New Zealand’s first two community houses celebrated half a century of community support this March with an open day event funded by the Kaipātiki Local Board The celebration at Birkdale Community House marked 50 years since the Birkdale and Beach Haven community houses were incorporated to form the Birkdale Beach Haven Community Project (BHCP) in 1975 Local board chair John Gillon says the board’s ongoing support of the BHCP including an allocation of over $190,000 from Jan 2024 to June 2025 is an acknowledgement of the benefits they provide to the wellbeing of the Kaipātiki community BHCP Project Lead Amanda Phillips explains that establishing the Birkdale Community House in 1973 “helped paved the way for many other community projects and community houses to follow.”   “There’s a community house or centre in most areas I think if people can connect in with their local community house the local community Kaimahi that are working in that area they'll be able to find connection with other people they'll be able to find things that help their wairua their health and well-being and mental health we're here to really listen to what the community has to say and then help put programmes and events in place to meet those needs and to make people feel connected.” Phillips says Community house volunteer Karl Nebbeling has been benefiting from the Birkdale Community House’s weekly te reo Māori conversation classes You can find out about the BHCP’s current programmes at their website Want to stay up to date with all the latest news from your area Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest direct to your inbox each month. © Auckland Council 2025 All rights reserved For more information on what data is contained in the cookies, please click the 'Find out more on the Auckland Council website' button. To accept cookies from this site, please click the 'I Agree' button. Sign up for our e-newsletter and be the first to know about exciting events and news. North Shore CityPrice by Negotiation412IGNORE CV - VENDOR WANTS IT SOLD!Tucked away down a private driveway in the heart of Beach Haven this charming home offers the perfect blend of comfort or simply looking for a home you can truly make your own - this one ticks all the boxes Copy and Paste the Link to View/Download the Documents: https://rwmairangibay.co.nz/MRG32857 • Open-plan living & dining - perfect for entertaining or relaxing • 4 bedrooms - ideal for families or flat mates • Generous patio & decking area - great for outdoor living and summer BBQs with room to add a second bathroom or scullery • Zoned for Birkdale Intermediate and Beach Haven School Don't miss the chance to secure this fantastic opportunity Your future home awaits - come and see it for yourself or give me a call today for more information based on a borrower’s individual credit assessment.Canstar's Most Awarded Personal LoanGet a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started A street on Auckland’s North Shore was forced closed for several hours after a burst water main led to a sinkhole North Shore councillor Richard Hills took to social media saying contractors had closed a section of the road and turned off water for approximately 25 properties as repairs were carried out Watercare said the closure would remain in place until the water main repair was complete “Properties 81-117 on Lancaster Rd will either be without water or have reduced water pressure until around 3.30pm while repairs are carried out,” it said Images from the scene show a digger parked next to a significant hole in the middle of the road said the burst water main caused a sinkhole Several people in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven have reported having rocks hurled at their vehicles by the young person Police say public safety is their priority after repeated reports of violent incidents involving a young person in an Auckland suburb Residents in the North Shore’s Beach Haven have taken to social media saying their community has been terrorised in recent months by the youth allegedly attacking other children damaging property and throwing rocks at vehicles A community Facebook group contains comments from dozens of residents complaining of damaged property Neither can the damage he is causing to so many people’s phones All the victims need to get together and put a case to the authorities I hope something positive can be done before someone gets hurt,” one person said “This is clearly escalating to the point of someone being seriously injured or worse My advice would be for all and any who see this or experience it at the time – dial 111 immediately,” another warned police said they were aware of “a number of incidents” involving a young person in the Beach Haven area “The public’s safety remains a priority for police the care and protection of all people involved is of the utmost importance to us.” Police were working through “a number of processes” with partner agencies towards a solution “We encourage people to continue to report any offending or suspicious activity occurring in your communities.” Oranga Tamariki told the Herald it is working with the police and can’t comment further for now to help find solutions and support for tamariki and rangatahi with a range of needs in multiple different ways,” a spokesperson said There are also a number of community-run helplines and services that offer support Northcote MP Dan Bidois called it a “complex situation” that police and several other agencies were working through “I’d like to thank members of the community who have reached out to me and volunteered their services/time to support the boy and his family “I am confident a solution to this will be found.” The Festival of Consent runs until Sunday with events including talks and a dance party The Pest-Free Kaipātiki Restoration Society (Pest Free Kaipātiki) is working with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office helping local communities plan for their recovery This is part of a series of partnerships in heavily- impacted communities across Auckland Communities will be supported to develop practical plans which will include activities and priorities that can be delivered to improve wellbeing and flourishing as they recover Northcote Point and Birkenhead were affected by landslips or flooding last year with 118 of them having serious access issues While most locals have moved on with their lives the road to recovery continues for others: some of these homes will never be safe to live in again As affected residents work toward their recovery Pest Free Kaipātiki has partnered with the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Office to help coordinate a wider recovery plan for these communities Pest Free Kaipātiki started out from a collection of localised community reserve groups wanting to make a more united impact in restoring and protecting their special places It is now providing support to 55 reserve and cluster groups in the Kaipātiki area with anything from pest control advice/equipment to guidance on planting natives that reduce landslide risk You might wonder what a pest-free group is doing leading a community conversation about storm recovery “The social and natural environment are both our kaupapa,” says Annie Dignan “The way we look after the land and water around us has a direct impact on flooding and landslips And our neighbourhoods really felt the impact of last year’s storms.”  “I had barely finished mopping out the bottom of my place when we decided to set up a get together for locals at our hub I will always remember sitting here and seeing people crying and still in shock,” Annie tears up describing the moment “It was a loss on a number of levels – their land There is also a big fear of when this will happen again we pulled together a taskforce to focus our efforts on remediating one reserve as a start and you could see the emotion and processing that was taking place in how hard people were working “Then we started reaching out to a range of other experts and pulled together information relevant to our area about planting for slip stabilisation We know ground and tree cover is so important “From there we created a guide so that people could plant natives at home to reduce their own landslide risk We even helped people provide feedback on plans for how council will be responding to coastal hazards and climate change Pest Free Kaipātiki's planting for slip stabilisation guide Pest Free Kaipātiki has been engaging with these communities to help them plan for their recovery “The key question we want people to think about is what the community needs to feel like they are moving forward and flourishing so the results could be anything really - from physical things and places “We’ve done a series of in-person events and there will be more opportunities for people to engage and contribute to the recovery plan for their neighbourhoods There will even be Mandarin events to engage our growing Chinese community."  “So you can participate in whatever way makes sense for you!”  Northcote Point and Birkenhead recovery plans will continue with Pest Free Kaipātiki’s support until mid-2025 Visit Pest Free Kaipātiki’s website to find out how to participate.  Community recovery planning session in Kaipātiki 07 May 2025 16:0031656m²Auction this Wednesday from 4pm!Prepare to be amazed by this breathtaking 1960's bungalow This recently rewired home has been renovated with meticulous attention to detail and openly invites you to move in and start enjoying life right away You'll be the envy of friends and family as you host them in your stunning home and kitchen area flows effortlessly onto a spacious elevated deck perfect for soaking in valley views and basking in all-day sun and phenomenal sunsets Floor-to-ceiling windows and large bifold doors let the light flood through the home from the wooden floors to the vaulted ceilings the master suite offers a luxurious retreat conveniently positioned away from the main living areas The family bathroom is complete with a soaking tub and LED mirror that transforms your daily routine into a pampering experience discover a versatile bonus area featuring a large dedicated laundry space Nestled in the welcoming community of Beach Haven this home sits on a tranquil cul-de-sac and is set on its very own freehold fully fenced site spanning approximately 656 sqm Perfect for pets and children to play safely You're an easy stroll to great public transport routes The current owners have loved life in their gorgeous home but have made the difficult decision to sell Homes like this do not come to market often Reach out to Regan or David today for more details and don't miss our open homes this weekend You can watch the auction live here https://rwcarpenterrealty.co.nz/watch-our-auctions-live A police spokesman said officers responded to a report of a grievous assault on Hayman Pl about 10am The alleged offender fled from the property Witnesses said officers were armed with rifles Police said the alleged offender was armed with a weapon other than a gun Police believed the alleged assault was “an isolated incident” posing no risk to the wider community “There is an increased police presence in the area while inquiries are ongoing to locate the [alleged] offender,” he said “We ask that members of the public avoid the area.” Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022 The Beach Haven resident said on Facebook “A young woman came to my house today saying she was doing an Auckland Council survey about storm damage “She said two more people would follow with the questions and didn’t visit any other houses – I checked with council and of course they have no staff doing house-to-house checks." The woman told the Herald the person was wearing an ordinary high-vis vest “I think she stopped at mine because we’ve been renovating it An Auckland Council spokesperson said that after the storm events of the past week Auckland Council building inspectors and Auckland Emergency Management response teams have been visiting some affected properties Sixteen building inspections have been carried out in the Mt Roskill and Sandringham areas and around 50 further inspections will take place this week across the region Auckland Council officers will be in uniform drive a council-branded vehicle and carry a council ID card Auckland Emergency Management’s volunteer response teams are visiting properties that may have had prolonged power outages to offer welfare assistance and are doing this work in collaboration with Vector Response teams will also be in uniform and drive emergency management-branded vehicles “If you have concerns about people impersonating Auckland Council staff you can phone the council on 09 301 0101 for verification “Please ask for the full name of the individual and which team they are representing the ‘building inspections team’ or an ‘Auckland Emergency Management response team’.” Auckland councillor Richard Hills told the Herald he was “incredibly disappointed in people allegedly taking advantage during a time like this” please ask for council ID immediately (which they won’t have) then ask the person to leave After they leave please log with police on 105 with a description of the person.” Police said this is “unfortunately something we do sometimes see after natural disasters or weather events” “It sounds like the woman who posted this did exactly the right thing by requesting ID and contacting the council “We would also encourage people to report incidents like this to police – this helps us form a picture of any potentially criminal activity we should be investigating.” The police said they have not been made aware of this specific case Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. The Festival of Consent runs until Sunday with events including talks and a dance party. North Shore CityAsking Price $2,195,000532240m²1,087m²Priced to sellThis stunning 1987 architectural gem perfectly situated on an expansive 1087 sqm waterfront land with Riparian Rights Burrows’ signature forms continue to captivate today 105 Aeroview Drive offers unparalleled privacy you’ll find exposed timber beams and a sunken conversation area that promote a seamless indoor/outdoor flow every corner of this home is designed for entertainment showcasing breathtaking views of the water and lush surroundings The home's unique layout features soft curved walls that guide you from room to room while the north-western orientation ensures stunning sunset views from expansive decks and a swimming pool-perfect for alfresco dining or unwinding in your own oasis With direct access to the water and a jetty available with neighbours’ consent you can fully immerse yourself in the serene waterfront lifestyle If you're seeking something truly edgy and distinctive this architectural masterpiece is a must-see Don’t miss the opportunity to experience this extraordinary home is being celebrated as a hero after he and his friend saved a drowning man off Beach Haven Wharf Two schoolboys are being celebrated as heroes after saving a drowning man off an Auckland wharf Luca Makoare, 16, and Memphis Mauafu-Reti, 15, were at Beach Haven Wharf on Sunday when they saw a man struggling in the current Makoare told the Herald they heard people screaming as they were coming down the driveway “We saw a guy out in the current struggling to swim and our first thought was we need to go out there and help him,” he said “We’ve got to go in now [or] it might be too late dropped my stuff and jumped straight off.” Makoare reached the man roughly 20m from the wharf and made sure he was calm So I told him to hop on his back and float for a bit,” he said Mauafu-Reti then jumped in and the pair swam towards the Beach Haven Ferry terminal each with an arm under the man’s shoulders “We tried to go to the wharf but the current was too strong but luckily we got there just in time because we were at the edge of the terminal,” he said took him off the ferry terminal and back to the wharf.” the pair were questioned by police and then carried on swimming Makoare’s aunt Jaq Nohi posted on Facebook the next day how proud she was of the pair for “jeopardising their own lives without hesitation or even a second thought to help someone in need” “Anyone [who] knows Beach Haven Wharf and the current that flows through there knows it’s hard to get back once you’re caught,” she said “To have the strength to swim out and back with this adult who was struggling was absolutely courageous.” Hato Hone St John said it was notified of a water incident in Beach Haven at 6.57pm on Sunday and one ambulance and one rapid response unit attended “One patient in a moderate condition was transported to North Shore Hospital.” Makoare’s mother Laurene told the Herald how proud she was of her son were walking down the hill and saw this guy and all these people standing here,” she said Laurene said Makoare was always a child who would help people David Williams is an Auckland-based Multimedia Journalist who joined the Herald in 2023 He covers breaking news and general topics Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. An armed person is on the loose in Auckland’s Beach Haven this afternoon after allegedly assaulting someone and leaving them seriously injured A police spokesman said officers responded to a report of a grievous assault on Hayman Place about 10am A resident of the street told the Herald the alleged offender was wielding a machete Another resident described seeing a man chasing another man down the road with what appeared to be a metal bar He said the victim was hit in the head and had blood running down his face Police could not confirm details about the weapon only that the alleged offender was armed with a weapon other than a gun The police spokesperson said the alleged offender fled from the Hayman Place property and the victim transported themselves to hospital He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022 Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. North Shore City$1,150,000522163m²Generous Size - Endless Potential!This huge 5-bedroom property making it perfect for a growing or extended family With two bathrooms and plenty of room throughout this home is designed for comfort and practicality With original timber interior with potential to modernise it or enjoy the 'lodge' ambiance in this late 1980's built home this home offers a tranquil and secluded urban bush setting it enjoys morning sun on the back deck and afternoon light at the front perfect for everything from your morning coffee to evening meals the expansive rear entertainment deck seamlessly extends to a spacious backyard offering an ideal setting for outdoor gatherings or a safe play area for children providing plenty of room for vehicles and guests.The under-house area offers potential for a gym or extra storage Conveniently located near Shepherds & Tui Parks Don't miss this opportunity to own a budget-friendly 5-bedroom home with great potential for added value Auction 27th March at 12pm (Unless Sold Prior) Two brothers who were 14 and 17 years old when they participated in a fatal road rage stabbing on Auckland’s North Shore two years ago can finally be named were found guilty last May of having murdered fellow Beach Haven Rd motorist Joshuah Tasi in March 2023 “That’s what you get when you come to Beach Haven!” the two were alleged to have yelled as they gestured triumphantly after the bloody broad daylight attack The brothers were able to retain name suppression through the trial in part because of the younger defendant’s age After their convictions for the murder charge suppression was allowed to remain in place to protect the fair trial rights of the older brother who had an unrelated aggravated assault charge pending in Manukau District Court The media was also barred throughout the pair’s trial from reporting that the defendants are brothers murder carries a mandatory life sentence with a minimum period of imprisonment of at least 10 years But the brothers' ages prompted a different approach Delius Eruera was sentenced in July to 20 years with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years Justice David Johnstone sentenced younger brother Prodeus to 14 years and five months’ imprisonment with a minimum term of imprisonment of six years The judge noted that the brothers were born into a gang environment Aspects of the older brother’s pre-sentencing report suggested that violence was “ingrained” in him “You need to grow up and learn that using violence makes you a smaller man,” Justice Johnstone said Jurors in the High Court at Auckland were told during the pair’s trial of an attack that was later described by the judge as “arbitrary and senseless” Tasi had honked at the duo’s BMW and called driver Delius Eruera a “dickhead” as he drove around them at an intersection they had been blocking on the afternoon of March 3 Eruera then sped to catch up with Tasi and cut in front of him - resulting in a minor crash that caused the bumper of Tasi’s silver van to fall off “They acted in unison,” Crown prosecutor Brett Tantrum said during his closing address explaining that both defendants took off their shirts and got out of the BMW before approaching both front doors of Tasi’s vehicle - giving him no means of escape “They then embarked on a sudden and violent attack on Mr Tasi .. One witness described one of the teens flashing a Mongrel Mob sign as they celebrated before fleeing the scene Justice Johnstone said the pair likely said something to each other before the attack and knew they both had knives and would use them “You knew those knives might kill a man,” he said Tasi was remembered in the days following his death as an immensely talented guitarist who was always singing and laughing and flashing a smile that could “melt any heart” He was farewelled in 2023 with a public service at Glenfield College that included a karanga and haka defence lawyer John Clearwater sought permanent name suppression for the younger defendant based again on his age “Now that P has been convicted of the murder of which he was previously merely accused Mr Clearwater was unable to advance any basis other than P’s youth for the proposition P might suffer extreme hardship,” Justice Johnstone wrote in a subsequent decision that was also suppressed until now “Taking account of the starting point of open justice and P’s youth and following the trial at which his culpability for Mr Tasi’s murder was established I find P is not likely to suffer extreme hardship in the event his identity is published in connection with this proceeding.” But Prodeus Eruera-Ngamu’s name needed to remain secret until the resolution of his older brother’s district court charges jurors at an eventual district court trial might link the older brother indirectly to the murder charge if the younger brother’s name was published represented by defence lawyer Marie Taylor-Cyphers was charged with aggravated assault after it was alleged he wielded a weapon in April 2023 while attacking two staff members at a youth justice residence where he was being held while awaiting the murder trial he was convicted and discharged after pleading guilty to a reduced charge of common assault Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand Haydn Christy was jailed in 2016 for 12 years with an 8-year minimum non-parole period. North Shore City$1,199,000311133m²1,290m²Present All Offers!This beautiful home sits proudly on a large freehold section in a peaceful This charming 1960's family home offers the perfect blend of seclusion and coastal living Nestled in the sought-after Beach Haven location of Rosecamp Road your stress-free living begins here with this three-bedroom one-bathroom home that is surrounded by native birdlife dining and kitchen area upstairs provide a warm and inviting space with stunning tree-top views that instantly make you feel at ease A heat pump and HRV system ensure year-round comfort in any season and new carpet throughout the home you'll surely feel at home here While the upstairs welcomes you in with the open plan living areas and bedrooms downstairs is where the true fun can begin with a generous rumpus room it's an ideal private space for extended family or guests enjoy seamless flow onto the expansive deck and lawn area perfect for entertaining guests or simply enjoying your morning coffee in the serenity of nature Just a short stroll down to Charcoal Bay Beach nearby Beach Haven ferry for a stress free commute to work close to Verran's Corner and Birkenhead Village With ample potential to enhance this classic 60's home this property is ready to welcome its next owners Give Paul or Fleur a call today for more information You can watch the auction live here: https://rwcarpenterrealty.co.nz/watch-our-auctions-live Nella Paterson said her cat's tail has been ripped off The Beach Haven community is rallying around a local mother after her 10-month-old kitten was viciously attacked and a threatening note was left for her Danella Paterson told members of the Beach Haven and Birkdale Community Facebook group last night her kitten had his tail “completely ripped off his back” and it now needs to be amputated “That’s if his bleeding bladder doesn’t stop leaking urine [in which case] he will need to be euthanised He does not deserve this suffering and his life cut short,” she wrote please talk to me and tell me your reasoning for this.” her children and the cat were traumatised by the incident “Does any one know who has done this to my kitten Or done this cruelty to anyone else’s pets?” she shared a photo of a threatening note which stated One group member said their heart was breaking for the kitten “The person who committed this heinous crime needs to be held accountable,” they wrote Another said it was the worst thing they had ever seen on a community page your children and your poor cat [have] gone through this.” A Givealittle page has been set up to help pay for the injured kitten’s veterinary bills and over $3000 had been raised at the time of writing Police and Paterson have been approached for comment Sign up to the Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. North Shore CityAsking Price $1,449,000427190m²5,767m²Stunning Views this price offers exceptional value for such a breathtaking home on a generous 5,767m2 of freehold land Boasting Riparian rights that extend right to the water's edge this property guarantees forever unobstructed coastal views you can carve a path through the lush native bush all the way down to the water and take a swim right from your own property and prepare to be amazed by the expansive views enhanced by conservatory-style double-glazed windows that flood the open-plan living space with natural light and a smart ventilation system ensure a comfortable The sleek modern kitchen features large pantry space The brand-new flooring throughout the entire level offers easy upkeep and a neutral backdrop for your furnishings If you can tear yourself away from the views in the living area step out onto the deck from the master bedroom and enjoy the scenery once more tiled bathroom includes a supersized shower and doubles as an ensuite to the master Two additional bright and sunny bedrooms are located on this level carpeted room that can be customized to fit your needs Currently used as a 4th bedroom and living area this space could easily become a home office along with sea views and a step outside to the spa pool area - the perfect place to unwind after a busy day paved area plus a standalone double garage We are excited about this lovely home and know you will be too functionality with just a little bit of potential yet realized Call us now for more information or come along to the open homes Link to Harcourts property files : https://www.harcourtsfiles.co.nz/listings/WGYX One person is seriously injured in an alleged armed assault in Auckland's Beach Haven. Video / Dean Purcell Christchurch, Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total. Video | George Heard Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes. Video \ NZME NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff, ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending. The moa might be extinct, but they’ve left an imprint! Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find. Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd. Video / Supplied, Te Rina Triponel Christopher Luxon holds a post-Cabinet press conference Air New Zealand's chief executive talks about the $490m Dreamliner retrofit and his job. Video / Michael Craig Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail, dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki. Video \ Jason Dorday Reporter Angelina is in Auckland, where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best. Aotearoa group En-Locked is in the house, let’s see how they do! $2b for NZ Defence helicopters, Trump’s influence on global elections, and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health. The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years. This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation. The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues. Moana Pasifika beat the Highlanders 34-29 in Dunedin. Video / Sky Sport Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement. Video / Alex Burton Albanese wins Australian election, Kiwis worry about wild weather, and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement. Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house. Video / supplied Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing, Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims. Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022. Video / Brodie Stone Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account. Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation. Video \ Jason Dorday Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency. Sir Bob Jones, a prominent business figure, has died at his Wellington home aged 85. North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision. Video \ Supplied Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city. Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight, mainly in the Wellington area. The worst of the weather is over, more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table. NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024. Video / Dean Purcell Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking', looked up, and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm. Video / Julie Paterson Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand, bringing floods, snow, extreme wind and widespread disruption. Video / NZ Herald, MetService, Vanessa Weenink MetService Head of Weather News, Heather Keats, breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds, heavy rain and dangerous high tides. Hon Mark Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall, and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park, where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis. NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media A tourist in the Philippines climbed into a crocodile cage to pose for a selfie, only to be attacked by the beast. North Shore City$1,049,000321142m²212m²Brand New Large 142m223B & 23C are both available right now floor area 142m2 freehold Title Detached Townhouses If you thought owning a new Freehold) townhouse was beyond your reach My client is motivated to sell-this property must go and is ready for you to move in right away This is your chance to own your dream townhouse at an affordable price This isn't just any townhouse-it's incredibly spacious it has all the premium touches you expect in a brand-new home this home offers everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle nothing beats the charm of something brand new The entire property radiates a "wow" factor This townhouse boasts three large double bedrooms its location couldn't be more convenient-schools and amenities are just a short walk away Please copy and paste the following link into your browser to view the listing files: https://www.harcourtsfiles.co.nz/listings/SFS1 North Shore City$975,000425120m²450m²Potential Plus in Coastal Beach HavenStep into the character-filled sun-drenched lounge of this architecturally unique 1970s home and relax with your growing family The vaulted ceiling gives the feeling of space while windows flood the heart of this home with natural light The generous 120sqm floor area means there is space for all and the fantastic configuration allows for great separation for flatmates With three bedrooms and a bathroom on the lower level kids have their own wing with access to a lower deck Parents can escape to the master retreat upstairs enjoy their own ensuite and work from home in the sunny office nook Your weekends will be spent firing up the BBQ and hosting family and friends plus a single garage with storage and a workbench this is the perfect space for hobbies and creativity a reburbished kitchen and modern bathrooms mean it's move-in ready but with plenty of potential to add your own style Enjoy an easy commute by ferry into downtown Auckland stroll to Beach Haven Village shops or the local primary school with kids in hand or take a picnic to the nearby beach and explore the glorious coastal walkways on offer This is your golden opportunity to purchase in one of coastal Beach Haven's most sought-after streets ready to let your pets and children play safely The current owner is seriously motivated to sell; make no mistake Call Regan or Laurie for more information or to arrange a private viewing outside of the advertised open homes An Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called into action on Friday after a woman fell from a cliff in Beach Haven A woman has been critically injured after falling off a cliff in Auckland’s North Shore on Friday afternoon The woman in her 40s fell from the reserve at the top of a cliff off Valkyria Place according to police and Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters Police were alerted to the situation just before 3pm while a Westpac Rescue Helicopter was sent at 4pm A spokesperson for Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters told the Herald the woman was rescued by winch and flown to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition Locals on social media reported seeing at least six police cars and two ambulances attending the scene Last month, a man was airlifted to hospital in critical condition after falling from a cliff in Auckland’s Blockhouse Bay A child in Canterbury survived a 20-metre tumble off a cliff in Canterbury’s remote Mt Somers last month with moderate injuries {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"/2025/04/24/st-johns-bus-stop-killing-teen-charged-with-murder-tearful-vigil-held/"},"datePublished":"2025-04-23T21:00:17.768Z","dateModified":"2025-04-24T06:22:22.384Z","headline":"St Johns bus stop killing: Teen charged with murder tearful vigil held","description":"At the bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was attacked He was also facing a charge of aggravated robbery The accused youth entered no plea and would reappear in the High Court in May A 32-year-old woman also appeared this afternoon charged with being an accessory to murder after the fact Charging documents alleged she actively suppressed evidence against the murder accused She was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody without plea to reappear at the same time as the murder-accused US PhD student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a St Johns bus stop on Saturday night Police appealed for information about the "senseless attack" which left the 33-year-old in a critical condition before he died in hospital flatmates and friends gathered for a emotional vigil at the site where Whorrall was set upon Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said officers carried out a search warrant at a Beach Haven address in the North Shore late yesterday afternoon “A 16-year-old male was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and murder," he said A 32-year-old North Shore woman was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder Baldwin said the investigation "is by no means over" as police believed "there were other occupants in the vehicle" when Whorrall was attacked He said officers have since seized a black SUV on the North Shore It was being forensically examined by police "Our enquiries are ongoing to locate these persons of interest and I encourage them to do the right thing and come into their nearest police station or phone us." The detective inspector said police were also seeking "critical witnesses" including a white Toyota ute that was cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them He said police were "still working to fully understand the events of Saturday night" “I want to reiterate to those occupants that they are witnesses and their information is important to our investigation,” Baldwin said “Please come forward at the earliest opportunity.” He acknowledged a "stream of information" provided to police and the support from the St Johns community Anyone with information was urged to contact police online or provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 Whorrall's sister Heather Thomas said Kyle was a "witty and funny gentle soul with an absolute love for bugs and nature" She said there were "so many unknowns" and the expense to bring Kyle back home to the United States would be "significant" my sister and I - as well as our whole family and Kyle’s friends and colleagues during this difficult time." A GoFundMe page had been created to contribute to travel expenses between the US and NZ "Thank you in advance to all who donate — whether you knew Kyle personally or simply wish to support the memory of a compassionate soul who cared so deeply for the world around him especially its smallest creatures," the page read A vigil was held on Thursday morning at the bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was killed in Meadowbank and place flowers at stop on Blackett Crescent Whorrall's flatmates — who didn't want to be named — described him as "gentle He built up a network and had a beautiful found-family here in New Zealand with people who cared about him." songs and blessings were shared with the emotional crowd as many told stories and personal anecdotes about Whorral's character A representative from University of Auckland partner Manaaki Whenua but everybody being here with us today is a testament to his character," she said Pippa Barber said she was pleased the police had acted swiftly to arrest someone following the "just horrendous and horrific" crime "I'm relieved for Kyle's family back in America She said finding out the young age of the alleged offender was "shocking" St Johns resident Angie Winnington told 1News she lived just around the corner and what had happened at her local bus stop was terrible She said she would usually do a similar route as Whorrall did which was why it felt "very close to my heart in a weird way” I know how hard it is for people's parents who are nowhere near to them My parents worry about me and I’m sure his parents are just devastated.” Whorrall’s former entomology professor at Western Kentucky University told 1News Kyle was an "enthusiastic field worker and a great entomologist" "We just had so many good times having a pint in different places after a days field work… He really loved the work and I just really loved being with him," he said Philips said Whorrall had "really thought of New Zealand as home" and had been planning to stay for the rest of his life "It just makes me so sad that he’s such a great kid and I really loved him but for somebody like Kyle it is just such a shame." A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody after being charged with murdering Kyle Whorrall Sixteen-year-old charged with murder and aggravated robbery US PhD student Kyle Whorrall was attacked at a St Johns bus stop on Saturday night Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin at a media conference at the scene of the assault on St Johns Rd Emergency services were called to St Johns Rd about 10pm on Saturday Police at the scene of the fatal assault on St Johns Rd on Sunday A GoFundMe page had been created to contribute to travel expenses between the US and NZ, funeral and memorial expenses, therapy and grief counselling, as well as legal, administrative and other unexpected costs. "Thank you in advance to all who donate — whether you knew Kyle personally or simply wish to support the memory of a compassionate soul who cared so deeply for the world around him, especially its smallest creatures," the page read. Mourners gathered to grieve at the Blackett Crescent bus stop on St Johns Rd (Source: 1News) A vigil was held on Thursday morning at the bus stop where Kyle Whorrall was killed in Meadowbank. Many mourners gathered together to grieve, and place flowers at stop on Blackett Crescent. Speaking through tears, Whorrall's flatmates — who didn't want to be named — described him as "gentle, kind and very thoughtful". Kyle Whorrall's flatmates. (Source: 1News) "He came here four years ago, on his own, and made an impression on all of us. He built up a network and had a beautiful found-family here in New Zealand with people who cared about him." Tributes, songs and blessings were shared with the emotional crowd, as many told stories and personal anecdotes about Whorral's character. A representative from University of Auckland partner Manaaki Whenua, where Whorrall studied his PhD, said he was a "gentle soul". “He was quiet, and shy, but everybody being here with us today is a testament to his character," she said. Pippa Barber said she was pleased the police had acted swiftly to arrest someone following the "just horrendous and horrific" crime. "I'm relieved for Kyle's family back in America, because can you imagine being so far away, and having your son taken from you. But I’m just so sad, so sad that it’s happened. It's just awful.” She said finding out the young age of the alleged offender was "shocking". St Johns resident Angie Winnington told 1News she lived just around the corner, and what had happened at her local bus stop was terrible. She said she would usually do a similar route as Whorrall did, but earlier in the day, which was why it felt "very close to my heart in a weird way”. "I'm also away from home, so I felt for him in that way. I know how hard it is for people's parents who are nowhere near to them, who worry for them. My parents worry about me and I’m sure his parents are just devastated.” Whorrall’s former entomology professor at Western Kentucky University, Keith Philips, told 1News Kyle was an "enthusiastic field worker and a great entomologist". "We just had so many good times having a pint in different places after a days field work… He really loved the work and I just really loved being with him," he said. Black SUV 'critical witnesses' sought after Akl bus stop homicideThe 33-year-old victim received "serious head injuries" and later died in hospital after the "violent and senseless" attack in St Johns on Saturday night Crime and Justice Man dies following bus stop assault in Auckland's St JohnsThe 33-year-old victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition Philips said Whorrall had "really thought of New Zealand as home", and had been planning to stay for the rest of his life. "It just makes me so sad that he’s such a great kid and I really loved him. It was such a senseless act, you just have to ask why? It shouldn’t happen to anybody, but for somebody like Kyle it is just such a shame." Man charged after gun allegedly fired in Masterton MSD office Police said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student Police said they were investigating the incident which occurred outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa at around 3pm on Monday Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Emergency services were called to the property on Mahia Rd just before 10am to a report of a man "seriously injured" Vandals in 4WDs mow down The damage was done overnight on Saturday after the vandals first removed new vehicle barriers in front of the trees Owner prosecuted after dog starves to death SPCA inspectors found evidence suggesting Mike had been tethered to the same spot "for an extended period" Blaze at McDonald's in east Auckland treated as suspected arson Counties Manukau CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Michele Gillespie said a scene guard has been in place at the restaurant overnight EU launches drive to lure scientists after Trump freezes funding 34 mins ago Auditor-General launches probe into school lunches 50 mins ago Man charged after gun allegedly fired in Masterton MSD office 2:45pm Police plea after 'oversight' left Bondi killer without help 2:18pm Sullivan's four-try onslaught highlights Chiefs' vulnerabilities 2:03pm Full video: Question time as Parliament resumes after recess 23 mins ago 1Bystanders prevent attempted abduction of Auckland primary student Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala Erica Stanford concedes use of personal email 'untidy' Kiwi motorcyclist killed in 11-bike British Supersport crash Photos: Lorde among stars at 2025 Met Gala A$AP Rocky and Rihanna also revealed they are expecting their third child. Two arrested over alleged plot targeting Lady Gaga concert in RioBrazilian police said they thwarted an alleged bomb attack planned for Lady Gaga's concert on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. Lady Gaga rocks Copacabana Beach with free concert for over 2 million fansSun, May 4 Lorde announces new album name, dateThu, May 1 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon, Apr 28 Chubby Checker, Outkast, Cyndi Lauper join Rock & Roll Hall of FameMon, Apr 28 Kim Kardashian to testify in Paris trial over 2016 armed robberyMon Police have appealed to "critical witnesses" as part of the investigation into the homicide of a man who was fatally assaulted in Auckland's St Johns over the weekend Emergency services were called to a bus stop on St Johns Rd shortly before 10pm on Saturday following reports a person had been attacked by at least two offenders The victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition with "serious head injuries" Former colleagues have named him as 33-year-old Kyle Whorrall a US doctoral student studying entomology at the University of Auckland A Facebook post read: "One of our former UCR undergrad students who was working on his dissertation under my friend Rich Leschen in New Zealand was killed in an assault at a bus stop in Auckland this past weekend Whorrall reportedly worked at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research The scene examination on St Johns Rd had been completed and a post-mortem was scheduled to begin on Monday Speaking at a media conference at the scene on St Johns Rd Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police were continuing to follow "several lines of inquiry" in relation to the investigation Police are seeking a black SUV and its occupants which was at the scene and fled at speed following the attack who they believed were involved "This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle "There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time and this is forming part of the investigation." Baldwin said police were also seeking "critical witnesses" driving a white Toyota ute that were cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them "I'm confident those people may remember that journey because they witnessed some pretty erratic driving "I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation." The victim's movements prior to the fatal assault were also being clarified He went to the Meadowbank supermarket and then stopped and sat in the bus shelter but did not flag down a bus Baldwin said the victim had been subject to a "senseless and violent attack" and expressed his condolences to the family "This is a life changing event for them and a horrible event that will endure with them for some time and I send my deepest condolences to them." Police had not identified or located the weapon involved and were keeping an open mind Baldwin said police were not in a position to release the name of the victim "We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas." The family were still in the process of notifying loved ones of what had occurred "It’s the news no one should have to receive so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today." Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 A homicide investigation has been launched after a man was fatally assaulted at a bus stop in the Auckland suburb of St Johns last night Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves said emergency services were called to reports a person had been assaulted by more than one person on St Johns Rd about 10pm on Saturday The 33-year-old victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition "The offenders are believed to have left the area in a vehicle travelling towards Remuera Rd," Greaves said and one manager to the scene shortly before 10pm and transported to Auckland City hospital in a critical condition," a St John spokesperson said St Johns Rd would remain closed between Blackett Crescent and Dorchester Street while a scene examination was carried out Auckland Transport said three bus routes - 65 75 and RBE - were detoured to Glen Innes via Temple St Parsons Rd and Dorchester St while the road was closed Footage captured by 1News showed forensic investigators and police photographers working at the scene on Sunday morning A blue tent had been erected over the bus stop where the assault happened "We are making inquiries to locate the offenders and the vehicle they left in and at this time are still working to determine why this tragic event occurred," Greaves said Anyone with information that could help the investigation was urged to contact police on 105, or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 A 25-year-old man has appeared in court after he allegedly fired a gun at another person inside a Ministry of Social Development office in Masterton yesterday Police were called to the incident on Lincoln Rd at around 12.40pm on Monday Wairarapa Area Commander Inspector Nick Thom said there were no reports of injuries from the incident "Following police's initial enquiries one person was taken into custody a short time later nearby." Cordons were put in place around the area and some staff were armed as a precaution Thom said it was believed to be an isolated incident with no wider risk to the public "Police would like to commend Ministry of Social Development staff for their prompt actions in following their lockdown procedures as this enabled police to provide a swift response to resolve this incident quickly." A 25-year-old man appeared in Masterton District Court today charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and conducting a dangerous act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm A Southland man whose dog was found starved to death has been sentenced to community work was found dead in his kennel by Invercargill City Council Animal Control officers in June 2023 SPCA inspectors executed a search warrant and found evidence which suggested Mike had been tethered to the same spot "for an extended period" with a rusty chain He was prosecuted for failing to seek veterinary care for the severely malnourished dog The ground Mike was restricted to was described as "worn down" "His body was in extremely poor condition and pelvis were clearly visible," SPCA said A post-mortem confirmed the dog had the lowest possible body condition score which suggested Mike had been starved over several weeks His stomach and intestines were "almost entirely empty" The offender admitted he had not checked on the dog for "about a week" The man claimed he had not contacted a vet or the SPCA because he could not afford to do so He was sentenced to 200 hours of community service at the Invercargill District Court after pleading guilty to charges relating to the treatment of Mike He was also ordered to pay reparations of $233.88 for veterinary costs and $500 towards legal costs He was disqualified from owning dogs for a period of five years SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood said Mike's death was the result of neglect that could have been avoided This case is a clear reminder that if an animal is unwell It’s a basic responsibility of pet ownership,” he said He said prolonged tethering was "unacceptable and heartbreaking", which was why the SPCA advocated for new regulations that would be released later this year "The prolonged tethering of dogs is an issue that our inspectors deal with daily While it is difficult to gather accurate numbers it is safe to say this issue impacts the lives of thousands of dogs in New Zealand." Associate Agriculture Minister Andrew Hoggard said in April that the new regulations would give animal welfare inspectors the tools to intervene quickly when dogs are suffering harm from being tied up for long periods Hoggard said he had "been hearing a lot from members of the public" who want to see action taken" on the issue of dog chaining "Most dog owners in New Zealand treat their animals well and these regulations will have little to no impact upon them," he said "I’m confident these regulations will result in better outcomes for those dogs "We have a few steps to follow to get these proposals ready to become law but it is my expectation that these will be finalised by the end of the year That will be followed by a short period with a focus on education so that all dog owners understand their obligations and to allow those who need to make changes time to adapt." The changes agreed on through Cabinet included: A law change was first proposed and consulted on two years ago Nearly 30,000 people signed a petition to Parliament on the issue in 2021 Police say a fire at a McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga is being investigated as a suspected arson Emergency services attended the fire on Pakuranga Rd just before 3pm yesterday Large plumes of smoke could be seen and explosions heard at the fast food restaurant which has "sustained significant fire damage as a result" "At this point in time we are treating this fire as a suspected arson "A scene examination is being conducted this morning and police will work alongside a fire investigator," she said Gillespie said part of these inquiries would be working to understand how the fire began She said police would like to hear from anyone who saw suspicious activity prior to the fire or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 The European Union launched a drive to attract scientists and researchers to Europe with offers of grants and new policy plans after the Trump administration froze US government funding linked to diversity no one would have imagined that one of the biggest democracies in the world would cancel research programs under the pretext that the word diversity was in this programme," French President Emmanuel Macron said at the Choose Europe for Science event in Paris "No one would have thought that one of the biggest democracies in the world would delete the ability of one researcher or another to obtain visas," Macron said Taking the same stage at the Sorbonne University European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU’s executive branch would set up a "super grant" programme aimed at offering "a longer-term perspective to the very best" in the field She said that €500 million (NZ$948 million) would be put forward in 2025-2027 "to make Europe a magnet for researchers" It would be injected into the European Research Council which already has a budget of more than €16 billion (NZ$30 billion) for 2021-2027 Von der Leyen said the 27-nation EU intended "to enshrine freedom of scientific research into law" with a new legal act As "the threats rise across the world Europe will not compromise on its principles" The White House responded by describing DEI as "an inherently discriminatory policy" "If the European Union wants to embrace policies that divide rather than focus on real scientific discovery they should not be surprised when US innovation continues to outpace Europe," said spokesperson Anna Kelly "America will continue to attract and cultivate the best talent in science Macron said that the French government would also soon make new proposals to beef up investment in science and research hundreds of university researchers in the United States had National Science Foundation funding cancelled to comply with US President Donald Trump’s order to end support for research on diversity More than 380 grant projects have been cut so far including work to combat internet censorship in China and Iran and a project consulting with Indigenous communities to understand environmental changes in Alaska’s Arctic region Some terminated grants that sought to broaden the diversity of people studying science researchers and doctors have taken to the streets in protest While not mentioning the Trump administration by name von der Leyen said that it was "a gigantic miscalculation" to undermine free and open research "We can all agree that science has no passport "We believe that diversity is an asset of humanity and the lifeblood of science It is one of the most valuable global assets and it must be protected." Von der Leyen's drive to promote opportunities in Europe in the field of science and take advantage of US policy shifts dovetails with the way that she has played up the potential for trade deals with other countries since Trump took office in January and sparked a tariff war last month vowed that the EU would also address some of the roadblocks that scientists and researchers faced notably excessive red tape and access to businesses Macron said science and research must not "be based on the diktats of the few" Macron said Europe "must become a refuge" for scientists and researchers and he said to those who feel under threat elsewhere: "The message is simple The Auditor-General's office has announced plans for an inquiry into the school lunch programme that has drawn criticism since a revamp It will cover Ministry of Education planning procurement and contract implementation under David Seymour's alternative model Terms of reference for the inquiry set out its scope: The Auditor-General's office said it decided to investigate because of concerns raised about aspects of the revised lunch programme and what the Ministry communicated with previous providers," it said "Because of the importance of these services we have decided to carry out an inquiry." the Office noted the ministry had in October last year awarded a two-year contract to the School Lunch Collective under which lunches would be provided for $3 each The ministry was also reported to have paid a further $8.9m to the collective for Year 9 and older students which had been part of the School Lunch Collective A further $4m grant was provided to KidsCan for a food programme in Early Childhood Education services rnz.co.nz A coroner is likely to recommend improvements after an overworked police force failed to connect a mass killer to the mental health system before his unprovoked attack had been diagnosed with schizophrenia as a teen and was experiencing psychotic symptoms when he killed six people and injured 10 at Sydney's Westfield Bondi Junction in April 2024 An inquest has been told Queensland Police had a number of chances to plug him back into mental health treatment and medication ahead of the tragedy Cauchi was homeless and living apart from his family in Toowoomba when he was shot dead by police during his stabbing rampage He had stopped taking his medication in 2019 and stopped seeing a psychiatrist in 2020 Queensland police officers made several calls for change including greater numbers of mental health officers within the force They also suggested that laws regarding when mentally ill people could be forced to take an involuntary psychiatric examination be amended to be less confusing manager of the Queensland police's vulnerable persons unit said the changes were needed to prevent the criminalisation of those with mental illness "Mental health shouldn't just be a police response," he told the NSW Coroners Court "It's a no-brainer to me that there should be appropriate responses that are health-led." Counsel assisting Peggy Dwyer said that changing legislation around police powers was "shaping up to be a significant recommendation" at the inquest This week's evidence has focused on one particular incident in January 2023 when Cauchi called police to his family's Toowoomba home He accused his father Andrew of stealing his collection of knives telling attending officers that they had to be returned or he would become bankrupt or homeless A follow-up visit to the Cauchi family home was requested and the fill-in police mental health incident co-ordinator for the Darling Downs region saw the email — but he forgot to action it due to an "oversight" the co-ordinator he was filling in for backed the officer "His oversight on that email is devastating," she said "It's not indicative of him as an officer or how he performed my role." She also backed a call for further assistance saying police officers were under greater pressure due to increasing numbers of call-outs relating to mental health despite not being trained in this area "If it's not bleeding and it's not on fire the police are the people who have to attend," she said police were called to Cauchi's unit in Brisbane after residents heard a man screaming and the sound of someone being hit He told attending officers that he had been slamming his fridge Cauchi was also pulled over three times in 2020 and 2021 by highway patrol police for erratic driving The Chiefs are putting their faith in first-five Damian McKenzie recovering from a hand injury in time to play the Crusaders in what is a pivotal game in Christchurch on Saturday But just as important to the Super Rugby Pacific leaders will be improving a defence which leaked 26 unanswered points in the second half of their 35-17 defeat to the Hurricanes It was an uncharacteristic defensive lapse by a usually highly consistent side who retained their place at the top of the table thanks to their superior points differential compared with the Crusaders the Chiefs face Moana Pasifika in Hamilton and the Highlanders in Dunedin in the run in to the playoffs – games very much in the winnable category although the former have surprised a few this season The Crusaders’ run-in features the Waratahs in Sydney the Highlanders in Christchurch and a potentially difficult trip to Canberra to play the third-placed Brumbies Every team has looked vulnerable at times this season The Crusaders’ two losses came against the Chiefs in Hamilton and a shock defeat to Moana Pasifika — both heavy although they did escape a Hurricanes’ comeback in Wellington in round nine They also needed two James O’Connor penalties in the final 10 minutes to beat the Blues a week later But the Chiefs’ downfall at the weekend was as unexpected as it was spectacular after they led 17-9 at the break Replacement wing Bailyn Sullivan made history when scoring all four of the Hurricanes’ tries after the break as the home side too easily unlocked the Chiefs’ defence via a long pass a break through Cortez Ratima and Shaun Stevenson close to the line an excellent wide cross-kick by Ruben Love and a shorter grubber kick by Riley Higgins Getting McKenzie back on the field after he missed the last two weekends for the Chiefs will be important for their game management but a Crusaders attack that ran in six tries against the Highlanders last time out will threaten them in different ways the Crusaders may be without All Black Will Jordan Jordan has played in all 10 Crusaders matches this season and head coach Rob Penney has been guarded about Jordan's rest plan of his All Blacks No.10 McKenzie: “Everything's tracking in the direction that he should be available but we won't count our chickens before they hatch.” the defending champion Blues must win in Suva against the Drua to force their way back into the playoffs mix after being overtaken for the sixth and final spot by Moana Pasifika Moana Pasifika beat the Highlanders 34-29 in Dunedin – their first win over the southerners in another Ardie Savea-inspired performance Shane William Pritchard has been charged with crimes he didn’t commit and chased for debts he doesn’t owe That’s because the Dunedin man is not the only Shane William Pritchard in town While the duo’s shared name and age has sometimes been a handy loophole for one Shane for the other it has caused problems for 36 years It’s been years of fearing every knock on the door Years of wondering if he’ll be hand-cuffed and taken to jail to be honest,” says Shane William Pritchard a scout and a member of the Air Training Corp remembers getting quite a shock when her friend called one evening She'd been acting as a referee for a gun licence for Shane whose friend informed her that the police had a long list of offences against Shane’s name Not long after that the police turned up to where Shane was working at the local tannery to arrest him “You're scrambling in your head to think of ways that you can prove it's not you.” Another Shane William Pritchard had been born in Otago They were separated by just two weeks and about 50 miles – one growing up in Mosgiel the other in Milton – but also by the lives they’d been leading To watch the full video story go to TVNZ+ Shane from Milton had huge problems focusing at school He was raised in foster care and then boys’ homes I just wanted to look cool and get in trouble,” he tells Fair Go Milton Shane was used to run-ins with police he got pulled over in his car and asked about his driving licence one’s got a licence and the other hasn’t.’ And I’m like ‘obviously it must be the one with a licence’.” he went to his bank to draw out an ACC payment and was asked which bank account was his He says that at that point he was trying to figure out what was going on “I thought it was just an error.” But he took advantage of the situation and withdrew a large sum of cash Mosgiel Shane became aware of the withdrawal when a scheduled car payment was declined and when Milton Shane turned up at the bank to withdraw more money Identity fraud was considered but Milton Shane was legitimately expecting an ACC payment so the withdrawal appeared to be a genuine mistake and the police couldn’t take any action 'Anything I could get away with Mosgiel Shane thought the bank incident would have alerted police to the problem But his nemesis had cottoned on to the advantages of having a second identity to use Milton Shane acquired a suite of furniture on hire-purchase Milton-Shane clocked up more driving offences Mosgiel Shane thought about changing his name but realised he’d have to provide his previous name in the process the courts and debt collectors such as Baycorp should be able to distinguish between himself and Milton Shane The police first addressed the issue in the 1990s after Mosgiel Shane went to the media He was given a letter to carry with him should he be apprehended He and his parents felt his situation wasn’t being taken seriously Mosgiel Shane went to the media a second time in the mid-2000s the police gave their word that a record in their system would stop the misidentification from happening again This does appear to have worked as far as police action goes But while Mosgiel Shane was given the same reassurance by the Ministry of Justice he continued to receive demands from the courts for unpaid fines He’d also get stopped and questioned whenever he left the country for work trips or holidays It took a huge toll on Mosgiel Shane’s mental health not realising the constant stress it placed on his life John Pritchard says that at times his son felt his life wasn’t worth living worrying about what he was going to do to himself and that really ate me up.” he and his son were in tears as Shane admitted he was at breaking point He described going for days at a time unable to eat or sleep wondering what might happen next "Am I going to be in a position where they've got me in handcuffs or I've got debt collectors coming to the door?" ...You're spiralling into this black hole." He started taking anti-anxiety medication which helped And events regarding Milton Shane seemed to settle Milton Shane was charged for fishing without a licence in Twizel and failing to comply with fisheries officers But a court registrar incorrectly entered the birth date of Mosgiel Shane in the system both Shanes were being chased to pay the $1530 fine It was Mosgiel Shane who spotted the error and rang the court He also sent a statement from his manager saying he’d not been fishing in Twizel that day The reply he got was to say he’d been given the wrong form and that they wouldn’t accept his proof They just wanted to know how I was going to pay the fine.” The first Milton Shane knew about this was when Fair Go told him Mosgiel Shane had been chased for the fine He was told to pay up or face the consequences feeling he shouldn’t have to pay good money to correct someone else’s mistake But it cost Mosgiel Shane over $5000 in legal fees and took months of back and forth between him “Why should anybody have to pay their own money to right somebody else's wrongs and prove who they are I’m sick and tired of proving who I am all the time.” He wanted the Ministry of Justice to take responsibility and reimburse him for his legal costs saying court staff such as the registrar in this case have immunity if they make mistakes such as the one made here and if I make a mistake and it's affecting my client that it's going to cost them money to rectify a mistake that I've made.” he deserves a million apologies from those guys,” she says Milton Shane told Fair Go he still gets in trouble but wants the other Shane to know he doesn’t use his birth date anymore And he had a message for him: “We’ve got to get it sorted for you so you can have a good life with you and your family because I’m trying to get my life together with my son and my grandson” He offers to meet to see if they can sort it out together but I’m not interested in meeting him,.” says Mosgiel Shane He says he doesn’t hold any grudges and accepts Milton Shane’s apology And he believes the only way for that to happen is for the courts and the Ministry of Justice to give him a guarantee that mix-ups won’t occur in the future Fair Go asked the Ministry of Justice to appear in person to apologise and provide reassurance to Shane of its plans to guard against these mistakes The Ministry declined our request to be on camera saying any comment on an individual case would compromise the independence of the courts as the Ministry operates separately But it did send a written apology directly to Mosgiel Shane It also admitted mistakes can occur in clerical records but said instructions were clear and the importance of getting things right had been emphasised to staff Mosgiel Shane isn’t totally convinced that’s the end of it “All I want is for the Ministry of Justice and the courts to do their job I'd like to live without this hanging over me all the time his criminal check has come back showing a clean slate Kiwi motorcyclist Shane Richardson is one of two riders who died in an 11-bike crash at a British Supersport Championship event was fatally injured alongside Englishman Owen Jenner on the first corner of the race at Oulton Park A statement from British Superbikes said the race was immediately stopped and trackside medical services deployed "Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled," a spokesperson said "This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another sustaining significant injuries." Richardson was initially treated trackside and then taken to the circuit's medical centre before he was taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital with "severe chest injuries" Jenner was also initially treated trackside and then taken to the circuit medical centre where he died from a "catastrophic head injury" British rider Tom Tunstall suffered back and abdominal injuries and a further five riders including New Zealander Morgan McLaren-Wood were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries which did not require transfer to hospital Three more riders were also involved but were uninjured who was a previous New Zealand rider of the year Cemetery Circuit in Whanganui posted to its social media in tribute to Richardson a fantastic and talented racer and a genuine human" "Devastated to hear we have lost another of our racing family Our thoughts are with Hannah and the family along with our condolences to Owen’s family too." Richardson's sponsor Whites Powersports said the team was "extremely saddened" by the news of his death "Shane will be remembered by many as a great racer Our thoughts go out to Shane’s young family and friends during this tough time The New Zealand Superbike Championship said its "deepest sympathies" went out to Richardson's family and friends Lady Gaga gave a free concert Saturday night in front of 2 million fans who poured onto Copacabana Beach for the biggest show of her career (...) Thank you for making history with me,” Lady Gaga told a screaming crowd kicked off the show at around 22.10pm local time with her 2011 song Bloody Mary Cries of joy rose from the tightly-packed fans who sang and danced shoulder-to-shoulder on the vast stretch of sand Concert organisers said 2.1 million people attended the show switching between an array of dresses including one with the colours of the Brazilian flag Some fans – many of them young – arrived on the beach at the crack of dawn to secure a good spot “Today is the best day of my life,” said Manoela Dobes a 27-year-old designer who was wearing a dress plastered with a photograph from when she met Lady Gaga in the United States in 2019 Madonna also turned Copacabana Beach into a massive dance floor last year The large-scale performances are part of an effort led by City Hall to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Years’ Eve festivities and the upcoming month-long Saint John’s Day celebrations in June “It brings activity to the city during what was previously considered the low season – filling hotels and increasing spending in bars generating jobs and income for the population,” said Osmar Lima the city’s secretary of economic development in a statement released by Rio City Hall’s tourism department last month Rio’s City Hall said in a recent report that around 1.6 million people were expected to attend Lady Gaga's concert and that the show should inject at least 600 million reais (NZ$178.3 million) into Rio’s economy Similar concerts are scheduled to take place every year in May at least until 2028 Lady Gaga arrived in Rio in the early hours of Tuesday The city has been alive with Gaga-mania since as it geared up to welcome the pop star for her first show in the country since 2012 Rio’s metro employees danced to Lady Gaga’s 2008 hit song LoveGame and gave instructions for today in a video A free exhibition celebrating her career sold out While the vast majority of attendees were from Rio the event also attracted Brazilians from across the country and international visitors More than 500,000 tourists poured into the city in the days leading up to the show according to data from the local bus station and Tom Jobim airport Rio’s City Hall said in a statement yesterday made a cross-continent trip from Colombia to Brazil to attend the show “I’ve been a 100% fan of Lady Gaga my whole life,” said Serrano who was wearing a T-shirt featuring Lady Gaga’s outlandish costumes over the years the mega-star represents “total freedom of expression – being who one wants without shame” Rio officials have a history of organising huge concerts on Copacabana Beach Madonna’s show drew an estimated 1.6 million fans last year while 4 million people flooded onto the beach for a 1994 New Year’s Eve show by Rod Stewart in 1994 that was the biggest free rock concert in history sixteen sound towers were spread along the beach Rio state’s security plan included the presence of 3300 military and 1500 police officers Among those present were Lady Gaga admirers who remember their disappointment in 2017 when the artist cancelled a performance scheduled in Rio at the last minute due to health issues “She's the best artist in the world,” the 25-year-old said I love you” in Portuguese rose from the crowd behind him whose real name is Ella Yelich O'Connor which also displayed what appears to be the album cover art — an X-ray of a pelvis "100% written in blood," the website read The new album's announcement came a week after she released her latest single What Was That The song's music video was filmed at a mysterious pop-up event in New York City's Washington Square Park that was initially shut down by police. The event ended up going ahead after all, and fans who stayed got to hear the new song for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lorde (@lorde) It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2 Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23 "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box and another is seriously ill and can't be tried five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children According to her testimony and that of the concierge at least one of the suspects had a handgun The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million) Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets" Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists historians and music industry professionals The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians the scope and longevity of their career and body of work as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique" Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted Danella Paterson said her cat's tail will need to be amputated Police are investigating after a 10-month-old kitten had its tail “completely ripped off his back” in a vicious attack in Auckland’s North Shore Danella Paterson said she heard a howl from her Beach Haven home on Saturday morning and found her cat “flattened” and unable to move Paterson said she initially thought the cat might have been hit by a car but the attack was accompanied by a threatening note on her front gate which read Paterson “freaked out” and went to the vet immediately where she was told he’d have to have his tail amputated due to the damage ‘His tail has been yanked from his backside.’” She gave an update on his condition to the Herald on Monday they’re just giving him a rest at the moment because he’s been through a lot with the catheter and everything.” She said the vet believed the cat had been kicked in its stomach in addition to having its tail ripped away This incident follows another mysterious injury to her other cat who struggled to walk after returning home a few months ago She suspects the culprit is someone who lives locally Patterson said she was considering options to prevent any future attacks including security cameras and animal enclosures to prevent her pets from roaming A Givealittle page has raised over $9500 to help pay for her vet bills Police said they launched an investigation on Saturday They said they have not received any other reports of similar incidents in the area Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Police are investigating the death of a person found floating in the water in Beach Haven, Auckland They are treating the death as unexplained and have opened an investigation Police said the body was found by a member of the public A spokesperson said they were called to the scene near the wharf shortly after 7am They said an area had been cordoned off while police made inquiries They said there was no immediate risk to the public A Beach Haven resident said she heard a man screaming for help on the water a couple of nights ago The woman said there are at least two people who live on boats in the harbour Her husband said he saw a man in a rowing boat in the water around 2.30pm yesterday when a squall hit He said the man was rowing in one direction and heading in another ”He wouldn’t have ended up on the wharf though He would have ended more likely in the creek.” Another local resident said she heard similar cries for help from a man Sunday a week ago She said that rescue happened around 10.30pm with a man plucked from the water by a boat moored in the harbour The police launch then collected him from the craft Auckland Transport (AT) said that the Beach Haven wharf was closed to ferries ”The Hobsonville Pt ferry is still running to the city “We would advise people to check the AT app for more updates.” The father of murder victim Joshuah Tasi has forgiven the brothers who brutally killed his son in Beach Haven last year but rather hope justice will bring a positive change in their lives.” Speaking in the High Court at Auckland where the teens were sentenced today Auliulifolau Tasi said it was heart-wrenching to see his son’s killers “missing out on so much” and he felt deep sympathy for them he turned to the defendants and said: “I have forgiven you The teens did not show any visible emotion during his testimony Justice David Johnstone allowed members of the Tasi family to sit in the box usually reserved for jury members said the brothers’ actions that day sentenced her to a “lifetime of missing somebody” all visits to my brother now are with a wreath.” Tasi had honked at the duo’s BMW and called the older defendant a “dickhead” as he drove around them at an intersection they had been blocking a witness testified shortly after the trial began last week The then-17-year-old then allegedly sped to catch up with Tasi and cut in front of him - resulting in the minor crash He told the court that reports on the pair’s background showed they were born into the gang lifestyle and had both reported early drug use and “young people have less control and are more impulsive” “You need to grow up and learn that using violence makes you a smaller man,” Justice Johnstone said to the pair The justice gave the older brother a starting point of 38 years in prison and granted him a 45% reduction for youth and background But he said the young man had still not shown remorse and he was troubled by aspects of his background report which noted that violence was “ingrained” in him These deductions led to a final sentence of 20 years in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years The younger defendant - who was 14 at the time of the offending - was given a starting point of 32 years in prison and a 55% reduction for the same factors and because he had indicated remorse for his actions Justice Johnstone sentenced the teen to 14 years and five months’ imprisonment Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues including sexual assault MPI released a map of the two different zones with restrictions after the discovery of an Oriental fruit fly A map has been released of the two zones with restrictions on fruit and vegetable movement on Auckland’s North Shore after a fresh biosecurity scare The biosecurity operation was launched yesterday after the discovery of an Oriental fruit fly in a suburban backyard in Birkdale It comes more than a month after a fly sparked an early biosecurity scare in South Auckland released by the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) featuring two popular reserves and two colleges MPI says the revelation could cause “major economic costs” if the species is found to have established itself within the country a 200m area around the location of the discovery is 1500m around the location stretching from the west end of Beach Haven Rd to Glenfield College and from Manuka Reserve down to Birkenhead College The zone includes several popular colleges and parks Hellyers Creek Reserve and the waterway separating Greenhithe and Beach Haven Biosecurity New Zealand commissioner north Mike Inglis said they would be doing “daily checks” of traps and inspections in Zone A and checks every three days in Zone B “The capture of a single male does not mean we have an outbreak while we do our checks for any other fruit flies we need community help to prevent any possible spread Yesterday, Inglis said it was too early to confirm a link between this fly and the one discovered in a backyard in Papatoetoe in January “Our lab will do further DNA analysis of the fly over the coming days.” Inglis said if the fruit fly established itself in New Zealand the country’s horticulture industry would face massive economic costs Over 100 extra traps were set up after the discovery in Papatoetoe South Auckland on January 2 and strict biosecurity conditions were put in place Restrictions on moving fruit and vegetables out of the area were in place for a fortnight An unsuspecting tradie who escaped being killed by millimetres believes “someone was looking out for him” after the ute he was sitting in was hit by gunfire in the latest Auckland suburban shooting told a neighbour he was using his cellphone in the dark when he and his vehicle parked in a quiet Beach Haven dead-end street suddenly came under attack A police investigation is under way after a vehicle and home in Beach Haven were sprayed by bullets in an early-morning incident Rambler Cres residents were awoken by multiple loud gunshots and screeching tyres around 6.30am Resident Paul Ellis told the Herald he heard six to eight very distinct popping sounds “We hear fireworks a lot in the neighbourhood but this sounded different.” he walked out on the street and found that a ute had been shot up “I was chatting with who I thought were neighbours and one of them told me he was sitting in the car when it had been shot at.” “He said he was fine and seemed to be taking it quite well but I wondered if he was in shock,” Ellis said “It was completely dark at the time and the man told me he was playing games on his phone at the time The bullet would have been millimetres away “He told me he was a father and a grandfather and I told him to go home and hug his kids and grandkids because it was a miracle that you’re alive ‘Someone is looking out for me’,” Ellis said Today police said there were no updates at this stage with the investigation continuing Yesterday Waitematā Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said about 6.30am police received several reports of gunshots heard around the Tui Park area “Police attended and found several bullet casings outside an address on nearby Rambler Cres,” Harrison said “A home and a vehicle had sustained some damage but thankfully A neighbour said about10 seconds after he heard the gunshots he saw two teenagers running across Tui Park and down the nearby track “They did seem to be moving pretty fast and it was quite awkward because the ground is wet.” He estimated the pair were in their early to mid-teens “They seemed like they wanted to get out of there pretty quickly,” he said “They didn’t look like they were carrying anything that could impede them but there was something small in their hands.” Hours after the early morning attack forensic teams could be seen combing the grass in front of the Beach Haven Scout Hall across the road from the parked ute Ellis said the neighbours were in shock after what happened The people here really love Beach Haven,” he said we aren’t afraid and it’s very much a family-orientated suburb.” this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read Police searching for evidence after a drive-by shooting in the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven An alleged drug importer and money launderer was bailed to the targeted address The target of a drive-by shooting on the North Shore last week was an alleged drug importer and money launderer with links to an Australian motorcycle gang No one was hurt during the attack in Rambler Cres, although a tradie claimed he narrowly missed being hit while sitting in a ute struck by multiple bullets Drive-by shootings have become almost routine in recent years as rival gangs seek to intimidate one another with some escalating into tit-for-tat feuds until calmer heads prevail Police have yet to arrest anyone in connection to the Beach Haven shooting although a spokesperson said detectives are “following multiple lines of inquiry” But the Herald has learned that the property targeted in the shooting was the bail address for an associate of the Comancheros motorcycle gang He has since been moved to a different property He was arrested in 2022 on serious drug importing and money laundering charges and is due to stand trial in January The 33-year-old was identified in Operation Worthington as an alleged client of a Chinese money laundering syndicate which received at least $10 million in drug money The covert investigation ended with 21 people charged with money-laundering and drugs offences with police also seizing $10 million of assets He was living in Australia at the time of the raids but was arrested a year later after stepping off a flight at Auckland Airport The alleged drug importer is an associate of the Comancheros; an Australian motorcycle club that established a chapter in New Zealand six years ago when a small Law enforcement agencies were concerned about the gang’s connections to international organised crime groups Their arrival led to a radical shift within the criminal underworld with far larger importations of methamphetamine and cocaine Since then, detectives in the National Organised Crime Group have relentlessly targeted the Comancheros in a series of covert investigations into money laundering or large-scale drug offending Even though most of their founding members are currently in prison, or deported back to Australia in one case the “Comos” have kept growing in size and influence Most recently, the Comancheros have pulled off an ambitious power play in the Auckland underworld by poaching a senior member of the King Cobras and expanding into their rival’s territory While the aggressive expansion will undoubtedly ratchet up tensions in the gang world the drive-by shooting in Beach Haven is not believed to be an act of retribution by the King Cobras The Herald understands the Comanchero associate has attempted to cut ties with the gang recently and police are investigating whether this is a motive for the shooting at Rambler Cres it would not be the first time the gang has allegedly sent a message to a former ally In an unrelated series of shootings in Auckland last year, the innocent family of drug-dealing Comanchero were caught in the crossfire while he was behind bars Police said it was “incredibly fortunate” no one was hurt during the shootings at two suburban properties on the same night in August 2023 One villa in a leafy Epsom street was targeted in a drive-by shooting while a number of people were home Bullets struck the home but no one was injured at another home in the nearby suburb of Hillsborough about 10 minutes’ drive away the alleged assailants exited the car and walked up the driveway to the front door answered a knock at the door but was greeted by gunfire He narrowly avoided serious injury or death with one bullet grazing his shoulder as well as arson of two stolen cars allegedly used to commit the attacks Jared Savage covers crime and justice issues with a particular interest in organised crime He joined the Herald in 2006 and has won a dozen journalism awards in that time including twice being named Reporter of the Year He is also the author of Gangland and Gangster’s Paradise George Block is an Auckland-based reporter with a focus on police He joined the Herald in 2022 and has previously worked at Stuff in Auckland and the Otago Daily Times in Dunedin A tradie survived an early morning shooting “by the grace of God” after his ute and a nearby home was hit by gunfire on the North Shore shortly before dawn Residents of the North Shore suburb of Beach Haven reported hearing multiple loud gunshots and screeching tyres during the early morning incident said about 6.30am police received several reports of gunshots heard around the Tui Park area “Police attended and found several bullet casings outside an address on nearby Rambler Cres,” he said “There will be a police presence in the area throughout the day as we continue to make inquiries One resident said 11 loud gunshots in quick succession woke her up about 6.30am “It sounded like they were right behind my house.” A nearby neighbour said around 10 seconds after he heard the gunshots but there was something small in their hands.” A Rambler Cres resident said the sound of loud bangs also woke him up “I heard at least five or six in quick succession but not consistent enough for it to be fireworks,” he said “I then heard a car rev and drive off quickly.” A local told the Herald they heard what sounded like a large number of shots from a small-calibre weapon but definitely rapid single shot ‘trigger pulling’ spacing,” they said Another resident said they called police after discovering shells near the local scout den “Several rounds went through his windows.” Police photographers and forensic officers were closely examining the white ute which had bullet holes in the windscreen and passenger doors At least two bullet holes could be seen in the front windows of the house The incident was the latest in a series of drive-by shootings during the past few months They include a drive-by shooting at a Māngere property on Saturday night, owned by the mother of alleged Māngere Rebels MC gang boss Ray Elise A family home in Roscommon Rd on the border of Weymouth, and another in a Glen Innes cul-de-sac were two more victims of drive-by shootings In June, two homes were targeted in one night — in Onehunga and Māngere East Also in June, a house in Māngere was shot up overnight leaving doors and windows riddled with bullet holes Police were called to Plumley Cres in the suburb on June 24 after receiving 111 calls A man was shot dead in his car in Mt Wellington last week The victim, Texas Doctor, was a Rebels MC member whose father joined the gang to protect his family amid a bitter and violent neighbourhood feud. is one of Ian Burrow's standout creations Photo / Supplied- A waterfront home designed by Ian Burrow is for sale on Auckland's North Shore - The five-bedroom house features unique 1980s architecture A waterfront home showcasing the elegant design of Kiwi architect Ian Burrow is for sale on Auckland's North Shore Bayleys agent Libby Greenwood said the five-bedroom four-bathroom house was a standout piece of 1980s architecture The vendors bought the home in 2018 for just under $2 million and had been captivated by its pointed turrets showing soft curved walls and arches encompassing sunken seating areas and surprises around each corner," Greenwood told OneRoof “The living spaces are gentle in feel but are exciting spaces to be in.” The palace-like home boasts clear views of the harbour On display are Burrow's signature circular windows was iconic and the “chocolate kiss” turrets were classic Ian Burrow and the conversation pits had wonderful views of the water It all faces north and gets beautiful sunsets There’s not a lot of boxes it doesn’t tick and the tranquillity – it’s just a very special place.” is at the end of a cul de sac at Aeroview Drive and has riparian rights and access to a shared jetty - NZ's 'Up' house for sale: Villa wedged in the middle of Auckland's Dress Smart - Herne Bay villa once owned by actor Karl Urban sells for $14m in hush-hush deal - Tiny island where everyone knows your name and houses cost less than $500,000 It really is lifestyle in the middle of Auckland It offers a whole different avenue for kids to grow up.” It just is tranquil and it's a great feeling.” could be revamped the home and taken to the next level “The bones are all there and it’s well presented – it’s incredibly liveable – but most probably someone will come in and redo the bathrooms “It just needs someone to come in and love it and create their dream.” Also up for grabs on March 5 is the Burrow-designed 2/9 Cobblestone Lane “It will also appeal to travellers - it is like being on a permanent cruise liner right on the water below it will appeal to boaties who can moor their boat in view and just row out from the jetty.” The property has a CV of $2.55m and goes to auction on March 5 Another Burrows home up for grabs on the same day is 2/9 Cobblestone Lane, in nearby Hillcrest The four-bedroom home is in the same block as Burrows' more famous "Noddy House" but features the same quirky 70s style has a CV of $1.65m and is being marketed for sale by Barfoot & Thompson agents Lily Zhang and Delia Feng - 105 Aeroview Drive, Beach Haven, Auckland, goes to auction on March 5 A police spokesperson said the body was located in the water by a member of the public near the wharf shortly after 7am. "At this stage, police are treating the death as unexplained." An area was cordoned off while police made enquiries in the nearby area. Police said there was no immediate risk to the public and further information would be provided when available. Police in Beach Haven after the discovery of a body in the water (Source: 1News) Police have cordoned off an area near Beach Haven Wharf on Auckland's North Shore this morning after a person was found dead. Person dies following morning crash on Auckland motorway A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning New Zealand 'Wake up call': Businesses warned over lithium battery fires Authorities urge the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling but have also told merchants to "take responsibility for disposal" Explosions heard in 'suspicious' blaze at east Auckland McDonald's Pakuranga Rd was closed in both directions and buildings were being evacuated around the immediate area as a precaution 35 mins ago 52 mins ago 24 mins ago Police have cordoned off an area near Beach Haven Wharf on Auckland's North Shore this morning after a person was found dead A police spokesperson said the body was located in the water by a member of the public near the wharf shortly after 7am police are treating the death as unexplained." An area was cordoned off while police made enquiries in the nearby area Police said there was no immediate risk to the public and further information would be provided when available A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said "Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear "We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work." Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge "Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said A string of fires linked to highly combustible lithium-ion batteries has been deemed a "wake-up call" for waste businesses by Auckland officials with the public facing exposure to toxic smoke from repeat blazes Auckland Council is urging "industry vigilance" around the problem after a scrap metal company was fined $30,000 over a 2023 fire that released toxic smoke near Ōtāhuhu A fire at a recycling plant near Glenfield last month was also initially linked to lithium batteries although investigators were continuing to probe the blaze Auckland Council compliance field operations manager David Pawson emphasised "the importance of remaining vigilant despite the novelty of the issue" Authorities urged the public to avoid putting lithium batteries in the rubbish or recycling The batteries were inside most portable electronic devices Pawson said in a statement: "We recognise this is a new issue and we’re all finding our way with lithium-ion batteries and those handling them "But businesses still need to take responsibility for their disposal — this is their business Emergency alerts were issued to tens of thousands on Auckland's North Shore last month after the largest fire "for a few years" broke out at an Abilities Group recycling plant Residents were urged to close windows to avoid fumes and some beaches were closed due to chemicals released into waterways Takapuna fire station officer Steven Callagher said there were reports that flames broke out in the area of the facility where batteries were recycled and an official cause had not been determined Other recent battery-linked fires have broken out in rubbish trucks in Auckland caused by the ignition of a lithium-ion battery within a large scrap metal stockpile highlighted a "growing national and international issue surrounding battery disposal and fire risk," according to Auckland Council recognised the unique challenges posed by lithium-ion batteries He noted: "There has been considerable difficulty in finding a technical solution to the problems with batteries catching on fire "This is not only a national problem but an international one; these orders form a workaround solution until more technical solutions The judge described the situation as “a new and emerging issue" While acknowledging Sims Metal’s cooperation and the absence of intentional wrongdoing reduced from an initial starting point of $50,000 The enforcement orders issued require Sims Metal to implement several improvements at the James Fletcher Drive site in Favona "The orders are registered with the Environment Court and will remain in place unless superseded by conditions with a new resource consent," the council said Pawson said the council viewed the 2023 case as an "important precedent in balancing empathy for emerging challenges with the necessity of regulatory compliance "It also highlights the importance of proactive risk management and industry-wide collaboration to adapt to evolving environmental risks." A Sims Metal spokesperson said: "Following the May 2023 fire at our Favona facility we have implemented more stringent control measures to support the ongoing management of potentially concealed materials like lithium-ion batteries "We are grateful to the communities and businesses in and around Ōtāhuhu We want to reiterate our appreciation to FENZ and all those who acted diligently to extinguish the May 2023 fire safely and continue to refine and improve our processes." A large fire which caused "significant damage" to a McDonald's restaurant in east Auckland this afternoon is now being treated as suspicious Emergency services were notified of the fire at around 3pm on Monday Fire and Emergency NZ said the building was "totally involved" in flames by the time crews arrived and Papatoetoe were in attendance at the blaze "Everyone was out at the time and there are no reports of injuries." FENZ said the fire was being treated as suspicious "A fire investigator is attending to determine cause and origin." Pakuranga Rd was closed for nearly two hours in both directions with road users advised to avoid the area "Investigations into the cause of the fire at the McDonalds are underway," police said told 1News he heard a couple of explosions coming from the restaurant as the blaze began He said he heard "one or two" explosions The restaurant was adjacent to a Z petrol station and 250 metres along the same road from Pakuranga College A staff member at the service station said they had closed their fuel pumps and there was "huge fire and huge smoke" coming from the fire The Howick Pakuranga Netball Centre Courts were also closed this evening due to the blaze Auckland Transport said several bus routes Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown thanked emergency services who had been responding to the incident "Please follow the advice of emergency services A McDonald's spokesperson said the McDonald's restaurant in Pakuranga had "suffered significant damage" in the fire "Procedures were followed to raise the alarm and safely evacuate staff and customers McDonald’s is assisting emergency services as they begin the investigation into the cause of the fire." It was the first sign of a follow-up to Lorde's previous album, 2021's Solar Power. Her other albums were 2013's Pure Heroine and 2017's Melodrama. Last year, she collaborated with British singer Charli XCX on a remix of Girl, so confusing — on a re-release of the Grammy award-winning Brat. Virgin is Lorde's fourth studio album. Kim Kardashian thought she was going to be raped and killed when criminals broke into her bedroom in central Paris, tied her up and stole more than US$6 million in jewellery. More than eight years later, 10 people will go on trial in Paris over the robbery, abduction and kidnapping of the media personality and the concierge of the residence where she was staying during Paris Fashion Week the night of October 2, 2016. Kardashian’s lawyers said she will testify in person at the trial starting Monday and scheduled to run through May 23. "Ms Kardashian is reserving her testimony for the court and jury and does not wish to elaborate further at this time," they said. "She has great respect and admiration for the French justice system and has been treated with great respect by the French authorities. "She wishes the trial to proceed in an orderly fashion, in accordance with French law and with respect for all parties to the case." In interviews and on her family’s reality TV show, Kardashian has described being terrified as robbers pointed a gun at her. In a 2020 appearance on David Letterman’s Netflix show, she tearfully recalled thinking: "This is the time I’m going to get raped. I’m like, ‘What is happening? Are we gonna die? Just tell them I have children. I have babies, I have a husband, I have a family.'" Twelve people were originally expected in the defendants’ box. One of them has died, and another is seriously ill and can't be tried. According to the investigation, five of the 10 defendants were present at the scene of the robbery. The French press has dubbed them The Granddad Robbers because the main defendants are elderly and have careers as bank robbers with long criminal records. Kardashian told investigators she was taken to a bathroom next to her bedroom and placed in the bathtub. Her attackers fled on bicycles or on foot and she managed to free herself by removing the tape from her hands and mouth. She had also removed the tape from her feet and rushed to her stylist’s room. She called her sister Kourtney to tell her about the theft. Shortly afterwards, Kardashian told investigators that she had not been injured. She filed a complaint, adding that she wanted to leave France as soon as possible to be reunited with her children. According to her testimony and that of the concierge, at least one of the suspects had a handgun, with which he threatened the victims. The gangsters stole many pieces of jewellery, including a ring of great value, estimated to be worth more than US$6 million (NZ$10 million). Only one piece of jewellery — a diamond cross on platinum that was lost during the suspects' escape — has been recovered. Two of the accused have partially confessed to the crime, as their DNA was found at the crime scene. The alleged ringleader, 68-year-old Aomar Aït Khedache, is one of two suspected robbers who allegedly entered the apartment. Nicknamed "Old Omar", his genetic profile was found on the tape used to gag Kardashian. He left the hotel on a bicycle, as did two other robbers, then met his son, who was waiting for him in a parked car at a nearby train station. The second robber said he tied up the concierge with cables but did not go up to Kardashian’s apartment. Yunice Abbas, 71, said he acted as a lookout in the ground-floor reception area, making sure the escape route was clear. He said he was unarmed and did not personally threaten Kardashian, but admitted he shared responsibility for the crime. Abbas was arrested in January 2017 and spent 21 months in prison before being released under judicial supervision. In 2021, he co-authored a French-language book titled I Sequestered Kim Kardashian. Didier Dubreucq, 69, known as "Blue Eyes", is the second alleged robber suspected of entering the flat. He denies any involvement, although he was filmed by CCTV cameras and numerous telephone contacts with the other co-defendants show his involvement, according to the investigation. The other defendants are suspected of providing information about Kardashian’s presence in the apartment. Others are accused of playing a role in the resale of the jewellery in Antwerp, Belgium. First-time nominees Chubby Checker, Joe Cocker and Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — in a class that also includes pop star Cyndi Lauper, the hip-hop pioneers Outkast, the rock duo the White Stripes and grunge masters Soundgarden. Salt-N-Pepa, the first female rap act to achieve gold and platinum status, and the late singer-songwriter Warren Zevon will get the Musical Influence Award. The late record producer Thom Bell, pianist Nicky Hopkins and bassist Carol Kaye will each get the Musical Excellence Award. The late Cocker, who sang at Woodstock and was best known for his cover of The Beatles’ With a Little Help From My Friends, had the backing of Billy Joel, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Pete Thomas, a member of Elvis Costello & The Attractions, who argued that Cocker is "about as rock and roll as it gets". Soundgarden — with the late Chris Cornell as singer — get into the Hall on their third nomination. They follow two other grunge acts in the Hall — Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Bad Company get in having become radio fixtures with such arena-rock staples as Feel Like Makin’ Love, Can’t Get Enough and Rock ‘n’ Roll Fantasy. The Ahmet Ertegun Award — given to nonperforming industry professionals who had a major influence on music — will go to Lenny Waronker, a former head of Warner Bros. Records who signed Prince and R.E.M., and had a part in records from Madonna, Randy Newman, the Doobie Brothers, Rickie Lee Jones, Paul Simon and Gary Clark Jr. Some nominees that didn't get in this year included Mariah Carey, Phish, Billy Idol, Joy Division/New Order, Maná, the Black Crowes and Oasis. Checker’s recording of The Twist, and subsequent Let’s Twist Again are considered among the most popular songs in the history of rock 'n' roll. The 83-year-old has expressed frustration that he hadn't been granted entry before, including telling the AP in 2014: "I don’t want to get in there when I’m 85 years old. I’ll tell them to drop dead, so you better do it quick while I’m still smiling." Lauper rose to fame in the 1980s with hits such as Time After Time and Girls Just Want To Have Fun and went on to win a Tony Award for Kinky Boots. OutKast, made up of André 3000 and Big Boi, have six Grammys and a reputation for pushing the boundaries of hip-hop. The White Stripes — made up of Jack White and Meg White — were indie darlings in the early 2000s with such songs as Seven Nation Army. Artists must have released their first commercial recording at least 25 years before they’re eligible for induction. The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles this fall. Nominees were voted on by more than 1200 artists, historians and music industry professionals. The selection criteria include "an artist’s impact on other musicians, the scope and longevity of their career and body of work, as well as their innovation and excellence in style and technique". Last year, Mary J. Blige, Cher, Foreigner, A Tribe Called Quest, Kool & The Gang, Ozzy Osbourne, Dave Matthews Band and singer-guitarist Peter Frampton were inducted. Police were called to Hayman Place in Beach Haven at around 10am after a person received serious injuries from a weapon which was not identified by police — but was not a firearm. "The alleged offender fled the scene, and the victim transported themselves to hospital," a police spokesperson said. "There is an increased police presence in the area while inquiries are ongoing to locate the offender." Police believed it was an isolated incident and there was no further risk to the wider community, the spokesperson added. "A section of Hayman Pl is cordoned off and we ask that members of the public avoid the area." Police were called to a Beach Haven address at around 10am after a person received serious injuries from a weapon which was confirmed to not be a firearm. (Source: 1News) One person has been seriously injured after a grievous assault on Auckland's North Shore this morning. One person has been seriously injured after a grievous assault on Auckland's North Shore this morning Police were called to Hayman Place in Beach Haven at around 10am after a person received serious injuries from a weapon which was not identified by police — but was not a firearm and the victim transported themselves to hospital," a police spokesperson said Police believed it was an isolated incident and there was no further risk to the wider community North Shore CityAuction312Size Will Surprise!This 140m2 (approx) home is quite unique - constructed from dependable concrete block and brick there is ample opportunity to modernize the generous spaces on offer this home could be a project for the doer- upper wanting to secure a nest but add value The property boasts an elevated north-facing aspect an open plan large kitchen and dining area and a 2nd bedroom The ground floor accommodates a north-facing third bedroom and a generous Rumpus / Office / Study private and secluded with room for your green fingers to create your own landscaped outdoor living • Convenient Location: Though discreetly located off the main road this home is just minutes away from the supermarket and a selection of outstanding schools • Easy Commute: Benefit from quick access to the motorway a mere 10-minute drive to the first entry/exit point on the North Shore placing you just 20 minutes from the city CBD • Astute investment opportunity: With neighborhood schools please log on to: https://www.harcourtsfiles.co.nz/listings/7MYU Call PJ or Trish to schedule an early viewing Police are investigating the death of of a person found floating in the water in Beach Haven The body was discovered near the wharf by a member of the public just after 7am on Tuesday Police said the death had been referred to the coroner New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"/2024/07/23/vehicle-house-shot-at-in-aucklands-beach-haven/"},"datePublished":"2024-07-23T00:37:09.348Z","dateModified":"2024-07-23T03:13:34.642Z","headline":"Vehicle police received several reports of gunshots being heard around the Tui Park area of Beach Haven police found several bullet casings outside an address on nearby Rambler Cres "A home and a vehicle had sustained some damage but thankfully no one was injured during the incident," a police statement said "There will be a police presence in the area throughout the day Police asked anyone with information on the incident to call them on 105 or anonymously via Crime Stoppers It follows a string of incidents in the past two months where homes in Auckland have been shot at overnight. On Saturday night shots were fired at a home in Māngere Police in Auckland's Beach Haven after a vehicle and home were shot at (Source: 1News) A vehicle and house in Auckland's North Shore were damaged by gunfire this morning No-one was injured in the early morning incident the latest in a string of shootings at property across the city A ute that was shot at in Auckland's Beach Haven (Source: 1News) It follows a string of incidents in the past two months where homes in Auckland have been shot at overnight. On Saturday night shots were fired at a home in Māngere. No-one was injured. 36 mins ago 25 mins ago The couple thought the design by Ray van Wayenburg “We loved the fact that it’s adjacent to a wonderful reserve and can’t be built out so the outlook is preserved forever,” Owen tells OneRoof is built with concrete and has a zen-like aesthetic inspired by the designer’s love of Japanese culture It almost seems to float above the lush bush surrounding it Large windows maximise the harbour and bush views and allow sunlight to pour into the large airy living spaces within which the black and steel kitchen is the heart It’s sleek and modern with stylish panels and louvres An island with a magnificent timber benchtop acts as a magnet to family and friends and the windows are double-glazed so the whole area is always warm and we don’t even need to close the curtains,” says Owen The master bedroom suite is also on the upper level and the family spent a great deal of time outdoors over summer which is bursting with palms and exotic plants The black and steel kitchen is the heart of the home The home seems to float above the lush bush surrounding it “Our son really enjoys exploring in the bush and catching eels and there are always tuis and wood pigeons flying around,” says Owen Downstairs are two further bedrooms – plus a bathroom and separate laundry – and another deck The décor throughout is incredibly simple and smart including Japanese shoji screens and a dramatic gas fire for winter warmth Angie and their son are very sad to be leaving their dream home in its idyllic surroundings but a change in family circumstances sees them moving away from the Shore “We’ve been so happy here and made great friends with the neighbours It feels as if you’re worlds away from anywhere yet there’s a little shop just five minutes down the road and it’s an easy walk to the school bus,” he says including a dramatic gas fire for winter warmth cantilevered deck is a favourite place to bask in the subtropical garden “We can see the sea and decide when it’s the right time to take our kayaks out – it’s a great lifestyle place 73 Hadfield Street is on the market for sale by way of auction on July 28. Listing agent Tanya Kwasza, from Ray White, says this very special home is lovely to be in, with its calm and peaceful vibe, which is good for the soul. “You’re always warm and always comfortable, whether you’re chatting with friends in the living room – or entertaining alfresco outside, and it’s easy to just sit for hours, simply staring out to sea,” she says. North Shore CityAsking price $899,000314Love me and create something special!Nestled in the heart of Island Bay this charming 3-bedroom home is ready for someone to transform it into a true gem Just a short stroll to the iconic wharf and playground you'll enjoy all the conveniences of this prime location The local dairy is right at the top of the road and with frequent public transport running along Rangatira Rd north-facing yard perfect for outdoor living this property has ample storage space underneath this home can be the dream retreat you've been looking for and the location – all it needs is you to bring it to life See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Revolutionary leader’s derelict Adriatic getaway is on verge of a new life after starring in Kate Winslet film and hit Mr Beast YouTube video With its spectacular views over the Adriatic and a half-moon beach was regarded as the Monaco of what was once called the Yugoslav Riviera ordered the building of a vast holiday complex exclusively reserved for members of the military on this hilly stretch of the Dalmatian coast For the top brass there were individual villas; for the lower ranks while the foot soldiers were relegated to a camping site surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery Tito found Kupari so agreeable that he built his-and-hers holiday villas nearby overlooking the Adriatic Sea entertained VIP guests including Hollywood stars Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor In the 1990s, when Yugoslavia descended into war more than a decade after Tito’s death and during the battle for Croatian independence strewn with detritus and covered with graffiti locals are hoping the site will finally be returned to its former glory as part of a €150m five-star development so everyone is pleased it will be developed and it will offer local employment,” Marko Dabrović told the Observer during an exclusive visit to the fenced-off site they are waiting to see if it really does.” Visitors to Kupari 1922 before Tito ordered the resort to be built.Russian investors first approached Zagreb-based architects 3LHD to draw up plans for the site 10 years ago but Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions forced the investors to pull out A Singapore-based consortium working with the Four Seasons hotel group has since taken over the project Kupari today … dilapidated and in need of a serious makeover Photograph: Damir Šagolj/The ObserverIn recent years Kupari’s ruins have appealed to off-the-beaten-track tourists who have picked over its deserted rooms or camped in dusty corridors and hallways while composing blogs about the “bay of abandoned hotels” Josip Broz Tito and his wife in which Kate Winslet played the second world war photographer Lee Miller popular YouTuber Mr Beast released a video filmed here called I Survived 7 Days in an Abandoned City which was viewed by more than 2 million people in the first half hour the Jugo wind that gave Yugoslavia its name gusted through the windows of the Pelegrin Hotel a trapezoid-shaped building designed by Sarajevan architect David Finci and lauded as a masterpiece when it opened in 1963 it is a concrete carcass: the roof open to the rain the furniture gone and the Olympic-size swimming pool full of rubbish The sea-facing walls are covered in graffiti and pockmarked with shrapnel from artillery attacks by the Yugoslav navy in the 1991-92 siege of Dubrovnik Campaigners sought – unsuccessfully – to have it listed as a heritage building but Dabrović believes it is beyond repair “It was architecturally interesting but even if we could rebuild it – and we cannot – it would not meet modern safety standards,” Dabrović said he remembers the site in its heyday: “I have fond memories of playing water polo at the Kupari pool when I was 13 or 14 There was a lot of military around back then It was spooky but was still a working holiday resort.” An abandoned and vandalised hotel at Kupari Photograph: Damir Šagolj/The ObserverKupari’s historic centrepiece was the Grand Hotel a palatial-style edifice built in 1923 by a Czech businessman around the kiln of a former brick factory After Tito came to power as leader for life of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1945 the Grand was nationalised and new hotels added along with the presidential couple’s villas The Grand Hotel built in 1923. Photograph: Damir Šagolj/The ObserverIn 1971, Tito entertained Burton and Taylor at Kupari, to discuss how the actor would be playing him in the second world war film The Battle of Sutjeska. In his diaries Burton wrote: “When he [Tito] sits down behind a table he seems most formidable I’m slightly put out by the nervousness with which the servants serve us all.” He added: “Both Tito and Madame Broz tell long stories which they don’t allow the interpreters to interrupt result being that by the time the latter have finished one couldn’t care less what the story is about … It is as well that I’m not drinking or I might be asking some very awkward questions.” Kupari in 1972.The Pelegrin and other buildings will be demolished but the Grand is subject to a preservation order and will be rebuilt The new development features a 220-bed luxury hotel with terraced wings on one side of the bay and 32 individual villas set into the hillside on the other which will be sold to private owners and rented back to the hotel The beach will be reinstated and a small marina added The site and coastline will be open to the public remain state property and will not be touched In Kupari town, locals are impatient for construction to start. Standing on the roof of the Pelegrin, Dabrović juggled calls from officials threatening to delay building permits, but remained optimistic that the bulldozers parked on the site would soon be at work. “As architects, it has been very frustrating. Nobody expects to be working on a project for 10 years without a single thing being constructed,” he said. “Now everyone is just waiting for it to finally happen.” This is the archive of The Observer up until 21/04/2025. The Observer is now owned and operated by Tortoise Media. North Shore CityAsking price $785,00021238m²INVEST or GET ON THE LADDER!On an elevated site in a quiet cul-de-sac sits this sun-soaked home the perfect find for savvy investors and those looking to take their first steps up the property ladder Two double bedrooms provide accommodation and are complemented by a generously-proportioned living area and a highly functional kitchen while excellent indoor/outdoor flow onto the deck ensures you'll spend plenty of time relaxing outside or set up an outdoor play area for the kids The presence of a heat pump means the home remains cozy and warm even in the depths of winter while neutral décor acts as a blank canvas upon which the new owners can easily express their own sense of style This home is bathed in sun and with the low maintenance easy-care outdoor area offers you plenty of free time over the weekends to live your best life and enjoy that time with your family and friends the location is just as enticing as the home itself with the proximity to a host of amenities such as Shepherds parks and Glenfield mall just minutes away Say goodbye to dull weekends and hello to spontaneous escapades at the Hobsonville markets Ensuring everything you could ever need is within easy reach Viewings by appointment - to learn more about this property or to arrange your own private viewing See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Get a renovation loan up to $70K and bring your vision to life. With no need for quotes from tradies, we can approve your home improvement loan quickly and get your renovation started. A police spokesperson said they were notified of the incident in the suburb of Beach Haven just before 10am. "An investigation into the circumstances of the death is underway and at this stage it is being treated as unexplained." A police spokesperson said they were notified of the incident in the suburb of Beach Haven just before 10am. (Source: 1News) Police are investigating after a person was found dead at an address on Auckland's North Shore this morning. 53 mins ago Police are investigating after a person was found dead at an address on Auckland's North Shore this morning A police spokesperson said they were notified of the incident in the suburb of Beach Haven just before 10am Danella Paterson told 1News she first knew something was wrong with her "sweet" kitten Rocky when he came home on Saturday "growling in intense pain". "His whole body was like, paralysed. I touched him and he growled more, the pain was intense," she said. "I could see his whole backside was completely, almost flattened." Paterson said he was "howling, growling and groaning in agony" as she rushed him to the vet where X-rays revealed he had sustained injuries consistent with being kicked. "[The vet] said 'his tail's been completely ripped off'," she said. "He had liver damage, bladder damage, bruising. His whole stomach was purple, dark purple. So he's either been just kicked, or both kicked and had his tail ripped so badly it caused [the] internal bleeding." Paterson was told the tail would need to be amputated, and euthanasia was presented as an option due to the high costs for all treatments. She posted about the incident to a community Facebook page that night, along with an image of a threatening note she had seen written on her property's fence on September 16. Paterson said at the time she hoped the threat to her cats' lives written in red ink wasn't real, and quickly painted over it so that her four children wouldn't see. Following the post, Paterson said she had been "just amazed" by the outpouring of community support, which has raised enough money through a Givealittle page to pay for all of Rocky's veterinary treatment. "Just the trauma and pain the animal has to go through is the worst. That's what has traumatised me, the fact that my cat has suffered so much. Money is money, but pain and cruelty is another thing," she said. She said the family were grateful to the community for its response. "There's bad guys out there, but there's more good people than bad." She said she hoped the person responsible would be found, as she felt unsafe living in the same community "as someone capable of that". "Because I've got little kids too, you know? I feel unsafe now, because if you can hurt an animal, you might hurt a kid." A police spokesperson confirmed an investigation had been initiated after a pet cat was "found maimed in Beach Haven on Saturday" and the incident reported to police the same day. "We have received no other reports of similar incidents in the area," the spokesperson said. An SPCA spokesperson also confirmed it had received a complaint about this incident. "As an investigation is underway, no further comment can be made at this time," they said. Nella Paterson said she was devastated by what had happened to her kitten, Rocky. (Source: Supplied) A Beach Haven resident says she has been "overwhelmed" after the community rallied to help pay for treatment for her 10-month-old kitten who was maimed over the weekend. 10-month-old kitten Rocky recovering from his injuries at home. (Source: Supplied) An image of the threatening note written in red ink on Nella Paterson's fence. (Source: Supplied) Nella Paterson and her beloved kitten, Rocky. (Source: Supplied) Canterbury family grieving loss of cat shot by air rifleMonty's owner Tegan Bray claims he was not the only cat that had been targeted Owner seeks justice after two pet cats shot with air rifle Natasha Kennedy said she's going through "a lot of emotions" and financial strain after two of her cats were shot in the Auckland suburb of Waterview A Beach Haven resident says she has been "overwhelmed" after the community rallied to help pay for treatment for her 10-month-old kitten who was maimed over the weekend Danella Paterson told 1News she first knew something was wrong with her "sweet" kitten Rocky when he came home on Saturday "growling in intense pain" "I could see his whole backside was completely growling and groaning in agony" as she rushed him to the vet where X-rays revealed he had sustained injuries consistent with being kicked "[The vet] said 'his tail's been completely ripped off'," she said or both kicked and had his tail ripped so badly it caused [the] internal bleeding." Paterson was told the tail would need to be amputated and euthanasia was presented as an option due to the high costs for all treatments She posted about the incident to a community Facebook page that night along with an image of a threatening note she had seen written on her property's fence on September 16 Paterson said at the time she hoped the threat to her cats' lives written in red ink wasn't real and quickly painted over it so that her four children wouldn't see Paterson said she had been "just amazed" by the outpouring of community support which has raised enough money through a Givealittle page to pay for all of Rocky's veterinary treatment "Just the trauma and pain the animal has to go through is the worst but pain and cruelty is another thing," she said She said the family were grateful to the community for its response but there's more good people than bad." She said she hoped the person responsible would be found as she felt unsafe living in the same community "as someone capable of that" "Because I've got little kids too A police spokesperson confirmed an investigation had been initiated after a pet cat was "found maimed in Beach Haven on Saturday" and the incident reported to police the same day "We have received no other reports of similar incidents in the area," the spokesperson said An SPCA spokesperson also confirmed it had received a complaint about this incident no further comment can be made at this time," they said A cat owner is demanding answers after two of her pet cats were shot with air rifle pellets in the Auckland suburb of Waterview Natasha Kennedy told 1News she's had "a stressful and hard start to the year" after forking out nearly $3000 in vet bills to have the pellets removed from her beloved domestic short hair cats there's sadness that somebody could do something like this and cause so much harm and suffering to an animal Kennedy said she was first alerted to her cat Roo's distress on December 30 last year when her partner heard the cat scream "really loudly" outside their Alveston Street property I found like a large lump on her tail and I thought potentially it was a little abscess," she said She continued to treat the wound for swelling and didn't think anything further of it until January 2 when her other cat came home limping and wouldn't put any weight on his back foot which Kennedy said "wasn't normal" An X-ray revealed broken metatarsal bones in Jett's foot along with an air rifle pellet which Kennedy said was "quite a shock" "When we found that out that he'd been shot we shaved Roo's tail to get a better look at it and it looked to us like a pellet entry wound as well," she said The vet confirmed it was an air rifle pellet in her tail however Kennedy said the vet could not confirm if both pellets were from the same gun At this point on January 5 she filed reports to both the SPCA and police who told 1News it was "not immediately aware" of any reports relating to cats being shot in the Waterview area "We encourage anyone who may be feeling unsafe or have concerns about dangerous For non-urgent concerns you can call 105 or report the incident online." Kennedy said the SPCA has since informed her that their inquiries were underway "So the [SPCA] have now started the investigation to try and get any evidence they can SPCA Inspectorate team leader Andre Williams confirmed it was aware of an incident involving cats being shot in the Waterview area and therefore we're unable to provide further comment at this stage," he said Williams continued: "While this may be unsettling for cat owners in the area anyone concerned about their pet’s safety could consider keeping their cat safe within their property He pointed toward advice for keeping cats happy at home on the SPCA website In New Zealand cats have the right to trespass which means they can roam on properties other than their owners and ill treatment of animals including the use of traps or devices that have the potential to cause pain or distress to animals is a crime punishable under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 If there has been a serious act of cruelty or neglect the SPCA Inspectorate can prosecute the case through the courts Kennedy said she thinks shooting someone's animal is "the most extreme thing you could probably do" and she is "one hundred percent" hoping for the person or people to be prosecuted when they're caught "I think they need to sort of understand what they've done isn't right and not do it again taken off them as well so that they can't do that again," she said She said this isn't the first time something like this has happened in the area citing a post on her local community Facebook page from last year when someone else's cat came home with an air rifle pellet in its tail "Someone had put on the community page about the pet coming home with a lump as well and found out it was a pellet so they put up a post on Facebook to say like 'look but please don't shoot them'," she said Kennedy said her hope for the future is that people will have a conversation with cat owners about their issues before taking matters into their own hands "If people are getting fed up with cats on their property they can talk to their neighbour and then come up with a solution to so that cats aren't getting shot you know There's a better solution out there" North Shore CityBy negotiation422515m²Modern style meets effortless livingWelcome to this stunning modern home where immaculate presentation meets effortless living Designed with both style and comfort in mind this residence boasts exceptional outdoor flow seamlessly connecting indoor living spaces to inviting alfresco areas — perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing The modern kitchen is a pleasure for the home cook great storage and a seamless connection to the dining and outdoor areas The well-thought-out layout places all bedrooms away from the main living area while a modern main bathroom services the rest of the home Keep your power bills down and enjoy year-round comfort with solar heating and combine this with double glazing throughout There is plenty of room for the children to play in the fully fenced yard or for pets to roam safely Located in a prime location close to schools The spacious internal-access garage is a standout feature this modern home has had only one meticulous owner and was thoughtfully designed with both comfort and resilience in mind It has never experienced any issues with flooding or weather events offering true peace of mind in today's climate presenting an excellent opportunity to secure great value in this property See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson North Shore CityAsking Price $1,299,000533197m²URGENT SALE PRICE REDUCED!Tucked away in a premium rear position within a sought-after subdivision • Striking contemporary design with quality finishes throughout • Double glazing and heat pump for year-round comfort and efficiency open-plan living flows seamlessly to a private entertainer's deck • Downstairs: Spacious double bedroom + guest bathroom = flexible • Upstairs: Master retreat with walk-in robe • Three additional double bedrooms - ideal for family and shops - unmatched lifestyle and convenience A 17-year-old and 14-year-old accused of inflicting a co-ordinated, frenzied stabbing attack on a stranger after a minor traffic accident in a North Shore Auckland suburb have both been found guilty of murder The teens, now 19 and 15, both wore white t-shirts - the older defendant standing directly behind the younger - today as jurors in the High Court at Auckland returned the verdicts after eight hours of deliberations over two days The younger defendant appeared to shift nervously as the guilty verdict for his co-defendant was read aloud by the jury foreman filled with family members for the defendants and the victim remained quiet save for one person who yelled out Tasi had honked at the duo’s BMW and called the older defendant a “dickhead” as he drove around them at an intersection they had been blocking The older defendant then allegedly sped to catch up with Tasi and cut in front of him - resulting in the minor crash “They then embarked on a sudden and violent attack on Mr Tasi.. Tasi suffered multiple stab wounds to his head and upper body including two that were delivered with such force they went in one side of his body and out the other The fatal knife thrust penetrated a rib bone and pierced his lung It would have caused his death within minutes The older defendant’s fingerprint was found on the driver’s side of Tasi’s vehicle while the younger defendant’s fingerprint was found on the passenger side In the immediate aftermath of the estimated 10-15 second attack the duo appeared to be in a celebratory mood Defence lawyers objected to the characterisation “That’s what happens when you come to Beach Haven” one witness recalled the defendants yelling Another bystander described one of the defendants making a hand gesture he described as a “dog signal” - a raised with pinky and thumb extended The gesture was repeatedly referred to - by both the prosecution and the defence - but jurors were not explicitly told it is often used to show allegiance to the Mongrel Mob Prosecutors said the celebratory attitude showed the defendants had hatched a plan and were congratulating each other on a job well done were delighted with the outcome,” Tantrum said who represented the younger of the two teens argued that it would have been impossible for his client to hold a knife while making such a sign Even if the younger defendant was unarmed and didn’t stab the victim jurors had the option of finding him guilty of murder if they believed he was aiding or encouraging his co-defendant to do so Clearwater argued his client was too young to have formulated an “orchestrated pre-meditated plan” in the seconds before the stabbing began “You may think young people like [him] are psychologically wired differently to adults,” he explained a 14-year-old youth would not fully grasp the severity of his actions .. who represented the older of the two defendants took a similar approach in her address to the jury “The case for [him] is simple: He did not intend to kill Mr Tasi,” she explained She acknowledged her client did get out of his BMW and approach Tasi his heart racing from the crash as “things got heated very quickly” “This is not the cut of someone who had set out to end someone’s life.” She argued that authorities were too quick to jump to a conclusion that it had been a murder over a trivial traffic incident “Nobody saw what was happening inside the van,” she explained suggesting that Tasi could have driven off but didn’t for some reason She said it “just makes no sense” the young duo would “immediately make a plan to kill him” But they didn’t have to set out specifically to kill Tasi to be found guilty of his murder Another way to be found guilty of murder is to seriously assault someone knowing that death might be a possible result and taking that risk anyway that there was a plan to stab the victim - regardless of whether there was a plan in place to kill him “There is no doubt that [they] together killed Joshuah Tasi,” Tantrum said “Mr Tasi’s stab wounds were not an accident.” “He would often show up to work with different hairstyles hats and shoes,” his co-workers at RJ Don Panelbeaters recalled in a statement “He was a real character with lots of charisma and funk He was farewelled last year with a public service at Glenfield College that included a karanga and haka Justice David Johnstone set a sentencing date for the teens for July Haydn Christy was jailed in 2016 for 12 years with an 8-year minimum non-parole period