Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: Radio New Zealand

A proposed 66 house subdivision near the shores of Lake Whakamaru in Waikato has sparked a land occupation by a local hapū.

But the issues Ngāti Te Kohera were fighting for go much deeper than the one development; and they might not be easy to solve.

When Jonathan Quigley set about asking for his land to be rezoned from rural to rural-lifestyle, he thought he did everything right.

“We consulted extensively with iwi and they helped, through conversations with them, they helped essentially inform the end result,” he said.

He said the feedback from iwi leaders he engaged with was that the consultation had been well done.

“So, you can imagine our surprise when we then had an occupation start on the end of the first day of the [plan change] hearing,” he said.

Ngāti Te Kohera hapū representative Craig Ahipene said they had problems with the proposed development culturally, environmentally and legally – and thought it would just be an eyesore.

However, many of the group’s concerns go back to the history of how the land fell into private hands, and to the way the crown developed the hydro lake in the first place.

“The river was flooded to form the new hydro lake that is there today. Unfortunately, the crown at the time didn’t allow us, and other hapū, to remove our dead,” Ahipene said.

This meant any development near the lake which might result in pollution of the river was deeply concerning to the hapū.

“Human waste that goes into that river is a grievous cultural harm to the mana and tapu and mouri of our dead ancestors, and ourselves as well because we are the protectors of that.”

Quigley said the proposal took that concern on board and had been developed so no sewage could get in the river, along with mitigating other environmental concerns.

Local Hope Woodward was against the development and said it might be well planned but the lakeside was not the place for 66 houses.

“It’s going to be an environmental experiment basically and this space just doesn’t need it,” she said.

She wanted the area to be protected as undeveloped land.

“We don’t have a lot of spaces like this left around our country and this is only going to set a precedent for further developments.”

The occupation was not on Quigley’s land but on the public land reserve right in front of it.

He said he’d been told the area was now under a rāhui and restrictions apply to when and how he and his family could use the reserve.

A South Waikato District Council spokesperson said it was aware of public access being restricted to the site and had seen reports of an apparent rāhui being put in place for part of Lake Whakamaru Reserve.

“However, this has not been officially communicated to us in any form. Raukawa, as the iwi who carry mana and responsibility for the hapū currently occupying the area, are the appropriate body to work with the group on this matter,” the spokesperson said.

The council said it respected the group’s right to peaceful protest, with maintaining public access to the site and the safe management of any fire present being its key concerns.

Both Quigley and those occupying the land said interactions at the lake are generally respectful, though online things have got personal.

“I’ve received death threats via Facebook, so that’s not fun,” he said.

Quigley felt lies had been spread about him and the development online, and it was an enormously stressful situation for his whole family.

“My wife is pretty strung out knowing what I’m going through, my kids are old enough to see that it’s having an effect, and it’s all for stuff that’s not actually accurate.”

Jacinta Rata had been occupying the land since day one and said the occupation was affecting those taking part.

“We’ve all had to sacrifice a lot to be here on the ground,” she said.

She said it wasn’t a situation anyone wanted, even those taking part in the occupation.

“But you know, I think if we didn’t do it, it would be harder to live with… if we didn’t do anything,” she said.

Ahipene said regardless of the outcome of the proposed development, the hapū expected the occupation to continue until they could preserve the land.

And that’s bigger than Quigley.

“The crown basically has created this problem through its processes in history and so the crown needs to be part of the solution as well,” said Ahipene.

Not that he had much faith in the current government. His faith was with where he felt the mood of the public was.

“The majority are against this [government’s] attack on the environment, we’re against this attack on Māori rights,” he said.

The proposed plan change was now with South Waikato District Council planning commissioners, and a decision was expected in the next few months.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

Millions of dollars have been spent on a new speedway track at Auckland’s Waikaraka Park, with drivers calling it “a win” for the motor sports community.

An $11 million construction project has finished just in time for the first Auckland race of the 2025-2026 speedway season on Saturday.

Speedway New Zealand, the governing body of the sport in Aotearoa, certified the safety of the new track on November 26.

It was the first new speedway track the country had built in the last 25 years.

Midget car driver Ben Morrison was stoked to test out the track for the first time on Thursday, a year after the upgrades were first announced.

“We’ve all followed the progress on social media and seen how it’s tracking. Huge credit to the people who have been building this in the wettest months of the year, and they got it done just in time.

“It was a whole lot of fun out there. I think it’s got potential to be the best track in the country.”

In October 2024, Auckland Council made the controversial decision to end nearly 100 years of speedway racing at Western Springs and move all speedway to Waikaraka Park in Onehunga.

Sprint car driver Luke Brown, who also owned and worked on his car, said it was sad to see speedway end at Western Springs.

“It is sad that Western Springs is gone. Awesome place, awesome venue, awesome history.”

But he said the new track was a massive improvement from what the city had to offer before, and it made more sense to have a single venue for motorsports.

“For me, I think it’s a vast improvement in terms of spectator viewership and potential sponsorship. It’s one facility run by two different groups. It’s the best of both worlds; you can pick and choose which [speedway] classes you want or don’t want to see.

“The facilities are good, and they’re only going to get better. Overall, I think it’s a win.”

After its facelift, Waikaraka Park now sported a wider track, new lighting and toilet facilities, and an improved speedway safety wall and catch fence.

A new pit area had been built, fitting up to 130 racers at a time, 40 more than before. The pit would also be open to fans during racing, for them to mingle with drivers.

There was also a new heritage wall, honouring the track’s history from when speedway racing started there in 1967.

Auckland Stock and Saloon Car Club, which hosted speedway events at Waikaraka Park, said at the moment, the venue could accommodate 4500 spectators at a time, with 3000 in the grandstand.

Club promoter Bruce Robertson said the new track, designed by an architect who is a former speedway driver, was similar to international speedway tracks.

“We’ve really got a great facility here for racing and the track’s banked as well, which is unusual for a New Zealand track; there’s only one other that has a banked track. This is something they’ll get used to and enjoy American-style racing.”

He said the consolidation of speedway in Auckland to just one venue means drivers and fans would have a better experience.

“There’s still some thinking Western Springs [speedway] should continue on. But if this [upgrade] wasn’t done, they would have nowhere to race.

“I’ve invested a lot in Western Springs, unfortunately, but times have changed.”

They were expecting sell-out crowds for their upcoming events.

Waikaraka Park had a lease in place until 2051, with the club, which would now host all four-wheel speedway classes, including the open wheel classes that previously raced at Western Springs.

Meanwhile, the Western Springs Speedway Association was taking Auckland Council to court.

Spokesperson Jason Jones believed having just one venue for speedway would not help the sport’s growth.

“We’re happy for Waikaraka, but it’s not a solution for the entire sport whatsoever.

“Anyone who says it’s a great thing for speedway moving forward is not being truthful.”

He argued Western Springs could accommodate larger crowds, which would attract more money from sponsors.

“A key aspect of the business model with motorsport is sponsorship, if you own a car or your race, and that’s solely based around bums on seats. The less people you have at a venue, the less exposure you have for your branding, and the less likely it is for you to gain sponsorship.”

Celebrating the opening of the new track, Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (TAU) chief executive Nick Hill said focusing on Waikaraka was the right call.

“Not everybody has been supportive of these changes and the consolidation, but that’s the history of all sporting venues when they consolidate or move somewhere new.

“People are very passionate about their experiences with sport, and there’s a lot of history with the [speedway] venues. But this secures the future of speedway in Auckland in one place, and at one venue.”

TAU were looking at adding more spectator seating at Waikaraka Park in the future.

Auckland Council was expected to make a final decision about how Western Springs Stadium will be used going forward early next year.

Racing will return to Waikaraka Park from Saturday, November 29, for stock and saloon cars, followed by open-wheel racing on Saturday, December 13.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A man has been charged with arson in relation to a house fire in the Southland town of Waikaia that happened almost two years ago.

Emergency services were called to the home on Elswick Street on 21 February 2024, where the blaze caused extensive damage.

On Wednesday police charged a 35 year old Dunedin man with arson who was due to appear in Gore District Court on 17 December.

Detective Sergeant Brian McKinney thanked members of the public who provided information to police for their investigation.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

National MP Carlos Cheung and several other Hong Kong New Zealanders have expressed their sadness and concern over the major fire that has killed dozens.

The blaze engulfed multiple residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district.

“I am deeply saddened by the devastating fire in Hong Kong last night,” MP Carlos Cheung said.

“As someone who was born in Hong Kong and came to New Zealand as a teenager, this tragedy feels especially close to home. My heart goes out to all the families who have lost loved ones, those who are injured, and everyone affected by this horrific incident.”

The fire, which has engulfed multiple residential towers in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district, has killed 44 people with around 270 missing.

“I also want to acknowledge the bravery of the first responders who put themselves at risk to save others,” Cheung said.

“As a New Zealand Member of Parliament, I stand in solidarity with the people of Hong Kong during this incredibly difficult time, and I hope for a full and transparent investigation so that answers and accountability can be found.

My thoughts are with all those grieving and with the survivors who now face an unimaginable recovery.”

The complex includes 2000 apartments and houses over 4600 people, many of whom were pensioners.

A Hong Kong New Zealander says he and his friends are saddened by the big fire in Tai Po.

Garry Ko, a committee member at the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, says he used to live close to the area where a few high-rise buildings are on fire.

“As someone born in Hong Kong, I’m really saddened when I saw news about the fire. Although I [have left] Hong Kong now, Tai Po is always home in my heart,” he says.

Garry Ko says he has been keeping a close eye on the response to the blaze and his organisation will discuss what they can do to help.

Another Hong Konger living in New Zealand Anthony Lo says he hopes these who are unaccounted for in the fire could be found safe.

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in relation to the deadly blaze – two directors and a consultant of a construction company.

All election-related work has been paused in the city.

– RNZ/CNN

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Corrections officer says the death of a man they pepper sprayed in Mt Eden Prison has stayed with them.

The second phase of a Coronial Inquest into the death of Caleb Moefa’auo is underway in the Auckland District Court.

It will focus on the circumstances of his death, how his mental health contributed to what happened and whether the officers involved adequately took this into account.

Moefa’auo had been previously diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, and was staying at Tiaho Mai – a residential unit to support people with mental health issues – after pleading guilty to aggravated assault and shoplifting in June, 2021.

He was sent to Mt Eden Corrections Facility in December, 2021 after allegedly assaulting a fellow patient at Tiaho Mai, and was later placed in the prison’s Intervention and Support Unit, after being found to be at risk of self-harm.

The 26-year-old had a cardiac arrest after being pepper sprayed in 2022, in an altercation over returning towels following a shower.

On Thursday, the officer who sprayed Moefa’auo gave tearful evidence, pausing a number of times to wipe their eyes.

The officer, who cannot be named, had been charged with assault but was acquitted in a trial by jury.

They said they would’ve approached Moefa’auo differently, if they had known more about him.

“It wasn’t until after his death that I found out that he had come from an acute mental health ward, hadn’t been taking his medication, and had not slept the previous night,” they said.

“Looking back now, I think I would have approached him differently if I had known more about him. The more information about the people we are looking after, the better decisions we can make.”

The officer believed using pepper spray was necessary to gain control of the situation.

“I want to be clear that my decision to use pepper spray was not because Caleb had more than one towel,” he said.

“The towel issue was what started the interaction, but my decision to draw and then use spray was about the situation becoming unsafe, and needing to regain control.”

The officer said they drew the spray as a warning, but couldn’t see any sign of Moefa’auo following instructions.

The officer said the decision to use pepper spray was made in good faith.

Looking back, the officer said he might have tried talking to Moefa’auo for longer or creating more space between them.

“At the time, I saw risk from Caleb’s non-compliance, his size, his raised and agitated behaviour, and the wet towels which can be used as a weapon or ligatures.”

The officer addressed Moefa’auo’s family who sat sullenly at the back of the courtroom.

The officer choked back tears as they spoke about the impact of Moefa’auo’s death.

“Caleb’s death has stayed with me,” they said.

“I have replayed those moments many times in my mind and have reflected deeply on what happened that day, what began as a situation I believed I needed to manage for safety reasons ended in the outcome that none of us could have foreseen or wanted.”

They recognised the deep loss the Moefa’auo family carried, the officer said.

‘I try talk to the prisoners like they’re human’ – staffer says

The Coroner’s Court heard earlier on Thursday from another Corrections officer who tried to take Moefa’auo’s towel prior to him being pepper sprayed.

In phase one of the inquest, which took place in July, Counsel assisting the Coroner, Rebekah Jordan, outlined the series of events leading up to Moefa’auo’s death.

He had taken a shower that day, and used three towels to dry himself.

After taking a fourth, an acting senior corrections officer approached him, holding a can of pepper spray.

Moefa’auo was told to pass the towel to another officer, which he did, before being directed to get on his knees.

When Moefa’auo began to rise, the acting senior officer shouted at him, before spraying him.

“Caleb was clearly affected by the pepper spray. A number of officers restrained Caleb on the ground and placed him in handcuffs… While this was happening Caleb repeatedly apologised and made the first of a number of comments that he could not breathe,” Jordan said.

The officers took him back to his cell, where he stopped responding.

The Corrections officer on Thursday said as they read their statement Moefa’auo was “passively resisting” when asked to hand the towel over.

“At the time of speaking to Caleb about the towel, I didn’t perceive him as a threat,” they said.

“The response that I was using to get the towel from Caleb, I believe, was appropriate, in that it was verbal communication, and I felt that I was going to be able to safely resolve the situation by talking to him.”

However, as Moefa’auo went to pick up more towels, he was confronted by other officers and the situation escalated, leading to the pepper spraying.

Coroner McKenzie asked the staffer how they balanced looking after their own safety with the safety of inmates in their day to day prison work.

“Is there an emphasis on one safety over the other,” she asked.

“Ever since I started this job, I try talk to the prisoners like they’re human, because they are,” the staffer said.

“I never go high, I never go low, I try and stay in that level with them, try and gain compliance, and that’s how I build my confidence in dealing with prisoners.”

Officer Scrutinised by family’s lawyer

The lawyer representing Moefa’auo’s family, Sam Wimsett KC, grilled the officer on the stringent rules around towels.

“Is it written down somewhere, what you were told?” he asked.

“Not to my knowledge” the officer replied.

“Is there a manual with these types of things?”

“Not that I know of,” the officer responded.

He asked if the officer thought they could’ve given Moefa’auo more of a warning, to which the officer agreed.

Wimsett pointed out pepper spray fell under the use of force, and that the physical use of force was meant to be the final option.

He questioned what other options the officer used to try de-escalate the situation.

“No other options,” the officer said.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

A judge accused of disrupting a New Zealand First event has had her bid for legal clarity rejected.

District Court Judge Ema Aitken was accused of disrupting a function at the exclusive Northern Club in Auckland last November, allegedly shouting leader Winston Peters was lying.

She argued she didn’t shout, she didn’t recognise Mr Peters’ voice when she responded to remarks she overheard and she didn’t know it was a political event.

A judicial conduct panel – made up of retired Court of Appeal Judge Brendan Brown KC (chair), sitting Court of Appeal Judge Justice Jillian Mallon and former Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae – will review Judge Aitken’s conduct at a hearing next year.

This week, at a preliminary hearing in Wellington, Judge Aitken’s lawyer, David Jones KC, sought to clarify the legal test for judicial misconduct justifying removal from the bench.

“You have to have something to aim at, you have to have something to establish,” he said. “Here we have the difference – for example – between misconduct and misbehaviour, and we have to know how egregious that has to be, in order for the contemplation of removal to be considered.”

Special counsel Jonathan Orpin-Dowell, one of two lawyers presenting allegations of misconduct to the panel, replied that parliament didn’t intend to set a threshold for misbehaviour.

In a decision released this week, panel chair Brown KC said he wouldn’t decide on a legal test before the hearing, when each case depended on its own facts.

“In the circumstances where we have not read any briefs of evidence, we are currently operating in a factual vacuum,” he said. “In any event, we cannot make findings of facts, until we have heard the evidence [including cross-examination] at the hearing.”

There wasn’t any prejudice against Judge Aitken by not ruling on a legal test, as she has the statement of allegations made against her, Brown KC said.

Judge Aitken’s lawyers sought clarity over the word “heckled” in the allegations made against her, saying the Oxford Dictionary‘s meaning of “interrupting a public speaker with derisive or aggressive comments” wasn’t appropriate for the circumstances.

The request was declined by the panel, who agreed with the opposing lawyers that the word would be considered in the hearing.

Jones KC also sought to clarify the level of knowledge or intention which would need to be established at the hearing.

The Special Counsel said the allegations against the Judge were that she “either knew, or in the alternative, ought to have known she was commenting on politically contentious matters” when she spoke at the event.

Jones KC argued the hearing would need to establish Judge Aitken knew of the political context when she spoke at the event – not what she, as a judge, ought to have known.

He questioned whether the lawyers were making an allegation of dishonesty against the judge in their case against her, but the special counsel submissions were that there was no specific allegation of dishonesty against the judge.

The panel said the question of what the judge knew would be considered in the hearing and it wouldn’t make a ruling on it in advance.

The judicial conduct panel will consider Judge Aitken’s behaviour at a hearing in February.

It will determine facts and write a report to the g-eneral, including whether the removal of the judge is justified.

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