I’m alive but very yellow and veiny and swollen on my stomach which has caused me to gain 7kg which is a lot for my proportions,” she said. The Herald spoke to McShain-Suson last year, shortly after her diagnosis, three weeks before her 21st birthday. Just weeks after returning from a holiday to Asia, the third-year psychology student began experiencing extreme fatigue at the start of the first semester in 2024. Dominique McShain-Suson was 20 when she was diagnosed with incurable colorectal cancer. Her symptoms escalated to include blood in her stools, alternating constipation and diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and a noticeable loss of appetite. When she felt her liver hard and enlarged, she visited her GP, leading to a series of tests. Blood tests suggested an infection, but a follow-up test a week later revealed further liver deterioration, prompting an emergency ultrasound. Kiwi influencer Dominique McShain-Suson died at age 21. Photo / Instagram That night, she was admitted to the hospital, where scans uncovered large tumours in her liver. A subsequent biopsy confirmed it was cancer. “Being told you have cancer was different because I was almost like, ‘Okay, I’ll beat it.’ But once I got the incurable diagnosis, that was devastating,” she said. “Everyone always seems to be guaranteed a future, and processing that you might not get that is really hard.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sean Suson (@ssean.francis) McShain-Suson said she wanted to spread the message that cancer can strike at any age, urging people to be aware of the early signs. “People don’t realise it’s such a blessing to grow old and have babies and do all these things. Now that I’ve had that opportunity taken away from me, I see things are a lot more of a blessing. “Nothing is guaranteed in your future.” An obituary for McShain-Suson was published on Funeral Chapels this week. “Diagnosed with the disease in 2024, Dominique’s fight was a testament to her strength and determination. “Despite the prognosis, she became a beacon of hope for many, using her personal experience to raise awareness about colorectal cancer. “Her advocacy efforts, including sharing her journey on social media platforms like TikTok, helped shed light on the often-overlooked disease, especially among younger adults.” Kiwi influencer Dominique McShain-Suson w... Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:10:13 Z /news/national/watch-anzac-day-2025-thousands-gather-for-commemorations-around-new-zealand/ /news/national/watch-anzac-day-2025-thousands-gather-for-commemorations-around-new-zealand/ Anzac Day services are under way around New Zealand today. The national remembrance day services begin at dawn and continue through the day. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will attend services in Gallipoli later today (NZT). Thousands have gathered for Anzac Day services around the country as Kiwis remember our fallen servicemen and women. Crowds flocked to Auckland Domain on Park Rd for the dawn service, which also recognises the past and present service of thousands of men and women in the country’s Army, Navy and Air Force. After a 5.45am parade, the service began at 6am at the Court of Honour and Cenotaph outside the Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum in the Domain. A light rain started to fall as the service began. “Let’s just pause in the dark and the silence and remember all those New Zealanders who have died in service,” Dr Stephen Clarke of Auckland RSA told those gathered. Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro gave the Anzac address, speaking first in tereo and then English. “From the darkness comes the dawning, oh you my ancestors. ..look now upon your descendants. We weep and pay our respects to you as you return … to your marae.” A special welcome to the people who have served, and those who are currently serving, Kiro said. “And we’re here to express our deep sorrow to those who never returned, or who subsequently died of their wounds.” It has been 80 years since World War II ended, Kiro noted, but added that the trauma of loss “lingers for generations”. To those serving now, “ we thank you”, understanding the toll it took, Kiro said. Auckland’s service was briefly disrupted when a soldier fainted and needed help from two fellow soldiers. Kiro then took part in the laying of the wreaths, one of which was laid on behalf of King Charles. Wreaths were also laid on behalf of the governments and people of New Zealand and Australia. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown laid a wreath on behalf of Aucklanders. The mayor of Arras, France, laid a wreath on behalf of the people of his city, which holds significant historical importance for Anzacs because of the 1917 battle where Australian and New Zealand troops fought alongside the British. New Zealand soldiers also contributed to a vital extensive underground tunnel system under Arras. Other wreaths were laid at the Auckland Domain dawn service on behalf of the RSA, police and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. In Wellington, the dawn service also began at 6am at the Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Buckle St, with the national commemoration to follow at the same site from 11am. The service began with the lament We Will Remember Them played on the bagpipes. FOLLOW THE LIVE BLOG HERE: 24 April, 11:13 am Anzac Day: Why NZ remembers The country comes together on Friday April 25 to commemorate Anzac Day. The commemorations, which recognise the 2779 New Zealand soldiers and more than 8700 Australian troops who died at Gallipoli, also serve as a wider remembrance for all those who have served their country in times of war. The red poppy worn on April 25 has become a symbol for this remembrance and is recognised the world over. Anzac Day is a public holiday and most shops are closed until 1pm. 07:00 am Auckland veteran taken away by ambulance officers A veteran in the Auckland crowd has been taken away by ambulance officers. Vanguard Military School is now performing a haka as the dawn service at Auckland Domain nears its end. 06:58 am Christopher Luxon 'walking in the footsteps' of Anzacs Nothing in my life has been quite as humbling and moving as walking in the footsteps of the ANZACs.Earlier, I toured the battlefields and cemeteries around the Gallipoli Peninsula – including here at Shrapnel Valley and Plugge's Plateau.We must never forget the service of our… pic.twitter.com/VZQQKamCgo— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) April 24, 2025 06:53 am National anthems ring out at Auckland Domain Both Anzac c... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:07:58 Z /news/national/north-shore-fire-firefighters-left-trapped-above-flames-after-equipment-failure-union-says/ /news/national/north-shore-fire-firefighters-left-trapped-above-flames-after-equipment-failure-union-says/ Two firefighters had to be rescued during Auckland’s North Shore fire after their aerial unit malfunctioned. The union claims it is another example of an ageing, poorly-maintained fleet of fire trucks. Fire and Emergency says staff safety is of “prime importance” and the truck will remain out of action until the fault is fixed. Two firefighters had to be rescued while battling a huge blaze at an industrial business after their aerial unit broke down, leaving them trapped above the flames. The New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union said each of the backup options to bring the basket down failed, including a “last resort” manual lever which broke off in a firefighter’s hand. Vice president Martin Campbell said this was another example of an ageing and poorly-maintained fleet, and the consequences could have been serious. Fire and Emergency New Zealand said staff safety was “of prime importance”. While the agency had been unable to replicate the fault yet in testing, the truck would remain out of action until the issue was fixed. Fire and Emergency crews were called to the large fire at the recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm yesterday. Witnesses reported seeing multiple fire trucks rushing to the scene, with toxic smoke visible across the city. Bronwyn Patterson, who lives two streets from the blaze, told the Herald“ things went boom, with projectiles going into the air”. “Things landed in our backyard, maybe they were paper, plastic, or it could’ve been bits of roof,” she said. “The smoke was very black.” This morning Campbell told the Herald part of the emergency response went badly awry when one of the aerial units malfunctioned with two firefighters in the basket above the flames. Firefighters in Wairau Valley battle the huge blaze - locals were told to avoid the area and close all doors and windows. Photo / Caleb Timms “It’s sort of semi computer-operated, the operators will tell a computer where to send the aerial basket to. For whatever reason, that computer shut down and stopped working,” he said. The usual steps of turning it off and on again and other troubleshooting failed to work, and emergency backup procedures failed, he said. “One of the emergency manual levers actually broke off in a firefighter’s hand,” he said, which had been the “last resort” to bring the basket down. “The firefighters stuck above the fire were directly impacted by the embers and smoke . . . they were in a pretty precarious place. “It wasn’t immediately dangerous but if they couldn’t have been rescued within a reasonable amount of time they were certainly going to run out of air.” Another aerial appliance had to be used to rescue the trapped firefighters. Firefighters battled a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore last night, with locals urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke. Photo / Dean Purcell. The union hopes Fire and Emergency will withdraw the appliance to investigate why it broke down, and whether anything could have been done to prevent it. Campbell said the broken appliance was at least a decade old, and the one that rescued the staff was nearly 20 years old. He was aware that one of the trucks on the fleet is due to be retired in six months, but it is not the unit that broke down. “This is just another unfortunate symptom of the ageing fleet of aerial appliances that Fire and Emergency has. “It [Fire and Emergency] always says, ‘Our fleet is well-maintained and regularly serviced’. Well, quite frankly, that’s just bollocks. “Every time there’s a major fire one or more of these aerial trucks is breaking down. That’s not symptomatic of a fleet that is well-maintained or regularly serviced.” Campbell has not had a chance to speak directly to the two staff involved, but said he could imagine what they were going through while they were trapped. Region commander Ron Devlin confirmed in a statement the aerial component of the appliance... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 19:02:13 Z /news/national/anzac-weekend-more-severe-weather-heavy-rain-on-way-for-northland-auckland/ /news/national/anzac-weekend-more-severe-weather-heavy-rain-on-way-for-northland-auckland/ Heavy rain is set to hit Northland, with potential for heavy falls from Saturday. MetService advises Northland and Auckland residents to stay updated on forecasts due to weather uncertainty. The South Island is expected to have settled weather, with sunny afternoons in Christchurch. While holidaymakers gear up for another long weekend, a bout of heavy rain is set to lash Northland and Auckland for the second successive weekend. MetService said most of the country is in for a dry but cool Anzac Day, with forecasts looking more favourable for outdoor activities around the South Island. But within a day, things are set to take a turn for the worse. The wet weather on the way is linked to an area of warm, humid air, so the potential for heavy falls will accompany the rain. MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said an area of concern this weekend was the top of the country, which might be in for its second wet weekend in a row. Severe flooding on Sandringham Rd in Auckland. Photo / Hayden Woodward Last week, ex-tropical Cyclone Tam brought intense downpours and thunderstorms to the North Island that caused devastating flooding and left thousands in the dark during widespread power outages. “There is a lot of uncertainty around this weather system and how much rain it may bring, so it’s advised to keep up with the latest forecasts,” Ferris said. He told the Herald the various models were showing a wide spread of forecasts, which made it difficult to assess how severe the rain would be. While holidaymakers gear up for another long weekend, a new dose of heavy rain is set to lash Northland and Auckland. Photo / ob体育接口 Ferris said there was “definitely potential for heavy rain in the mix”. It was too far in advance to issue any warnings or watches, he said. MetService said that through tomorrow, the risk of rain drifted southward and by midday on Saturday, rain looked likely for areas north of Taupō. What is on the cards for your Anzac Day commemoration plans? MetService said cloudier skies and spells of rain are expected for Northland on Anzac Day, but temperatures for the dawn service are likely to hold around the mid-teens. “Working our way down the country, hugging the eastern coast of the North Island is where a risk of passing showers exist for dawn services, so bring a raincoat. “Moving away from those areas, it will be chilly temperatures that people need to prepare for, with 2C forecast for Taupō, Masterton and Alexandra,” MetService said. Niwa said dry weather is expected nearly everywhere, with just a couple of showers in the Far North and West Coast on Friday. “Dress warm! Chilly temperatures in the single numbers will be common,” Niwa said. At this stage, no severe weather watches or warnings are in place for the long weekend. South Island weather - most settled in NZ MetService said that generally, the South Island is where the weather is most settled this long weekend. After a run of quite gloomy days in Christchurch, where the MetService airport station detected only 7.8 hours of sunshine over 10 days (between Monday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 23), people can look forward to a few sunny afternoons for the long weekend. MetService said temperatures in Christchurch are expected to climb into the 20s on Sunday. Some showers would be sprinkled down the West Coast, perhaps a little more widespread on Sunday. “People heading out into the hills around Nelson and Tasman will need to keep an eye on the forecast as there’s the possibility of rain setting in on Saturday,” Lewis said. “While some areas will need to keep the raincoats on hand, many parts of the country can look forward to some moments of sunshine. Make sure to keep up with the latest MetService forecast over the long weekend.” Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:58:53 Z /news/national/auckland-north-shore-fire-helicopter-crew-captures-extent-of-devastating-inferno/ /news/national/auckland-north-shore-fire-helicopter-crew-captures-extent-of-devastating-inferno/ Pilots from Inflite Limited Helicopters captured birds-eye footage of the Wairau Valley inferno. The 50-second clip shows the extent of damage from the enormous fire at the Hillside Rd site. Fire and Emergency advises people to stay inside and close the windows. Helicopter footage has revealed the full scale of the massive fire on Auckland’s North Shore, with thick black smoke and intense flames pouring from a commercial property. Pilots from Inflite Limited Helicopters shot the footage about 6pm as they circled the large blaze on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley. The 50-second video shows a large plume of black smoke pouring across the industrial area, and bright orange flames rearing from the building’s roof. A large plume of black smoke was seen pouring out of a building in Auckland's Wairau Valley. Photo / Inflite Limited Helicopters A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said crews were alerted to a well-involved fire at a recycling plant on Hillside Rd in Wairau Valley at 5.24pm. “It is understood there are batteries on fire inside the factory and the fire is producing large amounts of smoke,” they said. “The fire is now at Alert Level 5. Multiple fire crews from across Auckland are responding. “We ask people in the area to stay inside and close windows due to the smoke.” Fire fighters are tonight battling a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore, with locals urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke. New Zealand Herald photograph by Dean Purcell Residents have been told there is no immediate need to evacuate unless advised to do so. “Roads have been closed in the area. Please stay away so our crews can get on with the job of extinguishing the fire.” A local board member says a temporary safe space is open for the public during the fire. “If you need to evacuate and need shelter, Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James St has kindly offered temporary space and will stay open as long as needed,” Kaipātiki Local Board member John Gillion said. “If you are hurt or injured, please call 111 or visit hospital to be checked.” Firefighters are tonight battling a huge industrial fire on Auckland's North Shore, with locals urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke. Photo / Dean Purcell “The smell of the smoke is awful, and it looks massive from Bayview,” a local said on Facebook. The smoke was visible across the city, with photos from Parnell showing the giant black plume rising into the air. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:51:29 Z /news/national/auckland-north-shore-fire-live-updates-giant-fireball-emergency-alert-for-wairau-valley-blaze/ /news/national/auckland-north-shore-fire-live-updates-giant-fireball-emergency-alert-for-wairau-valley-blaze/ A thick black cloud of smoke is billowing from a blaze on Auckland’s North Shore. The fire is believed to be at a commercial premises on Hillside Rd, Wairau Valley. Multiple fire trucks have been seen heading across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. A thick black cloud of smoke is billowing from a blaze at an address on Auckland’s North Shore. As firefighters battle the huge blaze, locals have been told to avoid the area and close all doors and windows. The smoke is believed to be pouring from a fire in the area of Hillside Rd, Wairau Valley. The fire is at the Abilities Group recycling plant, with management saying tonight they are “heartbroken”.A large fireball could be seen erupting from the scene. “The smell of the smoke is awful, and it looks massive from Bayview,” a resident said on Facebook. A worker from a rock climbing gym close by said they “called the fire brigade” and saw “big grey fumes”. A thick black cloud of smoke is billowing from a blaze at an address on Auckland’s North Shore. Photo / Facebook Another witness reported seeing multiple fire trucks heading across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The smoke is visible across the city, with photos from Parnell showing the smoke cloud rising into the air. Smoke from the North Shore fire is visible from Parnell. Photo / Matt Martel An emergency alert was sent out by Fire and Emergency New Zealand urging people nearby to stay indoors. North Shore councillor Richard Hills said he has also told locals to be careful. “As you will have seen there is a very large and very serious industrial fire on Hillside Rd, Glenfield/Wairau. “I hope everyone is okay. Thank you to Fire and Emergency NZ who are on site leading this difficult work.” Nearby residents have been urged to stay inside to avoid toxic smoke. Photo / Dean Purcell He told people nearby: Stay away from the area and close doors and windows if they are in the area. Follow the advice of emergency services and leave the area if this is required. Do not travel to the area if they do not need to, keep the area clear for emergency services and for those who may want to or may have to leave the area. If they are safe to stay in the area, remain indoors and shut windows and doors. Turn off air conditioning or switch to “recirculate”. Keep pets inside with clean water and food and keep pets’ bedding inside if possible. Smoke inhalation can be particularly dangerous for certain groups, including elderly or pregnant people, young children, those with a heart or lung condition, such as asthma or heart disease. Abilities Group management tonight posted on social media about the fire. “We’re heartbroken to share that a fire has caused severe damage to our recycling charity premises,” the post read. “Thankfully, no one was hurt, but much of what we’ve built together over the years has been lost. “We’re working with the authorities, and are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages. “That’s all we can say for now at this challenging time. Thank you for standing with us.” Nearby resident Lachy Chor told the Herald a Fire and Emergency crew member told them to go upstairs and close all the windows and doors. Chor lives next to the Abilities Group recycling centre, where the smoke is pouring from. Chor said there “are so many fire trucks, I’ve never seen so many”. “I can hardly see anything out of my windows.” A large fireball is seen during the blaze in Wairau Valley. Photo / Breana Drummond Police said they are assisting with cordons on Hillside Rd and Hillside Rd/Diana Drive. Hills’ advice also said “if you experience shortness of breath, wheezing, asthma or chest pain please see your doctor immediately or call 111″. “For health advice you can also call Healthline for free anytime on 0800 611 116.” Kaipātiki Local Board member John Gillio also urged people to “please keep away as the smoke could be toxic”. “If you need to evacuate and need shelter, Glenfield Baptist Church at 46 James St has kindly off... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 08:42:17 Z /news/national/trailer-stolen-from-napier-rsa-won-t-cause-anzac-day-stink/ /news/national/trailer-stolen-from-napier-rsa-won-t-cause-anzac-day-stink/ A trailer has been stolen from Napier RSA in an early-morning theft just before Anzac Day. Chief executive Anne Woolrich said the trailer was stolen with its wheel lock still on it by someone in a white vehicle with a black roof, resembling a Suzuki Jimny, at 5.24am on Wednesday. The theft was caught on the RSA’s CCTV camera, but it didn’t show the offending vehicle’s licence plate. There was nothing of real value in the trailer and the theft would not have any effect on Napier RSA’s Anzac Day celebrations, Woolrich said. “It’s just an empty trailer that we use on our dump runs. “It’s just a hassle and it will be an insurance claim.” Woolrich said the RSA had made a complaint to police online about the theft but, as at 1pm today, had not heard back. She had a simple message for the thieves. “We’d like it back.” Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and spent the last 15 years working in radio and media in Auckland, London, Berlin, and Napier. He reports on all stories relevant to residents of the region. Police asked that, if anyone had information in relation to the vehicle involved, or the incident, they should contact police on 105 or online, using the reference 250423/9978. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:56:03 Z /news/business/anti-trans-posts-pass-muster-under-meta-s-new-hate-speech-rules/ /news/business/anti-trans-posts-pass-muster-under-meta-s-new-hate-speech-rules/ Meta’s top public policy officials issued an unexpected warning last year to the company’s Oversight Board: Two upcoming cases, involving videos about trans people, should be treated with extreme sensitivity. Top executives rarely discuss the inner workings of specific cases with the board, a tribune of journalists, analysts and experts who oversee the social media giant’s treatment of controversial posts. Although the two executives - Joel Kaplan and Nick Clegg, who has since left the company - stopped short of telling the board how to rule, they said the cases were particularly sensitive given the fraught political debate about the rights of trans people in the United States, according to three people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private deliberations. The Oversight Board sided with Meta on lWednesday and ruled that the two posts about trans people didn’t violate the company’s hate-speech rules. The board’s decisions on specific cases are considered binding. The ruling focuses on disparaging comments accompanying two videos, one showing a trans woman using a woman’s bathroom and another showing a trans girl winning a female sports competition. The videos and posts responding to them circulated on social media last year. In both cases, Meta determined that while posts about the videos questioned a trans person’s gender identity, they didn’t violate its rules against hate speech or harassment. Both posts came to the Oversight Board’s attention after being reshared by conservative activist Chaya Raichik, who operates several controversial social media accounts known as Libs of TikTok, according to four people familiar with the matter. Raichik’s social media accounts have become a fixture in American politics, and she has amassed an audience of millions while routinely attacking the cultural acceptance of trans people. Libs of TikTok has been blamed for sparking threats at hospitals and encouraging restrictions on LGBTQ+ -related content in schools. Raichik said the allegations about hospitals are false. The Oversight Board’s ruling is the first major test of Meta’s latest efforts to rebrand itself for a MAGA-dominated Washington. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg pledged in January to take the company back to its roots by “restoring free expression” after years of what he said were too many restrictions on speech. That same month, Meta weakened its hate-speech rules, offering users greater freedom to call for gender-based restrictions in bathrooms, sports and specific schools, and to characterise gay people as mentally ill. The Oversight Board as a whole said the posts didn’t violate Meta’s new or old hate-speech rules because they did not directly attack people based on their gender identity. A minority on the board argued that the posts would have violated Meta’s old hate-speech rules before the changes in January. The board on Wednesday also issued a broader critique of Meta’s latest policy changes, including calling on the social media giant to improve how it enforces violations of its bullying and harassment rules. The Oversight Board planned to release the gender identity case ruling, among several others, next week but moved up the announcement to Wednesday after a Washington Post reporter requested comment this week on the pending ruling. Ayobami Olugbemiga, a spokesperson for the Oversight Board, said the group would offer a comment for this report by the end of Tuesday (local time) but did not. Meta spokesman Corey Chambliss said in a statement on Wednesday the company appreciates “the work of the Oversight Board” and welcomes its decisions. Clegg didn’t respond to a request for comment. Even before Wednesday’s ruling, the board’s judgment on the gender identity cases had become a lightning rod among social media policy watchers, attracting scores of comments about how the group should rule, including from LGTBQ+ advocacy groups and conservative critics. The ruling could a... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:47:59 Z /news/politics/act-ramping-up-pressure-on-national-party-minister-scott-simpson-over-acc-ethnic-outcome-targets/ /news/politics/act-ramping-up-pressure-on-national-party-minister-scott-simpson-over-acc-ethnic-outcome-targets/ Act MP Laura McClure sent a letter raising her concerns to the ACC minister earlier this week. Act contends the ACC tender contradicts a Cabinet Office circular about public service delivery. ACC Minister Scott Simpson disagrees and believes the tender aligns with the circular. The Act Party is seeking to ramp up pressure on a National Party minister over a disagreement concerning ACC’s “ethnic outcome targets”. Act today published a letter sent by MP Laura McClure to ACC Minister Scott Simpson this week that claimed a tender issued by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) was “inconsistent” with a Cabinet Office circular, which dictates public service delivery should be based on need, not race. The tender sought a supplier that could “deliver evidence-based initiatives to reduce work-related injuries in the manufacturing sector”. Central to Act’s concerns was the tender’s stated focus on Māori and Pasifika communities, including what McClure described in her letter as “ethnic outcome targets” of 5461 claims being saved in 10 years and of those, at least 18% must be from Māori and 11% from Pasifika. “The circular makes clear that ethnicity should not be used as a proxy for need and that services must be justified through empirical evidence about actual disparities and why general services are insufficient to address them,” McClure said in her letter to Simpson, dated April 22. ”ACC does not appear to have made an analytical case for targeting a particular population subgroup based on empirical evidence, as required by the circular. “Is it the view of the minister that Māori or Pasifika are inherently more susceptible to workplace accidents? If ACC has shared any data suggesting that the difference in injury rates cannot be explained by other factors such as the risks associated with a particular job, please share this with me.” ACC Minister Scott Simpson (left) during a privileges committee hearing. Photo / Mark Mitchell While first reported by Newsroom today, the Herald understands Act and Simpson’s office attempted to resolve the issue privately last week, but efforts to agree were unsuccessful. In correspondence seen by the Herald, it’s understood staff from the Act’s leader’s office first contacted Simpson’s office to discuss the matter when it was raised by Newsroom. Act’s office then received a response from Simpson’s, which argued the tender’s conditions did align with the circular. It noted how 18% of work-related weekly compensation claims in manufacturing in 2024 affected Māori despite their being only 14% of the workforce, and 11% impacted Pacific people, who were 10% of the workforce. Simpson’s office also highlighted the circular allowed for Crown entities such as ACC to comply “as far as possible, taking into account their legal obligations, statutory functions and duties”. In Act’s social media post two days after the letter was sent, it claimed there was “no evidence to suggest Māori and Pasifika are inherently more injury-prone than other workers”. “Using race as a proxy for vulnerability is lazy and unscientific,” the post read. Simpson’s office has been contacted for comment. In a statement, ACC deputy chief executive Andy Milne said he believed the tender “aligns with the Government’s desire for services to be based on need“. “While there is a targeted focus on outcomes to be achieved for Māori and Pacific communities, the tender invites suppliers to lead programmes and initiatives focused on outcomes for the wider sector, including all individuals and communities within it.” Adam Pearse is the deputy political editor and part of the NZ Herald’s press gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for ob体育接口 since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:40:12 Z /news/sport/former-black-caps-batter-colin-munro-accuses-opponent-of-chucking-during-pakistan-super-league-match/ /news/sport/former-black-caps-batter-colin-munro-accuses-opponent-of-chucking-during-pakistan-super-league-match/ Former Black Caps batter Colin Munro has accused an opponent of chucking during a heated exchange in a Pakistan Super League match. Munro, playing for Islamabad United, was on strike in the third ball of the 10th over, facing Multan Sultans spinner Iftikhar Ahmed. After seeing off the delivery, Munro immediately complained to the umpire while motioning a throwing action. Players from both teams got into a heated argument before the umpires interviewed and instructed players to resume the match. Munro would depart for 45 in the next over with Ahmed taking the catch off a Michael Bracewell delivery. But it was Munro who had the last laugh, with his side chasing down 169 to claim a seven-wicket win to stay unbeaten through five games and sit at the top of the table. The incident wasn’t addressed post-match by the captains. Last week, Munro claimed the record for the most half-centuries by a foreign player in the Pakistan Super League, with 13. Munro hasn’t played for the Black Caps since February 2020, opting to play in domestic leagues around the world, which has included stints in Australia, England and the Caribbean. He first played in Pakistan in 2018 and has played 44 games for Islamabad. There are a host of New Zealanders playing in Pakistan, with Finn Allen and Kyle Jamieson at the Quetta Gladiators, Daryl Mitchell plays for the Lahore Qalandars, and Tim Seifert is at the Karachi Kings. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:18:37 Z /news/sport/wellington-phoenix-retain-giancarlo-italiano-after-head-coach-signs-new-deal/ /news/sport/wellington-phoenix-retain-giancarlo-italiano-after-head-coach-signs-new-deal/ Giancarlo Italiano will remain as head coach of the Wellington Phoenix after signing a new contract with the A-League club. Italiano has put pen to paper for another season, with an option for a further year. The 42-year-old’s role had come under scrutiny after the team’s disappointing campaign this season, where they sit 11th in the standings with six wins, six draws and 12 defeats. But the club has opted to back “Chiefy” after he oversaw their most successful season last term when they missed out on a maiden Premiership, finishing in second spot, and a grand final berth. Italiano said the disappointment of this season has made him even hungrier to succeed. “I love the club,” said Italiano. “I’ve been here for a long time and I feel like this season was not ideal. “I have a little bit of unfinished business and I want to make sure that I can take the club forward. “Staying wasn’t something that I had to think long and hard about. I want to leave this place and leave the club in a better place than this season.” What hasn’t helped the Phoenix’s struggles is the unprecedented success of Auckland FC, who need only a draw against the Perth Glory this weekend to clinch the premiers plate in their inaugural season. The Phoenix lost all three derby matches, including a 6-1 hammering in February that was one of the club’s worst losses in their history. David Ball was among the players to leave the Phoenix this season. Photo / Photosport On the field, the Phoenix have been plagued with issues this season with captain Alex Rufer missing time with illness, and a steady flow of injuries. There have been lots of departures with the likes of David Ball, Oskar van Hattum and Marco Rojas moving on during the season. The Phoenix also lost some of their young core with Alex Paulsen, Ben Old and Finn Surman securing deals overseas. “Last year’s success, I remember at the beginning of the season everyone wrote us off and there are people in this room that said that we’ll come dead last and we were able to hit heights that no one thought that we could,” said Italiano. “This season the expectation was a lot higher, but I think also people need to understand that when you have a lot of turnover of players it’s going to affect consistency, playing style, and so on. “Everyone looks at it as a bad thing, but I actually look at it as a great opportunity for us to move forward. “There’s a lot of boys this season that have been given a lot of game time that otherwise wouldn’t have if we were at full compliment, so that’s been a great thing, which puts us in a better stead for next season because those boys now won’t be inexperienced.” With two games left this season, planning can now begin on preparing for the 2025/26 campaign. Italiano said he’d like to retain Francisco Geraldes, who joined the Phoenix in February on loan, while a host of other players are off contract. “I’m going to sit down over the next couple of weeks and just map out what I think is best for the squad, and then I’ll just go from there,” said Italiano. “I think that’s, for a large part, one of the reasons why I decided to continue. “If I felt as though there weren’t enough resources, I don’t think [it] would have been a good fit for either of us, but I feel like there’s enough there that we can move forward. “Probably looking at bringing in one or two creative options, potentially a defender or two.” Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:12:42 Z /news/crime/st-johns-rd-homicide-court-appearance-for-16yo-charged-with-murder-32yo-woman-also-arrested/ /news/crime/st-johns-rd-homicide-court-appearance-for-16yo-charged-with-murder-32yo-woman-also-arrested/ A 16-year-old appeared in court charged with aggravated robbery and murder after the death of Kyle Whorrall. Whorrall, a 33-year-old PhD student, was attacked at an Auckland bus stop. A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. The teenager accused of murdering 33-year-old American entomology student Kyle Whorrall has been remanded in custody. He appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with aggravated robbery and murder. His case has been transferred to the High Court at Auckland for his next appearance on May 14. As a youth, he has automatic name suppression. A 32-year-old, charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, also appeared and was granted interim name suppression. Charging documents seen by the Herald allege she “actively suppressed” evidence against the teen by selling a car to help him escape after arrest. She has been remanded until the same date without plea. Auckland University student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop and died later in hospital. Police say two occupants of the erratically-driven vehicle attacked Whorrall while he was sitting alone at a bus stop in Meadowbank on Saturday night. Whorrall was struck with a “long” weapon at around 10pm, suffering multiple head injuries, and later died in hospital. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said this morning police had executed a search warrant late yesterday afternoon at an address in Beach Haven, on Auckland’s North Shore. “A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder.” Police had “obtained further information” about a black SUV that became the subject of a media appeal when Baldwin held a press conference about the case on Tuesday. “The Operation Aberfeldy team commenced investigations into this vehicle of interest and its movements. “I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination under way.” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin Police at a stand-up earlier this week about the fatal St Johns Rd bus stop attack. Photo / Michael Craig Baldwin said police were aware there were other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crime. “This investigation is by no means over. “Our inquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest, and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us.” Baldwin acknowledged the support of the community, and further afield. “There has been a stream of information that has come into us, and we are working through this. “We value and appreciate the community support.” Baldwin said police were still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night. Vigil held for Kyle Whorrall at Meadowbank bus stop On Thursday morning a tearful vigil was held at a bus stop on St Johns Rd to pay tribute to Whorrall. Kyle’s flatmates, who described themselves as his “chosen family”, broke down as they tried to speak. “He was gentle, he was kind, he was very thoughtful,” one of the five flatmates said. They loved how he would “geek out” over the “weirdest things” that he would love. They said he was passionate, about more than just bugs. Kyle Whorrall's flatmates at a vigil for him at St Johns Rd on April 24, 2025. Photo / Dean Purcell He loved sewing and his stuffed animals and was a fantastic friend. He was a master board game player and was very social despite his shy nature. “He cared so deeply about what he did… the sweetest person.” The person holding the ceremony, from the St John’s Theological College, shared messages from Whorrall’s family overseas and the community. A GoFundMe has been set up to support Whorrall’s family. To donate please click here “His life was taken in a foreign land. This tragedy has affected us all very deeply. So today we gather here to show our aroha f... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 03:00:31 Z /news/entertainment/anzac-day-five-tv-series-and-films-about-war-and-sacrifice-to-watch-this-weekend/ /news/entertainment/anzac-day-five-tv-series-and-films-about-war-and-sacrifice-to-watch-this-weekend/ From emotionally charged, visceral blockbusters to stark anti-war films, Entertainment Reporter Mitchell Hageman breaks down the war stories to watch this weekend, and why you should see them. There’s no shortage of harrowing on-screen stories showcasing the heroism and sacrifices made by those who fought for their country, and Anzac Day serves as the perfect time to watch, reflect, and learn from these works. Band of Brothers (2001) For those who want a raw look at camaraderie. Band of Brothers was critically acclaimed for its realism and respect for its subjects. This 2001 Steven Spielberg-produced series, based on the non-fiction Stephen E. Ambrose book, is often described as the best screen-based work about war of all time - and it’s abundantly clear why. Set during WWII, predominantly on the Western Front, the story follows the men of “Easy” Company, a parachute infantry regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, and their journey from the training grounds to the battlefield. There are plenty of bloody firefights with grim, raw, realistic detail, but where the series really shines is in its quieter moments. The pacing is realistic, and the men’s relationships and characterisations never come across as staged or overblown. Depictions of the D-Day Landings and the liberation of concentration camps are stark reminders of the pain and suffering the men went through, and moments away from the battlefield shed light on the complex personal situations these men went through. One of the more astounding features, however, is that the series also contains opening scenes with the real-life veterans portrayed in the show, all of whom praised its historical and military accuracy. By the end of the 10 episodes, viewers will likely be inspired to look deeper into the lives of those portrayed on screen, continuing to dwell on the vital memorial theme of Lest We Forget. Where to watch: Available to stream on Neon Chunuk Bair (1992) For a Kiwi boots-on-the-ground perspective. Chunuk Bair gives a Kiwi perspective of the harrowing WWI battle. Photo / NZ Film Commission Based on the 1982 play by Maurice Shadbolt, this big-screen adaptation is one that every Kiwi must watch at least once in their life. While not reaching the big budget heights of Band of Brothers, Chunuk Bair expertly focuses on the extreme hardships Kiwi soldiers endured during the Gallipoli campaign of WWI. Combining blunt Kiwi dialogue that includes deep philosophical conversations about the meaning of war, the film highlights a testy relationship between the British and the Kiwis, and how a failure in communication can ultimately lead to horrific consequences. Standout performances from Kevin J. Wilson (Colonel Connolly) and Robert Powell (Frank) anchor the incredible cast, with a small role also being filled by up-and-comer at the time, Karl Urban. There are firefights, heated monologues, and plenty of Kiwi-isms throughout, and while the execution and lack of high-budget effects leave something to be desired, it’s still empowering to have a war story we can call our own for the big screen. If you’re heading to an Anzac Day service this year, perhaps spend the afternoon afterwards sitting down to give this a go. Where to watch: Available to buy on DVD. Full Metal Jacket (1987) For those who want a stark anti-war film. Actors Matthew Modine and Arliss Howard on the set of Full Metal Jacket. Photo / Getty Images Many film buffs will remember the awkward scene in this film where a frightened Army private is being bombarded with obscenities by his drill sergeant. Full Metal Jacket does everything but glorify war and its purpose, instead deciding to focus on why turning soldiers into brutal killing machines isn’t the way forward. Director Stanley Kubrick focuses his camera on disturbing and dehumanising actions the US military allegedly took during the Vietnam War, with scenes depicting cruelty, self-harm, and mental anguish. Matthew Modine as the wisecracking James T. “J... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:26:28 Z /news/sport/zurich-classic-ryan-fox-teams-up-with-garrick-higgo-again-for-pga-tour-teams-event/ /news/sport/zurich-classic-ryan-fox-teams-up-with-garrick-higgo-again-for-pga-tour-teams-event/ Ryan Fox is a strong advocate of the notion that, sometimes on the golf course, it’s nice to have a friend. As Tiger Woods has stated at times through his career on the PGA Tour, golf can be a lonely sport at times – particularly when things aren’t going well. You can get advice from your caddie but it all boils down to the athlete against the course. It’s a different story this week in New Orleans for the Zurich Classic teams’ event. Fox will again be teeing off alongside South African Garrick Higgo, after the pair finished in a tie for fourth at the event in 2024. It’s a unique format; rounds one and three are contested in best-ball format (or four-ball) while rounds two and four are alternate shot (or foursomes). “We had a lot of fun last year. We played really well and just to be able to get out on a golf course with a mate and do that, I like that style of things; being able to talk, being able to have a bit more fun on the golf course, maybe take it just that little bit less seriously, just made it a bit easier in that respect,” Fox told the Herald. “This sort of kickstarted my season last year and I would certainly like to do something similar this year. I feel like my golf game’s close – I think I’ve said that to you every week for the past, probably, eight weeks. “There is a lot of good in there, Garrick’s playing really well as well so hopefully we can put it together.” The pair flew to New Orleans together after last weekend’s tournament in the Dominican Republic. Fox finished in a tie for 59th at even par for the tournament, making a good start but being unable to capitalise, then battling with the conditions in the weekend rounds. There was plenty of good golf in there for Fox, but he admits he made some frustrating mistakes throughout the event. Ryan Fox: 'You’ve got to celebrate your wins.' Photo / Photosport Higgo, who lost his tour card in 2024, won the event by one shot at –14, after American Joel Dahmen bogeyed the last three holes. “We were always planning on playing this week together and, you know, it’s certainly a nice bonus jumping on the form horse of last week as well,” Fox said. “We flew together on Sunday night; there might have been a little bit of rum drunk, there was a little bit of wine drunk on the flight. I’m a big believer in you’ve got to celebrate your wins in that regard. “He worked his butt off to get back to this point, and if you’ve got to be able to let your hair down and celebrate in those situations. He’s been pretty tame with everything this year, as I said, he’s been working really hard, so it didn’t take him a lot to get a little bit slurry, which was good. “We played some cards on the flight and everything and yeah, he deserved a celebration.” Friends off the course, their playing partnership worked well last year and Higgo will again play the same model of golf ball as Fox in the alternate-shot format. “That can be a little bit of a trip up if you get guys that play different model balls and everything, but Garrick last year was really happy to play my ball and liked it, so he’s doing the same again this year,” Fox confirmed. “So everything in that regard’s just been kind of easy. Coming back to a course where you’ve played well and got good memories, that’s always nice, and, you know. “I’ve seen him every week we’ve been in Jupiter [Florida] this year. I think he lives less than 100 yards from our house that we’re renting in Jupiter, just over the back fence. “So, when we’re both off, I’d see him multiple times a week, play social golf with him as well. It’s great to have a teammate like that, who’s a good friend and we can have a laugh, and we’re not putting pressure on ourselves or anything like that. “It’s just, go out, have a good time and, generally, if you can do that, it can translate into playing pretty well too.” Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing... Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:14:57 Z /news/national/woolworths-te-atat%C5%AB-closes-leaving-15-000-residents-without-a-supermarket-for-a-year/ /news/national/woolworths-te-atat%C5%AB-closes-leaving-15-000-residents-without-a-supermarket-for-a-year/ Fifteen thousand Te Atatū Peninsula residents will lose supermarket access for a year as Woolworths closes. Foodstuffs bought the site and plans to open a New World after refurbishing the building. Locals express concern over grocery access, needing to travel 3km-5km to the the nearest supermarkets. Fifteen thousand Auckland residents are today set to lose access to their suburb’s supermarket for one year as Te Atatū Peninsula’s Woolworths closes down. Woolworths Te Atatū supermarket shuts its doors for good at 6pm after rival company Foodstuffs bought the land it sits on with the intention of opening a New World supermarket on the site next year. The closure has left some locals concerned about their access to groceries, while Woolworths is today giving out treats to those visiting the store before its 6pm closure. Jason Stockill, the company’s New Zealand director of stores, said his team were saddened but also grateful for “many years of support”. “We will close early today [at 6pm] and be giving out small treats to customers shopping with us as our way of saying thank you,” Stockill said. “We’ll also be holding a catered dinner for our team to acknowledge the end of our chapter in Te Atatū.” Stockill said he was pleased many of the store’s staff had been able to continue working with Woolworth’s nearby supermarkets. Others had alternately “decided to make a change and move on to new opportunities, and we wish them all the best”, he said. “We look forward to continuing to serve many locals at our Te Atatū South and other nearby stores, and through online shopping.” Foodstuffs North Island earlier announced it had bought the Te Atatū Rd site and promised to refurbish and modernise the existing buildings ahead of opening a New World in over a year’s time. However, when the Woolworths closure date was announced last month, many shoppers told the Herald they were concerned. Shoppers will have to travel about 3km-5km to get to the nearest large supermarkets in Te Atatū South or Lincoln Rd, Henderson. “[It’s] not very good at all. I wouldn’t have a clue [where else to go],” one disgruntled shopper said last month. Another shopper, with kids in tow, said: “That’s pretty shocking, that’s a whole year without a supermarket.” “[It’s] not cool, especially for old people. Te Atatū South will be the closest. And I care for my mother-in-law, so I’m having to stay close,” another shopper said. Woolworths in Te Atatū Peninsula is giving out treats today as it closes its doors for good. Photo / Corey Fleming And people had mixed feelings about a New World replacing the store. “We’re just going to have to wait because they’ll give us a new one, and it’s about time, we’ve had this one for years,” one woman said. Waitākere councillor Shane Henderson said: “People want to get to the supermarket as conveniently as possible” so there was concern among residents that “things will be a bit tougher” in the meantime. “People will have to pop over the bridge probably more often than they usually would,” Henderson said. “I think people by and large will probably have to go all-in on click and collect and things like that. There’s different ways around things in the modern world these days.” The nearest supermarket to the peninsula is over 2.9km away from the Te Atatū Rd site at the corner of Te Atatū and Edmonton Rds in Te Atatū South. That Woolworths serves residents in its own suburb and Glendene and Kelston. Another supermarket serving the suburbs is more than 3.2km away at Kelston Mall, which itself is less than 2km from Woolworths Lynnmall. Heading west, the nearest supermarkets are the Woolworths and Pak’nSave in Henderson and Pak’nSave on Lincoln Rd, about 5km from the store set to close. Census 2023 found the population of Te Atatū Peninsula was 14,454. And in the three years since 2022, 1107 consents were issued for new homes, Statistics New Zealand data showed. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 01:33:39 Z /news/crime/cocaine-bust-five-duffle-bags-with-30m-worth-of-illicit-drug-found-in-auckland-business/ /news/crime/cocaine-bust-five-duffle-bags-with-30m-worth-of-illicit-drug-found-in-auckland-business/ Five duffle bags with cocaine worth nearly $30 million were found at a Mt Wellington business. Police and Customs are investigating the container’s movements and destination after its transit through Central America. No arrests have been made; Police urge anyone with information to contact them. Five duffel bags stacked with bricks of cocaine valued at close to $30m have been discovered at an Auckland business. Police said they were called to a Mt Wellington premises on Carbine Rd yesterday, after a worker unloading a shipping container of building materials found the bags. Auckland City CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Darvill said more than 75 packages of cocaine wrapped in cellophane were located in the duffel bags. Five duffle bags stacked with bricks of cocaine valued at close to $30 million have been unpacked at a Mount Wellington business. Photo / NZ Police “An investigation between police and customs is now under way following yesterday’s seizure. “The joint investigation will focus on the movements of the container and its eventual destination,” he said. “What we do know is that the container transited through Central America in late March 2025 on its way to New Zealand,” Darvill said. Five duffle bags stacked with bricks of cocaine valued at close to $30 million have been unpacked at a Mount Wellington business. Photo / NZ Police No arrests have been made, and at this stage police said they were not releasing any further details as investigations remain ongoing. Customs’ acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the border control agency was committed to working in collaboration with police to play their part in preventing drugs from reaching communities where they caused significant social harm. If you have any information that may assist the police in identifying and locating those involved in the supply of drugs or organised criminal groups you can report information to the police via 105 if it’s after the fact or 111 if it is happening now. Thu, 24 Apr 2025 01:23:23 Z /news/national/rotorua-man-charged-with-abducting-3-year-old-from-daycare-for-sex/ /news/national/rotorua-man-charged-with-abducting-3-year-old-from-daycare-for-sex/ Warning: This article contains distressing content.  John Tekuru, 19, appeared in court today charged with abducting a 3-year-old girl for sex.  Judge Joanne Wickliffe granted permanent name suppression for the daycare centre to protect the girl’s identity.  Tekuru was remanded in custody until an appearance on May 14.  A man has appeared in the Rotorua District Court charged with abducting a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua early childhood centre for sex.  John Tekuru, 19, has entered no plea to the charge of unlawfully taking the girl with the intent to have sexual connection with her on March 10.  Judge Joanne Wickliffe has permanently suppressed the name of the daycare centre.  Tekuru first appeared in court on March 11 but details surrounding the case were suppressed, along with his name.  Tekuru’s lawyer, Lisa Robertson appearing on behalf of Scott Mills, said there were no grounds for continued name suppression and therefore didn’t seek it.  Mike Olphert appeared on behalf of the early childhood centre and asked for permanent suppression of the daycare centre to protect the identity of the girl.  Crown prosecutor Anna McConachy did not oppose the application and Judge Wickliffe granted it.  McConachy asked for a report to be carried out.  Judge Wickliffe remanded Tekuru in custody until May 14 when he would need to plead to the charge.  The charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.  Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.  Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:04:32 Z /news/national/auckland-family-left-without-power-for-six-days-unable-to-flush-toilets-forced-to-throw-out-food/ /news/national/auckland-family-left-without-power-for-six-days-unable-to-flush-toilets-forced-to-throw-out-food/ A rural north Auckland family was left without power for six days last week.  They were forced to throw out food and couldn’t flush the toilet.  Vector says they are investigating what happened.  A rural north Auckland family were left without power for six days amid Cyclone Tam, forcing them to throw out food and pour water down the toilet to flush it.  Te Arai resident Sarah-Jane Capstick told the Herald they lost power to their property at midnight on Wednesday last week.  “We were prepared, we had a little bit of gas for our gas cookers, and were thinking it would be out for a day or two because we were rural.”  She was initially told an equipment fault caused the power outage.  “After the next day, because the weather was terrible, I asked who was going to pay for all the stuff we are losing. They said it was because of a weather event.”  The Capstick family from rural Auckland were left without power for six days, leaving them unable to eat hot meals or wash their dishes. Photo / Supplied  Areas of the North Island were hammered by ex-tropical Cyclone Tam last week.  Vector told Capstick the power would be turned on by 6pm on Thursday.  She called back about 5pm, asking for an update and was told it might be restored about 7pm or 8pm, she said.  She called back at 8pm asking for an update and was told the power may come back on at 4.30pm the next day.  This Monday, after telling Vector there was an 8-month-old baby in the household who needed feed bottles, Capstick was told the house had been prioritised.  “I rang up at 6pm and asked what was going on, and was told we were high-priority. They twice assured me they were sending someone out to our property, but no one has turned up.”  Eventually, the power was restored about 9.10pm.  Northpower crews endure rain and wind in efforts to restore power to Northland homes as ex-tropical Cyclone Tam hit last week. Photo / Northpower  Capstick claimed the Vector repair officer told her: “Whoever was in charge of checking the lines and fuses either never bothered to come up this far down the road or simply never did their job.”  Because of their rural location, the family’s house relies on tank water, which requires electricity to run the pump.  Capstick said they were forced to scoop water out of the tank to wash hands and do the dishes.  “We have had gas cookers going, but it’s costing so much for the gas cans, it’s not doable,” she said.  “We also had a generator, but you can only run it for so long because it costs so much to run.”  The family were forced to throw away all the food in their refrigerator and couldn’t eat hot meals for almost a week.  Capstick said the family couldn’t wash the dishes or flush the toilet.  “We’ve had to scoop water out of the tank and pour it down the toilet.”  Capstick said she wanted Vector to apologise and reimburse them.  “We have just been silenced,” she said. “I don’t think they care.”  A Vector spokesperson said the energy company was aware the house was without power for an extended period.  “This was understandably frustrating, particularly with young children.  “Our crews attended the property and restored power on Monday night. We’re dealing with this customer’s complaint directly to investigate why this happened.”  David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023. He covers breaking news and general topics.  Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:24:36 Z /news/business/boeing-says-china-not-accepting-planes-over-us-tariffs/ /news/business/boeing-says-china-not-accepting-planes-over-us-tariffs/ Boeing has confirmed that China has stopped accepting new aircraft because of the US-China trade war, as the company’s shares surged after a smaller-than-expected loss.  In a televised interview with CNBC, Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg said Chinese customers had “stopped taking delivery of aircraft due to the tariff environment”, adding that, if the halt continued, the aviation giant would soon market the jets to other carriers.  United States President Donald Trump’s trade conflicts with China and other countries loom as a question mark for Boeing, a major US exporter, despite this week’s solid financial results.  Boeing planned to deliver about 50 aircraft to China this year, Ortberg said, adding that it wouldn’t “wait too long” to send the planes to other customers.  “I’m not going to let this derail the recovery of our company, so we’ll give the customers an opportunity if they want to take the airplanes.  “That’s what we prefer to do. But if not, we’re gonna remarket those airplanes.”  The comments came as Trump and top administration officials have started talking more optimistically about a trade accord with China.  However, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Wednesday that Washington was “not yet” speaking to Beijing about tariffs.  Boeing’s engagement with the White House on trade had been “very dynamic”, Ortberg said on a conference call with analysts.  “I can’t predict” the course of trade talks, he added.  “We do hear signs that indicate that there will be negotiated settlements ... I just don’t know the timing.”  A priority was “to make sure we don’t see more countries in a similar boat as where we are with China”, he said.  Boeing downplayed the impact of Trump’s tariffs, saying steel and aluminium made up only 1% or 2% of aircraft costs, with most of the raw material supplied domestically.  US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the US and China are still not talking formally about a tariffs deal. Photo / Chris Kleponis, CNP, Bloomberg via Getty Images  Under a US duty drawback scheme, Boeing can recover customs duties on certain goods when it exports the taxed items.  The company reported a loss of US$123 million (NZ$207m) in the first quarter, smaller than the $343m loss in the corresponding quarter a year ago. Revenues rose 18% to $19.5 billion.  In its earnings release, Boeing confirmed targets to raise commercial plane production as it bolsters its safety efforts after two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX planes and other major incidents.  It reaffirmed that production of its 737 MAX will hit 38 a month this year, while output of the 787 Dreamliner will climb to seven a month from five.  Boeing still expects the first delivery of its 777-9 next year.  It also reported a cash burn of $2.3b, “much better” than the expected $3.7b hit, according to analysts at TD Cowen.  On Tuesday, it announced plans to sell portions of its digital aviation solutions business to software-focused investment firm Thoma Bravo for $10.6b as it seeks to bolster its financial position.  Ortberg told analysts he was considering other divestments of assets “smaller” than those in the Thoma Bravo deal, which includes Jeppesen, an 81-year-old aviation navigation company.  Ortberg joined Boeing last summer after a leadership shakeup in the wake of a January 2024 Alaska Airlines flight that made an emergency landing after a panel blew out mid-flight.  Before that, there were fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia.  To win back the confidence of lawmakers and customers, Boeing has been enhancing quality control under the scrutiny of federal regulators.  “Our company is moving in the right direction as we start to see improved operational performance across our businesses from our ongoing focus on safety and quality,” Ortberg said in a press release.  Boeing led... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:15:37 Z /news/national/st-johns-rd-homicide-16yo-charged-with-murder-32yo-woman-also-arrested/ /news/national/st-johns-rd-homicide-16yo-charged-with-murder-32yo-woman-also-arrested/ Charges have been laid after the death of Kyle Whorrall, a 33-year-old PhD student, who was attacked at an Auckland bus stop. His father says he was a kind soul with no enemies. About 100 people turned up to a vigil this morning at the St Johns Rd bus shelter. A 16-year-old has been charged with the murder of an American student who was fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop on St Johns Rd over the weekend. The news came just before a tearful vigil started at the scene to pay tribute to the victim, Kyle Whorrall, 33. Whorrall, who was studying entomology, was known for scouring the streets at night for insects and may have been doing so on Saturday night when he was attacked, friends have said. Auckland University student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a bus stop and died later in hospital. Whorrall's flatmates speak at a vigil for him at the bus stop this morning. Photo / Dean Purcell Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said this morning police had executed a search warrant late yesterday afternoon at an address in Beach Haven, on Auckland’s North Shore. “A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder.” He would be appearing in the Auckland Youth Court today. A 32-year-old North Shore woman has also been charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder. She would will be appearing in the Auckland District Court today. Police had “obtained further information” about a black SUV that became the subject of a media appeal when Baldwin held a press conference about the case on Tuesday. “The Operation Aberfeldy team commenced investigations into this vehicle of interest and its movements. “I can confirm we have now located this vehicle on the North Shore, and it has been seized by police with a detailed forensic examination underway.” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin speaking to the media about the homicide investigation on Tuesday. Photo / Michael Craig. Police launched a homicide investigation after the incident on St Johns Rd. Photo / Alex Burton. Baldwin said police were aware there were other occupants in the vehicle at the time of the crime. “This investigation is by no means over. “Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest, and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest Police station or phone us.” He acknowledged the support of the community, and further afield. “There has been a stream of information that has come into us, and we are working through this. “We value and appreciate the community support.” He said police were still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night. Herald graphic on US student Kyle Whorrall's death. They were still seeking information on a white Toyota ute, which had been cut off by the black SUV ahead of the fatal attack. “I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses, and their information is important to our investigation,” Baldwin said. “Please come forward at the earliest opportunity.” Dad’s grief  Meanwhile Whorrall’s father told the Herald he was grappling with the violent attack on his son who had no enemies and was a “kind soul”. “His personality was meek, mild, he wouldn’t have done anything to anyone, I am still trying to wrap my head around how any of this is possible,” said John Whorrall. John Whorrall says his son Kyle was a 'kind soul'.  “He’s never had an enemy in his life.” He said his son was a kind soul who had dreamed of moving to Auckland to study at the university his whole life. “His mother took them there on vacation years and years ago, and he just fell in love with the place.” John said he envisioned his son living happily in Auckland and fulfilling his lifelong dream for the rest of his life, eventually becoming a professor at the university. “I knew he was never going to come home, but I didn’t think it would be like this.”  He said his son was not the type “at all” to start a fight.  Meadowbank vigil ‘reclaims neighbourhood’&nb... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:04:33 Z /news/national/st-johns-rd-homicide-slain-student-s-father-said-son-had-no-enemies-vigil-to-be-held-today/ /news/national/st-johns-rd-homicide-slain-student-s-father-said-son-had-no-enemies-vigil-to-be-held-today/ The father of the student fatally attacked at an Auckland bus stop says he was a “kind soul” with “no enemies”.  A vigil will be held this morning at the St Johns Rd bus shelter.  A memorial has been set up for the victim, Kyle Whorrall, a 33-year-old PhD student at the University of Auckland and Landcare Research.  The father of the student killed at an Auckland bus stop says he is grappling with the violent attack on his son who had no enemies and was a “kind soul”.  A vigil will be held this morning for American student Kyle Whorrall at the location on St Johns Rd where he was fatally injured on Saturday night.  Kyle’s American-based father John Whorrall told the Herald he is still coming to terms with his son’s tragic death.  “His personality was meek, mild, he wouldn’t have done anything to anyone, I am still trying wrap my head around how any of this is possible.  “He’s never had an enemy in his life.”  He said his son was a kind soul who had dreamed of moving to Auckland to study at the university his whole life.  “His mother took them there on vacation years and years ago, and he just fell in love with the place.”  John said he envisioned his son living happily in Auckland and fulfilling his lifelong dream for the rest of his life, eventually becoming a professor at the university.  “I knew he was never going to come home, but I didn’t think it would be like this.”  He said his son was not the type “at all” to start a fight.  Meadowbank vigil to ‘reclaim neighbourhood’  Organisers of this morning’s vigil say they want to “reclaim the neighbourhood” after the fatal attack in Meadowbank.  A group of students and staff from the nearby St John’s Theological College will lead a short vigil at 9.30am, saying it would be an opportunity to “reflect, pray for Kyle’s whānau and to stand together for peace, healing and aroha in our neighbourhood”.  The college added that it wanted to “reclaim the neighbourhood with life, warmth and care”.  The apparently random attack on Whorrall, who was sitting at the bus stop at around 10pm, has unnerved people who lived nearby.  “It is just the senselessness and randomness of it,” said Mike Maloney, a resident who lives 150m from the bus stop. “The way they saw a bloke sitting at the bus stop, did a U-turn, and beat him to death.”  Floral tributes were left at the St Johns Rd bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was murdered on Saturday night.  Neighbours are also determined that the offenders be caught as soon as possible.  “There will be a camera somewhere, or someone will know what has happened,” Maloney said. “This is not one you get away with. This is just a matter of time.”  The hunt for the killers is ongoing, with police yesterday knocking on doors, returning to the crime scene, and seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from motorists who may have been passing through on Saturday night.  Floral tributes for Kyle Whorrall at the St Johns Rd bus shelter. Photo / Michael Craig  Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said earlier this week that police were also committing significant resources to finding two suspects involved in the attack, who fled the scene in a black SUV.  Footage from an Auckland Transport bus captured images of Whorrall at the bus stop, the black SUV and a white ute, just before the attack took place.  The bus shelter has been turned into a makeshift memorial for Whorrall, filled with flowers and lights.  On Wednesday, mourners gathered at the shelter, some hugging and crying.  ‘Soft-spoken and polite’  Whorrall moved to New Zealand from the United States in 2021 to study for a PhD.  Based at Landcare Research, he had nearly completed his degree.  Fellow students and academics spoke about his enthusiasm for entomology. He had shown a particular interest in beetles.  “I interacted with Kyle while he was an undergrad, du... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:46:12 Z /news/politics/familyboost-govt-overestimated-flagship-childcare-rebate-policy-finance-minister-admits-ird-got-it-wrong/ /news/politics/familyboost-govt-overestimated-flagship-childcare-rebate-policy-finance-minister-admits-ird-got-it-wrong/ Government says the estimate of the number of families that would be eligible for the full FamilyBoost payment was incorrect despite officials’ “best efforts”.  Uptake figures as of April 9 show 249 households have received the full payment.  IRD found modelling challenging because it did not have reliable data.  The Government admits the number of families it said would be eligible for the full $75 a week benefit of its flagship childcare tax policy was wrong.  The admission comes as new data shows that as of April 9, some 249 families had received the maximum amount available under the FamilyBoost scheme since it came into effect last year.  This is 1.2% of the 21,000 families the Government said were eligible for the full FamilyBoost payment of $975 a quarter or $3900 a year – a figure IRD now admits was wrong, although the actual number of eligible families remains unclear.  Those 249 families had claimed the sum for each of the three quarters the scheme has been open and, therefore, got the maximum benefit of the tax credit.  A higher number have claimed the full amount in one or two quarters, but not in all three. The number of families receiving the full amount is expected to rise as families have up to four years to claim a rebate.  FamilyBoost is a 25% rebate on families’ weekly childcare costs. The more a family spends on childcare, the higher the rebate – up to a limit of $300.  While launching the policy last year, Finance Minister Nicola Willis presented IRD modelling that reckoned 21,000 families would be eligible for the full $975 a quarter – or $75 a week.  But Willis told the Herald that IRD now thinks this number was wrong because fewer people spend $300 a week or more on childcare than officials originally thought.  Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who admits IRD modelling on FamilyBoost was wrong. Photo / Mark Mitchell  “IRD’s advice was based on its best estimates at the time and – despite best efforts – they got these wrong.”  IRD had found the modelling for FamilyBoost challenging because it did not have reliable data on how much parents were paying for early childhood education, she said.  “Essentially, IRD assumed more families were paying higher childcare costs than turned out to be the case. This meant fewer families than they estimated are in fact paying more than $300 per week for childcare.”  She said the FamilyBoost scheme gave IRD better information about the fees parents were paying, which would help inform future policy work in this area.  “I am advised that 56,433 households have now received FamilyBoost payments and that 74,000 households have registered for the scheme.  “The feedback I and other ministers are getting is that the scheme is making a big difference to family budgets.”  FamilyBoost rebate amounts based on household incomes.  Before the general election, National campaigned on a series of policies aimed at tackling the cost of living (and helping the squeezed middle), including FamilyBoost, a tax credit for childcare costs for families earning up to $180,000.  It was introduced as Government policy in March 2024 and started in July that year. Families had to keep copies of their early childcare invoices to submit for a payment, which raised questions about how many eligible families would end up receiving the payment.  IRD acknowledged the uptake of FamilyBoost had been lower than its initial estimates, which tended to be conservative to ensure there was enough money to pay families throughout the year.  It said the degree to which its initial forecasts were wrong had not been established as a full year of claims had not occurred. IRD had also not produced any new estimates of the number of families eligible for FamilyBoost or the full entitlement.  “Revised take-up assumptions will be reviewed after the scheme has been... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 19:04:03 Z /news/national/teens-charged-after-guns-and-ammunition-seized-in-cheviot-north-canterbury/ /news/national/teens-charged-after-guns-and-ammunition-seized-in-cheviot-north-canterbury/ Police arrested two people after a firearm was discharged near a house in Cheviot. A 19-year-old and an 18-year-old face charges of unlawful possession of firearms. The community is concerned about poaching during the Roar period and is working with police. Police have charged two people after an illegal hunting incident, which involved a firearm being discharged within 40m of a home north of Canterbury. Police said they were notified of shots being fired from the road near a home in rural Cheviot in the early hours of March 29. The incident reportedly woke the occupants of the house and was distressing for them, police said. “Inquiries via CCTV have identified potential offenders and a search warrant was executed at a local property, where six rifles and 163 rounds of ammunition were seized.” Police arrested two people and seized firearms and ammunition after a firearm was discharged near a house in Cheviot. Photo / NZ Police A 19-year-old man was arrested and charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm near a dwelling. The second person was an 18-year-old man who was charged with three counts of unlawful possession of firearms. The 19-year-old is due to appear in Christchurch District Court on April 29, and the other teenager is due to appear on May 16. Police said the rural Cheviot community, farmers and landowners are concerned by the amount of poaching during this Roar period and are actively working with the police to report any illegal activity or suspicious behaviour. “We have heard our community who tell us they are frustrated by this type of behaviour, and we will not tolerate it,” police said. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:36:14 Z /news/world/india-hunts-gunmen-who-killed-26-male-tourists-in-kashmir-attack/ /news/world/india-hunts-gunmen-who-killed-26-male-tourists-in-kashmir-attack/ Indian security forces launched a manhunt after gunmen killed 26 tourists in Kashmir’s deadliest attack since 2000. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, pledging the perpetrators “will be brought to justice”. No group claimed responsibility; rebels in the region have sought independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989. Indian security forces in Kashmir have carried out a major manhunt, a day after gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing 26 people in the region’s deadliest attack on civilians since 2000. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short a state visit to Saudi Arabia, decried the “heinous act” and pledged that the attackers “will be brought to justice”. A hospital list verified by police recorded 26 dead — all men, who were killed on Tuesday afternoon (local time) when gunmen burst out of forests at a popular tourist spot and raked crowds of visitors with automatic weapons. Many of their bodies were brought to Srinagar on Wednesday by a fleet of ambulances, as military helicopters soared overhead, searching the forested mountain flanks for signs of the attackers. Indian paramilitary personnel conduct a patrol in Pahalgam, south of Srinagar, following an attack. Photo / AFP All the dead were listed as residents of India from across the country — except one living in neighbouring Nepal. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack had been “much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years”. No group has claimed responsibility, but rebels in the Muslim-majority region have waged an insurgency since 1989. They are seeking independence or a merger with Pakistan, which controls a smaller part of the Kashmir region and, like India, claims it in full. ‘Abomination’ “This attack on our visitors is an abomination,” Abdullah said in a statement after the attack. “The perpetrators of this attack are animals, inhuman and worthy of contempt.” AFP journalists near the site of the attack in Pahalgam, a popular site for tourists in summer, around 90km by road from the city of Srinagar, reported a heavy deployment of security forces. “The search operation is currently in progress, with all efforts focused on bringing the attackers to justice,” the Indian army said in a statement. In a separate incident, at Baramulla, the army reported on Wednesday a “heavy exchange of fire” with gunmen they said were part of an “infiltration bid” crossing the contested frontier from Pakistan. “Two terrorists have been eliminated”, the army said. At Pahalgam, a tour guide told AFP he reached the scene after hearing gunfire and had transported some of the wounded away on horseback. Waheed, who gave only one name, said he saw several men lying dead on the ground, while a witness who requested anonymity said the attackers were “clearly sparing women”. The killings came a day after Modi met US Vice President JD Vance in New Delhi. “Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and it will get even stronger,” Modi said in a statement shortly after the attack. The deadliest recent attack on civilians was in March 2000, when 36 Indians were killed. That attack occurred on the eve of a visit by US President Bill Clinton. ‘Heinous’ The killings on Tuesday sparked global outrage. US President Donald Trump called Modi to quickly offer “full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous attack”. India has an estimated 500,000 soldiers permanently deployed in the territory, but fighting has eased since Modi’s government revoked Kashmir’s limited autonomy in 2019. In recent years, the authorities have promoted the mountainous region as a holiday destination, both for skiing in winter and to escape the sweltering summer heat elsewhere in India. Around 3.5 million tourists visited Kashmir in 2024, mostly domestic visitors. Air India said it was adding two extra flights out of Srinagar on Wednesday, as terrified tourists sought to... Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:31:35 Z /news/national/weather-another-wet-weekend-forecast-for-upper-north-island-as-holidaymakers-head-home/ /news/national/weather-another-wet-weekend-forecast-for-upper-north-island-as-holidaymakers-head-home/ Rain is expected in the upper North Island this weekend, with potentially heavy bouts. Temperatures will drop this week, with southerly winds bringing cooler air across the country. Frosts are possible in parts of both islands; those attending Anzac Day dawn services should dress warmly. Temperatures are set to plunge before the North Island faces the risk of another bout of heavy rain this long weekend. Just a week after parts of Northland and Coromandel were inundated by flooding from Cyclone Tam, MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris said more rain could be expected as holidaymakers head home in time for the new school term. “The warm air drifting down from the north is going to bring the potential for some rain around Northland and Auckland spreading down into Coromandel and Bay of Plenty as we make our way further into the weekend.” Holidaymakers in popular spots around Northland and Auckland are set to see more wet weather this long weekend. Photo / Michael Craig Ferris said there is potential for localised and heavy bouts of rain on already saturated soils. MetService would be keeping a “close eye” on the forecast. ‘Risk of frost’ Temperatures are also expected to plummet this week. MetService forecaster Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said southerly winds were set to sweep up the country today. “Compared to last week, the general feel of the air will be much cooler, and it is looking like the trend for the rest of the week.” Parts of both islands could also see frosts, she said. On X, MetService told people to “cover those cabbages”. “Overnight there will be a risk of frost for most of the South Island and inland areas of the North Island,” it posted. “Allow extra time for your morning commute because the roads could be icy.” Makgabutlane recommended those attending Anzac Day dawn services wrap up warm, as a chilly start to the day has been forecast. Auckland is forecast to reach a high of 20C and a low of 13C on Anzac Day, while Hamilton is set to reach 19C with a low of 7C. In the South Island, Christchurch is forecast to hit a high of 16C and a low of 5C, while Dunedin will reach a high of 16C and a low of 9C. Risk of weather warnings this weekend The MetService severe weather outlook for Saturday says there’s a moderate chance of warning amounts of rain for Northland and upper Auckland regions. “A large high over the country moves slowly eastwards, while a trough affects the north of the North Island, bringing rain and strengthening northeast winds. “Another trough is expected to approach the far south of the South Island late in the day. This should bring rain to the west of the island and strengthening northwest winds to the southeast.” On Sunday there’s a moderate chance a heavy rain warning will be required for the southeast of Northland, Auckland north of Whangaparāoa, Great Barrier Island and the far north of Coromandel Peninsula. Wed, 23 Apr 2025 08:13:05 Z