Source: New Zealand Police
Police are issuing a clarification regarding an assault in Takanini yesterday.
While the incident took place on the grounds itself, it occurred at a sports complex located next to the Takanini Sikh Temple, not in the temple itself.
ENDS.
Nicole Bremner/NZ Police
Source: NewzEngine.com
After a successful beta-launch in April PodTalk.live is now ready to invite people in New Zealand to register as foundation members. Foundation members are free to join the post and podcast social platform.
The Foundation Membership soft-launch is a great opportunity for founders to help shape a brand new, vibrant, algorithm-free, info discussion and debate social platform.
Developer of the platform, Selwyn Manning said: “PodTalk.live has been put to test by selected individuals and we are pleased to report that it has performed fabulously.”
Manning is founder and managing director of the company that custom-developed PodTalk.live – Multimedia Investments Ltd (MIL: milnz.co.nz).
MIL is based in New Zealand, where PodTalk.live was developed and is served from.
And now, PodTalk.live has emerged from its Beta stage and is ready for foundation members to shape the next phase of its development.
About PodTalk.Live:
PodTalk.live was designed to be an alternative platform to other social media platforms. PodTalk has all the functions that most social media platforms have but has placed the user-experience at the centre of its backend design and engineering.
PodTalk.live has been custom-designed, created and is served from New Zealand.
“We ourselves became annoyed at how social media giants use algorithms to drive what content their users see and experience. And, we also were appalled at how some social media companies trade user data, and were unresponsive to user-concerns” Selwyn Manning said.
“So we decided to create a platform that focuses on ‘discussion and debate’ communities, and we have engineered PodTalk to ensure the content that users see is what they choose – rather than some obscure algorithm making that decision for them.
“PodTalk.live is independent from other social media platforms, and at best will become an alternative choice for people who seek a community where they are the centre of a platform’s core purpose.
“And today, we invite people to sign up now and become foundation members of this new and ethically-based social community platform,” Selwyn Manning said.
PodTalk.live provides:
In addition, PodTalk.live will host:
Security Safety Moderation:
Security and safety has been baked into PodTalk’s function and culture. And at PodTalk, free-speech is welcomed but hate speech is rejected.
“With PodTalk, we recognise that many people, wherever they live, require security and at times anonymity so to avoid reprisals from authorities and other actors,” Selwyn Manning said.
“Along with a strong focus on security, and guidance on how to remain anonymous when necessary, we have built robust member-moderation into the core of PodTalk to ensure users are in control of their experience.”
“PodTalk has robust moderation tools so that members can easily block and report those who they feel disrupt their experience,” Selwyn Manning said.
And now, we invite all who seek an information, discussion and debating community to register as foundation members.
To do so, simply go to: https://PodTalk.Live and register. Once on the platform, members can familiarise themselves with what PodTalk.Live has to offer, and begin to create their own online community experience.
“We are working on audio-to-text multi-language translation+transcription tools, and will soon push the boundaries of cutting edge on-platform communication tools,” Selwyn Manning said.
The platform already has cutting edge tech, also smart community and premium publishing tools – including an invitation tool so you can invite your friends and grow your community.
PodTalk.live is founded on the belief that for social, political and economical progress to occur people need to discuss issues in a safe environment and embark on robust debate.
Register free as a founder. Check out the platform. See you there…
– Published by MIL OSI in partnership with NewzEngine.com
Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
The former director of a fishing company who knew fish was being caught and landed illegally for profit, has been jailed for 16 months.
Glen Owen Wright (37), former director of All Weather Fishing Company Limited, was sentenced in the Auckland District Court last week (Thursday 19 June 2025) following a successful prosecution by Fisheries New Zealand. He faced a representative charge under the Fisheries Act for failing to prevent the offending by his company along with obstructing a fishery officer.
The sentencing marks the end of a long Fisheries New Zealand compliance investigation which included successful prosecutions of another company and individuals for related offending.
“Mr Wright was the director of a company that illegally caught and landed nearly 15 tonnes of snapper, and more than 140kg of kahawai and 40kg of grey mullet,” says Fisheries New Zealand director of fisheries compliance Steve Ham.
“The company did not have the required quota to legally catch the fish and did not report or record the catch.
“The rules are there to ensure sustainability for everyone. The court found Mr Wright was aware that fish was being caught and landed illegally by his company but did nothing to prevent it.
“The vast majority of commercial fishers do the right thing. This fish was stolen, and the motivation was greed and profit.”
Fisheries New Zealand’s investigation earlier tracked the illegally caught fish and prosecuted those responsible for its trade. In August last year, Auckland licenced fish receiver, Sea World Limited, which traded as Seamart, was fined $360,000 for illegally supplying fish valued at over $348,000 to other seafood companies.
Media release: Fish trading company fined $360,000, employee jailed for 3 years 7 months
An employee, Marco Taukatelata (50), was jailed for 3 years and 7 months and a former company director, Haihong Liu (44), was placed on 12 months home detention for their roles in the offending.
“The court’s sentence today should send a strong message that there are serious consequences for anyone involved in this type of black market trade.”
Mr Wright is currently imprisoned for unrelated offences.
MPI encourages people to report suspected illegal activity through the ministry’s 0800 4 POACHER number (0800 47 62 24)
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are following positive lines of enquiry into an assault at a Sikh Temple in Takanini on Sunday evening.
Two people were treated for minor injuries following the incident which occurred at around 5pm at the Takanini School Road site.
“An offender entered the temple and approached a man known to him, who was at the rear of the temple,” Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Taylor of Counties Manukau CIB says.
“He has begun to assault the man, before bystanders have intervened to stop the offending.”
During this intervention, a second victim has suffered minor injuries.
Security removed the man and he was seen getting into a vehicle before Police arrived on scene.
Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says Police have since spoken with the driver of the vehicle, after it was stopped in the Manurewa area later in the evening.
Police are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to the offender.
Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says the incident is not being treated as a hate-motivated crime.
“We acknowledge that this incident was confronting for those who were present at the temple at the time,” Detective Senior Sergeant Taylor says.
“However, we have established that this incident occurred as a result of a dispute between two parties known to each other.
“Both victims have since received treatment at a local medical centre and fortunately no one was seriously injured as a result.”
Police are carrying out reassurance patrols around the temple as a result of the incident.
Anyone with information that can assist enquiries can update Police online now or call 105, using the reference number 250622/3501.
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Nicole Bremner/NZ Police
Source: New Zealand Government
New Zealand’s horticulturalists are breaking new ground with exports tipped to surpass $8 billion for the first time, Associate Agriculture Minister Nicola Grigg says.
“New Zealand’s horticulture sector is poised for impressive growth, with export revenue forecast to hit a record $8.5 billion by 30 June 2025,” Ms Grigg says.
“That’s phenomenal growth of 19 per cent – the fastest of any agricultural sector – reflecting the dedication and resilience of our growers and exporters.
“Looking ahead, the sector’s continued hard work is expected to drive that even higher, with export revenue forecast to climb to $9.8 billion by 2029.
“These numbers reflect the vital role horticulture plays in New Zealand’s economy and global trade.
“Kiwifruit and apple exports are the key drivers behind these figures. Bumper kiwifruit crops are driving a forecast 36 per cent increase in export revenue to $3.9 billion – a remarkable achievement,” Ms Grigg says.
“Increased export volumes and average export prices are behind a forecast 18 per cent jump in apple and pear exports to $1.1 billion this year, surpassing $1 billion for the first time, and avocados are expected to rebound by an impressive 192 per cent to reach $108 million.
“These strong results are thanks to the dedication and hard work of our fruit and vege growers – and the Government is fully committed to backing their ongoing success.
“The Government is working hard to ensure the right settings are in place to support to grow their businesses.
“For example, we’ve recently opened public consultation on the biggest package of changes to national direction under the Resource Management Act in New Zealand’s history.
“This includes removing unnecessary consents for practices like crop rotation, enabling commercial domestic vegetable growing, and supporting long-term water security by enabling water storage.
“Our common-sense proposals streamline or remove many of the burdensome regulations holding our growers back.
“The Government will keep working hard to support Kiwi growers to boost on-farm productivity and profitability, drive higher farmgate returns, and strengthen our rural communities.”
Source: Maritime New Zealand
More than 50 members – the largest turnout to date – gathered to reflect on the progress made in implementing the Recreational Craft Strategy 2023–25 and to plan for the months ahead.
Maritime NZ’s Harm Prevention Lead – Recreational Craft, Victoria Slade, says one of the standouts of the day for her was a deep dive into one particular risk area: dinghies.
“Following powerboats, dinghies are the second most common type of recreational craft involved in fatal accidents. Dinghies represent 12% of all recreational craft, yet are responsible for 26% of fatalities (more than 45 fatalities in the past 11 years),” she says. “So it’s really concerning that there are currently no safety interventions focussed on using dinghies safely.”
As part of the discussion, forum members worked together to develop possible strategies to encourage safe behaviour for dinghy users.
Other topics explored include:
The forum was organised and chaired by Maritime NZ and included presentations from partners ACC, Drowning Prevention Auckland, and MetService.
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is enabling more tāmariki access to full immersion learning in safe, warm and dry classrooms.
A $28 million investment will deliver 20 new classrooms across four Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education kura and the commencement of a permanent site for a kura north of Auckland – Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki. The announcement was made at Takaparawhau, Bastion Point, during Matariki Hautapu celebrations with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei.
“This Matariki, I am proud to be celebrating the Māori New Year with investing in the future of our tāmariki so they have the spaces and support they need to flourish,” Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
The new classrooms will be built at the following kura:
The investment includes the first stage of a long-awaited new school for Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāringaomatariki in Kaiwaka. Once complete, it will have 19 classrooms and be designed to support future Wharekura expansion.
Construction on these projects is expected to begin within the next 12 months, using modular building methods to accelerate delivery and ensure cost-efficiency.
“Safe, warm and dry learning environments are essential for effective teaching and learning. By using modular construction, we can deliver classrooms more quickly and make our investment go further.”
This Government committed $50 million through Budget 2025 to deliver up to 50 classrooms for Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education for approximately 1,100 ākonga. This is part of a wider programme of investment in Māori Medium and Kaupapa Māori Education.
This includes:
“We remain committed to properly resourcing our bilingual education system and lifting achievement for Māori students. That includes ensuring our tāmariki have warm, safe and dry classrooms to thrive in,” Ms Stanford says.
Source: New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have announced a new $16 million package of support for Ukraine ahead of this week’s NATO Summit in the Hague.
“New Zealand stands in solidarity with Ukraine. Its war of self-defence is well into its fourth year and our condemnation of Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion remains undiminished,” Mr Luxon says.
New Zealand will make $4 million contributions to two multi-national funds providing lethal and non-lethal military assistance for Ukraine: the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) fund; and the United Kingdom and Latvia-led Drone Coalition for Ukraine.
“The defence of Ukraine has significant implications not only for the security of the Euro-Atlantic, but also for the Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.
“We must continue to work with others in the international community to uphold a rules-based order that serves all our interests.”
New Zealand will also provide $7 million in further humanitarian assistance for conflict affected communities in Ukraine, and $1 million for Ukrainians displaced in neighbouring countries.
“The scale of need remains vast, as Russia continues its bombardment of densely populated civilian areas of Ukraine,” Mr Luxon says.
This support package follows the recently announced sanctions targeting Russia’s “shadow fleet” and other enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“It is vital the international community maintains pressure on Russia to end its war and engage meaningfully with efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” Mr Peters says.
More information about diplomatic, military, humanitarian and economic support to Ukraine, as well as sanctions, travel bans, and export controls against Russia, can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade website here.
Source: New Zealand Police
A man is expected in Manukau District Court tomorrow [Monday] in relation to the stabbing at the Pakuranga Night Markets yesterday.
Following enquiries by staff, the 23-year-old handed himself in to Police at the Manukau Police Station this evening.
He faces two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
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Source: New Zealand Police
Great North Road in Glen Eden is closed following a serious crash.
Police were notified at around 4.30pm of the multiple-vehicle crash, which happened between Brandon Road and Westech Place.
Indications are that there are serious injuries.
The road is closed and diversions are in place.
Police ask motorists to avoid the area and delay travel if possible.
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