The last seven surviving big cats at Whangarei’s famous lion park will be euthanised this week
Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary facility operator Janette Vallance said the difficult decision had been made by owners Bolton Equities
“This has been an incredibly hard time for all of us, she said The remaining big cats are elderly lions aged between 18 and 21 years
“There were no real options left,” Vallance said “The staff and I are devastated ”
The Northern Advocate has reported before expert comment stating the big cats are unable to be released into the wild as they lack the hunting and social skills needed to survive
Rehoming them to a zoo, sanctuary or a suitably registered welfare centre was unlikely because of the number of big cats involved
Bolton Equities told the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) yesterday they intended to put down the last of the park s big cats
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said euthanasia needed to be carried out humanely in line with the Animal Welfare Act
“MPI will have an animal welfare inspector onsite to verify this is done appropriately ”
Vallance said the park has officially closed to the public following its final weekend of trade
only the purchase of the land but significant capital investment,” Vallance said
As for her next step, given she has called the park home for years, Vallance respectfully declined to comment on future plans stating they were private
The 32 5ha property that is home to the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary hit the market in August and is yet to attract a buyer
While it could potentially continue as a lion park under new ownership, such a future would require not
“We thank the community and media for their support over the years ” she said The park had once been home to 33 endangered cats that had included lions, white tigers, leopards and cheetahs
That was in the early 2000s when it was still under its original name Zion Wildlife Gardens, and when
Shikira was born in 2004 at the Rhino & Lion Nature Reserve at Krugersdorp, South Africa, but has been homed at the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary.
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More than 60% of special votes disallowed
Kaipara
Court documents have revealed more than 60% of special votes cast in Kaipara’s knife-edge council election were disallowed
The figure comes from a judge’s ruling on a recount request by mayoral candidate Snow Tane
In the preliminary results for last month s Kaipara mayoral election Tane was just five votes behind previous deputy mayor Jonathan Larsen while third-placed Jason Smith was 26 votes behind Tane
The gap widened once special votes were included giving the win to Larsen by a 21-vote margin
Tane then applied for a recount saying the margin was narrow, the number of special votes and disallowed votes had at that point not been made public, and ensuring confidence in the election process was in the public interest
majority of voters to be disenfranchised, it could not be regarded as fit for purpose
The judge s ruling revealed that 468 special votes were cast, more than 22 times the winning margin
However, the majority of those 288 votes or 62% of the total were disallowed
The main reason for that leading to 197 votes being binned, was that the person was not on the electoral roll or their enrolment details were not up to date
Another 82 votes were rejected because a separate declaration form which must accompany any special vote, was incomplete
A further nine votes were rejected because the person had tried to vote twice, once using the original voting papers and again using a special vote
In his recount application Tane said a number of members of the public had raised concerns with him after casting special votes at mobile voting stations which had been used for the first time in Kaipara
The consistency of those concerns suggested the high number of disallowed votes could reflect “systemic or procedural failure in the how voters were guided through the special vote process and not necessarily a failure on the part of the voters themselves
Tane said if a process was so bureaucratic or complex it caused a
He said there was also uncertainty about whether voters on the Maori roll had been misclassified or inadvertently removed, given that the election coincided with the abolition of Kaipara s Maori ward
Judge Kevin Kelly said the problem with Tane s arguments was that the application was for a recount of the votes, not an inquiry into wider conduct of the election
Questions about whether electoral laws were fit for purpose were a matter for the Government he said Kelly said a narrow margin on its own was not enough for a recount
The candidate also had to have reasonable grounds to believe a result was incorrect, but Tane had not provided evidence of irregularities to back up that view
The recount application was therefore dismissed
Meanwhile candidate Ash Nayyar asked for a recount in the Wairoa ward, where he also raised concerns about the high proportion of disallowed special votes
Nayyar also claimed pressure and coercion” had been applied to council and electoral officials during an emergency meeting in Mangawhai in the final days of the election
In the Wairoa ward, a similar proportion of special votes 143 out of 235
or 61% had bee
Judge Kelly s to downplay Na said they were al of a recount
In the final co votes behind the didate so even special votes ha would still not h
Therefore Na reasonable grou might be elected judge said
Concerns abo disallowed spec raised after elections
In that case, 10 000-plus sp thrown out
Chief electora told RNZ that som filled out their v separate declara be dated, signed incomplete
The person al reason for castin
If any one of formation was m rejected
Ofsoske earlier described the special vote process as robust but complex
“I think it would be worthwhile to have further discussions with lawmakers to see how we can streamline this process Do we need to be so rigorous with our declaration, for example, simply because the law tells us we must do? That s been raised with the Department of Internal Affairs because of this election
In the meantime, however that was the law and he had to follow it
Ofsoske said another common mistake that led to special votes being rejected was people not updating their details with the Electoral Commission
He said people also needed to have lived at an address for at least one month to be eligible to vote in that district
To qualify for a recount under the Local Electoral Act 2001, candidates must show they have reasonable grounds to believe a result is incorrect, and that they might be elected on a recount
Students
A Northland high school is abuzz after students unearthed what may be war medals awarded to one of New Zealand’s most decorated airmen.
The Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) and Victoria Cross (VC) were found in a fishbin at Whangarei Boys’ High School (WBHS) during the first week of the school holidays. The medals are believed to have belonged to Sergeant Lloyd Allan Trigg VC DFC, who was born in Houhora in 1914 and attended WBHS.
Students Hugh Manson and Brock Reid were helping principal Alec Solomon clear out storage containers filled with history that had been packed away during the school’s rebuild when they made the discovery.
Snow Tane, who placed second in Kaipara’s tight mayoral race, says a voting process that disenfranchises a majority of special voters isn’t fit for purpose. Photo / RNZ, Peter de Graaf
Brodie Stone
Whangarei Boys’ High School students Hugh Manson (left) and Brock Reid may have uncovered the medals of a decorated war hero.
uncover possible war medals of hero airman
Manson has led the effort to uncover the history of the medals, with support from the school’s Old Boys’ Association.
WBHS Old Boys’ Association members Mike Dent, Kevin Salmon and Jarrod Goodall have supported the investigation and liaised with the National Army Museum and other experts to trace the medals’ history and confirm provenance
Solomon said that whether or not the medals were copies, the discovery had sparked excitement throughout the school and its Old Boys’ Association.
On August 11, 1943, Trigg was flying off the coast of West Africa when he pressed home an attack on a German submarine despite his aircraft a Liberator bomber being ablaze.
The attack was successful, but he and his crew lost their lives.
Trigg was awarded the Victoria
Cross posthumously for his courage, which was recommended by the surviving German submarine commander. It’s the only instance of such a recommendation recorded, according to research.
Solomon said the school would work to ensure the medals were treated with the respect they deserved.
Uncovering the taonga was a result of his and the WBHS Old Boys’ Association’s motivation to showcase and celebrate the school’s history and legacy, he said.
“This discovery speaks to WBHS’s long legacy and the strength of our community across generations.
“We’ll share more once we’ve completed the verification process.”
Solomon said students had shown respect and curiosity while uncovering the remarkable story.
“Their work alongside our Old
Boys speaks to the strength of the relationship between past and present something that defines who we are as a school.”
The medals, if real, will be housed and displayed at the Fideliter Fellowship Stairwell and showcased at the 150th jubilee celebrations in 2031.
“This discovery has created genuine excitement across the kura,”
Solomon said.
“It’s a powerful reminder that our legacy isn’t just about what has been, but what continues to be young men learning from those who came before them, and carrying that spirit forward.”
A Victoria Cross medal believed to have belonged to former student and decorated war hero Sergeant Lloyd Allan Trigg VC DFC was discovered in a fish bin in a storage container.
concerns over animals kept in crowded, unsanitary conditions, as well as lions and tigers kept in the same enclosure.
The ministry had then considered finding a new operator, or euthanising the park’s big cats, among other options.
A year later, a zookeeper was killed by a big cat while cleaning out a cage. A temporary closure and safety upgrades took place.
Busch’s mother lost control of the park in 2013 to a finance company because of mortgage defaults.
Auckland-based Bolton Equities bought the property in 2014 and invested $9 million in upgrades to meet government requirements. The park reopened under new management in 2021 and was rebranded Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary.
The park went into liquidation in 2023 but reopened for public visits and underwent regular verification by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The Northern Advocate has approach Bolton Equities for comment
Operator rejects claim, says outage just a few days
Yolisa Tswanya
For more than two weeks
Kaeo residents claim they have been without running water, but the operator of the town’s water scheme has disputed this, insisting the outage has lasted only a few days
Last week the Far North District Council (FNDC) announced that the owner of the water supply, Bryce Aldridge, shut off the water and a tanker would be sent to the township to provide water
“FNDC has dispatched a water tanker to ensure supply is available to residents The tanker will be available in the main township from 7am7pm on Saturday Sunday and Monday,” a council statement said
While the council described the outage as temporary, residents say their taps have been dry for far longer
Earlier this year it was revealed the town has been under a boil water notice for the past decade
Water authority Taumata Arowai stepped in to find solutions and recently announced it would be convening discussions between the council and supplier to address longstanding issues
Resident Anna Valentine said the recent development was frustrating
“It’s totally Third World and it’s really hard We have just been left in a desert ” She said people have been filling containers at the tanker, supplied by Zap Water, while others have relied on rainwater
“We spent Friday night re-priming the pump after running out of water, it’s exhausting It s basically a state of emergency ”
Zap Water said, in a post on social
In the latest water issue to hit Kaeo, residents claim they have been without water for more than two weeks, a figure disputed by the town’s water supplier.
Kaeo water supply out for two weeks — residents
media, residents could fill containers with water from the firm’s truck at no charge, which would be near the BP until 7pm on Monday
Valentine said they were unsure what would happen once the truck left
She said prior to the outage, communication had been patchy, with only a few residents receiving notice that the water might be turned off
“It said it would be back by Monday, two weeks ago, but that Monday rolled around and there was still nothing
Valentine said she contacted Taumata Arowai to air her concerns
“Everyone just keeps passing the
problem on Council just says it’s private and no one takes responsibility ”
A cafe manager in town said they were on the water supply and also affected but declined to comment any further
Another resident and business owner said they were on tank water because “the town’s supply was not suitable for them in running their business
He said he had heard about the outage but it had not disrupted their day-to-day operation
Aldridge said the situation was not as bad as people believe He described the claims as “people
using their imagination”
He rejected claims that people have been without water for more than two weeks
“People have a big imagination It hasn’t been off for two weeks we are only talking days
“The truck has been there since Saturday to mitigate the issue while we sort things out ”
He said the problem at the water plant was technical and not related to health or safety
“We have been working on it I can t disclose the details of the issue until the repairs are complete ”
He said it was a problem that needed specialist work
“I am confident that the water will be back on by 2am [on Tuesday] ” Taumata Arowai said it was planning to hold a meeting between the council and the supplier as soon as possible to discuss the immediate needs for Kaeo and ways to fast-track a long-term solution for the community
“Taumata Arowai is focused on ensuring the safety and sufficiency of water supply for communities,” said the authority s head of operations, Steve Taylor
Our thanks go to the Far North District Council for arranging a water tanker for immediate community use over the weekend and Monday ”
Photo / Yolisa Tswanya
Navy acts on failures after Manawanui disaster
David Fisher
The Royal New Zealand Navy
is undergoing a major overhaul following the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui off Samoa last year, the Herald understands
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has implemented major changes, including risk management training across the Navy and new training for senior leadership
It has also set up a new seareadiness board called the New Zealand Defence Force Maritime Authority It will oversee seaworthiness systems and ensure they are “safe to operate and operated safely”
Further work is imminent Improving training will be a strong focus: figuring out requirements for roles, the exact training individuals will need for those roles and keeping track of staff training histories
The $100 million navy ship Manawanui ran aground on a reef off Samoa on October 5 last year while carrying out a hydrographic survey and sank the next day All 75 people on board were rescued
A Court of Inquiry investigation released in April found human error to be the root cause of the disaster including navigational mistakes,
training gaps in both crew and commanders and confusion over how to turn the autopilot off as land approached
It detailed how the ship continued towards the reef even accelerating as those on the bridge desperately tried to work out how to turn off autopilot
It found people were in key roles without the necessary certification or experience The senior hydrographic surveyor (SHS) had neither the experience nor qualifications for the role
An NZDF spokeswoman said “good progress” was being made on putting in place changes recommended in the Court of Inquiry
“The Royal New Zealand Navy is committed to the organisational changes required to ensure the service can operate safely and achieve its missions ”
Meanwhile, the disciplinary investigation into the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui is nearly complete
While the Court of Inquiry is a “lessons learned” process the disciplinary investigation has the potential
to lead to a court-martial
The NZDF spokeswoman told the Herald: “The disciplinary investigation is reaching its closing stages and from there, decisions will be made as to the next steps in the disciplinary process
“While this process remains ongoing, the NZDF will not be making comment on considerations or potential outcomes ”
The Navy had already admitted systemic failings were in part behind the loss of the $100m ship, even as Minister of Defence Judith Collins vigorously defended Manawanui captain Yvonne Gray over “misogynist” attacks online
The ship remains on the ocean
$6m
prompting community and environmental concerns
A year after the disaster the New Zealand Government gave Samoa
The NZDF offered no comment on the deeper structural reforms recommended by the the Court of Inquiry
It included tightening control of readiness timelines and deployment approvals, rebuilding the hydrographic capability with clear roles and supervision and standardising lifesaving equipment and drills across ship classes
It also called for a clean-up of the Navy’s orders and procedures system to remove conflicting guidance, and action to address staff shortages and loss of experience that heighten operational risk
The spokeswoman told the Herald the disciplinary investigation was the only additional inquiry being carried out
She said it was unlikely the disciplinary investigation would find anything “substantially inconsistent” with the information the Court of Inquiry had
She said it would be possible for the Court of Inquiry to be reopened, but the threshold for doing so is very high and the new information would need to render the findings of the Court of Inquiry unsafe”
as it sank with a salvage diver (inset) working on the ship on the sea floor.
Rear Admiral Garin Golding
floor off Samoa
Kiwi mum burned in car fire attack
Former Waipawa woman faces long recovery
Michaela Gower
Aformer Waipawa woman caught in the crossfire of an alleged firebomb attack in
Australia says it felt like she was being “flash fried”
Penelope (Penny) Travers was left with burns to 25% of her body, including her face neck chest and arms after the first of two vehicle fires in her Western Australia carport caused an explosion
Mandurah detectives are investigating the two suspicious vehicle fires
Travers, who has lived in Australia for almost 15 years, has since undergone surgery
She will wear compression garments for the next year to help with the scarring, though the emotional scars will be ongoing
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help her pay her rent utilities and food for her kids
She said her Kiwi status means the Australian Government has very little financial support available
I have been granted a temporary benefit but it does not cover my rent, let alone any other monthly expenses ”
Travers said the moment her life changed was when she was awoken at her home in Mandurah Western Australia on October 6, about 4 30am
Travers said most of her memories of the incident were hazy, but she recalled firefighters arriving to perform first aid
to weird noises
“I checked my security cameras and my carport was on fire, and I went out and tried to put it out and realised someone had thrown a petrol bomb and it caught the front of
my ute on fire
While trying to extinguish the fire, spray paint, degreaser, and WD40 cans on a nearby shelf exploded, setting her alight
“The first initial pain that I got was
like being flash fried, the memory of that popped back in my head the other night when I was trying to go to sleep
“It was instant heat instant searing instant pain ”
“I don’t remember the ambulance ride, that was a half-hour drive and don’t remember the first week in hospital I have got glimpses of it in my memories ”
Travers required a 4 5-hour surgery for skin grafts, a blood transfusion and spent 17 days in the Fiona Stanley Hospital burns unit in Perth
I m usually the one taking care of everyone else, so it has been very weird
While she was in the hospital “wrapped up like a mummy” a week later on October 12, her vehicle was targeted and again set on fire this time while her daughter was home alone
“My daughter called me first thing in the morning she was like ‘mum, they have come back’ ”
Travers said this time the alleged attackers threw the firebomb through the rear window of the ute, resulting in it being written off
When Hawke s Bay Today spoke with Travers on Monday, almost a month on, she was on her way to hospital to have her dressings changed
She said this was now a regular part of her routine twice a week she travelled a 100km plus round trip to Fiona Stanley Hospital, where she is allowed to shower
“I am so itchy, but I am doing good ” She said she was unable to comment on who she thought was responsible, to protect the integrity of the police investigation
The funds raised from the GoFundMe will also go towards transport costs for the trip to the hospital, dressing changes physio and living costs
Penelope Travers said she looked like an Egyptian mummy wrapped in bandages while she was in hospital.
‘Every nail, every brushstroke carries the aroha and resilience of our people ”
That s how Archdeacon Zhane Tiopira Tahau described a historic Hawke’s Bay church as it reopened to the community
It s been almost three years since Cyclone Gabrielle floodwaters tore through the settlement of Omahu near Hastings, with the St John’s Omahu Church at its heart
The church, the oldest Maori Anglican church in Hawke s Bay, was built in 1879
Both it and the adjoining urupa (cemetery) were severely damaged when a stopbank failed nearby
The church congregation has been meeting across the road at Omahu Marae in the interim but, following extensive restoration work celebrated the grand reopening with special services and gatherings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday
“It’s been nearly two years of steady work, Archdeacon Zhane Tiopira Tahau, 27, who is an Omahu local and pastor at the church, said
“This church is more than timber and glass – it s the wairua [spirit] of Omahu standing again ”
About 300 people gathered for the Friday evening ceremony and ser-
vice – with a reopening blessing at the church gate before the congregation entered for a “rich and vibrant service” of prayer, song and thanksgiving
Community members and leaders church leaders including Archbishop Don Tamihere and Bishop Andrew Hedge, and the entire student bodies of Te Aute College and Hukarere College were in attendance
“Our tıpuna [ancestors] built this
place for generations to gather, pray and stand together – that purpose hasn’t changed,” Tiopira Tahau said of its future
The weekend celebrations concluded at the marae on Sunday with a service attended by about 350 people, which included 20 baptisms (from children to adults) and 57 confirmations
As part of the restoration of the church building, new windows be-
Our tıpuna [ancestors] built this place for generations to gather, pray and stand together – that purpose hasn’t changed.
hind the altar were installed to honour three local chiefs – Renata Kawepo (who founded St John’s Omahu) Paora Kaiwhata (who built St Mary s at Moteo), and Tareha Te Moananui (who built The Church of the Evangelists at Waiohiki)
That design reflected the three chiefs contributions to the Maori Anglican movement
The first regular Sunday service at St John s Omahu Church will be held
on December 7, as Sunday services are held on the first Sunday of each month (at 10am) and all are welcome
“It is going to be a special time for Omahu and the community that first Sunday ” Tiopira Tahau said Restoration work on the church was led by Tiopira Tahau and his wife Hinauri Tiopira Tahau and supported by stalwarts of the congregation, including Evelyn Kupa Hinemoa Hakiwai and Moana Ropiha
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EDITORIAL
Bike traged highlights need for
The risks failing to precaut painfull coroner s ruling t A 19-year-old m a motorbike cras year was travelli times the speed l wearing a helme
Jack MacConn truck on Kenned midnight on Janu was estimated he between 124km/h a 50km/h zone
MacConnell su catastrophic hea later found the he Toxicology repo or alcohol in his s Coroner Rachael McCleave said th self-inflicted
Motorcycles c at the best of time
MacConnell s tra reminder of wha when massive ris
The statistics s themselves Ministry of Tra show that 56 peo died, 525 were se and 838 suffered minor injuries in 2023
The number of deaths that year is worrying because it was one of the highest since 1995, when 78 people died
ACC says the risk of death or serious injury to a motorcyclist in a crash is 21 times higher than that of a car driver travelling over the same distanceSome recent motorcycle accidents further highlight the risks
There were eight serious motorcycle crashes in Waikato in September the country’s annual Motorcycle Awareness Month The WaikatoHerald reported two people died three were critically injured, and three others received life-altering injuries because of these crashes
A motorcyclist died in hospital after a Ngaruawahia crash on October 1
A man died after he was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash on Te Pahu Rd in the Waipa District last month One person died and another was seriously injured after a motorbike crash on Waiheke Island in Auckland later in October
These tragedies and others, take a terrible human toll and leave behind shattered families, friends and co-workers
There will be more riders on the roads in the months ahead as the weather continues to improve and summer sets in Riding a motorcycle provides a sense of freedom, excitement, stress relief and camaraderie It is a big part of many people’s lives
Ride Forever is an ACC initiative that aims to give riders reliable information and access to training
There is plenty of advice and safety tips online and on other websites
Riders and other road users have a responsibility to minimise the risks
It is up to each motorcyclist to be as safe as possible by ensuring they and their bike are up to the task, they ride to the conditions and don’t take unnecessary risks
Darcy Ungaro
efore you jump into buying gold, try to understand the worldview from the most enthusiastic people in the room These are the “gold bugs”, and if you ask them why gold? , this might be their answer Over the past four years, more than 1000 tonnes of gold have rolled into central bank coffers each year Add inflation concerns, lower interest rates and geopolitical risks and the price of gold could go much higher I know investing in gold sounds old-fashioned, and you’re right Gold’s been used as money for more than 5000 years Some say the fact that central banks have been buying so much gold suggests it’ll be used as money again Gold is often viewed as an “alternative” investment It doesn t act like most stocks, and its price can remain low for years at a time Most investors only have 3% of it in their portfolios, yet now firms like Morgan Stanley are suggesting this should be closer to 20% Why? Because historically, gold’s been useful during times of global uncertainty, and there’s a good example following World War II In 1944, 44 Allied nations, through the Bretton-Woods Agreement , declared the US dollar the world’s reserve currency Foreign
governments would accept it in trade, believing they could exchange it for gold upon request It worked well until in 1971 when President Richard Nixon removed gold-convertibility completely
The age of pure fiat currency began (money backed by trust, not by gold)
The New Zealand dollar has lost about 5% a year in purchasing power since 1971 So why has gold risen by more than 60% in 2025 so far? In my view, it’s because of the “debasement trade” narrative It’s not about gold going up, it’s about the value of our currency going down A debasement trade is betting that governments and central banks will print so much money that currencies will lose value even faster You can engage in the debasement trade by owning anything scarce, like gold, where there’s a large community of
If you like the idea of owning gold so far, what are the downsides? To start with, it s a chunk of metal that doesn t produce dividends, like shares in a company can Gold also doesn t pay interest, like a term deposit does And gold won t sustain you in retirement with streams of income In fact, the main way you ll win with gold is if you sell it for more than you paid for it Even hardcore gold bugs struggle with timing the market
You should still rely on traditional mainstream investments to help you grow wealth, but alternative investments like gold can help you you protect it An allocation to gold can be great in KiwiSaver, though ETFs or even in physical form Gold can offer peace of mind in a crazy world an alternative form of money if banks fail or even a form of intergenerational wealth So often with investing it s not about the investment, rather, it’s about the investor about you
people who believe it s valuable In New Zealand one of the easiest ways to own gold is through ETFs (exchange-traded funds) You can access these through your online brokerage account, or even through some types of KiwiSaver funds ETFs allow you to benefit from gold price movements without the hassle of having to physically store it You may wonder, is that something people still do? Yes, in fact, some do prefer owning physical precious metals They claim it makes them less likely to sell impulsively or they use it as a backup plan should the banking system fail Although bank failures might be unlikely in New Zealand, in some countries holding physical gold is the only way to save I once had some clients who bought gold bars and then buried them in their front lawn They weren t looking to get rich from their gold, rather, they were looking for a method to pass wealth down to their kids How’s that for adding value’ to your property! If you can’t store gold at home for security reasons though there’s the option of storing it in bank vaults, or through specialist gold storage services
Currencies, governments and financial systems aren’t infallible but how much insurance is appropriate for your situation is a conversation worth having with someone who understands your complete financial picture
NZ’s first marine reserve, Goat Island, turns 50
New Zealand s first legislated marine reserve, established 50 years ago around Te Hawere-a-Maki/ Goat Island north of Auckland, was also among the very first in the world
In the decades since then marine scientists have been monitoring changes and tracking significant transformations in the ecosystem from bare rocky reefs to thriving kelp forests
Officially known as the Cape Rodney-Okakari Point Marine Reserve, the 556ha of protected waters and seabed became New Zealand’s first no-take zone in 1975
Back then, very little grew on the shallow rocky reefs It took almost three decades for kelp forests to reestablish following the slow recovery of crayfish and snapper stocks These predators play an essential role in keeping marine reef ecosystems healthy because they eat kina (sea urchins), which otherwise increase in numbers and mow down kelp forests
Once crayfish and snapper were able to mature and grow, the kelp forests returned Their recovery provided a nursery for juvenile fish and many species came back We now see parrotfish, black angelfish,
Photo of the day
A man holding a Ukraine's national flag poses for photos on a Russian selfpropelled gun at the open air exhibition of destroyed Russian equipment in Kyiv, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
blue maomao, red moki, silver drummer, leatherjacket, octopus and several species of stingray Bottlenose dolphins and orca pass through occasionally
The reserve features a far higher density of fish and other marine life than outside its boundaries But despite the protection fish are not as plentiful within the reserve now as they were in the late 1970s The ongoing changes within the protected area are helping us to understand the impact of commercial and recreational fishing
Pressuresfromfisheries
In 1964, a decade before the marine reserve was established the Leigh Marine Laboratory opened on the cliffs above it Its first director Bill Ballantine, was concerned that fish stocks were dwindling and marine ecosystems declining in the Hauraki Gulf He became a key force in pushing for the marine reserve
But since 1975, Auckland s population has exploded and recreational and commercial fishing pressures outside the marine reserve have increased markedly
While crayfish numbers and sizes began to recover when the marine
reserve was established, they have dropped over the past 10 years
Fish stocks in the reserve remain far below the levels that would have been present before commercial fishing began to intensify rapidly in the area during the 1950s
We think this is because the reserve is too small and continues to be affected by the rise in commercial and recreational fishing in the Hauraki Gulf
Large snapper and crayfish sometimes move out of the reserve and are caught The outside areas aren’t replenishing the reserve because they are heavily fished
Recent research shows people can speed up kelp restoration in some places by removing kina, but large snapper and crayfish are still needed to maintain the balance longterm
Another key discovery has been that the reserve s many mature snapper produce about 10 times more juvenile snapper than in unprotected areas of the same size
About 11% of young snapper found up to 40km away from the reserve are offspring of snapper that live in the reserve This spillover effect means the reserve is actually
enhancing fisheries in the Hauraki Gulf
Safeguardingtheocean
The Hauraki Gulf Tıkapa Moana Marine Protection Act, which comes into force this month, makes the Goat Island marine reserve about four times larger, extending the offshore boundary from 800m to 3km and significantly increasing the diversity of habitats protected
The marine reserve has demonstrated the value of safeguarding patches of sea, but it has also shown that reserves need to be larger to better protect key species such as crayfish and snapper from fishing pressures
It is also important to protect different types of habitat, in particular the soft-sediment seafloor ecosystems that comprise the bulk of the Hauraki Gulf These ecosystems are high in biodiversity, support important fisheries sequester carbon and process nutrients that maintain productivity
But they are vulnerable to seafloor disturbance
As the impacts of climate change worsen, the historical records and understanding we have drawn from this marine reserve now act as an important baseline
We know that restoring kelp forests in the reserve and elsewhere has made the area more resilient to climate change, while also contributing to carbon sequestration
If kelp forests were restored in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park the plants would be worth about $7 9 million in carbon credits, if they were valued in the same way as land-based forests
About 350 000 people visit the reserve annually, mostly to snorkel dive or take a glass-bottom boat trip to explore the abundance of life beneath the waves
A lot more places could look like this marine reserve if we managed our oceans better
Quiz
1 In what city would you find Michelangelos famous statue of David?
2 What creatures were recently discovered in Iceland for the first time?
3 Which European group first settled Puhoi?
4 How old was actor Robert Redford when he died?
5 Television series Dark Winds is based on a series of novels by which author?
6 “Whatever our souls are made of his and mine are the same” is a quote from which novel?
7 Which Austrian city features the Hundertwasserhaus, an apartment block designed with uneven floors, no straight lines, and trees growing from inside?
8 Who was the first New Zealand-born Governor-General?
9 The 1518 “Dancing Plague” occurred in which European city?
10 Who was the original lead vocalist of the Smashing Pumpkins?
Complaints
Photo / AFP
Conrad Pilditch and Simon Francis Thrush, are Professors of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Conrad Pilditch and Simon Francis Thrush
The Hauraki Gulf Tıkapa Moana Marine Protection Act, which comes into force this month, makes the Goat Island marine reserve about four times larger.
World
Worker killed
A worker died in hospital yesterday after he was pulled from the rubble of a collapsed Italian medieval tower in Rome. The man, who had been helping to renovate the Torre dei Conti, was conscious during the lengthy rescue operation before he was hospitalised in critical condition authorities said. Part of the Torre dei Conti had collapsed shortly before midday local time, sending rubble into the street and a thick white cloud of dust into the air. Three other workers were earlier evacuated from the site, one of them in critical condition, a spokesman for the fire service told AFP. The tower is in a busy area, just off the Imperial Forum and close to the Colosseum, Italy's top tourist site. A second partial collapse of the tower about one and a half hours later sent up further billowing clouds of dust. The Torre dei Conti, dating from the early 13th Century, was being restored with European Union funds.
Dolls banned
Asian e-commerce giant Shein said yesterday it was banning sex dolls from sale on its sites globally after French authorities condemned it for featuring ones resembling children. France's Finance Minister had threatened to ban the retailer from the country if it resumed selling the childlike dolls, just days before it opens its first physical store in Paris. The Paris prosecutors' had opened investigations Shein, and also rival online AliExpress, Temu and investigations were launched France's anti-fraud unit
Shein was selling “childlike” a likely pornographic nature.
Patterson appeals
Australian convicted murderer Patterson has lodged an overturn her guilty verdicts killing three people with mushrooms, local media after a trial that sparked media frenzy. Patterson, handed life in prison with wait for parole this year a beef Wellington laced poisonous fungi to her husband's parents, aunt during a lunch at her home killing three of them. But including national broad and the SydneyMorning reported Patterson's bid her guilty verdicts had and accepted by the Court Her legal team has not reasons for the appeal. sentenced in September said she would be eligible after 33 years. Her legal argued she should be given chance of release after because the notoriety would have meant she most of her prison sentence isolation.
Queen exhib
Buckingham Palace will host an unprecedented highlighting the fashion by the late Queen Elizabeth her 70-year reign. “The her late majesty is a snapshot very long life, a life of duty so many ways, it's a time said UK designer Erdem “It captures a very specific important moment in exhibition QueenEliza inStyle will display some of clothing she wore over of her 96 years, half of never been exhibited before, Royal Collection said.
The video shaking
IDF’s chief legal officer arrested amid furore over leaked footage
Henry Bodkin analysis
Masked guards pull a blindfolded prisoner to his feet from a face-down position on the floor
He is marched into a corner where Israeli soldiers have formed a barrier with riot shields, blocking the man from the view of a nearby security camera He is surrounded and, as military guard dogs bark, there is movement from behind the shields
The leaked footage does not make events entirely clear, but the Palestinian man a suspected terrorist was later admitted to hospital with severe rib and rectal injuries
The soldiers accused of carrying out the attack gave a press conference outside the Supreme Court on Monday, wearing black balaclavas to avoid identification
The group said they could not receive a fair trial because of the leaked video, and were victims of an unfair drumhead court martial
On Monday, Netanyahu characterised the fallout from the leaked video as “perhaps the most severe propaganda attack against the State of Israel” in its history
Israel Katz the Defence Minister said anyone who fabricates “blood libels against Israeli soldiers was unworthy of donning IDF uniform”
The footage of abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility was first aired last year by Israel’s Channel 12 and prompted an investigation However, before the inquiry could take its course, the video prompted a backlash from politicians on the right, including those close to Benjamin Netanyahu Israel s Prime Minister, who dismissed accusations against the guards as a “blood libel”
AndapodprowlingtheStrait ofGibraltarisfamousforits seeminglyeat-the-richhabitof rammingyachtsandstriking theirrudders,thoughscientists havespeculatedthatmayhave moretodowithplaythanprey. Washington Post
a year, the scandal reignited last week when Major General Yifat TomerYerushalmi, the IDF’s chief legal officer, admitted leaking the video She resigned from her post on Saturday after her admission Yesterday authorities said she had been arrested following a severalhour disappearance on Monday
The incident in the southern Negev Desert has exposed, in the view of opponents to the current Government, the creeping politicisation of the IDF
Tomer-Yerushalmi appeared to be a model servant of the state Only the second woman to rise to the position, in 2021 she was appointed chief military advocate effectively the IDF’s top lawyer
However the 51-year-old mother of three is now under investigation
The footage of abuse at the Sde Teiman detention facility was first aired last year. Photo / Getty Images
Israel to its core
over the leak.
She had previously submitted an official statement to the High Court of Justice claiming she could not locate the source of the leak.
If leaking the video was sufficient to end her stellar legal career in the IDF, allegedly lying about it to Israel’s top court could be enough to land her in jail. She is due to be questioned by police this week over her actions, and after significant concerns for her welfare when her car was found abandoned near a cliff-topped beach near Tel Aviv officials said she had been found “alive and well”.
Tomer-Yerushalmi’s rapid fall from grace has shocked Israel
But it is why she felt the need to leak the video in the first place that is driving the public row.
The allegations of abuse at Sde Teiman against reservists from the IDF’s Unit 100, including a captain and a major, were already in the public domain before Channel 12 first broadcast the footage in August 2024.
The fact the detainee was injured so grievously he had to be admitted to a civilian hospital saw to that.
With rumours of not just this in-
cident but allegations of systematic abuse at Sde Teiman beginning to reach the international press, the Military Advocate General Office began an investigation, on TomerYerushalmi’s orders.
It was the investigation into the IDF’s soldiers that first prompted backlash from senior figures within Israel’s Government.
The abuse allegations, after all, were the last thing the Government needed, with Israel’s international reputation tanking because of the brutality of the Gaza campaign and war crimes indictments for the Prime Minister in the offing.
The country was also still in the grip of profound shock and, for many citizens, fury at the October 7 massacre, with extremely limited concern for the treatment of detained Palestinians.
The backlash against the investigation included violent scenes as protesters, including politicians, broke into two military compounds in protest at the investigation.
A huge amount of political pressure, both public and, it is alleged, privately, was also directed at Tomer-
Yerushalmi to drop the probe, including accusing her of manufacturing the allegations.
Her decision to leak the video evidence has been seen as her essentially buckling under this pressure a desperate act by a hitherto by-the-book lawyer determined to prove that her team were not making things up.
It may well prove disastrous for her personally.
Others worry that, more importantly, the fact that such a senior IDF officer could come under such political pressure in the first place indicates an erosion of respect for the neutrality of the military.
For critics of Netanyahu, the socalled “MAG affair” shows that having allegedly tried to politicise Israel’s judiciary, leading to months of protest before the war, he is now trying the same with the military.
Katz, seen as both a Netanyahu yes-man but also personally ambitious, is already accused of holding up the sign-off of senior military appointments most of which are traditionally beneath the purview of ministers in an effort to ensure
political loyalty among the high command.
At the same time, Yariv Levin, the Justice Minister, is trying to warn Gali Baharav-Miara, Israel’s AttorneyGeneral, from any involvement in the fallout of the Tomer-Yerushalmi case.
It follows the significant public disquiet over the dismissal of Ronen Bar, the director of Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, earlier this year after he launched an investigation into Qatari influence on Netanyahu’s staff.
The worry is while Israel has always had rumbustious politics, the neutrality of its professional military and security services, which have traditionally remained sacrosanct, is under threat.
A lawyer for one of the five military guards at Sde Teiman has now called for the prosecutions to be dropped, arguing that proliferation of the now notorious video means his client cannot get a fair trial.
Whether or not that argument succeeds, Israel’s reputation as a country with the rule of law is once again in the dock.
Telegraph Group Ltd
Watchdog flags Trump donor ties
Most of the publicly identified donors to US President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom have highstakes business before the administration, ranging from billions in government contracts to federal investigations into their companies, according to a report released yesterday by a watchdog group.
More than half of the companies that donated are facing or have recently faced federal enforcement actions tied to alleged wrongdoing including engaging in unfair labour practices, deceiving consumers and harming the environment, according to the report from Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy organisation.
The non-profit, founded in 1971 by left-leaning political activist Ralph Nader, focuses on corporate money and influence in government.
Footage
‘doctored’
The BBC “doctored” a Donald Trump speech by making him appear to encourage the Capitol Hill riot, according to an internal whistleblowing memo seen by The Telegraph A Panorama programme, broadcast a week before the US election, “completely misled” viewers by showing the US President telling supporters he was going to walk to the Capitol with them to “fight like hell”, when in fact he said he would walk with them “to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard”. The “mangled” footage was highlighted in a 19-page dossier on BBC bias, which was compiled by a recent member of the corporation’s standards committee. It claimed senior executives and the BBC’s chairman had ignored and dismissed a string of serious complaints raised by the corporation’s own standards watchdog. Donald Trump jnr, the President’s eldest son, accused the BBC of dishonesty and “fake news”.
Peru's Government said yesterday it had cut off diplomatic relations with Mexico for granting asylum to a former Prime Minister being investigated over the alleged 2022 coup attempt by then-President Pedro Castillo. “Today we learned with surprise and deep regret that former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, the alleged co-author of the coup attempt by former President Pedro Castillo, is being granted asylum at the Mexican embassy residence in Peru,” Foreign Minister Hugo de Zela told a press conference. “Given this unfriendly act, and considering the repeated instances in which the current and former presidents of that interfered in Peru's rs, the Peruvian has decided to sever relations with Mexico added. Castillo, a former schoolteacher and trade dubbed Peru's “first poor was impeached by December 2022 following dissolve Congress after standoff.
The donors have sprawling interests that touch nearly every aspect of American life, including tariffs, technology, taxation, online privacy and manufacturing.
The analysis focused on the three dozen corporate and individual donors the Trump administration has disclosed, plus three more that have since been publicly identified.
It found the group has received US$279 billion ($490b) in government contracts over the past five years and spent US$1.6b in political contributions and lobbying fees during that time.
The list contains heavyweights in the tech, financial and defence sectors, including Google, Comcast and Lockheed Martin.
The report adds to the concerns of Democratic lawmakers and preservationists who have questioned the deal’s financing and Trump’s demolition of the East Wing to make room for his 8361 sq m project.
Many of the donors identified by the White House including Amazon and Apple have donated to Trump’s inauguration fund or other GOP initiatives.
(Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.)
“Millions to fund Trump’s architectural whims are nothing compared to the billions at stake in procurement, regulatory and enforcement decisions,” Public Citizen copresident Robert Weissman said.
Only three companies named in the report Lockheed Martin, Nvidia and Microsoft responded to requests for comment.
None disclosed the amount they gave, although Trump has said previously some had offered as much as US$25 million.
The White House said yesterday the administration has been transparent and soliciting private donations takes the burden off taxpayers.
The White House donor list is not comprehensive, Public Citizen noted.
Lawmakers have expressed frustration the White House didn’t consult Congress or seek approval from at least two relevant federal commissions before demolishing the East Wing in three days. Washington Post
Artefact to go home
3500-year-old sculpture believed to stolen after the Arab returned to Egypt, the ernment has said. The Information & Heritage Inspectorate said it was “highly likely” the stone head was plundered after the Arab Spring in 2011 or 2012. Some 10 years later, it turned up at an arts fair in Maastricht in the south-eastern Netherlands, with Dutch authorities stating that it had been stolen and exported illegally. Dick Schoof, the outgoing Dutch Prime Minister, pledged to return the artefact while attending the opening of the archaeological Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. The stone head had been put up for sale at The European Fine Art Foundation in 2022.
Leader resigns
The heavily criticised leader of Spain's Valencia region announced his resignation yesterday after a year of pressure over his handling of 2024 floods, the country's deadliest in decades. But Carlos Mazon sparked fresh anger for the manner of his announcement, which triggered another round of recrimination within Spain's political class over the disaster. Mazon had for a year consistently rebuffed calls for his resignation after the October 29, 2024 catastrophe killed more than 230 people, swept away 130,000 vehicles and damaged thousands of homes.
Orca are known for their creative hunting strategies.
Photo / Olivier Morin, AFP
US President Donald Trump with his plans for the White House ballroom.
Photo / Salwan Georges, Washington Post
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Changing climate set to reshape farming in the UK
Wearing large rubber boots Nadine
Mitschunas joyfully handled mature rice plants peeking through the water of her small plot growing in the fertile soil of eastern England
Growing rice “has not been done before in the UK”, said Mitschunas, a field ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH)
But as temperatures warm due to climate change, “it s not such a crazy idea because it seems to work , she added
As rice grows in eastern England lemon groves and chickpeas are also cropping up in the south A warmer climate and changing rainfall patterns have made planning ahead essential and British researchers are embarking on a journey of agricultural transformation
Mitschunas is leading research with a project that tests new crops in the flat Fens of Cambridgeshire by rewetting peatlands
Its rich soil has facilitated high production levels, and the region now cultivates one-third of England’s vegetables and 20% of its potatoes and beetroot But soil drainage gradually impoverishes the land posing a threat to local farmers and releasing the CO2 captured by the peatlands, which are important carbon sinks.
Farmingforthefuture
Craig and Sarah-Jane Taylor, the landowners participating in the UKCEH scheme, are conscious of the issue.
“We recognise that our soils are depleting and that we need to change to secure the future,” said Sarah-Jane Taylor, underlining the question of “water availability and that’s only going to get worse”.
Growing rice in Britain ‘not such a crazy idea’
The United Kingdom, like the rest of the world, is affected by climate change. It now has to contend with more frequent extreme weather, rising temperatures, and drier soil in some areas.
A recent UKCEH study suggested that the growth of popular crops such as wheat and strawberries would become much more difficult over the coming decades if the climate warms
by 2C. If temperatures rise by 4C, onion and oat crops would be hit.
On the other hand, crops such as sunflower, durum wheat, soybean, chickpeas, lemons and okra could become more viable, particularly in southwestern England or near the Scottish coast.
China and India are the world’s leading producers of rice.
And in the Fens, Mitschunas has tested nine rice varieties regularly grown in the United States, the Philippines, Macedonia and Japan four of them show promise, particularly one that originates from Colombia.
Once the grains germinated in a laboratory, the seedlings were planted in water in June, and harvesting began in early October.
“I am not eating my own rice yet,”
the ecologist joked.
But such a scenario could become a reality within 10 years. “The suitable climate for rice is moving more northwards” in Europe, she said, pointing to successful initiatives in the Netherlands and Germany.
Mitschunas is also testing everything from lettuce and celery to pumpkins and strawberries and even aromatic plants.
Along with crop experimentation, her project aims to regenerate peatlands and improve the country’s CO2-capturing capacities.
Notimetowaste
She is not the only British researcher testing new crops.
At the University of Southampton in southern England, professor of biological sciences Mark Chapman is leading a study on different crops, including chickpea cultivation.
“If we wait until 20 or 30 years, and then realise that we can’t grow wheat like we always have done, we’ve then got (a) problem,” he said.
He emphasised the need to “smooth the transition” by prioritising which future crops to grow and ensuring consumers are ready to change their habits.
“I think we’re at that point where we just need to try more things,” he said. “We need to get farmers involved, who are actually going to plant the crops.”
The pioneers in the Fens, SarahJane and Craig Taylor, have noted other farmers’ growing interest in the project following their initial surprise.
“Once upon a time, potatoes and sugar beet weren’t grown here and now they’re the main crops in the area,” said Sarah-Jane Taylor. “So why couldn’t rice potentially be an option here? And why shouldn’t we look at it?” AFP
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Job ads rise as hiring picks up pace
IT and construction lead the rebound
Susan Edmunds of RNZ
There may finally be some good news for job hunters
– but which sectors are going to pick up fastest?
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment data shows that the number of online job advertisements increased by 3 5% in the year to September It is the first annual increase recorded in any quarter since the same time in 2022
Growth was led by the IT and construction industries, up 10%
There was a fall in education job ads down 13%
Simplicity chief economist
Shamubeel Eaqub said it felt like the bottom of the cycle, especially in conjunction with other signs of economic life such as increasing building consents and tractor sales
But it was not synchronised across all sectors and regions yet
Ad numbers continued to fall in Auckland, Northland, Manawatu/ Whanganui and Gisborne/Hawke s Bay
Brad Olsen, chief executive at Infometrics, said it was cause for “minimal” celebration
I don t think we re bursting out the Champagne yet But it is a lift and we ve been seeing this in the monthly figures and it has been encouraging to see it come through It is a bit of a start, but we ve got a long way to go and it s going to be quite a slog ”
He said strength was likely to show first in the healthcare and primary sectors
“For obvious reasons Health there s clearly the need, funding from Government that is either coming or needs to come through to support the population
For the primary sector, healthy levels of commodity prices are supporting a bit more activity in that
It’s still a tough labour market out there, but we are starting to see a bit of a turnaround.
ad Olsn
area ”
He said the shift in IT jobs was from a lower base
Even with construction, there s been a lift and we ve seen a large number of consents announced from Stats NZ for the latest month Realistically though I suspect in construction it is going to be more focused around the likes of infrastructure and some of those more specialised trades and skills
”
Olsen said unemployment data due this week was still likely to show an increase
“It’s still a tough labour market out there, but we are starting to see a bit
of a turnaround It is slow and it could well be patchy, but certainly it looks like there’s been a bit of a momentum shift ”
Olsen s colleague chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan said he had been watching job ad numbers over the past few months and had seen a seasonally adjusted increase for three months in a row for the first time in three years
After more than a year of going up one month and down the next, which came after two years of continual steep decline, monthly job numbers have also increased across three of the last four months, which again is better than we d seen for some time
“Neither increase is massive but there’s enough there to give us a bit of optimism that the worst for the labour market is behind us, and that after this Wednesday’s labour market data for the September quarter, the unemployment rate will start to come down again
“In terms of the areas that we’d expect to improve first, I expect it to
THE NUMBERS
be across areas of business services such as IT and professional services
The recovery in household spending is likely to take a little time to gain traction so I’d expect areas such as retail and hospitality to be a bit slower to turn around
“Construction will remain under pressure for some time, while areas such as health and education haven’t really seen a contraction in employment
Mike Jones, BNZ chief economist, said the increases in tourism and manufacturing had been notable
Two sectors in which the broader economic numbers have just started to nudge higher as well Probably the other candidate I think could make a reasonable contribution to investment, and perhaps also employment, is agriculture given the strong cash flows circulating through many parts of the sector
“I still think overall the jobs market recovery will be slow to develop, though
Over three years there was still a 48 9% fall in job ads
Media leak forces IAG’s CEO reveal
Jenee Tibshraen
IAG has been forced to unveil news of its New Zealand chief executive’s upcoming departure, after Australian media revealing the insurance giant was scouting for a replacement. Amanda Whiting will return home to Australia but continue being IAG’s NZ chief executive until a new person is appointed.
In an email sent to staff yesterday morning, Whiting said she was moving to Sydney for family reasons.
“This will no doubt come as a shock and it’s probably not how I would have liked to have shared the news, but it was broken in the AU media late yesterday,” Whiting said.
“The key message is that I’m still leading the business and will be in NZ when needed it’s business as usual for now.”
IAG (Insurance Australian Group) is NZ’s largest general insurer. It trades under the AMI, State, NZI, NAC, Lumley and Lantern brands, and provides products sold by ASB, BNZ, Westpac and The Co-operative Bank.
On Monday night, the Australian Financial Review published an article saying recruitment firm, Egon Zehnder, was sounding out potential external and internal candidates to run the insurer’s NZ business. Whiting was appointed chief executive in July 2021, having joined IAG in 2008.
Mount drone maker expands to Australia
Kiwi firm links defence partner boost tech,
Chris Keall,
Mount Maunganui-based drone maker Syos Aerospace will set up in Australia with its uncrewed vehicles technology, which it describes as developed in New Zealand and United Kingdom, and proven in the Ukraine conflict”
Syos also said it was bolstering its uncrewed surface vessels (USVs or drone boats) by adding smarts from a fellow Kiwi start-up Starboard Maritime Intelligence Starboard takes surveillance data from various satellite systems then feeds it to authorities on both sides of the Tasman who use it to track illegal fishing, trans-national crime and biosecurity threats
“We are looking to establish production in Australia to support the growing demand from the Australian market for sovereign-produced uncrewed vehicles
“Our most mature systems are in the maritime domain and our interceptor drones this is where we expect the most interest,” founder and chief executive Sam Vye says Vye an English ex-pat who lives at the Mount recently said that over the next year or so he will triple his firm s local workforce, which focuses on research and product development, completing a production plant at Fareham in the UK
ness is a case of and and for the growth of our business and employment in Mt Maunganui not and or’ ” Indeed, Syos has just added to its local operation by acquiring Bay Dynamics, whose dozen staff make remotely-operated vehicles for undersea work in energy, power and other sectors
And while the first funding recipients won’t be named until at least mid-2026, Syos was also one of the featured companies as Defence Minister Judith Collins announced a new Technology Accelerator programme for the NZDF, with an indicative investment of $100m to $300m
Syos founded in 2021 first drew mainstream attention in April this year when Prime Minister Christopher Luxon s United Kingdom visit was used to announce Syos’ £30 million ($66m) drone deal with the UK Ministry of Defence, which is in turn aiding Ukraine in its fight against Russia with strong hints that more contracts will follow
Tech Insider understands the Royal Navy is a customer to watch
ParkHelp buys US firm
New Zealand parking management firm ParkHelp has bought German firm Cleverciti a specialist in “AI-powered parking guidance and enforcement technologies”
fund, Movac, which holds a 72% stake, followed by JML Capital, the family office of former Morrison & Co chief investment officer and founding partner Lib Petanga (17%).
“We have also received investment from several individuals who have come to New Zealand via the AIP [Active Investor Plus] or ‘Golden Visa’ programme,” Preena said.
According to LinkedIn Insights, ParkHelp has 31 staff and Cleverciti 16.
The Munich-based Cleverciti says it has an unnamed number of clients across Europe, the US and the Middle East.
ParkHelp (formerly Parking Sense) hit the spotlight in 2021 when details emerged of a falling out between its US and global CEO, wannabe National MP Jake Bezzant, who was with the company between 2014 and 2019 and founders Paul and Jo Collins.
Movac operating partner Ed Robinson was installed as chief executive on Bezzant’s departure. Preena took the reins in mid-2023. Bezzant also quit Invisible Urban, a maker of “smart chargers as a service” for carparks, founded in NZ but based in the US, but rejoined the startup after the controversy died down.
The transtasman push doesn’t affect those plans he says
“Our intention with establishing in
Australia is to work closely with the Australian government customers to develop equipment that meets their specific requirements, as we are already doing with the New Zealand and UK defence forces ” Vye told Tech Insider
“Establishing relationships with the Australian defence forces to cocreate products and making sales in Australia will help to grow our research and development and production facilities in both countries
“Setting up our Australian busi-
ParkHelp chief executive Poojitha Preena declined to comment on the value of the deal between the two privately-held firms, but told Tech Insider that Cleverciti is “cashflow positive with revenue that will be approaching $10 million this year, with just under half recurring”
Cleverciti’s systems are built on Nvidia’s Jetson machine learning platform, Preena said.
ParkHelp’s major investor is New Zealand’s largest venture capital
In April, Bezzant was sued for alleged fraud after Georgia man John Stapleton lost US$50,000 after money intended for Invisible Urban shares allegedly went into accounts controlled by broker Gary Saitowitz, who was also sued.
Stapleton’s attorney, Eric Lang, told the Herald he had no reason to question the health of Invisible Urban’s business, which seemed robust (in April 2024, it got a positive write-up from Bloomberg).
Lang’s key target was Saitowitz, Tech Insider understands.
Syos founder Sam Vye with his firm’s SA1 UAS or “thumper drone” - designed to intercept attacking drones and knock them out of the sky. Photo / Jason Dorday
Boundary lines are indicative only
only Whangarei 2 Innovate Road and 478 Marsden Road, Ruakaka
The most-watched Netflix movie in the US is devastating its audiences
Anne Branigin
Director Geeta Gandbhir didn’t know what she would encounter when she received the thumb drive from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office in August 2023
Two months earlier, a family friend, Ajike “AJ” Owens, was shot and killed by her neighbour, Susan Lorincz, in a central-Florida suburb
Owens, a 35-year-old black woman, had gone over to Lorincz s home on June 2 after Lorincz, a 58-year-old white woman threw a pair of roller skates at Owens 9-yearold son Moments after Owens arrived at Lorincz’s doorstep Lorincz fired at Owens from behind the deadbolted front door
Lorincz told police she feared Owens was going to kill her She was defending herself, she said She was standing her ground
The thumb drive contained “a jumble of files”, Gandbhir said all the material pertaining to Owens case, as the lawyers representing Owens family had requested: about 30 hours of video footage and audio from police body cameras, dash cams, detective interviews, interrogations and phone calls
It was revelatory Gandbhir said “I was like ‘Oh my God this footage goes back two years ”
It showed the moment Owens’ children learned their mother would not be coming home It showed Lorincz in a small interrogation room, admitting that she may have called her neighbours the n-word It showed police repeatedly responding to Lorincz s 911 calls, disputes that began over families walking their dogs near her home or children playing too loudly
“I m peaceful I m like the perfect neighbour,” Lorincz tells them at one point “You barely ever see me ”
The Owens family had hoped Gandbhir and her partner Nikon Kwantu, would be able to identify clips that could be shared with the media to help keep the story in the public eye “This is not just something for the news, Gandbhir recalled Kwantu telling her “There might be a bigger story
Two years later Gandbhir s documentary of the events that transpired in that community, The PerfectNeighbour is stirring
Death comes to the neighbourhood
audiences A winner at this year s Sundance Film Festival, it was released on Netflix this month and quickly became the streaming platform s most-watched movie in the United States
Critics have praised the film as “subversive” and “heart-pounding” On TikTok, where the movie and its subjects have been trending viewers have called the movie a must-watch and posted passionate reactions to the film some in tears, others simmering with anger I never cried and got mad so much until I watched ThePerfect Neighbour, one person said The film deliberately avoids much of the formula and potential pitfalls that define the true-crime genre
There are no talking heads
Jafar Panahi produces one
Janice Page
ItWas JustanAccident ends twice Both times, its brilliance can take your breath away
That is, what breath you have left by the third and fourth acts of Iranian writerdirector Jafar Panahi’s latest relentless road trip, wherein the destination isn’t a place or a thing, but a masterful commentary on power Who holds that power? In this seriously gripping and irreverent drama unquestionably among the year s most important and best-directed films it depends on your definition of the word But even then, the terms and scope of command and control fluctuate, sometimes within the span of
a sentence or a gesture Panahi, whose 30-year resume includes Taxi, The Circle, Offside and ThisIsNot aFilm, has made interrogating authoritarianism and its abuses a hallmark of his career He begins It WasJustan Accident on the outskirts of Tehran, where Rashid (Ebrahim Azizi who also starred in Panahi’s NoBears) is driving home with his pregnant wife (Afssaneh Najmabadi) and young daughter (Delmaz Najafi) when he runs over something, or someone, in the road Mild spoiler alert: It turns out to be a dog which Rashid dispatches with minimal emotion while his kid lobs blame grenades from the back seat Note taken
contextualising events for the viewer
Because police body cameras are the lens through which most of the movie unfolds, the viewer often feels embedded within law enforcement, a passive witness to the drama
“It was really important to us to make sure that we showed a 360 of what happened on the ground,”
Gandbhir said “We wanted with this footage, for the audience to really be immersed; for it to play like a narrative and for them to be able to come to their own conclusions about what happened
Drone footage depicting the quiet working-class suburb interrupt the action from time to time But these images are often tinged with dread
Frequently, they’re accompanied by audio of detectives interviewing
neighbours after the fatal shooting
Those testimonies are a “choir,” Ghandbhir said, representing the community Lorincz took arms against
Because Lorincz s calls are the reason the cops and the cameras enter the neighbourhood in the first place, she, not Owens, becomes the film’s primary subject The object of her ire was the neighbourhood children a racially diverse assembly of kids (including three of Owens’ four children) who ride bikes play football and roller-skate under the watchful eye of adults in the community
The kids, most of whom appear to be preteens and younger, are menacing and violent in Lorincz s eyes She swears at them, calls them “retards” She threatens to send a cease and desist” order because the kids are playing too loudly in a yard that is not hers The kids refer to her as “the Karen” a 21st-century pejorative for an entitled white woman
The police appear to grow increasingly exasperated with Lorincz; one refers to her as a “psycho” after chatting with the children she had reported
Gandbhir believes law enforcement “didn’t see Susan as a threat After Lorincz shot Owens, neighbours told detectives Lorincz had recently escalated her harassment of the neighbourhood children, including brandishing a gun at them Some even believed Lorincz had set up Owens to be killed
The aftermath of that shooting is the film s most devastating sequence, capturing some of Owens last breaths as she lay on the ground outside Lorincz s home The anguished yell of her children s father when an officer whispers in his ear that Owens has died Her children reflexively trying to run away when he tells them, “Mum s not coming back anymore ” Owens’ mother screaming “Why?” through the phone when she hears her daughter had died
On social media, viewers of the documentary have shared visceral responses, some posting pictures of their tear-streaked faces or videos of themselves wailing into their hands
But others expressed reservations, warning that such scenes amounted to “black trauma porn” Gandbhir said film-makers questioned whether they should include that footage and to what extent Before making the film, Gandbhir asked Owens’ mother Pam Dias for permission to tell the story
“Even though she was in the midst of her grief, she was like, ‘No, the world needs to know what happened to my baby’ ” Gandbhir said “She wants more to come out of this; she wants to turn her pain into purpose
Part of that purpose, Gandbhir said is turning a critical eye to larger issues of gun and racial violence concerns that seem to have ebbed out of the US national consciousness in the past year despite their impact on generations of Americans and their communities
Of particular interest to the film is Florida’s “stand your ground” law which Lorincz invoked after she shot Owens It took days for Florida police to arrest her; investigators told media outlets at the time they first needed to determine whether Lorincz met the criteria for the law when she shot Owens through a dead-bolted metal door
The scenes of Lorincz s interrogation are the most “cinematic,” in Gandbhir s view and arguably the most revealing At one point, when police inform Lorincz they are arresting her for manslaughter, she simply refuses to go with them “No I’m not going Sorry,” she tells them in a backand-forth that lasts more than three minutes “I don t care Kill me ”
Lorincz was ultimately convicted of manslaughter and sentenced in November 2024 to 25 years in prison In a September interview with a local TV station, Lorincz maintained that she feared for her life
Critics praising ThePerfect Neighbour have noted that what unfolded between Lorincz and her surrounding community feels like a microcosm of a post-pandemic America: the mounting distrust and polarisation, the fear, the unchecked paranoia, the panopticon of surveillance footage, body cameras and personal devices capturing it all
But audiences have also lauded the families who lived in the neighbourhood: the adults who stood up for each other s children, who told police they look out for them like I look out for my own”
of this year’s most important
We next meet Vahid (Vahid Mobasseri) when Rashid pulls up to the mechanic’s shop in his hobbled vehicle looking for assistance and a co-worker invites the family in Vahid retreats in shock because he s convinced that Rashid is the man he knows as Eghbal the Peg Leg a brutal inspector remembered for his exceptionally sadistic torture of Iran s political prisoners
Enraged Vahid stalks and kidnaps Rashid/Eghbal, intending to show exactly as much mercy as the notorious tormentor showed his victims But on his way to executing his captive, doubt creeps in Does Vahid have the right man? He seeks validation from some fellow former prisoners: a wedding photographer named Shiva (Maryam
Afshari); her ex Hamid (Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr); and an almost-bride (Hadis Pakbaten) whose almostgroom (Majid Panahi) has little choice but to join their rolling debate over justice and the burden of proof
You may think you know where Panahi is going with this, but it shouldn’t keep you from being entertained or more to the point challenged
This is a film-maker whose work always earns its resistance adjectives Imprisoned multiple times for collusion and propaganda against the regime, Panahi is said to have filmed much of his latest movie in Iran surreptitiously, with cinematographer Amin Jafari moving stealthily and
TheWashingtonPost
movies
efficiently through a 28-day shoot that never looks rushed or cut-rate on-screen The resilient auteur is also dodging the Iranian Government by collaborating with France, which co-produced and is submitting the film for Oscar consideration following its Palme d’Or win at Cannes ItWasJust anAccident has been stockpiling fans along the festival circuit not because it’s perfect but because it leads with sneaky humour, as well as sincerity and openness that never seem false or simplistic Panahi doesn t make statement films; he makes question films designed to instigate soul-searching and debate The real brilliance of those two endings is that they’re not actually endings at all
Susan Lorincz is interrogated by police. Photos / Netflix
6am Breakfast 0 The Breakfast team presents news entertainment sports and weather
9am Riddiculous 3 0 Contestants take on the Riddlemaster, hosted by Ranvir Singh
10am Tipping Point 3 0 Quiz show in which players take on a machine, hoping to win its jackpot
11am The Chase 3 0 Quiz show where contestants must stay one step ahead of The Chaser Noon Tenable 3 0 Contestants must answer questions to win a big cash prize
1pm Emmerdale PG 0
1.30 Coronation Street PG 3 0
2pm The Repair Shop 3 0 Expert craftspeople bring pieces of family history and the memories they hold back to life
3pm Tipping Point 3 0 Quiz show in which players take on a machine, hoping to win its jackpot
4pm Te Karere News and current affairs from a Maori perspective
4.30 Deal or No Deal Australia 3 0 Contestants attempt to beat the banker to win cash
5pm The Chase 0 Quiz show where contestants must stay one step ahead of The Chaser
6pm 1News at Six 0 The latest news, sport, and weather
7pm L Cricket: Blackcaps v West Indies 0 First T20 From Eden Park Auckland
10.45 Deal or No Deal Australia 3 0 Contestants attempt to beat the banker to win cash
11.10 Shortland Street PG 3 Marty tries his best
11.40 Moonflower Murders MC Upon arriving at Branlow Hall, Susan meets the people in Cecily s life –one of whom is to blame for her disappearance
12 35 The Wives ML 3
1 25 Te Karere 3 1 50 Quiz 2am Infomercials
5 30 Te Karere 3
6am Les Mills Born to Move 3 0
6 30 Children’s Programmes Kiri and Lou; Toi Time; Night Eyes; Lego Ninjago – Dragons Rising; Brain Busters; Lu and the Bally Bunch; Takaro Tribe
9.05 Infomercials
9.35 Les Mills Adult Classes 3 0
10 05 TheDrewBarrymoreShow PG 0
11am Home and Away PG 3 0
11.30 Shortland Street PG 3 0
Noon Tipping Point Australia 3 0
1pm Come Dine with Me 0
1.30 Brooklyn Nine-Nine PG 3 0
2pm The Rookie MV 3 0
3pm Seinfeld PG 3 0
3.30 Neighbours 0
4pm Tipping Point Australia 0
5pm The Big Bang Theory 3 0
6pm The Simpsons 3 0
6.30 Home and Away PG 0 Remi honours a friend; Harper opens a can of worms; Jo gets just what she needs
7pm Shortland Street PG 0 Marty tries his best
7 30 The Voice Australia 0 As the blind auditions heat up, Ronan is the only coach to not have any artists yet
8.20 Lotto
8.25 The Voice Australia Continued
9pm Taskmaster Australia ML 0 Lisa cuts sick after playing a very aggressive game of golf, Tommy mingles with some extras and the A-team and B-team are back to write a self-glorifying biography
10 05 Mel Giedroyc: Unforgiveable ML 0 Mel and her dishonourable assistant Lou Sanders are joined by Charlotte Church Sophie Willan and Lara Ricote, and Charlotte spills the beans on her wild child past
11.05 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation MVC 3
12am Killer Siblings MC 3
12.55 New Amsterdam M
1 40 Emmerdale PG 3
2 05 Infomercials
3.05 Britannia 16VL
4.35 Neighbours 3 0 5am Infomercials
6am Beachfront Bargain Hunt: Renovation 3 0
6 55 Homestead Rescue PG 0
8.55 Infomercials
10 40 Gossip Girl M Blair is surprised at her birthday party
11 35 Pretty Little Liars M Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer face the fallout from what happened the night before at the church
12.35 The Good Doctor M 3
1 30 Flip or Flop 3 0
2pm Southern Hospitality M 0 Joe and TJ heal old wounds; a stroll down King Street leads to chaos at Republic
3pm Wheel of Fortune with Graham Norton 0
4pm Beachfront Bargain Hunt 3 0
4 30 Island Life 0
5pm House Hunters International 0
5 30 House Hunters International 0 Newlyweds are seeking an adventure by the beach in Christchurch, New Zealand
6pm Three News 0
7pm Bondi Rescue PG 3 0
7.30 House Hunters Australia PG 0 Newlyweds are deciding between the inner-city and suburban North Shore for their first home
8pm House Hunters Australia 0
A couple are downsizing from their five-bedroom home in Nelson Bay with a wish-list that includes style, size, solar panels location and renovation potential
8 30 Married at First Sight UK M 0
Two more pairs take the leap of faith, with sparks flying for some, but one bride riles up her in-laws before she has even gone down the aisle
9.55 The Graham Norton Show PG 3 Hollywood great Demi Moore is joined by Lady Gaga Colin Farrell and Richard Ayoade
11pm Southern Hospitality M 3
12am Timeless M 3
12 55 Infomercials
8am The Drawing Show 3 0
8.10 My Favourite Dead Person 3 0
8 30 Kiri and Lou 3 0
8 35 Extreme Cake Sports 3 0
9am Aotearoa Rugby Pod
10 05 Infomercials
12.05 The Motorway PGL 3 0
1pm The Hui
1.35 The 100K Drop 3 0
2.30 Rugby Nation 3
2 55 Aotearoa Rugby Pod
4pm Basketball: Tauihi (HLS) Round Six
4 30 Football: A-League Men (HLS)
5.30 Suddenly Susan PGC 0 When Oliver suggests taking pictures of the staff to put in their columns Susan objects because she never looks good in photos
6pm The New Adventures of Old Christine PGC 0 Christine is heartbroken when Ritchie stops saying he loves her and, to make herself feel loved again, she asks Richard to have a baby with her
6.30 The 100K Drop 3 0
7.30 N The Tube: Keep London Moving 0 During rush hour when millions of Londoners are making their daily commutes, emergency responders react to a large dog on the underground tracks
8.30 N Earth Oven with Temuera Morrison PG 0 Temuera Morrison visits indigenous communities to see how earth ovens have shaped their cultures Tems journey begins in Jordan with the Bedouin people
9.30 The World’s Most Expensive Cruise PG 3 0 Nearing the end of the cruise Lorraine organises a variety show Ronald and Roberto prepare a barbecue on the top deck
10 30 Yellowjackets 16VLSC 0 The Yellowjackets confront the reality of pulling an Old Yeller; Lottie mentors an up-andcoming prophet; in the present Misty investigates a suspicious death
30 Your Honor 16VLSC 3 0
30 Infomercials
All Night Programme 5am First Up With Nathan Rarere
6am Mornings With Andrew Clark 10am Days With Nick Tipping. 3pm Three to Seven With Bryan Crump 7pm Evenings With David Morriss 8pm Music Alive With Clarissa Dunn Visit rnz co nz/musicalive for more information.
10pm
Blackcaps v West Indies, at 7pm
Puzzlesandhoroscopes
Across
1. Lear turned to capital of Mercia for his kingdom (5)
4. Took it away from Dover with me (7)
8. One point over another in the large intestine (5) 9 Being over-fastidious, they might give it spurs (7) 10. The legal profession starts litigation at Westminster (3)
11. Star followers put out a green form (9)
12. Finishes the day in three ways (4)
13. Theatrical failure to get over the bar with Fosbury (4)
18. Where to pay road charges to boot Hell, maybe, without East! (9)
20. Can’t quite dismiss the biologist’s pouch (3)
21. It’s not clear how cub rose out of it (7)
22. Bundle made safe around top of haystack (5)
23. Takes long steps in New Zealand trousers (7)
24. Some support for the board in school or studio (5)
Things remembered concerning couturiers’ fashion ranges (13)
Permitted nothing to be paid for yet? (7)
A way to do it with all but end of remnant (6)
A name for Peter, doing u-turn (6) 5. Brand of car that made off with end of large tent (6)
Match five thrown by the East (5)
Irreverent and crisp, left dues to be settled (13)
Pays attention to silent form
WordWheel
Your Stars
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Real connection isn't built from good manners but from attention. You're genuinely curious, and others feel it. Let silence do some of the work. People will reveal themselves when you don't rush to fill space.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): For now, relationships feel predictable. Actions lead to the expected reactions There's no nuance. If you're kind, you get kindness back; if you withdraw, people pull away. The simplicity is refreshing.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Give up on trying to make everything perfect. You're good at the task because you keep making the efforts But if you constantly judge yourself, you won't have the energy to continue and improve.
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): The fickle forces of external motivation can be helpful, but they're unreliable. Build structures that will make it easier to do the things you know will help you.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Don't be afraid to goof off. Silliness is what puts you at your attractive best. Others are drawn to your carefree spirit. Someone you pull into your orbit will be delighted to stay there.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): There's something you're trying to express, heal or understand. Don't let the world distract you from this true purpose Remember your personal "why."
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): Strength will show up in your life as integrity. It won't look like someone lifting improbable weight; it will look like consistent, grounded, predictable effort. Dominance and force are kinds of strength, but they're not the kind you're interested in.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Your instincts are golden. You'll act as though moved by providence, and the successful outcome will say it all. In time a bright logic will emerge.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Feelings are like clouds, constantly changing shape. Even as you identify with a feeling deeply, it's not who you are. Today, you'll ride these feelings to your next destination.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): The power of reciprocal energy will be a theme. You'll take part in that which replenishes you instead of depleting you. For instance, exercise takes energy, but the return is greater vitality than before.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Everything you've lived is yours to interpret. You'll claim your own narrative by talking about or writing about your life and framing it all in the way that pleases, empowers and even heals you.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): The people who trigger us are mirrors Instead of asking, "Why are they doing this to me?" try "What happens in me when I'm with them?" That shift moves you from blame to awareness, which is power
V G S O C C U C E T N I G N I K L H L I N L R O Q N Z N C C G R G D U K E P O O O Z M E O A T E C A P T A I N R C N S H J M
A G U E
ABBOT ADMIRAL AUTOCRAT BISHOP BOSS BRASS CAPTAIN CHAIRMAN CHIEF COLONEL COMMANDER CONSUL DESPOT DIRECTOR DON DUKE ELDER EMIR EMPEROR GOVERNOR GURU HEAD JUDGE KAISER KHAN KING LADY LEADER LORD MAHARANI MASTER MINISTER MONARCH NOBLE OFFICER OLIGARCH
OVERSEER PHARAOH POPE PRESIDENT QUEEN REGENT RULER SHAH SKIPPER SOVEREIGN SUPERVISOR TSAR
TRIO
Find the threeletter sequence which will complete all these words
Fit the words into the grid to create a finished crossword
3 LETTERS AMP BYE
GEE
JET LAX LEE
OAK OLD ORE PUS RIB RID SHE SOD SUE TEA TIE TON URN USE WEE YEW
4 LETTERS AGUE ARID ASIA BEDS DORM DUAL EWES FEAR FEND FIJI HALO HATE IRIS LAID LEAK LIME LOST MOOR OBOE OKAY OUST PALM PLEA PODS PORE PUCK RATE REST RIOT ROSY RUIN SACS SEER SMUG SPUD SULK SURE TANK TEAT TONE TUNA URGE WEAK YEAR
5 LETTERS ADOPT AGONY AIDED ARENA DROWN ENURE ESTER EXALT FAMED GENUS HIKED HINDU IGLOO IMAGE KARMA LADES LUNGE MELEE MITTS NAMES NEEDS OLDIE
RHINO SCOUR STAKE TRADE TURNS USHER WEEDS WORST
6 LETTERS EATERY SEESAW SNORED WREATH
7 LETTERS ENGROSS INTRUDE TRIGGER WOODCUT
NORTHLAND WEATHER
THE SITUATION
A ridge of high pressure covers much of the country during the day Meanwhile a front approaches Fiordland from the Tasman Sea, spreading northwesterlies onto the South Island. The front weakens as it moves north over the South Island tomorrow, while a weakening low approaches the North Island from the north On Friday, a broad trough of low pressure extends over the North Island, while a ridge of high pressure covers the South Island.
NORTHLAND FIVE DAY FORECAST
Today: Morning cloud clearing to fine, then becoming partly cloudy in the west with isolated showers in the afternoon. Northeasterlies developing in the morning, dying out evening.
Tomorrow: Rain developing in the morning. Easterlies
Friday: Showers, easing in the evening. Light winds.
Saturday: A few showers Light winds
Sunday: Partly cloudy, with isolated showers. Southwesterlies developing.
NEW ZEALAND TODAY
Hamilton fine 23 8
Tauranga fine 22 11
BAY OF ISLANDS MARINE FORECAST
Today: Variable 5kt E 10kt developing in the morning Sea slight. NE swell 1m. Partly cloudy
Tomorrow: E 10kt, turning N 10kt in the evening. NE swell 1m. Rain developing.
Friday: N 10kt, easing to variable 5kt later NE swell 1m Rain, clearing. Saturday: Variable 5kt, becoming SW 10kt late NE swell 1m Mostly cloudy, with a few showers developing.
WHANGAREI MARINE FORECAST
Today: Variable 5kt E 10kt developing for a time in the afternoon. Sea slight. NE swell 1m. Fine. Partly cloudy
Tomorrow: E 10kt, rising to 15kt in the morning. NE swell 1m dying out Rain developing.
Friday: NE 15kt. NE swell 1m developing. Occasional rain, clearing
Saturday: N 10kt, easing to variable 5kt later NE swell 1m. Mostly cloudy, with a few showers developing.
Whangarei Mangawhai
Whangaroa
Houhora
Pouto Point
H L 8:06am 8:26pm 1:40am 2:03pm H L 7:48am 8:04pm 1:26am 1:49pm H L 7:44am 8:00pm 1:24am 1:47pm H L 7:29am 7:45pm 1:14am 1:37pm H L 7:44am 8:00pm 1:28am 1:51pm
H L 7:54am 8:07pm 1:36am 1:59pm H L 8:14am 8:30pm 1:54am 2:17pm
H L 10:50am 11:09pm 4:34am 4:58pm H L 9:26am 9:40pm 3:14am 3:37pm H L 10:16am 10:32pm 4:09am 4:32pm H L 11:57am 6:25am 6:48pm
H L 9:00am 9:18pm 2:32am 2:56pm
H L 8:41am 8:57pm 2:17am 2:42pm H L 8:37am 8:53pm 2:15am 2:40pm H L 8:22am 8:38pm 2:05am 2:30pm H L 8:37am 8:53pm 2:19am 2:44pm H L 8:44am 8:57pm 2:26am 2:50pm H L 9:07am 9:23pm 2:45am 3:10pm H L 11:38am 11:57pm 5:22am 5:46pm H L 10:12am 10:28pm 4:01am 4:24pm H L 11:03am 11:20pm 4:56am 5:20pm H L 12:11am 12:43pm 7:12am 7:35pm
Marsden Point Tutukaka Russell
Whangaroa Houhora
Pouto Point
Pouto Point Cape Maria V. D’n Opononi Te Kopuru Whangarei Mangawhai
Cape Maria V. D’n Opononi Te Kopuru
H L 9:52am 10:10pm 3:22am 3:49pm H L 9:32am 9:49pm 3:08am 3:35pm H L 9:28am 9:45pm 3:06am 3:33pm H L 9:13am 9:30pm 2:56am 3:23pm H
9:28am 9:45pm 3:10am 3:37pm H L 9:34am 9:48pm 3:15am 3:41pm H L 9:58am 10:15pm 3:36am 4:03pm
12:25pm 6:09am 6:34pm H L 10:59am 11:18pm 4:48am 5:13pm H L 11:50am 5:42am 6:08pm H
12:59am 1:30pm 7:59am 8:24pm
Dargaville Kaitaia
Deaths
FIFE, Carol Lorraine. (nee Jordan)
With heavy hearts we share the passing of Mum on 4th November 2025.
Much loved wife of Ian, dearly loved Mum of Kay, Sharon and Murray and motherin-law of Peter, Allan and Gaylain Loved Nana of Isobel, Blair and Iain As per Mum’s wishes, she has been cremated.
To honour and remember Mum’s life
please join us at Squire Funeral Services Chapel, 15 Wihongi St, Kaikohe, at 11am on Saturday 8th November 2025.
Thanks to the amazing staff at Hauora Hokianga Rawene Hospital for their care and compassion.
Squire Funeral Services Ltd
Kaikohe/Kawakawa
MACDONALD, June Follet. (nee Heyward)
19/06/1926 - 28/10/2025
Loved wife of Ewen Macdonald (deceased).
Loved mother of Allan, Fraser (deceased) and Robert, grandma to 7 and great-grandma to 11.
A celebration of June's life to be held at Whangarei Sailing Club, 212 Riverside Drive, Whangarei 2nd December 2025 commencing 2pm.
A Graceful Undertaking 09 988 9502
POWDRELL, Shirley May. (nee Whitford)
On Sunday 2nd November 2025, aged 90 years.
Beloved wife of the late Thomas Charles Powdrell. Loving and much loved mum to her boys Murray, Graeme, and David, and her daughter-inlaw Catherine Treasured nana of Nicola and Blair, Bradley and Tara Samantha, George, Kieran, and Grant Great nana to Nathan and Ellie, Luca and Brodi
At peace with Tom and her angel daughter Joanne.
A celebration of Shirley's life will be held at the Chapel of Morris and Morris Funerals Whangarei (Entrance 17 Western Hills Drive) Whau Valley, Whangarei at 2pm on Friday 7 November 2025.
All Communications to the Powdrell Family c/- PO Box 8043 Kensington, Whangarei 0145
POWDRELL, Shirley May. (nee Whitford) Third daughter of Lawrence Kenneth Whitford and Lucy Evelyn Whitford (nee Shaw). Sister to Rose, Roy, Viv, Ronnie, and her youngest sister Gillian (Gill). "The last of the Mohicans"
POWDRELL, Shirley May (nee Whitford).
On Sunday 2nd November 2025, aged 90 years.
Beloved wife of the late Thomas Charles Powdrell.
Loving and much loved mum to her boys Murray, Graeme, and David, and her daughter-in-law
Catherine Treasured nana of Nicola and Blair, Bradley and Tara, Samantha, George, Kieran, and Grant. Great nana to Nathan and Ellie, Luca and Brodi. At peace with Tom and her angel daughter Joanne.
A celebration of Shirley's life will be held at the Chapel of Morris and Morris Funerals Whangarei (Entrance 17 Western Hills Drive) Whau Valley, Whangarei at 2pm on Friday 7 November 2025.
All Communications to the Powdrell Family c/- PO Box 8043 Kensington, Whangarei 0145
WINTON, Beth.
Died at Kamo Home in the arms of her family on 31 October 2025 age 100 years An extraordinary life well lived Beloved wife of Peter Winton (deceased). Mum and Mum in law to Jane and Graeme, Kate and Ian, Roger and Rachael, Ann and Fokke. Loved Granny to Ben and Leann, Antony and Tash, Emma and Tonci, Tom, Pete and Nikole, Patrick and Kiara, and Tom, Jane and Jock, Thomas and Zoe Gran-Granny to eight.
A celebration of Beth’s life will be held at 11 Kaymhar Lane, Maunu, Whangarei at 1.00pm on Thursday 6th November 2025, followed by private burial.
Communications to the Winton family c/- A Graceful Undertaking PO Box 7036, Whangarei 0144.
AGracefulUndertaking 099889502
Local Classifieds
Livestock & Poultry
58th Annual Monster Machinery Sale
Kauri Saleyards – Whangarei Friday 7th November 2025 Starts 10.30am
of
2 part boxes of
separator,
t les, set of
Stacking draws, 4 E/F reels, fence stds, Solo bank pack sprayer, 2x Halogen flood l ghts old test cream can set of copper pivot scales (antique), old scales & weights, 2x sickle knives, electric fittings & lights, step ladder, drive bar for a trailer letter box various motors Kiwi shearing p ant various shovels, spades brooms etc, box of spanners & crescents box of various tools Electric knife blade sharpener, 20kg Zincmax, socket sets, box of various tools, screwdr vers etc, HD duty chain block, box of funnels & screws etc Dewalt battery drill impact drill set box sealants & sprays etc, box of various shearing gear, box of files & screwdr vers etc, gardening tools & glove etc, 2 full bales Bradford insulation 4 extension leads fencing gear & insulators etc, hand drills & bits, box tie downs, tractor parts boxes of na ls screws bo ts etc basin E/F reels & stds, wire strops, roofing iron, box window louvers, tarpaulins, box of fencing staples, electric grinder, combination unit table saw planer router table and router Masport water blaster, high pressure hose system
There will also be more items from Northland PGW stores
**THERE WILL BE EFTPOS FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT THE SALE**
All lots will be sold exclusive of GST & a 10% purchasing levy will apply
Items must be delivered to Kauri Saleyards on Thursday 6th October between 8am-5pm Overnight Security is provided Contact our Local PGG Wrightson
For Sale
GARDEN BEDS, raised, Macrocarpa, made-toorder flat packs. Easy assembly, very strong construction with holes pre-drilled and nails supplied - trellis and capped edges optional. Delivery wpossible. Ph 09 439 4509.
Wanted to Buy or Exchange
WANTED: Old 1960’s Longboard Surfboard Any Condition. Phone 0211087273
Caravans\Motorhomes & Trailers
CAMPERVAN 1998 Ford Transit diesel, automatic, 2 berth, shower/ toilet New WOF $30,000 Ph 0272655910.
KAIRAKAU ARAHI LIMITED (IN LIQUIDATION) (the Company)
Pursuant to Section 255 (2) of the Companies Act 1993
In the matter of section 241(2) (c) of the Companies Act 1993, notice is hereby given that the Company was placed into liquidation on 28 October 2025 at 10:23 AM with the appointment of Grant Bruce Reynolds as liquidator.
Creditors and shareholders may direct their inquiries to Grant Reynolds during normal business hours at the address and contact numbers stated below.
Registration Deadline Thursday Nov 21st, Text or phone 0274 450 075 or email kurate@xtra.co.nz - to register.
1. Karakia whakatuwhera
2. Trustees Report
3. State of the Ahu whenua Trust
4. Development ideas.
5. Whanau wananga.
6. Karakia whakamutunga
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All Whites will be without Wood
Ahead of their toughest matches of the year, the All Whites will be without their most valuable player.
That’s the unfortunate reality for the New Zealand team, with captain Chris Wood ruled out of the upcoming internationals against Colombia and Ecuador in the United States.
Colombia are ranked 13th in the world by Fifa and Ecuador are 23rd. Ecuador finished second in South American qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup ahead of powerhouses like Brazil and Uruguay, while Colombia were third. The All Whites are ranked 85th.
Wood has been struggling with a knee problem for a couple of months, with his loading carefully managed during that time. But he is currently sidelined at Nottingham Forest, with his return time unconfirmed.
The injury is not believed to be serious but has restricted his ability to play and train and the 33-year-old hasn’t played for Forest since making a substitute appearance on October 18 against Chelsea, which turned out to be Ange Postecoglou’s last match in charge.
“This window has come too soon ” All Whites coach Darren Bazeley told the Herald “I don t think he s going to play for Forest for the next few weeks until it s completely recovered
“Obviously, it’s not ideal when you lose your captain and a Premier League goalscorer We’re a team that hasn t scored lots of goals, so it does make things a little bit harder But we have to deal with it and it means opportunities for other players ”
Bazeley said they were unlikely to change their shape, though would
Regular captain Chris Wood is rehabbing a knee problem and will miss games against Colombia and Ecuador.
make “tweaks” to allow for the absence of Wood. It means that veteran Kosta Barbarouses, Ben Waine and Andre de Jong are the striker options. All three have their different attributes.
Tarrant hailed ‘one of greatest’
HOCKEY
Blair Tarrant is being hailed as “one of the greatest ever to wear the fern” after announcing the end of his 15-year Black Sticks career yesterday
The 35-year-old played 272 hockey internationals, representing New Zealand at three Olympics (2016, 2021 and 2024), three World Cups (2014, 2018 and 2023) and three Commonwealth Games (2010, 2014 and 2022)
“I ve been incredibly lucky to live out a dream, to represent New Zealand and play the game I love for so long ” Tarrant said
“None of it would have been possible without my parents, partner, family, friends and the amazing coaches and managers who have supported me along the way
“A special thank you to Dave Ross who had a huge influence on my development as a hockey player ” Black Sticks assistant coach and former teammate Shea McAleese said he did not know anyone more determined to improve every day I was lucky enough to share 10 years on the field with Taz and then have the privilege of coaching him to Paris 2024,” McAleese said He wore the black shirt with immense pride, and everything he did epitomised what it means to be
Barbarouses has the most experience with 70 games though has yet to prove himself consistently on the international stage, especially against the bigger nations and eight of his nine goals for the All Whites
have come against Oceania teams.
But Bazeley said he is still seen as the understudy to Wood, given his record of excellence in the A-League This squad is boosted by the return of vice-captain Liberato Cacace, who
a New Zealand great many others would follow into battle
“Taz can hang up his stick knowing he went out on a high
“His 2024 campaign was phenomenal, and he was consistently one of the best players for New Zealand and in the world
“He’ll go down as one of the greatest ever to wear the fern
Black Sticks coach Greg Nicol congratulated Tarrant on a fantastic career
“[He was] a highly respected Black Stick who gave everything every time he wore the fern; a true Black Stick through and through,” Nicol said
“From a young kid with big dreams in Otago to captaining his country on the world s biggest stage, Blair’s story is one of passion, perseverance and pride His legacy will be felt for years to come within the Black Sticks environment and across the wider hockey community ”
Tarrant’s passion for hockey
has missed the last two windows with a hamstring injury picked up at Wrexham AFC. Attacking midfielder Elijah Just, who is enjoying an excellent season at Scottish Premiership team Motherwell is also back in the mix after injury.
Swansea midfielder Marko Stamenic has been selected for the games at this stage, though Bazeley said details will be ironed out at a later stage, with Stamenic still grieving the tragic recent passing of his father, Nikola.
Central Coast Mariners right fullback Storm Roux has replaced Tim Payne, who broke his collarbone playing for the Wellington Phoenix last week, while Bill Tuiloma is another option there. Bazeley conceded that Callan Elliott was unfortunate to miss the cut, as at the time of selection the Auckland FC man wasn’t playing but now could have an extended run of game time with captain Hiroki Sakai’s absence.
“Maybe the timing has gone against Callan,” said Bazeley.
Auckland FC teammate Jesse Randall was also “very, very close” to making the trip after an impressive start to the season.
“He is flexible positionally and looking really sharp,” said Bazeley.
“There is a lot of competition for places but he is on the radar and potentially a bit unlucky.”
Logan Rogerson’s lack of club game time counted against him, while Nando Pijnaker wasn’t considered, as he works his way back from a longterm ankle injury.
Uncapped Swedish based Kees Sims has been picked as the third goalkeeper option, replacing Nik Tzanev who has struggled for recent match minutes.
Otherwise the core of the squad remains the same.
NZHerald
started on the turfs of Dunedin and developed into a lifelong pursuit He represented the Junior Black Sticks at the 2009 Junior World Cup before making his senior debut in 2010 against Germany in Nottingham Later that year, he helped the Black Sticks secure bronze at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, and over the next 15 years he became a mainstay of the team s defence Known for his composure leadership and ability to read the game, he represented New Zealand with distinction at every major international tournament His 272 caps (scoring 10 goals) are a testament to his durability, consistency and commitment to the silver fern, and he captained the team from 2017 to 2022
Tarrant spent most of his domestic career with the Howick Pakuranga club but also played for HC Rotterdam in the Netherlands and the Hamburger Polo Club in Germany, an indication of the respect he earned internationally
Blair Tarrant played 272 times for New Zealand across an international career spanning 15 years.
Photo / AAP, Photosport
MOTORSPORT
Liam Lawson says his future in Formula One remains unclear and he expects performance over the final five race weekends to decide his fate
In an exclusive interview with NZME, the Racing Bulls driver talked about the pressures of Formula One his demotion from the Red Bull team and what needs to be done to secure a seat for the 2026 season
The Kiwi is in a battle for a seat alongside Red Bull driver Yuki Tsunoda, teammate Isack Hadjar and Red Bull junior Arvid Lindblad
Only four-time world champion Max Verstappen is confirmed at Red Bull next year, signed through to 2028 He is expected to be partnered by Hadjar, who is the next best driver on the organisation’s books so far in his rookie season
And with Red Bull understood to be eager to promote 18-yearold Lindblad after one season of Formula Two Lawson and Tsunoda have effectively been left in a shootout for that final place at Racing Bulls Lawson heads into this weekend s racing in Brazil, which includes a sprint race, on 30 points and in 15th place on the driver standings, two points and places ahead of Tsunoda
He told NZME his future in the sport remains unknown and he just has to keep performing on
the track
“At this point right now, the decision is not clear and hasn t been made and has us in a position where basically I m still working towards trying to secure that seat,” he said
I think the pathway or the guide is to perform And if you perform, you stay in the sport That s just how it’s been since I was 16 years old That s how it s been since I joined the programme That’s just how it is And that s basically my guide,”
Lawson said
“It s at the point of the year where obviously the decisions are being made around the four seats that are in our camp for next year It’s something that obviously I’m very aware of But at the same time, it doesn t change really anything I m doing It doesn t change the approach to each race weekend All that stays the same
“I think all of the hard stuff makes you better anyway ” he said
“And if I come out of this year which is what I’m trying to do, I’ll be in a much better place because of sort of the hard stuff that’s been going on this year ”
Lawson is preparing for this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix after a disappointing outing in Mexico where his race lasted only a few laps and he was lucky to avoid two marshals who ran across the track
Last year he finished ninth in both the sprint and Grand Prix races in Sao Paulo with an
impressive fifth placing in qualifying for the main race This year’s season culminates with race weekends in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, after which Red Bull will make their decision on the 2026 drivers
Lawson started the season in the Red Bull car with defending world champion Verstappen is as his teammate but was demoted to the Racing Bulls team just two races into the season His replacement Tsunoda has also struggled in the car and sits behind the Kiwi on the points standings
“I think it s very rare to look back on stuff and think I did everything exactly as I wanted to do For me, as long as I look back on this year and learn from things that I feel like I could have done better
I think we ve done a really good job through a good part of this year The second half of the year has been a lot stronger I think we were trying to play catch-up for the first part because of the way the start of the year unfolded
“And I think that we definitely got there, but in a sport where there’s just so many variables and you don’t put one piece of the puzzle together on a race weekend and, especially in a season that’s so close, you just get knocked out and you re fighting where you don’t want to be fighting I think that trying to do that every single weekend and have everything go right is very tough ” NZHerald
Triumphant World Series parade brings out record crowd
BASEBALL
Hundreds of thousands of Los Angeles Dodgers fans turned the city into a sea of blue yesterday as the California metropolis saluted the baseball giants’ back-to-back World Series titles.
A blizzard of blue confetti enveloped a motorcade of open-top buses ferrying players on a slow crawl through downtown Los Angeles, two days after the team’s epic World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Huge throngs of fans, who had begun taking up positions before dawn lined the route, with city officials saying they expected the crowd to eclipse last year’s victory
parade, when more than 200,000 fans turned out.
The Dodgers became the first side in 25 years to win back-to-back Major League Baseball championships on Sunday when they defeated the Blue Jays 5-4 in a thrilling duel to clinch the franchise’s ninth World Series crown.
The win was the Dodgers’ third World Series title since 2020, confirming the star-studded team as modern baseball’s latest dynasty.
Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani who has now won two World Series titles since joining the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season said he hopes to be celebrating a hat-trick of titles next year.
“It’s really nice to be able to win the championship and to be
surrounded by all these amazing fans,” Ohtani told Spectrum Sportsnet LA television.
“I’m already thinking about the third time we’re going to do this next year.”
Yesterday’s parade was also a moment for veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw to sign off in style.
Kershaw, a future Hall-of-Famer, announced his retirement from baseball in the final weeks of the regular season after 18 years with the Dodgers.
‘Perfect’ send off “I’m blown away. It’s the perfect way to be done,” the 37-year-old ace said.
“The Dodgers have always meant a lot to this city for generations. It’s part of people’s families, and so for
us to get to do this in front of them, means the world to me.”
The hero of the Dodgers series win Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto also basked in the applause following his game seven heroics.
Yamamoto was named World Series Most Valuable Player after emerging from the bullpen to close out victory from the mound, just a day after throwing 96 pitches in a series-tying game six win.
“I love being able to share this with my team-mates,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter. “I need to say a big thank to my team-mates.” Yamamoto added he had almost been too tired to lift his MVP award.
“It was too heavy,” Yamamoto said. Dodgers first baseman Freddie
Freeman who won the MVP award during last year’s win over the New York Yankees said the team’s pitching staff had been the cornerstone of this season’s title triumph.
“This year we hit every speed bump possible,” Freeman said. “At one point we had our whole starting rotation on the IL (injured list). But when we got them back we hopped on their back and rode them all the way to the World Series.”
There was also acclaim for veteran utility man Miguel Rojas. The 36-yearold from Venezuela hit the gametying home run in the ninth inning of Sunday’s game seven and also made a game-saving defensive play to deny the Blue Jays a walk-off victory.
Liam Lawson. Photo / Photosport
Melham makes history with Half Yours winning the 165th Melbourne Cup
Australian-bred horse in the race
Jamie Melham has become the first woman in history to win the Caulfield CupMelbourne Cup double with a brilliant ride on Half Yours
Melham is just the second female jockey to win the race in its 165-year history, 10 years on from Michelle Payne’s heroics onboard Prince of Penzance
Goodie Two Shoes ran second, with Middle Earth ran third and River of Stars fourth Half Yours was the race favourite after winning the Caulfield Cup, and the only
The six-year-old gelding became the 13th horse to complete the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double
“Oh my god This is what we do it for ” said Melham who raced as Jamie Kah until marrying jockey
Ben Melham this year
“This is why we get up out of bed every morning, at 4am and work our a***s off
“The last 15 years I’ve been in this industry, it s tough
“It’s not all glorious and perfect, as everyone can see
“I’ve had an amazing year amazing year got married, had some really great days on the track but
I’ve had an amazing year, amazing year, got married, had some really great days on the track but nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now.
Jamie Melham
nothing ever, ever compares to this feeling right now
“I have to mention my grandpa
$4,899+
He died last week The last thing he watched was the Caulfield Cup and he was such a big supporter of mine, so he s up there opening those gaps for me because I needed a few gaps opened then
“And my mum and dad are here They've put up with all my s**t for the last 15 years
“I’ve just won the Melbourne Cup ”
The Kiwi punter who could have won more than $730,000 if Buckaroo had finished in the top three after getting the first 11 legs of a 12-leg multi was left with nothing but a worthless $7 41 betting slip when the horse ran last
Black Caps forced into late change
The Black Caps will be without Tim Seifert for the upcoming T20 series against the West Indies.
The wicketkeeper-batter broke his finger while batting for Northern Districts on Monday.
An x-ray confirmed a fracture to the right index finger.
Canterbury wicketkeeper-batter
Mitch Hay has been called in to the squad as Seifert’s replacement.
Seifert has played 77 T20 internationals since making his debut in 2018 and is a key member of the squad preparing for the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka in February.
“He showed in the recent T20 series that he’s building up to top form, so it’s disappointing that has been halted as we continue to prepare for a pinnacle event,” coach Rob Walter said.
“We’re hoping Tim’s recovery will be quick and he’ll be back on the park as soon as possible.”
New Zealand and West Indies meet in five T20Is over the next 10 days, starting tonight in Auckland. Hay has featured in 11 T20 internationals for the Black Caps since making his debut against Sri Lanka in Dambulla in November last year and holds the world record for the most dismissals (6) in an innings in T20 international cricket
Black Caps v West Indies T20ISeries: 1stT20I Tonight, 7.15pm Eden Park, Auckland
2ndT20I Thursday, November 6, 7.15pm Eden Park, Auckland
3rdT20I Sunday, November 9, 1.15pm Saxton Oval, Nelson
4thT20I Monday, November 11, 1.15pm, Saxton Oval, Nelson
5thT20I Thursday, November 13, 1.15pm University of Otago Oval, Dunedin
Jamie Melham and Half Yours clear away to win the 165th running of the Melbourne Cup at Flemington yesterday.
