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Female violent crime on the rise
By KEITH LYNCH – Thursday, 05 February 2009
Lack of money, increasing drug and alcohol use and gang culture are factors in an alarming surge in female violence, particularly among Maori, says a Christchurch academic.
Police figures for 1998-99 show 2282 females were prosecuted for violent attacks. This figure leapt to 4853 in 2007-08, up 53 per cent.
A senior lecturer at Canterbury University's School of Social Work and Human Services, Annabel Taylor, blamed growing female violence mostly on the dire socioeconomic situation of Maori women.
However, most violent crimes are still committed by males, with 30,214 prosecutions in 2007-08, a 38 per cent increase since 1998-99. .
"If you look at the socioeconomic conditions for Maori women you will find they come out at the absolute bottom of all indicators in New Zealand society," she said.
"We have to ask what is going on here. That is hugely disproportionate to the Maori population at large, which is around 14 per cent. Sixty per cent of New Zealand women in prison are Maori.
Taylor said heavier drinking and a surge in gang culture could also be behind the rise in female violence."
In 2007-08, of all the women prosecuted for violence, 2364, or 48 per cent, were Maori. "In the New Zealand context, we also have female gang involvement, and the gangs are predominantly Maori and are involved in a whole range of coercive and violent activities.
"In Australia they are also pointing to alcohol use, and I would question the lowering of the drinking age and the greater accessibility to alcohol and drugs," she said. Women will participate in the violence and I suggest that younger women are now caught up more often in gang activity. Women will participate in the violence and I suggest that younger women are now caught up more often in gang activity.
"Women would only make up 15 per cent of our clientele, and although it is no justification, it is important to remember that the majority of our female clients have been victims of family violence or sexual abuse.
"Our statistics here wouldn't illustrate that level of violence among females in Christchurch," he said."
Senior Sergeant Gordon Spite said the statistics on female violence were consistent with what he saw on the streets of Christchurch. In fact, 80 per cent would have been victims of abuse.
. Such violence was " always associated with alcohol"
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RSA survivor back in court for compo
– Sunday, 01 February 2009
The sole survivor of RSA triple murderer William Bell's rampage returns to the Supreme Court next month to fight a bid by the Crown to stop her claiming compensation.
Last June, Auckland woman Susan Couch broke down in tears when the Supreme Court delivered its landmark decision allowing her to sue the Corrections Department because it owed her a duty of care.
However, the Crown has challenged the decision and is disputing her right to exemplary damages.
Couch, 44, said the ongoing court action was frustrating and stressful, but she was determined to keep fighting. The case will be heard on March 23-24."
Bell was freed after serving two-thirds of his five-year jail sentence for a 1997 aggravated robbery and was under probation service care to monitor his release conditions when he brutally murdered Mary Hobson, Wayne Johnson and William Absolum at Auckland's Mt Wellington-Panmure RSA clubrooms, where he had worked, on December 8, 2001.
"What it will mean is when I'm 60 or 70, I will be able to look back and know I did everything I could, I went down every avenue I could to get some justice. Couch, a part-time accounts clerk for the RSA, suffered near-fatal injuries from Bell's beating, including significant brain damage and partial left-sided paralysis. "Once I found out how tough it would be to manage, it also became about the money.
She said her case was to ensure no one else suffered the consequences of the probation service's failure.5 million in exemplary damages, but that had recently dropped to $500,000."
Her original claim was for $2.
About eight months before the attack, she had left her job as a computer network administrator to care for her young son after her relationship ended.
Aside from physical and emotional harm, the financial implications of Bell's beating were huge, she said. She received the domestic purposes benefit and worked part-time for the RSA. She received the domestic purposes benefit and worked part-time for the RSA.
It was expensive renting a home and paying for herself and her nine-year-old son, Jackson, she said. Although ACC covers medical bills and she also gets an invalid's benefit, she was ineligible for compensation for lost earnings because she was on the DPB when attacked. Spokesman Garth McVicar said the Crown's battle to get her case thrown out was "like a kick in the guts" to Couch.
Sensible Sentencing Trust was helping to fund Couch's legal action. "She just cried and cried and cried. He was with her in the Supreme Court when it released its decision last year. Her career has gone, her life has gone. I was just holding her."
He believed the Corrections Department feared the case going to trial because it would force it to open its files over what went wrong. ."
McVicar and Couch's lawyer, Brian Henry, met last week to plan their strategy for the court case."
McVicar and Couch's lawyer, Brian Henry, met last week to plan their strategy for the court case. "There are two battles going on here one in the courts and one on the streets. To win this, we have got to win the hearts of the public."
Henry said the last Supreme Court decision had allowed further debate by the Crown but they had hoped it could simply go to trial. If the Crown succeeded, it would end Couch's attempts for any compensation.
The court's June decision accepted Couch could possibly establish that Corrections "had sufficient power and ability to control Bell in a way which would have prevented the harm which [she] suffered".
However, she would have to prove "special risk" beyond that created by her working in close proximity with Bell at the RSA.
"There is nothing in Bell's history which suggested that either those with whom he was in contact frequently, or those with whom he associated in an employment environment, were the subject of any enhanced risk," the court's decision said.
Bell is serving a life sentence with a non-parole period of 30 years.
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Wind turbine ban for Battle Hill
Friday, 23 January 2009
Asecond swath of public land is set to be protected from wind farm development, as Greater Wellington regional council struggles to balance a commitment to green energy with the interests of park users.
The council has moved to ban turbines from Battle Hill Regional Park close to Pauatahanui, park land that was once part of a major wind farm proposal.
The rule change which is included in a revised draft of the park's management plan comes just five months after the council revoked permission for RES New Zealand to build three turbines in the park as part of a larger wind farm project.
The Belmont park proposal included up to 81 turbines and had a price tag of between $117 million and $138 million five years ago.
It also follows moves by the council to block development in close toby Belmont Regional Park, with a council committee last year recommending a five-year moratorium on turbines there.
Councillor Rex Kirton, chairman of the regional council's parks, forests and utilities committee, said turbine development in regional parks needed to be debated, and he suggested parks could be made out of bounds for wind farms.
The council once described the site as a "world-class wind farm opportunity".
"Maybe people aren't too keen to have it in the parks at all," he said. Maybe it's not on our particular land.
"There are other areas and there will be other private land that will be able to be used. "It's a discussion that needs to take place."
Mr Kirton expects wind farm development to be a hot issue as the regional council consults the public on the future of all its parks.
"There will be no turbines sited in the park itself," he said."
Engineering services manager Tony Shaw said the council remained committed to sustainable energy but deemed Battle Hill worthy of protection. "It's a case of balancing use of the land with the need or desire to generate renewable energy, and in this instance council decided it would restrict the use of turbines. "It's a case of balancing use of the land with the need or desire to generate renewable energy, and in this instance council decided it would restrict the use of turbines. It is also investigating another project on council land close to Stoney Creek, in south Wairarapa. Resource consent applications for up to 50 turbines are expected later this year. It also allows the use of air space for wind-turbine blade flyover.
The Battle Hill management plan allows access through the park to the Puketiro wind farm. "I don't think it's their job to put them in places that have been set aside for other purposes. ."
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Bid to relax sewage rule slammed
By DAVID WILLIAMS – Tuesday, 20 January 2009
Environmentalists are shocked the Christchurch City Council wants the freedom to pour raw sewage into the Avon and Heathcote rivers more often.
The council also wants to be able to increase the number of places around the city where it can release untreated sewage.
The council says upgrading Christchurch's wastewater network to ensure fewer sewage discharges into the city's rivers is an ineffective use of money, with no environmental benefit.
One environmentalist says the council's plan is "completely unacceptable".
That is despite spending more than $40 million upgrading the network, which can be overwhelmed by stormwater in heavy rain, causing overflows of untreated sewage.
As reported in 's State of Our Rivers series last year, the council cannot meet its consent condition to discharge sewage into the Avon and Heathcote catchments only once every two years.
City council network planning manager Simon Collin said achieving the standard of one discharge in two years was "not an effective use of ratepayers' money, given that there is no tangible net benefit to the environment from doing so".
The council is seeking a variation from Environment Canterbury (ECan) to lower the standard to once every six months and increase the number of discharge sites from 12 to 25.
Computer modelling suggested maintaining the network may cost another $120 million.
Original estimates for the work were $40 million, but while the Heathcote River work was finished, another $125 million would need to spent on the Avon, he said.
The original consent conditions required the capital upgrade to be completed on the Heathcote by 2005 and on the Avon by 2010.
The increased costs were coupled with an economic recession, and the consent variation would give the council "breathing space". .
The new consent would push the deadline for the Avon back to 2017.
Spending $125 million cleaning up the wastewater network was reasonable considering the council boasted assets of $4. "The idea that human excrement floating through our iconic waterways is not of any tangible benefit to be removed is a little bit shocking," he said.
Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust chairman Alex Drysdale said there were significant health risks associated with sewage overflows, and he accused the council of "shifting the goalposts" in its attempt to relax consent conditions.7 billion.
He had sympathy for ECan's position as "policeman and executioner", but said it was being asked to do too much and could not deliver.
"If it wasn't dangerous, why would we have a sewer system?" he said.
Mt Pleasant Yacht Club commodore Tony Wornall said it was not advised of a spill a few years ago and a few members suffered stomach bugs.
"There's no public defender of the environment," he said.
"Our concern is the health of our members using the Estuary.
Any dilution of the standard was a big concern, he said.
There were nine overflows into the Avon and Heathcote last year seven over an eight-week period during winter.
There were nine overflows into the Avon and Heathcote last year seven over an eight-week period during winter.
The application is likely to be publicly notified next month.
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Teen falls 50m on Mt Ngauruhoe
The Thursday, 15 January 2009
Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter
STEEP SLIP: Rescue services prepare to evacuate the injured tramper to hospital.
A teenager was flown to hospital coughing up blood after tumbling 50 metres down Mt Ngauruhoe, resulting in a gravel slide which then landed on him.
Youthtown Trust Rescue Helicopter pilot Hendry de Waal said the 16-year-old, of Auckland, was on a day tramp with friends across the central North Island's Tongariro Alpine Crossing. .
But as they climbed the northern side of Mt Ngauruhoe about 9. It's a 45-degree angle slope he went down.
"He was about halfway up when he fell. Then a lot of rocks fell afterwards, hitting him."
The teenager suffered head, neck and shoulder injuries and was airlifted to Waikato Hospital.
"He was talking but was in a lot of pain and coughing up blood.
The crossing is considered the best one-day trek in New Zealand and is listed in many publications as in the top 10 day treks in the world.
A hospital spokeswoman said earlier today he was being observed in one of the wards and was in a stable condition.5 kilometres) and takes about seven to nine hours. It spans the length of Mt Tongariro (18. It is popular during summer. It is popular during summer.
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At least two people have died attempting the crossing
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Tagger killer may be granted bail – judge
– Friday, 12 December 2008
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FOUND GUILTY: Bruce Emery was found guilty of the manslaughter of 15-year-old teenage tagger Pihema Clifford Cameron.
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‘BETTER THAN NOTHING’: Pihema Clifford Cameron’s mother leaves court clutching a framed photo of her dead son after Bruce Emery was found guilty of his manslaughter.
Emery was today found guilty of the manslaughter of 15-year-old teenage tagger Pihema Clifford Cameron.
Tagger killer convicted of manslaughter
Tagger killing trial
A High Court judge has signalled to convicted businessman Bruce Emery he may be granted bail and could be sentenced to home detention.
Comeskey argued his client had a close-knit family, had no previous convictions in New Zealand, had been on bail since shortly after being arrested and had always abided by the conditions.
Following the verdict Emery’s lawyer Chris Comeskey asked the court to hear an urgent bail application.
Crown lawyers opposed the application saying because Emery was likely to be sentenced to jail for the manslaughter he should not be on bail prior to sentencing on February 13. .
“It cannot be said to be an impossible outcome,” the judge said.
However Justice Hugh Williams disagreed, saying while it was unlikely Emery would not serve a prison term, because of the unique circumstances it could not be ruled out.
The judge said it was likely if bail was to be granted it would be on the condition Emery’s wife was guarantor.
Justice Williams ajourned the hearing until Wednesday to allow time for Comeskey to prepare affidavits from his client and his Indonesian wife of more than 20 years.
He also asked for reports to be prepared on Emery’s financial situation and requested police to ask the family of Pihema to give their thoughts on the prisoner being granted bail.
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Mother charged for child’s truancy
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Policeare prosecuting a mother whose child has missed nearly half the school year in one of the worst truancy cases on record.
The woman is understood to have told officials that her son could not attend school because he had no shoes or text books.
The Education Ministry may also seek costs after flying her son to Gisborne for an interview at Gisborne Boys' High School.
The year 9 pupil, now aged 14 and enrolled at Kapiti College, had missed 143 half days of a possible 336, though his mother provided explanations for his absences on only five occasions, principal Tony Kane said.
Officials arranged for his boarding fees to be paid through a scholarship in a final attempt to get him back in school – but he never showed up for the new term.
The decision to prosecute was a last resort.
The school had gone to great lengths to work with the family, including involving police and Child, Youth and Family.
"We're just not getting sufficient cooperation," Mr Kane said.
"Ultimately it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that their child's going to school and she's failing to do that. "I guess it's just that we feel we're making no progress any other way.
Under the Education Act, parents must ensure children aged under 16 attend class. .
Mr Kane said truant children quickly fell behind. But the maximum fine is just $150 and truancy prosecutions are unusual, with only 30 since 2006.
"There were only two weeks in the year where he was present every class, every day, so there's no consistency.
"There were only two weeks in the year where he was present every class, every day, so there's no consistency."
An Education Ministry spokesperson said the matter had been referred to police. This is happening week-in, week-out, so it's impossible for him to make any progress.
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Tumour boy takes first steps
Tuesday, 04 November 2008
ROSS GIBLIN/The
FINDING HIS FEET: Without the weight of the tumour a Wellington Hospital team removed from his stomach late last month, 14-month-old Alex Gonzaga is learning to walk instead of getting around on all fours.
East Timorese toddler Alex Gonzaga has taken his first steps in Wellington Hospital after a life-saving operation to remove a massive tumour from his stomach.3-kilogram benign tumour last month.
The 14-month-old, holding his mother's hands and sporting tiny squeaky jandals, walked for the first time yesterday thanks to a 10-member medical team who volunteered their time and skills to remove the 3. The revealed details of Alex's surgery, and since then his story has spread around the world.
Alex and his mother, Elisa Da Conceicao, were flown to Wellington Hospital about three weeks ago for the operation. Before the operation Alex was restricted to moving and eating on all fours because of the size and weight of the tumour. Shy, but smiling, Mrs De Conceicao said yesterday that her son's improvement since the operation was just wonderful.
She had been impressed by the doctors. .
Alex's tumour was spotted by a doctor in East Timor and scanned on a visiting medical ship. Alex would not have received the same treatment in his homeland.
Paediatric surgeon Brendon Bowkett, who led the surgical team, said it was great to see Alex smiling, playing with toys and getting around "like a normal kid". Alex was transferred to the Rotary Oceania Medical Aid for Children (Romac) programme, which organises medical and surgical experts as well as immigration visas and interpreters.
Ward 19 team leader Trish Lee said it had been heart-warming watching Alex's progress. "His recovery has been dramatic and quick – faster than we expected," Mr Bowkett said.
Alex and his mother were transferred to Ronald McDonald House yesterday while Rotary organises tickets for them to return home. "It has been really great seeing him go from a quiet, almost immobile little boy to a happy, active, mischievous toddler taking his first steps," Mrs Lee said.
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Once Alex is back in his village and reunited with his four siblings, the Alola Foundation will provide nutritional support for him during the remainder of his recuperation
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Midwife care in NZ slated
– Saturday, 25 October 2008
New Zealand's midwife-led maternity system has been slammed.
Obstetricians have warned Australia not to introduce the system, citing the poor state of care in New Zealand.
The Australasian professional body for obstetricians has also called for the immediate release of a report detailing maternal deaths in New Zealand, which are believed to have doubled since the introduction of midwife-led care.
The letter said New Zealand's system had problems, and "clearly the college is opposed to the introduction of a New Zealand-type system for Australian maternity care".
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (Ranzcog) this month sent a scathing letter about New Zealand's maternity system to its members.
The letter raised concerns about a "quarantined maternal mortality report which reportedly shows a doubling in maternal mortality since the introduction of midwife-led care".
Australia is reviewing its maternity system.
Associate Health Minister Steve Chadwick, who is responsible for maternity issues, said a committee had been formed in 2005 to investigate maternal deaths and the deaths of babies around the time of labour.
Ranzcog president and author of the letter, Dr Christine Tippett, said she understood a special report into maternal deaths had been with Health Minister David Cunliffe for some time.
It was always expected the process would take some time and a report, which would include mortality figures from 2006, would be released in the next few months, she said.
Tippett said New Zealand had great trouble recruiting obstetricians and gynaecologists because of systemic problems such as a lack of collaboration with midwives and a lack of information about outcomes for women.
It should be released immediately, she said. The country was just starting to compile data about outcomes for mothers and babies, which was "irresponsible", Tippett said.
A national maternity inquiry completed recently after the death of a baby in Wellington Hospital demonstrated the range of problems in New Zealand, she said.
New Zealand's Ranzcog representative, Gillian Gibson, backed calls for maternal death figures to be released, saying it would help people in the sector understand what changes were required.
New Zealand's Ranzcog representative, Gillian Gibson, backed calls for maternal death figures to be released, saying it would help people in the sector understand what changes were required.
"We acknowledge that there is more we can do to strengthen maternity services, to build a more collaborative model of care which encourages better communication between the team of health professionals," Chadwick said.
The latest maternity services consumer satisfaction survey showed 90 per cent of women were happy with their maternity services.
The Australian system was heavily privatised and could be extremely expensive for families, she said.
New Zealand College of Midwives chief executive Karen Guilliland said Australian obstetricians and private maternity services were extremely strong and because of this the public system had serious workforce deficits, with many women having difficulty accessing care.
This was in the same way as doctors providing maternity care.
As a result, Australian health authorities were recommending midwives be able to make claims on the public insurance system.
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National Party health spokesman Tony Ryall called for the information on maternal deaths to be released, saying there was great interest in it, and withholding it unnecessarily created suspicion
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Police name weekend road crash victims
Monday, 08 September 2008
Police have released the names of the two people killed on the roads at the weekend.
James Wilson Higgie, a 21-year-old builder from Alexandra in Central Otago, died on Earnscleugh Road, between Clyde and Alexandra, about 9.
Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw of Central Otago CIB said it appeared Mr Higgie was travelling away from Clyde with three other men on motocross bikes when two of them collided.55pm yesterday.
Mr Shaw said the injured man had since been discharged from hospital and was recovering at home with family.
Mr Higgie died at the scene and a second rider was admitted to Dunstan Hospital with moderate injuries.
Police were seeking information about the movements of these or other motocross bikes in Clyde on Sunday evening.
An investigation into the cause of the accident was continuing.
Police also released the name of an 18-year-old woman who died in an Oamaru car crash yesterday.
Police were particularly interested in a vehicle believed to have passed the four motorcycles close to the Clyde bridge, travelling towards Earnscleugh.45pm.
Natasha Sheree Maindonald, 18, died in an accident on Parsons Road about 5.
Police were investigating the cause of the crash.
Four others in the car escaped serious injury.
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