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Murder accused Xue back in court
– Tuesday, 03 February 2009
The man accused of murdering his wife then dumping his daughter in a Melbourne railway station will be forced to give a dna blood sample in 10 days time.
Nai Yin Xue, 55, is in custody awaiting trial for the murder of his 27-year-old wife An An Liu in September 2007.
Xue went on the run in the United States for more than four months but was captured in February last year and returned to New Zealand.
Her body was found in the boot of the family car outside their rented house in Mt Roskill, Auckland, four days after he allegedly abandoned his daughter, Qian Xun Xue – dubbed Pumpkin by Australian police.
Xue did not oppose the order, which would be carried out on February 13.
He appeared in the High Court at Auckland yesterday after the Crown sought a suspect compulsion order that would force Xue to provide a dna blood sample. .
The Crown was also seeking permission to allow hearsay evidence on the state of Xue’s relationship with his wife, and to allow overseas witnesses to give evidence via video link.
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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.
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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.
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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide
Tuesday, 27 January 2009
Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.
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Kicking off the New Year with a baby
By CHARLIE GATES – Friday, 02 January 2009
KIRK HARGREAVES/
BUNDLE OF JOY: Rachael and John Creighton with their new son, John, who was Christchurch’s first baby of 2009.
"Everyone was having celebrations and she was having contractions."
That was how John Creighton described the New Year's Eve experienced by his wife, Rachael. He weighed in at a healthy 3.
John Creighton, named after his father, arrived three hours and 27 minutes into 2009 to become the first Canterbury baby of the year.
His Christchurch parents were enjoying a quiet evening watching a DVD when Rachael started contractions about 10.74kg.30pm. However, heavy midnight telephone traffic meant they could not get through until the third attempt.
At the turn of the year, the couple were trying to contact their midwife on her cellphone.
"We were pretty early; there were not many texts back that early," Rachael said.
Friends and relatives were told about the new arrival by text message early on New Year's Day, but many had not yet surfaced from celebrations to receive the exciting news.
"I am really tired, but feel really good," Rachael said. .
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.07am.
That honour fell to Max Arthur Honey, born at North Shore Hospital in Auckland at 12.12am. Max narrowly beat a baby boy born to Wanaka woman Nicky Meissel in Dunedin Hospital at 12. Jenna Stephenson also came into the world at 12.
Half an hour later, Queenstown resident Natasha Caine gave birth to a son at Invercargill's Southland Hospital.
.42am, in Waikato Hospital
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Hastings millionaire mum on arrest reports
By KATHY WEBB Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Hastings millionaire Sam Kelt is refusing to comment on suggestions that he has been charged with trespassing at a Havelock North bar.
It is understood Mr Kelt was asked to leave the Diva bar in Havelock North late on Thursday night, where his staff from merchant bankers Kelt Capital were socialising after having lunch that day at the exclusive Cape Kidnappers Lodge.
Diva owner Gerald Beach refused to comment yesterday.
A witness said he saw police handcuffing Mr Kelt and putting him into a patrol car outside the bar after he tried to re-enter it.
A statement issued by Police National Headquarters in Wellington said a man, 46, was arrested in Havelock North on December 18.
Hastings police would not confirm reports that Mr Kelt had been arrested and held overnight in the cells.
The sent Mr Kelt a list of questions yesterday but his staff said he would not respond till today, except to say "the inference of the questions is either completely false or factually incorrect".
The man, who was not identified, was due to appear in court next month on a charge of wilful trespass.
Mr Kelt sponsors New Zealand's richest horse race, the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes, run in Hastings each year.
However, they pointed out that they had a letter from the management of Cape Kidnappers Lodge saying Kelt Capital's Christmas lunch had been a pleasant affair, a "large gratuity" had been left, and they would be welcomed back. He has said he will increase the prizemoney to $3 million next year or in 2010.
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Dirty dairy farms fail to comply
– Thursday, 27 November 2008
One in five Canterbury dairy farms fails to meet environmental standards for effluent disposal, a new report says.
Environment Canterbury's (ECan) annual dairy-shed effluent report found more farms fully complied with environmental standards from 39.8% in 2007-08. .7% last year). It also recorded an increase in the number with significant or major non-compliance problems (20%, up from 17.
One farmer has been fined $8500 for environmental breaches and another court case is pending.
Major problems include ponding of effluent, waste being dumped into waterways or nitrogen overload.
The report, released yesterday, said there had been little change in compliance rates for the past five years.
About a third of the 696 farms monitored had minor non-compliance problems. More than 50% of properties that breached standards had mended their ways on reinspection.
It said farmers learnt from their mistakes.
ECan regulations director Kim Drummond said the council had decided to involve farmers and environmental groups in trying to solve the problem.
However, more infringement and abatement notices had been issued, leaving ECan to ponder why offending rates had remained consistent. That's the ultimate gain here," he said.
"We all want dairy farms to be 100% compliant with the rules, and indeed encourage them to move beyond compliance and step up to best practice.
"I think it might go a little deeper than saying there is a good initiative there that has yet to bear fruit," he said.
Initial results from the 2008-09 survey showed similar rates of consent breaches. One thing on its own is not enough here. "I think the challenge is to unite all these initiatives so they are all pushing in the same direction, and getting a little bit more of the jigsaw puzzle to come together on this.
Dairy company Fonterra discussed the problem with ECan last year and sent staff to visit the worst polluters to try to help clean up their farms."
The rapid growth in conversions of farms to dairying and a high staff turnover were identified in the report as two possible factors for pollution rates remaining constant.
Often the problem could be as simple as a spray machine travelling too slowly and resulting in waste to pool in one place rather than covering a whole paddock.
Fonterra sustainable production general manager John Hutchings said effluent was normally irrigated on to paddocks as fertiliser.
"We have a team of sustainable dairy specialists throughout New Zealand and we have just appointed another one in Canterbury as part of our commitment to get this right," Hutchings said.
"We have a team of sustainable dairy specialists throughout New Zealand and we have just appointed another one in Canterbury as part of our commitment to get this right," Hutchings said.
Farmers' group Dairy New Zealand said the report's finding of no real progress in reducing levels of non-compliance was a big concern.
Chief executive Tim Mackle said the industry was working hard with farmers to help improve infrastructure and management techniques.
"There are some encouraging trends emerging, including the reduction in the incidence of major effluent ponding, which shows farm staff are aware of the need to check this," he said.
"Plus, the report notes that when compared nationally, Canterbury still has a low level of direct discharge to surface water occurring."
Fish and Game Nelson-Marlborough manager Neil Deans said 7.4% of all dairy farms that significantly failed to meet their obligations had not improved a year later.
Compliance with consents was a fundamental requirement to conduct any business, and the report highlighted shortcomings in current processes, he said.
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Shoppers not seeing fuel savings
Wednesday, 26 November 2008
Cash-strapped consumers continue to pay premium prices for goods and services, despite tumbling fuel prices.
Fares for public transport, taxis and airlines have risen in the past year because of the cost of fuel, but an immediate cut has been ruled out now that prices are dipping.
The freight industry also says it cannot pass the fuel savings on because it has had to contend with other rising costs that have cancelled out the fuel decrease.
"We are very concerned with the situation and have voiced our disapproval to the industries.
But Consumer NZ says the excuses are not good enough and has called for the various industries to pass on the savings.
On Monday, petrol dropped to $1. It's not good enough and we will continue to keep an eye on things," chief executive Sue Chetwin said.43.17 a litre. It was the 16th consecutive price fall since July 17 when petrol cost about $2.21 is still much lower than its record high of $1. Diesel, however, has been slower to drop, but at $1.
Foodstuffs spokesman Steve Anderson said fuel costs were a main contributor to grocery prices but it was too soon to tell if the drop in fuel prices would result in cheaper food.92 reached in July. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months. "We would need to see the fuel price become more stable before we consider dropping prices, but if that happens they could drop within the next two months.
"The fuel decrease has taken some pressure off the industry, but it needs to drop even further before we can even think about passing the savings on. It was also battling increasing wages and compliance costs, and the weak New Zealand dollar had pushed up the cost of importing vehicle parts."
Freight operators had been copping plenty of flak from customers since fuel started dropping because they expected the savings to be passed on immediately. It's not as simple as people think. It does cause some tension, but there's not a lot we can do.
"A lot of clients are under enormous pressure with the way the economy is and they're looking to make savings wherever they can. "The transport industry is quick to put prices up, so I hope they bring them down just as fast."
Retailers Association chief executive John Albertson said any gains retailers made from easing fuel costs would help reduce the stress on their bottom lines, rather than being passed on to customers. ..
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.
The rising cost of diesel contributed toward bus, rail and ferry fares rising by an average 10.2 per cent in September. Greater Wellington regional council will review the fares till March, but it could bring another increase.
Spokeswoman Philippa Lagan said fares had to cover at least 50 per cent of the public transport costs. "Therefore, a fare increase could be triggered if it is found that fares are covering less than half of the cost of the services."
The cost of catching a cab has also crept gently up in the past two years, but the industry said it was unlikely fares would come down.
Wellington City Cabs increased its prices by 8 per cent in April, the first time since late 2006.
Arthur Attrill, former general manager of Wellington City Cabs – which is now in receivership – said that in close toly two decades in the taxi industry, he had never seen fares decrease and doubted he ever would.
Taxi companies were at the mercy of drivers over fare decreases because they paid for the petrol and other expenses.
There were also costs involved with reprinting fare schedules and regulatory processes, he said.
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Akld millionaire under citizenship microscope
Saturday, 22 November 2008
Auckland millionaire Yang Liu, wanted by Chinese authorities over alleged financial fraud, was granted New Zealand citizenship in August despite officials' advice to decline his application.
Mr Liu, who is being investigated in New Zealand for possible immigration fraud, did not meet the good character requirement of the Citizenship Act, Department of Internal Affairs officials told Shane Jones, the delegated Minister for Internal Affairs.7 million, using one of his companies.
Officials advised that Mr Liu was the subject of an Interpol notice for an arrest in China for allegedly committing serious financial fraud there totalling about $NZ2.
While officials clearly recommended that Mr Liu's application for citizenship be declined, Mr Jones ticked the option approving the grant of citizenship, and struck a line through the option to decline the grant.
It was alleged that Mr Liu had fraudulently obtained and used Chinese identity documents relating to another identity, including two false passports, according to documents released under the Official Information Act.
New Minister for Immigration Jonathan Coleman told that he had no comment on the matter, and was taking advice about it.
Mr Jones was not available for comment.
Mr Barker had been lobbied about the application by former Labour MP Dover Samuels, who considered Mr Liu a friend.
The minister, Rick Barker, had passed the matter to Mr Jones to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.
Mr Liu owned a Chinese restaurant in Auckland, and exported seafood through a joint venture with Talleys, Sealord and Sanford called Life Fish, Ms Wong said. Former Minister of Ethnic Affairs Chris Carter and National MP Pansy Wong had also supported Mr Liu's application for citizenship. He has given both Labour and National parties unsolicited donations of $5000.
Mr Liu had lived in New Zealand since December 2001, and applied for citizenship in 2005.
The immigration department is investigating his identity.
He claimed he was "stateless" because his Chinese passport and other identity documents had been seized after an Immigration New Zealand search warrant was executed.
Mr Liu was given the opportunity to explain about being wanted for arrest in China, and was given advice on how to resolve the matter by contacting Chinese authorities or going through the Chinese court system. If the investigation resulted in a prosecution, Mr Liu's residency could be revoked and his citizenship lost.
That explanation was not included in the documents.
He told officials there was a reasonable explanation for the difference between his identity as Yang Liu and the identity of Yong Ming Yan, who Chinese authorities considered him to be.
However, he had not provided any evidence.
Mr Liu rejected the allegations, and said he believed he was of good character and was working to develop trade and good relations between New Zealand and China.
"What is known is that Mr Liu remains wanted and subject to arrest in China, is unwilling to resolve the Interpol red notice matter .
"The Department is not in a position to know with any degree of certainty whether Mr Liu has committed offences in China as the issues have not been determined by the Chinese courts," Secretary for Internal Affairs Geoff May wrote to the minister in mid-July… is under active investigation by Immigration New Zealand and has allegedly obtained and used false identity documents."
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Time in cells the only takings for bungling burglars
By LYN HUMPHREYS – Monday, 27 October 2008
Six bungling burglars are cooling their heels in New Plymouth police cells after three failed efforts within five hours at the weekend.
In two of the three burglaries, police say it was quick action by astute members of the public that stopped the offenders getting away.
Two of the six arrested were found to be on bail for other offences at the time.
During the arrest, police discovered one of the burglars, aged 18, was on electronic bail awaiting a court appearance on earlier charges, Acting Sergeant Royston Betteridge said.
In the first burglary, at 8pm on Saturday, police were contacted when two men were spotted taking a TV and other property out of a Frankleigh Park house and into the house next door."
And at 9. .40pm on Saturday, the Westown Food Market on the corner of Tukapa and David streets, was targeted in a smash and grab.
Thanks to information from the public, a police dog tracked them to a lower Westown house. The offenders threw a rock through the front door and helped themselves to cigarettes.
"If members of the public hadn't pointed us in the right direction they might not have been apprehended. Three youths aged between 14 and 17 were nabbed.
When searched, police discovered the pair had thousands of dollars of camera gear in their backpack, stolen 20 minutes before from a car."
In the third incident, two men, aged 18 and 19, were stopped by police in Devon St for breaching the liquor ban.
The pair had helped themselves to a camera, lenses and a navigational device.
The pair had helped themselves to a camera, lenses and a navigational device.
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Shortly after, police woke up the owner of the gear and returned it to him before he was even aware it had been filched