Two a penny

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A second prison officer working at Wellington’s Rimutaka Prison has been arrested on drug charges.

Corrections chief executive Barry Matthews said the prison guard had been arrested under the Misuse of Drugs Act. .

“This second arrest should send a very clear and strong message that corrupt and illegal behaviour will not be tolerated in our prisons,” Mr Matthews said.

In June this year, a senior prison manager, Jeffrey Mark Reid, 43, was arrested and charged with selling cannabis to inmates. There is always the possibility of corrupt practices occurring within the system, he said.

He said it was disappointing such action had to be taken, but the department was confident the overwhelming majority of officers were honest.

In August a female prison officer was suspended on full pay, accused of having an affair with a violent criminal.

TVNZ also reported more arrests were imminent, following the investigation into one of the country’s largest prisons.

She was one of five Rimutaka staff suspended at that time – two years after a spate of staff problems prompted a more than 15-month inquiry into corruption at the prison.

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Mr Matthews said he could not provide further details on the arrest as the case was before the courts

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A West Coast man who fled into the Grey River after a car crash today remains missing despite intensive searches.

Constable Sean Judd said Andrew David Lorimer was last seen running towards the river after the 3.30pm crash at Taylorville, 12km northeast of Greymouth.”No further contact has been made by Mr Lorimer and fears are growing for his safety as time goes on.”Shortly afterwards (he) contacted his girlfriend by cellular phone stating he was actually in the river,” Mr Judd said. .”An extensive search involving local land search and rescue teams, four dog handlers, two inflatable surf rescue boats, a kayak team, coast guard personnel, the Solid Energy Rescue Helicopter and police had failed to find any sign of him.It was possible Mr Lorimer had made it out of the river and was avoiding police.”At this stage we do not necessarily need to know where he is; only that he is safe,” Mr Judd said. Anyone with information was asked to contact the police.

.Another person in the crash also fled but was found at a nearby address

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A man has died following a fight in the West Coast township of Kumara, just a fortnight after the mayor gained national attention for demanding a police presence in the town.

Police were called to a residence in the small town, 25km south of Greymouth, at 12.45am, and found the body of man.

He confirmed that the dead man lived in Kumara.

Inspector John Canning said several people at the house had been spoken to and one was was still helping with inquiries.

The town’s only pub, The Empire Hotel, lost its liquor licence in June following reported misbehaviour by local drinkers.

Kumara, on State Highway 73, has no community constable.

Westland mayor Maureen Pugh said it was a “real irony” that the killing had occurred just two weeks after she wrote to the West Coast police area commander John Canning outlining her concerns about the level of nuisance crime and trouble in the “usually lovely” town.

“I used the example of needless nuisance stuff that needs to be knocked on the head now before it turns into real crime.

Pugh said her letter had meant to outline the need for a community constable in Kumara.

However, it would be difficult for anyone to argue against the need for a constable in the town now, Pugh said.”

“But I doubt very much whether the people involved in this killing were the same people that had been involved in the minor stuff like throwing stones on people’s roofs.”

Ms Pugh said the impact of the man’s death would be felt throughout the town. .

“This is not a nice thing to happen on your back door step.

“This is not a nice thing to happen on your back door step

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People have been warned to take care after reports of dog and sea life deaths on Auckland’s eastern beaches and within the Hauraki Gulf.

A dog died after visiting a Browns Bay beach last month, and a second death was reported on Cheltenham Beach, Devonport.

Two other dogs were reported to have become ill, but not die.

Over 1000 fish, as well as some penguins and seabirds were washed up dead on the affected beaches, reported the New Zealand Herald.

Various agencies are investigating the deaths to determine the cause.

The matter is considered so serious, ARPHS is warning:

* People should avoid exercising pets along Hauraki Gulf beaches;

* children should not be taken to Hauraki Gulf beaches;

* people should avoid contact with sea water and sea life in the Hauraki Gulf;

* people should not collect shellfish from the Hauraki Gulf.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) said it was unable to rule out risk to the public until results were received.

Residents have been advised not to walk their dogs on the beach but North Shore District Council environmental health team leader Duffy Visser said she hadn’t heard of people being affected.

“Usually if there is a toxic algae it is more along the lines of an allergic reaction but we haven’t heard of anything yet.

“That is a big concern, but there are no reports of people suffering yet,” she said.”

Checks had been inconclusive as to the cause of the deaths and illnesses, Ms Visser said.

“Fortunately there are not many people using the beach at the moment but there are some so we are keeping an eye on that.

Yesterday North Shore City Council Environmental Protection team held a meeting with representatives from Rodney District Council and Auckland Regional Public Health.

Some test results from this week’s death have been sent away but results are not likely to be available until Friday.

North Shore City Council was working closely with Auckland Regional Public Health, the Department of Conservation, MAF and other local councils in terms of sharing information and working together.

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The man who rang the council and threatened to sort out Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast also claimed to be “mates” with councillor Rob Goulden.

During the 41-second call the man said: “We’re going to be down there to sort that bloody mayor out at one o’clock . . She better bloody well pull her socks up otherwise she’ll be gone..

Ms Prendergast’s 24-hour protection was lifted by Wellington City Council yesterday morning after police said the man posed no risk.”

When asked for his name, he said he was one of Mr Goulden’s mates. The caller was interviewed by police on Tuesday and let off with a warning.

About an hour before the call, the councillor had criticised council process during a Newstalk ZB interview and discussed his expulsion from an earlier meeting after his foul-mouthed outburst at colleagues.

The threatening call came 15 minutes before a council meeting on Friday, from which Mr Goulden was escorted by police.

Council chief executive Garry Poole said the council had acted appropriately to increase Ms Prendergast’s security.

Mr Goulden declined to comment yesterday. She listened to advice she was given [by council's head of security] and accepted that advice. “In my view, council did not over-react.

“If we hadn’t taken any action and it turned out to be a real threat .

“If we hadn’t taken any action and it turned out to be a real threat . we’d all be sitting here now probably saying, `Why the hell didn’t we do something’..

“The guy sounds .”

A spokesman from Wellington security firm Protective Services, whose clients have included Peter Jackson and former mayor Mark Blumsky, listened to the call and said the council had done the right thing… He’s probably thought about what he’s going to say . agitated… There’d be some reason to be concerned there. There’d be some reason to be concerned there.”

Wellington area commander Inspector Peter Cowan said that “through a process of Chinese whispers this matter may have been blown up more than initially intended”.

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School sports stars are being targeted by agents trying to fill their client books, a New Zealand sports lawyer warns.

Sports lawyer and agent David Jones said there was a growing number of agents trying to make money from ever-younger athletes.

The New Zealand Rugby Players’ Association has issued an agent charter and set up a website with advice for rising stars “in recognition that younger and younger sports stars, particularly in rugby, are receiving approaches to join the semi-professional ranks”.

He said that while a deal might look good, the devil would be in the detail.

“With competition growing between the people who are agents and have clients, they naturally have to go further afield, so they approach younger and younger players,” Jones said.

Jones said more agents were chasing younger sportsmen and women.”

New Zealand Secondary School Sports Council executive director Garry Carnachan said some students were offered contracts with rugby unions to join an academy programme. .

The Rugby Players’ Association charter required that prospective agents tell under-21 rugby players to seek advice before signing up with an agent.

“Obviously, if they are being approached about any form of contract they might want to seek advice,” Carnachan said.

“It is a competitive market and there are good agents and bad some will not hesitate to stretch the truth and act aggressively to secure a player.

“It is important that the player does not just go with the first agent that he comes in contact with,” it said. “It’s too young for a player, much too young for a player to be (approached).”

Jones said school was not an appropriate place to tout for talent.

“Someone like a Danny Lee should certainly have representation from the right sort of person,” Jones said.”

There were some exceptions based on the sport, and for a few remarkable talents.

International Management Group (IMG) is expected to sign him up in a deal worth US$10 million (NZ$17.

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Lee, 18, is due to sign a multimillion-dollar deal today to mark his switch to the professional ranks of golf.

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Escaped prisoner recaptured in Auckland

Saturday, 14 February 2009

An escaped prisoner has been captured by police in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach after a tip-off from a member of the public.
Bryce Storm Hughes had been on the run since February 11 after he escaped from Springhill Prison during a work party.
Hughes was arrested in the East Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach at 10. .30pm after a short police chase.
Hughes will appear in the Manukau District Court on Saturday 14 February on a charge of escaping custody and will be remanded to the Huntly District Court.
"That information and some quick and decisive work by police staff has given us a great result," he said.

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Sex assault on teen girl in toilet

Thursday, 29 January 2009

Hastings police are investigating a alleged sexual assault on a 13-year-old girl in a central city block of public toilets.
Senior sergeant Dave Greig said the girl was found wandering around the city centre in a "dazed and confused" condition around 8pm yesterday and was taken to the police station by members of the public.
The Hastings girl told police that between 6pm and 7pm she had been approached by a group of 5-6 teenage males outside the Russell Street public toilets
"She was allegedly taken into the toilet by those youths where her handbag was taken from her and allegedly sexually violated by one of those youths," Mr Greig said. The toilet block was cordoned off overnight and a scene examination would take place earlier today. .

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"At this stage we're appealing for any witnesses who were near the toilets between approximately 6-7pm last night to come forward," Mr Greig said

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Anti-Israel cafe standoff sparks protest

Aus-based Ambassador upset

Friday, 16 January 2009

WILL HINE/
YOUR MOVE: Israeli chess grandmaster Victor Mikhalavski, left, takes on Hilton Bennett in the Queenstown Chess Classic.

Peace group plans nationwide Gaza protests

Invercargill cafe breaches human rights

Reader comments

LATEST: A protest has broken out across from an Invercargill cafe where the owner refused to serve two Israeli women earlier this week.30pm today.
About 12 pro-Israel protestors gathered across the road from the Mevlana Cafe about 12.
He said he would not serve anyone from Israel until it stopped killing innocent babies and women in the Gaza Strip.
Mevlanaowner Mustafa Tekinkaya, a Turkish Muslim, told two Israeli women, Natalie Bennie and her sister Tamara Shefa, to leave his cafe on Wednesday.
Countering today's pro-Israel protestors were three supporters of Mr Tekinkaya's stand, who gathered outside his shop. Mr Tekinkaya, and his wife Joanne, said they had no family members living on the Gaza Strip."
"At this moment you don't need to bring the Middle East into New Zealand .
The protest action follows a call by Israel's ambassador to New Zealand- Australian-basedYuval Rotem – for ourgovernment to ensure nothing similar to happened again: "This anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish sentiment needs to be stopped…
Meanwhile,a spokesperson for the Human Rights Commission yesterday confirmed Mrs Bennie had lodged a complaint, while 15 others had called the commission. you need to take the spirit of New Zealand into the Middle East," he said.
And protests against Israel's military offensive on Gaza moved to an international chess tournament in Queenstown yesterday.
Race Relations commissioner Joris de Bres said it was illegal for providers of goods and services in New Zealand to discriminate in this way.
Signed by veteran protester John Minto, the letter said campaigners would ask tournament organisers to expel Mikhalevski if he did not voluntarily withdraw.
The Israeli top seed, Victor Mikhalevski, was asked to withdraw by Global Peace and Justice Auckland from the $50,000 tournament as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Mr Tekinkaya's action has sparked international media interest as well as debate within New Zealand.
However, Mikhalevski refused to bow out and his decision to remain in the tournament was backed by organisers.
Mr and Mrs Tekinkaya yesterday remained defiant.
More than 100 comments were posted on the Stuff website, with the vast majority condemning the cafe owner.
"No one's sticking up for them. .
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"… what happened to freedom of speech and the rights of a business to serve or not to serve?"
The cafe's neighbouring takeaway shop, Turkish Kebabs, also said on Wednesday it was not serving Israelis.
Mr Tekinkaya said he had received dozens of phone calls from people supporting him and a handful of calls opposed to his stance.
Mrs Bennie said from her home close to Invercargill she and her visiting Israeli sister had received over a dozen calls from strangers to say they were appalled by Mr Tekinkaya's stance.
Ambassador Rotem said New Zealand should not become part of the conflict and the government needed to make a declaration or statement giving the "red light" to such actions.
He expected "full fledged action" from the government and would address the issue when he visited New Zealand in the next few weeks, he said.
Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully did not return calls last night.
Mrs Bennie commended the Israeli ambassador's actions, saying Mr Tekinkaya had displayed "anti-semitic" behaviour.
"He might as well have put a sign outside his shop saying `No Jews Allowed'."
Mrs Bennie said her mother, who lives in Israel, was concerned she could now become a target for New Zealand radical Muslims.
"It could be a possibility, you never know."
WHAT THEY SAID:
Israel's ambassador to New Zealand Yuval Rotem:
"This anti-Israeli and anti-Jewish sentiment needs to be stopped.
"At this moment you don't need to bring the Middle East into New Zealand … You need to take the spirit of New Zealand into the Middle East."
Mustafa Tekinkaya, Mevlana Cafe co-owner:
"Everyone is going on about racism. This has nothing to do with racism. This is all about the killing of innocent children."
Joanne Tekinkaya, Mevlana Cafe co-owner: "Those dead women and children don't have a voice. No one's sticking up for them. Innocent women and children are being punished, so how can we be quiet and stand by and support that … what happened to freedom of speech and the rights of a business to serve or not to serve?"
Natalie Bennie, Israeli national ordered out of the Mevlana Cafe in Invercargill:
"It was very anti-semitic behaviour.
"He (Mustafa Tekinkaya) might as well have put a sign outside his shop saying `No Jews Allowed'."

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Mitre 10 fire suspected as arson attack

By MICHAEL FOX – Thursday, 11 December 2008

/Suburban News
SUSPICIOUS: A massive fire at a Mitre 10 store in Onehunga in Auckland appears to have been deliberately lit.

A fire that engulfed a large hardware store in Auckland, resulting in traffic jams and power cuts is now being treated as suspicious.
"Fire service have looked at the cause, have ruled out anything accidental, have ruled out anything electrical and passed on to Police," he said.
Fire Service Investigator Russell Dickson confirmed police had now taken over the investigation at the Mitre 10 store in Onehunga."
Mr Dickson said they had identified the area of the fires origin and this had led to police interest.
"We believe, though it is still undetermined at this stage, it is of a suspicious nature.
Mr Dickson said an asbestos contamination had slowed down the investigation considerably.
Police are now in charge of the scene and the fire service was scaling back their involvement."
The building had a very high fire loading because of the contents of the hardware shop and there were no sprinklers and fire engineers have been constantly pushing for sprinkler systems in such buildings, he said.
"We had to lock it right down, until it was deemed safe enough, and wet down enough for fire service investigators to start. He was not aware of any accelerant having been used.
Manukau chief fire officer Larry Cocker said he wasn't sure where in the store the fire originated.
Power was cut to the area and several roads close toby, including the motorway to the airport, were closed.
Around 80 firefighters and more than 20 fire engines battled the blaze for three hours. .
In a statement today, Mitre 10 CEO Craig Wilson said the organisation was shocked at the findings but would assist the police in any way it could