authors list | date_download timestamp[s] | date_modify null | date_publish timestamp[s] | description stringlengths 1 5.93k ⌀ | filename stringlengths 33 1.45k | image_url stringlengths 23 353 | language stringclasses 21
values | localpath null | title stringlengths 2 200 ⌀ | title_page null | title_rss null | source_domain stringlengths 6 40 | maintext stringlengths 68 80.7k ⌀ | url stringlengths 20 1.44k | fasttext_language stringclasses 1
value | date_publish_final timestamp[s] | path stringlengths 76 110 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[] | 2016-08-30T02:51:39 | null | 2016-08-30T02:40:05 | A 12-year-old girl who survived a car crash that killed her brother and led to her father being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer is hoping to help find a cure. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fhealth%2F83716344%2FKeira-Bowes-raises-30k-for-brain-cancer-research-in-honour-of-dad-and-brother.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/e/j/w/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duby0.png/1472524805227.jpg | en | null | Keira Bowes raises $30k for brain cancer research in honour of dad and brother | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Keira Bowes raises $30k for brain cancer research in honour of dad and brother
SUPPLIED Jennifer, Murray, Katrina, 12-year-old Keira, and 2-year-old Luca Bowes ran the Bridge to Brisbane charity race.
A 12-year-old girl who survived a car crash that killed her brother and led to her father being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer is hoping to help find a cure.
Keira Bowes, of Hokitika, ran the Bridge to Brisbane charity race on Sunday in honour of her late father Mark and brother Tayne – and raised $30,000 for brain cancer research.
"Two years ago my dad raised over $10,000 in the Bridge to Brisbane for brain cancer in memory of my big brother Tayne who was killed in a terrible car accident that happened due to a seizure dad suffered because of an unknown brain tumour," she said.
SUPPLIED Katrina, Keira, Mark and Luca Bowes with a painting of nine-year-old Tayne, who died in a crash caused by Mark's undiagnosed brain tumour. Mark died in June 2016.
Keira was eight when the ute she was in flipped upside-down in a waist-deep mine pond about 12 kilometres south of Hokitika on August 12, 2012. She was rescued from the submerged vehicle by police, but 9-year-old Tayne died at the scene.
READ MORE:
* Dad's brain tumour caused pond tragedy friend
* Girl survived 80 minutes trapped in car
* Drowned boy's parents heartbroken
"It's been an absolutely horrific four years. Keira is very lucky that she's here," mum Katrina Bowes said. "If it had been another 30 minutes god knows what would have happened. We are very lucky she's still here."
SUPPLIED Keira Bowes raised $30,000 for brain cancer research in honour of her late father Mark and brother Tayne
Mark Bowes was diagnosed with brain cancer after the crash.
He was given just over a year to live but "put up a massive fight" until he died on June 12 this year.
Keira said she raised the money to boost awareness of brain cancer.
"I'm blown away by all the donations. It's really cool," she said.
She ran the 5km run in only 33 minutes.
Katrina Bowes also ran the 5km Bridge to Brisbane, with her two-year-old daughter Luca and Mark's parents, Murray and Jennifer Bowes.
"It was something had Mark had the opportunity he would have done also. It's something we all wanted to do for both Mark and Tayne," Katrina Bowes said.
The Hokitika community had been an amazing support, she said.
"Support came from far and wide, not just from our family and friends in Hokitika. We got messages from all over New Zealand and Australia, where we lived for 10 years."
They had aimed to raise $700, but donations kept flooding in.
"Our story is a horrible one and touched many people. It is a beautiful thing that they were able to give us a lot or a little for brain cancer research," Bowes said.
"We visited the Wesley Medical Centre while in Brisbane. They are doing a fantastic job. I know they will use the money Keira raised to really make a difference to people's lives."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/83716344/Keira-Bowes-raises-30k-for-brain-cancer-research-in-honour-of-dad-and-brother | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/7ceeb31cfcbda30e27b6d7b491eb9b58cb27b3c2408afdaeaf8667eccd4aa90e.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T04:51:05 | null | 2016-08-28T04:13:00 | It was petrolhead heaven in Porirua when the Western Bay Street Rodders car show roared into town. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fmotoring%2Fcustoms-classics%2F83646210%2FCustom-classics-on-show-at-Porirua-car-show.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/t/s/m/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsttu.png/1472357580211.jpg | en | null | Custom classics on show at Porirua car show | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Custom classics on show at Porirua car show
MAARTEN HOLL/FAIRFAX NZ Colin Wansbrough, club president of the Western Bays Street Rodders, with his 1956 Chevrolet Bel-Air.
It was petrolhead heaven in Porirua when the Western Bay Street Rodders car show roared into town.
More than 100 vehicles were on display, from Chevys from the 1950s to customised hot rod classics.
MAARTEN HOLL/Fairfax NZ Petrol heads flock to Porirua for car show
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/customs-classics/83646210/Custom-classics-on-show-at-Porirua-car-show | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/0e1e9b1006da21169e8c75952f75db3f40dbf5276e4a327ef41a110ef3c7c981.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:51:23 | null | 2016-08-28T19:32:17 | More than 60 construction-related companies have been liquidated this year, owing about $40m. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2F83522292%2FCanterburys-bloody-problem-Hundreds-of-building-related-firms-failing.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/b/b/9/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dq67o.png/1472412738048.jpg | en | null | Canterbury's 'bloody problem': Hundreds of building-related firms failing | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Canterbury's 'bloody problem': Hundreds of building-related firms failing
IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Approximately 160 building-related Christchurch companies have collapsed since January 2015, records indicate.
More than 60 construction-related Christchurch companies have been liquidated this year, owing creditors an estimated $40 million.
Analysis of hundreds of insolvency records found about 160 companies in the building industry registered in Canterbury have gone bust since January 2015.
The building industry's woes have been well-publicised, with the collapse of firms including Stonewood Homes, H & R Garlick, Goodlife Homes and Urban Construction.
FAIRFAX NZ Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith says a review of insolvency laws will bolster the law.
At least six Christchurch construction-related firms liquidated this year owed creditors more than $1m when they went under.
READ MORE:
* Rebuild-related firms going bust
* Container mall firm fails
* Goodbye Goodlife Homes
* 400 owed combined $20 million
* Urban Construction flops
* Wheelers 'symptomatic' of post-rebuild struggle
Stonewood Homes' collapse left debts totalling nearly $20m.
GRANT MATTHEW/FAIRFAX NZ Creditors of failed home builder Stonewood Homes gather at a liquidator's meeting. Almost 400 companies and contractors were stung by Stonewood's collapse.
Canterbury Registered Master Builders president Ivan Stanicich said there was no denying the number of companies going under was a "bloody problem".
"The law is an arse . . . and it lets people protect their interests by shutting the doors when it's tough."
Bigger and more established businesses did not do this, Stanicich said.
After the earthquakes the Earthquake Commission (EQC) approved contractors to carry out thousands of home repairs, he said.
"It's evident now that many of those contractors weren't up to it and now EQC is crying foul because they're no longer in business any more.
"It doesn't take an Einstein to figure out that would happen."
Stanicich said Auckland, the next "boom and bust city", needed to learn from the construction industry in Christchurch.
NUMBERS COULD BE HIGHER
EY liquidator Rhys Cain said there were probably more failed construction firms that had traded in Canterbury at some point, but they were difficult to trace.
There were numerous explanations why Canterbury companies had failed, Cain said.
"The most common difficulty they are showing is poor cashflow management, very tight margins, lack of experience in managing a business, difficulties in obtaining and retaining quality staff," he said.
Firms came to Christchurch "because of the post-quake building boom".
"Some would've just thought you'd come down here and you'd be rolling in gold and it's just not quite like that.
"You've got to have a good business brain," Cain said.
Most liquidators would have seen examples of cowboy operators liquidating to avoid their liabilities.
"The reality there though is that it doesn't matter what industry you're in, there are always some bad eggs . . . the majority of people in the industry of course are good operators," Cain said.
The number of building firm liquidations Cain was dealing with was "running at a higher percentage than usual".
"You've got to be really careful about that, because what you've got to remember is that pre-earthquake there might have been, let's say, 50 building companies in Christchurch and maybe two of them might fail in a year.
"Now say there are 1000 building companies and say 50 failing – as a percentage it might be roughly about the same, but because there's a greater number it just looks bad," Cain said.
GOVERNMENT HINTS AT CHANGES
Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Paul Goldsmith on Thursday released the first part of a review into insolvency law, which includes measures to address issues around voluntary liquidations.
The report said insolvency practitioners were under-regulated and recommended a licensing body be formed.
It said companies or shareholders should not be able to appoint liquidators.
The Government should also void the transfer of a company's assets once a liquidation application had been filed and introduce a publicly searchable unique identification number for existing and future directors, the working group recommended.
Building and Housing Minister Nick Smith said the Government was concerned about the "commercial incentives" in the construction industry towards short-term limited liability companies.
The work announced by Goldsmith would bolster the law, Smith said.
"[It's intended] to make it more difficult for companies, including those in the building sector, to regularly wind up and start afresh," he said.
A wider Building Act review would look at liability issues and a discussion paper was being developed, he said.
Smith said the Law Commission has proposed a cap on councils' liability and a system of new build warranties or guarantees.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83522292/Canterburys-bloody-problem-Hundreds-of-building-related-firms-failing | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/6f872daf43a2af42dff3cb0fa08b7766aedf785c21d997a367828121b54b5614.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:31 | null | 2016-08-29T02:37:07 | If you have an iPhone, you need to update iOS now, owners are told. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Findustries%2F83676452%2FUpdate-your-iPhone-to-avoid-major-security-flaw-users-told.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/f/9/p/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dth5w.png/1472438227648.jpg | en | null | Update your iPhone to avoid major security flaw, users told | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Update your iPhone to avoid major security flaw, users told
MICHAELA REHLE/REUTERS Apple was warned and fixed the flaw with an update to iOS, version 9.3.5.
If you have an iPhone, you need to update iOS now.
Security firm Lookout announced on Thursday that it has discovered a major security flaw that exploits iOS and can give a third party complete control over your iPhone.
According to Lookout, the attack was created by Israel-based NSO Group, and it works when the attacker sends a link to the victim's iPhone via a text message.
If the victim clicks the link, the attacker can access nearly everything on the iPhone from call logs to emails.
READ MORE: iPhones infected with 'touch disease'
Lookout warned Apple about the exploit before going public with it, and Apple fixed the flaw with an update to iOS, version 9.3.5, that was released on Thursday.
You can update your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
"We were made aware of this vulnerability and immediately fixed it with iOS 9.3.5," an Apple spokesperson told Business Insider.
"We advise all of our customers to always download the latest version of iOS to protect themselves against potential security exploits."
- BusinessInsider.com.au | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/83676452/Update-your-iPhone-to-avoid-major-security-flaw-users-told | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9ffd79d2820d8640ed844a6b4bffd655632f350b5baa06682e4e34c241cc09c1.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:52:47 | null | 2016-08-31T08:24:13 | The Silver Ferns have opened up a five-goal advantage at halftime in Hamilton. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fnetball%2F83744276%2FSilver-Ferns-lead-Proteas-at-halftime-of-their-Quad-Series-clash-in-Hamilton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/n/y/j/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duxhw.png/1472632051804.jpg | en | null | Silver Ferns lead Proteas at halftime of their Quad Series clash in Hamilton | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Silver Ferns lead Proteas at halftime of their Quad Series clash in Hamilton
GETTY IMAGES Grace Rasmussen and the Silver Ferns lead South Africa by five at halftime.
The Silver Ferns lead South Africa 32-27 at halftime of their Quad Series match in Hamilton.
The visitors, who have only beat the Silver Ferns once previously, in 1995, opened up a two-goal lead at the end of the first quarter, capitalising on some sloppy midcourt play by the hosts.
But after making several changes, the Ferns came charging back in the second spell, winning it by seven to take a five-goal advantage into the halftime break.
READ MORE:
* Plenty of unknowns for Silver Ferns
* Watson credits consistency and maturity
* Plenty of work ahead for Silver Ferns
* Silver Ferns trounce England
Later on Wednesday night, Australia host England in Adelaide in what will be both sides' second match, with the series to be wrapped up in Melbourne on Sunday, where England play South Africa and the Silver Ferns play Australia.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/83744276/Silver-Ferns-lead-Proteas-at-halftime-of-their-Quad-Series-clash-in-Hamilton | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9fcb2030176820cddfcb5beb3ad720d9f5e29a0cf0acfca99b176b8215e69247.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T14:51:57 | null | 2016-08-30T13:15:55 | After some resistance following horror start, BJ Watling falls in Black Caps run-chase. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83736344%2FLive-Black-Caps-v-South-Africa-second-test-day-four.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/r/f/a/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1durdk.png/1472562955463.jpg | en | null | Live: Black Caps v South Africa - second test, day four | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Live: Black Caps v South Africa - second test, day four
BACKPAGE PIX/PHOTOSPORT Kane Williamson and the Black Caps have a lot of work to do at Centurion Park in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Black Caps are chasing 400 runs against South Africa, but the team has had a horror start to day four of the second test.
REPORT
Black Caps must make history to win
SCORECARD
Black Caps v Proteas
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83736344/Live-Black-Caps-v-South-Africa-second-test-day-four | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/3381d61a4765788de9bb93be1c8a6b23e80dff6056521e729200db36bb2063e5.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:33 | null | 2016-08-29T02:07:27 | Society sees men as being more decisive - but the research tells a different story. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2F83671172%2FWhy-women-are-better-decision-makers-than-men.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/e/f/x/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtd38.png/1472436447485.jpg | en | null | Why women are better decision-makers than men | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Why women are better decision-makers than men
123RF The closer a woman gets to a deadline or stressful event, the sharper her decision-making skills become.
They say the average person makes 35,000 decisions a day. Some are quick and thoughtless, like whether to have tea or coffee; others concern the big stuff, like what school you should send your child to, or whether to apply for that job.
Yet in her new book, How Women Decide, Therese Huston explores the theory that women's decisions are respected less than men's - and why this could be holding women back.
"There's a huge double standard when it comes to how men and women are perceived as decision-makers," explains Huston, a cognitive psychologist from Seattle University.
Huston decided to write the book after looking at her bookshelf: "At one end, there were these best-selling books about how to be a brilliant decision-maker - all written by men and featuring interviews with men such as stockbrokers and athletes.
READ MORE:
* Are men or women better at assembling Ikea furniture?
* Ryan Gosling: Women are 'better, stronger, more evolved
* Running makes you smarter – here's how
A female boss is more likely to ask the opinions of those around her when making a choice. Women ask for input, which has been shown to help you make better decisions.
At the other end were books aimed at women, on gaining leadership skills and confidence. I thought, 'Once those women are at the table, will their decisions be taken as seriously as men's?' "
She believes not. "Men are respected as decision-makers more than women, especially in the workplace, largely because there's this cultural belief that women are incapable of making smart choices at work. You see slightly mocking studies about women taking too long deciding what to wear each day - but where are the similar ones looking into how long men take to choose a new car?
"These stereotypes back the belief that if you want a decision to be made quickly and effectively, you should ask a man. They may also be causing women to question their ability to make the big decisions."
So Huston set out to pick apart the stereotypes to see what scientific research had found. "Firstly, I found that the trait of decisiveness is very valued. Studies show that it is the top-ranking quality we look for in a leader. Studies also show that society sees men as being more decisive. However, scientific research shows that men and women struggle with decision-making equally. The only difference I found was during the teenage years - teenage girls are more indecisive than teenage boys. Otherwise, there's little difference between the genders."
123RF Teenage girls - the exception to the rules - are more indecisive than teenage boys.
However, there are some differences. "Women are more collaborative," says Huston. "A female boss is more likely to ask the opinions of those around her when making a choice. Women ask for input, which has been shown to help you make better decisions. Ironically, however, this is often seen as a weakness rather than a strength.'
She also found that during times of stress, men and women make different choices - and the outcomes are often better when women are involved (a recent Fortune magazine article on the financial crash of 2007 was entitled How more women on Wall Street could have prevented the financial crisis). Or as Huston puts it, "Neuroscientists know about the differences between the way men and women make decisions, but investments bankers probably don't." Study after study backs this view up.
Cognitive neuroscientists Mara Mather, from the University of Southern California, and Nichole R. Lighthall, from Duke University, North Carolina, recently studied the way men and women make decisions and found that in times of stress, they react very differently. During their study, which involved playing a virtual gambling game, they found that when the women became stressed, they made smart decisions - quitting while they were ahead or taking safe bets - but when the men became stressed, they did the opposite, risking everything for a slim chance of winning big.
Another study, by neurobiologist Ruud van den Bos from Radboud University in the Netherlands, also found a greater tendency in men to make risky decisions when stressed. At the same time, it found that women make better decisions when under pressure and the closer a woman gets to a deadline or stressful event, the sharper her decision-making skills become. Yet van den Bos found that the women in the study were more critical of their decision-making ability than the men.
Huston says women are often brought into big companies when things are falling apart - yet if they were included when key decisions were initially being made, it might have prevented the problems arising.
So, are women's decisions treated differently to men's?
In her book, Huston cites an example: in 2013, Yahoo's newly appointed chief executive Marissa Mayer announced that the company would be ending its policy of allowing employees to work from home full time, a decision that was criticised by everybody from newspaper columnists to Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. But just a week later, when another well-known US chief executive, Hubert Joly of electronics company Best Buy, announced the same thing, nothing was said.
Huston gives another example from early in her career, when she was living and working five hours away from her fiancé. Both were advancing in their jobs but they decided that he would quit his job to move closer to hers.
"His bosses offered him recommendations, wished him luck and people accepted his decision," she says. "A year later, things changed and we decided I'd move to follow his career.
"It was the exact same scenario we'd been in a year before, yet I faced a lot of questions. My boss at the time came into my office, closed the door and told me I had poor judgment. Friends and colleagues also questioned my decision - a decision that was never queried when it was made by a man. It would seem women have their choices scrutinised a lot more than men."
Which is ironic, given that they may be making better decisions in the first place.
DECISION-MAKING: SMART STRATEGIES
Rename a feeling
"If you're anxious about a decision, tell yourself you're just excited," says Huston. "The body experiences the two emotions in the same way."
Adopt the 10, 10, 10 strategy
"Think about the consequences of your decisions in 10 hours, 10 months and 10 years," says Huston. "When we're struggling with a decision, we're often struggling with the initial impact it'll have. Quitting your job may feel awful for 10 hours, but in 10 weeks, and 10 years, will you feel happier with your choice?"
Give yourself three options
"When we make decisions, we often give ourselves just two options to choose between," says Huston.
"But try adding a third. Research shows that people's satisfaction levels five years down the road are higher when they give themselves several options when making big decisions. So don't have tunnel vision - put a third, perhaps unlikely, option on the table."
Be collaborative
Huston points to research that shows collaborative decision-making - something women are more inclined towards - tends to lead to better outcomes. "So don't be afraid to invite others to help you make decisions."
Remain in charge
While it's important to ask others for their opinions, don't let this decision-making style be mistaken for indecisiveness. "Be explicit about when you are and aren't taking input," says Huston. "This might mean saying, 'Let's have a meeting on Monday to discuss things and I'll decide what's best on Tuesday.' "
How Women Decide: What's True, What's Not, and What Strategies Spark the Best Choices by Therese Huston is out now.
- smh.com.au | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/83671172/Why-women-are-better-decision-makers-than-men | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/15ae27021cb804bdf3288a12c57b85dec3ab9880477754b92d348618d11e912b.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:51:53 | null | 2016-08-30T00:06:50 | Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington will host pink ball floodlit matches in March. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83709039%2FPink-ball-to-grace-NZ-first-class-cricket-in-March-as-trial-for-day-night-test.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/p/w/k/t/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1du6b3.png/1472515611146.jpg | en | null | Pink ball to grace NZ first-class cricket in March as trial for day-night test | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Pink ball to grace NZ first-class cricket in March as trial for day-night test
JOHN COWPLAND/PHOTOSPORT Seventeen years after it opened, Wellington's Westpac Stadium will become a first-class cricket venue for a floodlit pink ball game in March.
Wellington's Westpac Stadium will become New Zealand's newest first-class cricket venue in March, as the Plunket Shield turns to floodlit pink ball matches.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed the four-day Plunket Shield and 50-over competition schedules for 2016-17 on Tuesday, highlighted by a first-class day-night round.
Wellington's stadium - which hasn't hosted a first-class match on the drop-in pitch since it opened in 2000 - Auckland's Eden Park and Hamilton's Seddon Park will switch on their lights and unwrap the pink ball for the first time in New Zealand's domestic competition, from March 6-9.
Wellington will host Otago, defending champions Auckland will host Canterbury and Northern Districts will host Central Districts in the seventh round matches designed to test run pink ball cricket with a view to Eden Park hosting the country's first day-night test on the drop-in against England in March 2018.
READ MORE:
* Pink ball cricket coming to Wellington
* South Africa maintain control
* Steyn: Wagner lacked courage
That match hasn't yet been rubber stamped as a day-nighter and this Plunket Shield round will be important for that.
Players will provide feedback on the biggest drawback of the pink ball: how difficult it is for batsmen and fielders to see when the floodlights take effect. Other factors like the ball's durability and how it's affected by evening dew will be closely watched.
The Black Caps played in the first day-night cricket test against Australia on the Adelaide drop-in pitch last November but the concept has hit a few speed bumps in New Zealand.
A proposed full round of pink ball Plunket Shield matches last summer was scrapped due to the light quality at Napier's McLean Park, and NZC abandoned plans to push for one of three tests against South Africa to be a day-nighter this coming March.
Seddon Park has hosted two pink ball trials under lights - a Black Caps open wicket practice last October and a Fergus Hickey Rosebowl minor association match in March - but there is understood to be concern that the ground's lights aren't strong enough for a test match.
The Plunket Shield will start on October 22 with Central hosting Otago in Nelson, Canterbury hosting Northern at Hagley Oval and Wellington taking their home game against Auckland to Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval with its better early season climate.
Teams will play the first five Plunket Shield rounds till November 25 before the Twenty20 competition kicks into gear later than last season when it was marred by poor weather and low crowds.
The T20 schedule will be announced this week, and will fit into the early December to mid-January window before the 50-over competition runs from January 15 till February 18.
The remaining five Plunket Shield rounds will be played from February 25 till April 1.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83709039/Pink-ball-to-grace-NZ-first-class-cricket-in-March-as-trial-for-day-night-test | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/be11a99a899bfd22ce1716dfafa408ca449a2a0fd822a848950a0f4f59b5f1da.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:50:18 | null | 2016-08-27T03:28:53 | Star of the franchise, Renee Zellweger, explains why Bridget makes it ok not to be perfect. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Ffilm%2F83631553%2FRenee-Zellweger-Bridget-Jones-makes-it-ok-not-to-be-perfect.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/i/h/j/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsiip.png/1472268533145.jpg | en | null | Renee Zellweger: Bridget Jones makes it ok not to be perfect | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Renee Zellweger: Bridget Jones makes it ok not to be perfect
Lap Phan Renee Zellweger and Patrick Dempsey reflect on almost 16 years of Bridget Jones clumsily tripping over the screens and why she is a hero to so many women around the world.
Renee Zellweger is sitting on a couch looking at the rain-covered Opera House.
"It's not failure to not succeed," she says. "You just go on and do the next thing."
Zellweger is sitting beside actor Patrick Dempsey, her co-star in Bridget Jones's Baby, the third instalment in the Bridget Jones franchise. He is nodding, opening his mouth to say something.
Mario Anzuoni "It's not failure to not succeed," Renee Zellweger says. "You just go on and do the next thing."
"And it's being yourself, being a genuine article," Zellweger says. "Because there's plenty of people to do the other jobs of what you're not. The appeal is to be unique in your specialness. Be unique."
Read more:
* Bridget Jones is the hero we all need say Renee Zellweger and Patrick Dempsey
* Bridget Jones' Baby: Second trailer gives a closer look at Bridget's return to being single
* Hugh Grant in hot water after failing to recognise Renee Zellweger
Getty Renee Zellweger and Patrick Dempsey say Bridget Jones' anxieties are something we can all relate to.
Zellweger is talking about Bridget Jones, the fictional character that lit up so many women's lives in the late 1990s and who became a trailblazer in the quest to be oneself rather than who we are expected to be.
Heroine of imperfection, her greatest power might be the determination to KBO, keep buggering on, the mantra used by writer Helen Fielding (after Winston Churchill) when she introduced the self-improvement-obsessed singleton 20 years ago in an anonymously written newspaper column.
Zellweger is also talking about ideals of human perfection, in particular what is perceived as the epitome of female beauty.
Getty Single and pregnant: Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones's Baby.
We are "made to believe that there's some value in meeting a social paradigm", Zellweger says. "It's been that way for centuries. It's always been that way with paradigms of beauty.
"But that's why Bridget's so much fun. She reminds us that outside of that there's a different truth. And the truth is that everybody has something to contribute. And everybody has appeal in what they are as individuals.
"And it's much more powerful than looking like everybody else and meeting that standard that is unattainable in most cases, especially today.
Renee Zellweger in the original Bridget Jones's Diary.
"And, who cares by the way?
"It's so much more fun to be around a person who isn't consumed with thoughts about that. But is just busy doing and being who they are. It's so ... it's magic."
Dempsey jumps up in his seat.
"Bridget's an archetype that's inspired other generations of women, Tina Fey in 30 Rock, Amy Schumer in Trainwreck, talking about ideas of perfection and beauty," he says. "And they're talking about it openly and honestly, that's the thing.
"It's not in denial. It's not swept under the carpet. It's 'Here's the truth'."
It is 21 years since Fielding first introduced Bridget Jones in her columns in The Independent newspaper, the first of which appeared on February 28, 1995.
It began:
"8st 13, alcohol units 2 (excellent), cigarettes 7, calories 3100 (poor).
"2pm. Oh why hasn't Daniel rung? Hideous, wasted weekend glaring psychopathically at the phone, and eating things. I cannot believe I convinced myself I was keeping the entire weekend free to work, when in fact I was on permanent date-with-Daniel standby."
Only Fielding's section editor knew who was writing the frank and cuttingly witty column about a single, working woman taking on life and love with accident-prone optimism.
Fielding has said she did not want any other colleagues at the newspaper to know it was her work because "all the journalists on my desk were frightfully serious and writing about New Labour and global warming – I didn't want them to know that I was writing about why it takes three hours between waking up in the morning and leaving the house".
But the column's success led Fielding to be revealed as the author and, in 1996, the novel Bridget Jones's Diary, loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice, was published. In 2001, it was adapted into a successful film starring Zellweger as the heroine, Colin Firth as her frosty barrister true love, Mark Darcy, and Hugh Grant as publisher and caddish womaniser, Daniel Cleaver.
Its sequel, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, ended with Bridget, freed from a Thai jail, experienced in lesbian kissing, and engaged to Mark Darcy. She signs off with the declaration: "Bridget Jones has cocked things up for the very last time."
But, in Bridget Jones's Baby, set 15 years later, she does. Bridget is 43, successful as a TV news producer, triumphant with weight issues but still frustrated by love and loneliness. After unexpected dalliances with handsome billionaire dating guru Jack Qwant, played by Dempsey, and an about-to-be divorced Mark Darcy, she discovers she is pregnant but does not know who the father is.
The story is based on columns by Fielding and not her most recent book Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, which follows Bridget's life five years after the death of Darcy as she raises their two children. Published in 2013, it sat at the top of the Sunday Times bestseller list for six months.
Zellweger describes Fielding as "hilarious" in person.
"She's soft-spoken but her words are filled with irony and wit and she's quick," she says. "So quick with words. She's easy to make laugh. She's a beauty.
"She was a little bit surprised at how much of a phenomenon Bridget became. Because it was so personal for her. It was just before the second film when she was writing the script she talked about her delight at how many people related, you know?
"Her writing resonates so beautifully about someone who is part of the everyday."
Such is Bridget Jones' reach it is hard to believe she pre-dates Sex and the City, Tinder and text messages. She writes her diary on an iPad now and her once grimy neighbourhood is now the home of bearded hipsters but, as Zellweger says, Bridget still has her inner dialogue, her insecurities and what she wishes she could change about herself.
"And that's what we relate to because we all have those moments when we say, 'Oh if only .. ' and 'Why is my hair so stupid?' and 'Why can't I?' And 'Why is this?'. We all have that," Zellweger says.
"And it's shaped by social pressures and cultural pressures but also by an ideal that we set for ourselves. What we prefer. And where does that come from? I don't know. A lot of stuff."
In 2014, Zellweger was, famously, the subject of media comment exclaiming, somewhat bizarrely, that she looked different than she used to years previously.
In June this year an article in Variety prompted the actress to write an essay titled "We Can Do Better" for The Huffington Post discussing not whether she had had plastic surgery on her face, or even how the basics of human ageing worked, but how "humiliating tabloid stories, mean-spirited judgments and false information" are harmful and a waste of news reporting.
"Maybe we could talk more about why we seem to collectively share an appetite for witnessing people diminished and humiliated with attacks on appearance and character and how it impacts younger generations and struggles for equality," she wrote in the essay.
Bridget represents someone who is is ultimately triumphant despite ideals of what is perfect, she tells me.
"We know that by being privy to her inner dialogue about it," she says. "It's so beautiful because we're going through that ourselves with everything.
"There's apprehension, we have anxieties and, you know, you're not allowed to. You're supposed to put on a brave face and you've got to go on through and say 'What am I afraid of?' and you've gotta be perfect with your dress and get everything right.
"And, gosh, it's so nice to think, 'Oh right, I understand that, she understands me as I struggle with those things as well'. Bridget is undefeated."
Bridget Jones's Baby is also empowering, it can be argued, because it features a lot of kissing and, in particular Colin Firth as Mark Darcy, the modern-day version of Jane Austen's Mr Darcy.
In the film Bridget wanders mistakenly into Jack Qwant's yurt (think glamping) at a music festival and, after a short discussion about whose yurt it is, they engage in proper romance.
Later, when Bridget encounters Mark Darcy at a christening, and discovers he is no longer with his wife, they also embark on thrillingly lingering kissing, et al.
Zellweger attributes the smouldering romance, in particular Firth's burningly intense lip-brushing kisses with Bridget to Sharon Maguire, who directed Bridget Jones's Baby and Bridget Jones's Diary.
"What can I say?" she says "Woman director. Woman director knows women.
"It's the truly scary moment, the about to kiss moment, not the taking the clothes off. It's that bit when you're hoping it's going to happen and it's [high voice] 'Oh ... will ... oh will he kiss me'."
"There's something old fashioned about it," Dempsey says. "I think you look at the romantic comedies and the comedies that are coming out now, we've lost something.
"The courtship and the sophistication of the 1920s and '30s, it's just been overshadowed by these big blockbusters."
Bridget Jones's Baby keeps audiences guessing who the father of Bridget's baby is until the end. It also leaves the question of who Bridget will end up with, Mark Darcy or Jack Qwant, until very late in the plot.
But then, fans of Bridget, who began reading her in their 20s and have lived through two decades of finding and losing love, saying the wrong thing, trying to eat right, drinking too many glasses of wine and dealing with sociopath managers at work have also waited a long time to see what happens to her.
Dempsey jumps up again.
"You know, if I may quote Colin, I'm sure he won't mind, he said he's happy that it took time for them to come back to this," he says. "Because it allowed the characters to live and breathe so that there's a stronger point of view coming into it.
"He said it's nice that there's been a bit of a break and there's now a hunger for Bridget and returning to the story.
"I think we're living in a world of superheroes but her super strength is her humanity. The vulnerability, the character flaws, all of that is what is so accessible about her."
Zellweger claps her hands.
"She makes it OK for us to not be perfect," she says. "And I think we all crave that."
KBO. Keep buggering on.
Bridget Jones's Baby opens on September 22.
- Sydney Morning Herald | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/83631553/Renee-Zellweger-Bridget-Jones-makes-it-ok-not-to-be-perfect | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/0c3bd5d8423cae8e440c2a53947d22277e078073dc6a2e9fcb44a90e33bdd4b7.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T10:50:31 | null | 2016-08-27T10:19:49 | OPINION: Wallabies face huge problems with a rebuild required. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fall-blacks%2F83635278%2FPhil-Gifford-All-Blacks-produce-the-magic-against-Cheikas-lost-mongrels.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/l/d/4/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsle6.png/1472293189956.jpg | en | null | Phil Gifford: All Blacks produce the magic against Cheika's lost mongrels | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Phil Gifford: All Blacks produce the magic against Cheika's lost mongrels
GETTY IMAGES Anton Lienert-Brown and Beauden Barrett of New Zealand rush in to celebrate an Israel Dagg try last night.
OPINION: Why did 35,455 people pack out the stadium in Wellington on Saturday night?
There was a chilly rain falling as people made their way along the waterfront, and there were signs of even more.
Everybody knew what the results of game was going to be, and so it proved, even if the All Blacks were not as stunning as they were last week in Sydney. What drew so many fans out?
The fact that this is the best All Blacks squad of the last 50 years is probably one reason.
READ MORE:
* McCaw: I hope it's closer this time
* Wallabies deluded
* Aust, South Africa lose teams?
But more likely is that fans know that if you miss a test by this team you may miss a moment that will live in your memory forever.
It may be the stunning take by Ben Smith as he soared above Israel Folau, a man so good in the air a Sydney Aussie Rules club was happy to pay $A4.2 million for his contract.
Fittingly it was local heroes, Beauden Barrett, with a laser kick, and then Julian Savea, with a take and bullocking run, who converted Smith's brilliance into a try.
Barrett was sensational again. His sprint to set up Israel Dagg's second try was like a lightning strike at sea, so fast and glowing, the eye could hardy take it in.
Then there was Dane Coles. He's opened up a whole new world of skills for a front-rower. We're used to speedsters being whippets, not a man whose half-mast socks reveal legs so sturdy they could hold up any grand piano in the world.
As for the Wallabies, there are huge problems here. This is not the worst Wallaby team ever.
Mention "1972", the year of the Awful Aussies, to an aged Australian rugby fan and watch him blanch.
On Saturday night the Wallabies left the city for the ground 30 minutes later than the All Blacks, and no wonder.
It's unlikely that prisoners raced to be the first on the tumbrel heading for the guillotine.
I asked an Aussie rugby man during the week what word he'd use to describe Michael Cheika, and he replied "abrasive."
Certainly the Wallabies came to the park with an edge last night. But if you looked at someone like Adam Coleman, the rookie lock, it was clear that he was revved up far too much. Three scuffles in the first six minutes, and then a binning for a silly late charge on Ben Smith smacked of a man who was seeing the game through too red a mist.
To be blunt, the Wallaby newcomers looked green, and the veterans just look old. When he beat Sonny Liston in their first fight, Muhammad Ali would say that in the moment he hit Liston and opened a cut on his cheekbone, "I saw what he'd look like when he was old."
There was a moment exactly like that in the first half when Coles bumped off Adam Ashley-Cooper, and then easily stepped into a ponderous attempt at a tackle by Stephen Moore.
Like all coaches on a losing streak Cheika has received the public backing of his officials, which is always a spooky thing to have. Patently there is no need for Steve Tew to let us know the New Zealand union has total faith in Steve Hansen. The rebuild for Australia is likely to be long, and there will be casualties along the way.
Right now a Wallaby revival looks like a speck in the far distance.
- Sunday Star Times | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83635278/Phil-Gifford-All-Blacks-produce-the-magic-against-Cheikas-lost-mongrels | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9bacab964199429f69db0902d669ac84f9279397cd211e20523f411cd945647f.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:52:38 | null | 2016-08-31T06:50:03 | A decontamination tent is being set up at a small rural school. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83775977%2FFire-crews-at-rural-Waikato-school-after-mercury-spill.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/etc/designs/ffx/nz/stuff/social-media-logos/stuff-180x180.jpg | en | null | Fire crews at rural Waikato school after mercury spill | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Fire crews at rural Waikato school after mercury spill
A decontamination tent is being set up at a small rural school near Raglan after 30 mercury balls spilled in the old dental clinic building.
Fire crews were called to Kawhia School at 3pm on Wednesday after the hazardous spill was discovered.
Shift manager Jaron Phillips said the mercury spilled inside the wall of the building which is being refurbished.
The scene has been secured and a decontamination tent was erected before firemen entered, he said.
There are five fire crews at the scene and another one is on the way.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83775977/Fire-crews-at-rural-Waikato-school-after-mercury-spill | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/fe66ed8a251e87e962ec4b54d841285c13ea0c6984d6d8f15bebfceb21be52a1.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T08:50:35 | null | 2016-08-27T06:58:11 | Police Association president Greg O'Connor has returned from a world tour visiting some of the countries where cannabis is legal in some form. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83626633%2FOutgoing-Police-Association-boss-explores-the-effects-of-cannabis-decriminalisation.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/7/q/8/o/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dseq1.png/1472281094607.jpg | en | null | Outgoing Police Association boss explores the effects of cannabis decriminalisation | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Outgoing Police Association boss explores the effects of cannabis decriminalisation
KEVIN STENT/FAIRFAX NZ New Zealand Police Association President Greg O'Connor.
The outgoing boss of the New Zealand Police Association says a tour of cannabis-friendly countries was an eye-opener, but hasn't convinced him that New Zealand should follow suit.
Greg O'Connor spent time travelling through Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands and Colorado, in the United States, seeing firsthand the effects of both decriminalisation and legalisation of cannabis.
He says while it hasn't inspired him to change his stance on the issue, it's given him a much greater understanding of the issues.
STEVE DIPAOLA/REUTERS A cannabis plant.
While O'Connor remains cautious in his approach to the relaxing of cannabis laws in New Zealand, he says the government has a responsibility to address the issue as a whole.
READ MORE:
* Government could make $150 million annually from taxing cannabis
* Differing sentences for medical cannabis an injustice
* We would legalise medicinal cannabis - Labour leader
"If there is going to be a change, a liberalisation, then I believe you need to address the supply side at the same time, as well as the consumer side.
"For example, if we decriminalise it, there will be a lot more cannabis smoked so that means it's got to come from somewhere and the only place it can come from is criminal sources." he said.
That's where a recent trip to Colorado has been beneficial, providing an example of the effects of cannabis legalisation, rather than decriminalisation.
"Colorado is the model, I'm not saying it's better or worse, but it's the only place I've gone to where it's legal from seed to weed as they say."
O'Connor finishes up his Police Association presidency in late October, a role he says he'll miss.
"It's nice to be able to add to the debate and be well informed because there are so many people participating who don't really know the full story and they come at it from their own angle"
The government's National Drug Policy which includes a review of some offences and penalties in the Misuse of Drugs Act will begin in 2017.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83626633/Outgoing-Police-Association-boss-explores-the-effects-of-cannabis-decriminalisation | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/03e77ca8d147ba4f5105d937c8edf3d252e57cf37cd7d8324182a26012014219.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T00:50:16 | null | 2016-08-27T00:43:31 | The most talked about moments from Video Music Awards of past. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Fmusic%2F83608587%2FTop-5-MTV-Music-Award-shockers.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/a/6/e/5/1/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1ds0sr.png/1472258611717.jpg | en | null | Top 5 MTV Music Award shockers | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Top 5 MTV Music Award shockers
GETTY IMAGES Britney Spears, Madonna and Christina Aguilera perform opening act at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards.
The MTV Video Music Awards began in 1984 as a way to celebrate the art of the music video.
To some degree, it still is, and we will be rooting for Kiwi Parris Goebel on Monday when her video for Justin Bieber's Sorry goes up against big names for Best Video.
But the awards have also become a bit of a competition for who can create the most memorable, shocking moment.
With Kanye West confirmed to attend, as well as a performance from Britney Spears, Sunday's show is unlikely to disappoint.
READ MORE
* Parris Goebel: 'It's a beautiful reminder to myself that anything is possible'
* MTV praises Sorry and Kanye West, snubs Taylor Swift
* Britney Spears next for Carpool Karaoke
* Devastating flooding catches Louisiana off guard
* Three dead, more than 1000 rescued from 'unprecedented' US floods
* Taylor Swift donates $1.3 million to relief projects after Louisiana flooding
* Listen: Britney Spears' new single Make Me
Here are our picks for the most memorable, shocking moments of the VMA's.
1. Miley Cyrus, 2013
Miley Cyrus successfully shocked the world with her performance of We Can't Stop in 2013, where the former child star danced with giant, twerking teddy bears and wagged her tongue about for the entire performance.
Yet none of that was was the most shocking thing about Cyrus' performance, that had to go to her stripping down to a nude bikini and grinding against Robin Thicke as he appeared on stage to sing Blurred Lines.
Allegedly, Thicke later regretted asking Cyrus to share the stage with him, as he wanted the media focus to be on him, not Cyrus
2. Britney Spears, 2001
Britney Spears proved her innocent Baby One More Time days were well and truly over when she appeared in a cage with a live tiger, essentially wearing ribbons, to perform I'm a Slave 4 U.
In case that did not catch enough attention, half-way through the performance Spears danced holding a live, albino Burmese Python.
The performance also caught the attention of Peta, who heavily criticised the the use of live animals. Spears has since said she would never dance with a snake on stage again, calling the stunt "dumb".
3. Nirvana, 1992
Nirvana decided to make MTV executives sweat during their 1992 performance by opening with their song Rape Me, which they were specifically asked not to sing.
After a few seconds, the band reverted back to the planned stage list of Lithium and Smells Like Teen Spirit.
But the prank would not be the most bizarre moment of Nirvana's performance.
Near the end of the song, bass player Krist Novoselic seemed to become frustrated that his amp had stopped functioning, and tossed it in the air, naturally.
The instrument landed on his forehead, causing him to fall over and stumble about the stage in a daze. His fellow band members also ended the performance by trashing their instruments, before Novoselic started shouting into the microphone "Where's Axl?".
He was provoking Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose, who reportedly shared some frontman-rivalry with Kurt Cobain.
4. Madonna, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, 2003
What list of shocking VMA moments would be complete without including the on-stage kiss between Madonna and Britney Spears?
During the performance of Like a Virgin, Madonna also kissed Christina Aguilera, but cameras chose to pan to the reaction of Spears' ex, Justin Timberlake, instead.
5. Kanye West storms the stage, 2009
Kanye West stole Taylor Swift's thunder in the worst way possible when he stormed the stage to steal the microphone from her during her Best Female Video acceptance speech for You Belong With Me.
"Yo Tay, I'm really happy for you, and I'mma let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. One of the best videos of all time!" the rapper said, before handing the mic back to Swift, who did not finish her speech.
The move would spark an a rift between the two performers which it seems has still not died.
The MTV Video Music Awards will air live from New York's Madison Square Garden on Monday, August 29, from 12pm, on MTV.
Check out Stuff Entertainment's live blog of the ceremony, from 12pm.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/83608587/Top-5-MTV-Music-Award-shockers | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9dd517995e77ee0e81ba8b9e53e0b93675a7acc75d0f2a0cbd4ff17aff461809.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T18:52:20 | null | 2016-08-30T18:50:01 | Controversially sentenced to six months prison for sexually assaulting classmate, he's set to leave after three. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Famericas%2F83741100%2FBrock-Turner-to-leave-jail-after-serving-half-his-sexual-assault-sentence.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/7/q/a/8/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duv1o.png/1472583001431.jpg | en | null | Brock Turner to leave jail after serving half his sexual assault sentence | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Brock Turner to leave jail after serving half his sexual assault sentence
SUPPLIED Brock Turner and his father Dan Turner in court.
On Friday (Saturday NZT), Brock Turner, the Stanford swimmer who was convicted of sexually assaulting an unconscious classmate when he was 20 years old, is scheduled to be released from a US jail.
On that day, he'll have spent three months in a cell - only half of his already controversial six month sentence.
This isn't a surprise.
STEPHEN LAM/REUTERS Activists hold signs calling for the removal of Judge Aaron Persky from the bench after his controversial sentencing in the Stanford rape case, in San Francisco.
Ever since Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky sentenced him, Turner was likely to spend three months in jail on the assumption of good behaviour.
READ MORE:
* Judge kicks himself off first sex-crime ruling since Brock Turner assault case
* Brock Turner may have sent photo of victim to friends
* Stanford sex offender banned for life by USA Swimming
* Brock Turner's mother begged judge not to jail her son
* 'Hero' students tackled Brock Turner after Stanford rape
* Turner blames college 'party culture' for sexual assault
Nor is it unusual, according to the Associated Press - Santa Clara County jail inmates serve half of their sentence if they maintain a clean disciplinary record.
At the time, the sentence requiring Turner to register as a sex offender and spend six months in jail caused outrage and led to heated global debate.
Some came to his defence, such as veteran judge Robert Foley who, recalling Persky's time as a lawyer, called him "one of the best lawyers who ever appeared in my court."
Others, though, felt like the sentence was lenient and showed bias. In a statement, California assembly member Susan Eggman called the decision "baffling and repugnant."
Even US Vice President Joe Biden addressed the sentence in an open letter to the rape victim which was posted on BuzzFeed, in which he wrote, "while the justice system has spoken in your particular case, the nation is not satisfied."
One reason Persky gave for the lenient sentence was that "a prison sentence would have a severe impact on [Turner]."
In the almost 90 days that Turner has spent in jail, his case has mostly receded from world headlines, but the legal and political aftermath continues.
Stanford law professor Michele Dauber certainly hasn't forgotten about it. She is the committee chair for Recall Judge Aaron Perksy, a campaign committee aimed at gathering enough signatures - around 80,000 - to have a recall vote that would remove him from the bench.
Dauber said that she, and the committee, believe Persky's sentencing was infected by bias in favour of white or privileged young men, which she called a "long standing pattern."
On Friday, as Turner is released, the "Recall Judge Aaron Perksy" campaign will hold a rally at 10am in front of the Santa Clara Hall of Justice, which is next door to the jail where Turner is held.
At the rally, several rape victims along with Democratic California lawmakers Jerry McNerney and Eric Swalwell along with other politicians will speak alongside Dauber.
Their goal, according to Dauber: "bringing forth the judge's records and publicising it to voters" in preparation to gather signatures.
Dauber said Perksy's biased sentencing has a long history that she hopes voters will learn about.
"I think he clearly does not understand violence against women and sex crimes as serious crimes. He treats them like misdemeanors," Dauber said.
"He seems to have a particular area of bias for collegiate athletes. I think the way this bias operates is he sees these offenders as promising kids who got drunk and made a terrible mistake, rather than as serious felony offenders who are dangerous."
She said Turner is far from the only example, pointing to a 2015 case involving 21-year-old Ikaika Gunderson that in her opinion "might be worse."
In February 2015, Gunderson confessed to police that he had choked and beat his ex-girlfriend. Three months later, he pleaded no contest to a felony count of domestic violence, which meant he faced up to four years in jail, BuzzFeed reported.
Normally, sentencing occurs within a month or two of the pleading, but Judge Persky delayed the sentencing for more than a year so Gunderson could attend the University of Hawaii, where he had planned to play football.
He also said he would reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor if Gunderson attended weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and completed a year-long domestic violence programme.
In October - by which point, Gunderson had dropped out of the University of Hawaii, stopped attending AA meetings and wasn't participating in the domestic violence programme - the young man was arrested again for domestic violence, this time in Washington state.
"There are so many problems with how this case was handled that I'm not even sure where to start," retired Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge LaDoris Cordell told BuzzFeed.
"The system is set up so that if someone has admitted a violent offence and is now a convicted felon, they should be closely monitored. You don't just cross your fingers and hope everything is going to be fine. That's not how the courts are supposed to work."
The BuzzFeed story appeared on Friday, August 26.
Persky, meanwhile, has given up presiding over criminal cases.
On Thursday, the Santa Clara Superior Court released a statement that announced Judge Persky's voluntary reassignment to the civil division.
"While I firmly believe in Judge Persky's ability to serve in his current assignment," presiding Judge Rise Jones Pichon said in a statement, "he has requested to be assigned to the civil division, in which he previously served. Judge Persky believes the change will aid the public and the court by reducing the distractions that threaten to interfere with his ability to effectively discharge the duties of his current criminal assignment."
The reassignment will go into effect on September 6.
It is unclear if BuzzFeed reached out to Persky for its story, or if he was otherwise aware of the piece before it was published and whether it played a role in his reassignment.
Meanwhile, on Monday, a bill proposing mandatory minimum sentences for all instances of sexual assault - which was inspired by the Turner case, according to the Los Angeles Times - has unanimously passed the state assembly.
It is now Governor Jerry Brown's decision whether to sign it into law.
"I think we need to make a clear statement to say this [sentencing] is unacceptable," Assemblyman Evan Low, one of the bill's authors, told the newspaper earlier this month.
Currently, anyone convicted of rape while using additional physical force must serve jail time, while the sentencing of those convicted of raping an unconscious person or one too intoxicated to give consent is left to the discretion of the judge.
"Simply put, the definition of forcible rape - whether they're unconscious or intoxicated versus being conscious - is absurd," Low said.
"If we let a rapist off with probation and little jail time, we re-victimise the victim, we dissuade other victims from coming forward and we send a message that sexual assault of an incapacitated victim is just no big deal," Assemblyman Bill Dodd, a co-author of the measure, said, according to the Times.
Not everyone believes a mandatory minimum would solve any perceived problems.
"This lack of discretion that comes with mandatory minimums will perpetuate policies that have previously resulted in mass incarceration," Sajid Khan, a public defender in Santa Clara County, who has spoken out in Persky's defence, told Huffington Post.
"Such policies will disproportionately impact the underprivileged and minorities in the criminal justice system and in our communities."
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of California also opposes the bill.
"The well-intentioned mandatory minimum sentence this bill creates will have negative impacts on communities of colour and other unintended consequences," Natasha Minsker, director of the group's Center for Advocacy and Policy told the Mercury News.
- The Washington Post | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83741100/Brock-Turner-to-leave-jail-after-serving-half-his-sexual-assault-sentence | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/2895d97d3b575dbbe42b6adb95c3aa5c7ce0c83c37bfcbbb565007c8a15bc875.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T10:51:48 | null | 2016-08-30T09:14:32 | Two freshwater meetings have given drastically different views of the state of Canterbury's freshwater. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fenvironment%2F83738717%2FTwo-meetings-two-visions-for-Canterburys-freshwater.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/t/c/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dut7h.png/1472548472499.jpg | en | null | Two meetings, two visions for Canterbury's freshwater | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Two meetings, two visions for Canterbury's freshwater
ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ A climate change activist stands out from the crowd at Nick Smith's state of the environment address at Lincoln University on Tuesday.
Two opposing freshwater meetings have given drastically different views of the state of Canterbury's freshwater.
Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith presented a state of the environment speech at Lincoln University on Tuesday, where he outlined the Government's objectives towards freshwater management.
Five minutes away, the Green Party held its own meeting, targeting the health of the Selwyn River as part of its swimmable rivers campaign.
JOSEPH JOHNSON/FAIRFAX NZ The Selwyn River, two kilometres from the river mouth at Lake Ellesmere, near Selwyn Huts. Nick Smith says making all rivers swimmable is "impractical".
While Smith's speech painted a more optimistic picture of the state of freshwater, the Green Party sought to show the opposite.
READ MORE:
* Making every water body swimmable is not practical - Nick Smith
* Green Party launches campaign to point out dirty rivers
* ECan's ploy against non-compliant water users pays off
* More rivers in Canterbury unsafe to swim in
Smith said the Government had several key goals for freshwater management, including improving water quality, allowing for economic development, and improving Maori participation.
He said the debate around freshwater was too tribal.
"We have a bad habit in New Zealand of turning environmental issues into polarised battlegrounds of winners and losers," he said.
"There are some who believe our nation's water choices are binary: it's either water quality or growing the environment. We disagree.
"There are ways to deliver both environmental and economic gains."
A way to deliver both would be to switch from a reliance on groundwater extraction towards storing alpine river water, something he thought would happen in the future, he said.
"One of the most public policy challenges for this region is to engineer the switch from groundwater and those lowland streams to stored alpine water."
While about 75 per cent of public submissions on the Government's recent freshwater consultation raised swimmability as an issue, Smith once again ruled out a target of making all rivers swimmable, calling it "impractical".
He praised the work of the Environment Canterbury (ECan) commissioners and said the calibre of candidates in the upcoming elections was strong.
When questioned about lax compliance – an issue ECan has been criticised for lately, particularly regarding water metering – he defended the regional council, and said it was a sign that there was more information than before.
"Yes, there is angst that some people found out that some water users were taking a lot more than their consents. But for the 20 years previously we never metered anybody and had no idea . . . It's actually a sign that we now know."
At the Green Party's meeting, there was cynicism about Smith's speech.
"I came away from Nick Smith's talk thinking I lived in an alternative universe," Green Party MP Eugenie Sage said.
Speakers at the meeting pointed to the drying up of streams, rising nitrogen levels, and toxic algae blooms at popular recreation sites such as Coe's Ford as examples of the poor state of freshwater.
Sage said river swimmability needed to be a bottom line.
"We have this national bottom line of rivers being fit for wading or boating . . . we have opposed that consistently, and I think that around New Zealand, people realise that national bottom line is far too low."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/83738717/Two-meetings-two-visions-for-Canterburys-freshwater | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/8580d9198f9480ccacfa40a2c9bd0af8feb3b57afc0308a9c097e7dc673222fc.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:51:47 | null | 2016-08-29T20:20:21 | NZ spinner hailed as one of Warwickshire's best-ever imports after claiming five lbw dismissals in county one-day semifinal. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83696559%2FNew-Zealand-spinner-Jeetan-Patel-takes-five-wickets-to-send-Warwickshire-into-England-county-one-day-final.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/w/p/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtwof.png/1472502021732.jpg | en | null | New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel takes five wickets to send Warwickshire into England county one-day final | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | New Zealand spinner Jeetan Patel takes five wickets to send Warwickshire into England county one-day final
FAIRFAX NZ New Zealand offspinner Jeetan Patel seems to get better with age as he continues to star in the English county scene.
Former Black Caps spinner Jeetan Patel continues to shine in England, taking five wickets to propel his Warwickshire side into the county one-day final.
Offspinner Patel claimed 5-42 with all his wickets coming via lbw decisions.
Warwickshire beat Somerset by eight runs in their semifinal to set up a title match against Surrey on September 17.
Batting first, Warwickshire scored 284-4 off their 50 overs with former England star Ian Bell hitting an unbeaten 94.
READ MORE:
* Live: Black Caps v South Africa Day 3
* Oz take lead against Sri Lanka
* Isis 'targeted Aussie cricketers'
Somerset's promising run chase was thwarted by a stunning 10-over spell from Patel, that included four wickets in 12 balls.
Warwickshire captain Bell hailed the efforts of 36-year-old Patel who has become a bowling stalwart for the county side where he has played since 2009.
"I'm very proud of the way we've played. Jeetan goes under the radar a bit, but he is one of the best overseas players Warwickshire have ever had. We're lucky to have him," Bell said.
Patel has taken more than 50 wickets in each of the last five first-class county seasons and is the leading wicket-taker in Division One of the county championship this year.
Bell's last appearance for the Black Caps was a test against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in 2013. He continues to play for Wellington in the New Zealand summers
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83696559/New-Zealand-spinner-Jeetan-Patel-takes-five-wickets-to-send-Warwickshire-into-England-county-one-day-final | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/b82d5dc9d49069820d5634b7a274681a571eb763a412a97c0578e7633e0ad29a.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T02:51:06 | null | 2016-08-28T02:05:59 | OPINION: Post Bledisloe fall-out will soon be gone, but some stark truths remain. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Finternational%2F83642750%2FBledisloe-Cup-2016-There-is-a-problem-that-dwarfs-the-flashpoints.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/r/5/n/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsr5q.png/1472349959735.jpg | en | null | Bledisloe Cup 2016: There is a problem that dwarfs the flashpoints | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Bledisloe Cup 2016: There is a problem that dwarfs the flashpoints
GETTY IMAGES Australian rugby coach Michael Cheika has a lot to work on.
OPINION: Post match talk will come and go, but the deep reasons for the disparity between the Wallabies and All Blacks will remain.
1. There is a Bledisloe chasm and the rest is just detail
Michael Cheika shouldn't be denied his right to air his grievances about the referees - teams get nothing in New Zealand and the British and Irish Lions will already be nervous. But compared with the gulf that has opened up between New Zealand and Australia as rugby nations, his post-match spray and Owen Franks' non-citing are just details.
WWW.PHOTOSPORT.NZ The All Blacks celebrate another try, this time to Sam Cane.
Saturday night was one-way traffic.
The All Blacks ran the ball 411 metres, compared with the Wallabies' 187m. The Wallabies didn't even look like making a break until the All Blacks got lazy with their inside defence late on and let Israel Folau through. The Wallabies' passing, kicking and tackling was markedly inferior.
Big changes have to made in Australian rugby to bridge the competitive gap. Incidentally, those at the top know.
TVNZ The All Blacks coach has pointed out that the relationship between the two countries is about more than just rugby.
2. No defensive structure can cope with poor individual decisions
The attitude was better, no doubt, but there will be frustration that the intent wasn't matched by accuracy.
The All Blacks' first try was caused by Stephen Moore coming off the line to whack Brodie Retallick, who was a decoy on this occasion, while Samu Kerevi and Dane Haylett-Petty also had moments to forget. It is, in part, excusable.
Although the All Blacks midfield has lost some craft with the departure of Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, they've got so much pace in that area now with Beauden Barrett looking for second touches and new introductions such as Anton Lienert-Brown bringing some real foot speed there.
One misjudgment against these guys and it's goodnight.
3. Lineout woes are All Blacks-specific, but kicking was simply poor
I don't foresee the Wallabies' set piece suffering the way it has over the past two weeks for the rest of the Rugby Championship, simply because no other side has a Kieran Read or Sam Whitelock to cause havoc. The All Blacks' defensive work at the lineout has reached peak Victor Matfield levels of disruption, and I suspect there would still be issues for the Wallabies even if they had picked someone like Jed Holloway at No.8.
The All Blacks really are that good.
However, the poor kicking of the Wallabies - particularly Bernard Foley - is something that fans are having trouble trying to fathom. Perhaps Mick Byrne has introduced a mountain of new information that will take time to process, although simplifying techniques and clearing minds has been his forte in the past.
4. Will Genia proves his worth
The 2011 pace is gone and it is never coming back. Still, Genia showed glimpses of his running game, distributed smartly, and showed his experience by picking off an Aaron Smith pass close to the Wallabies' line in the first half.
He has always been the stronger one of the Genia-Quade Cooper combination, and the All Blacks again got pay from isolating Cooper (and Foley) in the air when they were defending on the wings.
Genia's performance though, showed there is no blanket 'correct' answer to the question of picking those overseas. He has unquestionably added something to the Wallabies since the June series.
5. Sam Cane dominates the No 7 discussion
Cane's tackling is fantastic and he has carried the ball straight over the top of David Pocock on at least two occasions in the past fortnight. The All Blacks left Cane on the field for most of the night despite the presence of home town favourite Ardie Savea on the bench, probably as a little reward for two dominant games in which he left Pocock and Michael Hooper in the shade.
You can't help but think the speed of Cane's development has helped him enormously. Even at the Chiefs, he spent long periods as a back-up behind Tanerau Latimer, working on his size and power game.
He's probably played about half the minutes Michael Hooper has in the past three years. Such is the luxury of having the right number of Super Rugby teams to match your playing resources.
Team of the Week
1. Tendai Mtawarira (South Africa)
2. Dane Coles (New Zealand)
3. Owen Franks (New Zealand)
4. Brodie Retallick (New Zealand)
5. Sam Whitelock (New Zealand)
6. Juan Manuel Leguizamon (Argentina)
7. Sam Cane (New Zealand)
8. Kieran Read (New Zealand)
9. Aaron Smith (New Zealand)
10. Beauden Barrett (New Zealand)
11. Julian Savea (New Zealand)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (New Zealand)
13. Malakai Fekitoa (New Zealand)
14. Israel Dagg (New Zealand)
15. Ben Smith (New Zealand)
- Sydney Morning Herald | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83642750/Bledisloe-Cup-2016-There-is-a-problem-that-dwarfs-the-flashpoints | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/a0bc56b00ccbd6fdd9ef48ac81f245ea2610e9fc86504896cf43df9eca7367fc.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T04:52:03 | null | 2016-08-30T04:17:40 | The Singaporean owners of the Chateau have upgraded it to a DoubleTree | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2F83702072%2FChateau-on-the-Park-becomes-a-DoubleTree-by-Hilton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/i/2/n/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1du0xk.png/1472530660576.jpg | en | null | Chateau on the Park becomes a DoubleTree by Hilton | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Chateau on the Park becomes a DoubleTree by Hilton
SUPPLIED Chateau on the Park a DoubleTree after its updgrade
Christchurch Chateau on the Park Hotel has been refurbished and renamed "Chateau on the Park a DoubleTree by Hilton".
Gone is the suit of armour in the entranceway which epitomised the Gothic revival fantasy dreamed up by the late architect Peter Beaven in partnership with Sir Miles Warren 41 years ago.
The hotel is among the smaller number of their creations to survive post-earthquakes and in 2011 won an Enduring Architecture Award from the Institute of Architects.
Many Christchurch residents may recall the hotel was developed as the Chateau Commodore by the colourful Harry Holt.
READ MORE
* Chinese investors spend $80 million on Queenstown Hilton
* From slush to plush again
* Renowned Christchurch architect dies
His financial troubles delayed the opening one year beyond the original 1974 target of the Commonwealth Games.
But it has traded successfully over the past four decades and is now operated by M&L, associated with Singaporean investor Michael Kum, also owner of the Auckland Hilton Hotel.
General manager David Wain said the hotel caters equally to the corporate and leisure market.
The hotel was damaged in the February 22 earthquakes when guests spent the night in the Great Hall and Camelot room.
After 18 months it reopened in February 2014.
About $13m has been spent on the 192-room 4-star hotel, mainly on the rooms.
A second stage of upgrading will include the boardrooms and other areas such as the the restaurant, business centre, meeting rooms, pool and gym.
Wain said the rebrand and upgrade was a vote of confidence in tourism and the city as a destination in its own right.
The hotel began operating under its new branding this week.
Hilton has four hotels in New Zealand including a DoubleTree-branded hotel at Queenstown, and now its with its second DoubleTree in Christchurch.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83702072/Chateau-on-the-Park-becomes-a-DoubleTree-by-Hilton | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/f5c931006d47de505f6905c3bd7b06811c468efbb3573e16f866a959935b3ded.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:51:44 | null | 2016-08-29T03:25:40 | He created his own snow cave, complete with front balcony, and had plans to put a window in. Then he was arrested. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Foddstuff%2F83515176%2FAuckland-man-builds-snow-cave-to-escape-the-big-smoke.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/9/y/g/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dq0q0.png/1472445043040.jpg | en | null | Auckland man builds snow cave to escape the big smoke | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Auckland man builds snow cave to escape the big smoke
FAIRFAX NZ An Auckland man thought Turoa skifield, on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu, was the perfect spot to hide from the world for a while.
A man with grand hopes of hiding out in an elaborate snow cave on the slopes of Mount Ruapehu has instead ended up in court.
Equipped with snow gear, a shovel and grubber, Richard David Parker headed for the Turoa ski area, in Tongariro National Park, looking for some peace and quiet away from city life.
During his three days there he made a front balcony and entrance way by one of the chair lifts.
FRANCES FERGUSON/FAIRFAX NZ Richard David Parker was charged by the Ohakune Police for disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest after building a snow cave on the upper reaches of Turoa Skifield
"I set it up late at night," he said after appearing in the Ohakune District Court following his arrest.
READ MORE:
* Otago man digs a snow cave to survive
* Pair dies in snow cave
* Night rescue in thick snow
"Inside there was a big archway and the igloo roof coming over it for the snow layers and a big entrance with a main room and an opportunity for different entranceways and it was going to have a nice window down the bottom."
FAIRFAX NZ Equipped with snow gear, a shovel and grubber, Richard Parker made a front balcony and entrance way by the chair lift.
He was going to stay for a few days and experience a lost kiwi pastime.
But that plan was scuttled when instead he was arrested for disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest.
Police also issued the 38-year-old Aucklander with a trespass order.
The keen camper was arrested last Sunday when a dispute occurred as Parker tried to move a public bench.
He was three hours away from finishing a snow shelter before being arrested.
With a limited supply of food the arrest turned out to be timely.
But Parker said his brief moment of escapism was stunning.
"It was amazing. I had an epic view.
"You wake up and the lifts aren't going so it was the silence.
"It's not what you get from everyday life. At night you get the wind drift and it's something that is getting harder for younger Kiwi's to do."
"It's one of my favourite places. I love Ohakune.
"It's so accessible and one of the few places in New Zealand you can get to the snow."
Parker, a regular visitor to the tourist town, had hoped to return to finish the cave.
He claims police had unlawfully arrested him and he's hoping to get the charges dropped during a judge alone trial in October.
Ohakune police Sergeant Mike Craig said it was the first time police had removed a person hiding in a snow cave.
"I've been here for 14 years and I'm not aware of another incident quite like this," he said.
"People do silly things and this was a bit out of the ordinary."
The Turoa Ski Area on the south-western slopes of Mt Ruapehu offers a massive 722m of vertical descent on New Zealand's highest chairlift - The "Highnoon Express".
Temperatures have reached up to minus 5 degrees celsius overnight during the height of winter.
Mike Brenton, programme manager for the Hillary Outdoors Education Centre in Tongariro, said sleeping in a snow cave was a serious undertaking.
"It's not something you do nilly willy and say I'm going to snow cave," he said.
"You've got to be well prepared and have good gear and know what your doing."
The not-for-profit charitable trust runs education courses working closely with the NZ Mountain Safety Council.
Students are taught how to make snow shelters from industry professionals.
He would not recommend anyone to go camping without being prepared and trained.
"They need to have good clothing, good gear and know what they're doing and to know where to go or it's a recipe for disaster."
"You could risk frost bite if you get it wrong."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/oddstuff/83515176/Auckland-man-builds-snow-cave-to-escape-the-big-smoke | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/30aa6e3897ef2ab473701907a8b7ea5106fd84563c5e75862176ce841ed18bf7.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:51:17 | null | 2016-08-28T22:10:01 | The 17-year-old stopped in 24 locations, 15 countries and covered more than 45,000 kilometres. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Ftravel%2Fnews%2F83658212%2FAustralian-teen-pilot-Lachlan-Smart-soars-into-record-books-with-round-the-world-flight.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/3/6/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt338.png/1472422201391.jpg | en | null | Australian teen pilot Lachlan Smart soars into record books with round-the-world flight | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Australian teen pilot Lachlan Smart soars into record books with round-the-world flight
Rachael Dexter Lachlan Smart touched down at Maroochydore Airport on Saturday where he had first taken off from on July 24.
Despite landing back on home ground on Saturday morning, Lachlan Smart is on top of the world after becoming the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world.
The 18-year-old from Australia's Sunshine Coast ended his journey at Maroochydore Airport where it all began 54 days earlier.
During his seven-week voyage, Smart stopped in 24 locations, 15 countries and covered more than 45,000 kilometres.
Lachlan Smart touched down at Maroochydore Airport on Saturday where he had first taken off from on July 24.
At 18 years, seven months and 21 days old, he beats the previous benchmark set by American Matt Guthmiller who completed his circumnavigation when he was 19 years, 7 months and 15 days.
Read more:
* Around-the-world balloonist breaks world record
* Airlander 10: World's longest airship crash-lands
Lachlan Smart with his Mum Vanessa Sprague after becoming the youngest pilot to fly solo around the world.
Smart said his love of flying started from a young age, when his mum used to take him to the airport to watch planes take off.
When he saw fellow Aussie Ryan Campbell being interview on 60 Minutes about his aspirations to flying around the world, Smart turned to his mum and said he was going to do the same.
But Smart did not endure seven challenging weeks in the air for the fame, he wants to inspire fellow young people.
"I've always wanted to send a message to young people about setting and achieving their goals," he said.
"You have got to get out there and chase your dreams because you only live once."
During his expedition, Smart said some of his highlights were visiting relatives in England, flying over the white cliffs of Dover and partying on a Cannes beach in France.
"It was a lot of fun all the way around," he said.
But it was not all smooth sailing for Smart, with dangerous weather conditions, lack of support from airport staff and the language barrier hindering his progress.
He encountered heavy storms over the Pacific and a hurricane between California and Hawaii delayed him for 24 hours, but he said "there was not anything I could not overcome".
Upon his arrival at Maroochydore Airport about 7.30am on Saturday morning, Smart was greeted by a crowd of hundreds, including his friends and family.
"The support I have received from family, friends, the local Sunshine Coast council and community and people around the world that I have never even met has been incredible from the first moment we spoke about this journey," he said.
"It's excellent to be back on familiar territory with familiar faces."
Smart said he has no other flying trips planned at the moment and would take some time to relax before planning his next move.
"I'm looking forward to lying in my own bed for a little bit and then catch up with friends and family," he said.
- Brisbane Times | http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/83658212/Australian-teen-pilot-Lachlan-Smart-soars-into-record-books-with-round-the-world-flight | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/4495dd44bca58a233d31ffdbc36b385aa10954422d3273a48c0766db86576710.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:52:42 | null | 2016-08-31T08:43:01 | Last week, Veronica Grondona got the text she never wanted; | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83775395%2FWaikato-woman-speaks-about-family-killed-in-Italy-earthquake.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/i/r/b/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvlib.png/1472632982178.jpg | en | null | Waikato woman speaks about family killed in Italy earthquake | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Waikato woman speaks about family killed in Italy earthquake
SUPPLIED Veronica Grondona lost her mother and brother in Italy's quake. She says the support she has received from Kiwis has been overwhelming.
In the shattered ruins of central Italy, Veronica Grondona is living a nightmare.
The kindy teacher, who moved to New Zealand 10 years ago, had no plans to head back to her family home this month.
That was until August 24, when an earthquake levelled the town in which she had spent so many summer holidays.
SUPPLIED Luca Grondona, 35, died alongside his mother in Italy's August earthquake.
Her mother, Anna Maria Masciolini, 68, and brother Luca Grondona, 35, were killed as they slept in San Lorenzo, near Amatrice, in central Italy.
READ MORE:
* Hamilton kindy teacher loses family in quake
* How the quake compared to Christchurch
* Kiwis caught up in earthquake
* Recap: Strong quake, aftershocks hit Italy
* Deadly quake leaves thousands displaced
When Grondona heard the news of the quake while at work in Hamilton, it took a moment for her to register her family were in danger.
Anna Maria Masciolini perished when her holiday home was destroyed by the 6.2 earthquake that struck Italy earlier in the month.
"My friend showed me the news on her phone, telling me about the earthquake. She asked if it would affect my family.
"I thought it wouldn't, because my mum lives in Rome. And then it clicked."
As soon as she realised the pair were at their summer home in San Lorenzo, she began to make plans for all the "what ifs", but kept her fingers crossed for a miracle.
STEFANO RELLANDINI A collapsed house in Amatrice, central Italy, near where Anna Maria Masciolini and Luca Grondona died.
Through social media she was put in touch with locals on the ground, who were scouring the rubble for survivors.
Soon after, she got the text message she was dreading. "It said,"We have found the body your brother."
Within half an hour, Grondona and her husband were on their way to Italy.
Flying across the Pacific, she hung on to the hope her mother would soon be found alive.
"They couldn't find my mum, but they were calling for her and they couldn't hear her or her dogs. Then they text me when the firemen arrived and started to dig.
"I was on my way to Dubai when my sister sent me a text saying they had found Mum.
"I was dreaming that we may find her, so I was relieved that someone found her before me."
"THEY WERE JUST ASLEEP"
Upon arrival, Grondona was confronted with the destruction of the region where she had spent summers as a child.
She was quickly transported to an area where she faced the harrowing task of identifying her mother and brother.
The fact they were both found in their beds was a small comfort.
"Mum and Luca were asleep ... They were not scarred, they were not running, they were just asleep."
One of her mother's beloved dogs was found lying beside her body, while the other escaped.
"They found one of the dogs sleeping next to her. The other the dog was running around the village. In Italy, dogs are part of the family, so it was also a relief."
The death toll is still being counted after the 6.2-magnitude quake. Of the 292 confirmed dead, 231 perished in Amatrice.
In all, 21 children died. A number of foreigners were among the dead, including 11 Romanians and three Britons.
Although thousands of miles from New Zealand, Grondona said she still felt the support form Kiwis who had got in touch and donated to a Givealittle page set up for her.
"I feel a lot of support from New Zealand. It is good. It is something positive. It makes me feel loved and supported and gives me the strength to carry on."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83775395/Waikato-woman-speaks-about-family-killed-in-Italy-earthquake | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/60477b1a136b3b4db2e54ce54ad984b61b35da84963c881fdd6e1fec314877ed.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:09:33 | null | null | This is my first weekend off having my sons for like three months. So my parents were like: ‘Go out all weekend! And I'm like, whoa! So why not start drinking early, eh?" | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F10253873%2FBehind-the-counter-of-a-liquor-store.json | en | null | Behind the counter of a liquor store | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Behind the counter of a liquor store ADAM DUDDING
Relevant offers
This is my first weekend off having my sons for like three months. So my parents were like: ‘Go out all weekend! And I'm like, whoa! So why not start drinking early, eh?"
It's 11.15 in the morning on a Friday, so yeah, that's an early start for a weekend session, but the young woman in ugg boots and a baggy sweatshirt is starting off gently: she's buying four 440ml cans of Big Dog premixed bourbon and cola - 6 per cent alcohol and a scowling bulldog on the front - from the fridges lining the back of the liquor store. As she waits for the eftpos transaction to go through she's bouncing on her toes in anticipation of her child-free drink. She looks quite young, but the cashier, Jas, doesn't need to check her ID. She's a regular, he says, and is actually in her 30s.
She is the 11th customer of the day at Super Liquor Manukau, since Jas pulled up the roller door at 10am. Before noon, says Jas, it's mainly older, retired people stocking up. Then it's quiet till about four, when you get people picking up supplies for Friday work drinks, or a bottle on the way home to dinner. After that it's quiet again till eight, when younger people get some drinks for a party or a night in - that's when you have to start turning away people who are underage or drunk, or trying to buy drinks for friends who are.
Over by the bourbon shelves, a short, near-spherical man wearing a high-visibility vest and a beanie is staring blankly at the rows of bottles. Jas goes to rescue him. "I lost a bet, so it's my buy," says the man.
Jas recommends the 1125ml Jim Beam, $39.99. The buyer meekly carries it to the till, but is still anxious about making the wrong choice and leaves empty-handed.
This is a large liquor store, one of the busiest in South Auckland, says Jas, with thousands of product lines. But they're not shifting a lot of Midori, Campari, ouzo, schnapps, Benedictine, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, Drambuie and absinthe (as drunk by Hemingway and Baudelaire, the label says), or that hazelnut liqueur which comes in a bottle the shape of a monk. No one is touching the ready-poured, foil-sealed shooters in disposable plastic glasses in the display near the till - Black Mambo, B52, Texas Ranger, Rattle Snake and Buttery Nipple.
There are tequila bottles in the shape of skulls, pistols and a rifle. You can buy gin in a quaintly medicinal-looking $125 bottle from the top shelf or in a plain $30 bottle from the bottom. There are single-malts from mysterious and unpronounceable Scottish distilleries, champagne and methode champenoise, craft beers and vodkas of many flavours. Mainly, though, everyone buys sweet, premixed cans of ready-to-drink bourbon and cola.
"Yeah, it's mostly RTDs," says Jas. The biggest sellers are Woodstock and Diesel. After that it's beers - Ranfurly, Flame, Ice, Lion Red, Steinlager, Heineken. Jim Beam sells well too. And occasionally sherry.
Around 11am, an elderly silver sedan parks right at the door, and an even more elderly driver slowly emerges - a man with thinning hair and hearing aids and enormous old-man ears that make him
look like a kindly version of a Harry Potter Gringotts goblin. He's wearing a hand-knitted jersey of vivid green and walks with a stick, hunched almost double and inching across the threshold as Jas rushes to offer an arm.
Once inside, he stands still to direct operations, sending Jas to fetch one-and-a-half bottles of sherry from the shelf on the far wall and a couple of bottles of Teachers whisky from a display island. All up: $104. Jas puts the bottles in the back seat as the man shuffles to the driver's door, using the car as his guide rail. He's a regular, says Jas, as the car slowly rolls off. He comes in every few months and picks up his four bottles.
Sometimes customers tell you a little about their life, but usually you've only got about 30 seconds to chat, so you don't find out much. Does it get to the point where you can profile someone's age and sex and race and demeanour as they walk in, and guess exactly what they're going to buy?
"No," says Jas. "Not really."
Jas is 25. He came to New Zealand from India when he was 19. He studied business in Christchurch, was working as a duty manager at McDonald's during the first big earthquake, and came to Auckland and Super Liquor two years ago. "It's a good job."
The store radio is tuned to ZM and playing Ed Sheeran's A Team. It's been raining off and on and it's pretty cold, so Jas is expecting a quiet day. Still, the pace is picking up. A middle-aged woman in office clothes strides in, grabs two bottles of Smirnoff vodka, pays and exits, gone in 20 seconds. A chirpy young bloke in white gumboots grabs four cans of Maverick bourbon-and-cola from the fridges (another regular, says Jas, a butcher who's just finished his night shift).
A stubbly man with wild hair and wild eyes sidles just inside the door. Eyes darting, he softly asks for some rolling papers and offers a $20 note at arm's-length, then slips away. Shortly before noon, a man and woman, both around 50, pull up in a white tradesman's van, deep in animated conversation that consists of them both talking continuously. The man has bare feet and white hair, and is waving an unlit cigarette. They dance through the store and race to the RTD fridges, jiggling and whooping to each other like a couple of chimps that have found a cache of bananas. They buy three RTD singles then sit in the van cab, still talking and talking before finally driving off.
A smooth, young-looking guy with tattoos and a fashionable nick shaved into one of his eyebrows takes a bourbon RTD four-pack to the till, but Jas wants to see his ID. He's instantly affronted; his head tilts back and his shoulders roll a little.
"You know me. I've showed it before. Ask your boss."
"Sure," says Jas, "but the boss isn't here."
Turns out the guy is actually 26. He takes the cans and slouches back to his car, a low-slung grey sedan with two kids in the back and another young guy in the passenger seat who gives a f...-you glare.
"They think that because they've shown one staff member their ID, we all know," says Jas, but I suspect what he really means is that some of the customers think these Indian guys behind the counter all look the same.
Around noon, Jas's colleague Jack arrives. Apart from early morning there are always two or more staff on. That way you can have one person at the till and the other keeping an eye on what the customers are getting up to. There are CCTV cameras everywhere too - at the door, inside the walk-in chiller, pointed at the blind spots behind the displays. Jas has been trained in what to do if there's ever a holdup: say nothing, give them what they want, let them leave. But he's never had to deal with anything too serious. Once, a mentally unwell guy tried to take some vodka without paying, and left a dent in the stainless steel counter when he slammed the bottle down in anger, but the police came really fast and it turned out OK.
The day ticks along. A song by Broods plays for the second time. It's raining heavily and wet customers scuttle in to grab Corona, Steinlager, a bottle of Black Heart rum, a bottle of gin, a wooden crate of 745ml Lion Reds, a plastic bottle of cider, and lots of premixed bourbon and cola. By 4pm the work-drinks and bottle-of-wine-for-dinner crowd are coming in, and a third staff member, Kamal, has clocked in in case it gets busy.
Two paint-spattered men in their mid-20s can't find the box of beer they want. Their English is faltering and heavily accented: "Flame? Warm?" Kamal fetches a box of warm Flame from the storeroom. "Usually, if they want warm beer, they're from Fiji," Jas explains.
Smirnoff, box of Waikato draught, crate of Lion Red, four Jim Beam-and-cola RTDs.
"Busy day?" Jas asks most of his customers, or sometimes, "Long day?"
"Yeah, too busy," they say. Or: "Really busy. Can't wait to get home." And: "Nah bro. It's too wet to build mate. I charged the boss till five though."
A couple of guys come in. Mid-20s, shaven heads, falling-down sweatpants, so stoned their eyes are barely open. They roam the store in super-slow motion, and you can see Kamal and Jas quietly watching, like lifeguards who've just spotted a toddler too close to the edge of the pool. One of the guys has returned to the till but the other, who has a cast on one hand, is obscured by one of the booze islands, and seems to be fiddling with his clothes. But then Kamal is at his side, offering advice on the different strengths of Woodstock. Yeah, says Kamal, after the pair have left with three cans apiece, the guy with the cast may have been thinking about shoving a bottle down the front of his trousers, but he didn't get a chance.
It's definitely getting busy now. Two tills are running. Three men in their early 20s pile out of a tiny pimped car with white hubcaps, show their IDs, and take forever to decide on a few cans of Red Bull and raspberry-flavoured vodka RTDs.
A guy in his 40s with reddish skin and crazy eyes wants to swap the bottle of vodka he bought earlier in the day. It was the wrong brand - "I got it for her birthday, and she don't like it."
Just before 6pm, a young guy in camouflage greens comes in for a bottle of vodka. He's going to a "hipster or homeless" party - "and we were thinking, what's something that homeless people drink? Meths. So I'll mix this with some grape juice and put it in a meths bottle."
As partygoers pop in for supplies, a growing proportion are turned away for not having ID. One giggling young woman in a group of three has ID, but she's finding it suspiciously difficult to balance on her high heels, so Jas serves her friends but not her. She argues for a bit then leaves muttering. "F... this shit. We'll go somewhere else then." When one of them returns two minutes later with her drunk friend's $20 note in her hand, Jas won't serve her either.
"What if I buy something different? Ice beer instead of Heineken?" No. She argues for a bit then shrugs and leaves. Obviously, says Jas, they will just go somewhere else, but what can you do?
The cold and rain are keeping people away, and from 8pm the gaps between customers are longer and longer, but still they come, for beer, for Woodstocks, for a bottle of vodka, for something for the weekend. A skinny man in his 40s wearing white gumboots and a high-visibility vest has a question: do they stock the 8 per cent Woodstocks, or just the 7 per cent ones?
No, says Jas. "OK," he says. "I've just got to inquire with the old lady. You gotta keep them happy, eh?" He bounds back in a minute later. He's getting Cody's instead. It's still bourbon and coke. "William Cody, you know who he was?" the man asks Jas. "Buffalo Bill. The one that used to hunt, back in the day in America. Yeah mate." He giggles, and Jas nods.
"This is gonna be my first weekend off since last October. I'm f...en rapt."
He grabs his cans of bourbon and coke and steps out into the diagonal Manukau rain.
- Sunday Star Times
Comments | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/10253873/Behind-the-counter-of-a-liquor-store | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/6878bc5260d1d02f8af28036692513f17304ff523654be59c5dec4ca39bd00de.json | |
[] | 2016-08-30T06:51:47 | null | 2016-08-30T06:35:23 | Auckland's a lovely city to live in - if you're on a $200,000 wage, expert says. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2F83007694%2FAuckland-eighth-most-liveable-city-in-the-world-Yeah-nah-say-planning-experts.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/7/b/c/3/l/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1df55a.png/1472538923210.jpg | en | null | Auckland eighth most liveable city in the world? Yeah nah, say planning experts | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Auckland eighth most liveable city in the world? Yeah nah, say planning experts
JASON DORDAY Auckland mayor Len Brown says the city is just an underground train ride away from being number one.
Auckland council touts the super city as one of the most 'liveable' in the world and prides its ranking on liveability lists as a sign of its success.
The Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Rankings has Auckland eighth in the world, up one spot from last year.
But, as Aucklanders face the upcoming local body elections and the chance for their say on how they feel about those running the city, it's timely to ask if these liveability rankings reflect the reality of living in the city?
SEAN SHADBOLT "By definition a city can't be liveable if you can't afford to live in it," mayoral candidate and Labour MP Phil Goff says.
And should we care about the results?
READ MORE ELECTION COVERAGE:
* Ten reasons why Auckland's politics is vital to non-Aucklanders
* Shamubeel Eaqub: Separating local body governance from management
* The boys of Tinder talk Auckland housing crisis, transport woes and port re-location
Auckland Council's own research into liveability rankings suggests the answers are no and probably not.
DARRIAN TRAYNOR/GETTY IMAGES Melbourne has been number one for six straight years in the Economist Intelligence Unit rankings.
It says the reports are good for political soundbites but not much else.
And urban planning experts say the survey results are aimed at multinational businesses so they're really only useful if you're looking to move overseas for a job earning $250,000 or more.
But Auckland's outgoing mayor Len Brown is a little more bullish.
ECONOMIST INTELLIGENCE UNIT The top 10 most liveable cities 2016 edition from the Economist Intelligence Unit.
He says the rankings are a sign we're heading in the right direction and yes, we should be proud of the results.
Brown, a self-confessed "champion" of the liveable city vision, is as animated as ever reeling off rankings and statistics on liveability off the top of his head.
He says Auckland is "unbeatable" when it comes to most measurements and is poised to take top spot in "two to four years".
JARRED WILLIAMSON/FAIRFAX NZ Auckland mayoral candidates Phil Goff and Vic Crone are united in saying there's a lot of work to do to get the city leading the world in liveability rankings.
It could be the renewed energy of a man with an end date in sight, or the relief at having just passed the long-awaited Unitary Plan, but he says he's increasingly confident the city is just an underground train ride away from being number one in the world.
"Look I already think it is (the world's most liveable city)," he says.
"Some of those great old cities are tagged out, they've got a lot of graffiti and they just don't look well kept at all.
"They've got a lot of history, a lot of tradition, the urban form is quite beautiful, they've got good transport but in terms of the look and the feel of pride it's missing. Whereas we've got high levels of pride in our city, the place is really tidy. I think we're the most liveable city now."
READ MORE:
* Transport key to building a better city
* Auckland ranked world's third most liveable city: Mercer
* Auckland ranked among 'most liveable cities' in the world
Phil Goff is a bit more cautious.
The man tipped as most likely to next sit on the mayoral throne says the title won't mean much if people can't afford to live in the city.
And Goff's competitors in the race to be mayor are even more divided, with some supporting the goal of being the world's most liveable city and others dismissing it as "deeply immoral" (John Palino) and "a sick joke" (Penny Bright).
>>Read the full responses from Mayoral candidates at the bottom of this article.
Goff says despite the high rankings, he thinks Auckland is struggling to be genuinely liveable because it's held back by the two overbearing issues of transport and housing.
"The surveys are simply an indicator of how we're seen from the outside," he says.
"The most important thing is what New Zealanders feel, what Aucklanders think about the city they live in. Going around on the campaign trail at the moment clearly every group of people I speak to will raise the issues of housing affordability and traffic congestion. Nobody thinks there's a silver bullet suggestion for them, but they want to see progress in terms of dealing with that problem."
Len Brown concedes the skyrocketing costs of the property market is an issue, but he expects that will balance out over time "with the ebbs and flows of the market".
PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ. Liveability rankings fail to reflect the quality of life of the city's residents, Auckland Council's own research says.
And he says planned transport projects will unleash the city's potential and bring it up to speed with the best in the world.
It was Brown who first set the liveable city vision for the council in 2009 as part of the Auckland Plan.
And it's been a message he's incorporated into almost every speech and statement he's made for the past eight years.
JOE KLAMAR Vienna has been named world's most liveable city seven years in a row by recruitment consultancy Mercer, based on factors such as culture and environment, political stability, safety, infrastructure and ease of doing business.
Announcing a new appointment to a board; "they will help the council's decision makers in making Auckland the world's most liveable city". Opening a cycleway, anti-smoking measures, trips to China and France; all part of the overall liveability plan.
"There can be no let-up if Auckland is to continue the lift its performance in the liveable city stakes", he said in one particularly impassioned media release in February this year, responding to the Mercer quality of life survey that listed Auckland in third place.
But how does Brown define liveable?
Robert Giroux/Getty Images Vancouver, Canada is a regular fixture among the top of the world's most liveable city rankings.
"It's a tool for presenting our case to the rest of the world," he says.
"When people make the decision to come and study or visit they look at the liveability rankings."
He says if we want to attract foreign businesses and promote the city then we have to compete with other cities and eventually overtake them.
SUPPLIED Mayoral candidate Mark Thomas says Auckland has become less liveable over the past few years.
"There's a very pragmatic and potentially significant economic benefit to be had on focusing and promoting Auckland's high level of liveability."
But that focus is also seen as one of the biggest shortcomings of liveable city rankings.
'Validity and usefulness of indicators is questionable'
BEVAN READ / FAIRFAX NZ John Palino says it's "deeply immoral" for the city to be focused on liveable city rankings while people are living in cars.
Auckland Council's own report into city 'benchmarking' pointed out major limitations in the way cities are measured for liveability.
The research from Dr Lucy Baragwanath found the criteria used by the Economist Intelligence Unit, and others, was aimed at "expatriate employees rather than the quality of life of a city's own residents".
She said it failed to take into account middle and low-income groups and that was significant because they faced the biggest challenges in terms of commuting times and being able to afford a good lifestyle.
ALEX BURTON Activist and mayoral candidate Penny Bright says: "the most liveable city vision is meaningless garbage"
While Auckland was consistently ranked as one of the most liveable cities, "it is also ranked as one of the least affordable metropolitans, at least in the context of housing affordability", the report said.
"Housing unaffordability can adversely impact on the quality life of residents, particularly low and middle-income groups, and subsequently on the city's liveability," it said.
"Since these residents should pay more for housing, their expenditure for other needs such as education, health and entertainment will be diminished."
The report found the results were mainly used for "numerical 'sound bites' that ambassadors and advocates can use to promote their city as part of city-marketing policies".
"Beyond this promotional use, however, the validity and usefulness of indicators is questionable."
University of Auckland senior lecturer at the school of architecture and planning Bill McKay says he's heard all the soundbites before and is yet to be convinced that Auckland should be considered one of the world's most liveable cities.
"There's a lot of things we take for granted in Auckland. We are a very good city, but eighth in the world, no I don't really think so."
McKay said to be truly liveable the city needs to confront issues such as the creep of urban sprawl, lack of effective transport links, and the dual issue of a shortage of housing and unaffordable housing.
He said politicians tended to cherry-pick parts of liveability reports and completely ignore others.
"When they look good for us they get trumpeted as something that they're not."
"It's lies, damned lies and statistics."
The liveabliity reports also had limited scope because they were primarily written for the purpose of multinational companies, he said.
"When you actually dig into a lot of these rankings, most of them are aimed at someone who's a Vice President of a business and wants to employ an executive. And if he's on $200,000 US then Auckland's a lovely city to live in because he can afford a decent house in a nice part of town."
Massey University associate professor in transport and urban planning Imran Muhammad, who wrote a paper on 'Auckland's first spatial plan: Ambitious aspirations or furthering the status quo?', said "Auckland deserves much better" than the current infrastructure situation.
His research has primarily focused on the city's public transport, which he said needs a major overhaul to ensure it had stable funding in place and a broader long-term vision.
He said relieving gridlock and having a world-standard rail and bus network was "decades" away.
"When (Len Brown) says we could be the most liveable in two to four years I don't think he's being realistic. Certainly Auckland is on the path, personally I really don't worry about the ranking if they're in the top five or top 10. But I doubt it could be number one. Especially if we have no stable funding for extensions of public transport."
Muhammad said the planned underground rail loop will take the city in the right direction, but he says it is just "one piece of a very big puzzle".
"It's a very positive thing. But the main thing is it's just a one-off project. We are just starting on this journey right now. Other cities are aggressively moving on this and that's what we need."
Len Brown agrees there is scope for far better transport options and says "there's a lot more room yet for improvement".
He's hopeful the legacy his council are creating will eventually catapult the city past Melbourne, Vancouver and Vienna to be consistently ranked in top spot for years to come.
"That'd be nice. I'd probably sit back and have a beer".
For the time being he says he was looking forward to gauging results from his own Mayoral scorecard on liveability that comes out in October.
Since 2011 when it was first invented Auckland's score has gone up each year, he says.
"That's what I regard as the fairest and broadest range of what's liveable and what's not".
>> RESPONSES FROM MAYORAL CANDIDATES
PHIL GOFF
1. Do you support Auckland Council's vision to be the world's most liveable city and how would you rate the current progress toward that goal?
I guess anything you put up as an objective can be a bit of a slogan but certainly we want to make Auckland a great place to live for all of the people that live here and that means addressing any of the challenges we have that detract from that. We've made progress in some areas and lost ground in others.
2. How much emphasis should be placed on where Auckland is ranked in global liveability surveys?
The surveys are simply an indicator of how we're seen from the outside. The most important thing is what New Zealanders feel, what Aucklanders think about the city they live in.
3. Auckland has the equal fourth least-affordable property market in the world, is that the biggest barrier to making it more liveable and how do you propose to improve that?
By definition a city can't be liveable if you can't afford to live in it. Right now there are increasing numbers of Aucklanders that can't buy their own homes. And equally if you're renting the cost of rent is becoming less affordable. It's about six times the rate of the overall consumer price index. And with house prices approaching $1m clearly that is a huge issue with those people that haven't got their foot on the bottom rung of the housing ladder. We've got to recognise that there is a housing crisis first if we're going to fix it.
MARK THOMAS
1. Do you support Auckland Council's vision to be the world's most liveable city and how would you rate the current progress toward that goal?
It's a great aspiration but Auckland has actually become less liveable for many since this was established as the current Mayor's goal for Auckland. We now have the 10th worst traffic congestion in the world and house prices recently climbed to 4th most expensive. The most liveable city goal, which underpins the 30-year Auckland Plan driving all council strategy, has stretched council into too many areas. We need to focus our efforts on our major transport and housing problems and make council more affordable so we can get more done. My plan, An Auckland That Works, is designed to deliver more in this area, sooner.
2. How much emphasis should be placed on where Auckland is ranked in global liveability surveys?
The vast bulk of these measures are things governments' influence, rather than NZ cities (e.g. education, health, crime etc). Auckland should focus on the two or three items on each list that we do influence: particularly transport and housing. If we do that, we will be more effective improving these areas. Our current Auckland Plan strategy is involved with social wellbeing, educational achievement and health outcomes. These are important - but Auckland needs a stronger partnership with Government to improve these areas rather than try to replace or compete with them.
3. Auckland has the equal fourth least-affordable property market in the world, is that the biggest barrier to making it more liveable and how do you propose to improve that?
Housing and transport are the biggest drags on our liveability. But we can't fix these unless we gain better control of the Auckland Council budget. Not enough of the $3.5 billion per annum council receives from Aucklanders is prioritised into these areas. I will fix that with my rewrite of the Auckland Plan. The current mayor cut the transport budget by $110 million. I will reverse that over my first three years. In housing, I will invest more in housing related infrastructure (transport, water, parks) and implement the recommendations of the Government's Rules Reduction Taskforce that I was appointed to – to get a quicker, more customer focused council.
VIC CRONE
1. Do you support Auckland Council's vision to be the world's most liveable city and how would you rate the current progress toward that goal?
Auckland is already the third most 'liveable city’ in the world, according to these measurements. Though many would disagree given the current housing and transport situation. I have higher aspirations for Auckland, we should be a world class city, up there with the best, and we need a council that helps us live up to that.
2. How much emphasis should be placed on where Auckland is ranked in global liveability surveys?
It's a good measure and reinforces why so many people are wanting to live in Auckland, but as a measure for council's success, I don't place any emphasis on it. That's because a huge chunk of the criteria used to assess a liveable city are not within the control of council.
3. Auckland has the equal fourth least-affordable property market in the world, is that the biggest barrier to making it more liveable and how do you propose to improve that?
Housing is only one out of ten categories in the survey. The biggest barrier to making housing more affordable is that not enough homes are being built in Auckland at the pace we need. My plan will increase available land supply, reduce consenting times, and fund crucial growth infrastructure and services. It’s also critical there is a positively constructive relationship between council, government, developers and local communities as we build up and out across Auckland.
JOHN PALINO
1. Do you support Auckland Council's vision to be the world's most liveable city and how would you rate the current progress toward that goal?
No. The liveable city embodies everything which has gone wrong with the super city. We have children sleeping in cars, too sick to go to school. We have homeless people on the street too scared to go to sleep at night. We have plummeting home ownership, leaving hundreds of thousands of Aucklanders without the security and confidence home ownership brings. We have congestion so bad in our mid-sized city, you have to look at cities of 2.5 million and above before you can find a comparator. Liveability sounds fair, it sounds balanced and it sounds reasonable. But in practice it means providing superior services for those who already have a high standard of living, while those without get left behind. When I say I want to bring council back to focusing on core services, I don't mean cutting services, I mean expanding them. I mean expanding them to everyone one in our city, no matter how poor or left behind they are. I mean everyone gets a roof over their head, clean water and can afford and are able to get to work and school and back. Liveability does not prioritise these things. Liveability, by definition, prioritises the nice-to-haves. It leaves more behind than it takes with it. It is the reason why we've abandoned half our population to a life of renting, left our businesses to wallow in extraordinarily bad congestion and why our rates are on a never ending trajectory upwards.
2. How much emphasis should be placed on where Auckland is ranked in global liveability surveys?
None. It is deeply immoral for us to be focused on global comparisons of liveability when we have children sleeping cars.
3. Auckland has the equal fourth least-affordable property market in the world, is that the biggest barrier to making it more liveable and how do you propose to improve that?
The focus on liveability is the reason we have unaffordable housing because it has led us to focus on things which actually aren't that important. Providing basic water and roads so that homes can get built is important. When we've got enough homes and congestion is no longer killing off jobs, then we can think about liveability again. The existing growth plan is destroying everything that has made Auckland liveable. We must change our growth plan and begin to build up our existing CBD’s such as Albany, Henderson, Manukau and a completely new modern efficient self contained satellite city beyond the Metropolitan Boundary where homes can be sold for $300,000. If we do that then everything that makes a community liveable can be addressed from ground up and built ten times cheaper on greenfields rather than brownfields and existing suburbs. Something else that is not in the existing plan. When the population grows it needs schools, police - security, fire protection. health - ambulance, play grounds and core infrastructure. All of this is in my plan and this why my plan includes you, the people.
PENNY BRIGHT
1. Do you support Auckland Council's vision to be the world's most liveable city and how would you rate the current progress toward that goal?
Pivotal to the concept of Auckland 'liveability' is having somewhere to actually live? In Auckland right now, we have homeless people and homes without people. We have a 'ghost' city of over 30,000 empty private sector Auckland houses, where the lights never go on at night, because they weren't bought to be lived in - they were bought for speculative capital gain. At the same time, while fellow vulnerable Aucklanders are sleeping on cardboard in Queen Street, or crammed in cars, caravans and over-crowded rooms and garages - the Government is effectively 'land-banking' empty state houses. This 'vision' of Auckland being the world's most liveable city, in my view is a sick joke, and a growing nightmare for the homeless, renters and first home buyers. It is 'democracy for developers' that is being promoted and pushed through the proposed Auckland Unitary Plan. This is also a nightmare for established local communities where 'up-zoning' and intensification will potentially decimate and destroy their character and heritage, in many cases without their prior knowledge or consent. In my view - this Auckland 'most liveable city' vision is meaningless garbage - the main beneficiaries of this Auckland 'growth', in my view, being commercial property developers, foreign investors, speculators, bankers, land bankers, real estate agents and money-launderers. ie: A lot of corporate beneficiaries - who arguably don't even live in Auckland.
2. How much emphasis should be placed on where Auckland is ranked in global liveability surveys?
Not a lot, in my opinion. Aucklanders, who actually live and work in Auckland, know on a weekly basis, how 'liveable' Auckland is, as increasing numbers struggle to pay mortgages, rent, power, phone, food and other living expenses.
3. Auckland has the equal fourth least-affordable property market in the world, is that the biggest barrier to making it more liveable and how do you propose to improve that?
Affordability of Auckland property to buy or rent is a major barrier to 'liveability' - but for the majority who rent, stability and security of tenure is a huge issue. How 'liveable' is Auckland for families, continually having to move, because the house they're renting has (again) been sold? How 'liveable' is that, for the kids that may have to change schools, move away from friends? (Of course - this situation is far worse for those Aucklanders who can't even afford to be tenants in their own country.) I'm calling for a national population growth, migration and regional employment strategy. Why does all this 'growth' have to come to Auckland. I'm calling for the 'rule of law' to be upheld, regarding Auckland 'planning'.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83007694/Auckland-eighth-most-liveable-city-in-the-world-Yeah-nah-say-planning-experts | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/29567416c563bf11f0371c7a46ec848ad609e471193cad0f0b8e811ede7e14f8.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:36 | null | 2016-08-29T17:12:07 | Carice van Houten, who plays Melisandre, and actor Guy Pearce are proud parents to a baby boy. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Ftv-radio%2F83695158%2FGame-of-Thrones-star-Carice-van-Houten-Aussie-actor-Guy-Pearce-become-parents.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/b/8/a/i/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtvli.png/1472491290604.jpg | en | null | 'Game of Thrones' star Carice van Houten, Aussie actor Guy Pearce become parents | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | 'Game of Thrones' star Carice van Houten, Aussie actor Guy Pearce become parents
HBO Carice Van Houten plays Melisandre in Game of Thrones.
Carice van Houten, who plays the red priestess Melisandre in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, has given birth to a baby boy.
The Dutch actress' manager in the Netherlands, Janey van Ierland, confirmed the birth of Monte Pearce in Amsterdam, but divulged few other details.
Van Ierland says Van Houten "had the baby last week and she is doing very well".
MARIO ANZUONI/REUTERS Carice van Houten (right) with Game of Thrones co-stars Sophie Turner, Natalie Dormer and Liam Cunningham.
Van Houten's partner, Australian actor Guy Pearce, announced the birth with a tongue-in-cheek tweet on Monday: "A cute little package arrived and told us his name's Monte Pearce. We think we're gonna keep him. Placenta smoothie anyone?''
READ MORE:
* Who will end up on the Iron Throne?
* Sansa Stark snubbed at Emmys
* HBO publishes major spoiler
A cute little package arrived and told us his name's Monte Pearce. We think we're gonna keep him. Placenta smoothie anyone? @caricevhouten — Guy Pearce (@TheGuyPearce) August 29, 2016
Van Houten's Game of Thrones character is a mysterious sorceress and the recipient of powerful visions. She joined the series in its second season.
Last month, she tweeted a photo of her pregnant tum, with the caption: "Almost don't fit in the mirror anymore."
Almost don't fit the mirror anymore @TheGuyPearce .. pic.twitter.com/Qdx7FKW72g — Carice van Houten (@caricevhouten) July 13, 2016
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/83695158/Game-of-Thrones-star-Carice-van-Houten-Aussie-actor-Guy-Pearce-become-parents | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/b2ca299879f8971acce6a37521afbb199272deb822b5ece909dcf6a18879f007.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T00:51:16 | null | 2016-08-29T00:40:39 | Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps ripped off, then threw away Malakai Fekitoa's boot on Saturday night. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Finternational%2F83663800%2FNick-Phipps-caught-on-camera-ripping-off-and-throwing-away-Malakai-Fekitoas-boot.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/m/e/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt7eg.png/1472431239644.jpg | en | null | Nick Phipps caught on camera ripping off and throwing away Malakai Fekitoa's boot | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Nick Phipps caught on camera ripping off and throwing away Malakai Fekitoa's boot
Footage has emerged of Wallabies replacement halfback Nick Phipps dislodging All Black Malakai Fekitoa's boot and throwing it off field in the second Bledisloe test.
A potential try isn't the only thing Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps threw away on Saturday night.
Phipps was caught on camera ripping the left boot off Malakai Fekitoa in the second half of the All Blacks' 29-9 victory, then throwing the boot into the Wallabies' in-goal area.
The 27-year-old tackled Fekitoa low before ripping the boot off the big centre, then did his best Tom Walsh impression in flinging the ball well clear of the resulting ruck.
GETTY IMAGES Nick Phipps showed his unsportsmanlike side when chucking Malakai Fekitoa's boot into the in-goal area.
Fekitoa didn't seem too concerned, jumping into defence without his left boot until a stoppage in play allowed an All Blacks trainer to bring the boot to him.
READ MORE:
* World media slam Franks non-citing
* New angle on eye-gouge that wasn't
* Hansen hands out hiding to Cheika
It's nothing new to see stray boots cleared from the playing area, but not in the fashion Phipps did.
GETTY IMAGES Malakai Fekitoa didn't seem to concerned with the move, defending without his left boot until it was returned by a trainer.
World Rugby law 10.4 (m) states: "A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship in the playing enclosure".
It wouldn't be hard to argue that Phipps' actions contravened that law, although referee Romain Poite didn't blow his whistle.
The Wallabies were all about the niggle on Saturday night, trying to throw the All Blacks off their game.
Of course, Phipps may well have been attempting to hand the ball back to Fekitoa. His passing isn't always the most accurate.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83663800/Nick-Phipps-caught-on-camera-ripping-off-and-throwing-away-Malakai-Fekitoas-boot | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/77201d8fcf6acb76b51c68be81b33d2607563e40db33cf728964f824d6f79d54.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:26 | null | 2016-08-29T01:24:05 | Dawson Reihana chewed off the tape around his wrists before escaping a 16-hour bashing in an alleged gang kidnapping. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83669066%2FMongrel-Mob-kidnap-victim-chewed-his-way-to-freedom.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/4/1/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtbgq.png/1472433845919.jpg | en | null | Mongrel Mob kidnap victim chewed his way to freedom | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Mongrel Mob kidnap victim chewed his way to freedom
SUPPLIED Seven gang members and associates facing kidnapping and related charges at the High Court in Christchurch.
Dawson Reihana chewed his way to freedom after being bashed, punched and stomped for hours in an alleged gang kidnapping.
The 35-year-old told his story on at Christchurch Hospital as he lay heavily bandaged in bed hours after escaping a Mob house in Bowenvale Ave, in the affluent Christchurch suburb of Cashmere.
The DVD was played on the third day of the trial of seven men with links to the Aotearoa chapter of the Mongrel Mob in the Christchurch High Court.
Reihana, who was giving evidence by closed circuit television, has links with the gang's Notorious chapter, the Crown says.
READ MORE
* 16-hour bashing by Mongrel Mob alleged
* Police couldn't find alleged Mongrel Mob kidnap victim
When recounting the events on August 8 and 9 last year, he told police two gang members had taken his cellphone and had contacted his friends demanding money and drugs in exchange for his release.
He said he was hurt that the people contacted had not tried to get him out, during a kidnap and beating that went on for about 16 hours.
Before the court, after pleading not guilty to all charges, are Matthew Joshua Mulvey, 35, Leon Delshannon Turner, 41, a builder, Peter Damian Gilbert, 46, a concrete worker, August Keefe, 57, Mathew James Rowe, 41, a bricklayer, Jason Phillip Reweti, 35, a labourer, and Dylan Raymond Shannon Corbin, 27.
All are charged with kidnapping Reihana.
Mulvey, Turner, and Gilbert are charged with wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. All except Keefe are charged with injuring him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The trial before Justice Cameron Mander and a jury is expected to last more than two weeks.
Reihana said he was beaten with hammers and knuckledusters for hours, punched and stomped and his hands and ankles were bound.
Eventually, about 3am, the beating stopped and people left him to sleep.
The man left to guard him – the Crown says it was Reweti – fell asleep sleep on the other side of the room.
Reihana said he chewed on the tape wound around his wrists. He hid the pieces of chewed-off tape in a nearby drawer.
He worked for an hour to get his eyes open because they were swollen shut from the beating.
When he got free, he noticed a wire leading onto a bed next to him. He pulled it quietly and found there was a cellphone on the end of it. He called 111 twice.
The police could not find him using a GPS system, but they got him to describe the route he had taken while being driven to the address, which was the second place where he had been detained and attacked.
They then headed into the 1km-radius area where the cellphone was located, and surrounded a known Mob house in Bowenvale Ave before Reihana made his way out, to be taken to hospital by ambulance.
Reihana told of being invited to an address in Ajax St, Shirley, the previous day by Mulvey. They had coffee and talked before Mulvey, Turner, and Gilbert attacked him with hammers.
Reihana told the trial: "They attacked me for hours. They threatened disgusting things to my girlfriend, or wanting money from my friends, and wanting anything I had.
"There were so many of them, I was overwhelmed."
The trial is continuing.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83669066/Mongrel-Mob-kidnap-victim-chewed-his-way-to-freedom | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/de322c4c12efbb9ee648069af5984a5739f9ebc446bcd759c7554b772f764d96.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:52:15 | null | 2016-08-31T04:14:57 | Rugby great Brian O'Driscoll says we've got the ABs - and not much else. So Ireland or NZ? Where's better? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2F83748231%2FDon-t-be-a-donkey-New-Zealands-got-heaps-more-than-the-All-Blacks-Doesn-t-it.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/j/n/y/n/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dv0jr.png/1472616897810.jpg | en | null | Don't be a donkey, New Zealand's got heaps more than the All Blacks. Doesn't it? | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Don't be a donkey, New Zealand's got heaps more than the All Blacks. Doesn't it?
CLODAGH KILCOYNE Donkeys in Belcoo, Northern Ireland. There aren't many donkeys in New Zealand, but we do have alpacas.
It's possible Brian O'Driscoll has touched a collective nerve. In an apparent dig, he tweeted there's not much else going for New Zealand except the All Blacks. John Edens - who hails from Northern Ireland but who is now of this parish - takes a look at Ireland and how it compares to his second home down under.
Blame Brian O'Driscoll OK.
Or don't.
STU FORSTER/GETTY IMAGES Irish rugby legend Brian O'Driscoll quickly deleted a tweet, but not before his comments about New Zealand were picked up.
Maybe he's right.
The Irish rugby great has taken aim at the whole of New Zealand, suggesting Kiwis have the All Blacks and not much else - at least from an Irish perspective.
READ MORE:
* Could O'Driscoll be right?
* Brian O'Driscoll versus New Zealand
* Franks is in the clear
* Kafer: Refs biased against Wallabies
* Are the ABs ruining world rugby?
So, it's only fair to compare how we stack up against the Emerald Isle.
Fiddly-dee, off we go.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/FAIRFAX NZ Snow-covered foot hills and the Southern Alps, looking across Canterbury Plains from the Port Hills.
Are we so blinded by all things All Black that everything else is excluded?
Irish dancing versus the haka, anyone?
Let's be serious.
Peter Morrison A freshly shorn sheep at the Irish Redhead Convention in Country Cork, Ireland. Over 40 ginger themed events take place over the three day festival.
New Zealand is larger than Ireland, 268,000 square kilometres compared to 70,000sq km.
Our populations are similar, there are 4.5 million Kiwis and 4.6m Irish-es, but New Zealanders are spread over about four times the area.
Geographically, Ireland is mostly rolling hills, low mountains and coastal plains. Aotearoa is, of course, a mountainous, volcanic land with staggering scenery, a sub-tropical north and a temperate south.
Redhead Convention Ireland Andy O'Neill from Kilkenny and Emma Ni Chearuil from Maynooth, Co. Kildare, were crowned King and Queen of the Redheads at the 2016 Irish Redhead Convention.
Globally, for starters, both countries rank highly in terms of economic heft, jobs, security and quality of life.
But there are subtle differences worth considering.
Sport. Hardly controversial at all, is it? Let's take a look. Ireland has produced greats and is a sporting nation with a deserved reputation on the rugby pitch, football and boxing, plus quirky games such as hurling and Gaelic football.
123rf.com Ireland doesn't do glaciers. This is Franz Josef, in the South Island.
New Zealand has, err, rugby. And, of course, a solid reputation for athletics, cricket, hockey, and sailing.
And, let's not forget, the All Blacks have beaten Ireland 27 out of 28 times in rugby union since 1905.
Ireland have one draw to their name.
GETTY IMAGES Ireland has some decent rowers. Paul O'Donovan, left, and Gary O'Donovan made waves at the Rio Olympics.
As for environment, New Zealand is sunnier and more diverse, with sub-tropical beaches in the far north, mountains, surf, and stunning walks. Ireland has natural beauty too, lush greenery, craggy cliffs and Skellig Michael.
We have the incomparable Fiordland.
On the social front, we earn slightly more than our Irish friends, according to the OECD Better Life Index, and more of us have jobs.
SAM DEUCHRASS Kayaking among the icebergs of the Tasman Lake, beneath the Southern Alps. You can't do this in Ireland.
The index says New Zealand ranks in the top in terms of health, work-life balance, and social connections, as well as above average for security, education and skills. We earn - per average household - around US$29,000 a year, compared to US$23,000.
Three-quarters of Kiwis are employed, well above the OECD average and Ireland's rate of 61 per cent. Ireland's rich-poor gap was noted by the OECD, although New Zealand is not immune to an increasing divide between the country's top-earners and the poorest.
Life expectancy is high in both countries
Now, on to food and drink.
Ireland produces some of the world's best known beverages, Guinness, Jameson, and the full Irish breakfast, which is worth noting involves bacon, sausages, eggs, bread, more bread, beans, mushrooms, and black pudding.
We have Speights and, of course, pinot noir, Marlborough sauvignon blanc, and craft beer.
Plus, we've got great seafood, multicultural cuisine from all corners of the world, fantastic beef and lamb.
According to ifitweremyhome.com, a site comparing countries, people in Ireland are more at risk of crime, but less likely to be in prison, use less electricity, and consume fewer natural resources such as oil.
But, Irish people don't have as much free time as Kiwis, they're more likely to be murdered and have to spend more money on healthcare.
Another comparison table by numbeo.com says we pay more for groceries, especially milk and dairy produce, beer, coffee, and bottled water. Irish pay more for utilities, rent, and housing.
Let's not forget the cultural component.
It's hard to beat Ireland's history of producing literary greats, from James Joyce to Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett and Jonathan Swift. But New Zealand has its own cultural heavyweights, especially in cinema, authors, pioneers, and inventors.
Musically, the most famous Irish export is probably U2.
So New Zealand wins that one.
It's hard to pick favourites, but there has to be winner. There are similarities between the two countries and Ireland has some fantastic things to boast about - creamy pints of Guinness and home comforts - but the balanced lifestyle in New Zealand is a real draw, there's less emphasis on material wealth, and the outdoors is truly great here.
SOURCES: CIA World Factbook, OECD, Statistics New Zealand, New Zealand Now, World Economic Forum, Discovering Ireland, UN Data, Irish Rugby
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/83748231/Don-t-be-a-donkey-New-Zealands-got-heaps-more-than-the-All-Blacks-Doesn-t-it | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/33c568bd4f76d67bdeb4977cebb28c17aae7b69f099257b3a85a5e5f4a012ee1.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T08:50:30 | null | 2016-08-27T08:39:39 | Raiders' finals prospects look good as a player receives a shoulder injury. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fleague%2F83635202%2FSezer-hurt-in-Raiders-NRL-win-over-Manly.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/l/c/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dslc2.png/1472287179842.jpg | en | null | Sezer hurt in Raiders' NRL win over Manly | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Sezer hurt in Raiders' NRL win over Manly
ASHLEY FEDER/GETTY IMAGES Raiders team mates celebrate the win against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Joey Leilua and Jordan Rapana have kept Canberra in the hunt for a top-two NRL finals spot by leading a Blake Austin-less Raiders to a 44-30 win over Manly.
Canberra's Aidan Sezer left the field late with a shoulder injury on Saturday as the Raiders survived a late Sea Eagles comeback at Brookvale Oval.
Canberra led 18-10 at the break thanks to two tries by Rapana, then two four-pointers to Leilua soon after halftime put the visitors well on track for their ninth straight win.
ASHLEY FEDER/GETTY IMAGES Addin Fonau-Blake of the Sea Eagles is tackled by the Raiders defence.
Rapana scored three tries overall, as did Manly's Tom Trbojevic.
READ MORE:
* NRL Round 25: Titans v Panthers
* League star's cheeky twerk
* Hayne shrugs off injury
Sam Williams filled in capably for Austin - who is out indefinitely due to a hand injury - alongside Sezer in the Raiders' halves in the eight-tries-to-six win.
ASHLEY FEDER/GETTY IMAGES Sea Eagles fans support their team.
Losing Sezer would be another significant blow for the Raiders.
Melbourne have already cemented a top-two spot, and whether Canberra or Cronulla will join them in hosting a home qualifying final in the first week of the playoffs will likely be decided in next week's matches.
Wests Tigers host Canberra at Leichhardt, while Cronulla travel to Melbourne.
Soft defence from Manly allowed Paul Vaughan score the game's first try in the 10th minute. Rapana followed that up eight minutes later for a 12-0 lead.
The Trbojevic brothers then combined to get Manly back in the game.
Jake Trbojevic scored after Jack Wighton spilled a Matt Wright bomb. Tom Trbojevic then crossed out wide to peg the Raiders' lead to just two points.
Rapana's second try two minutes before the break gave the Raiders a 18-10 lead at the break.
Edrick Lee and Jack Wighton also scored for the Raiders after halftime.
Rapana's third try with a minute to go sealed the win, but only after second-half tries to Tom Trbojevic (two), Daly Cherry-Evans and Frank Winterstein gave Manly a hope of an upset win.
- AAP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/83635202/Sezer-hurt-in-Raiders-NRL-win-over-Manly | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/0b1eaf865abebc4b78b24c7e9a836a3e975e349f64ffe8556967fd636150e8a1.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T08:51:12 | null | 2016-08-28T07:59:04 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83642603%2FLower-Hutt-family-seeking-reimbursement-for-rent-spent-on-home-they-fled-after-paedophile-moved-next-door.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/h/t/4/9/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsr1n.png/1472371144362.jpg | en | null | Lower Hutt family seeking reimbursement for rent spent on home they fled after paedophile moved next door | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Lower Hutt family seeking reimbursement for rent spent on home they fled after paedophile moved next door
JOHN NICHOLSON//FAIRFAX NZ State Highway 2 at the Maungaraki interchange at Maungaraki in Lower Hutt.
A Lower Hutt family wants the Government to reimburse them for rent money spent after fleeing a paedophile put next door.
Every day Mike Bell estimates he is out of pocket another $73.51 for the Maungaraki house he, his wife, their 14-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son left at the start of August after learning a high-risk GPS-monitored offender had been placed next door.
Bell went on to play a key role in pressuring the Corrections Department to shift the offender to the grounds of Christchurch Men's Prison.
But while his family have since re-settled into a rented home in Newlands some 12km away, the lease on their old house will continue until the end of the year unless someone else takes it on.
READ MORE:
* Corrections shifts child sex offender from Lower Hutt to Christchurch Prison grounds
* A Lower Hutt community wants a sex offender gone - but where will he go?
* Lower Hutt Mayor will ask Corrections to move Maungaraki child-sex offender
* Residents petitioning government to rid communities of high-risk offenders
* Family flees as child-sex offender moves in next door
* Residents demand to know more about sex offender
Bell wrote to the department's chief executive Ray Smith last week asking them to cover the cost, he says, of keeping his family safe.
"Every child deserves a safe up-bringing away from this kind of repeat offenders ... who admit to themselves they can't control their urges," Bell said.
So far Bell has lost about $2500 and is not legally entitled to reimbursement.
He previously expressed the "shock and disgust" he felt, and the fear "for my family's welfare".
Hutt South MP Trevor Mallard wrote to Smith saying he was "totally supportive of reimbursement for out of pocket costs being made to the Bell family".
"I think a small ex gratia payment to recognise the stress and disruption to their lives would also be appropriate.
"It would also do Corrections' image no harm if they made a contribution to the local school and community association for similar reasons."
A Corrections spokesperson said it had nothing further to add to an earlier response that said the offender will eventually be shifted back into the Wellington Region once a suitable address was found.
"If we can learn from the experience in Maungaraki ways in which we can do this better for concerned communities we are absolutely open to doing so.
"Corrections is also bringing in extra resources to assist with the placement of offenders in the community."
Top brass last met with with Bell, Mallard, List MP Chris Bishop, and close neighbours on August 25 to discuss how Corrections might work better in future.
Bell told the department how it had failed to adequately notify him and other nearby neighbours who had children - made worse by the fact their houses had a shared driveway.
"Although we're pleased he's gone from Maungaraki; it's not about moving him to another neighbourhood.
"It's only really part of the story... The word Maungaraki will slide away from it over time."
A petition by the Sensible Sentencing Trust has been circulating within the community, gathering the support of 567 signatories so far to ask for a law that would see any offender subjected to an extended supervision order have to live within prison grounds unless directed by a court.
Corrections needs the courts to grant public protection orders to allow it to house these types of offenders outside the wire on prison grounds.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83642603/Lower-Hutt-family-seeking-reimbursement-for-rent-spent-on-home-they-fled-after-paedophile-moved-next-door | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/febbd6d8925148b966f08f3359973a59aa375ee0a6ddae8ddc2f8b9cc67e5de2.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T20:51:25 | null | 2016-08-27T20:22:07 | It took Trump's doctor only five minutes to attest to his | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2F83636856%2FTrumps-health-excellent-especially-his-mental-health-says-Dr-Harold-Bornstein.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/o/9/i/i/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsmm0.png/1472329328181.jpg | en | null | Trump's health 'excellent' especially 'his mental health', says Dr Harold Bornstein | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Trump's health 'excellent' especially 'his mental health', says Dr Harold Bornstein
"His health is excellent, especially his mental health," Bornstein confirmed.
Donald Trump's personal physician told NBC News it took him only five minutes to write a public letter last year attesting to Trump's "astonishingly excellent" health while a limo waited outside to deliver it to the GOP presidential nominee.
Dr Harold Bornstein's report in December remains the only medical information released so far by Trump's campaign.
In the letter, the doctor declared: "If elected, Mr. Trump, I can state unequivocally, will be the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency."
Bornstein, who says he is board-certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, has been Trump's doctor for 35 years. He told NBC News in an exclusive interview on Friday that he stood by his glowing assessment of the 70-year-old real estate magnate.
READ MORE:
* Donald Trump, in series of scathing personal attacks, questions Clinton's mental health
* Trump says even legal immigrants are a threat
* Trump tries to fix mistakes, ends standoff with Paul Ryan
In the letter, which is riddled with typos, Bornstein also wrote that Trump's lab results were "astonishingly excellent" and that his "cardiovascular status is excellent."
He reiterated that assessment on Friday, but toned down the adjectives.
His health is excellent, especially his mental health," he told NBC News at his Park Avenue, New York, office, adding that he doesn't think Trump is in any better or worse shape than the average person who exercises daily.
After he was asked to write an evaluation, Bornstein said, he thought about it all day but only jotted it down at the last minute as a black limo waited outside to take it to Trump. The doctor said he didn't even proofread it.
Bornstein said he would not normally use such extravagant language in a letter for a patient but made an exception for Trump, who had promised in a tweet two weeks earlier that the doctor's assessment would show "perfection."
"I think I picked up his kind of language and then just interpreted it to my own," Bornstein told NBC News.
The revelation comes as whispers about the health of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton have become a chorus.
The volume around the unfounded conspiracy theories were enough to prompt the Democrat to refute them in public.
The 68-year-old former secretary of state also appeared on TV opening a pickle jar to show her strength.
Since the questions about Ms Clinton's health have surfaced, Mr Trump himself has cancelled a number of appearances and sent conflicting signals as to whether they would be postponed.
- smh.com.au | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/83636856/Trumps-health-excellent-especially-his-mental-health-says-Dr-Harold-Bornstein | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/512746e3b35e8448fa7023a9e0d747b1f3089a7352981779b24e03f7172e2910.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:52:52 | null | 2016-08-31T06:45:16 | The girl was 12 years old, sitting in front of her phone camera in Australia. A woman in Canada was watching. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Flife%2F83777150%2FSchoolgirls-self-harm-on-social-media-app-Musical-ly-picked-up-half-a-world-away.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/d/3/0/e/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvmv2.png/1472625916971.jpg | en | null | Schoolgirl's self-harm on social media app Musical.ly picked up half a world away | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Schoolgirl's self-harm on social media app Musical.ly picked up half a world away
123 rf "The internet is a very scary place, but it can also save someone's life," Tina says.
The girl was 12 years old, sitting in front of her phone camera at her home in Australia with a knife in her hand.
Half a world away in Canada, watching on a live stream through the Musical.ly app, was a woman we'll call Tina.
Tina watched in disbelief and then horror as the girl began to cut herself, and threatened suicide. This happened just two weeks ago.
Desperate to do something, Tina contacted the app's support email. She says she received a reply thanking her for drawing it to their attention and saying they would "message the user".
The next day, her iPad buzzed again, notifying her the girl was about to start another live stream. To Tina's dismay and fury, she saw the child cut herself again.
When she contacted them again, the app's support team told her they would delete the account.
"What? That's it?" Tina says. "So at this point, I took it upon myself to do something."
Tina is a G-rated social media celebrity with hundreds of thousands of followers, many of them young kids. She has had many approach her online for help when they are bullied or abused in the apps they use. She has asked us not to use her real name.
She had been troubled by some particularly nasty strains of bullying showing up in her feed on Musical.ly involving what looked like very young kids, and began following some of the accounts.
One was the Australian girl's, which is why she was notified when the girl began to use the livestream.
"The internet is a very scary place, but it can also save someone's life," Tina says.
From the child's email, she was able to figure out what school she went to - and found out it was in Brisbane.
The app's administrators and the Canadian police wouldn't help, so she tried something else.
She found the name of Susan McLean, an Australian cyber safety specialist, and emailed her urgently asking for help, with all the information she could find about the child and screenshots of the self-harm.
McLean and Brisbane police tracked down the girl's school and informed the principal.
The principal responded immediately, seeking more information, and assured Tina and McLean they would do everything possible to help her. The school had not known she was in such distress.
The internet's backwaters are full of terrible stories, but Musical.ly is a free, mainstream iPhone and iPad app with 100 million users that's marketed at teenagers.
Cyber safety experts and schools are increasingly worried about the popularity of the app and its new live stream function, Live.ly, among tween and young teen users.
"It's dangerous in the extreme," McLean says of the app.
"Sex crimes detectives are getting jobs from it where kids have been groomed. Dumb, ill-informed and head-in-sand parents want to pander to their kids and let them have every app they want because they have no understanding of the reality."
She says that while kids under 13 shouldn't be on any social media, Musical.ly has a litany of features and functions that make it a particularly unsafe space for younger kids, in addition to 18+ musical content.
The app publishes location information, videos can be downloaded from the app, and there is a lot of bullying in the comments as well as reports of hashtags "hijacked" with pornographic content.
"Friends commenting that you have 'ruined' their favourite song and [there's] bullying in real life as a result," she says.
"Predators being able to watch the videos of your child, take them and store them for future viewing pleasure."
Another cyber safety consultant, Leonie Smith, says the app's administrators are not doing enough to stop young users.
"It's one of the very first social media sites that I've seen that has taken off mostly in primary schools. High school students laugh because it is seen as very tween-oriented social media," says Smith.
"The fact is anyone can message any of those kids on there, download the videos and share them really easily."
Tina runs popular accounts on several different social media platforms, but has been most disturbed by what she is seeing on Musical.ly.
"Kids on this platform are susceptible to bullying, harassment, having their personal information stolen or copied and also to solicitation for ads ... and accounts claiming to help them 'win fans'," she says.
She says anyone can watch the Live.ly livestreams, even without having to follow a user's account, meaning kids can broadcast from their bedrooms to anyone online.
A spokeswoman from Musical.ly, based in San Francisco, did not address questions about the self-harming incident.
"We take appropriate measures to expeditiously remove offensive or inappropriate content from the Musical.ly app.
"Users can set their account to private to ensure only the friends they know can follow them," she said, pointing out that users can block other users and report abuse.
"We are also implementing machine-learning technology to scan messages to block spam and inappropriate content."
Despite all the concerns, there is a very good reason Musical.ly is so popular with its users, known colloquially as "musers".
"This app is really fun," says Tina. "It can leave you in tears from laughing."
But, she stresses, "it's not for kids. There is not nearly enough protection within the app for kids. Making your account 'private' is not enough.
"[The app's makers] just need to think more about the safety of their users rather than the safety of the money in their pockets."
WHERE TO GET HELP:
Lifeline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 354
Depression Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 111 757
Healthline (open 24/7) - 0800 611 116
Samaritans (open 24/7) - 0800 726 666
Suicide Crisis Helpline (open 24/7) - 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Youthline (open 24/7) - 0800 376 633. You can also text 234 for free between 8am and midnight, or email talk@youthline.co.nz
0800 WHATSUP children's helpline - phone 0800 9428 787 between 1pm and 10pm on weekdays and from 3pm to 10pm on weekends. Online chat is available from 7pm to 10pm every day at www.whatsup.co.nz.
Kidsline (open 24/7) - 0800 543 754. This service is for children aged 5 to 18. Those who ring between 4pm and 9pm on weekdays will speak to a Kidsline buddy. These are specially trained teenage telephone counsellors.
Your local Rural Support Trust - 0800 787 254 (0800 RURAL HELP)
Alcohol Drug Helpline (open 24/7) - 0800 787 797. You can also text 8691 for free.
For further information, contact the Mental Health Foundation's free Resource and Information Service (09 623 4812).
- Sydney Morning Herald | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/life/83777150/Schoolgirls-self-harm-on-social-media-app-Musical-ly-picked-up-half-a-world-away | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/721e997c174cd38a86026e789316bc5c571fa21c466cf52c5be59ea04e268d7e.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T02:50:26 | null | 2016-08-27T02:10:19 | Can you call games between the All Blacks and Wallabies a rivalry? NZ's statistical dominance would suggest not. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fall-blacks%2F83585394%2FDigging-the-data-How-the-All-Blacks-have-dominated-the-Wallabies-throughout-history.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/m/c/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1driwi.png/1472263819215.jpg | en | null | Digging the data: How the All Blacks have dominated the Wallabies throughout history | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Digging the data: How the All Blacks have dominated the Wallabies throughout history
GETTY IMAGES There is nothing for the All Blacks to fear in Will Genia and the Wallabies.
The dominant nature of the All Blacks makes you rethink the meaning of the word rival.
A rival is supposedly equal of comparable to something else, they compete for the same objective, and for superiority.
Looking at history, it's hard to say the Wallabies are real rivals of the All Blacks.
RNZ The Wallabies have been all but written off by almost everyone ahead of tomorrow night's second Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks in Wellington.
They're minnows. How else can you explain a 71 per cent winning margin in the favour of the All Blacks stretching back to 1903. It's incredibly one sided.
READ MORE:
* McCaw: I hope it's closer this time
* Wallabies deluded
* Aust, South Africa lose teams?
* ABs' blackout partially lifted
There are few statistics in which the Wallabies come close to matching the All Blacks in over the years when pitting the two sides against each other.
The top 16 biggest victories in the Wallabies versus All Blacks "rivalry" are owned by the All Blacks, starting with a 43-6 win over Australia in Wellington in 1996.
That list includes last Saturday's 42-8 win in Sydney, taking third spot, and even includes a 30-5 win for the All Blacks in 1913.
The massive winning margins aren't a modern thing, they appear throughout the timeline.
Of the 45 biggest winning margins in the history of the match up, Australia have five, the best of which is a 28-7 win over the All Blacks in Sydney in 1999.
Then there is team points scored in a match.
New Zealand have scored more than 35 points in a match against the Wallabies 13 times, and nine times since 2000.
The Wallabies have reached 35 points once, and it was in a 39-35 loss in 2000.
In 156 games between the All Blacks and Australia, New Zealand have outscored the Wallabies by more than 1000 points.
The scoreboard read 3202-2168, meaning an average victory of 20.5-13.9 in favour of the All Blacks.
That takes into account times when tries weren't worth five points, and who knows how far that tally would stretch if they had.
Here's where Australia does win in the trans-Tasman battle - crowd size, red cards, most team points at halftime without winning the match, most team tries without winning the match.
It's really not great reading if you bleed green and gold.
Australian crowds have topped 100,000 twice for Bledisloe Cup matches, in 1999 and 2000 in Sydney, where New Zealand's biggest crowd doesn't even register on the trans-Tasman records.
The Wallabies are also the only side to receive a red card in the trans-Tasman clashes, their first coming in 1923, and the second in Melbourne in 2010.
The question is, then, is the old "rivalry" against Australia really a rivalry? Can something so one sided really be considered a match between equals.
It's the Springboks who bring the real rivalry, winning 40 per cent of games against New Zealand over the 94 year history of the clash.
In a sport where teams have struggled to be New Zealand's equals, South Africa are the closest we have to a real rival.
Australia aren't in the race.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83585394/Digging-the-data-How-the-All-Blacks-have-dominated-the-Wallabies-throughout-history | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/dd98494fed0200c3cb7b96035dd933f5fd1bc93fe82c4345c434061ce92b96e0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:50:35 | null | 2016-08-26T18:47:50 | Filipino child the youngest victim in the | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Fasia%2F83626341%2FGirl-5-latest-victim-in-Philippines-war-on-drugs.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/e/h/w/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsehx.png/1472237270257.jpg | en | null | Girl, 5, latest victim in Philippines 'war on drugs' | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Girl, 5, latest victim in Philippines 'war on drugs'
Rappler.com Danica May, 5, was shot as gunmen attacked her grandfather.
A girl has become the youngest victim of tough-talking Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's "war on drugs" that has left more than 1900 people dead in seven weeks.
Danica May, 5, died from a gunshot wound to the head after unidentified gunmen opened fire on her family as they sat down to have lunch in their home in Dagupan, a city of 170,000, north of Manila.
The killing came as president Duterte shrugged off criticism of his campaign from the US, UN, the Catholic Church and human rights groups, declaring "this fight against drugs will continue until the last day of my term".
Danica's grandfather, Maximo Garcia, who she was living with after her parents separated, learnt last week he was on a list of alleged drug suspects that somebody had given to local police.
READ MORE:
* 1900 people killed in Philippines' war on drugs
* Police get bounties for killing Philippines criminals
* Accused Philippine officials surrender in drug case
* Rodrigo Duterte to work from 1pm to midnight every day
He was shocked, his wife Gemma told the Inquirer newspaper, because he was only a tricycle driver, had suffered a stroke three years ago and had never been involved in drugs.
LEAN DAVAL JR/REUTERS Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte's approval rating hovers around 90 per cent in a country with one of Asia's biggest crime rates and highest use of illicit drugs.
On the advice their village chief, Garcia surrendered to police rather than risk being shot on sight on the President's orders for police to use deadly force if suspects don't give themselves up. He was questioned and allowed to return home.
But three days later, gunmen came to his house behind a small eatery in a flood-prone area, shooting Garcia as he fled to the back of the house. Danica was hit and later died in hospital. .
Garcia is in hospital with gunshot wounds to his stomach.
"This is so painful for us," Mrs Garcia said, adding she cannot understand why anybody would want her husband killed.
"I will miss the nights when Danica would massage us until we fell asleep. I will miss her laughter."
More than 600,000 drugs suspects have surrendered since early July, many of them packing the country's already overcrowded jails.
There are reports of dozens of others being attacked after being allowed to return to their homes.
More than 650 people have been killed since June in battles with police officers and more than 1000 others have been killed by vigilantes, who often leave cardboard signs declaring their victims to be drug pushers.
As the bodies pile up, the Philippine Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has refused calls to launch an impartial investigation into the deaths, which include more than 1000 at the hands of unknown assailants or vigilantes.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures. So this is what the president is doing and we support it," he said.
But human rights groups say many of the killings are linked to local politics, crime and rivalries.
Duterte, 71, built a reputation as a ruthless crime fighter in Davao, where he was mayor, before he was swept into power in May promising to wipe out the illegal drugs trade within months.
He has responded to a senate committee's hearings into extra-judicial killings by launching an attack on its head, Senator Leila De Lima, accusing her of taking bribes from jailed drugs lords.
"De Lima you are finished," he told reporters.
But De Lima hit back, calling on the President to "stop this madness".
"It's as if this war against drugs has turned into a war versus De Lima ... it's like he's really hell bent on destroying me at all costs. I hope he stops it."
Despite the killings opinion polls show Duterte's approval rating hovering around 90 per cent in a country with one of Asia's biggest crime rates and highest use of illicit drugs.
Duterte up-ended politics and his country's international diplomacy, calling the US ambassador of "son of a whore", promising a hero's burial for the late corrupt dictator Ferdinand Marcos and complicating attempts by regional nations to preserve a common front against China's aggressive claim to the South China Sea.
- Sydney Morning Herald | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/asia/83626341/Girl-5-latest-victim-in-Philippines-war-on-drugs | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/7e3e8c56406ef8740191d93836dd9e9ef9cf42f6a6f73aca5c5c3be611457ba1.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:51:34 | null | 2016-08-29T04:48:50 | Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, is looking to bid jointly for one of the country's largest farm owners. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Ffarming%2F83674306%2FBidding-hots-up-for-huge-Australian-Kidman-farm-as-Gina-Rinehart-steps-in.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/1/9/e/q/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtfia.png/1472446130355.jpg | en | null | Bidding hots up for huge Australian Kidman farm as Gina Rinehart steps in | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Bidding hots up for huge Australian Kidman farm as Gina Rinehart steps in
GETTY IMAGES Gina Rinehart was said to be considering bidding for Kidman jointly with Shanghai CRED, which is owned by Chinese businessman Guo Guojie.
Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, is looking to bid jointly with Chinese interests for Kidman & Co, one of the country's largest farm owners, according to sources, hard on the heels of the purchase of a string of pastoral properties in northern Australia.
Chinese interest in acquiring Kidman remains intense, despite the federal government's rejection of recent bids.
The entry of Ms Rinehart as an interested bidder for Kidman comes as the earlier rejected bidder for Kidman is seeking to launch another bid, this time with a larger share held by local investors.
READ MORE:
* Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart buys two cattle stations
* Mining magnate Gina Rinehart on list of world's powerful women
* Harry Triguboff replaces Gina Rinehart as Australia's richest person
* Rich and powerful flying in for Gina Rinehart's secret wedding
* Gina Rinehart is Australia's most powerful woman: Forbes
Kidman has a beef herd estimated at 185,000 head of cattle, with pastoral leases totalling 101,000 square kilometres.
A source said Ms Rinehart was considering bidding for Kidman jointly with Shanghai CRED, which is owned by Chinese businessman Guo Guojie.
The initial bidder for Kidman, a consortium that included Shanghai Pengxin and the locally listed Australian Rural Capital, also included Shanghai CRED, which has now changed horses.
The original bidder is in discussions with a range of local investors to lift the local equity component of its consortium high enough to not be knocked back by the federal government, although the status of these negotiations is unclear.
Recently, Ms Rinehart, via Hancock Prospecting, acquired three large properties in the Northern Territory - Phoenix Park, Riveren and Inverary.
Her interest in the sector comes at a time of surging beef prices as farmers seek to rebuild their herds following the recent extensive drought throughout northern Australia.
Ms Rinehart's beef herd has been estimated at around 100,000 head of cattle, with Riveren and Inverary estimated to be capable of holding 40,000 head of cattle, while Phoenix Park has been used as a staging post before transferring cattle to Darwin.
Hancock Prospecting has been contacted for comment.
- SMH | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/83674306/Bidding-hots-up-for-huge-Australian-Kidman-farm-as-Gina-Rinehart-steps-in | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/5f72172940bd7d8bb81d97258a46a7d14e5cd6a810f75f46fb8ec68b23931a21.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:52:17 | null | 2016-08-31T01:43:09 | Isabelle Graham taught at a Scottish school, but not any more after allegations she slept with a student on prom night. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Feurope%2F83758206%2FTeacher-banned-from-classroom-after-allegedly-sleeping-with-a-student.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/9/2/5/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dv88u.png/1472608553974.jpg | en | null | Teacher banned from classroom after allegedly sleeping with a student | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Teacher banned from classroom after allegedly sleeping with a student
whitburnacademy.org Whitburn Academy, the school where Isabelle Graham was working at the time of the alleged incident
A devout Christian teacher has been barred from the classroom after being accused of sleeping with a 17-year-old pupil.
Isabelle Graham, a French teacher, was the subject of an investigation by the General Teaching Council for Scotland after a photo emerged from a prom night purporting to show her in bed, with a teenager in the doorway.
It was alleged that Graham had been repeatedly "engaging in sexual activity" with the teen.
However Graham denied the allegations, believing a drink she had was spiked.
READ MORE:
* The kids in the sewer
* Punched, Tasered, awarded $18
She said she had no recollection of the night despite only consuming four glasses of wine during the event, The Mirror reported.
But police called to give evidence said she did not appear to be drunk in CCTV footage.
DS Keith Mailer said: "Throughout the footage there's no sign Ms Graham is under the excessive influence of drugs or alcohol." He said footage showed the teacher and student kissing.
No criminal charges have been laid.
Graham's husband Andrew Wilkie also gave evidence in support of his wife.
"In all the time I have known her, Mrs Graham has always put her Christian faith above all other things," Wilkie said in a statement to the panel.
"I have never had any doubt that the allegations made against Mrs Graham were false," reported the Daily Telegraph.
Graham resigned shortly after the incident and it is believed she now works for a charity.
Sign up to receive our new evening newsletter Two Minutes of Stuff - the news, but different.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/83758206/Teacher-banned-from-classroom-after-allegedly-sleeping-with-a-student | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9754c53ca2aafe05be8a07a7302c13f242cbc468b2158db741b83a5ec4fb10b7.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T00:51:03 | null | 2016-08-28T00:15:25 | The long-time World No 1 has something significant to play for yet again. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2F83639577%2FSerena-Williams-seeks-Grand-Slam-singles-record-at-US-Open-tennis-tournament.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/o/z/x/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsopl.png/1472343325736.jpg | en | null | Serena Williams seeks Grand Slam singles record at US Open tennis tournament | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Serena Williams seeks Grand Slam singles record at US Open tennis tournament
GETTY IMAGES Serena Williams suffered an early exit at the Rio Olympics.
Despite everything that Serena Williams has won and done, her sense of self can still fluctuate based on the outcome of a particular match.
Doesn't always seem to matter that she owns a record-tying 22 major singles titles heading into the US Open, which begins Monday (US time) with a retractable roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time.
Not necessarily a big deal to her that she's spent the past three years entrenched at No 1 and is the oldest woman to top the WTA rankings.
GETTY IMAGES Novak Djokovic will face a stiff challenge from Andy Murray at the US Open.
And there are times when the 34-year-old American basically forgets that she transcends her sport and has become a cultural icon away from the tennis court.
READ MORE: Murray seeks fourth Slam title
Williams is devastated when she is dealt a setback, such as last year's ``Did that really happen?!" loss to Roberta Vinci in the US Open semifinals, ending an attention-grabbing, pressure-piling bid for the first calendar-year Grand Slam by anyone in more than a quarter-century. Williams acknowledges she measures herself constantly.
``Unfortunately, I definitely do, which I don't think is normal. I definitely feel like when I lose, I don't feel as good about myself," she said.
``But then I have to, like, remind myself that: `You are Serena Williams!' You know? Like, `Are you kidding me?"' Williams continued, laughing and leaning forward. ``And it's those moments that I have to just, like, come off and be like, `Serena, do you know what you've done? Who you are? What you continue to do, not only in tennis, (but also) off the court? Like, you're awesome.' That really just shows the human side of me. I'm not a robot."
She is at the stage of her career where history is in the offing nearly every time a racket is in her right hand. So while the stakes are different from what they were at Flushing Meadows in 2015, Williams does have something significant to play for yet again.
After equalling Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam titles in the professional era (which dates to 1968) by winning Wimbledon last month, Williams now can break that tie by earning No 23 in New York. Only Margaret Court owns more major singles trophies, with 24, but more than half of that total came against amateur competition.
Not that Williams was immediately ready to think about topping Graf after pulling even with her at the All England Club.
``One thing I learned about last year is to enjoy the moment," Williams said. ``I'm definitely going to enjoy this."
Good thing, too, because not everything has gone smoothly since that most recent triumph. Slowed by a bothersome right shoulder, Williams lost in the third round of singles and first round of doubles at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics - she was a 2012 gold medalist in both events - and then pulled out of a hard-court tuneup event in Ohio.
Williams is assured of remaining at No 1 until the end of the US Open, which will bring her current streak to 186 weeks in a row, tying another mark held by Graf. Depending on what happens in the tournament, Williams could be overtaken in the rankings by No 2 Angelique Kerber (who beat Williams in the Australian Open final in January), No 3 Garbine Muguruza (who beat Williams in the French Open final in June) or No 4 Agnieszka Radwanska.
Roger Federer, who won five of his men's record 17 Grand Slam titles in New York, will be sitting out the US Open for the first time since 1999 as he takes the rest of the season off to let his left knee heal. A year ago, Federer lost in the final at Flushing Meadows to Novak Djokovic. In Federer's mind, the top-ranked Djokovic is the favorite this time, even though No 2 Andy Murray's summer has been ``phenomenal."
One reason: Federer thinks the installation of the new $150 million roof at the main arena will limit the wind even when it's open, which will help Djokovic.
Not too long ago, Djokovic appeared to be close to unbeatable no matter the surface or conditions, and a buzz was building about whether he could chase a true Grand Slam. But he exited Wimbledon in the third round, then the Olympics in the first round, while Murray won both of those titles.
``Novak, obviously, the last two years, really, has played amazing tennis. His consistency - what I've done for, like, the last four months, he's been doing for, like, the whole year," Murray said.
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/83639577/Serena-Williams-seeks-Grand-Slam-singles-record-at-US-Open-tennis-tournament | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/c9053a3259cb4ea792e3ca555fe4ec454010bc499b3e5670f356e7540071c7c3.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T18:51:34 | null | 2016-08-29T16:53:07 | Big Lobi only survived two days in the wild after being bought and freed by twin brothers in the US. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Famericas%2F83695147%2FGiant-lobster-rescued-from-fish-market-found-dead-after-being-set-free.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/v/l/b/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtvl7.png/1472489587496.jpg | en | null | Giant lobster rescued from fish market found dead after being set free | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Giant lobster rescued from fish market found dead after being set free
123RF.COM Experts said the lobster probably died of shock in the cold water.
A lobster bought from a US fish market for US$210 (NZ$290) and set free by twin brothers who didn't want it to become someone's dinner has apparently died.
Chris and David Schmidt, of New Jersey, bought the 10kg lobster in Massachusetts and released it Thursday in the waters off the seaside town of Chatham.
They dubbed the crustacean Big Lobi after Boston Red Sox star David Ortiz, whose nickname is Big Papi.
READ MORE:
* How Larry the lobster avoided becoming dinner
* Passenger tries to bring lobster home from holiday
* Fisherman catches rare blue lobster
The Cape Cod Times reports that local retiree Ray Wilkes found a dead 10kg lobster in the same area on Saturday.
22-pound lobster named Big Lobi, bought by 2 brothers and set free; found dead days later https://t.co/NuFrz2JL9G pic.twitter.com/CrLohDdMhk — Cape Cod Times (@capecodtimes) August 29, 2016
Wilkes sent photos of the lobster to the Center for Coastal Studies, which believed it was Big Lobi.
The centre's director of marine fisheries research, Owen Nichols, said lobsters lived in deep, cold water, and the shallows where Big Lobi was released were likely too warm.
Big Lobi probably died of shock from leaving his tank and moving to a new environment, Nichols said.
He said the lobster could have been more than 50 years old, based on its size.
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83695147/Giant-lobster-rescued-from-fish-market-found-dead-after-being-set-free | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/c34ac01bfae6e0a5725ddee2cbccecdfd4ce4cf2167528d3cd0f5789bc728ca4.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:51:14 | null | 2016-08-28T22:35:49 | NRL bunker in the spotlight as Australian commentators side with the Warriors over costly calls in Tigers game. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fleague%2F83659439%2FAustralian-commentators-blow-up-over-controversial-bunker-calls-against-Warriors.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/4/7/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt41b.png/1472424422715.jpg | en | null | Australian commentators blow up over controversial bunker calls against Warriors | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Australian commentators blow up over controversial bunker calls against Warriors
DAVID LONG/STUFF.CO.NZ Warriors coach Andrew McFadden and captain Ryan Hoffman lament what could have been as they critique their effort against the Tigers.
An Australian NRL commentator has claimed the video referees wrongly took a forward pass into account in a no-try ruling against the Warriors during their season-ending loss to the Wests Tigers.
Andrew McFadden's side was bundled out of finals contention for the fifth-straight year on Sunday following a 36-24 defeat to the Wests Tigers that was marred in controversy.
Warriors centre Solomone Kata appeared to have scored one of the tries of the season just before halftime only for the bunker to call it back for obstruction, even though the Tigers defender in question, Jordan Rankin, never looked in a position to stop the try.
ANTHONY AU-YEUNG/GETTY IMAGES Shaun Johnson had a try disallowed due a questionable call from the bunker.
What was far more questionable, however, was the final pass from Issac Luke to Kata, which looked a clear forward pass.
READ MORE:
* Lillyman: 'Last thing Warriors need is another coach'
* Warriors coach McFadden: 'We threw it away'
* Warriors finals hopes dashed with loss to Tigers
The video officials are unable to rule on forward passes, but Fox Sports commentator James Smith, who played for the Roosters, Magpies and Rabbitohs in the 1990s, had no doubt it influenced the bunker's decision.
"You can't forget the forward pass because it forms part of the opinion of the referee," Smith said.
"What they're thinking is, if I get the right outcome, it doesn't matter how I got there."
DAVID LONG/STUFF.CO.NZ Thomas Leuluai struggles to cope with Tigers loss.
Fellow commentator and former Kangaroos and New South Wales centre Mark Gasnier said it could be seen as "cheating" if officials were trying to atone for earlier missed calls.
And he was equally disappointed with the obstruction ruling, particularly with the finals just around the corner.
"It could potentially cost someone a grand final or a competition - that's why we're blowing up," Gasnier said on Fox Sports.
That wasn't the only obstruction call that went against the home team.
With 13 minutes to go, Shaun Johnson scored a try that could have potentially given the Warriors a 12-point lead.
But again the bunker intervened, claiming Tigers prop Aaron Woods was impeded when Johnson ran behind a teammate.
The two disallowed tries were huge talking points after the match. But while McFadden refused to blame them for the defeat, he did believe the video referees were in the wrong.
"I think it shows a lack of awareness from the match officials," the Warriors coach said.
"I'm certainly not going to put down the loss to that. We had more than enough opportunities to win the game.
"They didn't help. To me there's some real issue around that.
"Both of those tries, if you play them in live motion, they're just not obstructions."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/83659439/Australian-commentators-blow-up-over-controversial-bunker-calls-against-Warriors | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/a61cee3d33f83f44498aba1fdf23656fb8713b74ba14536b39132a3b06c2ce18.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T02:51:38 | null | 2016-08-30T02:23:55 | Kiwi Olympic hero goes back where it all began to relive her Rio experience. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Folympics%2F83697504%2FPole-vault-star-Eliza-McCartney-still-flying-high-as-she-reflects-on-her-Rio-feats.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/e/f/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtxeo.png/1472523896720.jpg | en | null | Pole vault star Eliza McCartney still flying high as she reflects on her Rio feats | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | If Eliza McCartney needed a reminder of what she had just achieved in Rio, then the new young sensation of New Zealand sport got it when she went back to her old school in Takapuna for a visit that brought the emotions flooding back.
The Olympic bronze medallist in the women's pole vault only arrived back in New Zealand from Rio in the early hours of Tuesday morning (surprised to discover her Instagram account had swelled by 35,000 followers in less than a day) and by 9am there she was, centre stage and special assembly guest of honour at Belmont Intermediate in Takapuna − her old stomping ground.
For the 19-year-old Takapuna teen, looking out and seeing the hundreds of awe-inspired young faces all looking up from a spot where she had been just a few years earlier, well, it did hit home once again what an influential and important role it is she now performs.
"Yeah, it's pretty special," reflected Kiwi sport's new 'It Girl'. "Sport is a funny thing, it goes up and down and there's incredibly rewarding moments, but they don't happen that often. I feel like this is one of those moments that are so rewarding and you don't forget them."
READ MORE:
* Memorable bronze for Eliza
* Dad sensed something special
* Can Adams, Willis go to 2020?
* Athetics NZ chases funding leap
* 'Silver squad' agonisingly close
McCartney, of course, owned the moment, just as she had in Rio when she sailed over those first-time clearances at 4.50 metres, 4.60, 4.70 and then 4.80m into that historic bronze medal.
She was charming and charismatic and engaging and, frankly, just herself. She laughed a lot and reflected in just the right terms on what is clearly an incredible time in her young life.
If the young pupils of Belmont Intermediate needed a life-size reminder of what can happen when you work hard, focus your talents and your energy and, well, reach for the sky, then they certainly had it in the "old girl" sitting before them.
"It was really cool, and singing the school song again, that was something I didn't think I'd be doing again. It's funny how much I actually remembered of it," reflected McCartney who remained remarkably bright and energetic, for all her travels.
It was here, after all, that she truly discovered her love for sport.
She told the pupils she gave "everything" a go, and later confirmed she had thrown herself into squash, orienteering, water polo, netball and cross-country with equal zest.
Soon enough she would be heading down the road to Takapuna Grammar, where athletics would come on to the radar, and then pole vault within that. One thing would follow another, and then eventually there she was soaring over 4.80m for that bronze medal she was celebrating even before she had hit the mat.
Truth be told, her remarkable achievement − she was six years younger than anyone else in that Olympic final − is still really sinking in.
"Certainly the first couple of days it was all a bit weird, and it wasn't until I got away from the [Olympic] village and had a chance to think about it that it all hit home. I'm not going to lie, it makes me feel like crying when I really think about it," she said.
"It was such an incredible moment. I feel like I know it was the best moment in my life, and that's a pretty incredible thing to know."
It's a feeling she says she will return to, possibly over and over again.
"It's the nature of sport," she added. "You want to keep going up and up, but it's probably not going to happen. There are always moments when it goes down a bit and that's when you need to remember these moments because sport is hard but it's very rewarding."
McCartney also reflected a little on the Rio experience with watching New Zealand left in awe by her relaxed attitude and seeming absence of nerves through the biggest competition of her life. It turns out it wasn't an act.
"I don't even know how to describe it. I was confident, I was ready to go and I didn't feel expectation and pressure. I just wanted to jump the best I could, and come away feeling I left everything out there.
"That's the best I've ever competed and I'm so glad I could bring it in an Olympic final. And that just made everything OK, and that's what made me so happy."
Yes, she knows how close she came to clearing 4.85 at the first attempt, and winning the gold (she soared over the bar, but just brushed it on her downward arc), but that just elicits another fit of giggles.
"It couldn't have happened. It wouldn't have been fair to win a gold medal at my first Olympics," she said. "A medal is incredible and I'm not ever going to be dissatisfied with bronze. The fact that I left everything out there is something I feel very proud to say."
Yes, this school that was also home to singing sensation Lorde, and to fellow Rio Olympians Jacko Gill (shot put) and Paul Snow-Hansen (sailing), knows all about pride.
These kids of today are fair bursting with it over their new Olympic hero. | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83697504/Pole-vault-star-Eliza-McCartney-still-flying-high-as-she-reflects-on-her-Rio-feats | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/2680e663139e900ca1d2f264771e13ee45158d9a48db78ea96ed0a8be8358a19.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:52:09 | null | 2016-08-30T00:12:34 | Jack Matthews looking forward to working with MediaWorks' 'passionate' staff. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Findustries%2F83709519%2FJack-Matthews-appointed-MediaWorks-chairman.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/6/v/4/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1du6of.png/1472515954727.jpg | en | null | Jack Matthews appointed MediaWorks chairman | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Jack Matthews appointed MediaWorks chairman
HAANA HOWARD/FAIRFAX NZ Jack Matthews spearheaded the Saturn cable network in New Zealand and went on to take a top role at publisher Fairfax in Australia, before his appointment as MediaWorks chairman.
TV3 owner MediaWorks has appointed media and telecommunications industry veteran Jack Matthews as its new chairman.
Matthews will be best known to many New Zealanders as the architect of the Saturn cable networks in Wellington and Christchurch that now form part of Vodafone NZ's broadband and "triple play" networks.
He was already on MediaWorks' board and will replace current chairman Rod McGeoch, who will step down at the end of September after an eventful three-year ride steering the television and radio firm, which is now owned by United States private equity firm Oaktree.
Matthews said in a statement that he was looking forward to working with "a strong board, management team and, most importantly, a committed and passionate staff".
READ MORE:
* MediaWorks names new CEO - lobby group says he should fill 'gaps left' by TVNZ
* MediaWorks revenue down, local content key
* MediaWorks staff called for board action on Weldon
* Mediaworks staff say 'cheers' to departure of CEO Mark Weldon
* TV3-owner Mediaworks gets new directors
He is also a director of Crown-owned ultrafast broadband investment vehicle Crown Fibre Holdings, Education Ministry spin-off Network For Learning, Trilogy International and advertising company APN Outdoor.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/83709519/Jack-Matthews-appointed-MediaWorks-chairman | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/c7c8475bb92b8516d991eefeb1daf569e75a50911d8bb6d06911ab41d189a350.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T20:51:11 | null | 2016-08-28T20:31:33 | A transport prototype is attracting worldwide interest. Just don't call it a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fmotoring%2F83592213%2FIs-this-the-future-of-transport.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/l/m/0/y/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dro5x.png/1472416293292.jpg | en | null | Is this the future of transport? | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Is this the future of transport?
SUPPLIED/Otago Polytechnic Tom Qi, of Otago Polytechnic, with a transport prototype.
The future of transport could be here in New Zealand.
That's the view of Tom Qi.
And he should know.
Hamish McNeilly/Fairfax NZ Associate professor Tom Qi, of Otago Polytechnic, with what could be the future of transport.
The Otago Polytechnic associate professor has developed a transport prototype that has generated interest around the world and attracted multiple partners.
"I don't want to call it a car anymore," he said.
While some details of his six-year-long project remain under wraps, he was able to confirm the small transportation device was designed to be parked in a house, where it could be charged.
The small vehicle would be internet controllable, could park itself, and even be linked with others to form a type of 'family car'.
The self-driving transport device could be physically adapted to become a smart convertible wheelchair or even a driveable suitcase, all controlled via the internet.
And it could even save lives.
"A computer would make less mistakes than a human being," Qi said.
Companies had shown particular interest in his motor driven wheels that allowed the vehicle to move sideways to park easier.
He acknowledged traditional car manufacturers with "outdated assembly lines" were not rushing to embrace the move to the latest technology and it was non-car manufacturers expressing interest in the prototype.
Qi he hoped it could one day be manufactured in this country, as the advancement of 3D printing meant it was entirely possible the prototype could be manufactured in this country.
"It is possible to come back to New Zealand."
"The problem is the risk of investment, because (New Zealand) is such a small country."
That also meant he was not a supporter of the country's "expensive exercise" in setting up a charging station network for electric vehicles. as "Almost every family has a garage or a carpark, so they can charge from home".
Qi said New Zealand was an ideal testing ground, before the vehicle was in a position to be sold.
"The technology is ready but society, including industry, is not necessarily ready."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/83592213/Is-this-the-future-of-transport | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/6f4d6be024189151e8f4b6baa2c2489625fdf5ac3b99d5d67d8078e3e29d6ff8.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T10:51:35 | null | 2016-08-29T09:40:44 | World Rugby confirm they can't change Sanzaar's ruling not to cite ABs prop for alleged eye gouge. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fall-blacks%2F83659114%2FAll-Blacks-prop-Owen-Franks-in-clear-with-World-Rugby-unable-to-intervene-on-Sanzaar-decision.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/n/h/u/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt3sa.png/1472463734890.jpg | en | null | All Blacks prop Owen Franks in clear with World Rugby unable to intervene on Sanzaar decision | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | All Blacks prop Owen Franks in clear with World Rugby unable to intervene on Sanzaar decision
GETTY IMAGES Owen Franks has been cleared of eye-gouging, but international media are less than pleased.
All Blacks prop Owen Franks will not be punished for an alleged eye gouge on Wallabies lock Kane Douglas.
World Rugby confirmed on Monday they were not able to change Sanzaar's ruling not to cite Franks for the incident which occurred in the seventh minute of New Zealand's 29-9 win in Wellington on Saturday night.
The southern hemisphere governing body had earlier in the day made it clear they would not be changing their decision, despite the backlash it had caused in the wake of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup clash.
Fairfax Media Australia A Sydney Morning Herald-produced video raises questions over whether All Blacks prop Owen Franks eye gouged Wallaby Kane Douglas in the Bledisloe test in Wellington.
Footage of a new angle also emerged showing Franks attempting to put his hands near Douglas' eyes, with Sanzaar and World Rugby copping criticism on social media from some of the game's greats questioning why Franks was not charged.
READ MORE:
* Owen Franks cleared of eye-gouge
* Hansen hands out hiding to Cheika
* Bledisloe Cup stays put
The governing body for the game globally, though, will not be stepping in.
"It would be up to Sanzaar to decide anything," a World Rugby spokesman said.
"We don't have jurisdiction over Rugby Championship. We can't intervene. The process is pretty clear in terms of who has jurisdiction there."
World Rugby have in the past stepped in to hand a player a suspension, with England prop Joe Marler banned for two matches and fined 20,000 pounds (NZ$36,000) in April for calling Welsh forward Samson Lee a "Gypsy boy".
An investigation was conducted by World Rugby after organisers of the Six Nations tournament did not hand out a punishment.
But World Rugby said that situation was not comparable to the incident involving Franks.
"That was a issue regarding the process being followed by Six Nations and that was a misconduct case, it wasn't a foul-play issue.
"The [situation] was very different in it was a process driven issue we had at the time."
A citing commissioner determined the Franks incident did not reach a red card threshold.
Under Sanzaar procedures, it is not possible to appeal a non-citing, meaning even if new footage comes to light, the ruling from an independent commission will stand.
An appeal would be possible, however, if Douglas was prepared to make a complaint if he felt he was eye-gouged.
This is not something Douglas plans on doing, but it does create a debate as to whether it is the player or the governing body's responsibility to come forward, given the Wallabies second-rower will more than likely adhere to the "what happens on the field stays on the field" code among players.
While there has been no official word out of the Australian camp regarding the alleged eye-gouge, it is understood they did not refer the Franks incident to the citing commissioner because they felt it would almost certainly be picked up without their intervention.
Irish rugby great Brian O'Driscoll led the chorus of criticism for the non-suspension, labelling the decision a "farce".
"This is an absolute sham @WorldRugby," O'Driscoll tweeted to his 728,000 followers. "Makes a mockery of citing. If nothing comes of this it's a farce."
This is an absolute sham @WorldRugby ???! Makes a mockery of citing. If nothing comes of this it's a farce. https://t.co/sDr92ggzcU — Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) August 28, 2016
Former Wallaby Michael Lynagh also expressed his bemusement an the non-citing, saying there was "no surprise" in a response to O'Driscoll's tweet.
Welsh writer Stephen Jones claimed New Zealand had a "cloak of invisibility" when it comes to foul play incidents.
Test of the NZ cloak of invisibility. TV picks up seemingly horrible gouge by Owen Franks, far worse that two incidents in UK last season — Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) August 27, 2016
In his report of the match, Jones said Franks' actions were the only blot on the All Blacks match.
"The only blot on their copybook was Owen Franks, the New Zealand tight-head prop, who was seen to clearly and repeatedly make contact with his fingers with the eyes of a Wallaby," Jones said in his Sunday Times piece.
"It is unthinkable that this will not be the subject of a citing and a suspension."
Unthinkable, you say. Hence the backlash when Franks wasn't cited, and his asking if World Rugby would intervene, given they had done in the past.
Meanwhile, World Rugby also confirmed there was nothing to be investigated with regards to the meeting that took place between South African official Jaco Peyper and All Blacks coach Steve Hansen prior to Saturday's match.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika cried foul post-game over an alleged pre-match meeting between Hansen and referee Romain Poite, but Hansen denied those claims and said he had met with Peyper, who refereed the opening Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney the previous weekend, at Peyper's request.
"Those sorts of meeting would be normal and standard," the World Rugby spokesman said. The referee after a big game like that will often approach the coaches to see if they had any feedback. It would form part of the standard review process."
Citing not final judgement. Just a call that there is case to answer. Franks with fingers in eyes of Wallaby -no case to answer? Despicable — Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) August 28, 2016 Last season @WorldRugby intervened when Home Unions made hash of Marler case. Will they take official look at Franks incident? — Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) August 28, 2016 Some dangerous half-wit Down Under says this incident is not a potential citing. Potential blindness but not citing https://t.co/BzUbM63oaq — Stephen Jones (@stephenjones9) August 28, 2016
They weren't the only ones to stick the boot in, gobsmacked that the All Blacks prop hadn't been punished.
Quelle surprise. Another refusal to accept responsibility by NZ. From global standard bearers not good enough. https://t.co/oLIDhXHenW — Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) August 28, 2016 Disgraceful non citing of Owen Franks proof positive that ABs play under an entirely different set of laws to rest of the rugby community — Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) August 28, 2016 This is now officially ok, ABs free to rake opponents eyes & face anytime they fancy!A Pumas wd get 3 months minimum https://t.co/d8tmDAWQpV — Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) August 28, 2016 Shocking that Owen Franks isn't even being cited re alleged gouging incident. Match commissioners must review NZ matches like this... 🙈🙉. — Chris Foy (@FoyChris) August 28, 2016
Needless to say, the fine folks in the Northern hemisphere are less than pleased with Sanzaar's decision in the Franks case.
Comments on this article are now closed.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83659114/All-Blacks-prop-Owen-Franks-in-clear-with-World-Rugby-unable-to-intervene-on-Sanzaar-decision | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/36876c9017669aa6a9fad6d60aca3c74db9a971f7c6e372dd184b3fa98000a78.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:50:25 | null | 2016-08-26T21:52:04 | Police still hunting man who shot at officers and stole a police car. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83627226%2FGunman-still-on-the-run-after-firing-shot-at-police-stealing-police-car-in-Northland.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/m/2/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsf6i.png/1472248324243.jpg | en | null | Gunman still on the run after firing shot at police, stealing police car in Northland | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Gunman still on the run after firing shot at police, stealing police car in Northland
LAWRENCE SMITH / FAIRFAX NZ Armed police joined in the search for a man who shot at police in Whangarei before making his way south.
A man who shot at police officers and stole a police car on Friday is still on the run more than 24 hours later.
Northland police launched a large-scale operation to catch the man in the early hours of Friday morning after he escaped in an unmarked car with a "large calibre" firearm.
By mid-morning the chase had wound some 60km south to Maungaturoto before operations centred on Kaiwaka.
On Friday afternoon police said the hunt had moved to the wider Auckland area, with officers from Waitemata, Auckland city and Counties Manukau joining the operation.
READ MORE: Man shoots at police in Northland, steals police car, leads chase down country
On Saturday morning a police spokeswoman said the search was still ongoing.
Police expected to release more details at about midday, she said.
The incident began when police tried to stop a car in Whangarei at 12.43am on Friday.
After a short pursuit, the car crashed in Kamo.
The male driver then left the vehicle and fired a shot at two unarmed police officers with a "large calibre firearm".
Both officers sought cover and the offender stole an unmarked patrol vehicle.
Police said the driver stopped two occupants of a vehicle a short time later near Raumanga Valley Rd in Whangarei. ordered them from their car and headed south on State Highway 1 in their vehicle.
He was next seen travelling along SH12 by police where they signalled for the vehicle to stop, but it fled and was seen near Maungaturoto.
Police located the vehicle on Bickerstaffe Rd in Maungaturoto shortly after.
The man's identity is not yet known but he was described as possibly in his late 30s, up to 1.8m tall with brown curly hair.
He was wearing a blue t-shirt with white writing and a brown zip up hoodie.
Police are asking for members of the public to call 111 immediately if they see any suspicious behaviour or anybody fitting the description.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83627226/Gunman-still-on-the-run-after-firing-shot-at-police-stealing-police-car-in-Northland | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/f550974f87b4ad241668b1f7d9acd0d54d125567bb58e4a51db5a4a273c582bf.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T18:51:05 | null | 2016-08-28T17:25:05 | Resounding win over West Ham sees Manchester City leapfrog Chelsea and Manchester United. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fworld-game%2F83651827%2FManchester-City-top-Premier-League-table-with-win-over-West-Ham.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/y/6/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsy5v.png/1472405105004.jpg | en | null | Manchester City top Premier League table with win over West Ham | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Manchester City top Premier League table with win over West Ham
CLIVE BRUNSKILL/GETTY IMAGES Manchester City's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring his second goal.
Raheem Sterling scored an early goal and struck again in second-half injury time to help Manchester City beat West Ham 3-1 in the English Premier League on Sunday.
Fernandinho scored the other goal for City, which has won its first three matches of the campaign under new coach Pep Guardiola to be level on points with title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea.
The side took the lead on the Premier League table, thanks to their goals scored so far this season.
CLIVE BRUNSKILL/GETTY IMAGES Manchester City's Raheem Sterling rounds West Ham goalkeeper Adrian.
It didn't come easy for City, though, with Michail Antonio's 58th-minute header making it 2-1 and setting up a tense finish at Etihad Stadium.
READ MORE:
* Middlesbrough still unbeaten
* Footballer rescues crushed fan
* Rashford saves Man U
City's passing and movement was irresistible in the first half, with Sterling's sidefooted finish in the seventh minute coming from one of the team's many flowing moves. Fernandinho added a second goal in the 18th minute with a powerful header from Kevin de Bruyne's free kick.
It needed Sterling's second goal, when he rounded the goalkeeper and scored from an acute angle, to settle City's nerves but Guardiola will be concerned with how his team's level dropped in the second half. He might also be worried about the immediate future of striker Sergio Aguero, who appeared to thrown an elbow at Winston Reid in a second-half incident not seen by officials.
City's next game is against United, after the international break.
City played at an intensity and zip that West Ham couldn't live with in the first half. Even then, Guardiola didn't stop gesticulating to his players, wanting more, demanding perfection and showing his disapproval when City conceded possession.
West Ham's players had barely touched the ball by the time its goalkeeper Adrian was picking it out of the net.
David Silva carved open the visiting defense with a through-ball to Nolito, who squared a cross for Sterling to steer home with a first-time shot from a central position.
City took a more direct route for the second, with De Bruyne curling over a pacey free kick which Fernandinho met with a thumping header that flew past Adrian.
West Ham will have been happy to go into halftime only 2-0 down but Antonio's header - a replica of his winner against Bournemouth last weekend - meant this was no longer an exhibition for City.
- Reuters | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/83651827/Manchester-City-top-Premier-League-table-with-win-over-West-Ham | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/e34a1470ea06d22e0b266521f3547a710e2450e807e8e6ad23983abe9ce2bdc1.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:52:29 | null | 2016-08-31T02:06:04 | NZ batsmen create unwanted history with their worst ever score for the loss of four wickets - in just 19 balls. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83758556%2FBlack-Caps-batsmen-hit-new-low-in-crushing-defeat-to-South-Africa.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/8/p/b/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dv8ik.png/1472609164193.jpg | en | null | Black Caps batsmen hit new low in crushing defeat to South Africa | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Black Caps batsmen hit new low in crushing defeat to South Africa
BACKPAGEPIX/PHOTOSPORT The Black Caps were humbled in Pretoria.
The Black Caps entered the second test against Proteas hoping to win a series against South Africa for the very first time.
Instead, they created history of a different type in crashing to a 204-run loss at Centurion.
Kane Williamson's side were already destined for defeat when South Africa set them a record run-chase of 400 early on day four.
GALLO IMAGES Martin Guptill was part of an unwanted piece of history in the Black Caps' defeat to South Africa.
But few would have expected it to turn out this bad.
READ MORE:
* Anatomy of a Black Caps disaster
* Williamson defends decision
* Scorecard: Black Caps v South Africa
* England plunder world record
In being reduced to an embarrassing 7-4 after just 19 balls, New Zealand recorded it's worst score for the loss of four batsmen since their debut in 1930.
BACKPAGEPIX/PHOTOSPORT The scoreboard made for grim reading.
The top order was no match for Proteas pace ace Dale Steyn, who took three of the four scalps and finished with figures of 5-33.
Steyn bowled out Tom Latham on the very first ball and by the end of the first over had Martin Guptill headed back to the pavilion for a golden duck, making the South African strike weapon the first bowler since England's Bob Willis in 1982 to dismiss both openers with the very first deliveries they faced.
Ross Taylor didn't last much longer, although his departure for a five-ball duck could be considered slightly unlucky after Steyn picked out a crack and trapped him lbw after the ball skidded on.
GALLO IMAGES Dale Steyn continued his stranglehold over the Kiwi batsmen with another brutal display of fast bowling.
The unwanted achievement was secured when Williamson, who had been softened up after being struck on the finger by Vernon Philander, succumbed to the same bowler for five when caught behind.
At that rate, fears of the embarrassing 45 they made in Cape Town three years ago - or even the all-time lowest total of 26 New Zealand set against England in 1955 - would have entered the Kiwis' minds.
Fortunately, Henry Nicholls, who capped a dogged display with a career-best 76, and BJ Watling added 68 for the fifth wicket to stave off further embarrassment before the Black Caps were eventually dismissed for 195.
The defeat continued New Zealand's woeful record against South Africa, having lost the last five series against the Proteas.
It continued a run of 13 unbeaten tests for the hosts against the Black Caps, equalling their longest streak against any opposition (England between 1929-38).
And it should come as little surprise that Steyn was the chief destroyer.
With his 26th five-wicket bag, the 33-year-old took his tally against New Zealand to 68 wickets at an average of 16.04 and has now made 56 dismissals at Centurion at 17.12.
Philander also enjoys coming up against the Black Caps, with 32 wickets at 15.53 in just six matches.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83758556/Black-Caps-batsmen-hit-new-low-in-crushing-defeat-to-South-Africa | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/efa58e421b5569534213436baf2d4a769183fee97a9ec2df274e973baafa0554.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:23 | null | 2016-08-30T22:30:18 | Stripping down to his underwear, the erratic man stole a truck and drove it into an airplane. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Ftravel%2Ftravel-troubles%2F83746079%2FMan-charged-for-ramming-of-stolen-truck-into-Southwest-plane.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/z/7/z/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duyvz.png/1472596218566.jpg | en | null | Man charged for ramming of stolen truck into Southwest plane | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Man charged for ramming of stolen truck into Southwest plane
Twitter/David Postier Stripping down to his underwear, the erractic man stole a truck and drove it into an airplane.
A man accused of stripping to his underwear at an airport in the US, stealing a truck and ramming it into a Southwest Airlines plane has been charged with theft and criminal mischief.
A judge on Monday set bail at US$50,000 (NZ$69,000) for 35-year-old Delairo Koonce. Jail records say Koonce remains in custody Tuesday.
Photo of truck that Delairo Koonce,35,reportedly used to crash into a plane at Eppley. @KETV https://t.co/qJq3EQCsJN pic.twitter.com/z9RMkTQYhk — DaVonté McKenith (@DaVonteMcKenith) August 28, 2016
Authorities say Koonce was acting erratically at Omaha's Eppley Airfield in Nebraska on Thursday when he climbed a fence to evade airport police.
Read more:
* Ryanair passenger runs onto tarmac and tries to flag down airplane
* Captain suspended for hitting dock
* Plane's engine torn apart in midair
Koonce stripped down to his boxer shorts, stole an airline pickup and drove it into the plane as passengers were boarding.
Some random man just drove this truck past security into the plane my wife and I were about to board #eppleyairfield pic.twitter.com/34yEQTqMJu — David Postier (@davidpostier) August 26, 2016
Two crew members suffered minor injuries on the Southwest Airlines flight, bound for Denver, as passengers were boarding at 9:30pm (local time) when the man drove the truck into the plane's nose gear, said Omaha Airport Authority Chief of Police.
One of the 18 passengers on board the flight was also injured in the incident, the airline said.
Court records don't list an attorney who can comment on Koonce's behalf.
Koonce's father says his son has a history of mental illness and drug problems.
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/83746079/Man-charged-for-ramming-of-stolen-truck-into-Southwest-plane | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/d1b02cbb2419e7050a12234bbf819aea5363db001608dd5340a9a7bb6506ff08.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T08:50:25 | null | 2016-08-27T06:55:35 | Audio reveals Steve Hansen's conversation with team. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fall-blacks%2F83634606%2FAudio-emerges-from-All-Blacks-listening-device.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/7/q/m/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dskvi.png/1472280935453.jpg | en | null | Audio emerges from All Blacks listening device | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Audio emerges from All Blacks listening device
GRANT DOWN/PHOTOSPORT Steve Hansen can be heard in the audio.
Audio from the listening device found hidden in a chair at the All Blacks team hotel in Sydney has surfaced.
Sky Sport revealed the audio.
It features All Blacks coach Steve Hansen talking to his team ahead of last Saturday's test.
The All Blacks are playing the Wallabies in the second test of the Bledisloe Cup in Wellington on Saturday.
They're the heavy favourites to win the match.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83634606/Audio-emerges-from-All-Blacks-listening-device | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/499ea6949a8c680769849165cd8d67ef3b2d2ab59668ccbbe3b5f4c9abfb0555.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T00:50:29 | null | 2016-08-27T00:28:17 | Overflowing effluent pooling on this farm had | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Ffarming%2Fdairy%2F83598340%2FManaia-farmer-slapped-with-50-000-fine-for-effluent-breach.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/g/a/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1drsw4.png/1472257698036.jpg | en | null | Manaia farmer slapped with $50,000 fine for effluent breach | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Manaia farmer slapped with $50,000 fine for effluent breach
TRC Effluent pooling at John Mead's farm in Manaia.
A South Taranaki farmer has copped a hefty fine from the Environment Court for letting his effluent tank to overflow for several months.
The Taranaki Regional Council's lawyer Karenza de Silva told the court on Friday that Mead's spray irrigation pump - which distributes effluent from a tank onto his land - had failed, causing his tank to overflow and effluent to form in pools across his property from June to October 2015.
"The crown argues it was deliberate, the problems were evident and he must have known about them," de Silva said.
"There was massive potential for adverse environmental effects to occur."
READ MORE:
* Two men fined over illegal rubbish dump in Hawera
* Inglewood farmer who diverted stream through his property fined $60,000
* Haumoana School in Hawke's Bay closed after E.Coli bug detected
* Hastings, Flaxmere water tests positive for E.coli, but mayor says no risk
* Gastro outbreak shows water testing can fail through 'sheer dumb luck'
Mead, who declined a lawyer to represent him, said he had ongoing problems with the pump's switch and had since capped the overflow and removed solid waste from his land.
"I've tried to remediate what I did and have been trying to correct the problem so it doesn't occur again," Mead told Judge Craig Thompson.
"There's no excuse though, I just hadn't been down there in awhile.
"It was unfortunate that it happened but I take full responsibility."
Judge Thompson said the combination of effluent and high rainfall was likely to have resulted in leaching contaminants into ground water.
"There was potential for human and animal health impacts like nitrate poisoning and gastro diseases," he said.
"The dangers of aquifer pollution have been bought home last week."
Over the last two weeks nearly 5000 people in Havelock North in the Hawke's Bay reported symptoms of gastroenteritis, allegedly from drinking contaminated water.
A death in a Hawke's Bay rest home is also suspected to be linked to the gastro outbreak and several schools were closed until further testing could be done on the water bores.
But despite the potential environmental effects, Thompson said he did not believe Mead's offending was deliberate.
"Maintenance was deferred and the easy way out was taken, but he has apologised for that," he said.
"However the time span the offending occurred means this has to be regarded as significant offending."
Thompson settled on a fine of $50,000 to accommodate Mead's early guilty plea and previously unblemished record.
Mead's fine comes close to the largest effluent discharge fine in the region where John Mullan, 64, of Rahotu was fined $66,000 for disposing effluent into groundwater and into a stream on his property.
Director of resource management at the Taranaki Regional Council Fred McLay said Mead's sentencing reflected the seriousness of his actions.
"It emphasises the need for resource users to be aware of and fulfil their obligations to the environment and to the community," he said.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/dairy/83598340/Manaia-farmer-slapped-with-50-000-fine-for-effluent-breach | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/653f4e421599d78efd189cb57a2588d99e009d0b654bfe095fe61763a7be80fc.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T04:51:13 | null | 2016-08-28T03:57:14 | OPINION: Learn the superpower that allows shoppers to see straight through supermarket trickery. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Fmoney%2F83552982%2FBudget-Buster-How-to-use-X-ray-vision-to-incinerate-your-grocery-bill.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/q/u/k/n/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dqtw6.png/1472356634798.jpg | en | null | Budget Buster: How to use X-ray vision to incinerate your grocery bill | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Budget Buster: How to use X-ray vision to incinerate your grocery bill
123rf Unit pricing lets you see straight through the allure of marketing gimmicks, flashy packaging, and “economy” pack sizes at the grovery store.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? X-ray vision has to be near the top of the list.
It does have the potential for creepiness – even Superman used it to check out what colour undies Lois Lane was wearing. Unlike that voyeuristic alien, we're going to use this power for good. The testing ground: your local supermarket.
On your next shop, keep an eye out for the "unit prices" on the shelves. These little numbers tell you how much something costs per 100g, 100ml, or per item.
Unit prices were introduced by the big supermarkets several years ago, and they're an absolute godsend. In the bad old days, you had to try and work out whether the three-pack of tinned peaches was better than the giant jumbo tin, then weigh up the six other brands with slightly different sizes again.
READ MORE:
*Let's end the 'extended warranty' hustle
*The pitfalls of bargain-hunting on Facebook
*How to choose between paying off debt and investing
My mum, who had to feed seven hungry mouths with not much money, was ace at this. She inspected one packet after another, figuring out which was the best value for money. We lesser mortals aren't so good at doing complicated equations in our heads. Luckily, it no longer matters if you flunked out in third form maths.
Unit pricing is a consumer superpower. It gives us X-ray vision that can penetrate complicated pricing, different pack sizes, promotional gimmicks, glitzy packaging, and all the other tricks retailers use against us.
The payoff is huge. In a recent Australian study, researchers tracked 400 shoppers for six months. Those who knew how to use unit prices could regularly save 13 per cent on their grocery bill. Given that food is usually the second biggest expense on the budget, that's massive. A family that spends $300 on the weekly shop could save more than $2000 a year.
When you start looking at unit prices, you notice the cheapest products are almost always the in-house supermarket brands. Homebrand dishwashing liquid costs 12c per 100ml. A premium brand will set you back 92c per 100ml. If you really think it's going to be seven times more effective in cleaning your cutlery, I have a bridge to sell you.
Tastes vary, and some premium products may indeed be better. But it's amazing how much of the difference comes down to subconscious trickery in our brains.
Scientists have found it's impossible for us to separate brand associations and visual cues (like attractive packaging) from how we experience food. In blind taste tests of wine, most people can't tell the difference between the cheapest plonk and the special reserve stuff locked behind the counter.
For basic items such as rice, flour, milk, pasta or tinned tomatoes, stick to the home brands. Otherwise you're paying extra for nice packaging and the warm glow of a brand name.
Besides breaking the spell of fancy labels, our X-ray vision also lets us look at whether specials and "economy" packs are what they say they are.
Buying in bulk is generally a good idea. You'd have to be a mug to buy a single roll of loo paper for $1.29, when you can get 12 for $3.29, or 27c each.
But this isn't always the case. By carefully checking unit prices, I've noticed bigger packs are sometimes no cheaper, or even more expensive.
Unit prices are a great tool for cutting through confusion but supermarkets use a whole host of other mind tricks to get shoppers to spend more. Next week, we'll unveil the rest of their sneaky strategies, and find out how to fight back.
Got a money question you've been struggling with? Want to send a bouquet or a brickbat? Email Budget Buster at meadows182@gmail.com, or hit him up on Twitter at @MeadowsRichard.
- Sunday News | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/83552982/Budget-Buster-How-to-use-X-ray-vision-to-incinerate-your-grocery-bill | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/68f9eb7a753b99cd0f3a2c0e6438fdc2671082e3f07b6039784ffe7a4dbfbd69.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:15 | null | 2016-08-21T12:57:27 | Nina Ragusa has been on the road for five years and says you don't need to be rich or have a partner. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Ftravel%2Fthemes%2Fbudget%2F83674877%2FNina-Ragusa-has-been-abroad-for-five-years-and-explains-what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-long-term-travel.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/f/q/u/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtfy5.png/1472436891077.jpg | en | null | Nina Ragusa has been abroad for five years and explains what everyone gets wrong about long-term travel | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Nina Ragusa has been abroad for five years and explains what everyone gets wrong about long-term travel
Instagram Nina Ragusa says you don't have to be rich, know the language and have a partner.
A month before her 26th birthday, Nina Ragusa landed in Bangkok, Thailand.
About five years later, Ragusa has only been back to the US twice.
"It's funny, the live-abroad lifestyle looks so easy when you're on the outside. You just see the bikini with a karst mountain background picture or the perfectly timed sunset photo," Ragusa said.
Missing the Philippines like WHOA!! These might have been the prettiest beaches I've had the opportunity to visit! Can't wait to go back, which might not be too far away... 😍😊💚 A photo posted by ✈️🌟🌅🌏Nina Ragusa🌏🌴☀️😘 (@whereintheworldisnina) on Aug 21, 2016 at 5:57am PDT
But the realities of living and travelling abroad for an extended period of time are a little different.
When asked what people get wrong about long-term travel, she wrote in an email, people tend to think "you have to be rich, you have to know the language, you have to be with someone else, you can only take short vacations, not live there …"
However, she's managed to sustain herself for five years without being a fluent speaker of multiple languages, without a trust fund, and mostly by herself.
When she's travelling, she said, in a typical day, "I attempt to get around in another language, I buy my food from the markets, get around on interesting modes of transportation, meet new people, experience the culture, see something breathtaking, amazing, and/or incredible, have a beer, and wake up to do the same the next day."
However, to support this lifestyle, "work is inevitable, despite what story the photo might portray. This life isn't always easy to maintain. It's a constant flow of challenges that you have to overcome, but it's worth every drop of sweat, tears, and beers."
Ragusa arrived in Bangkok in May 2011 with US$6,000 in her pocket — thanks to two years of saving — and with a newly minted TEFL certification she'd gotten in the US, certifying her to teach English. She was able to get a teaching job north of the city within days, and ended up teaching for two semesters.
Hanging out and having lunch at Tandano Lake. Home to huge goldfish and gorgeous views! #indonesia #wonderfulindonesia #sulawesi #gopro #goprogirl #lakeliving A photo posted by ✈️🌟🌅🌏Nina Ragusa🌏🌴☀️😘 (@whereintheworldisnina) on Apr 25, 2016 at 5:31am PDT
In 2012, she picked up two unexpected jobs: teaching English online, and freelance writing. "Because I fell into those two jobs accidentally, I learned that even if you're not sure how something is going to go down, if you keep searching, take risks on what you go for, and make a solid effort, you can really make something happen," she said.
Now, Ragusa is based in Australia, where she's working as a bartender and in a surf shop to save up more cash for a camper van trip across the continent.
"Everyone wants to know how I'm able to do this, but ironically, I never had a clue myself how to live this life," she said. "Through my initial travels, I met people and inquired, I researched endlessly, I took risks, I leaped before looking a few times, and I've failed miserably along the way."
Business Insider | http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/themes/budget/83674877/Nina-Ragusa-has-been-abroad-for-five-years-and-explains-what-everyone-gets-wrong-about-long-term-travel | en | 2016-08-21T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/d199bc8ae96e2318fbe7e1f4852dcc2427c8f315bd63db57f90a1cab76a9a9ff.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T06:51:22 | null | 2016-08-29T06:45:46 | Motorists enraged as concrete island appears in the middle of busy road. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fdominion-post%2Fnews%2Fhutt-valley%2F83663438%2FOutrage-over-Parkway-Rise-traffic-island-in-Wainuiomata.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/h/7/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt74e.png/1472453146979.jpg | en | null | Outrage over Parkway Rise traffic island in Wainuiomata | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Outrage over Parkway Rise traffic island in Wainuiomata
NUI NATTER 2/FACEBOOK This traffic island has been put in the middle of a Lower Hutt road as part of a housing development.
It's meant to be a traffic calming device. Instead, a concrete island plonked in the middle of a busy Lower Hutt road has enraged motorists.
The traffic island was installed in Parkway, Wainuiomata, on Friday as part of plans for a new housing development, and was approved by Hutt City Council.
But for the moment, it appears merely to be an obstruction, forcing cars to swerve out of their lanes to avoid it.
NUI NATTER 2/FACEBOOK Residents have labelled the island a safety issue.
Wainuiomata councillor Campbell Barry has blasted it as "a bit of an amateur mistake", and residents have been voicing their anger on a community social media page.
READ MORE:
* Rangiora skate park design too phallic for some
* Street stuff-ups and solar successes
* $5m to fix leaky Wellington stadium
"I was close to hitting this on my motorcycle last night as it's not visible enough when following other vehicles," one said.
SUPPLIED The draft plan for the Parkway Rise development in Wainuiomata, which shows the traffic islands in the bottom left-hand corner which have been installed on Parkway.
"When I saw that on Friday I immediately thought someone was gonna smoke that and have a crash or worse," another added.
The road is normally a 60kmh zone, and runs alongside Wainuiomata High School. A 30kmh temporary speed limit is now in place.
Road markings will eventually be adjusted to mean the lane won't contain the obstruction, but Barry said there was "no good reason" why the island was put there before the remarking was carried out.
The contractor, John Walsh Ltd, said it was simply following instructions.
"We were given instructions, and carried out the plan accordingly," Vince Brady, of John Walsh Ltd, said.
"I heard there's been a bit of uproar ... but we had to put it where we were told to put it.
"I think it's the council's issue."
"IT'S A STUFF-UP"
Barry said the plans the council had approved clearly showed each lane was free from obstruction, which had to be adhered to.
"It will all make sense once it's completed. It's a stuff-up by them [the contractors], so now it's a case of putting it right."
Barry said council staff has also ordered better safety measures.
A council spokesperson said: "When [we] become aware a mistake had been made by the contractor we visited them on site immediately. They agreed to put in an appropriate traffic management plan while the work required to widen the road could be done."
The island was installed as part of plans developed by Cuttriss Consultants for a new housing project.
Company director Colin McElwain said: "It seems people have come through and grabbed cones and dragged them off down the walkway, which has made a mess of the traffic control that was there."
The multimillion-dollar Parkway Rise project is made up of close to 70 sections. Construction began early this year and is due to be completed by the end of September.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/hutt-valley/83663438/Outrage-over-Parkway-Rise-traffic-island-in-Wainuiomata | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/14ee76fb93688e03724d7ca68e54c9aeae71ef43d5b53e3dfa88461dfc073a7c.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:52:14 | null | 2016-08-31T02:43:47 | Fair trade? This pizza shop owner thinks a slice is the answer to gun violence. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Ffood-wine%2Ffood-news%2F83747904%2FIndianapolis-pizza-shop-wants-to-trade-guns-for-pizza.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/f/g/e/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dv0ao.png/1472611427275.jpg | en | null | Indianapolis pizza shop wants to trade guns for pizza | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Indianapolis pizza shop wants to trade guns for pizza
CHRISTEL YARDLEY/FAIRFAX NZ Pizza never hurt anyone, other than a few burnt tongues.
What do Americans love more - pizza or guns?
One Indianapolis pizzeria is wagering people love a good pepperoni pie more than their Glock or Beretta, offering a extra-large pizza in exchange for a gun.
Donald Dancy, owner D & C Pizza, is pushing pizzas for pistols in an effort to get guns off the crime-ridden streets of the city's east-side.
"When you pass here right off of 36th and go all of the way down to 25th street and over, it is like a war zone. It is not getting any better," he told local news outlet Fox 59.
READ MORE:
*Last red-roofed Pizza Hut experiences surge in dine-in customers
*Pizza price wars take slice out of industry
*Dancing squid bowl fish: Strange Japanese foods you may never want to eat
*Chef Gianfranco Vissani compares vegans to a sect and says they should be 'killed'
While a gun might cost a whole lot more than a pizza pie, Dancy told Fox 59 he thought the promotion would work.
"I can see kids 14 through 18 coming in here and buying a pizza and their guns fall out."
If the plan is approved by police, Dancy would hold the guns in a safe place until officers arrive to pick them up.
Similar attempts to get guns of the street in the area had mixed results.
Bishop Damon Roach of First Christian Baptist Church worked with the Marion County Sheriff's Department in 2013 and 2014 to collect illegal guns, FOX 59 reported. The church used donations, paying up to $600 in exchange for a weapon.
But the church was vandalised and set on fire after the programme, so the bishop expressed some concern about the pizzeria concept.
The pizza shop will not be able to take guns as tender until they have met and made plans with officials.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/food-news/83747904/Indianapolis-pizza-shop-wants-to-trade-guns-for-pizza | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/f542e33e42b87c789cdcb3f102e3ac4c9bdb7b37321f3e949b0652a85269b737.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:52:36 | null | 2016-08-31T04:06:51 | Is this China's new shopping trend? At Ikea, shoppers are making themselves right at home. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Fhome-property%2F83761929%2FIkea-shoppers-in-China-caught-napping.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/1/7/z/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvb49.png/1472616411108.jpg | en | null | Ikea shoppers in China caught napping | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Ikea shoppers in China caught napping
123RF Shhhh! They're not shopping, their napping.
Shopping for homewares at Ikea can be exhausting, but shoppers in China have found the perfect solution – they simply lie down where they are and take a nap.
They may first choose a sofa or the most comfy bed, and tuck themselves under a high threadcount duvet, but very quickly they fall asleep.
And they don't even seem to mind if a complete stranger has already tucked himself into the other side of the bed.
Domain reports the Chinese are often seen asleep in public, but these shoppers are figuring they may as well be comfortable while they're doing it.
READ MORE:
* The art of public sleeping
* Warehouse selling Ikea shows the power of parallel importing
* Ikea goes online in Australia
However, sleeping on and in the displays is becoming a problem for the 21 stores. And last year, the Chinese state news media reported that the company was planning to crack down on "impolite behaviour" by waking nappers who had removed their shoes or snuggled under the covers.
But those rules were never enforced, perhaps because Ikea believes that a nation of 1 billion consumers who sleep in its shops will someday decide to take that furniture home.
Interestingly, snoozing is prohibited at Ikea stores in other countries, but Ikea is not ready to alienate its Chinese customers.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/83761929/Ikea-shoppers-in-China-caught-napping | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/b4821769a6be59a94d771adadbaefa7087952a9fb4660de86bcb3bd79de4bbb0.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T04:50:58 | null | 2016-08-28T04:46:16 | Take me out the ballpark ... one last time. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2F83646417%2FBaseball-and-a-historic-ballpark-will-soon-go-dark-in-Bakersfield-Los-Angeles.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/u/9/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dstzl.png/1472359576731.jpg | en | null | Baseball, and a historic ballpark, will soon go dark in Bakersfield, Los Angeles | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Baseball, and a historic ballpark, will soon go dark in Bakersfield, Los Angeles
Genaro Molina The Bakersfield Blaze celebrate a win against the Stockton Ports at the Sam Lynn Ballpark on August 2 in Bakersfield, California.
The modern US ballpark is tucked into an entertainment district, with shops and restaurants surrounding the stadium, and blindingly bright digital display signs wherever you look.
Here in Bakersfield, California the Sam Lynn Ballpark is home to a few too many cobwebs, and to a weathered gold banner with a simple message for folks driving by: GAME TODAY.
There is a game Sunday (local time), the last one scheduled at a ballpark that opened in 1941. The Bakersfield Blaze is going out of business, not by choice.
Genaro Molina Fans get autographs from Bakersfield Blaze players as Coach #8 Max Venable.
In a world with happy endings, this would be a story about the last homestand of the old ballpark, and the anticipation for the move into a new ballpark. But decades came and went, and plans came and went, and the new ballpark never came.
No ballpark does Late Night at the Ballgame quite like this one. The sun sets directly into the eye of the batter. No one much cared 75 years ago, when Bakersfield converted the county fairgrounds into a ballpark and the team played day games.
Now, the games do not start until the sun sets, so first pitch is pushing 8pm (local time) on the longest days of the year (in the northern hemisphere). They tried to block the setting sun by putting up a 15-metre-high screen behind centre field, but it turned out the screen needed to block a little more of left field and a little less of centre.
Genaro Molina Los Angelenos Eric Noble, 33, foreground, and Eli Bauman, 33, rest comfortably in lounge chairs while watching one of the last games by the Bakersfield Blaze at Sam Lynn Ballpark on Aug. 26, 2016 in Bakersfield, Calif. The Bakersfield Blaze, a Class A minor league baseball team, has been a fixture in Bakersfield for years, and will mark the end of the 75 seasons played on Sunday. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
READ MORE:
* Jaden Dawson overcomes brain surgery for Baseball World Cup
* Baseball pitcher Jameson Taillon takes 169kmh to head, plays on
That screen became another quirk here, just like the scoreboard. Turn it on, and the scoreboard automatically credits the visiting team with no runs in the fifth inning, and the home team with seven runs in the seventh.
The scoreboard debuted in 1982, the same year Mark Langston played here. Langston retired 17 years ago; the scoreboard never did.
"I'll get to tell stories to my grandkids someday about the six years I spent at the weirdest ballpark in America," said Dan Besbris, the assistant general manager and team broadcaster.
The playing surface is first class. The stadium lights are not. The dugouts are beyond the bases, so it is a long walk from the on-deck circle to the batter's box.
"It's different. That's what's cool about it," said Bakersfield infielder Justin Seager, older brother of Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager. "There's a lot of character in this place."
This is minor league baseball at its foundation, a place for players to build careers and fans to build community. The seats are functional, not lavish. But where else can you see a professional baseball game and buy bottled water for US$3 (NZ$4), Cracker Jack for $2 and, on Mondays, tickets for $1?
On one night, the home team dressed in SpongeBob SquarePants jerseys. On another night, fans got throwback Bakersfield Outlaws shirts, cheekily sponsored by Gotta Go Bail Bonds.
The Dennis "Froggy" Gallion gate at home plate is named not for a famous player or a local dignitary, but in honour of a beloved guy who has sold game programs here for a couple of decades. The booster club has disbanded, but the old gang is getting together Sunday afternoon to throw a baby shower for Besbris and his wife, Jessica.
Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal played here five years ago. He became so close with team chaplain John Carter that he flew him to Florida two years later so he could officiate at Grandal's wedding.
Grandal and Carter still talk every Sunday. When Minor League Baseball extinguished the Blaze last week, the chaplain texted Grandal to let him know.
"I still talk to a bunch of people there," Grandal said at Dodger Stadium last week. "It's a little sad to hear that baseball is getting away."
It is also sad to say that Bakersfield might not miss its baseball team all that much. The team has ranked last in the Class A California League in attendance in each of the last 10 years and has not averaged even 1,000 fans per game since 2007.
Major league teams want the finest facilities for their minor league players, and Bakersfield became something of a consolation prize for teams that could not find a more modern home elsewhere. The Seattle Mariners, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and San Francisco Giants all sent players here within the last two decades; none of those affiliations lasted more than six years.
In 2013, the Blaze was so close to securing a new ballpark that Besbris already had written the press release announcing the groundbreaking, but the owners failed to finalise the financing and sold the team instead. In 2014, the team was close to moving to Salinas.
This year, when the Adelanto City Council tried unsuccessfully to evict the High Desert Mavericks from their ballpark, Minor League Baseball pounced. Since moving two teams is easier than one - a league needs an even number of teams for scheduling purposes - Minor League Baseball essentially bought the Blaze and Mavericks, then sold them to owners who would place the teams in the Carolina League.
"To have baseball there that long and then to take it away, what is the city left with?" said Dodgers pitcher Jesse Chavez, who played here in 2005.
Minor league hockey does well here, in a new arena. It is difficult to imagine that minor league baseball would not do well here - in a new ballpark with modern amenities, and in a part of town closer to the population growth.
"This is a triple-A market," said Blaze General Manager Mike Candela.
Indeed, Bakersfield has a larger population than Anaheim, and the Pacific Coast League might be a more logical home for a revived Bakersfield team than the California League. This might be wishful thinking, but what locals really hope for is a new ballpark that could lure the Dodgers' triple-A team, currently in Oklahoma City.
The Dodgers have affiliated with Bakersfield three times, dating back to when the Brooklyn Dodgers sent Don Drysdale here. The Blaze yearbook calls the last Dodgers affiliation (1984-94), in which Pedro Martinez, Mike Piazza, Eric Karros and Raul Mondesi played here, "the golden era of baseball in Bakersfield."
In the meantime, a town that ignored the Blaze all summer has swarmed the old ballpark to say farewell. Friday's game sold out. So did Saturday's. The team store has been cleaned out of just about all of its merchandise, including those SpongeBob jerseys and a roll of unused Bakersfield Dodgers tickets from three decades ago.
Bakersfield is on pace to qualify for the Cal League playoffs, so no one knows for sure when the last game here will take place. After it does, the team will donate a few memories to the Kern County Museum, and then the eight full-time employees will be out of work.
Jeff MacDonald, the director of stadium operations, is the one responsible for putting up the "GAME TODAY" banner on the big sign along Chester Avenue. He puts the banner up, and he takes the banner down, all summer long. He does not use a ladder.
"I take an ATV out there," he said, "and jump on top of the ATV."
He might remove the banner after the last game and take it home to Michigan with him. Or he might just leave it there, a reminder to folks driving by that this town has lost a little bit of its soul.
- MCT | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/83646417/Baseball-and-a-historic-ballpark-will-soon-go-dark-in-Bakersfield-Los-Angeles | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/37bcb1ad9452208a7ab3eb0eb34a4ec8f0a969c25d8d7a2ef8c0f16a00be05f7.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T08:51:11 | null | 2016-08-28T07:53:38 | The list of people who are missing in the Wellington region is 36 names long. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83611693%2FThirty-six-people-recorded-missing-in-Wellington-region.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/4/c/t/o/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1ds371.png/1472370819093.jpg | en | null | Thirty-six people recorded missing in Wellington region | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Thirty-six people recorded missing in Wellington region
SUPPLIED Mary Berrington, who vanished on July 19, was the 36th name to be added to the list of people missing in the wider Wellington region.
Five weeks since Mary Berrington went missing her daughter Susan Geerars is starting to come to terms with the fact she may have to pack away some of her mother's belongings.
Berrington, who vanished on July 19, was the 36th name added to the list of people officially missing in the wider Wellington region.
Figures released by police under the Official Information Act show since 2011 alone there have been 11 people reported missing within Hutt Valley, Kapiti Coast, Wairarapa and Wellington.
Supplied Retired Wellington physiotherapist Kaye Stewart went missing in June 2005 in Rimutaka Forest Park. She is presumed dead.
Since records of missing people have been kept, 25 males and 11 females have disappeared in the area.
READ MORE:
* Police end search for Mary Berrington
* New information in Kaye Stewart case revealed
* Police investigate fresh leads in Kaye Stewart mystery
* No clues in case of missing Kiwi
* Missing teens body found
* Pair sought in case of missing model
* Requiem for Kevin
* Website launched to help with missing persons cases
Each day living with a missing family member was "horrific", Geerars said.
"We are getting to the time soon when we are going to have to look at passing her flat onto someone else and pack up her belongings. That is another thing which is going to make the situation harder," she said.
"Every time the phone rings it is like, could that be my Mum? Even walking down the street you think, oh my, and then you realise it's not her.
"I am always going to be looking."
Geerars said there was a long list of "what ifs" of what could have happened to her mother, including foul play.
Berrington joins the list of missing people, which includes names such as Kaye Stewart, who vanished on June 13, 2005, after visiting Rimutaka Forest Park for a short walk. No-one has been charged by police in relation to her disappearance, and the case still remains open more than a decade later.
Not all people remained missing forever.
Last year, three boys playing around the Ngaio bush in February found the remains of John Holmes Smith, who was reported missing in Wellington back in 1986.
The area was a place he was known to often walk.
Acting superintendent Chris Page said there were always a number of reasons why, or how, someone would go missing.
"All missing person files remain active until the missing person or their body or remains are located," he said.
"Files are reviewed at regular intervals. Should police receive any information in relation to the missing person the file is then reviewed, new information assessed and further lines of enquiry are progressed."
Page said it was important for the public to know that if a family member or friend is missing and they hold serious fears for their safety to contact police immediately.
"You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone as missing."
WHEN THEY WERE REPORTED MISSING:
Up to 1990: 9
1991-2000: 6
2001-2010: 10
2011-2016: 11
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83611693/Thirty-six-people-recorded-missing-in-Wellington-region | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/2b28fc9df2e020d8d3acea0ddb531290e1f6d57dbd69f21087493c8969d8212a.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:52:07 | null | 2016-08-30T00:25:59 | Did Ben Affleck just reveal the next major villain in the DC movie universe? | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Ffilm%2F83707842%2FDid-Ben-Affleck-just-let-the-bat-out-of-the-bag.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/2/w/e/t/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1du5du.png/1472516759294.jpg | en | null | Did Ben Affleck just let the bat out of the bag? | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Did Ben Affleck just let the bat out of the bag?
Deathstroke is just one of around a dozen (yes, a dozen) villains that show up in Batman: Arkham Origins.
Live-action footage of DC Comics villain Deathstroke on the Internet is nothing new - we've seen the character on the CW show Arrow, portrayed by actor Manu Bennett. Live-action Deathstroke footage being tweeted out by Batman himself, Ben Affleck, well, that's something else entirely.
In Batman-like stealth fashion, Affleck dropped a tweet with what looks to be test footage of an unidentified actor suited up as Slade Wilson, aka one of the most lethal killers in the DC Comics universe: Deathstroke.
The question that has no doubt stopped the presses over at The Daily Planet is just what part, if any, of Warner Bros/DC Entertainment's upcoming movie slate could Deathstroke have. We know that Affleck recently had his utility belt amplified slightly when he was named an executive producer of WB/DC's upcoming Justice League movie.
SMH Batman embarks on a personal vendetta against Superman.
Deathstroke doesn't seem to be the type of villain who would scare Affleck's Batman into travelling around the world searching for super-powered beings.
READ MORE:
* Sad Affleck Batman v Superman video makes us feel sorry for Ben Affleck
* Why Batman v. Superman could be one of the biggest blockbuster bombs of all time
* Ben Affleck looks distraught when confronted with Batman v Superman reviews
* Batman v Superman: No red carpet at London premiere
Ben Affleck on set Batman in Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice.
In Justice League, Affleck/Batman is building a team to go up against an as of right now unknown - and possibly other-worldly - threat. Deathstroke is a heavy hitter when it comes to DC bad guys, but does Batman really need Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, the Flash (and possibly a back-from-the-dead Superman) to take him on?
What if this footage is instead the beginnings of Affleck's work on a solo Batman project that he and DC Entertainment President Geoff Johns have both confirmed they are working on? We've already seen Batman's rivalry with another assassin, Will Smith's Deadshot in Suicide Squad. Deathstroke seems like the right type of villain to go up against Affleck's Batman next in future solo-Batman films.
While it might be a while before we know who is under the Deathstroke mask and when and where he'll appear, if there's one thing this reveal does confirm, it's that the DC Comics universe on film is continuing to grow.
- The Washington Post | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/83707842/Did-Ben-Affleck-just-let-the-bat-out-of-the-bag | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/e5832dadeecea42c36fbcb50a2c9093db33eec648e95b2bd14c79deafb2a386d.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T06:51:03 | null | 2016-08-28T05:18:48 | The 25-year-old nurse went for a walk in February 1957 but has not been heard from since. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83638005%2FFamily-want-to-solve-mystery-of-former-Taranaki-man-missing-for-almost-60-years.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/r/g/y/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsnhx.png/1472361528997.jpg | en | null | Family want to solve mystery of former Taranaki man missing for almost 60 years | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Family want to solve mystery of former Taranaki man missing for almost 60 years
Supplied Trevor Schultz, who previously lived in Taranaki, prior to his disappearance in 1957.
The family of a former Taranaki man missing for close to 60 years hopes someone still living in the region can help solve the mystery of what happened to him.
Bill Carswell has spent several years trying to find out the fate of his half-brother Trevor Schultz, who disappeared in February 1957.
At the time Schultz was employed as a nurse at Tokanui Hospital, but one day he went for a walk near Te Awamutu and never returned.
Supplied Bill Carswell, of Hastings, has folders of paperwork related to his missing half brother Trevor Schultz but no answers as to what happened to him.
Despite police finding his bicycle and a maroon jumper he was wearing, and officers carrying out an extensive search through scrub and swamp land nearby, no trace of the 25-year-old was ever found.
READ MORE:
* One man's life and one sister's love
* Dignity restored to Tokanui Hospital's 'lost souls'
* Memorial unveiling set at Tokanui Cemetery to honour former psychiatric hospital patients
Supplied Trevor Schultz, left, and his grandmother Ruby Haskell, pictured together around 1953.
Carswell said after his parents divorced, Schultz came to live with his father in New Plymouth and also went to school in the city as well.
Through years of his own research, Carswell has been able to track his half sibling to addresses in Urenui, Okato and New Plymouth and also discovered he completed compulsory military training before getting at job at Tokanui, a role he had for six months before he went missing.
Hastings-based Carswell said due to the family split, neither he nor Schultz's full brother Ray, had much to do with him growing up. The three men share the same mother.
The first he heard of Schultz going missing was as a 13-year-old, when he saw a snippet about the search in the newspaper.
Carswell said Ray Schultz had been part of the initial search party but all efforts to find the missing man had come to nothing.
"We never solved what had actually happened," he said.
He said rumours had swirled about what had happened to Schultz, including speculation he was still alive and living overseas.
"There were a few stories going around but there was no evidence to prove them one way or the other," he said.
As a result of his search for answers, Carswell said he had folders full of information about Schultz's life. He said police had been unable to find their original file on Schultz but he had verified that the coroner had not been involved and no death certificate had been issued.
"He still remains a missing person. It's just a mystery."
"There's a lot of unanswered questions," he said.
Carswell said there had to be people in Taranaki who either remembered Schultz or his family and might have the information needed to finally crack the case.
"I thought I would solve the mystery or even find Trevor, but I keep coming up against a brick wall."
Do you know anything? Email wcarswell@xtra.co.nz or call 06 876 3945.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83638005/Family-want-to-solve-mystery-of-former-Taranaki-man-missing-for-almost-60-years | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/523121a8e4ed969e4355c187dd9cb08af6ef33e5f46a595f76a4ae0a9c90b64f.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:52:27 | null | 2016-08-31T04:05:10 | The first gay couple on reality show Married at First Sight have been stunned by the negativity directed at them from sections of the gay community. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Ftv-radio%2F83769845%2FMarried-at-First-Sight-Gay-couple-stung-by-attacks.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/h/a/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvh85.png/1472617136185.jpg | en | null | Married at First Sight: Gay couple stung by attacks | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Married at First Sight: Gay couple stung by attacks
NINE Andy and Craig from Married at First Sight take part in their commitment ceremony.
The groom and groom at the heart of reality tv show Married at First Sight's first gay "wedding" say they have been stung by criticism of their actions from sections of the gay community.
"I'm very disappointed, actually," says hairdresser Craig Roach, speaking of articles in the gay press and comments on social media that accuse them of trivialising the campaign for marriage equality.
"There's been a lot of negative comments about us setting the movement back. It's a gay wedding on Australian television – they should be rejoicing, not hating on us for doing it."
SUPPLIED Looking for love ... Andy and Craig from Married at First Sight.
Roach says the pair has been accused of going on the show only in search of their 15 minutes of fame, but insists his motives were genuine and personal rather than political.
READ MORE:
* Reality TV couple split up
* Baby makes Married at First Sight couple a trio
* Popular Marriage reality show's US version tanks
"I didn't do it for marriage equality, I didn't do it to be on TV. I did it to meet the man of my dreams," he says.
SUPPLIED Married at First Sight US has tanked in NZ.
"Lots of my friends have asked, 'Why did you do this?' I just say why not. I've had no luck through other platforms, all the dating apps. I was approached to be on the show, so here I am."
The man he wed – in a non-legally binding ceremony in New Zealand, where same-sex marriage is legal – said he too was "deadly serious" about going on the show in the hope of finding love.
"I signed up for an experiment to find a guy I could spend the rest of my life with," says English marketing executive Andy John. "I don't think you could get through the process unless that was your intention."
Much of the criticism appears to stem from the fact the show's weddings are not legally binding. In the case of the straight weddings, so be it – the couples can choose to treat their marriage as lightly or seriously as they wish, in the full knowledge that they can always do it for real some other time.
But for a gay couple, a shell wedding merely echoes what's available to them in the real world – some form of commitment ceremony, perhaps, but without any of the legal privileges (such as right to inheritance or next-of-kin status) that automatically flow to heterosexual couples.
Though John says he is "in favour of marriage equality, of course", he adds that the central issue is equality, not marriage.
"We were born equal, we need to be treated as such," he says. "We need marriage equality because it's about equality. Being with the right person is much more important than a piece of paper for me."
He told Australian TV channel Nine's Today programme this week that he had in fact been offered the option of engaging in a legally binding contract with Roach in New Zealand, but opted not to.
"I signed up for an experiment that was about two people being matched together," he said. "I didn't want to get married."
@MarriedAU when you announced the guys are to be married in NZ where it's legal my husband and I both welled up. #9Married — Darren Palmer (@darrenpalmerint) August 30, 2016 great that we are going to see the first same sex couple get married i support #marriageequalty and #loveislove #9Married — Andrew Attenborough (@wheelguy09) August 30, 2016
He doesn't support the plebiscite, because like many others he can see the enormous potential for harm in a protracted No campaign.
"The plebiscite is just a platform for hate speak," he says. "A year of people waving billboards with 'Sodom and Gomorrah' – we don't need that. It's time for a free vote in Parliament."
Roach insists that rather than set back the campaign, their wedding might even play a small part in its advancement. "It's going to put it out to the masses, to make a lot of people more aware of gay marriage and how important it is that we have equal rights," he says.
"I see our wedding as a step forward towards bringing it to everyone's attention."
- Sydney Morning Herald | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/83769845/Married-at-First-Sight-Gay-couple-stung-by-attacks | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/3bbcdcfe79b3490c79c357cb2a29f96b432ef68a544a8c27fde583792121597a.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:51:31 | null | 2016-08-28T22:11:29 | Astronomers spotted a ''blob'' about the size of the Milky Way with few stars. It turned out to be a ''ghost'' galaxy. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fscience%2F83653201%2FSpotted-Milky-Way-sized-ghost-galaxy-made-almost-entirely-of-mysterious-dark-matter.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/0/g/3/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsz81.png/1472422289347.jpg | en | null | Spotted: Milky Way-sized 'ghost' galaxy made almost entirely of mysterious dark matter | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Spotted: Milky Way-sized 'ghost' galaxy made almost entirely of mysterious dark matter
GEMINI OBSERVATORY/AURA On the left, a wide view of the Coma cluster. The dark matter Dragonfly 44 galaxy is at centre left and, on the right, appears as a dim blob in an enlarged view.
Astronomers have discovered a massive "ghost" galaxy roughly the same size as the Milky Way.
An international team of astronomers and physicists using a telescope array in Hawaii found a galaxy – named Dragonfly 44 – with a mass similar to our galaxy, but made almost entirely of dark matter.
Dark matter is a kind of gravitational glue and – theoretically – makes up around 27 per cent of the universe.
NASA, ESA, HUBBLE The Coma Cluster contains thousands of galaxies.
Astronomers had not studied the dim region in detail because it lies on the edge of a group of around 1,000 galaxies, known as the Coma Cluster.
READ MORE:
* The Earth-sized planet next door
* Why Italy's earthquake was like Christchurch
They had missed the Milky Way-sized galaxy, which appears as a diffuse and dim "blob" because it contains few stars. It emits about one per cent of the light produced by our galaxy.
FRASER GUNN The Milky Way above the Mt John observatory in the South Island.
Its discovery was not the first time a galaxy of dark matter had been detected but it was the first time a dark matter galaxy of considerable size was detected. Previously, dark matter has been detected in tiny, dwarf galaxies.
The Coma Cluster is 300 million light-years from Earth and contains thousands of galaxies, some of which are dim with few stars.
Dragonfly 44 was discovered when the team scrutinised a region of the sky near to the cluster and they realised something else was going on.
Cheers to our 5,000 followers that represent the top .00007 percent: You are each one in 1.48 million! pic.twitter.com/9O0A8WTNbK — Keck Observatory (@keckobservatory) July 15, 2016
A massive galaxy with few stars would rip itself apart so there was something else holding galactic space-time together.
Astronomers measured the galaxy's mass and used the telescopes on Hawaii, including the largest telescope in the United States at the Keck Observatory, to capture images of the galaxy and stars around its core.
Yale University astronomer Pieter van Dokkum said the team studied the motions of the galaxy's stars to determine the amount of dark matter.
MARK GEE/THE ART OF NIGHT The Milky Way over the Wainuiomata coast near Baring Head.
Dragonfly 44 is 99.99 per cent dark matter.
"This has big implications for the study of dark matter.
"It helps to have objects that are almost entirely made of dark matter so we don't get confused by stars and all the other things that galaxies have. The only such galaxies we had to study before were tiny. This finding opens up a whole new class of massive objects that we can study."
Finding a dark matter galaxy with the mass of the Milky Way was almost entirely unexpected.
"They [stars] don't care what form the matter is, they just tell you that it's there.
"In the Dragonfly galaxy stars move very fast. So there was a huge discrepancy. Using Keck Observatory, we found many times more mass indicated by the motions of the stars, than there is mass in the stars themselves."
With this information, the team estimated the mass of the galaxy was a trillion times the mass of the Sun – a similar mass to the Milky Way. The Milky Way is thought to be mostly dark matter but it has many more stars then Dragonfly 44.
University of Toronto study co-author Roberto Abraham said the discovery posed more questions than answers.
"We have no idea how galaxies like Dragonfly 44 could have formed.
"The data show that a relatively large fraction of the stars are in the form of very compact clusters, and that is probably an important clue. But at the moment we're just guessing."
The galaxy is believed to be one of dozens of dim "shadow" galaxies – known as ultra diffuse galaxies – in the cluster. One theory suggests these dim space phenomena may be "failed" galaxies.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/science/83653201/Spotted-Milky-Way-sized-ghost-galaxy-made-almost-entirely-of-mysterious-dark-matter | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/44edc5fb13c4d571a1e7116033324d259ebae1564a2b40f7468ba09f21148609.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T04:51:02 | null | 2016-08-28T04:37:37 | Nearly 70 per cent of submitters have voiced their opposition to the proposed Wellington Airport runway extension. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2F83632109%2FNearly-70-per-cent-of-submitters-have-voiced-their-opposition-to-airport-runway-extension.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/g/n/v/g/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsiy5.png/1472359058350.jpg | en | null | Nearly 70 per cent of submitters have voiced their opposition to airport runway extension | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Nearly 70 per cent of submitters have voiced their opposition to airport runway extension
An artist's impression of what an extended Wellington Airport runway would look like.
Nearly 70 per cent of submitters have voiced their opposition to the proposed $300 million Wellington Airport runway extension.
Figures released by the Greater Wellington Regional Council showed 525 of 776 submissions (68 per cent) were against the proposal, which would involve extending the southern end of the runway by 355m into Cook Strait.
That would allow long-haul flights to land in the capital for the first time.
There were 228 submissions in support of the proposal, while five expressed conditional support and 17 were neutral.
READ MORE:
* No 'Plan B' if $300m runway extension fails to fly
* Airport claims not all planes need to be able to land on longer runway
* Pilots challenge safety zones for proposed runway extension
* Airlines label runway extension 'wasteful from a national perspective'
Guardians of the Bays co-chair Richard Randerson said the figures were a "decisive" result for anti-development campaigners, and showed most Wellingtonians did not support the plan.
There were many uncertainties around the proposal, including how much of the $300 million development would be funded by ratepayers and whether there was any evidence the extension would result in more long-haul flights coming into the city, he said.
The airport company has previously said it would contribute $50 million to the development.
"The submissions show that a broad range of businesses, community groups and individuals are concerned about the many unanswered questions in this proposal, from the impact on Wellington rates, to Cook Strait wildlife and effects on surfing at Lyall Bay.
"Should the extension go ahead, it will have a significant negative impact on Wellingtonians, not least because, as ratepayers, we will be burdened with a bill in excess of $300m, with the accompanying rates rises."
The airport's resource consent application for the extension details plans to construct a reclamation at the southern end of the runway, about 11 hectares, into the coastal marine area at Lyall Bay.
It also states plans to extend the Moa Point Rd tunnel at the south end of the runway, install temporary moorings in a construction exclusion area and create a submerged surf wave in Lyall Bay, about 450m offshore.
The application is set to go to the Environment Court early next year, with public submissions on the plan having closed on August 12.
Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce chief executive John Milford said he was not surprised by the results of the submission.
"In my experience, for projects of this size, you are probably going to get more against than you will for. But I think it's a good thing.
"It's such a significant investment for the Wellington area so, even if people are against it, at least everyone should have their say."
The organisation has backed the proposal, with about 77 per cent of its 2400 members supporting the move.
Any impact on ratepayers would be countered by the increased number of people coming into the city, Milford said.
"The opportunity to fly direct into Wellington and bring long-haul flights here has got to have a significant economic benefit."
The wider planes would also increase freight loads from two to 15 tonnes, while direct overseas flights should encourage more lower North Islanders to travel abroad, Milford said.
Direct flights would also reduce environmental impact by cutting out transit stops in cities such as Auckland, Melbourne or Sydney, he said.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83632109/Nearly-70-per-cent-of-submitters-have-voiced-their-opposition-to-airport-runway-extension | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/8013b98093ce1e758b7947c506010709f3c953daac01c62e911b4264d8c2e8f9.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T10:52:51 | null | 2016-08-31T10:39:52 | Coach felt responsible after male swimmers allegedly filmed female athletes with a hidden camera. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2F83779922%2FSouth-Korea-swimming-coach-quits-over-spy-cam-scandal.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/p/3/o/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvp02.png/1472639992183.jpg | en | null | South Korea swimming coach quits over spy cam scandal | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | South Korea swimming coach quits over spy cam scandal
GETTY IMAGES Ahn Jong-taek maintained he and other coaches didn't know what went on.
The head coach of South Korea's national team has resigned as police investigate allegations that two male swimmers secretly filmed female swimmers after installing a spy camera in their locker room at a training facility in 2013.
Ahn Jong-taek, who was named head coach in 2012, felt responsible for what allegedly happened under his watch, but maintained he and other coaches didn't know what went on, said Park Seong-su, an official from the Korean Olympic Committee.
READ MORE:
* Eye on the spies: Hamilton City Council on pervert alert
* Students are using 'smart' spy technology to cheat in exams
* North Korea fires three ballistic missiles in show of force
Police in Seoul have been investigating two former national team swimmers over the allegations, and said one of them has admitted installing a camera at the national training facility in Jincheon, central South Korea, and discarding it after footage was taken.
Police said the other swimmer, who according to Park was one of the athletes representing South Korea at the recent Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, has denied involvement.
Police are currently analysing the laptop computer of the swimmer who confessed, to see whether the footage was leaked to the internet.
Police and the KOC didn't name the swimmers.
The KOC has launched an independent investigation into the allegations. It also sent a team of experts to the Jincheon facility on Tuesday and also to the national team's training center in Seoul on Wednesday to search for spy cameras, but didn't find any, Park said.
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/83779922/South-Korea-swimming-coach-quits-over-spy-cam-scandal | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/c215c0b1b497cce1a5f805c061f091de4540808be420e3d28fe3df7d08e54eea.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T04:51:11 | null | 2016-08-28T04:02:05 | The 3.8 magnitude earthquake struck west of the city at 3.02pm. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fthe-press%2Fnews%2F83644491%2FModerate-3-8-magnitude-earthquake-wobbles-Christchurch.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/s/j/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dssi3.png/1472358342971.jpg | en | null | 'Moderate' 3.8 magnitude earthquake wobbles Christchurch | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Hundreds reported feeling the earthquake, which hit at 3.02pm.
A "moderate" 3.8 magnitude earthquake wobbled Christchurch on Sunday afternoon.
It struck 16km deep, west of the city between Prebbleton and Templeton at 3.02pm.
A 2.8 aftershock, in the same area, followed at 3.53pm.
More than 700 people reported feeling the 3.8 earthquake on Geonet, including one in Timaru. Geonet said it caused light shaking.
Duty seismologist Anna Kaiser said it was normal aftershock activity from the Canterbury earthquake sequence.
"We'd expect to get aftershocks of that magnitude. Christchurch has had a lot worse," she said.
Vanessa Barsby posted on Facebook she felt it "well" in Lincoln.
"Was ready to move thought was going to be bigger than that and start to jolt," she said.
Drew Burrows' umbrella fell over.
"The work in putting it back up is going to take weeks if not months."
Leonie Stead felt it in Woolston: "Just another reminder that they aren't quite finished with us yet."
The Fire Service and police received no reports of damage or injury. | http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/83644491/Moderate-3-8-magnitude-earthquake-wobbles-Christchurch | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/55e8191e23d296acfec2cc27aeaa361dc0f2bdeb4d0a1bdfc3157a9bec051117.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T06:52:48 | null | 2016-08-31T06:20:47 | Worker not paid for more than 500 hours' work - as business claims it was 'voluntary'. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2F83764331%2FBusiness-handed-20k-bill-for-underpaying-migrant-worker.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/6/7/b/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvcyz.png/1472624454952.jpg | en | null | Business handed $20k bill for underpaying migrant worker | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Business handed $20k bill for underpaying migrant worker
123RF The worker went many months without pay.
A motor inn and café has been ordered to pay almost $20,000 after it tried to claim a migrant worker was a "volunteer".
The Alpine Motor Inn & Café, in Lewis Pass, did not pay the worker the minimum wage or holiday pay.
The employee started working and living on site in November 2014 but was paid nothing until March, when $1289.39 was handed over.
By the time the employee resigned a few weeks later, the business had paid just $2451.03. More than 550 hours of work went unrecognised by the employer.
READ MORE: * ERA fines South Auckland employers for paying $4 an hour
The ERA ordered Alpine Motor Inn & Café to pay the employee $6836.02 in minimum wage and holiday pay arrears, as well as a $5000 penalty for taking advantage of a vulnerable migrant worker.
An additional $7500 in penalties was also imposed on the business for their failure to maintain records, or pay minimum wage.
While director Jerry Hohneck argued that the worker was a volunteer and not an employee during the three-month period, the ERA said the evidence provided did not stack up.
The ERA said differing accounts provided by Hohneck for why the employee was not entitled to be paid for their work suggested that he knew his actions were in breach of the Minimum Wage Act.
"This kind of deliberate failure to pay an employee wages for work carried out is exploitation, and this is very serious," said Labour Inspectorate regional manager David Milne.
"We are aware there is an issue in some sectors where businesses are recruiting and treating people as volunteers, even though legally their work arrangements mean they are employees.
"Workers coming from overseas are less likely to be aware of their rights and entitlements than New Zealand workers. Attempts like this to avoid providing people working in New Zealand with minimum employment entitlements will not be tolerated. It's unfair to employees and it disadvantages businesses which do comply with all their employment obligations.
"Anyone employed in New Zealand must be paid at least the minimum wage for their work - there is no excuse for failing to do so," Milne said.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/83764331/Business-handed-20k-bill-for-underpaying-migrant-worker | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/68eef4363455e6253b9bb0e01d7a729b2da94478a97158096aba097cc0bce4b5.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:50:17 | null | 2016-08-26T19:29:33 | Paul Wolfowitz calls Trump a security risk because of his admiration of Russian President Putin. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Famericas%2F83626421%2FFormer-Bush-adviser-Paul-Wolfowitz-will-vote-for-Hillary-Clinton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/e/k/l/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsek5.png/1472239773115.jpg | en | null | Former Bush adviser Paul Wolfowitz 'will vote for Hillary Clinton' | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Former Bush adviser Paul Wolfowitz 'will vote for Hillary Clinton'
DADANG TRI/REUTERS Paul Wolfowitz joins a long list of Republicans who have said they will not vote for Donald Trump.
Paul Wolfowitz, a Republican adviser to former US President George W Bush, plans to vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton in the November presidential election despite his "serious reservations", Der Spiegel magazine reported on Friday.
Wolfowitz, who served as deputy defence secretary under Bush and also as president of the World Bank, said he viewed Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as a security risk because of his admiration of Russian President Putin and his views on China, the magazine reported.
"It's important to make it clear how unacceptable he is," the magazine quoted Wolfowitz as saying in an interview.
Wolfowitz joins a long list of Republicans who have said they will not vote for Trump.
READ MORE:
* Hillary Clinton declared Democratic nominee
* Who benefits from Donald Trump tax bill? Hillary Clinton
* Donald Trump has one strategy for defeating Hillary Clinton
* Bernie Sanders endorses Hillary Clinton in show of party unity
"I wish there was a candidate whom I could support enthusiastically. I will have to vote for Hillary Clinton, although I have serious reservations about her," he said.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed that Clinton would win the key swing states of Florida, Ohio and Virginia, and have a 95 per cent chance of beating Trump if the election were held now.
Wolfowitz rejected a common description of him as a key architect of the 2003 US war against Iraq, saying that if he had truly been the architect many things would have gone differently, the magazine reported.
Wolfowitz said the goal had been to free the country, not occupy it, creating tensions with many Iraqis.
He also defended the decision to invade Iraq, saying it was based on intelligence that later turned out to be faulty.
"Of course we would have proceeded differently if we had known that Saddam Hussein was not stockpiling weapons of mass destruction, but was only planning to do so," he said. "We would not have invaded."
In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine in May 2003, several months after the invasion, he suggested there were multiple reasons for it, but the Bush administration highlighted Iraq's supposed WMD as the justification for the war as the most politically convenient.
"For bureaucratic reasons, we settled on one issue, weapons of mass destruction, because it was the one reason everyone could agree on," he said at the time. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal; editing by Ralph Boulton)
- Reuters | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83626421/Former-Bush-adviser-Paul-Wolfowitz-will-vote-for-Hillary-Clinton | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/77d56218c2a2e8c4da046c18552ef29c5f06fd71bb8b3a7cd34a4e44036a305a.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:53:01 | null | 2016-08-31T07:20:55 | When the great eye of the Tolkien estate swept across the world a jeweller did not expect its powerful gaze to settle on him. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Fsmall-business%2F83777638%2FFraud-of-the-rings-hits-back-at-Tolkiens-estate.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/n/c/z/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvn8m.png/1472628055893.png | en | null | Fraud of the rings hits back at Tolkien's estate | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Fraud of the rings hits back at Tolkien's estate
Elijah Wood's character Frodo reaches for the One Ring, in the film the Fellowship of the Ring.
When the great eye of the Tolkien estate swept across the world, a Melbourne jeweller did not expect its powerful gaze to settle on him.
The man, ordered by a court to destroy rings minted in the style of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, has questioned why he became the target of the Tolkien estate's legal ringwraiths when he was a mere hobbit in the scheme of things.
But as the Australian Federal Court ruled this month, these knock-off rings shall not pass. Alexander Thomas Saltalamacchia had infringed the copyright of J.R.R. Tolkien's estate after he sold rings on eBay inscribed with characters written in the fictional language Black Speech.
YOU TUBE Alexander Thomas Saltalamacchia, who was recenlty found to have breached the copyright of the Lord of the Rings.
The "One Ring" was made famous in the novel and film series as a powerful but evil artefact that had to be destroyed in the volcanic fires of Mount Doom.
READ MORE:
* One ring to fool them all
* Tahunanui's real lord of the rings
* Gyllenhal's nightmare LOTR audition
Saltalamacchia responded to the court decision in a video posted on YouTube, saying there were many Lord of the Rings products being sold online and he did not know why he, as a sole ring bearer, had been singled out. Why wasn't there one judgment to overrule all the ring sellers?
He said he had been selling copies of the one ring for eight years before hearing from Tolkien's lawyers.
"Why now, why me? I don't know. They weren't made to answer that question in court as to why they selected me," he said.
In correspondence detailed in the judgment, Saltalamacchia confessed to selling about 1300 rings over eight years for between A$5 and A$30 each on eBay and his jewellery website - so they were hardly precious.
According to the Federal Court judgment, Saltalamacchia had claimed that his rings were not exact replicas of the One Ring because there was a "gap" in the inscription.
However Justice Beach found there was a breach as a substantial part of the inscription was used, even recreating the elvish script JRR Tolkien devised in his judgment.
"I don't have an original ring to compare," Saltalamacchia said on YouTube. "Might I add neither did they, you would think...they would bring an original ring into court and compare it."
As all Tolkien fans know, the original one ring to rule them all has been destroyed.
Saltalamacchia said he had three kids and was a low income earner, which hardly made him a big target for The Tolkien Estate Ltd to go after.
"It's only a small business, it's not a big money maker but they still pursued [me]," he said.
As well as the destruction of the rings and associated marketing material, Justice Jonathan Beach ordered that Saltalamacchia pay damages and costs.
In his video, Saltalamacchia said he didn't know copyright laws and wouldn't have sold the rings online if he knews they were protected.
"You can look at eBay right now and you can see many of these products right now, why I was targeted don't know," he said.
"There's so many other people selling people on ebay. It it was so damaging to the Tolkien estate why aren't they contacting eBay and telling them to remove all Lord of the Rings products?"
- Brisbane Times | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/small-business/83777638/Fraud-of-the-rings-hits-back-at-Tolkiens-estate | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/71771e4e2073388d4ec2de2045c58c9f84d6f3ae110b448045b4dcc8eae61684.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T06:50:59 | null | 2016-08-28T04:53:34 | Saturday's 26-goal win over England to start the Quad Series was good, but hopefully just the first of many more to come. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fnetball%2F83627862%2FPlenty-of-work-ahead-for-Silver-Ferns-after-new-era-starts-with-big-win-over-England.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/t/q/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsfo6.png/1472360014875.jpg | en | null | Plenty of work ahead for Silver Ferns after new era starts with big win over England | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Plenty of work ahead for Silver Ferns after new era starts with big win over England
PHOTOSPORT New Silver Ferns coach Janine Southby made sure not to get too caught up in the emotion of her first game in charge.
As her first game in charge of the Silver Ferns began on Saturday night in Auckland, new coach Janine Southby was making sure to keep her focus.
Less than two hours later, it was all said and done, with the Ferns beating England 65-39, an impressive start to their new era and the new Quad Series tournament.
But for Southby, it took a little while longer for the result and the meaning of the occasion to sink in.
"I just tried to keep it really real for me from a coaching point of view, and just stay focused on what I need to do," she said.
READ MORE:
* Silver Ferns trounce England to usher in new era
* Tuivaiti parts way with Northern Mystics
* Southby's tenure finally gets started
* Watson called into Ferns squad
"I didn't want to get too caught up in it, because I thought if you get too caught up in it and get too emotional, you don't think clearly. The big thing for me was just keeping in the moment.
"I had a chance to reflect on it later on Saturday night, and that was really nice at that point."
As first games go, a 26-goal win has to be up there with the best of them, and Southby said she was pleased with the result, even if it was hopefully just the first of many more to come.
"It's still early days and we've got lots to work on. It probably sounds a bit boring to people when they hear coaches say that, but we're just at the start of what we're trying to achieve, and we know we've got a lot of work ahead of us."
Sunday's showdown with Australia in Melbourne already looms large as the likely series decider, but before then, the Ferns must take care of South Africa in Hamilton on Wednesday.
The Norma Plummer coached outfit lost 68-43 to Australia in their first game of the series, but Southby and the Ferns won't be taking them for granted.
"I know it sounds really cliched, but we can never afford to get ahead of ourselves," she said.
"Saturday's result was fantastic, but we can't just walk out there on Wednesday night and expect the same thing to happen. It's about going back to the drawing board and staying real and focused on what we need to achieve and just playing one play at a time.
"South Africa would have learnt a lot from what happened with them (on Saturday), and what's probably the reality for them is that they don't play at this level very often. They will have done a lot of learning and we know they'll come out pretty fired up. Any team that has Norma coaching, I have a huge amount of respect for.
"From the little bits I caught on Saturday, they've certainly got some talented shooters who are very accurate, and they've got some experienced players in the group who are very determined. They got some ball off Australia, so they won't be walking in there and putting there hands up raising white flags."
Experienced defender Anna Harrison will miss the South Africa game, as she recovers from the calf injury she suffered last week, but is still in contention to play Australia on the weekend.
Harrison's continued absence means Jane Watson has remained with the squad.
"Anna's obviously gutted to be out," said Southby.
"But she's certainly working really hard to get the rehab side of things done, and unfortunately some of these things just take some time."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/netball/83627862/Plenty-of-work-ahead-for-Silver-Ferns-after-new-era-starts-with-big-win-over-England | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/732018ecf2e48d2c829acb541f511d911ac31823e2fdaa5794852080aafa2388.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T02:52:23 | null | 2016-08-31T02:49:33 | The first emergency calls from inside the Florida massacre at the Pulse nightclub have been released. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Famericas%2F83763313%2FPolice-release-first-emergency-recordings-from-Pulse-shooting-in-Orlando.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/7/y/x/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvc6p.png/1472611773951.jpg | en | null | Police release first emergency recordings from Pulse shooting in Orlando | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Police release first emergency recordings from Pulse shooting in Orlando
CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS Police forensics investigators work at the crime scene.
Authorities in the US state of Florida have released a handful of emergency calls about the shooting inside Pulse nightclub in Orlando, making public for the first time recordings of what police were told about the attack while it was happening.
In the calls, a series of increasingly distraught callers can be heard alerting police to the shooting and warning of injured friends and relatives who were trapped at the venue.
Callers were asking police about when they were going to go inside the club, warning that more people were going to die if they didn't get in there and worrying about those trapped inside.
CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERS A makeshift memorial is pictured on the ground near the Pulse gay nightclub.
"He's over there," one caller said about her husband. "He said he cannot get out."
READ MORE:
* Florida shooting: At least 50 dead, 53 injured at Pulse gay nightclub
* Who was the Florida shooter?
* Agonising wait for families
* Gunman referenced Boston Marathon bombers, says official
* Obama: 'We will not give in to fear'
* Harrowing accounts from survivors
BRENDAN MCDERMID / REUTERS People take part in a moment of silence, behind photos of victims killed in the Orlando Pulse nightclub shooting, before the start of the annual NYC Pride parade in New York City.
Another caller said they receiving a text message from a friend who reported being shot three times and going into a bathroom at the club.
"We called him because he posted on Facebook that he got shot," the caller told the dispatcher shortly after 2:40 am. "So we said, 'Is everything OK?' He said, 'Got shot three times.' We said, 'Where are you?' And the response was, 'In bathroom. Tell them to check the bathroom.'"
HANDOUT Stanley Almodovar III was one of the victims .
By this point, however, the gunman had barricaded himself in the bathroom. And what began as an active shooting rampage inside a crowded nightclub turned into what became a standoff lasting nearly three hours. Ultimately, police say Omar Mateen, the attacker, remained there until dying in a shootout with police.
The Orange County Sheriff's Office released the limited selection of calls on Tuesday (Wednesday NZT) in response to public records requests stemming from the June 12 massacre at Pulse, which left 49 people dead and dozens of others injured. These calls from the sheriff's office were not from people inside Pulse, but were instead calling after hearing from relatives or friends of people inside.
Authorities had previously refused to release any of the 911 calls, only providing a limited transcript of Mateen's discussions with police, during which he identified himself as the Orlando shooter and pledged loyalty to the head of the Islamic State. Police had also made public documents showing that dispatchers spoke with people inside the club who reported seeing the gunfire or described gruesome injuries they were seeing.
CARLO ALLEGRI / REUTERS Heather Raleigh (L) and Paige Metelka make a heart shape as they pose during a photo shoot outside Pulse nightclub.
Many of the 911 calls made during the Pulse shooting and the ensuing standoff were made to the Orlando Police Department, which has not released any of the audio so far. While Florida has broad public records laws, the state has exemptions for information deemed to be part of "active" criminal investigations, and city officials say the 911 recordings are part of an ongoing criminal probe that involves the Orlando police but is being led by the FBI.
A group of media organisations that includes The Washington Post have gone to court to seek these records. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer directed his city to file a lawsuit seeking guidance from a court about what records should be released. City officials say that there are hundreds of 911 calls that cannot be released without a court's directive.
Since the attack inside Pulse, the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history, authorities have been investigating both the shooting and how officers handled it. The Justice Department, at the Orlando Police Department's request, is reviewing the law enforcement response to the entire incident.
Facebook/Kelly Davis Karas Luis Omar Ocasio-Capo died in the mass shooting at Pulse nightclub on Sunday.
Earlier this month, The Post published an account of the shooting and the hostage standoff that provided the clearest picture yet of the law enforcement response and what unfolded inside the club.
These details raised questions about how police and fire agencies responded to the shooting, as survivors and others have criticised law enforcement officers for not moving inside more quickly to subdue Mateen.
Officials say they do not know yet how many of the victims who were alive during the three-hour standoff died in the bathrooms or how many people who died in those rooms had survivable gunshot wounds.
HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES The massacre was felt around the world - this vigil was in Wellington.
At least five people were alive in the bathrooms when the standoff began and ultimately died at the club, including three victims - Deonka Deidra Drayton, Eddie Justice and Alejandro Barrios Martinez - who sent text messages from inside the club's bathroom.
Orlando Police Chief John Mina defended his officers and their actions in an interview last month, saying that they opted not to go into the bathroom only when Mateen stopped shooting and it became a hostage situation.
"If he had continued shooting, our officers would have went in there," Mina said.
REUTERS Omar Mateen, 29, killed 49 people at the nightclub Pulse.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement, meanwhile, is investigating the 14 officers who opened fire at the club over the course of the episode to see if their use of force was legal under Florida law.
Last week, that agency said it provided its findings to the state attorney's office in Orange and Osceola counties, which will determine whether the shooting was justified.
The voice mails released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office traced a grim arc through the evening, beginning with a call just after 2 am reporting gunfire on through calls made after 5 am, as the SWAT team was readying to storm the building.
In between, a series of frantic callers described what they knew and heard. One person said her brother was trapped in a bathroom and "he said there's a lot of dead people" inside. Another caller had just he was at Pulse not long before the shooting. When he got home, he said he learned that "a lot of my friends got shot."
Increasingly, the questions focused on the police response."Where's the ambulance, where the medic?" one caller said people wondered. Another caller yelled at the dispatcher that he had called about his girlfriend in the bathroom and was asked repeatedly how to spell her name.
"This is the fifth time I'm calling you guys and telling you the same information," the caller said shortly after 4:30 am. "It's been over a half an hour now, and no cops inside the club."
One man, who sounded distraught, said that he and his wife were driving to Pulse from out of town because their son was trapped in a bathroom.
"He's still in the bathroom where he's bleeding," he said just after 5 a.m. "He got shot, and nobody's going in for him."
The dispatcher told him that the Orlando police were about to go inside the building, so they should urge anyone inside the bathroom to listen to the officers.
"Try to tell them just to listen to whatever the police tell them to do," the dispatcher said.
"OK," the man said. "OK. Anybody dead yet?""
"I don't know, sir," the dispatcher replied.
- The Washington Post | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/83763313/Police-release-first-emergency-recordings-from-Pulse-shooting-in-Orlando | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/5bd596fe9cc7d649c6404b47d481babd5ac48839a15b3a46ff45e787059993a4.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T02:51:15 | null | 2016-08-13T05:29:04 | The Beatles record that was found after 52 years is set to be sold at auction. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Fmusic%2F83641927%2FLost-Beatles-demo-to-be-sold-at-auction.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/q/t/g/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsqiv.png/1472348937358.jpg | en | null | 'Lost' Beatles demo to be sold at auction | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | 'Lost' Beatles demo to be sold at auction
The Beatles.
A "lost" Beatles record that was found after being missing for more than 50 years is set to be sold at auction.
The demo recording of It's For You, written for Cilla Black by John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney, was discovered by Black's nephew Simon White. It had been given to his father by Black - his sister - when he was 18.
But while Mr White's father assumed it was just a copy of his sister's recording of the song, which shot to number seven in the charts, it was in fact the original demo sung by McCartney and delivered to Black at the London Palladium in 1964.
Black, who died just over a year ago at her home in Spain, wrote about the record in her book, What's It All About?
READ MORE:
*The Beatles: Paul McCartney takes battle for songs to copyright office
*Beatles to stream tracks on Apple Music, Spotify for first time
* See how The Beatles made history
Greg Bos Items lined up for the 25th Beatles Memorabilia Auction.
The record is part of the 25th Beatles Memorabilia Auction, organised by The Beatles Shop, at the Unity Theatre in Liverpool on Saturday, and is expected to fetch between 15,000 ($27,217) and STG20,000 ($36,290).
After first listening to the record, shop manager and Beatles expert Stephen Bailey said: "I was shaking with excitement and speechless.
"I realised that this was the long-lost Beatles demo disc from 1964 and I was probably one of the few people to have seen and heard it in over 50 years. What I had in my hand was probably the only copy in existence."
Simon White donated the record with a letter, explaining how his father - an avid collector - had looked after it for years after Black gave it to him.
He wrote: "When we found out that Sir Paul had not retained his own copy of the recording, as a courtesy and gesture of respect we agreed it would be only right that, of all people, he be allowed to make a copy of the recording for himself for the sole use of adding it to his personal archive.
"Other than the single copy of the recording that he now has, we know of no other."
Assistant store manager Anne-Marie Trace said: "It's so hard to find something of The Beatles that hasn't been released in some way or other. There has been interest from all over the world, and I expect it will end up going to a real fan."
Mr Bailey added: "I urge all Beatles fans to search their bottom drawers and attics where they could have put Beatles memorabilia years ago and forgotten all about them - you just never know what you may find or what it is worth."
- AAP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/83641927/Lost-Beatles-demo-to-be-sold-at-auction | en | 2016-08-13T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/1bbc803eed037f0cb4042ffbecc2f947795a801683b1f9127c378ad2ed3257a0.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T00:50:53 | null | 2016-08-28T00:31:54 | The lifetime mortgage interest bill for buying the average Auckland home has jumped by nearly $100,000 in three years. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fbusiness%2Fmoney%2F83637723%2FThe-1-million-average-Auckland-house-means-interest-bonanza-for-banks.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/q/5/u/h/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsna3.png/1472344314348.jpg | en | null | The $1 million average Auckland house means interest bonanza for banks | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | The $1 million average Auckland house means interest bonanza for banks
PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ The lifetime mortgage interest bill for buying the average Auckland home has jumped by nearly $100,000 in three years.
The average sale price of Auckland homes is now believed to be more than $1 million - but the interest paid on a 30-year mortgage means the real cost is closer to $1.9m.
That's because every dollar extra borrowed by desperate families getting their toes on the housing ladder, means roughly a dollar in interest paid to the banks.
On a 30-year mortgage, the real cost of borrowing could be conservatively estimated at between $1.7m and $1.9m.
JOHN BISSETT/FAIRFAX NZ Housing Minister Nick Smith does not want to see Auckland house prices fall.
The average Auckland house price, as tracked by property data company QV, is believed to have topped $1m for the first time, though official figures haven't yet been released.
READ MORE:
* Auckland: The $1m city
* Spiralling house prices will be Key's 'Waterloo'
* House price rises of $3000 a week
* Auckland house buyers making big bucks through 'flipping'
* Auckland real estate agent sells same house five times
* Should you buy a house to live in, or rent and invest the savings?
In July 2013, the average home in the Auckland area sold for $644,973.
A family who bought that average Auckland house with an 80 per cent mortgage at the prevailing 5.7 per cent two-year mortgage rate would have faced a 30-year interest bill of just over $562,000.
That assumes the interest rate would remain the same over the 30 year lifetime of the mortgage.
But a 30-year mortgage of $800,000 to buy today's average Auckland home at the current prevailing 5.1 per cent interest rate would result in an interest bill of about $764,000.
The buyer of an average Auckland house today would have to pay $355,000 more than they would three years' ago, as well as facing paying nearly $200,000 more in interest.
Over the long term the average mortgage interest rates paid by the two borrowers will be similar.
Assuming a low average of 6 per cent on each loan shows the 30-year interest bill for the 2013 average Auckland house buyer would be a little over $597,000.
For the buyer today of the $1m average house in the Auckland area, the 30-year interest bill would be just shy of $927,000 at that 6 per cent average rate.
High Auckland prices have trapped many families into being perpetual renters, and the political pressure is building.
One vocal housing campaigner Hugh Pavletich has predicted prices in Auckland would be so high on the eve of the next election, they would prove to be prime minister John Key's "Waterloo".
People hunting for homes in Auckland are facing up to the reality of the $1m price-tag on the average home.
Jaspal Sing has been looking to buy a house for his family for the past two months.
It's the first time for several years he's been in the market looking for a home.
"These houses are going very high this time. Last time properties were like $500,000 or $600,000. This time, every house we're looking at is over a million," Singh said.
There aren't many holding out hopes for price falls in Auckland making homes affordable again.
There simply aren't enough houses being built, and engineering a price fall isn't an objective for the government.
Housing Minister Nick Smith was dubbed "The Million-dollar Minister" by Patrick Gower on TV3's The Nation on Saturday as a result of Auckland house prices having hit such spectacular heights.
But when challenged on whether the government wanted to see prices fall, Smith said the objective was to see house price inflation in single digits, arguing that falls would tip some home-owners into negative equity.
Robert Tulp, Harcourts branch manager Manakau, is the auctioneer for a lot of properties, and is confident there will not be a dip in the Auckland housing market.
"There's too many people feeding from the Auckland trough. There's still great opportunities here. It's a great place to live," Tulp said.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/83637723/The-1-million-average-Auckland-house-means-interest-bonanza-for-banks | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/1bef3e9158c8997bc6e7393453417a64477511ccecc20bb0d04e3ddfe4d473d7.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:34 | null | 2016-08-29T02:47:41 | A man was arrested after hitting a vehicle with a machete, sending a primary school in Rotorua into lock down. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83673973%2FPolice-arrest-machete-wielder-near-Rotorua-primary-school.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/a/k/4/t/u/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtf91.png/1472438863879.jpg | en | null | Police arrest machete wielder near Rotorua primary school | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Police arrest machete wielder near Rotorua primary school
SUPPLIED A man is in custody and will appear in Rotorua District Court on Tuesday.
A man has been arrested in Rotorua for allegedly smashing a vehicle with a machete near a primary school.
Westbrook Primary School went into voluntary lock down on Monday afternoon after police descended on the suburb.
Bay of Plenty Police Senior Sergeant Mike Membery said police were called to a residence near the school about 12.30pm.
A man had smashed a vehicle using a machete, he said.
READ MORE: Bail for Hamilton machete attack accused
"He didn't injure the person in the car but has caused some damage to the person's vehicle.
"That vehicle had left the scene - police have spoken to that victim."
Membery said the victim was not known to the alleged machete wielder, and was simply in the "wrong place at the wrong time".
"The school put themselves into lock down when they saw the police arrive - we then rung them and explained the situation, and it was left up to them to come out of lock down.
"They kept themselves in lock down for about quarter of an hour. It showed good initiative by the school."
At the nearby property police arrested a 24-year-old man who was now in custody.
He had been charged with possession of an offensive weapon and wilful damage, and would likely appear in Rotorua District Court on Tuesday.
"They have other things they are looking at aswell."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83673973/Police-arrest-machete-wielder-near-Rotorua-primary-school | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/1e5710096eeaaf1875f67884e5c45166ebc04cb373292c2dcb6a2d77ef284f22.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T00:51:28 | null | 2016-08-29T00:32:35 | DOC says it's unlikely the Routeburn Track will close in future winters despite tramper's death and wife's month-long ordeal. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83661242%2FTrack-closure-over-winter-unlikely-following-Pavlina-Pizova-Routeburn-ordeal.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/r/l/z/2/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt5fe.png/1472430755454.jpg | en | null | Track closure over winter 'unlikely' following Pavlina Pizova Routeburn ordeal | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Track closure over winter 'unlikely' following Pavlina Pizova Routeburn ordeal
NZ POLICE DOC has said it's unlikely the Routeburn Track will be closed during the winter months.
The Routeburn Track and others in the area are unlikely to be closed over winter despite the death of Czech tramper Ondrej Petr, DOC says.
Petr died after he and partner Pavlina Pizova slipped down a bank on the Fiordland track in wintry conditions on July 28.
Pizova survived a harrowing month-long ordeal in a warden's hut near Lake MacKenzie following three freezing nights in the snow. She was rescued by police and a Land Search and Rescue team on Wednesday.
IAIN McGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Pavlina Pizova was spent a month in the warden's hurt by Lake MacKenzie.
DOC Wakatipu operations manager Geoff Owen said closing tracks probably wouldn't happen but it might be discussed in an operational review of the incident.
READ MORE:
* Czech tramper Pavlina Pizova familiar with death on the mountains
* Czech tramper Pavlina Pizova's bid to escape remote Fiordland hut
* Czech tramper dead on Routeburn Track, partner rescued after month in hut
"We're in that sort of hard place because there will always be those that say we should do that [close the track].
A map showing huts on the Routeburn Track.
"Even in light of what's happened, we probably wouldn't.
"We don't have a policy on actually closing tracks."
It was about tramper responsibility and in Pizova and Petr's case, "their first decision wasn't a good one", Owen said.
IAIN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ Pavlina Pizova was commended for her strong state of mind after her month-long ordeal.
The couple ventured onto the Routeburn track despite DOC advising them against it due to forecast snow.
The pair also did not leave their intentions with anyone and did not carry a locator beacon. Pizova struggled for three days through waist deep snow and poor visibility to reach the hut. Her feet were swollen and her fingers were frostbitten due to the cold.
"[The incident] could well be something I put on an agenda just to think about.
IAN MCGREGOR/FAIRFAX NZ MacKenzie Hut on the Routeburn Track near Queenstown where Pavlina Pizova was rescued on Wednesday.
"We just look at it from the point of view, 'is there anything different we could be doing?', Owen said.
Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club vice-president Antony Pettinger said the club tramped into the Routeburn at least once a year during winter and would not support a winter closure.
They would normally not do the entire track due to the weather, he said.
IAIN MCGREGOR / FAIRFAX NZ Pavlina Pizova addresses media on Friday after being rescued from the MacKenzie Hut on the Routeburn track near Queenstown.
"The club would be definitely against it. It's public access across public land."
Pettinger said it was about people using good judgement when tramping in winter.
"We would encourage people to check the conditions and take notice of what they have been told."
ULTIMATE HIKES Lake Harris on the Routeburn Track between Falls Hut and Lake Mackenzie Hut on August 4. There had been heavy snow in the area since July 24 - the day Czech trampers Pavlina Pizova and Ondrej Petr set out.
Ultimate Hikes general manager Noel Saxon, whose company operates guided walks on the track, said they did not operate through the winter months due to lower demand from people and a "higher amount of risk".
"It would be quite problematic to try and operate during that time. We just wouldn't be able to do it.
Saxon said it was DOC's responsibility to decide whether tracks should remain open and it would not have much of an affect on Ultimate Hikes tracks were to close over winter.
Pizova is recovering at the Glenorchy home of consul for the Czech Republic Vladka Kennett.
She told NZME that Pizova wanted to donate money to Land SAR and the Department of Conservation as a thank-you.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83661242/Track-closure-over-winter-unlikely-following-Pavlina-Pizova-Routeburn-ordeal | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9e7aac20a11bab9ac82ecb251e84d31e5b173d2e68719f3225dacee9956c72f5.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:50:24 | null | 2016-08-27T03:59:59 | Festival goers wearing T-shirts reading | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fasia%2F83629810%2FHundreds-challenge-human-pyramid-limits-at-Indian-Hindu-festival.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/i/u/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsh6a.png/1472270399865.jpg | en | null | Hundreds challenge human pyramid limits at Indian Hindu festival | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Hundreds challenge human pyramid limits at Indian Hindu festival
SHAILESH ANDRADE Devotees form a human pyramid to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami.
Hindu festival goers wearing T-shirts reading "I will break the law" formed a human pyramid 15 metres tall in an act of defiance.
Hundreds of people attending a Hindu festival in India's western Maharashtra state on Thursday defied India's Supreme Court order limiting the height of human pyramids due to safety concerns.
Members of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) regional party wearing T-shirts reading "I will break the law" formed a human pyramid 15 metres tall in Thane district at a Janmashtami celebration marking the birth of Hindu deity Lord Krishna.
DANISH SIDDIQUI A devotee breaks a clay pot containing curd as others form a human pyramid during celebrations.
India's Supreme Court on Aug. 17 upheld a lower court's decision banning youths under 18 from participating in the ritual and restricting the height of the human pyramid to six metres.
The pyramids invoke Krishna who, according to tradition, formed human pyramids with friends to break pots of butter or curd hung from the ceilings of houses so that they could steal the contents.
Maharashtra's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that it would ask the court to reconsider its order.
SHAILESH ANDRADE The festival marks the birth anniversary of Hindu Lord Krishna.
"Government has taken note of all the feelings. We will once again approach the court but this time we have to respect the court and we have to take people with us," said BJP leader Kirit Somaiya.
In Mumbai, Krishna devotees lay on the ground in a human chain to protest the court order. Another group used a ladder to reach a curd pot and raised black flags in a show of protest.
Hundreds of people are injured every year while forming human pyramids as competition builds up to see which group can make the highest pyramid. Children are used to climb to the top levels without any safety harnesses.
SHAILESH ANDRADE India's Supreme Court order limited the height of human pyramids due to safety concerns.
SHAILESH ANDRADE Hundreds gathered in Mumbai, India for the event.
- Reuters | http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/destinations/asia/83629810/Hundreds-challenge-human-pyramid-limits-at-Indian-Hindu-festival | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/569fd93829fabacfbce2ac95a6b5ae95d63e99084aa5f80348db5c04a174b320.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T16:50:31 | null | 2016-08-27T16:07:24 | As Italy's earthquake struck, nine-year-old Giulia Rinaldo spent her last moments holding her little sister Giorgia. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Feurope%2F83636314%2FItalian-quake-victim-Giulia-Rinaldos-hug-saved-little-sister-Giorgia.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/q/j/v/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsm6y.png/1472314044045.jpg | en | null | Italian quake victim Giulia Rinaldo's hug saved little sister Giorgia | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Italian quake victim Giulia Rinaldo's hug saved little sister Giorgia
REUTERS Crowds of people gather to watch a state funeral for 35 of the 290 people who died during a 6.2 earthquake in central Italy.
In the chaos of Italy's devastating earthquake, an older sister's embrace allowed a young girl to survive.
The heartbreaking story of 9-year-old Giulia Rinaldo and her younger sister Giorgia was recounted Saturday by the bishop who celebrated a funeral Mass for 35 of the 290 people killed by the quake that ravaged central Italy before dawn Wednesday.
Bishop Giovanni D'Ercole recalled that around 6 or 6.30pm on Wednesday - 15 hours after the quake struck - he returned to a church in his diocese in the town of Pescara Del Tronto to recover its crucifix.
REUTERS Pescara del Tronto was devastated by the quake.
At the time, only metres from the church, firefighters were using their hands to dig out the two sisters, he said.
READ MORE:
* Italy holds state funeral
* Hamilton kindy teacher loses family in Italy earthquake
* Italy earthquake death toll keeps rising, with 267 dead and hundreds injured
* Why Italy's earthquake was like Christchurch
* Dozens dead, thousands displaced after strong earthquake hits central Italy
REUTERS Giovanni D'Ercole, bishop of Ascoli Piceno, hugs a woman after the funeral service.
"The older one, Giulia, was sprawled over the smaller one, Giorgia. Giulia, dead, Giorgia, alive. They were in an embrace," D'Ercole said.
He spoke beneath the crucifix that he recovered that evening, hung in a community gym transformed into a makeshift chapel, as Italy held a national day of mourning.
As weeping Italians bid Giulia and 34 other quake victims farewell with a state funeral, Giorgia spent her fourth birthday in a nearby hospital Saturday, recovering from her ordeal.
REUTERS A woman comforts a man during a funeral service.
Massimo Caico, the firefighter who pulled the girls out, told Italy's La Repubblica newspaper that the position of the older girl's body apparently created a pocket of air that allowed Giorgia to survive.
He recounted how a black Labrador, Leo, first gave a sign that he smelled something. Rescuers began digging, finding at first a doll and then a cold human leg, that of Giulia.
Then he saw the ground nearby moving "in the rhythm of what could be breathing."
REUTERS Mourners at the funeral service.
"Maybe they hugged each other in their sleep or in fear, and the body of Giulia saved Giorgia," Caico told the newspaper.
Another firefighter left a heartfelt note on Giulia's coffin, BBC reported.
The note, written in Italian, and signed "Andrea", reads: "Hello, little darling. I only managed to lend a hand to pull you out of the prison of rubble. Forgive us if we arrived too late."
"However, you had stopped breathing by then, but I'd like you to know that we did all we could to pull you out.
"When I return to my house in l'Aquila, I will know that there is an angel watching me from the sky. You will be a shining star in the night. Bye Giulia, I love you even though you never got to know me."
According to Italian news reports, Giorgia is in a state of shock and is practically not speaking anymore. She is only sleeping, crying and asking for her doll and her mother, who is also recovering from earthquake injuries.
- AP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/83636314/Italian-quake-victim-Giulia-Rinaldos-hug-saved-little-sister-Giorgia | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/6a459bf52cf4e8f791b1a81e6752a63c78e2e1f0ea524e33c46df346cf786461.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T20:51:01 | null | 2016-08-27T20:35:09 | The Pumas ahead at half-time against the Springboks. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Finternational%2F83604715%2FLive-Pumas-v-Springboks-Rugby-Championship-Round-2.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/n/c/s/w/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1drxt7.png/1472330116619.jpg | en | null | Live: Pumas v Springboks - Rugby Championship Round 2 | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Live: Pumas v Springboks - Rugby Championship Round 2
Gallo Images No way through for Springbok Francois Louw.
Argentina take on South Africa in Salta in round 2 of the Rugby Championship.
STATS AND SCORECARD:
Summarise and compare
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83604715/Live-Pumas-v-Springboks-Rugby-Championship-Round-2 | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/16506fdab82de055b763c05f1d5828f47134bc242e0a6f069506ef0855adb903.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T04:51:40 | null | 2016-08-29T04:41:46 | Police are at a Hamilton address after someone was seen with a gun. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83686031%2FAir-rifle-sparks-police-call-out-in-Hamilton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/etc/designs/ffx/nz/stuff/social-media-logos/stuff-180x180.jpg | en | null | Air rifle sparks police call out in Hamilton | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Air rifle sparks police call out in Hamilton
Police are at a Chartwell, Hamilton, address after someone was seen with a gun.
The incident happened on Magee Pl, Chartwell on Monday around 4pm.
Waikato Senior Sergeant Robbie Hermann said the incident involved an air rifle.
More to come.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83686031/Air-rifle-sparks-police-call-out-in-Hamilton | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/3c6bc7f5f1c2a30a6a980470dc65c572f12ec4c6d25f9de21a3a9cb95d1685ad.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T02:50:37 | null | 2016-08-27T00:49:38 | Former ABs utility back scores try and sets-up two others as his Irish club Ulster overcome English side Northampton. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Finternational%2F83628847%2FFormer-All-Black-Charles-Piutau-leads-Ulster-to-pre-season-win-against-Northampton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/g/v/o/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsgfj.png/1472259201515.jpg | en | null | Former All Black Charles Piutau leads Ulster to pre-season win against Northampton | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Former All Black Charles Piutau leads Ulster to pre-season win against Northampton
GETTY IMAGES Forme All Blacks utility back Charles Piutau was in fine form as Ulster proved too good for Northampton in a pre-season encounter.
Former All Black Charles Piutau has shone on his home debut for Ulster, scoring a try and impressing all-round in a 29-19 pre-season victory over English club Northampton.
The 24-year old former Blues and Auckland utility back has linked up with the Irish club after a stint in England with Wasps and has wasted little time showing the Kingspan Stadium faithful the ability that earned him 17 caps for New Zealand.
Piutau played a key role in the opening try of the match on Friday (Saturday NZ time), taking down a cross-field kick moments before Louis Ludik crashed over the line in the 18th minute.
Six minutes later, the explosive Kiwi player was dotting down himself, barging his way in the right corner for a 15-0 lead.
READ MORE:
* Piutau wants "another crack" at ABs
* Piutau off to Wasps before joining Ulster
* Device almost certainly for All Blacks
Rob Herring scored the team's third try to give them a 24-0 buffer at halftime and although Northampton got on the board with a try soon after the break, Piutau helped all but seal the win when he made a brilliant run and slick off-load to put Jacob Stockdale over in the 57th minute.
Piutau had also made a try-saving tackle on Samoan international Ken Pisi at the other end of the field just two minutes earlier.
Northampton scored two tries in the last quarter of the match to narrow the eventual margin.
Piutau shocked many when it was confirmed in March last year he would be joining Ulster on a two-year deal this year. While he played for the All Blacks in the 2015 Rugby Championship, he narrowly missed out on selection for the World Cup.
That resulted in the short-term deal with Wasps, where he scored five tries in 11 Premiership games before linking up with Ulster in late June.
Despite missing out on being part of New Zealand's triumph at the World Cup in England, Piutau has since said he still wants to have another crack at playing for the All Blacks again.
"As a player I thought I did everything I could to make the World Cup squad and that's all I could do. I can live with it because I gave it my all," Piutau told The Rugby Paper in March.
"I believe I can become a better player playing in the Northern Hemisphere. I really want to learn as much as I can and add to the skill set that I already have.
"I'll see how I feel at the end of my Ulster contract but the plan is to go back to New Zealand and have another crack at the All Blacks."
Ulster officially start their season with a Pro12 clash against Welsh team Newport Gwent Dragons on Saturday next week.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/international/83628847/Former-All-Black-Charles-Piutau-leads-Ulster-to-pre-season-win-against-Northampton | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/48f9dd6a5e409790810aab4a3cef86af4efc2ec3028bde87366d5d2c52bbe2b8.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T16:51:06 | null | 2016-08-28T15:32:47 | Scoreless draw helps newly-promoted side continue unbeaten streak, but it's bad news for West Brom. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Fworld-game%2F83651633%2FWest-Brom-miss-chance-of-top-six-spot-as-draw-keeps-Middlesbrough-unbeaten.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/y/0/q/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsy0h.png/1472398367830.jpg | en | null | West Brom miss chance of top-six spot as draw keeps Middlesbrough unbeaten | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | West Brom miss chance of top-six spot as draw keeps Middlesbrough unbeaten
EDDIE KEOGH/REUTERS Middlesbrough's Alvaro Negredo applauds after the game.
West Bromwich Albion missed a chance to move into the Premier League's top six when they were held to a 0-0 draw by Middlesbrough on Sunday despite making the better opportunities in a dull game.
Albion were the more progressive side but visiting goalkeeper Brad Guzan saved comfortably from James McClean and defender Brendan Galloway.
The home side might have had a penalty when striker Salomon Rondon clearly had his shirt held by Ben Gibson and Albion's Craig Dawson headed narrowly wide from a corner in the second half.
JOHN SIBLEY/REUTERS West Bromwich Albion's Craig Dawson in action with Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.
Middlesbrough, promoted last season under Spaniard Aitor Karanka, took 73 minutes to have a shot on target but held on to maintain their unbeaten record after three games.
READ MORE:
* Footballer rescues crushed fan
* Rashford saves Man U
* Chelsea thump Burnley
That took them into joint sixth place with Tottenham, ahead of the later game between Manchester City and West Ham.
It was a generally solid performance but one lacking attacking threat, despite the vigorous efforts of Alvaro Negredo, the former Manchester City striker signed on a season's loan from Valencia.
He set up the one shot on goal, by Cristhian Stuani.
"It was an important point," Karanka told Sky Sports.
"West Brom is a difficult place so I am pleased with the players. The discipline was good and the second half in particular it was not easy to play the way we wanted."
Albion manager Tony Pulis has said he wants five more players before Wednesday's transfer deadline.
"I thought we played really well the first 25 minutes, we didn't get a goal and then it petered out," he said.
"We need that bit of quality, we are working hard and hopefully we can do it. This is a great group of players but we are squeezing everything out of them."
- Reuters | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-game/83651633/West-Brom-miss-chance-of-top-six-spot-as-draw-keeps-Middlesbrough-unbeaten | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/6f0f7fbc9bb36754a58f70ae196ddf8d68e9edcae61ac8f2e0559695ca557297.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T04:51:51 | null | 2016-08-30T04:26:35 | This property is listed for sale at $1.5 billion. Yes, a billion. With a B. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Fhome-property%2F83699719%2FFor-sale-at-1-5-billion-Is-this-the-worlds-most-expensive-house.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/9/d/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtz47.png/1472531196107.jpg | en | null | For sale at $1.5 billion: Is this the world's most expensive house? | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | For sale at $1.5 billion: Is this the world's most expensive house?
COTE-DAZUR.IN Villa Les Cedres, on the French Riviera, is on the market at NZ$1.5 billion.
The words "million-dollar house" are nothing new. After years of rising home prices, a figure with six zeros doesn't impress the way it used to.
But a billion-dollar house? Now that will make you sit up and take notice.
Villa Les Cedres in the south of France just hit the market for the first time in almost 100 years and, listed at NZ$1.5 billion, it is the most expensive home for sale in the world.
COTE-DAZUR.IN The 35-acre garden is said to be one of the most beautiful in Europe, and is open to tour groups and the public on certain days of the year.
According to a Daily Mail report, the 10-bedroom property is currently the home of Suzanne Marnier-Lapostolle. The house had been in the Grand Marnier family (world-famous for cognacs and liqueurs) since the 1920s, but the property was included in the $760-million acquisition of Grand Marnier by Italian-based Campari Group in March.
SEE MORE:
* Inside France's Cape Celebrity
* Auckland's 2016 most expensive houses
* Most expensive house ever listed in China
MONACO-HOTEL.COM In terms of residents' personal wealth, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is second only to Monaco.
The property's amenities include 35 acres of manicured lawns and botanical gardens with over 5000 plants and rare tropical vegetation. Considered to be among the most beautiful gardens in Europe, they were designed by the same man who designed the Eiffel Tower gardens. There's also an Olympic-size swimming pool, a ballroom and stables for up to 30 horses.
Villa Les Cedres, which was built around 1830 and was once home to Belgium's King Leopold II, is located in the exclusive town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, near Nice. The villa sits within the grounds of The Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
While $1.5 billion seems almost ludicrous, the right buyer may have room to negotiate. According to Fortune.com, Campari CEO Bob Kunze-Concewitz said the company would entertain offers from a minimum of $330 million.
BryceLoweHomes St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is a favourite holiday destination among the European aristocracy and international millionaires.
Local estate agents divide the market in the South of France into Prime (5 million euros-plus) and Super-prime (10 million euros and above ). Alexander Kraft, chairman and chief executive of Sotheby's International Realty France, says: "The market on the French Riviera actually has been quite depressed for several years now, especially for properties priced at more than $25 million."
- Stuff.co.nz | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/83699719/For-sale-at-1-5-billion-Is-this-the-worlds-most-expensive-house | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/3e44a2d09bc9680938d138274967c98bff4d328ddc8ad4d45c35673f98991c87.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T06:50:55 | null | 2016-08-28T06:19:16 | The Warriors have slumped to their third loss in a row, going down 36-24 to Wests Tigers. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fleague%2F83637675%2FWarriors-lose-to-Wests-Tigers-to-end-finals-hopes.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/u/s/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsn8r.png/1472365235057.jpg | en | null | Warriors lose to Wests Tigers to end finals hopes | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Warriors lose to Wests Tigers to end finals hopes
SKY SPORT The Warriors conceded three tries in the last 10 minutes in a 36-24 loss to the Tigers which ends their playoff chances.
Warriors fans can mark 2016 as yet another failed season after the 24-36 loss to Wests Tigers at Mt Smart Stadium on Sunday ended hopes of making the finals.
The Warriors were up 24-18 with nine minutes to go, but three quick tries to the Tigers meant they're the side still with hopes of finishing in the top eight, while the Warriors are left with just a meaningless game against the Eels next Sunday.
The Warriors, and indeed the Tigers, were given a lifeline by the Panthers defeating the Titans 15-14 on Saturday night, although the Tigers are still reliant on the Cowboys beating the Titans next weekend.
Photosport The Warriors' Mr Consistent, Solomone Kata, picked up his 15th try of the season in the first half against the Tigers.
If that happens and the Tigers beat the Raiders, they'll finish in the top eight.
READ MORE
* Warriors stay alive
* Leuluai concedes Kiwis time coming to end
* Sharks end losing streak
But for the Warriors, the post mortem can begin. It's been a season where there was so much promise at the beginning of the campaign, but the run of not making it to the finals since 2011 continues.
Aaron Woods was outstanding for the Tigers, but didn't always find his way through the defence.
The Warriors were given a boost with Issac Luke back from his knee operation, taking the place of Nathaniel Roache in the team and he did bring an extra spark to hooker.
At the start, the crowd of 14,020 would have thought they were in for a great afternoon.
The Tigers looked fragile up the middle right from the beginning of the match and the Warriors were able to exploit this in the eighth minute when Bodene Thompson burst through the line to score.
But this wasn't going to be a runaway win and 12 minutes later Aaron Woods put a perfectly timed pass to Sauaso Sue a few metres out and Jordan Rankin kicked the subsequent conversion to make the score 6-6.
Woods, who has to be called man of the match in this game, surged over in the 24th minute to put the Tigers in front.
The Warriors could have got back in it in the 31st minute when Luke put through a probing grubber kick, but Blake Ayshford slipped when trying to ground the ball and Joshua Addo-Carr forced it down.
But straight after the Warriors raced down the left edge and Solomone Kata scored and they bagged another try when Simon Mannering caught a bouncing ball under the posts.
In the last minute of the half the Warriors should have been awarded four points for a stunning try to Kata, but controversially it was ruled out because a player blocked Jordan Rankin from getting to the ball carrier.
The Warriors were the better side for the first 15 minutes of the second half, but couldn't add to their score and it was Addo-Carr who scored next for the Tigers with a 90m run.
Rankin's conversion locked the game up at 18-18 and the deadlock was broken when Tuimoala Lolohea took a pass from Shaun Johnson a metre out and ran behind the posts to put the Tigers back in front.
The end of the game was one way traffic for the Tigers though. Luke Brooks kicked a 40/20 with 10 minutes to go and from the following attack Sue claimed his second try.
With three minutes to go Mitchell Moses danced through the Warriors' defence to score the Tigers' next try and the Warriors didn't a get a chance to regroup before Kevin Naiqama's try put the final nail in the coffin of their season.
Warriors 24 (Bodene Thompson, Solomone Kata, Simon Mannering, Tuimoala Lolohea tries; Issac Luke 4 goals) Tigers 36 (Sauaso Sue 2, Aaron Woods, Joshua Addo-Carr, Mitchell Moses, Kevin Naiqama tries; Jordan Rankin 6 goals). HT: 18-12
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/83637675/Warriors-lose-to-Wests-Tigers-to-end-finals-hopes | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/2f8afa0e267953c5ea1eda9c495b5f9ac1048b8d968adaf9001f0ab7fdaaa4b6.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:16 | null | 2016-08-30T22:12:49 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Ftennis%2F83745334%2FPotty-mouthed-Bernard-Tomic-gives-fan-a-spray-at-US-Open.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/y/k/t/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duyba.png/1472596724606.jpg | en | null | Potty-mouthed Bernard Tomic gives fan a spray at US Open | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Potty-mouthed Bernard Tomic gives fan a spray at US Open
ANTHONY GRUPPUSO/USA TODAY SPORTS Bernard Tomic has given a heckler a dose of his own medicine at the US Open.
Bernard Tomic has delivered a foul-mouthed spray to a heckler during his first-round match at the US Open in New York.
French umpire Cedric Mourier advised Tomic to go through the official channels rather than take matters into his own hands after the Australian told the fan to "suck my balls" during his 6-4 6-3 4-6 7-6 (7-0) loss to Damir Dzumhur on Tuesday (Wednesday NZ time).
"I will put my balls in your mouth" and "I will give you some money to make you feel good," Tomic said for all to hear on the Old Grandstand court at Flushing Meadows.
"He was saying some s**t," Tomic added to Mourier when the umpire questioned why he'd lashed out.
READ MORE:
* Painful win for Djokovic
* Energised Nadal completes win
* Murray seeks fourth Slam title
* Williams chases singles record
"It's better you go through me than try to solve it by yourself," Mourier said.
The incident occurred early in the third set with Dzumhur serving with a two-sets-to-love lead.
Tomic regained his cool to win the third set to stay in the match, before losing the fourth-set tiebreak, but could have some further explaining to do.
His Davis Cup teammate Nick Kyrgios was fined and placed on a six-month suspended ban for his infamous "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend, by the way" sledge, which was directed at Swiss star Stan Wawrinka at last year's Toronto Masters.
Tomic's drama-charged defeat also scuppered hopes of a first-time showdown with Kyrgios in the third round this week.
- AAP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/tennis/83745334/Potty-mouthed-Bernard-Tomic-gives-fan-a-spray-at-US-Open | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/ff56f0099a9d91aaca92905be2cb356a43d4d67748f43e3ecf09297b6ff3cc1d.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T02:51:07 | null | 2016-08-29T01:58:49 | Police alleged Quinton Winders' father | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83657339%2FFather-of-alleged-gunman-Max-Winders-takes-the-stand-in-the-George-Taiaroa-murder-trial.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/h/5/z/9/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt2ez.png/1472438091998.jpg | en | null | Father of alleged gunman Max Winders takes the stand in the George Taiaroa murder trial | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Father of alleged gunman Max Winders takes the stand in the George Taiaroa murder trial
George Taiaroa, who was shot dead in Atiamuri.
Quinton Winders' father was alleged by police to be the "mastermind" of the George Taiaroa homicide.
Max Winders was twice questioned by police about the alleged murder.
Quinton Winders is accused of gunning down Taiaroa, a stop-go worker, in Atiamuri in March 2013.
MARK TAYLOR FAIRFAX NZ Quinton Winders is accused of murdering George Taiaroa. The trial is being held at the High Court in Rotorua.
The Crown alleges the catalyst for the killing stemmed from a minor traffic accident on March 12, 2013, which the Crown says Quinton Winders blamed Taiaroa for.
However, the defence claims the homicide was a case of mistaken identity.
While being examined on Monday by defence counsel Jonathan Temm, the court heard that on April 4 and April 18, 2013 - while Max Winders was at his Ngongataha farm - the police Armed Offenders Squad swarmed his house and took him in for questioning.
Max said when he saw three police officers with machine guns coming toward him, "I thought Gestapo had come to get me.
"I thought I was dreaming," Max Winders said in testimony.
"Then they told me they had Quin and also my wife ... under arrest."
On April 18, the Armed Offenders Squad came to the Winders Ngongataha farm again, where he was interviewed by a detective.
It was during the interview that police accused Max Winders of "masterminding the murder of George Taiaroa".
He said that neither he nor his son knew Taiaroa, knew what he looked like, nor knew where he was.
"I also said to him that young Quin couldn't possibly have committed that crime because he knew no more than me."
Earlier in the day's proceedings, the court also heard that Max Winders told his son that the police may pull him over due to his Jeep Cherokee.
Max Winders had learned about the stop-go homicide from William Lane, the man he had backed into at the roadworks on State Highway 1 in Atiamuri, where George Taiaroa was operating a stop-go sign at the time.
In evidence given earlier in the trial, Lane said Taiaroa's sign could not be seen when the minor vehicle mishap occurred.
Questioned by Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon, Max Winders told the court that Lane had rung him to discuss insurance.
During that conversation, Lane told Max Winders that the man who operated the sign on the day of the crash was the man that had been shot dead, the senior Winders testified.
Max Winders said that, at the time, he wasn't aware of the Atiamuri shooting. He watched the news and learned police were hunting for a blue Jeep Cherokee.
"You said after you spoke to Mr Lane, he told you about the stop-go man being murdered and you made a point of watching the news?" Gordon asked.
"Yes," Max Winders responded.
"Did you speak to Quinton about that?" Gordon asked.
"Yes," Max replied.
"What did you say?"
"You can be expected to be pulled up with that vehicle," Max Winders said he told in son. "He just said, 'Oh yeah,' and we carried on with our work."
The conversation happened on Quinton Winders' property near Stratford days after Taiaroa was gunned down.
Max Winders told the court he did not see Taiaroa on the day of the fender-bender with Lane.
Max Winders told the court that on March 19, 2013, the day Taiaroa was gunned down, he had dropped Quinton at the panel beater's in Stratford to pick up his Jeep Cherokee.
"Do you know why Quinton's Jeep was at the panel beater's?" Gordon asked
"He pranged it." Max Winders replied.
"When you dropped Quinton at the panel beater's, what was he going to do after that?" Gordon probed.
Max Winders said that Quinton was looking for a man he knew as Sky Walker, a business associate who was a bulldozer and digger operator.
The senior Winders said he then drove home to his Ngongataha Farm, arriving between 4 and 5pm.
In March 2013, over three trips, Max Winders had taken 12 bullocks (deer) to Quinton's farm near Stratford due to the drought that had affected the grass growth in Ngongataha.
It was during one of the trips that a minor accident happened to the Jeep, he said.
Gordon also questioned Max Winders about his son's guns.
The court learned that Max had given Quinton a .22 rifle for his 21st birthday.
The gun and another .22 that Quinton owned are missing. In a police video interview played to the court earlier in the trial, Quinton Winders told police the guns were either stolen from his gun cabinet or he had left them on a hill while out hunting.
The trial, now in its fourth week, continues.
Motive key in trial
The Crown case alleges a minor traffic accident, which Quinton Winders blamed Taiaroa for, was the catalyst for the killing.
"No one heard the shot, but the coverage that followed resonated around New Zealand," said Crown prosecutor Amanda Gordon in the trial's opening, describing the killing as a "murder" that "shocked the nation."
She said a truck driver saw Taiaroa beckoned over to the window of a blue Jeep Cherokee.
"He [Taiaroa] was then seen to immediately fall to the ground, the blue Jeep Cherokee then sped off."
Gordon conceded it might seem "inexplicable" that a minor traffic accident could escalate into murder, but she told the jury the accident "concerned the Winders [family] more than you might think".
Gordon also claimed Winders' blue Jeep Cherokee was later found at his parents' property, and efforts had been made to alter its appearance.
"The defendant and the murderer drove a blue Jeep Cherokee," she said.
"Evidence, when put together, will establish Quinton Winders was the driver of that Jeep Cherokee."
Defence lawyer Temm, however, claimed no motive existed for Winders to want to kill Taiaroa.
Pointing to Quinton Winders in the witness box on the opening day of the trial, Temm addressed the jury directly.
"Is this man here, this man, the man who shot the deceased?" he said.
"He doesn't know Mr Taiaroa, never met him, no dealings with him, no motive to kill him."
Temm also took issue with the differing descriptions given by witnesses of the vehicle seen at the scene, and the police investigation into his client.
"He [Quinton Winders] was the only focus … Police haven't followed the evidence. They've made him their target. The defence is going to show you there is other evidence they've simply ignored."
Temm also argued it was hard to believe Quinton Winders made a 500km round trip "in order to kill a man he's never met, never spoken to and had no reason to kill".
"The police are not always right and the correct place to start is Mr Winders is innocent," he said.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83657339/Father-of-alleged-gunman-Max-Winders-takes-the-stand-in-the-George-Taiaroa-murder-trial | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/994d5d1b4607643d5cbbfd928b65bc855f68c0371b0fa3146f64dd6db6a0bbca.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T22:51:26 | null | 2016-08-28T22:42:40 | Your bosses may not like it, but using Facebook at work could save you from burnout. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Flife-style%2Fwell-good%2Fteach-me%2F83660291%2FWhy-using-social-media-at-work-can-prevent-burnout.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/7/4/3/e/l/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt4oz.png/1472424160577.jpg | en | null | Why using social media at work can prevent burnout | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Why using social media at work can prevent burnout
123RF Using social media during work could help lower burnout in employees who have high levels of mindfulness.
It's a rare person who doesn't check their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter account while they are at work.
And while bosses all over the world may be grumpy their employees are using personal social media accounts at work, research indicates it may actually be good for us, suggesting the days of concealing our scrolling, posting and liking may be coming to an end.
A recent study published in the Journal of Health Psychology, conducted by Dr Peerayuth Charoensukmongkol, investigated the impact of intensity social media use at work has on emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and lack of personal accomplishment.
The findings suggested that using social media during work could help lower burnout in employees who have high levels of mindfulness.
READ MORE:
* What social media is really doing to our brains
* The social media posts that are bad for our health
* Why do people rant on Twitter?
"Originally, the motivation for this research came from [considering] the issue of whether companies should allow or ban employees from social media access in the workplace," says Charoensukmongkol.
"On the positive side, using social media during work can help employees relax from the stress they experience from work." But, says Charoensukmongkol, many organisations believe that using social media during work can be counterproductive because it causes distraction. This in turn affects our ability to focus on work and can result in feelings of stress and pessimism.
MINDFUL, NOT MINDLESS, SCROLLING
Rather than thinking of social media in the binary terms of 'good' or 'bad', Charoensukmongkol wanted to look at the personal characteristics of employees using social media.
"Given the benefits of mindfulness that enhance awareness and behavioural regulations, I believed that if people are mindful when they use social media, it might help them effectively regulate social media behaviours and to avoid negative consequences that might follow when they are not aware of their activities in social media," he says.
Charoensukmongkol's findings were significant. He discovered that using social media at work can help lower burnout for those who are mindful, but using social media during work tends to increase burnout in employees who have a low level of mindfulness.
The explanation for the results is clear, says Charoensukmongkol.
"Given that mindful individuals tend to be aware of activities they are doing, it is less likely they will get carried away by social media," he says. So although they enjoy the social media experience, mindful people are not attached to it. They also tend to only use social media to the level that makes them relax so that they can be productive at work. "For this reason, their social media use at work can lower burnout," says Charoensukmongkol.
"Conversely for those who lack mindfulness, when they are not aware of what they are doing, they are more likely to get carried away when they use social media during work," he says. "This behaviour can negatively affect their work and lead to stress and burnout as a result."
BUT THERE'S A (LEGAL) CATCH
Trent Hancock, a Senior Associate at employment law firm McDonald Murholme says we should be aware that excessive use of personal social media accounts during work time could be considered as misconduct and can result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
"During business hours an employee is required to devote their attention to their work," Hancock says. "Any excessive use of social media accounts that interferes with the employee's obligation to perform their work can give rise to disciplinary action."
Hancock says employees should be aware that employers may have the ability to monitor individuals' Internet access on company devices and may rely upon the excessive use of personal social media during work time to justify disciplinary action. "Employees should also be mindful not to post anything on social media that is critical of their employer, regardless as to whether it is posted during work hours or outside of work hours," he adds.
TIPS FOR USING SOCIAL MEDIA MINDFULLY AT WORK
Do you really need to get alerted every time someone likes or comments on one of your posts? As hard as it may be, turn off all your notifications during work time.
Before you check your social media accounts, think about your expectations and intentions – are you hoping to connect with people? To see if others have liked what you have recently posted? Will you reply to people's messages or comments? Be clear on why you are logging on.
Schedule in social media breaks during your workday.
Set a timer when you logon to your personal social media at work – no more than 10 minutes – and once it goes off get back to work. | http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/83660291/Why-using-social-media-at-work-can-prevent-burnout | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/de880c27e9f3f19d4cd4e7de0bc916974869597dae361a2e27ee6344f7b86187.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T00:51:11 | null | 2016-08-28T00:42:08 | Steve Hansen dismisses reports out of the Wallabies camp of a secret meeting with referee Romain Poite. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Frugby%2Fall-blacks%2F83639580%2FAll-Blacks-deny-Australian-claims-of-clandestine-meeting-with-referee.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/o/s/x/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsopo.png/1472344928995.jpg | en | null | All Blacks deny Australian claims of clandestine meeting with referee | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | All Blacks deny Australian claims of clandestine meeting with referee
Sky Sport All Blacks prop Owen Franks under scrutiny from Wallabies for alleged eye-gouging incident.
What a load of rubbish, says All Blacks coach Steve Hansen.
He's dismissed reports out of the Wallabies camp that he held a secret meeting with referee Romain Poite, ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington.
Just as he says there's no foundation to allegations New Zealand prop Owen Franks eye-gouged Australia's Kane Douglas.
Phil Walter Prop Owen Franks drinks from the Bledisloe Cup after the All Blacks' win over Australia on Saturday.
Franks has not been cited for the first-half incident, in which his left hand made contact with Douglas' face during an All Blacks lineout drive.
Wallaby coach Michael Cheika said on Saturday that Franks' actions were blatant, before Australia's media contingent were tipped off about an official complaint to World Rugby.
That related to reportsHansen and an assistant had met with Poite ahead the test, without Cheika being informed. That would have contravened World Rugby's regulations, had it happened.
Anthony Au-Yeung All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has dismissed reports he met with Romain Poite.
READ MORE:
* Bledisloe Cup stays put
* Recap: All Blacks v Wallabies
* Wallabies bring niggle, but little else
* Play-by-play: how the Aussies received another thumping
* All Blacks player ratings
TVNZ The All Blacks first-five praised the young debutant after his first test.
Hansen's adamant it did not.
Although he did meet with Jaco Peyper in Wellington, who'd refereed the previous Saturday's test in Sydney and was a touch judge at Westpac Stadium.
"It's quite sad that that's come out, because it's not true. Unless you say 'g'day Romain' in the morning [constitutes a clandestine meeting], he stayed here at this hotel," Hansen said on Sunday.
"But I did have a meeting with Jaco Peyper this week, at his request. Crono [All Blacks scrum coach Mike Cron] and I both got asked by him to review some of the stuff that he had seen in our game and I'm a firm believer that we're here to support the referees and help them.
"It's a difficult game to ref, so why wouldn't you have the meeting? But certainly didn't have one with Romain Poite. We don't meet the ref, haven't done for about 18 to 24 months because it's just a waste of time."
Asked where the story might've come from Hansen said "I'm not sure, you'd have to ask Mr Cheika."
But his best response came when asked if it had been upsetting for a false allegation to surface.
"Oh, terribly, terribly. I'm shattered. We've got to be able to talk about something better than that, don't we?"
As for Franks, Hansen said the fact Sanzaar have deemed there are no incidents from the match that warrant further review or sanction meant there wasn't a lot to be said about that either.
"I've seen the footage and I agree with the independent person who said there's nothing to answer for," said Hansen.
"I mean you've got to be really, really careful until you see all the views and social media were the people who alerted everyone to it, so they certainly don't all the views. There's a process and that process has been followed and whoever the citing commissioner was has obviously seen all the angles and believes there's nothing to answer for.
"In the same game you can go to two or three other lineouts where they're driving and the same thing happens. It's an unfortunate by-product, I think, of the mauling rules that we have, because the only way you can get there [to the ball] is through clambering over the top and then that creates a response.
"People try and pull them out of the way and they only thing they can use is the head area. We'll look at that and try and make sure that we don't go around that area because it creates a problem, but if there's no case to answer, there's no case to answer."
Poite viewed the incident from point blank range and no action was taken.
However Cheika suggested it was obvious and that some sort of post-match sanction would be likely.
- Dominion Post | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/83639580/All-Blacks-deny-Australian-claims-of-clandestine-meeting-with-referee | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/b121689f30c8e2331031bdfac71e5b658d877b5e07d615a8d5f369756add923b.json |
[] | 2016-08-28T02:50:59 | null | 2016-08-28T02:34:14 | Fancy winning big on Lotto? A move to Dunedin might just pay off. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83635367%2FDunedin-proving-a-big-Lotto-win-hot-spot-in-2016.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/a/p/0/i/v/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dslgn.png/1472351654538.jpg | en | null | Dunedin proving a big Lotto win hot spot in 2016 | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Dunedin proving a big Lotto win hot spot in 2016
SUPPLIED Saturday night's three Lotto winners are splitting $1 million.
Dunedin is fast becoming the luckiest place for big Lotto wins.
One of the city's players is among three in South Island punters who are splitting Saturday's $1 million first division Lotto draw. Each is in for a $333,333 boost to the bank balance.
Last week, a Dunedin winner scooped a $13.3m jackpot in the Powerball.
That winning ticket was sold at South Dunedin Night N Day and is made up of $13 million from Powerball First Division and $333,333 from Lotto First Division.
READ MORE:
* Dunedin Lotto winners celebrate with fish n chips and 'fancy' oysters
* How lucky is your area in 2016?
* Dunedin ticket scoops $13.3m prize
The winners celebrated with fish and chips. They planned to buy a new car and remain in Dunedin "as we love it here and wouldn't want to live anywhere else". The Otago city is no stranger to big Lotto wins, with a Dunedin resident sharing a third of the record $40m Powerball jackpot on July 9. Lotto figures show Dunedin has scooped the most in prize money this year, ($28 million), followed by Ashburton ($22.8 million) Waikato ($16 million) and Hamilton ($15.3 million). The highest number of Lotto first division winning tickets were sold in Manukau (15), followed by Auckland (14) and Christchurch (11). Saturday's winning tickets were sold at Countdown Rangiora East in Rangiora and through MyLotto from two players in Dunedin and Invercargill.
Anyone who bought their ticket for Saturday's draw from Countdown Rangiora East should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it at a Lotto outlet, online at MyLotto.co.nz or through the Lotto NZ ticket-checker app.
Powerball was not struck on Saturday and has rolled over to Wednesday night, with a $6m jackpot.
Strike Four rolled over tonight and will be $300,000 on Wednesday.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83635367/Dunedin-proving-a-big-Lotto-win-hot-spot-in-2016 | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/7a734fd8f3962aa61724682f4c4d179d8faa88d287517e72a9c4aaf0907f7af5.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T04:50:31 | null | 2016-08-27T03:07:25 | Police kept busy with pursuits on Saturday. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83630997%2FPolice-chases-in-Hamilton.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/etc/designs/ffx/nz/stuff/social-media-logos/stuff-180x180.jpg | en | null | Police chases in Hamilton | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Police chases in Hamilton
Hamilton police pursued and caught two drivers who attempted to out-race them on Saturday.
The first chase began shortly after 9am on Saturday, after a car was seen by police speeding in the Hillcrest area.
The car was subsequently dumped in an unspecified area near the city and the driver managed to temporarily evade police by running off.
The 26-year-old man was tracked down and arrested later on Saturday and charged with dangerous driving and failing to stop.
The second pursuit happened at 2.15pm after another car was spotted by police on Peachgrove Road.
For as yet unknown reasons, the police activated their lights and sirens and attempted to get the driver of the vehicle to pull over. He responded by accelerating away.
A short pursuit followed, which ended in a car park on Dawson Street, with the sole occupant of the vehicle again running from the vehicle, but being caught and arrested soon after.
It is not yet known what charges could be pending in that matter.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83630997/Police-chases-in-Hamilton | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/257221afaefc412eb8217758b14508cc2ef380f2f7a1dc378f0374f6862e552f.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T00:51:36 | null | 2016-08-29T23:11:58 | Rideshare driver berated by passenger as | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2F83695957%2FWhos-in-the-wrong-Woman-berates-driver-over-bobblehead-hula-girl-doll.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/8/k/f/q/0/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtw7p.png/1472516241207.jpg | en | null | Who's in the wrong? Woman berates driver over bobblehead hula girl doll | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Who's in the wrong? Woman berates driver over bobblehead hula girl doll
Canadian News Agency / YouTube Lyft passenger berates driver for his dashboard doll.
A video has emerged of a woman berating a rideshare driver for being "disrespectful" and "entitled" over the Hawaiian hula girl doll on his dashboard - but who is in the wrong?
The video from inside the Lyft car - similar to Uber - showed the woman known as "AN" criticising the driver.
She asked him whether he thought about the "pillaging of, like, continent of Hawaii", the Daily Mail reported.
Kevin Lamarque/Reuters A Hawaiian Santa ornament sits atop a Christmas tree on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The doll was offensive, she said.
READ MORE:
* Actor Gene Wilder has died
* Clowns attempt to lure children into woods in US
* UK lottery curse strikes
The confused driver didn't seem to understand what the passenger was saying or what she meant.
"I'm not going to get rid of it because of that...I just didn't realise that it was offensive to anybody."
AN suggested he might be the "least hurt" in the situation because the driver was a "white male", but he told the passenger that he was actually Asian.
Canadian News Agency In the video, shot at night, the hula doll on the Lyft driver's dash upsets a passenger.
"But now you're judging me, you're assuming where I'm from.
"Alright, well obviously you're going to give me a one star [a review], but I'm not taking it down, so I'm sorry about that.
"Do whatever you like, I'm not trying to offend you, if you want me to drop you off over here or at the next exit I can do that," the driver said.
The passenger replied: "I'm a passenger in your car, like, that doll is offensive to me, but you don't want to take it down because you, like, found it at [charity outlet] Goodwill and it was a good find."
The driver said he didn't really know where to go with the conversation and he could not understand why "beautiful Lady Lola" was offensive.
He also said it was his first bad experience as a Lyft driver.
AN said she wanted the doll removed because it was "actually deeply offensive" and said the video was going to end up on news website Gawker, which was now defunct.
"And you'll be like the next internet meme, it's going to be super funny.
"Yeah, I mean like God forbid anyone take your special Hawaiian doll away from you...because it's a thing that actually affects my life, and a thing that doesn't affect your life."
After two minutes of AN berating the driver, another passenger - who was not identified - said the whole conversation was irrelevant and "sad".
AN continued: "That's a disrespectful object that you have in your car and whether you're Asian or not you should be considerate to the fact that you have passengers that don't find that thing to be...it might not be amusing to all passengers."
The driver also said the woman was rude, which she denied.
"You have been actually very rude and extremely entitled.
"Yeah, I'm sorry that you have no consideration for actual Hawaiian people who don't want to be a bobblehead item in your car while you're driving for Lyft.
"You f***ing selfish dumb*** idiot."
Eventually, the woman got out after the driver ended the ride and asked her to leave.
"It's my car. I'm confirming a drop off. Here's a sidewalk. Have a wonderful night."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/83695957/Whos-in-the-wrong-Woman-berates-driver-over-bobblehead-hula-girl-doll | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/e59ac1a635c099bd41b354ecf0acabced71087476f7a4a20404a1ea8140e62a7.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:51:35 | null | 2016-08-29T20:14:07 | Twenty-five tickets to crunch Boomers basketball match | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Folympics%2F83695885%2F80-Australian-athletes-in-Rio-recycled-tickets-to-gain-entry-to-Boomers-semifinal.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/w/c/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtw5p.png/1472501648364.jpg | en | null | 80 Australian athletes in Rio 'recycled' tickets to gain entry to Boomers semifinal | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | 80 Australian athletes in Rio 'recycled' tickets to gain entry to Boomers semifinal
CHRIS GRAYTHEN/GETTY IMAGES Kitty Chiller had warned athletes against placing stickers over accreditations.
An investigation into the accreditation tampering episode that led to Australian athletes being detained overnight at a Rio de Janeiro police station has found that a further 80 gained entry to the men's basketball team's semifinal against Serbia by "recycling" tickets.
More than a week after the closing ceremony in Brazil, the Australian Olympic Committee is continuing an internal inquiry into how athletes came to be supplied with stickers to place over their accreditation placards in order for them to be able to sit in the athletes' section to watch what was an eagerly awaited Boomers match.
While nine athletes – among them rowers, cyclists and archers – were fined 10,000 reis (NZ$4260) after being held at a police station and then a major events court for more than 10 hours until 5.30am, it has now emerged that there were many more Australian athletes in attendance at the game without tickets who escaped the attention of authorities.
AOC director of media and communications Mike Tancred confirmed that the investigation had found that the other athletes had recycled tickets to get into the match.
READ MORE:
* Kiwi Olympians beg and borrow to get to Rio
* Athletics NZ eyes silver lining to record haul
* Record-breaking Games for NZ
While accredited personnel, such as athletes, can wander into most Olympic venues, tickets are distributed to national organising committees and onwards to others such as the media for high-demand events such as the swimming finals.
The Boomers' semifinal on the third last day of the Games, which they ultimately lost by 26 points before being denied a bronze medal against Spain, was one of them.
The Australians had 25 such tickets in their possession but about 80 athletes were able to gain access to the Carioca Arena basketball stadium with them by a process of having those already inside passing tickets on to others waiting outside.
The ploy to recycle tickets was hardly a major offence in itself.
Past Olympians have spoken about sneaking into venues to support teammates as among their favourite memories and on this occasion there was ample room in the public section where the 80 athletes sat separate from those with stickers on their accreditations who would end up being charged by police for falsifying a document.
They were able to all gain entry because the tickets were not scanned by the gate attendants.
However, the attention police in Rio gave to those who had tampered with their accreditations to see the game suggests the other Australians may have been fortunate not to have had the ticket recycling exercise discovered.
There was a belief that Brazilian authorities had used the stickers affair as an opportunity to hit back after weeks of bad publicity about the host city and its crime and in particular the exaggerations of American swimmer Ryan Lochte about being held at gunpoint during a night out.
Australia's chef de mission at the Olympics Kitty Chiller was adamant in Rio that the athletes detained were not at fault and the AOC paid the fines for the nine: cyclists Ashlee Ankudinoff and Melissa Hoskins; rugby sevens captain Ed Jenkins; archers Alec Potts and Ryan Tyack; rowers Olympia Aldersey, Fiona Alber and Lucy Stephan; and hockey player Simon Orchard.
While an investigation continues the likelihood is that responsibility will fall on officials from the AOC's athlete services division, four of whom were flown home before the end of the Games to avoid winding up under police scrutiny as well. Chiller had reportedly warned them against the practice of placing stickers on accreditations midway through the Olympics.
- SMH | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/olympics/83695885/80-Australian-athletes-in-Rio-recycled-tickets-to-gain-entry-to-Boomers-semifinal | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/4669332c6afe69278c764ab20014bdf0db059837a3c69c4f14d9c070db31d456.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:50:31 | null | 2016-08-26T21:33:41 | Two Kiwi crews claim silver on second day of finals at under-23 world champs in the Netherlands. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fother-sports%2F83626941%2FMore-medals-for-young-New-Zealand-rowers-at-under-23-world-championships.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/f/4/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dseyl.png/1472247221151.jpg | en | null | More medals for young New Zealand rowers at under-23 world championships | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | More medals for young New Zealand rowers at under-23 world championships
GETTY IMAGES Jackie Kiddle teamed up with Lucy Jonas to win silver for New Zealand in the lightweight women's double at the under-23 world championships.
New Zealand has added to its medal haul at the under-23 world rowing championships in the Netherlands after the men's quad and lightweight women's double both claimed silver.
Following on from the men's coxed four raced golden triumph and the men's coxless four's bronze a day earlier, two more Kiwi crews powered their way onto the podium in Rotterdam on Friday (Saturday NZ time).
The men's quad of Jordan Parry, Cameron Crampton, Oliver Stephens and Jack O'Leary produced a superb second half of the race in their A final to take silver.
Fourth at the halfway mark of their A final, they pushed their way up to third after 1500m and at the finish line were just 0.48 seconds behind eventual winners Australia.
READ MORE:
* Men's coxed four win U23 gold
* Old school mentality slated
Lucy Jonas and Jackie Kiddle stormed home in similar fashion in the A final of the lightweight women's double.
The New Zealand duo were fourth at 500m and third at 1000m and 1500m before gaining another place over the latter 500m to finish two seconds behind the Netherlands.
Just 0.31 seconds separated the Kiwi team from another medal on the second day of finals, the women's eight crossing the line in fourth.
Women's single sculler Luka Ellery was fifth in the B final of that class.
New Zealand could well double its gold medal tally later on Saturday at the event, which doubles as the senior world championships for non-Olympic classes.
The reigning world champion in the lightweight women's single, Zoe McBride defends that crown in the A final at 10.25pm (NZ time) after notching up a commanding win in her semifinal.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/83626941/More-medals-for-young-New-Zealand-rowers-at-under-23-world-championships | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/4b1b6694844ad978bdc38a3caa9f25a5cb65d5f6ebb539a2a4794633730054fb.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T06:50:20 | null | 2016-08-27T05:42:21 | Black Caps skipper says best team will win series, despite 'one-off' clash. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83633696%2FSouth-Africa-series-no-lottery-says-Black-Caps-skipper-Kane-Williamson.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/k/7/l/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsk68.png/1472276541246.jpg | en | null | South Africa series no 'lottery', says Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | South Africa series no 'lottery', says Black Caps skipper Kane Williamson
NZ Cricket BLACKCAPS captain Kane Williamson ahead of the second Test against South Africa at Centurion.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has dismissed suggestions that the abandoned first test has reduced the series against South Africa to a "lottery".
Less than 100 overs of play were possible in Durban due to a sodden, recently relaid outfield, meaning the series rests entirely on the result of the second test in Centurion, which gets under way on Saturday night (NZ time).
The Black Caps are aiming for their first ever series triumph in South Africa and Williamson said the prospect of a one-off match deciding the outcome would not diminish what they are hoping to achieve.
MUZI NTOMBELA/PHOTOSPORT Kane Williamson is hoping to lead the Black Caps to their first series win in South Africa.
"You don't have too many lotteries in test cricket. Over five days, generally the team that plays more consistent cricket wins the game or at least gets ahead in the match," Williamson said at the pre-match press conference.
READ MORE:
* Black Caps aiming for history
* Off to Lord's? Stick a cork in it
* Jayawardene digs into Smith
"It is a shame that we aren't able to play two full tests or even more but that is what it is, so our preparations are very much on adapting to this surface and hopefully putting out a strong performance.
"But it would be nice to play three or more tests in a series. The more you play against the same opposition the more you learn about them."
However, his South African counterpart Faf du Plessis left little doubt as to what he thought of the schedule.
"A two-match series is too short. With the current schedule, having five-match series is going to be hard in the future," du Plessis said.
"I personally like three or four test series. With two tests you only just get going and unfortunately a once-off here is what we've been dealt."
The good news for all involved is that the embarrassing scenes from the first test are unlikely to be repeated with clear skies forecast for the full five days.
Like Kingsmead, SuperSport Park's outfield was also relaid, but that took place in April - more than two months earlier than in Durban - and all indications are that it will hold up.
"It looks a good outfield, there don't seem to be too many clouds about and there should be no problems," Williamson added.
Less is known about the pitch.
It is expected to be less lively than a traditional Centurion wicket but Williamson wanted another look before he settled on his playing XI.
"I'm sure the balance (of the team) will remain similar, we're just wanting to know with the sun around how much it may have dried out with that extra spin option in mind."
Regardless of the conditions, du Plessis says his bowlers will start the match with their tails up having reduced New Zealand to 15-2 in Durban before play was called off.
And he's vowed to keep the heat on the Black Caps batsman.
"New Zealand are not a team who bat down to 10 and 11, so you can get through their high-quality batsmen at the top of the order, you can put some pressure on them."
The second test begins at 8pm (NZ time) on Saturday.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83633696/South-Africa-series-no-lottery-says-Black-Caps-skipper-Kane-Williamson | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/e7b8425a954c2da0d01110b9fb840160a7f63b70802ca2148f675b5b2ca24bb1.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T20:51:46 | null | 2016-08-29T20:00:04 | A hunter who dug up a protected wetland ended up making a watery grave for his digger. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83679991%2FFormal-warnings-for-digging-duck-pond-on-protected-wetland.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/m/m/7/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dtjw7.png/1472500810409.jpg | en | null | Formal warnings for digging duck pond on protected wetland | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Formal warnings for digging duck pond on protected wetland
A duck shooter has been issued with two formal warnings after getting an excavator stuck while digging a pond on protected wetlands in the Firth of Thames.
What was meant as a duck pond ended up in an excavator's watery grave and with formal warnings for the operator.
A keen duck shooter has dodged prosecution from the Waikato Regional Council after he took to an area of protected Waikato wetland with the 20-tonne excavator.
He received two formal warnings instead.
Council investigations manager Patrick Lynch said the area is categorised as a Ramsar site - a wetland of international importance, designated for protection under the Ramsar Convention.
READ MORE:
*Regional council hands out more warnings over nitrogen leaching in Lake Taupo
*Wetland restoration prominent in Waikato River Authority funding applications
*Community and schools partners to help restore wetlands
There are only six Ramsar sites in New Zealand.
In February, the man borrowed the excavator to cut a pond next to his Waitakaruru maimai in the southern Firth of Thames.
The internationally significant wetland extends between Miranda and Thames and is one of New Zealand's three most important coastal stretches for shorebirds.
Council staff were tipped off by a complaint while the excavator was stuck.
Investigation officers found the machine almost fully submerged in a large hole with part of the cab and boom visible above the water.
Piles of excavated marine mud were found around the pond.
The excavator operator claimed he was removing leftover building materials from his maimai, but further investigations found he was preparing the pond for the start of the duck-shooting season in May.
Matters were made worse for the wetland environment when he called in heavy machines to recover the stuck excavator.
"Human activity is the biggest threat to any wetland and people simply cannot go in there with 20-tonne diggers destroying habitats," Lynch said.
It's not the first time it's happened.
There was a similar incident north of Waitakaruru in 2013, when a farmer received a formal warning for digging a duck pond.
Lynch said there is scope for some activity on wetlands, but restrictions are in place.
"We are very fortunate to have such an exceptional wetland in our region. Being listed as a Ramsar site recognises the need to provide additional protection to the area and its diverse bird, plant and fish life," Lynch said.
There are more than 2200 Ramsar sites around the world.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83679991/Formal-warnings-for-digging-duck-pond-on-protected-wetland | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/5d809c2b07f08b4b8071d87f31d13e57479e3b74704162af3c1b508b25ce9079.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T14:51:51 | null | 2016-08-30T14:46:55 | Kiwi parents demand answers after Malakai Paraone was turned away by Australian hospitals before his death. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Faustralia%2F83740375%2FKiwi-baby-Malakai-Matui-Paraone-dies-after-Australian-hospitals-sent-him-home.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/u/j/p/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duuhj.png/1472568415771.jpg | en | null | Kiwi baby Malakai Matui Paraone dies after Australian hospitals sent him home | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Kiwi baby Malakai Matui Paraone dies after Australian hospitals sent him home
GOFUNDME.COM Malakai Matui Paraone visited three different clinics, which failed to give him life-saving treatment.
A Kiwi couple are heartbroken after their baby son died of suspected meningitis, after two West Australian hospitals turned him away instead of giving him life-saving treatment.
Seven-month-old Malakai Matui Paraone was taken to two Perth hospitals over consecutive nights last week with a temperature, joint pains, a rash and lack of movement on the right side of his body.
But he was sent home by both Princess Margaret Hospital and Midland Public Hospital, after staff diagnosed him with a pulled elbow and teething, his parents said.
NINE NEWS Nicole Thompson and Te Keepa Paraone want answers over their son's death.
His parents, Nicole Thompson and Te Keepa Paraone, took him back to Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday, when staff finally realised he was dying, but it was too late to save him. Malakai was placed on life support but died on Friday.
His cause of death was not immediately clear. Thompson told Nine News that on Thursday, hospital staff said they believed he had meningococcal meningitis.
But after she told them he'd been sent home by doctors there days earlier, staff instead said they believed he had septicaemia (blood poisoning), which may have been caused by a throat infection.
GOFUNDME.COM The seven-month-old died of suspected meningitis, but doctors later said it may have been blood poisoning.
Thompson accused the hospital of negligence, which led to her son's death.
"They know they've done wrong," she told Nine News.
"If they had done their job properly, my son would still be here.
"Three days I tried to get him help, three days. Two hospitals, one doctor's surgery, an ambulance trip."
She said staff at Midland Hospital had laughed at her when she suggested her son's symptoms might all be related.
"I am going to fight this to the end. My son was strong for four days. I'm going to be strong for him and I'm going to get the justice he deserves."
Neither hospital would discuss Malakai's treatment but expressed sympathy to his family for their loss.
In a statement to AAP, Princess Margaret's acting executive director Michelle Dillon said she could not provide details about the treatment of individual patients, but extended her "deepest sympathies" to the family.
Malakai's death was referred to the coroner.
West Australia Health Minister John Day has also ordered an investigation of how both hospitals and the doctor's clinic handled Malakai's care.
He, too, offered an apology to Malakai's parents.
"I am very sorry as a parent myself and now as a grandparent of a three-year-old that there has been this outcome," he said.
A fundraising page has since been set up to help cover costs for Malakai's funeral, and has already exceeded its A$15,000 target.
- Stuff and WA Today | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/83740375/Kiwi-baby-Malakai-Matui-Paraone-dies-after-Australian-hospitals-sent-him-home | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/96ee0c46c03a874f57ff79f81ba2f8da60caf380aab515aebe726e64ffaa966d.json |
[] | 2016-08-27T20:51:16 | null | 2016-08-27T19:32:27 | Louise Talbot admits error over her family's UK immigration papers, but says they shouldn't be deported. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Feurope%2F83636426%2FNZ-family-utterly-distraught-at-potential-deportation-from-UK-over-immigration-error.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/s/h/r/w/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dsma2.png/1472326347106.png | en | null | NZ family 'utterly distraught' at potential deportation from UK over immigration error | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | NZ family 'utterly distraught' at potential deportation from UK over immigration error
SUPPLIED New Zealander Louise Talbot says her family has fallen into "a grey area" in Britain's immigration system.
A Kiwi couple living in England say they are "utterly distraught" at the prospect of their family being torn apart after a delay in their immigration application left them facing deportation.
Louise and John Talbot have lived in Dorset for six years while helping their sons establish a cattle farm, but they've been ordered by the Home Office to leave the country after falling into "a grey area" in the rules.
The couple told Stuff that they are continuing to fight the decision to deny them Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in the UK after they missed a deadline due to delays in booking and passing a required test.
The Talbots' troubles began when they and their younger son, Charles, went to apply for ILR in April last year.
READ MORE: Kiwi couple face deportation from UK
Louise Talbot said the couple and their son, Charles, ticked all the boxes to qualify for ILR, as they already had UK ancestry visas.
Charles is studying at a British university, while his older brother, Edward, was born in England, and has dual citizenship with New Zealand.
Under the law, their ILR application could be made no more than 28 days before the end of their permitted stay.
With that in mind, Talbot booked their face-to-face application appointment for May 13.
They paid a £5700 (NZ$14,340) application fee for "same-day" consideration, rather than submitting a postal application, which could take up to six months to be approved.
There was a sense of urgency, as Charles needed his ILR approved before he could get a student loan for his second year of university, she said.
However, the family later discovered that despite having ancestry visas, they would also need to book and sit the Life in the UK (LITUK) test - a 24-question quiz about British traditions and customs.
Louise and John Talbot both passed the test on their first go in April, but Charles, who was sitting his university exams at the same time, required three attempts to pass.
There was a two-week delay each time he re-sat the test, which pushed the family's final application date past the deadline, Talbot told Stuff.
Talbot admitted she made an error of judgment over the process, for which she was "truly sorry", but the family felt the error should not mean they had to leave Britain.
"We are utterly distraught at the thought of our lives being devastated because of a technicality," she told Stuff.
"The way the Home Office judicial procedure is structured does not give us the opportunity to explain our case. We understand that Home Official officials must follow procedure, but in exceptional circumstances, they do have the ability to apply discretion."
The family had spent thousands of dollars on legal fees, but had been unable to overturn the decision through the Home Office's self-review process.
However, the judge hearing their case was critical of the Home Office's decision, calling it "an unduly harsh result".
"There is really no reason, frankly, why this application should be refused if the applicants can meet what I would like to call the substantive requirements, namely the fact of ancestry and the fact that they have successfully all passed this test," the judge said.
There was no scope under the law to take the ruling to a higher court, Talbot said.
They were now appealing to the Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Goodwill, to intervene.
The trio's passports had been seized and they were ordered to leave the UK voluntarily, or be made to pay for their own deportation.
Talbot earlier told The Daily Mail she was prepared to go to prison in order to have the issue resolved.
She told Stuff she believed selecting same-day consideration had counted against her family.
If they had applied via the postal application system, they "absolutely" would have been successful, she said.
Talbot said she had been advised that about 42 per cent of postal applications were incomplete or had errors, but those applicants were given extra opportunities to meet the requirements, and had a longer timeframe to do so.
Instead, her family had fallen into a grey area in the system.
Talbot - who is also a cheese-maker - said her family was looking to develop an agri-business in the United Kingdom, using New Zealand expertise and technology.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/83636426/NZ-family-utterly-distraught-at-potential-deportation-from-UK-over-immigration-error | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/c28bd9229bb383703ba6f8fc34092916eeda162462f5243b88d3bc6bc0eae648.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:52:58 | null | 2016-08-31T07:36:16 | It's downhill to summer after a balmy Waikato winter. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fwaikato-times%2Fnews%2F83592016%2FSayonara-winter-spring-has-sprung.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/c/n/d/2/9/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dro0g.png/1472628989017.jpg | en | null | Sayonara winter, spring has sprung | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Sayonara winter, spring has sprung
AUDREY MALONE/FAIRFAX NZ Sayonara winter, spring has sprung.
Waikato's winter was warmer and wetter than average, according to the MetService's preliminary results.
The region basked in warmer than average maximum and minimum temperatures.
The average maximum was 14.5-degrees Celsius, 0.2C higher, and the minimum was .03C higher at 4.7C, although August bucked the trend and was colder than usual, meteorologist Tom Adams said.
BRUCE MERCER/FAIRFAX NZ It's been a wet and warm winter in Hamilton. Hamilton
August produced an average temperature of 8.9C, while the long-term average temperature is 9.5C for the month.
June was significantly warmer than average, while July was a touch warmer, which explains how winter topped out as warmer than average, Adams said.
Across New Zealand weather trends were broadly the same, although if you thought you got your umbrella out a little more than usual, you were right, Adams said.
BRUCE MERCER/FAIRFAX NZ Winters are predicted to get warmer, according to a Ministry for the Environment report.
June and July were wetter than usual, while August was dry. The heavy rain from Thursday, Friday and Saturday were not included in the results.
There was about 5 per cent more rain in total.
And it was cooler at ground level. The MetService counts a frost as every time ground temperature reaches zero and below.
KELLY HODEL/FAIRFAX NZ More droughts and flooding.
The 2016 winter heralded 26 frosts, three more than the average of 23.
The gradual increase in temperature is in line with the predictions in a climate change report released by the Ministry of the Environment earlier in 2016.
It teamed up with Niwa to produce a snapshot on climate change projections.
The report predicts some dire outcomes if temperatures continue to soar.
The report states if it keeps getting warmer, there will be more droughts, floods, landslides, and tropical diseases. The warmer, wetter conditions will create optimal conditions for the increased growth of pests and weeds, particularly in the South Waikato.
It predicted the number of frosts could drop to five in a year.
The warmer temperatures would produce a longer growing season and fewer frosts could provide opportunities to grow new crops. Farmers might benefit from faster growth of pasture and better crop growing conditions.
Dr Dan Zwartz, climate change scientist at the Ministry for the Environment, says the predictions for Waikato of droughts, floods and landslides were not unique to the region and would be right across the country.
But it was important for people who were reliant on the land and weather, like farmers, to pay attention to this information, he said.
"It's scientific information," Zwartz said. "It's good for putting planning processes in place.
"We've been having more droughts, floods and land slips for the past 20 years and Waikato farmers have just got on with it," Federated Farmers Waikato provincial president Chris Lewis said with a chuckle.
The report did not phase him, it was just one of many saying the same thing he has been hearing for a while.
And yes, if it was true, it did allow farmers to put planning and processes in place, he said.
Farmers were adaptable people, Lewis said.
"They will change to fit economic climate and the weather.
"That's the way farmers are made."
Farms were big businesses run by smart people, he said.
"We are prepared for whatever is thrown at us, unless of course it's one of those one-in-a-hundred-years flash floods."
In the 70s and 80s scientists were saying it was going to get colder, now it is warmer, he said.
"We will roll with the punches and keep producing."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/83592016/Sayonara-winter-spring-has-sprung | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/28b1261ff9ed50df463e7e3a9c329c10b6eae0807d4903fdc11b217574655e4a.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:52:00 | null | 2016-08-30T19:45:28 | A driver escaped serious injury after a glass bottle smashed his windscreen while on the open road. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2Fcrime%2F83741517%2FGlass-Jim-Beam-bottle-smashes-car-windscreen-in-Hawkes-Bay-narrowly-missing-driver.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/v/c/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duvd9.png/1472586862197.jpg | en | null | Glass Jim Beam bottle smashes car windscreen in Hawke's Bay, narrowly missing driver | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Glass Jim Beam bottle smashes car windscreen in Hawke's Bay, narrowly missing driver
NZ POLICE A an empty spirit bottle was thrown through a car windscreen narrowly missing the driver.
A man escaped serious injury after an empty Jim Beam bottle was thrown through his windscreen as he drove on the Hawke's Bay expressway between Napier and Hastings.
The bottle is believed to have been thrown from a vehicle travelling in the opposite direction, police said.
Hawke's Bay Police said the act was "reckless in the extreme."
NZ POLICE The bottle smashed through the windscreen and landed in the car.
Constable Ben Dalton, who attended the incident, said that the victim, a baker, was on his way to work at about 11pm on Tuesday night when the bottle smashed through his windscreen as he approached the Ngaruroro river bridge.
"The bottle came straight through the windscreen with such force that glass sprayed through the car," Dalton said. The bottle then struck the driver in the shoulder.
He was understandably very shaken by what happened, said Dalton.
"The person who threw this bottle could have killed or seriously injured the driver."
If found they will likely be facing serious charges, he said.
The bottle has been taken for forensic testing and police are investigating the incident.
Anyone with information can call Hawke's Bay Police on 06 873 0500 or information can be left anonymously with Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/83741517/Glass-Jim-Beam-bottle-smashes-car-windscreen-in-Hawkes-Bay-narrowly-missing-driver | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/9a8aa104957aa3bc2cc454c3c3a1e55247e375a24b77c1cbe556da9947c5fcb8.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T02:52:02 | null | 2016-08-30T02:27:09 | The three boys were found dead in their bedrooms in Ireland, while their parents' bodies were downstairs. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2Feurope%2F83719940%2FDad-believed-to-have-killed-wife-three-sons-then-himself.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/u/f/a/d/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duepw.png/1472524029996.jpg | en | null | Dad believed to have killed wife, three sons, then himself | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Dad believed to have killed wife, three sons, then himself
Flickr/ William Murphy Irish police are investigating the deaths.
A dad is believed to have killed his three sons and his wife before taking his own life in Ireland.
The family was named locally as school teacher Alan Hawe, wife Clodagh and sons Liam, 13, Niall, 11, and six-year-old Ryan.
The boys appeared to have been killed in their bedrooms in County Cavan, while their parents were found in downstairs rooms, the Daily Mail reported.
The alarm was raised shortly before 10.45am on Monday, when a relative is understood to have contacted regional law enforcement.
Colleagues of teachers Clodagh and Alan Hawe "deeply saddened" by their tragic deaths and the deaths of their sons: pic.twitter.com/G44f9sDZET — TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) August 29, 2016
It is believed the deaths may have occurred late on Sunday evening into the early hours of Monday morning.
Gardai (Irish police) believe Alan Hawe, a teacher well-known in the local community, may have killed his family before turning the knife on himself.
The house remains sealed-off for technical examination.
"We believe all the answers are within that house," Assistant Garda Commissioner John O'Driscoll told a press briefing outside Ballyjamesduff Garda Station. He said that murder suicide was the "most likely scenario".
Colleagues of teachers Clodagh and Alan Hawe "deeply saddened" by their tragic deaths and the deaths of their sons: pic.twitter.com/G44f9sDZET — TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) August 29, 2016
Officers are not looking for anyone else in relation to the deaths.
O'Driscoll said officers are seeking a motive for the apparent killings, and are waiting to speak with family members and others.
Hawe, originally from Kilkenny, and his wife Clodagh, also a teacher and from nearby Mountnugent, County Cavan, had been married for 15 years, the Daily Mail said.
Hawe was deputy principal at Castlerahan National School where at least one of his two younger sons were pupils.
"Wonderful children": A community in anguish at the loss of the Hawe family in Castlerahan https://t.co/cCMyj3U1R7 pic.twitter.com/Z0y41OHgli — TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) August 29, 2016
The principal of Castlerahan Primary School Anne Foley said in a statement that Hawe was "a valued member of our school staff and community, while two of his sons, Niall and Ryan were pupils in our school and Liam was a past pupil.
"They were wonderful children who will be greatly missed by all who knew them.
"This is a terrible tragedy for the family, our school and our community.
"We are deeply saddened by this event. Our sympathy and our thoughts are with the extended family and friends."
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/europe/83719940/Dad-believed-to-have-killed-wife-three-sons-then-himself | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/7466cddf7d44252093c46d780bf240daafa15f62f8dc5d6b78caa181698bd19a.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T22:51:48 | null | 2016-08-29T22:43:05 | A construction worker has been killed on a set for the untitled sequel to Blade Runner in Budapest, Hungary. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fentertainment%2Ffilm%2F83703980%2FConstruction-worker-dies-on-Blade-Runner-sequel-set.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/8/o/a/v/y/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1du2ek.png/1472510585448.jpg | en | null | Construction worker dies on Blade Runner sequel set | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Construction worker dies on Blade Runner sequel set
Warner Bros. Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down a group of renegade replicants who've returned to Earth seeking their maker.
A construction worker has been killed on a set for the untitled sequel to Blade Runner in Budapest, Hungary.
A statement from the film's production company Alcon Entertainment says the worker was on a sound stage at Origo Studios "underneath a platform, upon which the set was constructed, when it suddenly collapsed. The cause of the accident is not yet known".
READ MORE:
* Jared Leto joins Harrison Ford, Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner sequel
* Robin Wright sent for Blade Runner sequel
* Harrison Ford confirms Blade Runner 2
SUPPLIED A scene from the original 'Blade Runner', where replicant hunter Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) jumps over traffic as he chases one of four outlaw androids.
The movie was not shooting at Origo Studios at the time.
No other details were provided.
The sequel to the 1982 sci-fi film stars Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Ryan Gosling, Robin Wright, Mackenzie Davis and Barkhad Abdi. The movie is being directed by Sicario and Prisoners filmmaker Denis Villeneuve.
Warner Bros has scheduled the film for release October 6, 2017.
- AAP | http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/83703980/Construction-worker-dies-on-Blade-Runner-sequel-set | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/b3692ae7ee83090f3a7814588ae0df13a49f57e0e0a26f08f95ced9995589f8a.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T08:53:00 | null | 2016-08-31T07:27:58 | Simon Doull says Tim Southee deserves to bat No 11 and is concerned about the Black Caps bowling attack | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fsport%2Fcricket%2F83774552%2FSimon-Doull-has-a-crack-at-Tim-Southees-batting-Black-Caps-attack.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/k/x/z/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dvkuw.png/1472628542255.jpg | en | null | Simon Doull has a crack at Tim Southee's batting, Black Caps attack | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Simon Doull has a crack at Tim Southee's batting, Black Caps attack
Sky Sport Simon Doull calls for Tim Southee to be dropped to #11 in the batting order.
Simon Doull has come off the long run to bounce Tim Southee.
The former New Zealand international fast bowler turned commentator illustrated what many frustrated Kiwi cricket watchers no doubt thought during the second test against South Africa - perhaps even since Southee's swashbuckling unbeaten 77 against England on debut eight years ago.
As Southee sat padded up to bat at No 9 as the Black Caps tumbled towards a 204-run defeat at Centurion on Tuesday, Doull rearranged the order by arguing New Zealand's opening bowler should bat last.
RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX Swing and a miss: Tim Southee is troubled by a short ball during the second test against South Africa at Centurion.
READ MORE:
* Batsmen strike new low in loss to South Africa
* Anatomy of a Black Caps disaster
* Williamson defends decision
* Scorecard: Black Caps v South Africa
* England plunder world record
* Dale Steyn accuses Neil Wagner of lacking courage
Tired of witnessing the 27-year-old look seemingly intent on throwing his wicket away in the search for quick runs, television commentator Doull used a marker to promote Neil Wagner and Trent Boult ahead of Southee.
And then, to prove his point, Southee produced a 15-ball cameo worth 14, hitting consecutive boundaries off Kagiso Rabada before his free-wheeling technique was unable to keep out a yorker.
SIPHIWE SIBEKO/REUTERS Tim Southee is yorked by Kagiso Rabada after taking consecutive boundaries off the South African pace bowler before the Proteas won the series-deciding second test by 204 runs at Centurion.
Southee was never in a position to save the test, or drag it into day five, but with greater dedication he might have aided Henry Nicholls get closer to a maiden century.
Instead, he went down swinging again, a trait that has been a hallmark of his batting since his half century on debut - in a losing cause - in Napier in 2008.
Southee averages 16.63 in 52 tests and has three half centuries - arguably a reasonable return for a tailender - but his strike rate of 87.92 continues to irritate Black Caps fans.
PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ Former Black Caps turned commentator Simon Doull pulls no punches about Tim Southee's batting and the decline of New Zealand's new ball test attack.
"Southee's batting is a disgrace. Imagine if his team-mates were that cavalier about fielding of his bowling. He is a senior player, so bat like a grown up and try to take the game into day five," said Larry Brown on the Cricinfo commentary shortly before Southee was bowled.
Doull's revised batting order was seen in the Black Caps dressing room at SuperSport Park and prompted some smiles, though on a serious note the right-armer, who played 32 tests between 1992 and 2000, also raised concerns about New Zealand's new ball attack.
Southee and Boult were unable to justify Kane Williamson's debatable decision to bowl first at Centurion as the Proteas racked up 481-8 declared after openers Stephen Cook and Quinton de Kock posted 133.
RYAN WILKISKY/BACKPAGEPIX Tim Southee took 3-46 in South Africa's second innings at Centurion, his best return from six tests in 2016.
The pair took 1-221 from a combined 70.4 overs in that marathon innings to underscore their lack of potency over the last two years.
"Southee and Trent Boult have struggled a little bit. They were the keys to get New Zealand to take no 3 spot 4 spot in the world. They were the keys to New Zealand winning test matches consistently," Doull said on SuperSport when summing up the Black Caps defeat.
"Yes you throw in Kane Williamson, Brendon McCullum, Ross Taylor at different times and Tom Latham. But the issue was they were taking wickets and taking them consistently."
Southee claimed 33 wickets in nine tests in 2014 at 26.03; after six tests this year and with a trip to spin-friendly India on the horizon the swing bowler has 14 scalps at 46.14.
"Tim Southee is his last 15 tests matches is averaging 42-43 with the ball. He's struggling, he's not picking up the wickets he was 18 months ago.
"Trent Boult isn't quite as bad but it's a similar situation. If they're not knocking the top off the batting order then New Zealand are struggling," said Doull, who blamed the end of the Shane Bond's stint as bowling coach for the deterioration.
"Exactly the time Shane Bond left this New Zealand set-up as bowling coach, the slide starts.
"Shane Bond is meticulous, he is such a hard worker, he's diligent with everything he does as far as being a bowling coach is concerned.
"He scouts opposition, he makes the bowlers work hard, he puts them under pressure. He's the sort of bowling coach these guys needed."
Bond started his tenure in October 2012 and quit after last year's World Cup. He was initially replaced by former England international Dimitri Mascarenha. Australian Shane Jurgensen currently occupies the role.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/cricket/83774552/Simon-Doull-has-a-crack-at-Tim-Southees-batting-Black-Caps-attack | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/cf08113baceb24a9f668f92ec6c44cd58bbfbf81fd56f33a6f4c40baa69c1b6e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T22:50:37 | null | 2016-08-26T21:31:19 | Woogie was a rescue puppy who became a service dog for a Hamilton boy who has autism. Now she's dying. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83491520%2FAutism-service-dog-in-cancer-battle.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/q/f/f/r/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dpigw.png/1472249893311.jpg | en | null | Autism service dog in cancer battle | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Autism service dog in cancer battle
SONYA EWENS Woogie's "tall, blond and beautiful", Sonya Ewens says.
A Hamilton mother and son are preparing to say goodbye to a family member who has given them more than they could ever have hoped for.
Sonya Ewens and her 14-year-old son have had service dog Woogie for the past eight years, but the golden retriever/standard poodle cross has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and her life expectancy is four to 12 months.
The nine-year-old dog has been a huge help to the St John's College student, who has autism.
SONYA EWENS Woogie enjoys comforting the St John's College student.
"It's tragic when any animal gets sick, but it's a little bit more with her, because she's my son's service dog and she has had such a huge impact on him," Ewens said.
READ MORE:
* Missing autistic teen returns home safely
* Mahe, the autism assistant dog, never leaves his master's side, even in hospital
* Labrador gives Alzheimer's sufferer independence [video]
* Assistance dog to improve lives of Down syndrome kids Leo and Tiffany
"She's given him independence, confidence, friendship. When he's upset, she lies with him. She's given him time, patience - all the things we kind of take for granted.
EWENS FAMILY Woogie with the family
"The things most kids can get from family and friends, for a kid that doesn't like to be touched in certain ways, like it's got to be a firm touch and not soft touch, he gets that all from his dog."
The "tall, beautiful blond" was one of three dogs brought to New Zealand to help children with autism in 2008. Woogie and the others in her litter were rescued from a puppy mill in Kentucky. However, five in the litter of eight got distemper.
Woogie's brother and sister are also working in Hamilton as service dogs with autistic children.
EWENS FAMILY The cost of the treatment for Woogie so far is $16,000.
Ewens admits the growth and development of her son has in part been to the help that Woogie has given him.
"He's a beautiful young man now. You probably wouldn't guess now [that he has autism] unless you spent time with us and saw his habits.
"When we first got her, we couldn't take him in public without two of us as he would freeze with fright or run into traffic. She gave him access to his community. She got people talking to him wherever he went, which is a part of bridging that gap that autism brings where they are quite isolated.
SONYA EWENS Woogie after her spleen surgery.
"They don't want to make eye contact, and they don't want to talk to strangers, and because with these dogs, you can get down, pat them and talk to them. She opened up freedom to his community," Ewen said.
Woogie was diagnosed with cancer earlier this month after she was found collapsed in a bedroom. She had an ultrasound and X-rays before being seen by a specialist in Auckland for a CT scan, where they found a lesion on her spleen and internal bleeding.
Chemotherapy might prolong Woogie's life, but Ewens can't afford it,
"I can't work as I am the sole career, so I have had to take out a loan to cover the cost, which is around $16,000 at the moment. We are just waiting to see what insurance will or won't cover and see what the gap is and I will be left to cover that."
The family are doing everything they can to make Woogie comfortable and will do what is best for her.
But when she's gone, she won't be replaced, they've decided.
"That is the big thing. We had a lot of people say when we first brought the dogs in for autism that we were setting our kids up for needing a crutch. But we have discussed it and we won't actually need to replace Woogie.
"He's got his cat. I have offered to get him a puppy or adopt a greyhound, but he feels that Woogie is way more than that to him. It's like if I was sick, he wouldn't bring in another mother straight away.
"He felt it was a real dishonour and doesn't respect what she was and how much she did and how important she was for him."
Ewens' son wants to head overseas after high school and so they will wait until he comes back from travelling to get another dog as a pet.
There is a givealittle page for Woogie to help with her vet bills.
- Waikato Times | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83491520/Autism-service-dog-in-cancer-battle | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/449589c11a6692c2bb7e572a32780d2e97d59ba4d2c143f70af244a7853c6c90.json |
[] | 2016-08-31T04:52:22 | null | 2016-08-31T04:46:29 | And part of Victoria St will remain down to one lane during this evening's rush-hour. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fdominion-post%2Fnews%2Fwellington%2F83744082%2FWastewater-main-bursts-sending-sewage-into-Wellington-Harbour.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/v/h/u/s/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1duxci.png/1472618789953.jpg | en | null | Wastewater main bursts, sending sewage into Wellington Harbour | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Wastewater main bursts, sending sewage into Wellington Harbour
SUPPLIED Warning signs go up near Frank Kitts lagoon after a burst wastewater main leaked sewage into Wellington harbour.
A damaged wastewater pipe in Wellington's CBD is likely to cause rush-hour headaches, as part of Victoria St stays down to one lane.
The pipe cracked in the early hours of Wednesday morning, sending the sewage into the harbour, Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard Maclean said.
"We've had a bit of a sewage fountain occurring in that area, and so it's gone into the harbour through the stormwater network."
MONIQUE FORD / Stuff.co.nz Burst wastewater mains send sewage into Wellington lagoon.
READ MORE:
* Nelson residents warned after sewage leak
* Pollution at dive platform 'off the scale'
* Diving platform health hazard remedied
* Beware the floating faeces of Owhiro Bay: the hot and not-so-hot spots of Wellington
Thousands of litres of the sewage had gone into the sea, and people were asked to stay out of the water for at least 24 hours.
MONIQUE FORD / FAIRFAX NZ The sewage came from a pipe that burst on Victoria St early on Wednesday morning.
Contractors were working to fix the pipe, but it was unlikely they'd be done before people started heading home from work.
That meant Victoria St would have one lane between Harris and Willeston streets.
MONIQUE FORD/FAIRFAX NZ The city council is warning people to stay out of Frank Kitt's Lagoon and the inner harbour after diluted sewage from a broken pipe ran into the water.
The council had also let the sewage flow into the harbour through the street side gutter, but that flow had now stopped.
Hoses and chemicals had been used on the areas where the sewage had travelled.
"The smell's gone away but obviously we have to fix the break."
Maclean said it was not clear when the pipe would be repaired, but council hoped to have it sorted before the day was out.
- Stuff | http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/83744082/Wastewater-main-bursts-sending-sewage-into-Wellington-Harbour | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/df992c03d52e76263511b31f7078e20e22f651da1616a47673dc5772b3e316f2.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T06:51:28 | null | 2016-08-29T05:57:52 | A drug-fuelled teen's punch killed Matthew Coley. After enduring months of anguish, now his family want to address NZ's struggle with violence. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fnational%2F83665762%2FFamily-of-manslaughter-victim-Matthew-Coley-want-discussion-about-New-Zealand-youth-violence.json | http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/d/t/d/u/d/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1dt8wy.png/1472452647957.jpg | en | null | Family of manslaughter victim Matthew Coley want discussion about New Zealand youth violence | null | null | www.stuff.co.nz | Family of manslaughter victim Matthew Coley want discussion about New Zealand youth violence
ROBYN EDIE/Stuff.co.nz Tyrone Palmer is sentenced for the manslaughter of Matthew Coley in Invercargill.
The family of manslaughter victim Matthew Coley have spoken out about New Zealand's problem with youth related violence and alcohol.
Coley, 40, died in hospital after Tyrone Palmer, 16, punched him in the head outside an Invercargill Night 'n Day store in the early hours of April 9.
Palmer, who admitted a charge of manslaughter, was sentenced to 22 months jail when he appeared in the High Court of Invercargill last week.
Coley family Matthew Coley fell on the streets of Invercargill in the early hours of Saturday from a "single blow to the head", and never woke up.
It later emerged he had consumed alcohol, the class A drug LSD and cannabis prior to the unprovoked attack.
READ MORE:
* Invercargill teen jailed for one-punch kill
* Teen charged with manslaughter of Invercargill man Matthew Coley
* Matthew Coley died from single blow to the head
But rather than grieve in silence, Coley's family want to help generate discussion and help find some answers.
ROBYN EDIE/FAIRFAX NZ Tyrone Palmer was sentenced to 22 months in jail for the manslaughter of Matthew Coley.
His mother, Laraine Coley, who lives on the Coromandel Peninsula, said it had been a horrendous four months for the family since her son's death.
She was disturbed by the tender age of the teens, including Palmer, who confronted her son on the morning of his death.
His mother did not believe Palmer's sentence was adequate, saying it sent out the wrong message to other youngsters.
FACEBOOK Matthew Coley's family hope some good can come from his tragic death.
"If they get light sentences, how does that affect their psyche?"
During sentencing, it was revealed Palmer had been "spoiling for some sort of confrontation" on the morning of the attack.
Coley, who had not been confrontational and had his hands by his sides, was intoxicated, vulnerable and surrounded by Palmer and his associates when he was fatally punched in the head once by Palmer.
"I can't see how he [Palmer] can rehab in one year," Coley's mother said.
"In a year he is only 18 or 19 and walking free and I have lost my son forever. Something doesn't ring true with me, that's how I am feeling."
She did not pretend to have the answers to solving the problems of youth related alcohol and violence, but was willing to try.
"I don't know the answers but we now live in an age where you aren't even allowed to smack your children. There seems to be a lot of discipline gone."
"We have to really look at what's happening here in New Zealand," she said.
"I am not just talking about Invercargill. Matt happened to be in Invercargill, but it [youth related violence] is happening everywhere."
During Palmer's sentencing in Invercargill, several people had approached her with looks of shock on their faces, she said.
"I am getting that reaction ... there's a lot of people saying, what's going on."
"This isn't about attacking Tyrone Palmer. It's about addressing what's happening in New Zealand. It's just too much."
Her son, who was raised at Pauanui and had travelled around New Zealand working as a chef for years, was making Invercargill his home before his tragic death.
"He called it Invers, he really liked it."
"He was planning to settle down in Invercargill and we were working on how to help him get a kickstart to do that."
Ironically, Invercargill was a place Coley felt comfortable in, his mother said.
"He said he liked the friendliness and we certainly felt that when we were down there. He had met some nice people."
A keen surfer, he had been in the south for about three years and was planning on opening up his own surfboard shop in Invercargill.
Her son, a keen writer, was a loner and a quiet man, she said.
"He liked heavy discussions ... he would intellectualise a lot."
- The Southland Times | http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/83665762/Family-of-manslaughter-victim-Matthew-Coley-want-discussion-about-New-Zealand-youth-violence | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.stuff.co.nz/20d7597dc6a85265e4549659e3c8ab394fccf6f3b673ff56750e971783253a22.json |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.