Guilty plea for role in drug trafficking
The middleman for an international drug cartel involved in a $27 million cocaine plot which terminated in Dunedin has pleaded guilty. The Portuguese national pleaded guilty to attempting to take possession of the class-A drug for the purpose of supply and will be sentenced in May. On August 3, 2022, the 254m container ship Spirit of Auckland was transiting through Philadelphia when authorities seized two duffel bags containing 91kg of cocaine from an intake grate under the vessel. By the time the ship docked in Melbourne four weeks later, Ferreira-Sampaio had flown in from Portugal and recruited Hodder to fetch the narcotics. As Spirit of Auckland entered the shipping channel, Ferreira-Sampaio used a radio to inform Hodder of its progress.
Source:Otago Daily Times
March 05, 2024 23:22 UTC
KiwiSaver non-contributors cautioned over potential $113 billion retirement gap
Financial advisory firm National Capital says individuals who aren't contributing to their KiwiSaver could potentially lose collectively $113 billion by the time they retire. The 35-44 age group could potentially lose $156,319 per person or $25.35 billion in total by age 65. Those in the 45-54 bracket could lose $75,931 each, or a collective total of $10.55 billion, and the 55-64 group face losing $14,642 per person, or $1.83 billion by retirement. In the same report, the firm says findings from 693 participants in a KiwiSaver survey conducted by NZ Compare earlier this year show participants strongly in support of compulsory KiwiSaver. Basic retirementNational Capital says its KiwiSaver Contribution Index – which measures how much KiwiSaver members contribute to their retirement savings via KiwiSaver regular contributions – was sitting at 4.27% between January and December 2023.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 05, 2024 22:03 UTC
New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips opens up about his biggest regret in recent times
New Zealand‘s dynamic talent, Glenn Phillips, is undergoing a remarkable transformation into an all-round cricketer, showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. Test brilliance against AustraliaIn the ongoing Test series against Australia, Phillips demonstrated his all-round capabilities, leaving a lasting impact. Glenn Phillips shares insights on his most notable regretPhillips, who also represents Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), revealed his biggest regret in recent times: taking up wicketkeeping duties during the IPL 2023. In his sixth Test, Phillips felt a sense of belonging at the bowling crease, marking a significant milestone. I think that mindset change really helped, especially against a side like Australia,” Phillips concluded.
Source:Stuff
March 05, 2024 15:35 UTC
Zespri tackles counterfeit kiwifruit packaging in China
In response to the proliferation of counterfeit packaging and unauthorized cultivation of its SunGold kiwifruit variety in China, Zespri has intensified its legal and investigative efforts. Subsequently, Zespri identified counterfeit packaging being utilized by several entities to market kiwifruit. Collaborating with the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, Zespri initiated enforcement actions against individuals engaged in these counterfeit operations. Moreover, Zespri has pursued additional legal measures against Smiling Face Limited, along with its director Haoyu Gao and Xia Xue, for their role in the unauthorized propagation of SunGold kiwifruit in China. This legal action underscores Zespri's determination to address the increasing unauthorized cultivation of its patented kiwifruit variety.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 05, 2024 13:15 UTC
Chch man gets life for murdering childhood friend Michael McGrath
The Crown case was that Benbow turned on his friend because McGrath started dating his ex-partner Jo Green. Green, Benbow’s ex-partner, told the court she feared for her own life after Michael went missing. David Benbow at his sentencing (Source: Pool/ Stuff)Green had her lover McGrath's photo in front of her as she spoke in court today. Crown Prosecutor Barnaby Hawes said: “The effects of David Benbow’s crime are all the more profound because Michael McGrath has never been found.”ADVERTISEMENTDefence lawyer Kirsten Grey acknowledged that McGrath was loved but, “Mr Benbow maintains he did not kill Michael McGrath”. He summarised the case, pointing out that Benbow told his counsellor that he wanted to annihilate his friend.
Source:Stuff
March 05, 2024 11:03 UTC
Home and Away stars respond as Willow and Alex story is revisited
Photo credit: Channel 5Home and Away stars Sarah Roberts and Zoe Ventoura left fans all excited recently, when they both shared a clip of their characters Willow Harris and Alex Neilson reconnecting. In it, Willow can be seen insisting to Amber Simmons (Madeleine Jevic) that not everybody "gets their happy ending". Photo credit: Channel 5Related: Home and Away star Kate Ritchie reveals the struggles she faced over leaving the soap"It happens. Read more Home and Away spoilers on our dedicated homepageWant up-to-the-minute soaps news, spoilers and gossip on your social feeds? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Soaps Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @soapscoop Twitter account.
Source:Stuff
March 05, 2024 10:33 UTC
Glenn Phillips Regrets IPL Wicketkeeping Stint, Eyes Recognition as All-Rounder
While his profile also includes wicketkeeping skills, Phillips emphasizes that this role hindered his development as a complete all-rounder. Quoted by Stuff.co.nz, he stated, “I did it [keeping] for the IPL last year – it was my biggest regret.”Feeling Undervalued as a BowlerThe Kiwi player expressed frustration at not being consistently considered a genuine bowling option. The recently concluded first Test against Australia presented an opportunity for Phillips to showcase his bowling talent. I think that mindset change really helped, especially against a side like Australia.”Can Phillips Cement His All-Rounder Status? However, Phillips’ fifer serves as a powerful statement of his bowling capabilities.
Source:Stuff
March 05, 2024 10:11 UTC
Let them eat cake
Free School lunches was one such activity. The figure of 10,000 daily wastage sounds large but not when you consider that a million free school lunches are delivered each week. As I said previously:The shock horror headline was that 10,000 school lunches were being wasted every day. This is an impressive number but when you think that a million school lunches are prepared each week this accounts for 5% of all prepared lunches. A French Princess famously said “let them eat cake” to complaints by French pesants that could not afford bread.
Source:Stuff
March 05, 2024 06:09 UTC
Luxon, the little baby Jesus and National Party entitlement – Luxon didn’t misread the room, the room misread him!
Press Gallery Journalists and commentators keep saying Luxon ‘misread’ the room over his $52000 allowance, which is utter bullshit! Luxon sees his privilege through his prosperity theology paradigm where he has 7 properties because Jesus loves him! In Luxon’s branch dividend, Prosperity Theology preaches that the ordained and blessed by God are afforded huge wealth and prosperity. …he’s demanding austerity for us and blessings he is entitled to because Baby Jesus loves him so fiercely! Luxon didn’t misread the room, the room misread him.
Source:New Zealand Herald
March 05, 2024 05:54 UTC
Travel hacks: Flight attendants share the items they never travel without
Stuff Travel asked some Air New Zealand flight attendants about what's in their carry-on bags - including one item they never leave home without. (Getty)Christchurch-based Verity Rice said flight attendants never fly without mints, "or some sort of breath-freshening agent that isn't gum," as well as perfume or cologne. Many flight attendants pack snacks to get them through their shifts. Thompson also takes items in case of an unexpected nights' stay, with a spare change of clothes, makeup and toiletries and her hi-viz jacket. Study shows the world's most affordable travel destinations View GalleryIn-flight service manager Ben Whatman has flown with the airline since 2014, and told Stuff Travel he takes a travel wallet, face mist, lens cleaner and eye spray.
Source:Stuff
March 04, 2024 22:32 UTC
Breakfast briefing: Gold and bitcoin surge. Surprising real-world energy progress
Having fallen by -520 Mt in 2023, emissions are now back to their level of fifty years ago in these advanced economies. The UST 10yr yield starts today at 4.23% and up +4 bps from yesterday. That is a new record high, eclipsing the previous all-time high of US$2,087 at the end of 2023 by +1.5%. The bitcoin price starts today at US$67,311 and up +7.2% from just yesterday. That is another big gain and puts it just about its all-time high in November 2021.
Source:Stuff
March 04, 2024 19:54 UTC
Average Kiwi has $1300 of unwanted stuff
Trade Me estimates the average New Zealander has more than $1000 worth of unwanted possessions lying around their house. Brand, marketing and communications director Sally Feinson says they were participating in the so-called "circular economy". "A circular economy is an ecosystem designed to keep items in use for as long as possible," she says. "Based on our recent research, we estimate the value of Aotearoa's circular economy to be a whopping $5 billion." On average, respondents had 20 unwanted items ready to be sold for a total of $1300.
Source:Stuff
March 04, 2024 12:04 UTC
Coalition Government unveils rego fee hike to pay for transport plan
The Coalition Government is proposing hiking car registration fees by $50 to help fund a draft transport plan worth $20 billion over the next three years. This would raise an extra $660 million to contribute to the transport plan. National opposed this, saying it was able to deliver its transport plan without the “heavy burden” of petrol tax hikes in its first term. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the economy will be in better shape by 2027 and therefore households would be able to afford the 12 cent tax hike. The draft transport plan proposes spending $6 billion upgrading state highways, $2.1b building public transportation, $1.2b improving local roads, and $510 million on walking and cycling.
Source:Stuff
March 04, 2024 08:57 UTC
Immigration Scam: 24 Indian Tradies Duped By Convicted Fraudster
At least 24 Indian tradies are reportedly stuck in immigration logjam after a convicted fraudster promised them jobs at a labour hire firm in New Zealand. According to the Stuff report, Bishop claims he only has records of 14 of the 24 men in question, and all their visa applications have been submitted. Bishop, the report states, is a twice-convicted fraudster who opened World HR Connect in Dubai as a front to hire workers for R-Lits. The tradies reportedly paid fees of up to $3,280 into an R-Lits account in New Zealand to cover visa application fees. INZ said R-Lits had 232 permits to hire overseas workers last year, and had used 184 while 46 applications in progress.
Source:Stuff
March 04, 2024 04:23 UTC