Goldsmith confirmed he would scrap the group, partly due to the resignations. Photo / Ben DickensThe group had recommended strengthening several powers for retailers, including controversial citizen’s arrest powers. Goldsmith admitted it was unlikely proposals the group was currently developing would make it through the House this term. Announced in July 2024, the group was funded from the Proceeds of Crime fund with a budget of $1.8 million per year for two years. Goldsmith accepted Kaushal could “rub up some people the wrong way” but said his decision had not been informed by Kaushal’s conduct as chairman.

Ms Graham made the complaint about Cr Ong after he sent an email on Wednesday last week. Ms Dyhrberg has been tasked with making a preliminary assessment, but Cr Ong asked her yesterday to "please advise if you believe you are independent". Cr Ong has had a tumultuous start to the term. In an email to Ms Graham and the ODT on Wednesday last week, Cr Ong did not name the staff member he criticised. In an email to Ms Dyhrberg yesterday, Cr Ong said the person was "anonymised and I have not identified the individual".

Photo: Stephen JaquieryA controversial large-scale forestry conversion in the heart of West Otago hill country, which caused ripples in the community, is to be sold. Yesterday, Ernslaw One South Island regional manager Cameron Alderton confirmed Pomahaka Forest — previously a sheep, beef and deer farm known as Warthill — was expected to be offered for sale later this month as a fully planted forest. The Otago Regional Council later requested additional information from Ernslaw One and got an independent assessment of the wilding risk calculator score. "While ownership arrangements may change over time, the foundations that have been put in place to support responsible forest management will continue to guide how the forest is managed into the future." It valued the relationships it had with neighbouring landowners and appreciated the engagement that had occurred over the life of the forest.

It is a well-regarded global survey across 28 countries that since 2000 has measured trust — the glue that holds society together. The fear that "other countries purposefully contaminate our media" has reached 65%, up from 54% in 2021. In my new book, How to Rebuild Trust in Journalism, I identify journalism’s four "superpowers" — objectivity, transparency, verification and caring. Because journalism needs you and, however tempted you are by that next cat video, you need journalism you can trust. • Tim Watkin has worked in journalism for nearly three decades and is an industry representative on the NZ Media Council.

The ones holding up in our health system, and working as nurses, in hospitals, who will face abuse while already under really tough conditions. Employment is not a function of a race but a broader modern economic reality that was created and forged over decades. We might even consider educating and helping each other, and we can screen people we don’t want irrespective of culture or colour – that’s normal. Analyse, screen, consider, parse, and even change immigration settings if we want to but don’t hate on those here – and don’t think everyone is the same even if there are examples and cases of this or that. We will be better for it if we care more, and look just a little deeper past the dehumanisation tactics and rhythms of fear.

File photo: Getty ImagesPolice are working with Australian counterparts on an investigation into a satanic child sex abuse material ring with alleged links to New Zealand. Police said investigators had identified offenders from New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and South East Asia. RNZ asked New South Wales police for information on the New Zealand-based suspects and how many there were. Detective Inspector Stuart Mills said New Zealand Police were "working with the New South Wales Police on this matter and will support them as requested". New South Wales police said last week that Strike Force Constantine was established by State Crime Command's Child Exploitation Internet Unit to investigate the online distribution of child sexual abuse involving ritualistic or satanic themes.

Hudson's affidavit described an "extremely unusual response" to the final murder charge. Tait and Hudson told the court the terrorist always intended to plead guilty. "He was consistent that he was going to plead guilty but he was inconsistent as to when he would plead guilty," Hudson said. "To be clear Mr Tarrant never wanted to defend the terrorism charge. I would now say that was induced by the prison conditions, I was irrational," the terrorist told the court.

“He was released along with other political prisoners, they had been arrested for writing a political communique talking about political freedom in Algeria. It was obviously a very difficult time for him in prison and he has already had his first meal of homemade couscous and is just enjoying being back home with them and looking forward to restoring his health.”Ahmed Zaoui has been released from prison after 28 months behind bars. “It has been a time filled with relief and much joy, it was really very good to hear him. The activist rose to prominence in 2002 after he was detained when entering New Zealand seeking asylum as a refugee and issued a NZSIS security risk certificate. Manning became a key figure in the campaign to have Zaoui’s security risk certificate overturned.

Christchurch's central city library. Photo: RNZA person has been taken to hospital in a critical condition after a fall at Christchurch's central Tūranga library. The New Zealand Herald reports that by about 11.30am the person had been safely removed from a ledge above one of the main entrances by firefighters and taken into an ambulance. A man working nearby heard a loud scream before the person fell from a top balcony on to the ledge, the Herald reports. Christchurch City Libraries said “due to an unforeseen incident” Tūranga would be closed for the rest of the day.

“Rowena is a vulnerable person in the community, and we have to consider the possibility that she’s been the victim of foul play. We are keeping an open mind and exhausting all lines of inquiry, including that possibility. “They haven’t seen mum now for six months and don’t understand why that is, they very much want to have mum back. We just want to find out what’s happened to Rowena, so that we can let her family know”Carolan said there will be someone out there who knows what happened to Walker. Anyone with information is asked to please contact police online through 105.police.govt.nz or call 105, referencing file number 251022/9026.

The text of the agreement says the opposite, that as a result of the agreement, a future government cannot cap Indian visa numbers. Trade Minister Todd McClay appearing to read from notes as he answers patsy questions on the India Free Trade Agreement in January. Photo / Parliament TVMcClay has consistently denied that the deal would take away New Zealand’s ability to impose a cap on student visa numbers. However, on Tuesday morning he conceded the agreement would prohibit New Zealand from imposing a cap on Indian student visa numbers specifically. “What I’m saying is the agreement and commitment is that we will not say that there is a maximum or a minimum [number of students],” McClay said.

Police are collaborating with Australian counterparts on a satanic child sex abuse material ring investigation. Photo / 123rfBy Sam Sherwood of RNZPolice are working with Australian counterparts on an investigation into a satanic child sex abuse material ring with alleged links to New Zealand. New South Wales police announced last week that detectives from their Sex Crimes Squad had charged a sixth man and were referring a further 145 suspects to international law enforcement agencies following an investigation into a satanic child sex abuse material ring as part of an operation called Strike Force Constantine. Police said investigators had identified offenders from New Zealand, US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, South America, and South East Asia. RNZ asked New South Wales Police for information on the New Zealand-based suspects and how many there were.

Scarlett Pavlovich accused Neil Gaiman (pictured) of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family's nanny in 2022. Photo / Getty ImagesThird US lawsuit against author Neil Gaiman dismissed by judgeScarlett Pavlovich accused Neil Gaiman (pictured) of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family's nanny in 2022. Photo / Getty ImagesBy RNZAll three US lawsuits accusing author Neil Gaiman of sexually assaulting his children’s nanny in Auckland four years ago have now been dismissed. She accused Gaiman of multiple sexual assaults while she was working as the family’s nanny in 2022. The New York lawsuit was dropped last year, and the Wisconsin lawsuit was dismissed in October, with the judge saying Pavlovich needed to pursue the case in New Zealand.

Waioweka River search: Body found in hunt for missing Bay of Plenty man David RoeA body has been recovered from the Waioweka River in the search for a missing Bay of Plenty man. David Roe, 52, had been missing since January 23 after falling from a boat while crossing the river near the junction of Waiata Stream, near Ōpōtiki. Eastern Bay of Plenty area commander Inspector Nicky Cooney said police recovered a body from the Waioweka River about 9am on Tuesday. “This has been a long slow search, hindered at times by the weather as well as impacted by the slips on SH2,” Cooney said. The inspector thanked those who assisted in the search effort, in particular Land SAR volunteers, local jet boat and helicopter operators, and iwi.

File photo: RNZMore university students are getting into financial trouble because they are being bombarded by ads for sports betting companies, the Problem Gambling Foundation says. Stories were emerging of flats of students gambling rent money and student allowances on sporting fixtures. PGF Services, also known as the Problem Gambling Foundation, was launching a campaign and claimed gambling was becoming increasingly embedded in sport, with young men being increasingly targeted and exposed to betting promotions. "Losing rent money, gambling away student allowances. "It almost sounded as though [university students] are completely hapless victims.