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Source: Radio New Zealand

Survivors have criticised the government’s response to the Abuse in Care Royal Commission and have used the National Day of Reflection as a platform to call for promises to be kept.

A year on from the Prime Minister’s apology for abuse in care, survivors have come together at more than 60 events around the country.

In Christchurch, more than 100 survivors and their supporters gathered at Validation Park, the site of the former Marylands School where horrific abuse was inflicted on children.

Eddie Marriott – who suffered sexual, physical and psychological abuse at the hands of the Brothers of St John of God at Marylands School – said he was hurt no politicians joined survivors on Wednesday.

“They don’t want to front us, which is traumatising in itself because it’s like we don’t count,” Marriott said.

“That’s the thing – we’re not seen, not heard, not important.”

He said he was suffering from the heartache of promises not kept by the government.

At last November’s apology, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told survivors that a new independent redress scheme would be established and the government would “do the right thing by you and provide you with the support you need”.

In this year’s budget the government declined to create the independent redress system and only increased redress payments available to survivors by about $10,000 to an average of $30,000 – about a third of what survivors in Australia receive.

Mental Health Minister and Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey was invited to Wednesday’s event in Christchurch, but could not attend as he had to be in Wellington to attend parliament.

Hanz Freller, who this year received a King’s Service Medal for services to survivors, agreed with Marriott that the survivors were being forgotten.

“Where are the MPs? I would’ve thought that they would’ve been here today. Not all of them, of course, but definitely some of the more prominent ones who have overseen the Royal Commission … and they’re not and that’s really sad. They’re saying they’re here for us and they’re not – they’re not even here on our day,” Freller said.

Terry Kingi sat in parliament as the Prime Minister made the apology on behalf of the government last year.

“I’m very disappointed,” he said.

“The promises they made on the 12th of November last year in parliament do not reflect what we have seen a year later. There’s been a lot of broken promises, a lot of disillusion and a lot of survivors feel totally let down.”

David Williams, who suffered abuse in state care at boys homes and borstals, said the government’s words now seemed hollow.

“This Day of Reflection is for survivors. I don’t look at it as a year on from the apology because the apology didn’t mean nothing. It stood for nothing,” Williams said.

Advocate Ken Clearwater laid down a challenge to the government.

“Support survivors, don’t treat us as second-class citizens. We have lived experience and we know the damage that can be done and we also know what needs to be done for healing,” Clearwater said.

“It takes a village to raise a child. The government have had 100 years since the Children’s Act and you’ve f****d that up badly, so it’s time now that you gave the children back to the village.”

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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 Tongariro local who leapt into action at the weekend did not sleep for the first 30 hours of the devastating wildfire in the area.

The blaze torched almost 3000 hectares in the national park, with numerous volunteers supporting firefighters and the department of conservation.

Bubs Smith – from hapu Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro – told Checkpoint that after the fire was doused from the air, firefighters wanted to create a firebreak.

He said local digger operators, who understood the importance of the whenua, were tasked with the job.

“It was a tough decision when you’ve got a world heritage park that’s recognised for both its natural and cultural values, to get a 40-tonne digger and bulldozer to put those in.”

Combined Fire and Emergency and Department of Conservation (DOC) crews were continuing to dampen down hotspots today.

Smith said DOC rangers were happy today after finding far fewer hotspots than expected.

“That was really, really positive.”

The Tongariro Alpine Crossing and tracks in the vicinity of Whakapapa Village remain closed until at least Monday next week.

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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 Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police over how they handled accusations of sexual offending by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood reveals who some of the senior leaders are that we’ve been able to identify.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority’s 135-page report – released on Tuesday, found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

Only two of the staff criticised in the report were named: Coster and former Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura.

RNZ has approached several staff, former and current, it understands are some of the others implicated in the report.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura

The IPCA said Kura failed to make “sufficiently robust enquiries” in relation to allegations posted on LinkedIn in May 2023, relying “too readily” on McSkimming’s account.

The IPCA commended Kura’s acceptance of responsibility for the failure to refer allegations to the NIU and the IPCA.

“However, her failure in this regard was compounded by her subsequent actions; after Commissioner Coster tasked her with overseeing the response to Ms Z’s emails, there were several points at which she could, and should, have made it clear to staff … that there was an explicit expectation that the allegations should be investigated. “

The IPCA acknowledged that Kura did appoint Officer B to deal with the matter, and expected him to exercise judgement in terms of how to deal with the reports.

“We accept, therefore, that Deputy Commissioner Kura did not act with the intention of stopping an investigation into the allegations at that point.”

The IPCA commended Kura for recognising, “albeit belatedly”, the need to investigate the allegations in the emails and 105 reports.

“However, that investigation was tainted by her concern, shared by others, about the implications for Deputy Commissioner McSkimming’s future career and the risk that, if Police “rushed into” an investigation, he would potentially be further victimised.

“This prevented her and others from approaching the investigation as an orthodox sexual assault preliminary investigation.”

Kura retired in July after 38 years in the police. She took leave from late August until 3 November.

Assistant Commissioner A

RNZ understands Assistant Commissioner A is former Assistant Commissioner Paul Basham.

Basham retired in September, two months after Kura.

RNZ approached Basham for comment following his resignation, on what connection it had with the pending IPCA report.

A police spokesperson messaged RNZ and said Basham wanted to pass on his retirement was “unrelated to anything other than it was the right time for him and his family. Entirely personal decision”.

The IPCA’s report said the terms of reference for Operation Herb, which Basham was “directly responsible for”, were “in no way consistent with police adult sexual assault policy and procedures”.

“He was unreasonably preoccupied with ensuring Deputy Commissioner McSkimming was not being unfairly disadvantaged in the forthcoming appointments process for the new Commissioner, for which he knew Deputy Commissioner McSkimming would be an applicant.”

The IPCA said there were several factors that mitigated Basham’s failings.

“He had only come into the role of Assistant Commissioner of Investigations in April 2024, with limited handover and in the context of the roll-out of new gang laws and other high priority matters. As he puts it, his ‘head was spinning’.

“He has acknowledged that if presented with the same circumstances again, he would do things differently, including being ‘unequivocal about the primacy of alignment to ASA policy in the terms of reference’.”

From 2017 to 2024 Basham was the Southern District Commander.

RNZ obtained a copy of an email sent by Basham to Chambers on 15 September under the OIA.

Basham said that week marked 40 years in police.

“It has always been my intention to review my tenure in police on this anniversary and, having reached the 40-year anniversary or milestone, I have decided to retire from police,” he wrote.

“I have had an incredibly rewarding career and intend to retire positively from police – I wish you well as you lead our amazing people who are the New Zealand Police.”

The next paragraph was redacted, but the email ended with Basham asking for Chambers’ permission to “send a short, positive, message” to several teams about his decision.

About two hours later, Basham wrote to some of his colleagues about his departure.

“I remain passionate about the difference police make for people and communities in Aotearoa NZ, the progress we have made as an agency to understand what it means & and why it is important – to have ‘the trust and confidence of all’, but the time is right for me to retire.”

Officer B

RNZ understands Officer B is Detective Superintendent Chris Page. Page is still working in the police.

The IPCA said Page’s failings were “considerable”.

The authority said Kura sought his advice on the best way to make the email harassment stop, and he recommended a District-led criminal investigation into Ms Z’s conduct.

He also failed to act on recommendations to consider investigating the allegations contained in the emails and to refer the matter to NIU and the IPCA.

“As Acting Assistant Commissioner of Investigations and the officer overseeing the prosecution of Ms Z, Officer B was in a position to ensure there were two parallel but independent investigations – one into harassment by Ms Z and one into complaints made against Deputy Commissioner McSkimming.”

The IPCA said it was “driven to the inescapable conclusion that Officer B had no interest in exploring whether there was any truth to the allegations”.

The IPCA also criticised Page for inserting into the summary of facts in relation to Ms Z’s prosecution the word “false” in respect of her allegations, despite knowing they had not been investigated.

“Given Officer B’s role as the Detective Superintendent overseeing that investigation, we find it deeply concerning that he did not read the legal opinion or otherwise turn his mind to whether both the evidential and public interest tests had been met before sanctioning the decision to proceed with charging Ms Z.”

The IPCA said Page’s mindset from the outside of his involvement was “that Deputy Commissioner McSkimming was the only victim, and that there was nothing else to investigate”.

Deputy Commissioner PLC

RNZ understands Deputy Commissioner PLC is former Deputy Commissioner of People, Leadership and Culture Chris de Wattignar who now works as the head of aviation security at the Civil Aviation Authority.

The IPCA said de Wattignar had an obligation to exercise independent judgement and take any necessary action to ensure senior officers were acting in an appropriate way.

“Despite his Director of Integrity and Conduct raising her concerns with him in the clearest language, he clearly failed to fulfil that obligation.”

The IPCA acknowledged his responsibility was “to a degree mitigated” by the fact he sought advice from Coster.

“His failing lies in the fact that he simply relied upon Commissioner Coster’s and Deputy Commissioner Kura’s assurances without further enquiry of his own, despite the continued expressions of concern from Officer M.”

De Wattignar’s perception that once he became aware of concerns he lacked the necessary authority was proof of the “inadequate status and independence of Police Integrity and Conduct”.

“While we do not doubt there was significantly more he could have done, the status of Integrity and Conduct within Police no doubt needs reframing.”

A CAA spokesperson said in a statement to RNZ the matters discussed in the IPCA’s report “relate to events that occurred during Chris de Wattignar’s previous employment with New Zealand Police”.

“As this was a police matter and is now the subject of extensive public reporting and oversight, it would not be appropriate for the Civil Aviation Authority or for Chris in his current role to comment.”

The CAA had no involvement in the police investigation or the IPCA’s findings, the spokesperson said.

“We are focused on our statutory responsibilities for aviation safety and security, and we continue to support our people to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.”

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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 police officer who wrongly labelled the accusations against Jevon McSkimming as “false” still works for police, but no longer has anything to do with the handling of evidence or interacting with victims of crime, says the police commissioner.

A damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority, released yesterday, found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police over how they handled accusations of sexual offending by the former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Some of those heavily criticised in the report are still employed by police, while others have been able to resign. Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has been placed on leave from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, following the release of the report.

Three staff members highlighted in the report still work for police, and Police Commissioner Richard Chambers told Checkpoint that he had appointed a King’s Counsel to oversee the employment process involving those three people.

“They are still on active duty and we’ve worked through that process to make sure that’s the right decision.

“There’s a process to follow, and we need to let it take its course.”

‘Officer B’ – who labelled the allegations made by McSkimming’s accuser as ‘false’, according to the IPCA report – still worked for police, but no longer dealt with the handling of evidence or interacting with victims of crime.

He would not rule out the possibility of further criminal prosecutions over the “residual” issues raised in the report, but stressed that it was still very early in the process.

“There are other matters that are under investigation that relate to credit card transactions and various other things. But the primary matters that were brought to our concern have been resolved.”

Chambers said the actions described in the IPCA report were “incredibly disappointing”.

“It’s a kick in the guts for New Zealand Police, and frankly for our country, because New Zealanders deserve better.

“We had very sound systems and processes in place to deal with those types of complaints, that was not followed, they departed from it and they took control of it themselves. Group-think and self interest were issues here.”

He said he was keeping an “open mind” about compensation being paid to the victim.

“I have reached out to counsel to express my apology on behalf of NZ Police, I did that yesterday afternoon, he was happy to hear from me and I see that no doubt there would be a further conversation because I would like to personally apologise to his client.”

He said there were still some “outstanding” senior leaders in New Zealand Police.

“I look forward to having some new deputy commissioners, some new assistant commissioners and I look forward to steering NZ police in the right direction.”

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Rainbow sand from Educational Colours and coloured sand from Creatistics has been recalled because Tremolite (a naturally occurring asbestos in quartz) has been found in samples during lab testing.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said people need to stop using the products immediately.

“We are taking immediate precautionary action, while we establish the extent and risk of the potentially contaminated product,” said Ian Caplin, MBIE product safety spokesperson.

“We urge anyone who has bought these products, either for personal use or potential use in a school or other setting to act immediately. Stop using the sand, contain it, secure it in a safe place and arrange for safe disposal through licensed professionals, a list of these is available on the Worksafe website.”

Asbestos contamination has been found in similar products in Australia.

MBIE said while testing of New Zealand product is ongoing, as a precautionary measure, the company Educational Colours has issued a recall notice.

“Asbestos is a serious health hazard and we are working with Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, the Ministry of Education and WorkSafe to provide guidance for consumers and educational facilities which may have bought these products.”

The sand was sold at Paper Plus, Hobby Land, NZ School Shop, Office Products Depot, Discount Office, Acquire, and Qizzle, Modern Teaching Aids, Creative Classrooms Ltd and ACME Supplies.

MBIE said it may have also been sold online.

What to do if you have the sand:

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

Source: Radio New Zealand

Transpower has issued a grid emergency notice ahead of a severe geomagnetic storm and removed some South Island electricity transmission lines from service.

The national grid operator says the move won’t affect the electricity supply to homes and businesses, but will prevent damage to critical equipment if the storm worsens.

Geomagnetic storms can send unwanted currents through electricity circuits, and have the potential to cause serious damage if they reach substations transformers or large hydroelectric dams.

The storms are caused by space weather, when the Sun ejects plasma and other matter in Earth’s direction.

Coronal mass ejections (CME) are rare, and generally aren’t noticed on earth thanks to the planet’s magnetic field shielding the planet from particles, Transpower said.

The University of Otago’s Aurora Australis Alert website rated the chances of Southern New Zealand seeing an Aurora thanks to the increased geomagnetic activity as high.

If the sky was clear, the lights would be visible to the naked eye and clearly visible with a camera, it said.

However, cloudy weather is forecast for Dunedin overnight.

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