NZ Engine

Source: Radio New Zealand

Well-wishers have come out in force for a Wellington cat considered to be Aro Park royalty.

Lola the Cat was a regular fixture in Aro Park for many years.

She died in December last year, her death was announced on her Facebook page on Monday.

“Lola lived one of the fullest lives a little cat could,” the post said.

Most of you will remember the big moments that shaped her life: surviving a greyhound attack (and losing her front leg), and surviving a second dog attack, and a subsequent surgery with just a 10 percent chance of survival,” the post said.

“But those of you lucky enough to pass Lola on your commute will know that her life was made up of so many more small, seemingly insignificant moments. It was in these moments that you all came to love Lola, and it feels only right to thank you as we say goodbye.”

The post said Lola reigned over Aro Park until after the second dog attack, spending her last year’s perched in a basket at home, where she received many visitors, and deliveries of smoked salmon.

“Thank you to everyone who cuddled her, fed her, and treated her to Wellington’s best fish and chips,” the post said.

“Thank you also to the endless stream of Vic Uni Students who befriended Lola every year (even those of you who drunkenly kidnapped her, only to call the next morning full of apologies and asking to return her – I can only imagine the hangxiety). We are endlessly grateful to you all for the love and care you showed our beautiful girl.”

The Facebook post has attracted more than 100 comments with people reminiscing about their times with Lola.

“May we all live lives as full as this sweet and sassy gal! Lola was my first local friend when I studied abroad in Wellington in 2016,” said Claire Naughton. “Rest easy, sweet Lola! You truly were loved around the world.”

“I’m sitting on my couch crying now,” said Courtney Hutchinson. “Lola was so special, I loved seeing her on my walk to work and back home when I lived in Aro Valley years ago.”

“Very sad, but what an amazing life Lola has had,” said Simon Dartford. “I briefly lived up Aro Valley approx 14 years ago and the highlight of each day was sharing some cuddles and rubs with Lola.”

Lola first arrived in Aro Valley in 2008 and was cared for by Josephine Brien from 2014. Brien’s daughter Zeni, runs the Facebook page.

Brien said she’d received many well-wishes since Lola’s passing.

“This boy came around with this beautiful oil painting he’d done of her, which is just so lovely, and […] another beautiful drawing has come through the letterbox as well, lots of cards.”

Brien said people used to spend ages at her fence talking to Lola.

“We used to think that we should put a little sign up, like in that Peanuts cartoon, ‘psychiatric help 5 cents or whatever’, because […] people would talk to her for ages.

Brien said for a little cat, Lola had left behind an enormous hole.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Tauranga’s mayor has confirmed council workers were at the fatal Mount Maunganui campground landslide when it happened.

There have been several accounts of warnings that were made to Tauranga City Council and other agencies about landslips at Mauao in the hours before the tragedy.

Mayor Mahe Drysdale told Midday Report that council staff were there when the slip came down at about 9:30am on Thursday.

“There were some staff at the campground at the time of the slip.

“Our City Ops workers were doing a job, and we have camp workers. Those facts will all be established so we can understand exactly where they were and what they were doing.”

Drysdale said a timeline of what staff knew and when would be made public.

He said they were working to verify a large amount of information.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

The Society of Mary was made aware of allegations against a priest now convicted of sexual abusing several boys nearly 20 years ago, RNZ can reveal.

The religious group says they tried to investigate the complaint, but didn’t have enough information to verify the anonymous complaint. The priest was then put on a “safety plan”.

The anonymous correspondent was encouraged to contact the police.

RNZ revealed on Wednesday that Friar Rowan Donoghue had pleaded guilty to six charges, five of which are representative, including indecent assault on a boy aged 12-16, indecent assault on a boy 16 and over and sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.

The offending related to four boys who were boarding at St Bede’s College between 1996 and 2000.

• Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

In response to questions from RNZ on Wednesday, the Society of Mary confirmed an anonymous complaint of a sexual nature was made against Fr Donoghue in 2007.

“The Society of Mary sought to investigate the complaint, but was unable to gain sufficient information to verify the allegations. Even so, the Society of Mary determined that Donoghue should be removed from public ministry, with a safety plan enacted. That has stayed in place since that time.”

The Society was not aware of the allegations to which Donoghue entered guilty pleas until Police laid charges, the spokesperson said.

“Our first thoughts are with those who came forward and described what happened to them. We extend our apologies to them, and will seek to do so personally at an appropriate time. We deeply regret the hurt or harm caused.”

The society was “committed to ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of all people in Church settings”.

Asked whether police were told, the spokesperson said the complainant was “encouraged to contact the police”.

In early 2023, police were contacted with allegations of sexual abuse by Fr Donoghue that he has since pleaded guilty to in relation to his time at St Bede’s College.

RNZ asked St Bede’s College rector Jon McDowall for comment this week on when the school was first notified of any allegations regarding Fr Donoghue.

He said the school was “formally notified” of the allegations by police and had “worked openly with them since that time”.

“We hold victims and survivors in our thoughts and remain focused on providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community – past, present and future.”

In response to questions from RNZ, St Patrick’s Silverstream rector Rob Ferreira said the school had not been made aware of any allegations of abuse in care while Fr Donoghue worked at the school between 1982 to 1992.

“We have not had any inquiries from the police either.

“We operate according to clearly set out guidelines and best practice and you should note that our primary concern is the wellbeing of our students. Given that – our protection of the privacy and any other rights of survivors of abuse and other individuals would be paramount.”

He said the school had informed the community that Fr Donoghue’s suppression had lifted.

The Society of Mary encouraged anyone who has a concern or complaint about one of our members to contact the Police, the National Office for Professional Standards 0800 114 622, or the Society’s confidential helpline 021 909 749.

Where to get help

If it’s an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

If you have been abused, remember it’s not your fault.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Well-wishers have come out in force for a Wellington cat considered to be Aro Park royalty.

Lola the Cat was a regular fixture in Aro Park for many years.

She died in December last year, her death was announced on her Facebook page on Monday.

“Lola lived one of the fullest lives a little cat could,” the post said.

Most of you will remember the big moments that shaped her life: surviving a greyhound attack (and losing her front leg), and surviving a second dog attack, and a subsequent surgery with just a 10 percent chance of survival,” the post said.

“But those of you lucky enough to pass Lola on your commute will know that her life was made up of so many more small, seemingly insignificant moments. It was in these moments that you all came to love Lola, and it feels only right to thank you as we say goodbye.”

The post said Lola reigned over Aro Park until until after the second dog attack, spending her last years perched in a basket at home, where she received many visitors and deliveries of smokes salmon.

“Thank you to everyone who cuddled her, fed her, and treated her to Wellington’s best fish and chips,” the post said.

“Thank you also to the endless stream of Vic Uni Students who befriend Lola every year (even those of you who drunkenly kidnapped her, only to call the next morning full of apologies and asking to return her – I can only imagine the hangxiety). We are endlessly grateful to you all for the love and care you showed our beautiful girl.”

The Facebook post has attracted more than 100 comments with people reminiscing about their times with Lola.

“May we all live lives as full as this sweet and sassy gal! Lola was my first local friend when I studied abroad in Wellington in 2016,” said Claire Naughton. “Rest easy, sweet Lola! You truly were loved around the world.”

“I’m sitting on my couch crying now,” said Courtney Hutchinson. “Lola was so special, I loved seeing her on my walk to work and back home when I lived in Aro Valley years ago.”

“Very sad, but what an amazing life Lola has had,” said Simon Dartford. “I briefly lived up Aro Valley approx 14 years ago and the highlight of each day was sharing some cuddles and rubs with Lola.”

Lola first arrived in Aro Valley in 2008 and was cared for by Josephine Brien from 2014. Brien’s daughter Zeni, runs the Facebook page.

Brien said she’d received many well-wishes since Lola’s passing.

“This boy came around with this beautiful oil painting he’d done of her, which is just so lovely, and […] another beautiful drawing has come through the letterbox as well, lots of cards.”

Brien said people used to spend ages at her fence talking to Lola.

“We used to think that we should put a little sign up, like in that Peanuts cartoon, ‘psychiatric help 5 cents or whatever’, because […] people would talk to her for ages.

Brien said for a little cat, Lola had left behind an enormous hole.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

A Napier-based law firm says it’s been hit by a cyber attack affecting internal information about the firm as well as client documents.

Langley Twigg Law said it’s working with digital forensics and cyber specialists over the attack, which occurred on 11 January.

In a statement on its website on 26 January, the firm said the specialists’ investigation confirmed a “malicious third-party” attack launched a virus on the firm’s IT network, which was not protected by its cyber security software.

The law firm said the “third-party extracted a portion of the data from our file server, which contained both internal information relating to Langley Twigg’s operations and some client documents”.

It said it’s working to understand exactly what information was leaked, and will then contact affected clients.

“We are working intensively on this process but please understand that this may take some time to work through. We will provide further updates as our investigation progresses.”

The firm says it’s contacted the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the police.

The police are investigating.

“We are extremely sorry that this has happened,” the firm said.

“We are working hard to identify whose personal information may have been compromised and ensure that those affected receive appropriate notifications.”

The firm said it had taken immediate steps once it was alerted to the attack on 11 January, including switching off and disconnecting the IT network from the internet.

“At the time of the attack, we were in the process of moving to a cloud-based document management system; this process will be completed shortly and will reduce the risk of any future incidents.”

It advised clients to “be extra vigilent” and keep an “especially keen eye” on bank account and credit card transactions, as well as to stay alert to suspicious messages.

Langley Twigg law has been approached for further comment, as well as the Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

UK High Commissioner Iona Thomas is trying to clear up confusion over changes for British and dual nationals travelling to the UK.

It comes after RNZ revealed earlier this month that from February, anyone who was born in Britain – or has citizenship there – will no longer be able to travel to the UK without a British passport.

From 25 February, people travelling to the UK will need a visa, an electronic travel authority (ETA) or a valid UK passport. What documentation travellers need depends on their nationality and the purpose of their visit.

“New Zealand nationals going to the UK for a visit will need an electronic travel authorisation. This can be applied for online,” Thomas told reporters.

“However, the UK’s ETA system only applies to non-British nationals. If you have held, or currently hold British citizenship, including if you are a dual national, you cannot use an ETA to enter the UK. You must travel on a British passport or another passport with a certificate of entitlement.”

These changes apply even for short visits.

The British High Commission said it did put out notifications last year to make people aware of the change.

“Our message is simple: check your documents early and apply well ahead to avoid travel disruption,” Thomas said.

Previously, dual citizens have been able to visit on a New Zealand passport, more recently with an ETA, an electronic online declaration costing about $37.

The British government said that was only ever meant to be a transitional measure.

Citizens of other countries said they too are affected by a similar global tightening of borders and passport rules.

If people are unsure about whether they have British citizenship, they can check online here.

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