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14/01/2025

David Havili named Crusaders captain for 2025

The Crusaders have announced David Havili will captain the side for the 2025 Super Rugby season.
The 30-year-old fullback replaces Scott Barrett in the role.
Havili debuted for the Crusaders in 2015, notching a total of 128 appearances for the team since. In 2020, he was named vice-captain, and has led the side at times when Barrett was unavailable.
He also captained the Tasman Mako to NPC titles in 2019 and 2020.
He has 30 caps for the All Blacks.
"It’s very humbling," he said.
"I was pretty blown away when (coach Rob) Penney approached me.
"This is certainly the proudest moment I have had for a while."
The Crusaders missed last season's playoffs in Penney's first season as head coach, winning just four matches.

14/01/2025

"Ashburton Sheds 'Turtle Town' Tag with Speed Limit Updates"

Ashburton Ends Permanent 30km/h School Zones

Ashburton District Council has removed permanent 30km/h speed zones around schools, replacing them with variable limits during school drop-off and pick-up times (8:30-9:30 am and 2:30-3:30 pm). The change aligns with recent government rule amendments, allowing councils to adopt variable speed zones.

Resident Grant McFaul, who criticized the initial decision as turning Ashburton into "turtle town," welcomed the update, noting that many drivers ignored the limits outside school hours. The council had previously opted for static signs due to cost concerns, which led to public frustration and a subsequent review.

The new signs, approved by NZTA and set for installation before January 27, aim to balance safety and practicality. Mayor Neil Brown and council officials highlighted strong community support for lower speed limits near schools but acknowledged dissatisfaction with their previous implementation as permanent zones.

14/01/2025

Southern California Faces Renewed Wildfire Threat as Winds Intensify

Southern California is grappling with devastating wildfires that have scorched over 163 square kilometers, destroyed thousands of homes, and claimed at least 24 lives, with dozens still missing. Fierce winds, reaching near hurricane-force in some areas, threaten to worsen the fires as embers carry miles ahead of fire lines. Nearly 100,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with many preparing to flee at a moment’s notice.

Efforts to combat the flames include aerial water drops, increased firefighting forces, and precautionary evacuations. The Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires, among the largest, remain only partially contained. Officials warn the death toll may rise as search teams continue to sift through the rubble for victims.

Amid the disaster, looting, price gouging, and scams have emerged, with dozens arrested. However, support efforts from celebrities and organizations, including Beyoncé and Disney, have provided vital aid. Authorities are investigating the fires' causes, with Southern California Edison under scrutiny for potential equipment involvement.

10/01/2025

What caused the fires?
A combination of an exceptionally dry period - downtown Los Angeles has only received 0.16 inches (0.4cm) of rain since October - and powerful offshore gusts known as the Santa Ana winds have created ripe conditions for wildfires.

Santa Ana winds flow east to west through southern California's mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

The winds can also be responsible for the scale of destruction that follows.

Blowing across the deserts further inland, they create conditions where humidity drops, which dries out vegetation. If a fire does start, the winds can fan smouldering embers into an inferno in minutes.

Speeds of 60 to 80mph (95-130km/h) are common, but gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) can occur.

Although the strongest wind gusts have passed through the region, forecasters have warned another "traditional Santa Ana wind event" will move in on Thursday night local time, according to CBS News.

Investigations into what initially sparked the fires are continuing.

LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman said that the focus of law enforcement is currently on saving lives and homes and assisting firefighters, but that eventually they would turn towards investigating the causes of the fires.

"If it is determined that there is a man-made and intentional setting of any of the fires involved in this situation, the people who committed this arson will be arrested, they will be prosecuted and they will be punished to the full extent of the law," he said.

Hochman also warned people against looting and flying drones - one struck a firefighting plane, which was damaged but able to land without any injuries - and warned of scams targeting fire victims.

Authorities said a curfew in the evacuation zones will be in place from 18:00 local time to 06:00 Saturday.

Arson is not the only cause of deadly wildfires. Power lines and other utility equipment have sparked some of the most destructive blazes in California's history. In 2018, the so-called Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people, many of whom died in their cars trying to flee.

There is a glimmer of hope for firefighters, as the fire weather outlook for southern California has been downgraded from "extremely critical" to "critical".

But BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas says there is no rain forecast in the area for at least the next week, so conditions remain ripe for fire.

Although winds were expected to ease slightly later Friday into Saturday, forecasters warned that they would pick up again on Sunday into Monday.

10/01/2025

Wellington Landlords Providing Incentives to Attract Tenants.

Wellington landlords are offering incentives – including grocery vouchers and periods of free rent – as they compete for tenants in a renters' market.

Wellington renter Cait MacLennan said she gave notice for her previous flat with nowhere to go, but easily found a new place to call home.

"Because the rental market's been good at the moment, from what we've heard from all of our mates and stuff, we felt really confident that we could find a flat before our four weeks' notice was up," she told 1News.

"We definitely did that with about two weeks to spare, I think, and we had a lot of options which was awesome."

The number of rental listings in the capital is up 40% on a year ago, according to the latest Trade Me figures from November – and the highest number of listings on the site since 2020.

It's forcing landlords to compete for tenants.

"They're offering things like free grocery vouchers, maybe a couple of weeks' free rent, or they're offering to contribute costs towards moving costs," Tommy's Property Management's Harrison Vaughan said.

It's a shift in balance from several years ago, when those on the hunt for accommodation were queuing to view houses.

"We've seen a cycle for a while where things have previously been in favour of landlords and those cycles don't last forever. At the moment, we're shifting back in favour of tenants," CoreLogic chief economist Kelvin Davidson said.

The construction boom has added to the housing stock, particularly in areas such as the Kapiti Coast, where a major highway has been built.

"So many people are now moving out of the city as well, which is then decreasing pressure as well in a city rental market," Vaughan said.

It's not just in Wellington – across the country, it's a tenants' market, meaning downward pressure on rents.

"Not saying rents are cheap in Wellington, or that rents are cheap in Auckland — just that the growth that we have seen in previous years has come down," Davidson said.

10/01/2025

Seabather's Eruption: Rash Affecting Auckland Beachgoers
Auckland Council Urges Caution as Rash Plagues Beachgoers

Auckland Council is advising beachgoers to take precautions after swimmers have reported experiencing itching, rashes, and red spots following water activities.

Darryl Thompson, the council's environmental health technical specialist, identified the condition as seabather's eruption. This rash is caused by stings from the nematocysts, or stinging cells, of certain sea anemones and thimble jellyfish.

However, Dr. Dennis Gordon, emeritus researcher at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), suggests the rash could be the result of sea lice, a different type of organism altogether.

Gordon believes the rash in Auckland is more likely caused by siphonophores, marine creatures that resemble long, stringy forms with small bubbles attached to them, found in plankton.

"Divers call them 'long, stringy, stingy things,'" said Gordon. "These little bubbles are individual organisms in a colony, which can detach and become trapped between your swimsuit and skin. The movement of your swimwear activates these creatures, causing irritation."

On Tuesday afternoon, Auckland resident Tracy and her two daughters developed a rash after swimming at Takapuna Beach. Tracy shared her experience with RNZ, noting her daughter had spotted a jellyfish during the swim.

As of Wednesday, Safeswim had only issued cautionary warnings for Ōrewa Beach and Milford Beach, but on Thursday, additional alerts were added for Takapuna Beach and Big Manly Beach.

Juliette, another Auckland mother, initially thought her daughter had chickenpox after swimming at Ōrewa Beach on Monday. "It was only when I saw Tracy's post on Facebook that I realized what it was," she said. "My daughter developed pimples in areas where her swimsuit had been."

Laura, who swam at Mairangi Bay Beach on Wednesday, shared that a pharmacist identified the rash as sea lice bites. "Our daughter had red spots all over her torso, arms, and legs. The pharmacist mentioned that several others had come in with the same symptoms."

Sea lice tend to bite exposed skin, leaving red, itchy spots similar to flea or mosquito bites. In contrast, seabather's eruption typically affects areas covered by swimwear, causing hundreds or thousands of small red dots that may merge into larger patches or weals.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service reports that children are most affected by seabather's eruption. The rash can range from mild to severe, often lasting a week or more.

To alleviate symptoms, the service recommends calamine lotion, antihistamines, or mild steroid creams. However, in some cases, particularly with children, symptoms can worsen, leading to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. These cases may require treatment with steroid tablets or syrup.

09/01/2025

"State Landlord Issues 553 Warnings for Unruly Tenant Behavior"

The Government claims that an increase in warning notices and reduced complaint resolution times demonstrate the success of its crackdown on disruptive Kāinga Ora tenants.

Kāinga Ora has issued 553 Section 55A notices, a significant rise from 41 issued during the same period the previous year. Of these, 83% were first notices, 16% were second notices, and 2% were third-time notices, which can lead to tenancy termination.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop said the government’s March 2024 initiative to address unruly behavior was showing results. "Neighbours of Kāinga Ora residents, many of whom are tenants themselves, were fed up with those who misused taxpayer-funded homes. We took action and instructed a stronger approach to managing disruptive tenants," he said.

Bishop also highlighted improvements in complaint resolution times, with the average now reduced to 15 business days as of December 2024. This is a sharp contrast to the previous year when over 500 complaints remained unresolved for nearly 60 days.

Kāinga Ora has also used relocations to encourage behavior change, moving tenants 101 times between July and November. In two-thirds of these cases, no further complaints were reported in the new homes.

Bishop emphasized that the strengthened approach would not affect the majority of Kāinga Ora tenants who behave responsibly, adding that it aims to make life easier for all tenants by addressing disruptive behavior.

09/01/2025

Name Suppression Extended for Man Accused of Murdering Nelson Police Officer

During his first appearance in the Nelson District Court last Friday, name suppression was initially set to last only a week, allowing time for family members to be informed of the charges. However, in a ruling yesterday, the court extended the suppression until the accused's second appearance on February 14.

The accused's lawyer argued that public identification could affect his right to a fair trial. This comes as Nelson prepares to honor the late officer, with a funeral service for Fleming scheduled next Thursday at the Trafalgar Centre. Police from other districts are being brought in to allow local police staff to attend the service.

A vigil on January 3, held at the steps of the Christ Church Cathedral in Trafalgar Square, saw a large crowd, including Fleming’s colleagues and family members, come together to pay their respects.

21/11/2024

"Education Minister Allegedly Calls Labour MP a 'Stupid B****'"
Education Minister Apologises for Offensive Remark During Question Time
Education Minister Erica Stanford issued a public apology in Parliament today after allegedly mouthing the words "stupid b****" at Labour's education spokesperson, Jan Tinetti, during a heated exchange in Question Time.

The incident occurred while Tinetti was questioning Stanford about the cancellation of rural bus routes. Labour MP Duncan Webb promptly raised the issue with the Speaker, describing the remark as unparliamentary and urging Stanford to apologise.

Stanford stood and said, “I withdraw and apologise.” She later reiterated her apology directly to Tinetti.

Tinetti: "This Isn’t the First Time"
Tinetti described the incident to the media, claiming the remark reflected frustration and pressure on Stanford.
“She said, 'stupid b----,' except fully,” Tinetti explained. “This isn’t the first time. On a previous occasion, she made a similar comment when I was questioning her. Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime also experienced something similar recently.”

Tinetti added, “When someone has form like that, you have to address it. I don’t expect to be treated that way in the House. The Prime Minister will likely have to address this with his Education Minister.”

Drawing on her experience as a Decile 1 school principal, Tinetti emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “I’ve heard worse, but I held my students accountable, and I expect the same of Parliament.”

Minister’s Response: "A Private Comment to a Colleague"
Stanford’s office clarified the comment was intended as a private remark to a colleague during the exchange.
In her statement, Stanford said: “When given the opportunity by the Speaker, I withdrew and apologised. Furthermore, I have subsequently apologised directly to the member.”

Fallout and Next Steps
The incident has sparked discussions about parliamentary conduct, with calls for higher standards of professionalism during debates. It remains to be seen if further action will be taken.

21/11/2024

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Flexibility and Transparency
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Support for Local Tourism
The company’s services are geared towards enhancing the travel experience in Fiji, contributing to the country’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.

If you're planning a trip to Fiji, Mann's Rental is a dependable partner for exploring the islands in comfort and style.

31/10/2024

Wishing all our Hindu community a very Happy Diwali today 🙏🏾
Dont forget to grab Diwali Magazines in Indian Supermarkets today.
From The Team Happy Diwali!!!

21/10/2024

"Golriz Ghahraman's Shoplifting Conviction Appeal Rejected"

Golriz Ghahraman's Second Attempt to Overturn Shoplifting Convictions Fails

Former Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman has lost her second bid to avoid convictions for shoplifting.

In March, Ghahraman pleaded guilty to four counts of shoplifting, which stemmed from three incidents in Auckland and one in Wellington late last year. The total value of the stolen items was approximately $8,900.

In June, Auckland District Court Judge June Jelaš denied Ghahraman’s application to be discharged without conviction. She was fined $1,600 and ordered to pay court costs.

Earlier this month, Ghahraman appealed the District Court's decision, but today, High Court Justice Geoffrey Venning rejected her appeal.

Annabel Cresswell, Ghahraman’s lawyer, argued that Judge Jelaš had “overstated the gravity of the offending” and had erred in determining that the consequences of a conviction were not out of proportion to the offence.

Under the Sentencing Act, a discharge without conviction can only be granted if the court is satisfied that the consequences of a conviction would be disproportionately severe compared to the gravity of the crime.

Cresswell highlighted Ghahraman's mental health issues at the time of the offending, but Justice Venning upheld the original decision, agreeing with how her personal circumstances were addressed in the District Court.

Although Ghahraman was previously a lawyer before entering Parliament, Justice Venning noted that the convictions would not prevent her from applying for a practising certificate with the Law Society.

Court documents also revealed that Ghahraman has applied to work at the International Criminal Court.

In his ruling, Justice Venning explained: “It is not enough that the consequences of conviction outweigh the gravity of the offending. They must be out of all proportion.” He concluded that they were not, affirming Judge Jelaš' assessment.

“The appeal is dismissed.”

21/10/2024

"Online Activity Leads to King's College Staff Resignation"

Parents Urged to Speak with Children After King's College Staff Member Resigns Over Inappropriate Online Activity

King's College, one of the country's most prestigious schools, has urged parents to talk to their children following the resignation of a staff member over "inappropriate online activity."

On Monday, the school announced that a staff member, involved in both football coaching and the boarding program, had resigned after admitting to the inappropriate behavior. According to a statement from the board, the individual believed they were engaging with a minor online.

"The staff member has resigned today with immediate effect," the statement confirmed.

The school promptly notified the police and informed parents and guardians, asking them to speak with their children if they had any concerns. Boarding students were also notified, and the school emphasized that pastoral care services were available to provide support.

King's College reassured the community that the online activity did not involve any of its students, and it was unaware of any student involvement. This incident marked the first time the school had been made aware of any concerns regarding the staff member's behavior.

"This matter is of great concern to King's College, and our priority is supporting our students as we navigate this situation," the statement added.

The police have been approached for further comment.

21/10/2024

"Man Identified After Fatal Injury on Waikato Road"

Police have named the man who died after being found injured on a Waikato road following an alleged assault.

The victim was Darshak Narran, 43, from South Auckland. Narran was discovered critically injured early last Monday on Hampton Downs Rd, near the racetrack in Whangamarino. He remained unconscious and passed away at Auckland City Hospital on Thursday.

Two men, aged 32 and 42, have been arrested and charged with his murder. They are currently in custody and are scheduled to appear in the High Court at Hamilton on November 5.

The investigation is ongoing as police continue efforts to locate additional suspects involved in the fatal assault. Authorities are asking anyone who was on Hampton Downs Rd between 10 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, and 1 a.m. on October 14, to come forward, especially if they have dashcam footage.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police by calling 105 or provide anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers at 0800 555 111.

19/10/2024

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