Two a penny

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An Auckland man is in custody following an alleged jealous rampage in which he reportedly attacked his ex-girlfriend then damaged her new partner’s motorcycle.

The first incident happened when the 38-year-old man appeared at his ex-girlfriend’s workplace in Wiri, Manukau, at 7.

He approached her outside and was abusive, threatening to smash her car with an iron bar before, it was believed, kicking her in the stomach, Ms Clarke said. .

He yelled for the man to come outside and when he failed to appear, attacked his motorbike, Ms Clarke said.

The man then drove to her new partner’s work, having last week allegedly threatened to kill him.

By this point the man knew police were examining for him and he drove to his home in Takanini, Ms Clarke said.

A staff member at the site told police they saw what looked like a gun in the man’s pocket.”

A helicopter was sent to search for him and spotted his car in Huntly.

“Police contacted him, telling him to hand himself in (and) he’s been aggressive with police.

They did not find a gun. Police caught up with the man and took him for questioning. He has been charged with assault, threatening to kill, breaching a protection order, wilful damage and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was being held in custody ahead of an appearance in Manukau District Court tomorrow.

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A Christchurch woman was spared from getting an AC/DC tattoo when a close friend won two tickets to one of the Australian rock act’s upcoming New Zealand shows.

Nina McVicar, 21, was prepared to get an AC/DC tattoo on her bottom in exchange for a ticket, which went on sale at 9am earlier today.

But she was let off the hook when her friend, Wellington student Harriet Hamilton, won the first tickets to AC/DC’s Black Ice concerts in Wellington in January as part of a Radio Hauraki concert promotion.

The band plays Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on January 28, and Auckland’s Western Springs on February 4.

Tickets for the Black Ice tour, AC/DC’s first on New Zealand soil in more than 13 years, went on sale today and even at $160 a pop, they were expected to sell out quickly.

Concert promoter Garry Van Egmond said ticket sales had been “phenomenal”. Ticket demand saw a second Wellington show, on January 30, added at midday today. .”

Fans camped overnight at Real Groovy in Auckland in a bid to be first to score tickets, and around 50 fans were at the Ticketek outlet at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington earlier today. We don’t want anyone to miss out on seeing the world’s biggest rock band so we’ve decided to put the second and final Wellington show on sale. She scored the first tickets to the Wellington show and the entire AC/DC back catalogue by dressing up as duck-walking band member and cult figure Angus Young.

Hamilton, 21, was among them.

“I just rang her and she thought that I was kidding when I said that I had won these tickets,” Hamilton said.

She told she would take McVicar to the show after the pair made a pact when they were 13 to see AC/DC if they ever came to New Zealand.

McVicar, a die-hard fan and quad-racing enthusiast, said she would love to claim the title of AC/DC’s biggest fan but there were “a lot of crazies out there”.

McVicar, a die-hard fan and quad-racing enthusiast, said she would love to claim the title of AC/DC’s biggest fan but there were “a lot of crazies out there”.

“It kind of just seemed a little bit unrealistic that this big band would come to New Zealand and we’d get a chance to go and see them,” she said.”

Despite this, she never thought it would happen.

“Me and my dad on our way to racing always used to listen to AC/DC as loud as it would go to get us hyped up and in the mood.

Part of her preparation for race day on Sundays was to listen to AC/DC – the only time during the week her boyfriend, who was not a fan, would let her do so.

.”

“I get to listen to AC/DC as loud as it will go every Sunday – it’s like the one day my boyfriend will let me do it,” she said

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Clayton Weatherston says Sophie Elliott was an attempted murderer and she has won a “contrived legacy”.

Weatherston is giving evidence for a fourth day at the Christchurch High Court in his own defence at his trial for the murder of Sophie Elliott. He says it was manslaughter, not murder, because he was provoked.

He admits killing Elliott, 22, at her Dunedin home on January 9 last year. . Weatherston, 33, has been on the stand all day, giving evidence under cross examination at his trial for the murder of Elliott, 22.

“In my view she is an attempted murderer,” Weatherston said.

Weatherston said Elliott had a “contrived legacy” and there had been a “misrepresentation of her character”.

“For it to be portrayed in a different light … that’s just the way it is.

He says he was provoked to kill Elliott by a relationship full of difficulties and an attack by Elliott on him with a pair of scissors. Society moves forward. Clearly, I’m in this position.”

Weatherston agreed he had told a psychologist that he was “over it,”referring to the case against him for killing Elliott. I was at that point a little bit frustrated. … I was exhausted,” Weatherston said

“I was saturated by it.

“That was a flippant comment.. . I just wanted an accurate depiction of events and of the characters involved..

Bates suggested Weatherston had locked the bedroom door with the intention of attacking and killing Elliott.”

Bates probed Weatherston over what had happened in Elliott’s bedroom when he stabbed her 216 times, killing her at her Dunedin home on January 9 last year.

“I’m assuming that too,” Weatherston said.

It appeared he had killed her in the corner of her bedroom, Bates said.

“Um, I think I saw.

“Um, I think I saw. … I’m not sure. I don’t know,” Weatherston said.

Weatherston said he thought the scissors and the blade he had used were left on the floor of the bedroom.

He did not recall telling an officer the knife was “probably under her” but could remember saying he had used scissors on Elliott “at the end”.

Police had found the blade underneath Elliott’s body.

Justice Potter asked Weatherston: “You were right about that, weren’t you?”

Weatherston said he was.

“Prior to the officer coming in I could see certain things around. I looked at my hand and I could see a cutting wound in my hand and I was trying to work out …” Weatherston said.

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Sea Shepherd flees whalers over boarding fears

– Monday, 09 February 2009

A militant anti-whaling organisation which has battled Japanese whalers south of New Zealand says it is pulling out, fearing they are about to be boarded. .
"I have said always said that we would do everything we can short of hurting people to end illegal whaling in the Antarctic Whale Sanctuary," said he said.
In a media statement the ship's captain, Paul Watson, says the group will return with a faster and longer range ship.
The whaling fleet this year deployed acoustical devices and water cannons against the Sea Shepherd crew.
Confrontations between those onboard the Steve Irwin and the whaling fleet have resulted in numerous close calls and two collisions resulting in minor damage.38 from Fiji to intercept the Steve Irwin.
Watson claimed he had information that the Japanese government had dispatched a security vessel called the Taiyo Maru No.
"We cannot allow this documentation to be captured by Japan," said Watson.
He said the ship is believed to be carrying a special boarding unit and has orders to seize the ship and all video evidence aboard Steve Irwin. The ship had only another four days of fuel reserves to remain with the fleet before being forced to return anyway.
The Steve Irwin will be returning to Australia and is expected to arrive within the next two weeks.
"Another four days is simply not worth getting someone killed."

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Woman survives bolt shot in head

and KATHERINE NEWTON Saturday, 10 January 2009

Neighbours of a woman left with a crossbow bolt lodged in her skull heard "an almighty scream" as the wayward bolt hit.
Had it struck a centimetre either way, she would be dead, police said.
The injury has sparked fresh calls for a licence system for the weapons.
An Auckland Hospital spokeswoman said staff were shocked to see the woman wheeled into the emergency department with the 40-centimetre-long bolt jutting from just above her right eye.
The 42-year-old Auckland woman was hit by the crossbow bolt which had travelled more than 30 metres as she watered pot plants on the veranda of her Glen Eden home on Thursday afternoon.
"She was very lucky," the spokeswoman said.
The woman was in a serious but stable condition yesterday after undergoing surgery.
A neighbour appears to have accidentally fired the crossbow, which was a Christmas present, into the woman's property.
The neighbour and the victim's 16-year-old son heard the woman call out and went to help her. Other neighbours said the man tried to shoot at an old stereo, but the crossbow jammed, sending the bolt flying.
"A person in a house next door to us heard a fairly almighty scream from the property .
Neighbour Murray Cramp said other neighbours heard the woman cry out as she was struck… She was lucky not to have been killed outright. She was lucky not to have been killed outright.
Inspector Joe Green, police manager of licensing and vetting, said there were no licensing laws around the use of crossbows.
Police said firing a crossbow in a residential area was irresponsible and they were considering laying charges.
Crossbows can be bought from places such as on-line auction site Trade Me, where yesterday there were at least 12 models on sale for as little as $50.
Someone who was found to have misused the potentially lethal piece of equipment could be charged with possession of an offensive weapon under the Crimes Act.
In light of the incident, former NZ First law and order spokesman Ron Mark renewed his call for the Government to introduce a licensing requirement for crossbows to bring them in line with other arms.
Mr Green said there was no evidence that crossbow incidents were on the rise. .
"These weapons are potentially lethal, with the ability to kill or maim at a range of 60 yards, yet there is no requirement for crossbows to be licensed

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Te Papa warns of big losses

The Friday, 12 December 2008

Te Papasays it is facing big financial losses as its funding comes under pressure.
In a briefing to the Government, Te Papaadvises of losses of up to $17.6 million a year as its finances take a turn for the worse and says the situation is not sustainable.
The museum receives $23million a year from the Government and $5 million from other sources, including Wellington City Council, with the rest of its $45 million annual budget coming from sponsorship and commercial activities.
The biggest drain on its finances is a lack of government funding for depreciation – but it is also losing money because of rising costs for materials, construction and staff. While it has a healthy bank balance – more than $20 million – it says those reserves will be drained within a few years as it seeks to make up the funding deficit.
But it says depreciation costs are set to rise to $16 million by 2010. The museum employs 527 people.
"As the building gets older, there will be some depreciation issues that will need to be addressed.
Arts and Culture Minister Chris Finlayson said yesterday he was aware of the issues raised by Te Papa and had discussed them. "I'm not giving any assurances to any organisation at this point."
He would not offer any hope of extra funding.

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Pair arrested for Christchurch cabbie killing

Monday, 08 December 2008

SLAIN: Abdulrahman Ikhtiari.

Cabbies tell of assault fears

Hunt on for taxi driver killers

Police recover footage of murder scene

Two teenage maleshave been arrested and charged with the murder of Christchurch taxi driver Abdulrahman Ikhtiari, police said tonight.
Securitycamera footage of twopeople fleeing the scene of the murder in the early hours of Saturday morning brought about the breakthrough this afternoon.
The pair, aged 16 and 19, will appear in the youth court tomorrow.
Ikhtiari, a 39-year-old father of five, died of a single stab wound to his chest in his taxi on Worcester Street.
Police said the footage had thrown up a lot of new information, including the registration plates of cars at the scene at the time. .
The post mortem on Ikhtiari indicates the weapon used to stab him in the chest had a blade at least 14cm long and about 2cm wide.
Police had yet to find two men believed to have been the United Taxis driver's last fare.
SECURITY
Ikhtiari's car lacked the hi-tech security system of many Christchurch taxis.
United Taxis director Trevor Ellwood said the company's lower-tech radio dispatch system was just as effective as the bigger companies and in most cases faster.
The United Taxis fleet does not have alarm systems or cameras.
"You can have GPS and cameras and all the niceties but they're $5000 per car .
"The law stipulates what the requirements are," he said…"
The firm is not a member of the Taxi Federation. It's nice to have alarm systems and everything but the guys have got to be able to activate them.
One taxi driver, who declined to be named, said the larger more recognised firms were prohibitively expensive to join, which forced people to work for less-protected operations. Drivers with member firms such as Blue Star, Gold Band and First Direct have technology and protections unavailable to drivers at other operations.
Other companies had lower subscriptions but the lack of booking work forced drivers to ply the streets for trade.
The larger companies benefited from more "radio work" phone-booked jobs that gave more stable incomes.
Over 30 taxi drivers and members of the Afghan community were at the home to lend support to the family.
Ikhtiari's home in Bryndwr was a sombre scene yesterday.
A family spokesperson, who declined to be named, expressed concern for Ikhtiari's widow who was "very frail".
A family spokesperson, who declined to be named, expressed concern for Ikhtiari's widow who was "very frail".
"She can't cope," he said.
Christchurch man Ali Tausif said Ikhtiari was known in the Christchurch Muslim community as a "very quiet, polite person".
Hagley Community College associate principal Rex Gibson said members of Ikhtiari's extended family worked at the college and Ikhtiari volunteered at the school's refugee homework programme.
Ikhtiari came to New Zealand after persecution of his Hazara ethnic group in Afghanistan by the ruling Taleban.
He was aboard the container ship the MV Tampa which created international headlines when it rescued him and more than 400 other Afghan refugees from a distressed fishing vessel but then was refused access to Australian ports. Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 363 7400.
– with and

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Armed robbers hold up Auckland supermarket

– Wednesday, 19 November 2008

LATEST: Armed robbers have made off with tens of thousands of dollars after holding up a Countdown supermarket in Botany, Auckland.
Detective senior sergeant Dave Pizini said the aggravated robbery took place late last night.15pm, pushing a trolley around the aisles, Mr Pizini said.
One of the alleged robbers posed as a "regular shopper" when entered the supermarket at 11.45pm and spoke to the first one before making his way back to the store entrance and creating a diversion.
The second entered about 11.
Meanwhile, the first man approached the check out operators and threatened them with a machete and demanded cash.
"He caused some disruption and distracted staff in the store," he said. .
He then fled through a rear fire exit door and was seen getting into a grey or silver sedan-shaped car.
They would also like to hear from anyone who saw the offenders' car at any time after 10pm yesterday.
Police would like to talk to anyone has information connected to the incident.73 metresto 1.
The first man was described as a Maori or Polynesian, in his early 20s, about1.
He was clean shaven with one small piece of facial hair on his chin.79 metres, of solid build.
Before approaching the tellers, he changed into a pair of white shorts, a black jacket and wore a white hockey-like mask over his face.
He was wearing a red T-shirt with a white pattern, black three-quarter paints, long black socks, a dark cap and was carrying a navy or black shoulder bag.83 metres.
The second man was also in his early 20s and a Maori or Polynesian of solid build, but was taller, about 1.
He was wearing a black T-shirt with a white pattern on it, three-quarter black under knee shorts and black and white trainers.
He had frizzy hair, and was unshaven with a goatie beard.

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Vets warn of fat pets risk

Wednesday, 12 November 2008

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE: Bert the fox terrier tipped the scales at 32kg before being put on a weight-loss programme.

Owners of pets risk killing them with kindness as a human obesity and diabetes epidemic is being mirrored among animals, vets say.
In serious cases, diabetic dogs and cats would require regular insulin injections, just like humans.
Mike Gething, who runs a vet clinic in Auckland, said the number of cats and dogs diagnosed with diabetes had risen by 20 per cent in the past decade, with up to 10 new cases at his clinic this year. "Middle age to older dogs and cats that are obese are at higher risk.
Although more animals were being diagnosed, and environmental and hereditary factors played a role, many of the cases were the result of obesity, he said.
"People let their dogs and cats carry more weight than they should. Right now we're treating nine dogs and seven cats for diabetes."
Nick Cooper, of Johnsonville's Care Vets, said he had also noticed a high incidence of fat pets, especially cats. Dogs are around when a family is eating and they can't resist giving them food. It's not just diabetes, the weight affects their joints, movement and quality of life. "A lot of owners think they are just cuddly. "Just like people, the best way for animals to lose weight is more exercise and less food."
SPCA vet Cristina Gans said trends in the United States had established a clear link between obese animals and diabetes."
Dr Gething said though treatment for diabetes would normally save the animals, all dogs and many cats would have to have insulin for the rest of their lives. Owners should work out a diet plan with their vets. "If an animal is morbidly obese, diabetes is a risk but often we see pets that aren't obese.
Wellington vet Kerry Burke said diabetic animals were not necessarily over-weight and the increase in reported diabetes could be the result of more pets being taken for check-ups."

. Obesity is a factor but it's not a huge factor

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Baby’s head injury no accident – Nelson police

The Friday, 31 October 2008

The skull fracture suffered by a four-month-old Motueka baby who is in a critical condition in Auckland's Starship Hospital could not have been the result of an accident, police say.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Tiernan of the Nelson CIB said the baby boy was still in paediatric intensive care Friday morning.
Mr Tiernan said the police inquiry was proving difficult because paediatricians were unable to give a date when the skull fracture was suffered.
The baby's parents called St John Ambulance on Monday night, as he was becoming unresponsive.
He said it could have been any time over Labour Weekend, and police needed to interview everyone who had had contact with the baby since then.
Mr Tiernan said the parents had also been caring for an extended family member's 13-month-old infant, who was now in Child Youth and Family care. He was transferred to Starship Hospital from Nelson Hospital on Tuesday.
The baby's mother was interviewed at length on Thursday but had no explanation for how he suffered the skull fracture, Mr Tiernan said. It could not have been an accident.
"At this stage, there is no reasonable explanation for how he fractured his skull. ."
Mr Tiernan said he hoped to build a clearer picture of what had happened after speaking with the baby's father on Friday. It is difficult to unravel – nobody wants to talk about it.
"These are very difficult investigations because it is something that has happened in the privacy of their own home."
Mr Tiernan said the baby had no injuries other than the skull fracture and was otherwise a "normal, healthy, well-cared-for" little boy."
Mr Tiernan said the baby had no injuries other than the skull fracture and was otherwise a "normal, healthy, well-cared-for" little boy."
Mr Tiernan said it was too early to comment on whether charges would be laid.
"They are looking for answers themselves.