The Abuse in Care report and the Government’s boot camp proposal
Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 10:53 am, July 25th, 2024 - 16 commentsCategories: crime, law, law and "order", national, prisons, same old national, Social issues - Tags: report into abuse in careYesterday the Royal Commission’s report into abuse in care was released. Part of the report deals with the Whakapakiri Camp, a form of boot camp run by a formerly famous professional wrestler by the name of John Da Silva. Survivors described extreme psychological, physical and sexual abuse at Whakapakari causing severe mental and physical pain. There is evidence to suggest physical and sexual abuse were used as punishment as well as to intimidate. It failed to respond to the repeated disclosures of abuse by children and young people sent there.
Source:Stuff
July 25, 2024 04:58 UTC
The New Zealand government unites indigenous knowledge with “western science” by claiming that gods cause earthquakes
But this is New Zealand, and so GeoNet had to drag in some indigenous knowledge to satisfy the Zeitgeist; in this case, the addition was arrant superstition. Science tells us that Rūaumoko rumbles the Alpine Fault about every 300 years, and the last time was in 1717. The next large Alpine Fault earthquake will be long and strong and significantly alter the landscape of Te Waipounamu as we know it. A large Alpine Fault earthquake happening in our lifetimes is no doubt a scary thought! Yes, indigenous knowledge may be a useful addition to some limited scientific endeavors, but this is not one of them.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2024 04:47 UTC
Young women groped in Dunedin attacks
Police searched around Dunedin's Botanic Garden yesterday after a young woman was grabbed. Photo: Stephen JaquieryDunedin police are combing CCTV footage after two young women were groped in separate incidents. Sgt Matt Lee said the incidents, which are not believed to be related, happened in North Dunedin yesterday. About 7.45am near Harbour Tce "a middle-aged man wearing nothing but a red t-shirt" approached two young women and slapped one on the backside, before running towards Dundas St. About 1pm a young woman walking through the Botanic Garden on her way home was grabbed on the backside.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 25, 2024 02:37 UTC
Coroner probes death of Kaikōura toddler at after-hours clinic revealing 'systemic failures'
A coroner has found “systemic and individual failures” and treatment that “collectively fell below the expected standard of care” led to the death of a Kaikōura toddler. The investigations revealed “systemic and individual failures” in Everly’s case, and treatment that “collectively fell below the expected standard of care”. On April 4 her mother took her to Kaikōura Health, the local after-hours clinic, as her cough had returned. Why did Everly Dunfoy die? He had also written a letter of apology to the Dunfoy family.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 25, 2024 01:44 UTC
Those blasted fruit stickers
You must have experienced this frustration: trying to get those stickers off of individual pieces of fruit without ripping the skin. I suppose it can be done with care, but I don’t have the time. Plus they now have ways to emboss the fruit without stickers, like using lasers. My lunch apple, before:My lunch apple, after sticker removal. The unavoidable crater appears:Now clearly this isn’t a cosmic issue, but it’s one Andy Rooney would have talked about, and now that he’s gone somebody has to!
Source:Stuff
July 24, 2024 23:47 UTC
Auckland woman jailed after morbidly obese dog Nuggi dies: SPCA says pooch couldn’t walk 10 metres
The woman had been feeding Nuggi up to 10 pieces of chicken a day, on top of the dog biscuits she fed him. The veterinarian observed Nuggi struggling to move around, having difficulty breathing, not coping with warm weather and being overall fatigued. “She [the vet] concluded that due to the extra weight Nuggi was carrying, he would have suffered severe long-term discomfort and distress,” the SPCA said. Nuggi died after spending two months in the SPCA’s care. SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood said they were used to treating underweight animals, saying Nuggi was “one of the most obese animals we’ve ever encountered”.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 24, 2024 22:43 UTC
Virtual reality players are suffering real broken bones, other injuries
Mingione was luckier than a friend who was wearing a VR headset in a virtual boxing match as his family watched. Injuries are risingAs the number of people using VR headsets rises, so, too, are the number of people injured when the virtual world crashes — literally — into the real one. AdvertisementWhen his son plays a VR game called “Gorilla Tag,” Gottschalk said, he has no idea where the walls or tables or couches are located. When he swings at something in the virtual game, he could easily hit a real object in the room with a lot of force without knowing it was there. Advertisement“The injuries I’ve seen are typically teenage boys using VR headsets while playing games” at home, Gillespie wrote.
Source:Stuff
July 24, 2024 17:50 UTC
Agribusiness and Trade: Don’t be afraid of running towards the hard stuff
This became very clear to me last year when I met with KPMG agribusiness teams around the world and listened to their top-of-mind issues. The prescription for growth we benefited from at that time is unlikely to deliver for our country over the next decade. We must catch up with these markets to stay competitive and ensure our growth in export revenues. As one contributor said in our conversations in preparing for this year’s KPMG Agribusiness Agenda report, “Regulators bark while retailers bite”. We can do it, but we need to start having the right conversations today and not be afraid of running towards the hard stuff.
Source:Stuff
July 24, 2024 17:04 UTC
Manhunt underway in northwest Auckland for ‘evil’ repeat offender
Police are pleading with the public to help them find a dangerous man with a distinctive “evil” face tattoo. Police said they were seeking the Helensville community’s assistance to pinpoint the whereabouts of the McKinley. “The 34-year-old has a distinctive tattoo of “evil” written across his face,” said the spokesperson. Police asked anyone who sees Mckinley or has information on his whereabouts to call police on 111. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 24, 2024 13:11 UTC
'Overlooked for too long': Resident's battle to get road sealed
Photo: Matthew Rosenberg/LDRA longstanding battle to tar seal a section of a Southland town's main road is rolling on, as one woman continues her fight. Riverton resident Leah Boniface wants Southland District Council to seal the 300m northern section of Palmerston St where she has lived for about 30 years. The gravel road is technically part of the town's main street, but is home to just four houses, sheds, horse stables and land. This month, Boniface told the council in a submission for its long term plan consultation that she was once again asking for improvements to the carriageway. Boniface told Local Democracy Reporting the street had been "overlooked for too long", and questioned if it would ever be sealed.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 24, 2024 11:52 UTC
Homeowner hurt in clash with armed intruders
A man was injured after confronting a pair of intruders who broke into his Dunedin home armed with a metal pole early today. Sergeant Matt Lee, of Dunedin, said police were called to a property in Russell St about 12.25am. The men, whose faces were covered, had entered the property and the homeowner, a 42-year-old man, confronted them. When police arrived, the two intruders ran from the scene, prompting the dog squad to be called in. Hato Hone St John attended and took the homeowner to Dunedin Hospital for an assessment.
Source:Otago Daily Times
July 24, 2024 11:08 UTC
Just over 4000 people a month gaining residence visas
The number of people receiving residence visas to stay in New Zealand appears to be settling at just over 4000 a month. The latest migration figures from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment show 25,293 residence visas were approved in the first half of this year. In the first six months of 2024 the number of residence visas approved each month stayed within a fairly narrow band of between 4038 and 4497, suggesting current residence approvals are fairly consistent. Although the current rate of residence approvals has dropped back significantly form that level, it is still higher than pre-Covid levels by around a third, when about 3000 residence visa approvals a month was the norm. Of the 25,293 residence visas issued in the first half of this year, 13,560 (54%) were to principal applicants and 11,739 were to secondary applicants such as other family members.
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 24, 2024 09:12 UTC
Woman jailed after morbidly obese pet dog dies
An Auckland woman has been prosecuted by the SPCA after failing to meet her dog Nuggi's physical, health and behavioural needs which led to his death. "She said she exercised him by walking him or making him spend time on the property outside," the SPCA said. Westwood outlined that being a responsible dog owner means providing your pet with an appropriate diet and daily exercise, "which was clearly not the case here". After spending two months at the SPCA, Nuggi lost 8.9kg - around 16.5 per cent of his body weight. "Sadly, despite making progress with his weight loss, Nuggi died suddenly due to an acute haemorrhage from a ruptured mass on his liver.
Source:Stuff
July 24, 2024 07:38 UTC
Capital Letter: NZ Herald's Georgina Campbell on social housing and an unfortunate find for trespassers
The Wellington City Council is spending close to $600 million upgrading its social housing stock, but what historic deal sparked the move? And experts have said the Interislander ferries can last another five years - but can they? NZ Herald's Wellington issues reporter Georgina Campbell joined Nick Mills to talk through her stories of the week. LISTEN ABOVE
Source:New Zealand Herald
July 24, 2024 07:11 UTC
The Wellington road that will have six crossings in under 2km
First published onPhoto: Stuff / The Post / Bruce MackayA Wellington road is set to have six pedestrian crossings in just under 2km. Around $55 million will be spent on upgrading Thorndon Quay, with the crossings coming as part of that deal, in a move set out by the Wellington City Council. The upgrades are part of the councils recycling of Let's Get Wellington Moving, which was dissolved earlier this year. Along a 1.7km stretch that passes Sky Stadium, commuters may have to stop up to six times, with all crossings having signals. Here's where all the crossings will be:Raised crossing at 87 Hutt Road.
Source:Stuff
July 24, 2024 06:29 UTC