Two a penny

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Heavy rain and snow across central New Zealand caused problems today.

The MetService issued a severe weather warning late this afternoon, saying farmers in the lower North Island and upper South Island should consider moving vulnerable stock to shelter.

In Auckland, police warned motorists to be aware of surface flooding.

People in the central North Island and Bay of Plenty were warned to watch for rising rivers and streams and for possible surface flooding.

The Rimutaka Hill Road on State Highway 2 was closed by snow, and in the north Wairarapa at Mount Bruce driving conditions were marginal as a result of snow.

The MetService said an active front was crossing the North Island bringing rain to most areas, with snow to low levels in parts of the lower North Island.

In the Manawatu Gorge area – from Ashhurst to Dannevirke – snow and ice was reported on the roads, with high winds adding to driving hazards. The Pahiatua Track, the main alternative route between Manawatu and Wairarapa, was also reportedly closed by snow.

In Nelson, SH60 between Riwaka and Upper Takaka was closed by snow.

SH1, north of Bulls in the Manawatu, was being affected by flooding and motorists were urged to exercise caution.

A spokesman said a roof in the town had been lifting earlier in the day, but had since been repaired.

Greymouth police said high winds had been gusting in the area. .

The MetService said cold strong or gale winds were affecting parts of central New Zealand. It has got progressively cooler during the day and at 2.

Wellington has failed to hit double figure temperatures today, recording its high of 9 degC at Wellington Airport at 9am.5 degC.30pm was only 6.

A MetService spokesman said it would be slightly warmer in the Capital during the day tomorrow, but still was not expected to reach double figure temperatures. At the same time, it was sitting under 6 degC in neighbouring Lower Hutt.30pm in Christchurch.

In the South Island, it was 8 degC at 2.

. By contrast, Aucklanders had a high of 18 degC, recorded at the city’s airport

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Kelvin Meredith thought he’d be “looking at dead people” when he saw two cars that had been bombarded by rocks in a landslip near Rotorua today.

Instead he found three people very much alive and played a key role in their rescue.30am on State Highway 36 between Tauranga and Rotorua, about 20km northeast of Rotorua.The slip happened about 8.Mr Meredith told Campbell Live he and a colleague dragged the woman from the car which had gone off the road out through a window.Large rocks and boulders buried one car and forced another off the road and down a bank towards a river. .”Then we went back up the top and tried to make the other people as comfortable as possible,” he said. The car was pretty squashed.”We just thought they had no hope.”The driver of the vehicle forced off the road suffered minor injuries, while the passenger and driver of the other vehicle also suffered minor injuries.”We pretty much thought they were toast but I smashed the window and they were pretty good, really.They were all taken to Rotorua Hospital for checks before being released. -

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About 35 police and fisheries officers busted a black market fishing ring worth tens of thousands of dollars
in Southland.

The operation involved two commercial fishermen allegedly supplying blue cod, rock lobster and oysters to associates, who then on-sold the seafood illegally to the wider community.
The men had been under serious surveillance for the last six months before earlier today’s raids of about eight Southland houses, whose occupants had allegedly received stolen fish, Ministry of Fisheries district compliance manager Reece Murphy told .
“We’re talking high value species.
He could not put a dollar value on the scam but said it would have been in the tens of thousands of dollars. .”
The investigation was in its early stages and a decision about what charges the men would face would be made over the next week, Mr Murphy said.
They could also have to forfeit their fishing gear, including boats.
“Unfortunately there continues to be those amongst the general public who are willing to buy cheap but illegal fish.
Mr Murphy said continued black market activity could place the sustainability of fish stocks in jeopardy.
“If you’re offered cheap fish and it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
“It is these buyers that create the market for illegal fish sellers to operate.
“Anyone who now on reflection believes that they may have unwittingly bought suspect rock lobster, blue cod or oysters recently is encouraged to contact the Ministry of Fisheries Invercargill office before fishery officers have to contact them.”
Fishery officers would be contacting a number of people who had been buying the illegal fish, he said.”
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Stay out of the water

Harbour sewage alert after deluge

and PAUL EASTON Saturday, 21 February 2009

A massivedownpour that brought a month's worth of rain in just a few hours has sparked health warnings after raw sewage poured into Wellington Harbour and Lyall Bay.
The downpour overwhelmed the city's drainage system yesterday morning sending untreated sewage into a street near Courtenay Place, a day before the entertainment zone holds the Cuba St Carnival parade.
The city copped 69 millimetres of rain yesterday, well over the expected entire February average of 62mm.
The overflow also sparked warnings about swimming at several beaches.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean confirmed last night that warning signs had been erected at Lyall Bay beach.
The lashing caused surface flooding and slowed traffic to a crawl, sparking a slew of accidents, and slips that blocked Rimutaka Hill Rd.
There were further discharges near the international passenger terminal and Kaiwharawhara stream which also discharges into the harbour.
Similar advisories were in place for Wellington Harbour after sewage diluted by stormwater was discharged at the long outfall at Moa Point.
"But it is very diluted sewage.
"People should probably stay out of the water," Mr MacLean said. The council would review results before lifting the warnings." Water quality testing would be carried out by council officials and Regional Public Health during the weekend. An "absolutely nauseating" smell had enveloped her property towards the bay's western end.
A Lyall Bay resident said the sewage had been leaking into the area for the past week."
The council spent $4 million on a stormwater upgrade in 2004 after a similar incident with sewage in Bond St in 2004. .
"Large amounts of fat are not supposed to get into the sewerage system so we'll be doing a check of grease traps in the area to make sure they're operating and being maintained properly.
Mr MacLean said the sewer blockage that resulted in untreated sewage spew near the intersection of Courtenay Place and Tory St was caused by a combination of the heavy rain and a buildup of congealed fat in the sewer.30am to complain."
StarMart manager Priyank Jain said he was first alerted to the spillage after customers came in to the store about 8.
The low was anchored off Westland yesterday.
Yesterday's onslaught came as a deep low brought warm moist air from the subtropics, MetService duty forecaster Oliver Druce said.
Mr Druce said the rain was forecast to ease in the North Island. An associated front sent heavy rain up the North Island.

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Stay out of the water

Harbour sewage alert after deluge

and PAUL EASTON Saturday, 21 February 2009

A massivedownpour that brought a month's worth of rain in just a few hours has sparked health warnings after raw sewage poured into Wellington Harbour and Lyall Bay.
The downpour overwhelmed the city's drainage system yesterday morning sending untreated sewage into a street near Courtenay Place, a day before the entertainment zone holds the Cuba St Carnival parade.
The city copped 69 millimetres of rain yesterday, well over the expected entire February average of 62mm.
The overflow also sparked warnings about swimming at several beaches.
Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean confirmed last night that warning signs had been erected at Lyall Bay beach.
The lashing caused surface flooding and slowed traffic to a crawl, sparking a slew of accidents, and slips that blocked Rimutaka Hill Rd.
There were further discharges near the international passenger terminal and Kaiwharawhara stream which also discharges into the harbour.
Similar advisories were in place for Wellington Harbour after sewage diluted by stormwater was discharged at the long outfall at Moa Point.
"But it is very diluted sewage.
"People should probably stay out of the water," Mr MacLean said. The council would review results before lifting the warnings." Water quality testing would be carried out by council officials and Regional Public Health during the weekend. An "absolutely nauseating" smell had enveloped her property towards the bay's western end.
A Lyall Bay resident said the sewage had been leaking into the area for the past week."
The council spent $4 million on a stormwater upgrade in 2004 after a similar incident with sewage in Bond St in 2004. .
"Large amounts of fat are not supposed to get into the sewerage system so we'll be doing a check of grease traps in the area to make sure they're operating and being maintained properly.
Mr MacLean said the sewer blockage that resulted in untreated sewage spew near the intersection of Courtenay Place and Tory St was caused by a combination of the heavy rain and a buildup of congealed fat in the sewer.30am to complain."
StarMart manager Priyank Jain said he was first alerted to the spillage after customers came in to the store about 8.
The low was anchored off Westland yesterday.
Yesterday's onslaught came as a deep low brought warm moist air from the subtropics, MetService duty forecaster Oliver Druce said.
Mr Druce said the rain was forecast to ease in the North Island. An associated front sent heavy rain up the North Island.

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Police boss at shot teen’s coffin

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

/The
OFFERING COMFORT: Police Commissioner Howard Board hugs Stephanie Cook, the partner of Halatau Naitoko, who was killed during a shootout between police and a gunman on an Auckland motorway.

editorial: Editorial: Two lives destroyed

Police Commissioner visits Naitoko’s family

Broad: AOS training may change

Motorway chase accused out of hospital

Drugs could be McDonald’s defence

A woman wailed in grief as Police Commissioner Howard Broad paid his respects at the open coffin of slain courier driver Halatau Naitoko.
Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, faces 29 charges, including 10 of using a firearm against police.
The 17-year-old father was killed by a stray police bullet during the arrest of a gunman after an hour-long police chase through Auckland on Friday. He had caught the first available flight home.
A solemn-examining Mr Broad returned from Bougainville, off Papua New Guinea, last night, four days after the shooting.
"The police actually come to work to do good, and that, from what I can see, was the intention of the police at the time.
It was difficult to put into words how he and other police felt about the tragedy, he said."
Mr Broad was yet to be briefed on the details of the incident but said: "There will be a careful process of working through what happened and if there's anything [that] needs to change, it will.
"This is the first opportunity I've had to express my sorrow and profound sadness.
Mr Broad said he was concerned for the police officers involved, whose actions were now being scrutinised. ."
Immediately after leaving the airport, Mr Broad was driven to the family's Mangere home to offer his condolences. "They are New Zealand police officers and we will look after them.
Mr Broad was walked past the white, open coffin.
He was greeted by Mr Naitoko's grieving partner and led past family members to the rear of the house, and into a large, open shed decorated with woven mats and a mass of colourful flowers. "We are very very grateful for the generosity and friendship of people.
Mr Naitoko's uncle, Sosefo Sime, said Mr Broad's visit meant a lot to the family.
"That is something I have indicated to them I will pursue," Mr Broad told Radio New Zealand following his meeting with Mr Naitoko's family."
Mr Broad said he favoured a meeting with the police officer and the family.
"The expressions of humanity that this family is making is really quite an example.
"Obviously I can't force people to go into meetings they don't want to be (at) but having experienced this today my encouragement would be to the officers to take up that opportunity."

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Animals go missing

By SUSANA TALAGI – Tuesday, 20 January 2009

SUSANA TALAGI/
LOST: Bonny Tawharu wonders where all the pets in her neighbourhood are disappearing to.

Animal lover lover Bonny Tawharu says something sinister is going on in her neighbourhood.
The Ranui resident’s cat went missing last month and is presumed dead.
She says numerous cats have vanished in the area in the same period.
But Ms Tawharu isn’t the only resident to lose a pet in recent weeks.
Three dogs, three rabbits, 17 chickens and numerous ducks are either missing or dead.
But that’s not all.
The problem came to Ms Tawharu’s attention after her eight-year-old cat Havok didn’t return home to Elvira Place on December 20.
"I only got up in the morning to feed him.
"I got him after a separation, he kept me alive," she says.
"I would do anything to get him back, but I think someone’s done him in, that’s the honest truth. Without him I wouldn’t be here now.
"I thought that’s weird," she says."
Ms Tawharu went doorknocking and learned two neighbours had the same problem.
"Then I went around the corner and another woman said she had lost her cat.
"Then I went around the corner and another woman said she had lost her cat.
She had a "phenomenal response"."
Ms Tawharu delivered 470 leaflets seeking information about her cat and urging people to contact her if they were in a similar predicament. .
"How come all these animals are disappearing and dying?" she says.
"They were murdered," she says.
The chickens were savaged, presumably by a dog, and she believes her dog was poisoned."
Animal Welfare Centre officer Priya Sundar also thinks the situation is strange.
"I’m on my own and have cancer – those creatures were my friends.
"It would suggest something out of the ordinary is going on.
"The number of animals disappearing in the area sounds unusual," she says.
"Ms Tawharu is on the right path.
"Ms Tawharu is on the right path. Making other people aware is good because people might not know to ring us."
If you’ve lost or found a pet call the centre on 836-0400.

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Key undecided on Transmission Gully route

The Friday, 16 January 2009

Prime Minister John Key says an alternative northern route out of Wellington is critical but that questions remain over whether that route would be Transmission Gully.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Mr Key mirrored comments made earlier in the week by Transport Minister Steven Joyce, who said he had a "mixed view" on whether the $1.
Mr Key said Wellington needed an alternative route, but he had not seen enough of the comprehensive work to give an opinion on his favoured option.025 billion Gully project was the right option for improving Wellington's northern transport corridor.
The previous Labour government approved the project last June, with former transport minister Annette King telling the New Zealand Transport Agency to move forward with resource consents for Transmission Gully.
"I don't think there is a debate over the fact that there needs to be an alternative northern route out of Wellington, and the question here is simply, what is the right route?" he said.
However, her government committed just $400 million of the $1.
That effectively ended debate on which route the Gully or improving the coastal highway would go ahead.
They have till the end of this year to do that, with options including a regional fuel tax and tolling.025 billion cost, leaving local councils to fund the rest. .
Mr Joyce's comments this week signalled a step back, something Mr Key agreed with.
"We're just working our way through that programme. It just happened to announce it without announcing the $600 million extra that they needed to fund it."

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Neighbour rescues duo from Wellington fire

By MICHAEL FOX – Wednesday, 24 December 2008

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SMOKING: The house which went on fire in Camperdown Road in Miramar, Wellington.

Two people are lucky to be alive after they were dragged from their blazing home in the Wellington suburb of Miramar earlier today.
Wellington Fire Service spokesman Mike Wanoa said the pair were pulled to safety by a neighbour who entered the house before fire engines arrived.
Neighbours reported the fire to the Fire Service around 11am today after seeing smoke coming out of the door, Mr Wanoa said.
One person was admitted to hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation while the condition of the second person is unknown.
Five fire engines were needed to combat the blaze, though it is unclear at this stage how it started.
One neighbour had earlier unsuccessfully tried to alert the occupants by banging on the door.
Mr Wanoa said the house was “well damaged”.

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Hero pup saves the day

By MICHELLE LOTTER – Tuesday, 02 December 2008

TO THE RESCUE: Hearing dog Milu has made owner Gia Hoblyn proud with his rescue of an elderly woman trapped in a lift.

Cries for help coming from an elevator isn’t the usual sound hearing dog Milu responds to.
But luckily for an elderly woman stuck inside, Milu the miniature poodle came to the rescue.
On hearing the woman’s cries for help, Milu pawed Ms Hoblyn, which is the signal trained hearing dogs give when they hear a sound that they want their owner to respond to.
His profoundly deaf owner Gia Hoblyn who volunteers at the Hearing Dog office in Takapuna, was alerted to the situation by her dog.
But giving into Milu’s persistence, she opened the lift to find a woman who was upset after not being able to get out.
Thinking Milu wanted to go toilet, Ms Hoblyn was frustrated when Milu stopped at the lifts rather than follow their usual route downstairs, she says.
Ms Hoblyn cannot get over her admiration for 11-year-old Milu who has not been trained to respond to others’ cries for help."
Ms Hoblyn and her "super doggie" have been a team for almost seven years.
"Because of his smart, quick thinking and brilliant training he was a star and rescued the lady.
Hearing Dogs are trained to respond to sounds like smoke alarms, door knocks or door bells, fax and telephone rings, alarm clocks, baby monitors and oven timers.
Milu’s help allows the Takapuna resident to "feel safe and more independent".hearingdogs.
Visit the website www.org.org.