Former music teacher Peter Thomas was censured and struck off by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal in 2024 after having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student at Epsom Girls' Grammar School The files shared by McNaughton included lengthy notes on the girl’s allegations about Thomas and court information the school was not legally allowed to disclose and it freaks me out,” former student Mia (not her real name) told the Herald especially when they have been asking for confidentiality through the process “It’s what I asked for back in high school and it’s an odd feeling to see that breached years after the fact “There’s stuff in there I don’t talk to people about McNaughton said the safety and privacy of students were paramount and that the confidential information was shared in error in response to an Official Information Act request “We are reviewing our procedures to ensure this does not happen again.” were blacked out but no attempts appear to have been made to conceal Mia’s identity Mia said she was told of the privacy breach on April 14 but the school had not contacted her about the error we’ve accidentally let people know about this horrible thing that happened while you were at school.’” Mia was the first teen to accuse Thomas of misconduct alleging in 2018 and 2019 that he was having erections in class “more often than not” her complaints were not upheld or made public Thomas denied the allegations at the time and told the Herald through his lawyer Mitchell said this week that Thomas had asked the school to share what information had been disclosed in the privacy breach Thomas was censured and struck off in 2024 for having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a different student in 2019 Mia decided to come forward last year when McNaughton emailed parents and caregivers in September as soon as the school was made aware of “verified allegations” against Thomas She said she experienced guilt and regret that her earlier complaint against Thomas had not resulted in action that might have prevented his sexual misconduct against another student After the Herald published Mia’s story last year encouraging them to contact the school with any concerns Herald senior editor Matt Martel responded to her message with a series of questions from his personal email account He did not get a response from anyone at the school until March 11 after he filed an OIA request and copied in the Ministry of Education on February 25 nearly five months after Martel’s questions were filed she answered his questions and attached documents relating to Mia’s complaint Some of the files attached outlined Mia’s real name her allegations against Thomas and highly sensitive personal information The Privacy Commissioner would not comment on the school’s privacy breach saying only: “The Privacy Act protects the personal information of all New Zealanders government departments and businesses can collect the Ministry of Education’s hautū (leader) Te Tai Raro (North) said the Privacy Act mandated all agencies to meet their obligations under the act and to have a privacy officer who could provide guidance on compliance obligations Also included in McNaughton’s email was a document created by the school summarising the allegations and the investigation that was undertaken The document states: “If a male teacher was coming to class with an erection it is reasonable to believe that more than one person would notice No other student has come forward to allege that this was or is occurring.” Documents from the 2019 investigation show that the school didn’t believe Mia and questioned the truth of her allegations if a male teacher was coming to class with an erection the school would have quickly known about it The documents also questioned whether it was reasonable to believe that a male teacher would consistently develop an erection before specific time slots across two terms is the fact that all teachers are very aware of personal boundaries and all teachers are aware of their professional responsibilities and standards.” The document said it would be reasonable to believe that other teachers would have noticed if the alleged erections were occurring the investigation finds that there is no evidence to support the allegation.” The school also concluded it was satisfied that what “has been alleged was not occurring” Mia said learning the extent of the “investigation” was also upsetting I did feel that they had brushed me off and I wasn’t sure how much of an investigation they had done But actually knowing that the investigation wasn’t all that thorough is very different to suspecting Because you still want to believe the best in them.” it would have been nice for them to have watched over a class or popped in unexpectedly “I wish they would have taken me more seriously.” Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers social issues including sexual assault Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. The former Prime Minister also sees confidence returning to the New Zealand economy. For sign-ups please email the Epsom library. Ecofest Event: Nature Drawing - Saturday 12th April 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Learn how to draw nature using watercolour with Lily. For ages 14+. Limited space.Booking Needed. Saba Ballet Workshop - Monday 14th April, 10:00 AM Show off your pliés, bourrées and leaps with our Saba ballet workshop. Ages 2.5 - 5 years old only.Booking Needed. Ecofest: Garden Workshop Family Event - Tuesday 15th April, 11:00 AM- 12:00 noon Take your first step into the world of gardening and worm farms to keep your garden soil healthy.Sign-ups needed. Journal Art Workshop - Tuesday 15th April, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Get inspired by creating your personal journal art. For ages 7 - 14. Limited space.Booking Needed. Woodwork Free Design - Wednesday 16th April 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Don’t miss this free design woodwork workshop with the Recreators! Ages 5 - 12. Adult supervision is required.Booking Needed. Ecofest Family event - Thursday 17th April, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Celebrate Ecofest at Epsom Library with an E-bike trial, bike repairs and a free seed bomb workshop!Sign-ups needed. Auckland Zoo visit - Tuesday 22nd April, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Learn about conservation and then travel back together to explore the time of dinosaurs. Family event.Sign-ups needed. Climate Action Sticker Stall - Tuesday 22nd April, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Pop in anytime to make climate action stickers. Enter your design in the draw for a chance to win prizes!Sign-ups needed. Crime Night - Wednesday 23rd April, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Pencil and notepad ready? Put on your detective hats to find out who’s the culprit in this adventurous clue-filled evening! For ages 9-12.Booking Needed Robogal Workshop - Thursday 24th April, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Join us for an exciting workshop and build your functioning model car for a race! For ages 7-14.Sign-ups Needed. © 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. Auckland CityBy negotiation422610m²Tranquil Retreat - Double Grammar ZoneDiscover a hidden oasis along a private right-of-way off Ranfurly Road 2-bathroom family home awaits to enchant your senses the marriage of Roughcast Concrete Stucco and Cedar Weatherboard exudes a timeless elegance Bask in the natural light that floods the kitchen and family room each morning inviting you to savour moments of tranquillity The lower living areas seamlessly extend to a sun-drenched terrace offering an idyllic setting for leisurely meals and social gatherings Your double internal access garage leads to a paved area Experience the unmatched convenience of being just minutes away from major motorway on-ramps Newmarket's bustling Westfield Shopping Mall Enjoy the privilege of residing within the sought-after zones of Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls' Grammar promising top-tier education for your family Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson 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 Born in Mt Eden and having attended Auckland Grammar School Paul lives with his wife and their four children in the Epsom electorate. First elected off the National Party list in 2011, Paul served as the Chair of the Parliamentary Finance and Expenditure Select Committee. Following the 2014 General Election he was appointed Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Associate Minister for ACC.  In 2016 Paul was appointed Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment, Minister for Science and Innovation, and Minister for Regulatory Reform, and served in the Cabinet until the 2017 General Election.  Before entering Parliament, Paul created his own business as a historian and biographer focusing on New Zealand’s history and economic development. He has published 10 books, his last were biographies of Alan Gibbs (Serious Fun) and Sir William Gallagher (Legend). Between 2007 and 2010 he served as an Auckland City Councillor. Paul is an enthusiastic pianist and has a broad interest in the arts; he is a 2nd dan black belt in Tae Kwon Do and plays on the right wing for the Parliamentary Rugby team. By clicking subscribe you agree to receive emails from Epsom and the National Party. New data shows Kiwis are becoming safer with the Government tracking ahead of its violent crime reduction target, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark... The Labour Party may call Tamatha Paul’s comments stupid, but Labour votes the exact same way as the Greens when it comes to law and order,... Kiwis can now feel safer knowing serious criminals will spend longer in prison with the Government’s sentencing reforms passing final reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister... The Government is progressing a suite of regulatory changes aimed at improving telecommunication services for rural communities and promoting economic growth, says Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith.... We will begin the final stage of the Huia 1 watermain replacement in Epsom today This stage marks the beginning of the end of a mammoth project that our team and construction partner March Cato have been working on since June 2019 Stretching over 15 kilometres between Epsom and Auckland’s western reservoirs in Titirangi the new Huia 1 watermain will supply drinking water to roughly 20 per cent of Auckland’s population It will replace the existing Huia 1 pipeline which – at 76 years old – is nearing the end of its design life The pipeline will be installed along road corridors and reserves to make it easier for future maintenance and access Project manager Tim Manning says the final stage – from Saint Andrews Road to King George Avenue and part way down Gillies Avenue – should be completed by early next year we’ll use a pipe installation technique called slip lining where we’ll pull a 630 millimetre-diameter pipe through the existing Huia 1 pipeline “This section of the pipeline carries less water than the sections west of Epsom so we can install a smaller pipe using trenchless technology instead of open cut excavation.” Manning says commuters can expect to experience some traffic disruptions during the works Map of the Huia 1 replacement pipeline Epsom works “The works will take place from the corner of Watling Street and Saint Andrews Road to King George Avenue and then continue down Gillies Avenue all the way to the corner of Kimberley Road traffic management measures such as lane and road closures will be necessary during construction traffic will be shifted to the eastern side to maintain a two-way flow we will keep residents and businesses informed about all upcoming traffic management “We encourage everyone to stay updated by following our social media channels and checking our website for the latest project information.” Work on the pipeline is still underway in Blockhouse Bay and Mount Roskill These works are expected to be completed by April next year “We thank everyone for their patience and understanding as we continue to install this critical piece of infrastructure for Auckland,” Manning says half-finished Auckland apartment block found a new owner neighbouring businesses are still waiting for the building to be finished - or knocked down The Epsom Central Apartments Project halted five years ago after Auckland Council found it had not complied with building consent the director of a company named Reeheng Limited community members and business owners have said there has been an air of mystery around what will happen to the building which at one point was filled with rats and squatters Greenwoods Corner Epsom Business Association president Dominique Bonn described the multi-storey building as a "blight on the Epsom landscape" It was covered in graffiti and "entombed" in scaffolding "It's an eyesore - certainly not something we welcome in the area We're very keen to see something built to conclusion but we have no real gauge on what's going to happen "It's been a real mystery for everyone in the area." who owns Just Laptops directly beside the apartment block said work has been happening on the site - but only to fix ageing scaffolding and unsafe pieces of metal which had started falling from the building earlier this year "It's been a nightmare since 2019 - when it sold we tried to build up friendly communication with the new owner so I could understand their plan but they only want to speak through lawyers." which has scaffolding overhanging into Tan's carpark Fire crews were called and WorkSafe became involved Tan's shop had to be closed for three months until metal shuttering that was a further fall risk could be removed confirmed Henderson Demolition was hired to carry out work to make the building safe including removing ageing metal shuttering that posed a health and safety fall risk to the surrounding area "We've been open again for two weeks now - no compensation or apology for all the money we've lost and there's still scaffolding over the driveway and little pieces of wood and metal I worry might fall off," Tan said Auckland Council confirmed it was aware of the May incident and said council compliance staff supported WorkSafe in its investigation into the building "We understand action to mitigate the risk has been taken by the owners," a spokesperson said the owner of Yvonne Sanders Antiques on the other side of the apartment block said the derelict state of the building had led to rats coming into her shop "We even had one worker who had a rat crawl across her leg!" and said in the last few years it had been broken into three times She said one thief climbed the building next door to gain access to her roof "I think the building should be demolished right away so we can move forward I'd like to see it leveled down to the first floor so another developer can come and finish the task." A council spokesperson said their understanding was Reeheng Ltd intended to remove the unconsented works and rebuild in line with the original building consent Two improvement notices to the site owner had been issued this year The first required a safety plan to be put in place before construction/demolition work continued A further improvement notice required the site owner to make sure the construction was structurally safe That notice must be complied with by 22 September as long as the scaffolding closest to his property was removed and nothing more fell into his driveway Liu did not respond to a request for comment the country's largest residential tower sits unfinished and exposed to the elements Owners say Eco-Smart Homes has delivered homes that are behind schedule "I think he's blocked me": Roshni Devi says a builder has left her in the lurch with an unfinished job and poorly done flooring Business RSS Follow RNZ News Come join us every Wednesday at 10am (during school term only) for a fun and interactive for you and your little one. Wriggle and rhyme is a fun programme that provides positive movement experiences that stimulate brain and body development for babies! 21 May 2025 10:00211Complete DGZ packageElegantly revamped and exceeding every standard 1/5 Orakau Avenue is an impeccable brick and tile unit that offers more than most fully renovated stylish interiors and prime location Buyers will appreciate the Double Grammar Zoning plus the convenience of Greenwood's Corner only a 150m stroll away Not to mention Cornwall Park is within walking distance First impressions are of a property that is well renovated and designed The property is very sunny and gets fabulous natural sunlight from its large windows Open plan in design with high ceilings and timber floorboards the kitchen has been renovated and offers stainless steel appliances and a gas cooktop Reconfigured to accommodate two lovely bedrooms and a study or nursery room Extra additions come in the form of two heat pumps and good storage Outside there is an extra large carpeted garage with a mezzanine floor for storage At the back of the garage is a sizeable laundry and has room for all the bits and bobs The uber convenient location has you within walking distance to local cafes This unit will impress those looking for a quality move-in-ready brick home in a fabulous location The victim of a stabbing incident in Epsom A man has been seriously hurt after being stabbed in Auckland The incident reportedly took place at a property on St Andrews Rd a male was located with several injuries and was transported to hospital in a serious condition,” he said Police are investigating and now calling for witnesses “If anyone has any information that could assist our inquiries please update us online or call 105,” Burrow said He said callers can use the reference number 250131/1601 when ringing with information Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Paying for clean-up means less money for the community Police have arrested a man for allegedly performing "a lewd act on himself" in Epsom earlier in the week The father of a 14-year-old girl said his daughter ran from a man after she saw him naked in his vehicle on Gladwin Road on Wednesday who wished to remain anonymous for his family's privacy said his 14-year-old daughter saw the alleged perpetrator after getting off the bus close to home As the van the man was in began to move in her direction The driver did not leave his vehicle during the incident "You don't expect this to happen in your area let alone to your children," the father said He said his daughter's school had offered counselling Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves thanked the public for providing information which led to the man's arrest yesterday A 32-year-old will appear in Auckland District Court next week charged with two counts of indecent act said his 14-year-old daughter saw the perpetrator doing a lewd act on himself The man performed the act in his van as the student was walking home from school New Zealand RSS 21 May 2025 13:30532608m²A True Designer MasterpieceAuction: 34 Shortland Street City on Wednesday 21 May 2025 at 1:30PM (unless sold prior) Modern Luxury Meets Classic Charm in the Heart of Epsom this breathtaking residence in the heart of Epsom effortlessly combines the timeless look of a classic villa with the finest in contemporary design Positioned just minutes from prestigious schools including St Cuthbert’s College it offers the ultimate in convenience for families Step inside to discover a home where sophistication and comfort meet At its heart is a stunning full-width Italian designer kitchen complete with high-end Gaggenau appliances and elegant Dekton benchtops and splashbacks A Taj Mahal marble bar and splashback create a bold style statement and a cleverly hidden door leads seamlessly to a well-appointed scullery and laundry with a natural flow from the luxurious kitchen and dining area to a sun-drenched deck and beautifully landscaped Grand high-stud ceilings enhance both the formal and family living spaces which are filled with natural light and finished to an impeccable standard a stylish guest bedroom with ensuite provides privacy and comfort for guests three beautifully designed bedrooms are served by a sleek and spacious bathroom It features a lavish Italian walk-in wardrobe and a large Completing the upper level is a fifth bedroom perfect as a home theatre or additional living space bathed in natural light from overhead skylights Every bathroom in the home is finished to a five-star standard showcasing Italian tiles from Casa Italiana No detail has been overlooked and no expense spared in creating this elegant With classic character on the outside and cutting-edge luxury within this brand-new build is the perfect fusion of style and function A double garage and additional space for a boat or extra vehicles add to the appeal making this a truly rare offering in one of Auckland’s most desirable suburbs this location is as practical as it is desirable See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Disgraced Epsom Girls’ Grammar music teacher Peter Thomas A second former student says she also complained about him to the school Parents have received an email from Epsom Girls’ Grammar detailing steps the school is taking to protect students following Herald reports into disgraced music teacher Peter Thomas’ alleged sexual relationship with a student. Thomas, a former Auckland Symphony Orchestra conductor, was found guilty of serious misconduct by the Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal, censured and struck off as a teacher last year The tribunal evidence found Thomas “prevailed on [the student] to have sex with him was painful but to which she felt she could not say no” The Herald has also reported complaints from another student about Thomas having frequent erections in class were not upheld by the school and the student was effectively barred from pursuing music studies Principal Brenda McNaughton sent an email out to parents about today’s article and what the school is doing to prevent further incidents “You may have noticed that the New Zealand Herald has today published a story concerning details of historic[al] allegations of sexual misconduct against our former staff member Peter Thomas,” the email read “These historic[al] allegations against the former staff member relate to a period prior to my appointment as principal so I am currently seeking more details and clarification “Our primary concern should always be for the safety and welfare of our students and other members of our school community and we are constantly reviewing our protocol to ensure it is as robust as possible for the protection of the girls.” in Term 1 this year the school board made “significant updates” to the school’s child protection policy and all teachers attended professional development in following the revised policy the board then initiated an independent review into the student support area “so that we can assure our student and parent community of exceptional practice in this wellbeing area of the school” our whole staff are involved in rewriting our code of conduct to ensure this also demonstrates best practice and is utilised by each member of our community (staff and students alike) to uphold the safety and wellbeing of our young women,” McNaughton wrote to be safe places for our young people so they can thrive while at school “Whilst we are reviewing this information and our procedures we encourage any students or the wider school community with any concerns to contact us directly in confidence.” The school and McNaughton have not responded to questions about a student earlier being barred from music studies after raising her concerns about Thomas The Herald asked Epsom Girls’ Grammar if it believed it had properly investigated her earlier complaint and why she was barred from entering the music department McNaughton responded with quotes similar or identical to those in her email to parents The Herald has sent several follow-up emails but the school has not responded said she first made her complaint at the end of 2018 when she was in Year 12 who saw Epsom Girls’ Grammar as a potential gateway to the musical career she wanted the investigation into the complaint ended with Mia being told there was not enough evidence to substantiate it Mia said she was later asked to sign a “student plan to maintain safety at school” which barred her from entering the music department “[Mia] is not to go to the music department for any reason,” it directed “If [Mia] wishes to attend a school music event either at school or offsite [she] is expected to discuss this with [the counsellor] well beforehand.” “[Mia] will respect the need for all matters related to the allegations she presented in term 1 and the subsequent investigation “If [Mia] should happen to meet Mr Thomas by chance she will ignore him,” the May 2019 document said Mia also alleges the school told her she could no longer take Year 13 scholarship music – even if she studied alone outside the music department The Herald has been unable to verify this with Epsom Girls’ Grammar my music career was definitely over’,” she told the Herald Thomas has told the Herald he denied and still denies the allegations by Mia *Mia was under 18 when she made the accusation and her name has been changed to protect her identity Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. Paying for clean-up means less money for the community. 13 May 2025 14:00324172m²723m²Sun-Soaked Treasure in Coveted EpsomAuction: 2:00pm Set on a 723m2 elevated section with a prized northwest-facing aspect 66 Margot Street is a beautifully renovated character home that delivers on light and location - all in the heart of the Double Grammar Zone the home offers three spacious bedrooms plus a dedicated office or flex room two high-spec bathrooms (including an ensuite) and open-plan living designed for entertaining and ease across 172m2 of floor area (as per the registered valuation) From the generous kitchen to the seamless indoor-outdoor connection every detail has been considered for comfort and style A secure electric gate and double garage offer peace of mind and practicality while the rear of the property has been cleverly landscaped to create separate zones for entertaining the home is move-in ready while still offering future upside Newmarket Train Station and key transport links this is a rare chance to secure a sun-soaked foothold in one of Auckland's most tightly held neighbourhoods Disclaimer: This property is being sold by auction and therefore a price guide cannot be provided The website may have filtered the property into a price bracket for website functionality purposes All prospective purchasers shall complete their own due diligence and satisfy themselves with respect to information supplied during the marketing of this property including but not limited to: the floor and land sizes 07 May 2025 17:30625921m²Looking For More Space Than Most in DGZ?Auction: 280 Manukau Road Epsom (Branch Office) on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 5:30PM (unless sold prior) this versatile home has spaces for all the family There are five genuine double bedrooms plus a single that is currently used as an office the casual living and dining plus separate lounge open to a private deck and enjoy a wonderful leafy outlook you will find the huge rumpus room with plenty of space for a home theatre and gym With 919sqm of land there is ample off street parking and plenty of space for children and pets to play Zoned for both Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar Schools a good walk to Cornwall Park and handy to the airport This home is ready and waiting for a new family to move in and enjoy See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland CityBy negotiation321107m²Affordable Dream Home Awaits You!Introducing a two-level residence with a thoughtful design nestled in a highly sought-after Epsom location Secure your dreamy home now at 10/26 Epsom Ave freestanding modern home offers a cosy and stylish space looking for a classy new owner The ground level features a contemporary kitchen equipped with top-tier Miele appliances seamlessly flowing into the open living area that opens up to an outdoor deck This is the perfect setting to unwind after a long day with a glass of wine or to entertain family and friends in style The single internal garage ensures convenience and practicality plus a spacious study room that can easily serve as a third bedroom The family bathroom is adorned with high-quality materials adding a touch of luxury to your daily routine Within walking distance to Epsom Primary School Conveniently located in the heart of Epsom offering ease of access to Newmarket Shopping Centre This is a great opportunity to start your new lifestyle in a vibrant and desirable neighbourhood Don’t miss the chance to make this exceptional Contact now to schedule a viewing and take the first step toward turning this dream home into your reality See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson 14 May 2025 13:30534Brand New Luxury Home in Prime LocationAuction: 34 Shortland Street City on Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 1:30PM (unless sold prior) a stunning brand-new five bedroom residence offering the perfect combination of space Thoughtfully designed for modern family living this home features two generous ensuite bedrooms upstairs along with a versatile third ensuite bedroom downstairs An additional guest powder room adds extra convenience The heart of the home is a beautifully appointed open plan kitchen and dining area seamlessly connecting to a sun-drenched deck with a louvered pergola and a private perfect for entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet moment outdoors a formal lounge downstairs and a relaxed family room upstairs ensure everyone has their own space to unwind Set in an unbeatable location within walking distance to some of the area’s most sought-after schools A few minutes walk to Epsom Normal Primary School and Auckland Normal Intermediate School a short walk to Epsom Girls Grammar and Auckland Boys Grammar Schools This home is the perfect choice for families looking for a premium lifestyle in a highly desirable neighborhood See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland CityPrice by Negotiation522Vendors on the move!Our vendors have made the big decision and reduced expectation dramatically this is an incredible opportunity to own a charming 1930's Californian bungalow in the prestigious Double Grammar Zone our highly motivated vendors are ready to hand over the keys This beautiful two-storey residence is the epitome of character and charm with a design that balances classic craftsmanship and modern living open-plan living and dining area that basks in all-day sun The gourmet kitchen has been renovated and features a large island bench Bi-fold doors create seamless flow to an expansive covered deck that's perfect for hosting unforgettable alfresco dinners Imagine yourself sliding pizzas from the pizza oven The home’s layout is ideal for families of all sizes There are two bedrooms downstairs including the master suite with an ensuite and separate powder room you’ll find three generous bedrooms and main family bathroom which can easily transform into a fifth double bedroom or an expansive home office adds an extra layer of flexibility to suit your lifestyle flows into a cozy work-from-home nook that opens out to the deck—a space designed to inspire both productivity and relaxation But it's not just the home that makes this property special; the location is unbeatable Farro and be within walking distance to Cornwall Park With a city bus stop just a stone's throw away commuting couldn’t be easier—leave the car at home and enjoy the ultimate convenience of urban living and opportunities like this don’t come along often Our vendors are serious about selling and ready to meet the market Don’t let this chance slip through your fingers—schedule a private viewing today or join us at the next open home The dream family home you’ve been waiting for is here MIXED HOUSING SUBURBAN + 750M2- GZ!Auction: 280 Manukau Road Epsom (Branch Office) on Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 5:30PM What an opportunity to purchase in this coveted quiet sought after cul-de-sac in prime Grammar Zone & close to Newmarket location This level section bungalow on 750m² offers 6 bedrooms (4 brm + 2 brm) Flexible space ideal for either teenagers or in-laws EGGS & AGS + close to many private schools such as Diocesan & St Cuthberts Whether you are seeking a family nest & invest opportunity or are a savvy investor looking for a landbank or wanting a development site (Resources Consent has been granted for 3 freestanding new dwellings - special conditions apply): Properties like these on such large grounds are increasingly sought after & tightly held onto AUCTION DOCUMENTS PLEASE VIEW: www.epsomrealestate.com See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland CitySet Sale Date632Iconic Epsom LandmarkAdmired for over a century two story concrete Villa was built for permanence by William Elliot a craftsman who was also involved with some of Auckland's most notable preserved buildings including The Wintergarden and her elegance now restored after a painstaking restoration in recent years you will love the rich history of the formal and opulent rooms with soaring studs The sweeping feature staircase leads to wrap-around verandas to admire wide city and harbour views There is a modern kitchen flanked by private patios for excellent entertaining including an inspired Versace pool setting A sympathetically designed separate Studio is excellent for guests And there is a double lock up garage with separate entrance This is a unique property with heritage and history that can also accommodate further potential just 1 block away from Auckland Grammar School and a stroll to Epsom Girls Grammar and Newmarket with excellent access to motorways and arterial routes Astute buyers must inspect this remarkable residence Auckland CityAsking price $1,550,000323Modern an affordable modern family home nestled in a superb This beautifully renovated 3-bedroom residence is surrounded by multi-million-dollar properties the modern and functional kitchen is perfect for preparing delicious meals The open-plan lounge and dining area boast high ceilings and strategically placed skylights Seamless indoor-outdoor flow makes this home ideal for both entertaining and everyday family living Step outside and enjoy the thoughtfully designed low-maintenance gardens—and the best part The fully fenced yard provides a safe and secure space for kids and pets to play freely this home offers peace of mind while providing the perfect space for children to enjoy you’ll love the convenience of being just a short stroll from Royal Oak Primary School Don’t miss this rare opportunity—modern style 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. Auckland CitySet Sale Date532337m²1,429m²Contemporary Family Entertainer by the Park - DGZJust meters from popular Cornwall Park architecturally designed 5 bedroom family home that captures exceptional sun and provides the ultimate entertainment opportunities for families of all ages in this prestigous Epsom address close to private schools On a gloriously north-facing 1429m2 level site you will love the privacy of your own driveway and the modern enhancements that have been added by the current owners for contemporary and low-maintenance family living which includes ducted heating and air-conditioning on both levels a modern tennis/basketball court and immaculate outdoor living with light-filled living areas which open wide to the impressive outdoors all on over a ¼ acre (1188m2 net of driveway) yet relaxed living with separation if needed comprising four generous bedrooms on one level including the master suite with balcony from which you can spectate sports matches an additional teen-retreat lounge and the convenient 5th bedroom downstairs so parents can keep an eye on all the action as well as being a hub for easy entertaining The family/dining room can also be separated from the formal lounge with fireplace for more intimate gatherings The internal double garage has excellent storage and the grounds are surprisingly low-maintenance Discover recreational walks and cafes on Cornwall Park and a short stroll to fabulous restaurants to own a complete lifestyle property in this iconic Epsom address Zoned for Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls Grammar and with easy access to the airport Auckland CityPrice By Negotiation434282m²1,138m²Spacious and Private in DGZTucked away on a quiet street this stunning heritage home blends character Set on a generous 1,138 sqm (approx.) section With Cornwall Park nearby and Epsom's amenities at your doorstep 5A Crescent Rd offers the perfect combination of space the home flows seamlessly from indoors to out The main floor welcomes you with open-plan living Modern elegance meets timeless charm with warm timber floors and a striking tiled fireplace - a natural focal point Expansive windows and sliding doors bring in natural light This level features two beautifully appointed bedroom suites overlooking the pool - creating a private retreat practicality meets convenience with a spacious laundry and extensive storage - ideal for seasonal gear The upper level offers two additional bedrooms with elevated views A wraparound deck extends from the living areas stepping down to a shaded lawn -offering multiple spaces to relax and entertain A family home of this calibre in a central location is a rare find Zoned for Auckland Grammar and Epsom Girls' Grammar this home places you at the heart of convenience Quick access to motorways ensures all of Auckland is within reach Auckland CityPrice By Negotiation544228m²297m²Luxury and StyleThis spacious and bright modern home is designed with family living in mind it's perfect for large families or multi-generational living Ideally located in a sought-after Epsom street this home offers convenience and lifestyle complemented by beautifully landscaped gardens and sliding doors connect to the outdoor patio This level also includes a bedroom with an ensuite and private outdoor access four light-filled bedrooms offer plenty of storage two with private ensuites and the other two sharing a large family bathroom featuring a walk-in wardrobe and east-facing windows that let in morning sun A separate media room offers additional possibilities-use it as a second living area Set on a freehold 297 sqm (approx.) section this home is designed for easy outdoor living with a well-maintained lawn Low-maintenance landscaping maximizes the space Located in a quiet neighborhood between Epsom and Royal Oak this home should be at the top of your list • Multiple living areas and flexible layout • Double internal-access garage and off-street parking Auckland CityAsking price $978,000211Brick & Tile Beauty in Double Grammar ZoneSet in one of Epsom’s most sought-after streets single-level brick & tile unit offers unbeatable value in a prime location Whether you're a first-home buyer looking for a stress-free start or a savvy investor after high rental returns • Single-level layout – One of only four in a boutique block • Two generous double bedrooms – Light-filled and spacious • Separate shower and toilet – Practical design for busy households • Flat garden and private patio – Enjoy sunshine and serenity • Carport plus lock-up storage – Secure parking and extra space • Premium school zones – Zoned for Cornwall Park District School • Unbeatable convenience – Just minutes to Newmarket • Easy city access – Walk to bus stops for a stress-free commute • High-demand location – Blue-chip Epsom address • High rental returns – Strong demand from families and professionals • Top-tier education – Walk to decile 10 Cornwall Park District School and Auckland’s best high schools With a renovated interior and nothing to do but move in this home is ready for you to enjoy or rent out immediately These high-quality brick units at an affordable price are rare—don’t miss this golden opportunity Contact us today to arrange a viewing before it’s gone See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson is for sale by way of auction to be held on March 5 Photo / SuppliedThe de Heer family have been ensconced here for well over double Auckland’s seven-ish year average but that hardly raises eyebrows in the leafy idyll of Gladwin Road Jenny de Heer says: “We bought here 19 years ago but this is the sort of street in which plenty of people have owned properties for longer than that “Properties here can’t be subdivided and ours is on 815sqm of level land It’s a spacious home flowing out to a north-facing making it ideal for long-term family living.” They’d previously outgrown a home in Hollywood Avenue Then Jenny and husband Pete spotted this property for sale which already had everything their busy family of five wanted joining the close community they nickname ‘Glewin Road’ because of close ties between residents of Gladwin and intersecting Lewin Road 24 Gladwin Road in Epsom is on the market for sale by way of auction on March 5 three-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $3.125 million and Jenny says: “Families who know their children will go to private schools can buy a property around here offering everything they want rather than a double grammar-zoned one with compromises “We loved early evening picnics in Cornwall Park catching up with a group of parents while our children played together We joke about a resident who’s our much-appreciated self-appointed ‘sheriff’ asking anyone hanging around in unfamiliar vehicles what they’re up to.” A kitchen designer designed the double-oven kitchen with large island Homeowner Jenny de Heer says: “Properties here can’t be subdivided and ours is on 815sqm of level land.” They understand this weatherboard home originated as a 1930s cottage Previous owners extended upwards and to the rear in the 1990s people sometimes expect this home to be smaller than it is The de Heers’ major improvements included complete re-landscaping which maintained a decent rear lawn while adding a (recently replastered) rear swimming pool and pool house incorporating a changing room “We both had outdoor upbringings and wanted our children to spend lots of time outdoors including running or walking in the park.” Out front they added an oversized single garage with storage above and covered access to the front door bathroom and office with direct outside access feed off a hallway with staircase A kitchen designer designed their double-oven kitchen with large island The rear kitchen-dining-family expanse flows out to connected decks Having all five bedrooms upstairs meant visitors didn’t see the mixed success of early efforts encouraging the children to tidy their own rooms bathroom and office feed off a hallway with staircase three-bathroom property is close to top Auckland schools with convenient airport access and public transport to the CBD The upstairs’ family bathroom and separate toilet complete the storage-rich layout They’re within walking distance to Royal Oak Primary School and close to top schools like Diocesan St Cuthbert’s and Our Lady of Sacred Heart School There’s convenient airport access and public transport to the CBD Newmarket and Royal Oak’s mall and facilities nearby Jenny and Pete recarpeted and repainted the interior in 2023 anticipating taking myriad treasured family memories with them now they’re downsizing Ray White agent Steen Nielsen says: “This is a rare opportunity to secure a spacious north-facing family home with exceptional indoor-outdoor living and modern upgrades throughout - 24 Gladwin Road in Epsom, Auckland, goes to auction on March 5 Auckland CityAsking Price $1,510,000432178m²348m²Price To Sell-Double Grammer Zone!Nestled in a prestigious neighborhood this exceptional property offers the ultimate in privacy and comfort the freehold property ensures seclusion and tranquility The well-maintained backyard is a sun-soaked haven perfect for relaxing and entertaining throughout the day equipped with quality appliances and ample workspace The open-plan design seamlessly connects the generous dining and living areas creating an inviting space for family and friends The indoor-outdoor flow is ideal for enjoying the beautiful outdoor spaces The ground floor features a versatile office space making it perfect for working from home or accommodating guests One of the unique features of this property is the sleep-out situated within the sought-after Epsom Grammar School zone for both boys and girls and a wealth of amenities makes this area truly exceptional Whether you're looking for a family home or a property with investment potential PLEASE NOTE: Specified floor and land area sizes have been obtained from sources such as RPNZ or Auckland Council (LIM) documents They have not been measured by the Salesperson or City South Investments 2019 Ltd We recommend you seek your own independent legal advice if these sizes are material to your purchasing decision A photo of the vehicle of interest police say was linked to an indecent act against an Auckland schoolgirl Police have arrested a wanted man who allegedly pulled up alongside a young girl and performed a sex act as she walked home from school in Epsom this week The 32-year-old man is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on February 19 Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves thanked the public for providing information which led to the man’s arrest yesterday “After receiving information from members of the public who recognised the wanted vehicle from our media release “Police wish to thank the public for their help.” police released images of the people mover driven by the naked man who allegedly performed the indecent act area investigations manager for Auckland City East told the driver to stop “delaying the inevitable” and hand himself over “We have now obtained an image of a vehicle in the Gladwin Rd area on Tuesday afternoon,” he said “Police would like anyone who saw this vehicle or has further information concerning it to contact us.” The 14-year-old girl’s father said on Thursday she had been left “really shaken” also made an appeal on a community social media page after searching for the alleged offender himself when his daughter came home distressed He said she got off the school bus at the Royal Oak end of Manukau Rd and was beginning her short walk home “She was followed by a man with shoulder-length hair driving an old “As he pulled up next to her she saw that he was naked and touching himself.” Greaves said the people mover was last seen travelling down Lewin Rd Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend described the driver as a Caucasian male The father didn’t think there were any “overt safety concerns” in the immediate area but the incident was particularly concerning as there were several schools in the area “I think this creep is just an opportunist I wouldn’t let a 14-year-old girl walk down Queen Street by herself in the afternoon.” He felt there was “not much” they could do other than contact police about the “opportunistic “Right now we probably don’t want to let the kids walk around by themselves [anymore] Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday. Auckland CityBy negotiation435862m²Beautifully Renovated by Cornwall Park - GZThis stunning renovated DGZ home is not only on a 862m² full site but is also located with just a short walk to Cornwall Park this light filled traditional home offers 4 genuine double bedrooms a chefs dream kitchen complete with gas cooking central heating system plus multiple living areas - one of which flows to decking & out to lush level lawns - the perfect place for pets & children to play Location lovers will also appreciate being close to Greenwoods Corner You are In zone for excellent schools: ENPS AGS & EGGS and close to private schools including St if you are looking for a forever home for your family where all the hard work has been done.. See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland CityAsking Price $1,890,000332Claude Gardens | Luxury & Affordable with LiftThis is the Epsom entry opportunity you've been waiting for Perfectly positioned on one of the suburb's most prestigious these architecturally designed terrace homes combine contemporary elegance with parkside serenity - a true lock-up-and-leave lifestyle in the heart of the Double Grammar Zone 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2 Living Areas | Double Internal Garage | Internal Lift 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms + Powder Room | Single Garage + Off-Street Park and layouts that cater to a life of comfort and ease Whether you choose a home with its own private lift or a lush garden setting each offers sophistication and smart design • Safe and secure gated access - true peace of mind • Generously proportioned living spaces with high-end kitchens light-filled interiors with a calming neutral palette • Prestigious Double Grammar Zone and Epsom Normal • A rare blend of urban convenience and parkside tranquility Priced to sell - these won't last - enquire now and make your move Epsom’s Greenwoods Corner will become a safer and better-connected town centre following a much-needed transport upgrade to be completed by the second quarter of 2025 an area located between Epsom and Royal Oak at the intersection of Pah Road and Manukau Road is a thriving shopping village with restaurants the current triangle-shaped layout of the intersection is unique because of the angle that Pah Road and Manukau Road connect with kerbside parking located inside the intersection the Albert-Eden Local Board has allocated $547,000 to the upgrade Auckland Transport will deliver Chair Kendyl Smith is pleased the project is moving ahead and says the upgrades will enhance the popular centre President of the Greenwoods Corner Epsom Business Association says the upgrades will be a welcome addition to the area “I’m really pleased we’ve managed to land on a design that’s going to best-serve our community and the different users of Greenwoods Corner,” says Dominique “This work and its upgrades have been a long-time coming and there’s been lots of constructive planning culminating in a final design that will provide safer and improved connections for a thriving Greenwoods Corner.” the revised layout for Greenwoods Corner includes: A new traffic-light controlled crossing near 571 Manukau Road Realignment of the existing staggered crossing with traffic lights at 582 Manukau Road to a standard crossing with traffic lights Rebuilding footpaths and installing yellow pavers to improve connections and road crossings Extending the kerb at the north-east corner of the intersection so it’s safer for pedestrians and to reduce the distance between one side of the signalised crossing and the other Installing new signage and paint new road markings to support the proposed changes Sign up for monthly local E news and receive the latest information and events direct to your inbox here or follow @puketapapa on Facebook here.  Auckland CityDeadline sale closes 22 May 2025 14:00644809m²Epsom Luxury Masterpiece - DGZDeadline sale: Closes on Thursday 22 May 2025 at 2:00PM (unless sold prior) Welcome to this beautifully designed luxury residence set in one of central Auckland's most desirable neighbourhoods this home was crafted to the highest standards and has been meticulously maintained by its second owner for the past 13 blissful years it presents a rare opportunity for a new chapter of ownership Positioned on a generous 809sqm freehold site • 3 separate living areas - perfect for both everyday living and entertaining • A well-appointed kitchen plus a kitchenette for added convenience and an automated driveway gate for privacy and peace of mind • Serene front and rear outdoor living areas Enjoy the very best of the Epsom and Mt Eden lifestyle - just a short stroll to Watling Reserve and Greenwoods Corner with its charming cafés and boutique shops Families will appreciate the premium school zones: Auckland Grammar School and Epsom Girls’ Grammar School With our owners now committed to downsizing Whether you're seeking space for your growing family or a refined executive retreat See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson Auckland CityAsking Price $1,485,000431153m²67m²Low-Maintenance High-Quality - The Perfect Home!Discover these stunning new homes perfectly positioned between Newmarket and the City offering the ultimate blend of convenience and modern living these homes feature four spacious bedrooms The lower level boasts a double bedroom with an ensuite-ideal for guests or extended family enjoy a bright open-plan living area with a sleek designer kitchen and seamless flow to a sun-drenched balcony-perfect for entertaining A guest WC on this level adds extra convenience The upper level features three additional bedrooms A well-appointed family bathroom ensures comfort for everyone Perfect for those seeking a lock-and-leave lifestyle this low-maintenance home is just minutes from top schools and entertainment scene is within walking distance Complete with a spacious single internal-access garage this home is the perfect combination of style and practicality Enjoy immediate income with a current rental of $1,300 per week - ideal for investors Don't miss out-secure your dream home today Auckland CityOffers over $1,000,000221116m²Vendor prepared to meet the market!Discover contemporary living at its finest in this immaculate 2-bedroom apartment With a generous floor area of 116 sqm (including deck) this residence caters perfectly to those seeking a lock-and-leave lifestyle or a savvy investment opportunity Crafted by the esteemed Gel Architects and styled by Yellowfox Interiors completed in 2021 at the heart of Epsom/Newmarket this apartment seamlessly merges its airy living space with a sun-drenched expansive private deck offering both serenity and breathtaking city vistas Whether entertaining guests or unwinding in solitude perfect for culinary creations and social gatherings Although public transport is at your doorstep Pet lovers will appreciate the building's pet-friendly rules Experience the ultimate low-maintenance lifestyle at The Vanguard with easy access to Newmarket Train Station Enjoy proximity to top-tier schools and Double Grammar Zone Take advantage of this rare opportunity to claim your piece in this desirable location He says he “would stay here if there wasn’t the need to downsize” Photo / Dean Purcell- Comedian Jeremy Corbett is selling his multimillion-dollar house in Epsom to downsize - The property features three living areas Comedian Jeremy Corbett has put his multimillion-dollar Auckland home on the market for sale telling OneRoof the decision to downsize had come a lot sooner than he and his wife expected “We would stay here if there wasn’t the need to downsize It’s something we imagined doing maybe when the girls finished school so we’ve had to move plans forward,” the 7 Days host said When Corbett and wife Megan bought their home on Sharpe Road in 2014 it was love at first sight - and still is Three’s news show The Project with Corbett Jesse Mulligan and Kanoa Lloyd was cancelled by Warner Bros Discovery in 2023 the start of a dismal couple of years in news media “It’s just lifestyle change – looking at my industry we’d like to have a bit more leisure time’.” Corbett and wife Megan bought the five-bedroom house on Sharpe Road telling OneRoof that it had been “love at first sight” “Breaking up” with the home would be hard for the family “It’s a bit sad [but] at the same time it’s a funny one not really wanting to sell but sort of having to We’re looking for something a little bit smaller a little bit more manageable that will give us more time to go away with the girls on holiday.” - NZ’s most affordable city: Where ‘only’ 40% of homeowner pay is going towards the mortgage - ‘Devastating’ twist - family heartbroken after dream home snatched at the last minute - Buy the million-dollar penthouse, get the $250,000 Porsche for free Corbett is in a better position than most in his industry 7 Days will start recording its 17th season Its long run practically makes it the “Country Calendar of comedy” “I’m very fortunate that I’m one of the few people in the media industry that’s still gainfully employed,” he told OneRoof there’s no threat of me being disposed of,” he said The house includes a 10m swimming pool and a poolhouse The study features Corbett’s collection of guitars He still plays in his university band Dosage B Corbett faced the harsh reality of the TV business when Three’s parent company the current affairs show he co-hosted with Jesse Mulligan and Kanoa Lloyd Corbett said the house wasn’t at all what he thought he’d be buying when he and Megan found it a decade ago They had just sold their renovated house in neighbouring Mount Eden and the two-storey Arts and Crafts-style brick home did not tick any of the sensible things on their list “We walked into this place and threw our list with all the things that we wanted out “It was just out of our reach – we really had to stretch to make it but we had such a great vibe and it turned out to be true I do love the house and the grandeur of it He added: “I think if you told me back in student days that I’d be living in a million-dollar house or whatever The couple love the staircase and grand entrance Just a cow sculpture posing in the immaculate front yard hints at the couple’s off-beat humour Jeremy tracked it down when a local bookshop was closing down and gave it to Megan for an anniversary gift but the rest of the house is classic suburbia The comedian loves his wood-panelled study Little known fact: the comedian still plays in a band known as Dosage B (don’t ask where the name came from and the drummer is still a big fan of getting us together “I’m better at buying guitars than I am at playing them The 7 Days crowd are regulars for Super Bowl parties – Paul Ego Michele A’Court – and Corbett still gets together with the former news reader from the long-running Kim and Corbett More FM show Hillary Barry (she joined the show in 1998 Bayleys agent Lorraine Young declined to comment on the price expectations for the property midway between Epsom Girls and Grammar school and one of only a dozen houses on a very quiet street.” - Sharpe Road, in Epsom, Auckland, goes to auction on April 9 One of the country’s top secondary schools has responded to revelations that a former music teacher and Auckland Symphony Orchestra conductor groomed a student at the high decile college and had sex with her Epsom Girls Grammar School (EGGS) has written to parents today following the publication of a Weekend Herald story revealing former head of music Peter Thomas has been censured and struck off for an inappropriate sexual relationship with the former student Thomas was found guilty of serious misconduct by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal in connection with the 2019 and 2020 relationship were finally able to be published on Saturday after Thomas lost his fight to keep details about the relationship secret including “credible evidence” from the student that he would sign her out of class so she could meet him in the school music library EGGS principal Brenda McNaughton emailed parents and caregivers to address the case and defend the school’s handling of the controversy While McNaughton said the school supported the decision to cancel Thomas’ teaching registration she was critical of the Teaching Council for not alerting the school that Thomas was about to be named “I am writing to you in response to the media coverage of a former teacher who has been censured and struck off the teachers’ register by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal Epsom Girls Grammar School wholeheartedly supports these decisions “The Teachers Council alerted us in February that Mr Thomas was fighting for name suppression and gave us an assurance that they would notify us of when a finding on this might become public this did not happen so we were unable to alert our community of this being in the media again.” McNaughton said as soon as the school was made aware of “verified allegations” against Thomas “immediate action was taken and he has not attended or taught at Epsom Girls Grammar School since” “We acknowledge and respect the immense courage of the former student who stepped forward and raised the issue.” The school has also released a July 2021 email sent to school alumnae from then principal Lorraine Pound after details of sexual activity between Thomas and the girl first became public three years ago “The school expects the highest standards from teachers and acted immediately in this matter on receiving the complaint,” the 2021 email said “I want to assure you that the school has worked closely with the Ministry of Education and the Teaching Council and that the school and board take our responsibilities in this area very seriously “A full report was provided to the Teaching Council for their investigation process.” Pound wrote that she wanted to “reach out” to alumnae following the allegations coming to light and asked that anyone with “any concerns relating to this matter” contact the school “We are determined to move forward at Epsom Girls Grammar School and continue the legacy that our young women have passed on for over a hundred years – one of courage and of building a culture where poor behaviour is called out as we all contribute to a strong The Herald has approached EGGS for comment the Teaching Council said it was mindful that publication of Disciplinary Tribunal decisions could re-traumatise victims and survivors including vulnerable children and young people our practice is to notify all parties involved in a decision prior to publication on the New Zealand Teachers Disciplinary Tribunal website allowing the parties time to digest the decision and to provide sufficient time to be prepared for any public interest.” the tribunal finding was yet to be published as Thomas had undertaken a judicial review of the tribunal’s decision to decline name suppression the decision of the High Court was published prior to the Teaching Council advising the school as is our normal practice.” While allegations of the sexual relationship between Thomas and the girl had been publicised in 2021 by media suppression orders have prevented the Herald from reporting that the once-respected music teacher was censured and struck off by the tribunal last year A High Court judgment on August 30 rejected Thomas’ application for a judicial review into the 2023 tribunal decision Justice Gerard van Bohemen declined to suppress his name and details of the conduct revealed in the ruling According to a summary drawn from the tribunal’s decision excelled at music and was a member of the school orchestra kissing and sexual touching with the student in the music library The next term he began signing her out of class frequently so she could meet him there Sexual conduct between the pair then increased with Thomas attempting unsuccessfully to have sexual intercourse with the girl the school became aware of the relationship through Facebook messages that month between the student and her friend When the student told Thomas of a meeting she had at the school with her parents he “became angry and told her to say “she had been lying and he had not done anything with her” He also asked the student “to think about him and his job” When asked about the messages at the school meeting Besides asking the student to confirm in writing her Facebook messages about her relationship with Thomas were untrue The pair’s relationship continued into the next year after she graduated the student ended contact with Thomas and told her parents about the relationship A few months later she filed a complaint with the police police did not lay charges as she was over 16 and had consented In a statement provided on Friday via his lawyer “I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apologise for the impact on everyone involved Thomas had worked for more than 17 years at the school and was head of the music department when he resigned in 2020 “It just needed ‘doing up’ and that’s what we’ve done over the years very gradually and carefully,” says Catherine “We’ve always been very strong on continuity because we believe that the house – with its original craftsmanship – has a life of its own and we wanted to respect and celebrate that.” Nicholas explains that every single change they’ve made and on a practical level a great deal of value has been added “We’ve put insulation into the walls and ceilings as well as re-wiring and replumbing the house and installed a new driveway – plus the roof has recently been sealed.” The couple have also replaced the salt-water pool’s liner and the surrounding paving and repainted the home’s exterior but by no means was all of their time in residence spent doing work on the property “Simply living here has been lovely,” says Catherine The 300sqm bungalow on 1717sqm of land was built in the early 1920s as part of a then-new development nestled around Mount St John The huge rumpus space on the ground floor of the two-storey house is perfect for teenagers the home is also close to top private schools The two-storey home has one bedroom on the ground floor and three upstairs In keeping with their philosophy of continuity beautiful wooden panelling and built-in shelving and cupboards have been lovingly restored and retained “We’ve had lots of happy parties and other celebrations here in the family living area and the formal living room and when the children were teenagers the huge rumpus space on the ground floor was perfect but there are also many quiet spots where you can simply sit and be reflective,” says Catherine Being up a quiet driveway means that traffic noise is never a problem and Nicholas says that the neighbourhood is very pleasant with Elizabeth Knox Home directly across the street and Remuera Village is just a short drive away beautiful wooden panelling and built-in shelving and cupboards have been restored and retained The kitchen has recently been updated with a cool and contemporary vibe “It’s time to move on but we’ll certainly never find anything that compares with this in terms of character the fact that we’re literally sitting on the slopes of the maunga – and the great views to One Tree Hill,” says Nicholas says she is excited to be marketing such a special home “It’s a timeless classic – well-loved and treasured ready for new owners to simply move in and enjoy we feel sure this home is a true standout.” 3 Ranfurly Road in Epsom is on the market for sale by auction to be held on March 9 two-bathroom property has a 2021 RV of $4.8 million the property last changed hands at the end of 2009 for $1.652m A former conductor of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra has been found guilty of serious misconduct by the Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal after having sex with a student at the top girls’ school he worked at Peter Thomas has lost his fight to keep details about the relationship secret While the allegations of the sexual relationship between the former Epsom Girls’ Grammar School head of music and the girl had been publicised in 2021 the Herald can now reveal he was censured and struck off by the tribunal A High Court judgment on August 30 rejected Thomas’s application for a judicial review into the 2023 tribunal decision the school became aware of the relationship through Facebook messages between the student and her friend in November 2019 he “became angry” and told her to say “she had been lying and he had not done anything with her” That is all I wish to say on the matter,” Thomas said According to a summary drawn from the tribunal decision Thomas had worked for more than 17 years at Epsom Girls’ Grammar and was head of the music department when he resigned in 2020 and the following year she worked Saturdays at an extra-curricular music school administered by him and into the holidays Thomas initiated hugging with the applicant having digital contact with Student A’s vagina placing Student A’s hand on his penis asking her to give him a blow job and attempting unsuccessfully to have sexual intercourse,” the document said Later that month the school became aware of messages the student had sent her friend about Thomas having sex with her When asked about the messages at the school meeting the student said it was untrue She then made a formal complaint to the school in August which gave him written notice of the complaint and placed him on leave Thomas admitted to having sex with her in March 2020 and that it was inappropriate and unprofessional Thomas stepped down as conductor of the city’s symphony orchestra amid allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a student In the email he sent to his members of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra he didn’t say why he had resigned as conductor “I have loved working with you over the last 11 years and am very proud of what we have all done,” he wrote The teachers’ Complaints Assessment Committee laid charges against him in August 2022 These alleged he signed the student out without a legitimate reason that he was intoxicated while supervising students at various school events that he offered her alcohol at an event and had a sexual relationship with her The charges were then heard by the tribunal in July 2023 It dismissed the charge relating to alcohol but had “no hesitation” in finding his behaviour met the threshold for serious misconduct “The impact of the respondent’s conduct was undeniably adverse she was in a situation over which she felt no control and which damaged her relationships with her family “It was profoundly wrong of [Thomas] to have commenced a sexual relationship while Student A was at school and he showed no regard for the impact of this on her at the time He continued to show little regard for this during the hearing.” As a result his registration was cancelled and he was censured When it came to deciding whether non-publication orders should be in place Thomas’s lawyer at the time argued publication would have detrimental consequences on him and his family which outweighed the public interest in his name being released Thomas had also asserted he was not mentally well in the lead-up to his inappropriate conduct which the tribunal said he did not provide specific evidence to support The Complaints Assessment Committee did not support this application the tribunal did not consider it proper to grant wholesale suppression and instead suppressed the complainant’s name and contents of their Facebook messages noted the District Court held there was no right of appeal from tribunal decisions on non-publication he submitted the issue of publication should be amenable to judicial review He submitted that the tribunal did not set out the test in its decision or what was required of it to be satisfied non-publication should be ordered Mitchell also said it failed to give full consideration of his client’s mental health evidence and failed to consider other affidavits submitted by Thomas’s relatives His position was opposed by the Complaints Assessment Committee which prosecuted the earlier case against Thomas The committee submitted the tribunal had adopted the correct legal test Justice van Bohemen did not believe the tribunal’s decision not to grant suppression was out of step with previous rulings referred to by Mitchell While Justice van Bohemen acknowledged the tribunal did not “fully engage” with evidence from Thomas’s clinical psychologist it was general and could have been regarded as providing an insufficient basis that he could be seriously at risk by publication “This is not a case that calls for intensive review It cannot be said that publication of the applicant’s name and the details of the tribunal’s decision would be unusual or would result in a serious injustice,” Justice van Bohemen said in his ruling was dismissed and Thomas was ordered to pay the committee’s costs The Herald attempted to approach Thomas for direct comment at Glengarry Wines in Devonport Staff said he stopped working there some weeks ago this is a Premium article and requires a subscription to read Legal proceedings over an attempt to demolish a 1920s Californian-style bungalow in Epsom are headed for the High Court next year owns the Crescent Rd bungalow near Cornwall Park Auckland Council lists the home and land value as $3.8 million She wants to demolish it and build a new home for herself and her ageing parents and went to the Environment Court two of whom have hired a specialist resource management litigator Bronwyn Carruthers KC the Character Coalition made up of 60 heritage and community groups and the heritage team at Auckland Council have been involved in the proceedings Justice Smith in the Environment Court granted consent to demolish the old home and build a new home but said that could not occur until the High Court heard the appeal against it said today after the decision was issued that her group was appealing work at the Crescent Rd site because of the precedent it could set for other homes in special character areas Her group was relieved that action had been temporarily stayed That means Connor can’t go ahead and demolish “but only because we applied for that” Many people bought in special character areas because that’s where they want to live “People have had to go through huge consent processes to make modifications for homes in such areas A new building is not in keeping with existing houses in older areas.” Hughes anticipates the High Court hearing early next year The coalition’s John Burns said demolishing a fine example of a California bungalow and replacing it would devalue the special character of the area Burns said the September 12 decision contained conditions but the more substantive decision was issued in August He was particularly concerned about one paragraph in the August 12 decision which said: “This application was properly dealt with by council as a non-notified application in the first instance and the consent was properly granted.” Burns said the basis of the coalition’s appeal to the High Court was that that wasn’t the case The Herald’s Bernard Orsman reported last year how Connor had sought resource consent to demolish the single-storey home with a 1990s extension and replace it with a two-storey “carefully designed” home with bungalow-period architectural features and a three-car garage with a loft bedroom for her parents Her planning application said remediating and renovating the house is cost prohibitive and replacing it was the only feasible option A heritage assessment for Connor said the new house related to neighbouring properties and enhanced the streetscape character Connor has previously refused to discuss the case Instructing solicitor Peter Spring said his client Clair Connor had no comment to make about the situation at this time Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years written books and covered property extensively here and overseas please build something here – anything' debate on a site empty for 36 years became the latest horse to add a European classic to one in Dubai when winning a pulsating edition of the 2000 Guineas (G1) Saturday at Newmarket Appleby indicated that the  Derby (G1) at about 1 1/2 miles at Epsom on June & with $234.4 mllion bet on the Run for the Roses Receive daily headlines, breaking news alerts, promotions, and much more! Auckland CityAsking price $938,000211Last opportunity will be rented if not sold!This little Double Grammar Zone diamond has just had a fresh polish for extra shine Built in the 1960s with charming original elements it still offers scope for further enhancement if desired or those looking for an affordable foothold in one of the country's most prestigious school zones Partially double-glazed with a ventilation system this cosy home has fresh paint inside and out A level entry leads to a tiled porch and hallway where polished timber floors create a warm and inviting atmosphere The open-plan living area is bright and airy complemented by a new heat pump and sheer drapes over large windows A door opens to an elevated patio at the top of exterior stairs-an ideal spot to enjoy coffee and a book while soaking in the serenity The kitchen has been tastefully updated with sleek white cabinetry and a gas hob integrated with a whiteware cooking range The home is fitted with infinity gas hot water hot showers in the sophisticated tiled bathroom which features stunning white marble floors and elegant wall tiles Both bedrooms are well-appointed with built-in closets while a pull-down attic ladder in the hallway provides extra storage A shared rear courtyard offers a peaceful retreat and the unit comes with a substantial carport including a large lock-up storeroom at the rear Located in a tightly held area surrounded by green spaces this is a rare chance to secure a blue-ribbon address Within walking distance of Epsom Normal Primary and a short drive to the central city-this home is a true hidden gem See this listing on Barfoot & Thompson A woman at the centre of an Epsom home invasion raised the alarm while she was on the phone with her boyfriend Residents on the usually quiet Coronation Rd have been left shaken by the late-night intrusion said he had spoken to the victim of the alleged kidnap which took place just after midnight Sunday The woman told him she was home alone at the time speaking with her boyfriend on the phone when she heard a big “bang” which came from downstairs He said she heard voices and immediately told her boyfriend to call the police before ending the conversation abruptly and finding a hiding place The resident said she escaped the ordeal with no serious injuries She was very thankful to have been on the phone with her boyfriend and that the police had come quickly At one point she thought she might have been raped or murdered The resident said it was usually a “very quiet” street but there had been another break-in on a nearby street a few weeks ago He was worried about the recent rise in crime and was “more alert” now 22 and 23 – appeared in the Auckland District Court this week on kidnapping and burglary charges They are all due to appear back in court on November 5 Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said a 16-year-old male has also been charged with kidnapping and burglary Earlier, police said they were called to an address on Coronation Rd in Epsom just after midnight “We received a concerning report that a group of men were trying to force their way into a home “The men allegedly forced entry and presented weapons to an occupant at the address The group also allegedly stole some personal items “Officers rushed to the scene and disturbed the alleged offenders Police prevented one alleged offender from leaving the scene “All of the alleged offenders were eventually taken into custody.” “This was a frightening experience for the victim who thankfully was uninjured during the incident,” Friend said and we hope the arrests also bring them some reassurance.” Police said they were limited in further comment as the matter was now before the courts Nine-year-old Harper Davis saw "a flicker of fire" and raced to tell McDonald's staff Four men and a youth have been arrested following an alleged kidnapping during a home invasion in an upmarket Auckland suburb this morning Detective Senior Sergeant Martin Friend said police were called to an address on Coronation Rd in Epsom just after midnight. “We received a concerning report that a group of men were trying to force their way into a home. “The men allegedly forced entry and presented weapons to an occupant at the address, holding them against their will.” The group also allegedly stole some personal items, including jewellery, he said. “Officers rushed to the scene and disturbed the alleged offenders, who tried to flee in two vehicles.” Police prevented one alleged offender from leaving the scene. “All of the alleged offenders were eventually taken into custody thanks.” Four men — aged 18, 20, 22 and 23 — were to appear in the Auckland District Court today facing charges of kidnapping and burglary. A 16-year-old male has also been charged with kidnapping and burglary. “This was a frightening experience for the victim, who thankfully was uninjured during the incident,” Friend said. “Support is being provided to them, and we hope the arrests also bring them some reassurance.” Police said they were limited in further comment as the matter was now before the courts. The incident took place in Epsom, near Gladwin Rd, on Wednesday afternoon. Police made the arrest yesterday after receiving information from the public who recognised a wanted grey car, according to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves. The 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of indecent act and is due in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday, February 19. "Police wish to thank the public for their help," Greaves said. Earlier the girl's father told the New Zealand Herald that his daughter, 14, was followed by a man driving a van on Gladwin Rd at around 3.35pm on Wednesday, February 12. He said his daughter had been left "really shaken" by the incident. Yesterday, Greaves had encouraged the driver of the vehicle "to stop delaying the inevitable and come to speak with police". The incident took place in Epsom, near Gladwin Rd, on Wednesday afternoon. (Source: NZ Police) Auckland police have arrested a man wanted for allegedly performing an indecent act directed towards a young student last week. Photo released of van after man did indecent act towards studentPolice have released a photo of a vehicle of interest after a man did an indecent act towards a young student in Auckland's Epsom earlier this week Crime and Justice Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Health Arrest after person assaulted A nurse leaving her shift last month was held up at gunpoint outside the grounds of the hospital More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ Tauranga and Auckland as a result of the six-week investigation Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Korumburra Baptist Church pastor Ian Wilkinson was one of four guests invited to Patterson's home in the regional town of Leongatha in 2023 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 NRL: Sharks centre Iro wants to be known by new name 16 mins ago Juliana Herrera's family tell inquest: 'Stop repeating avoidable mistakes' 20 mins ago Arrest after person assaulted, robbed at Palmerston North Hospital 23 mins ago Iwi misses out on bid to buy back ancestral mountain 31 mins ago Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 59 mins ago More than 25kg cocaine seizure leads to four arrests across NZ 13 mins ago 1Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one Homicide investigation after man dies in Auckland's Manurewa Govt halts all current pay equity claims, makes it harder to lodge new ones 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 Auckland police have arrested a man wanted for allegedly performing an indecent act directed towards a young student last week Police made the arrest yesterday after receiving information from the public who recognised a wanted grey car according to Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves The 32-year-old man has been charged with two counts of indecent act and is due in the Auckland District Court on Wednesday "Police wish to thank the public for their help," Greaves said Earlier the girl's father told the New Zealand Herald that his daughter was followed by a man driving a van on Gladwin Rd at around 3.35pm on Wednesday He said his daughter had been left "really shaken" by the incident Greaves had encouraged the driver of the vehicle "to stop delaying the inevitable and come to speak with police" Police have released a photo of a vehicle of interest after a man did an indecent act towards a young student in Auckland's Epsom earlier this week The girl's father told the New Zealand Herald that his daughter was followed by a man driving a van on Gladwin Rd at around 3.35pm on February 12 "As he pulled up next to her she saw that he was naked and touching himself she was obviously panicking and running away." Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Greaves said the man fortunately did not exit the vehicle and was last seen travelling down Lewin Rd The investigation had progressed in recent days "We have now obtained an image of a vehicle in the Gladwin Road area on Tuesday afternoon,” he says "Police would like anyone who saw this vehicle or has further information concerning it to contact us." Greaves also encouraged the driver of the vehicle "to stop delaying the inevitable and come to speak with police" Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105 The sister of Juliana Bonilla Herrera wants her memory to be "honoured through firm actions and just decisions that prevent similar tragedies" Saray Bonilla has taken part in the Coroner's inquest into the 37-year-old's death remotely from California It came to a close in Christchurch this afternoon was murdered in January 2022 by her neighbour Joseph Brider who had been paroled from prison just 72 days earlier He'd been serving time for serious sexual offences including rape Coroner Alexandra Cunninghame has heard evidence from various Corrections Department workers about their interactions with Brider prior to the murder the rehabilitation agency supporting Brider in his reintegration into the community Juliana's sister has had the opportunity to question those who appeared in court and a victim support worker shared a statement from her 1News was not allowed to film Saray Bonilla but she watched online as her words were read and to every person whose safety depends on a just and responsible system and to never again allow preventable failures to cost innocent lives may this be the moment we stop repeating avoidable mistakes and start building a system that truly protects" she said Coroner Cunninghame also addressed Herrera's family "What happened to Juliana was horrific being attacked by a stranger in our own home must be every woman's worst nightmare.. she made the most of what New Zealand has to offer And I'm profoundly sorry that her last moments were so horrifying could have responded if they were aware of concerns is a relevant issue for the inquiry But it's important that this question is not framed in a way which suggests that Juliana should be criticised for not having done more The burden should never be on women to keep themselves safe from men" she said She explained there would now be a period of time before her findings were finalised and made public A person is in custody after an alleged theft which left a person injured on the grounds of Palmerston North Hospital Police said officers were called to a Ruahine St carpark about 1.30pm on Tuesday Police said the alleged offender left the scene and was found a short time later "Police would like to thank the members of the public who witnessed the incident and intervened to assist the victim," a police spokesperson said That same night a staff member was knocked unconscious Staff have been calling for security improvements Health NZ MidCentral operations group director Sarah Fenwick previously told RNZ it was committed to making staff feel safer She said these included a security escort to vehicles increasing security services on hospital grounds and "opening up" access to the staff carpark for people working afternoon and night shifts "Lighting has been audited in all outside carparking areas to ensure it is well maintained," she said "Interim access to well-lit parking onsite with dedicated security for staff working afternoon and night shifts while a more permanent solution for out-of-hours carparking is developed." rnz.co.nz More than 25kg of cocaine has been seized and four men arrested following an joint investigation into the importation of the drug into Christchurch Police and Customs received information about a "significant importation" of cocaine that had come through Lyttelton Port on March 29 Search warrants were then executed across the country by specialist teams to support investigators with evidence gathering including possession of cocaine for supply and burglary and will appear in various district courts across a range of dates Detective Senior Sergeant Phil Sparks said the seizure equated to more than 250,000 doses of cocaine and $9 million of harm "That is an enormous amount of damage and misery that had been heading into our communities that has now been halted through this investigation." Sparks said the success of the investigation was partly down to the "excellent partnership" between Customs and the police "We continue to have a focus on engaging with businesses and supporting their legitimate services by keeping them safe with prevention advice to deter drug trafficking organisations’ attempts to exploit their people and premises." Customs acting investigations manager Rachael Manning said the investigation resulted from quick action and close collaboration between the agencies as well as industry partners "We know that transnational and serious organised crime groups are actively targeting New Zealand to drive up both demand and supply of illegal drugs such as cocaine for maximum profit They’re using every method possible to exploit any vulnerabilities within international supply chains in secure areas or on vessels themselves." 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 stranger allegedly tried to force an 8-year-old boy into a car outside an Auckland primary school yesterday before bystanders intervened and the man drove off Police confirmed they were investigating an incident from around 3pm on Monday outside Rowandale School in the suburb of Manurewa "Police are still working to understand exactly what was occurring at the time and our enquiries are ongoing," a spokesperson said "We have spoken with the boy and will continue to work through a careful process Rowandale School principal Karl Vasau said in a statement to social media that other parents had intervened "The student then made his way home and told his parents who then came into school to let us know and then they rung the police." Vasau told 1News the pupil was "doing fine" following the incident and was surrounded by a "supportive "Our student is safe now and his family are thankful that nothing further happened to their boy but are wanting us all to be aware and stay safe It's about working with that child to make them feel safe again but also looking forward to returning back to school with a little bit of normality." Police had reacted "pretty quickly" to the reports "They've been in this morning to touch base and connect the community police constables are going to come back to tomorrow to address the whole school in relation to what had happened and around keeping themselves safe before and after school." Increased police patrols would remain in the area after school from Wednesday The Cronulla player formerly known as Kayal Iro has explained his decision to change his first name midway through the NRL season Iro made a tryscoring return from a hamstring injury in the Sharks' Magic Round win over Parramatta last Friday sporting a new name on Cronulla's team list The 25-year-old has now requested he be referred to as 'KL Iro' The centre is named after his father Kevin Leslie Iro who enjoyed a decorated career in England and represented New Zealand with distinction The left centre's official documents will still read "Kayal" but the Sharks flyer said he made the switch to 'KL' to avoid any doubt as to how his name should be pronounced "Mum didn't want it to be a two-letter name when I was a kid," Iro said "She's the one that changed it to 'Kayal' I think it was just foreign back then to have a two-letter name "But my dad always wanted it to be 'KL' and I like it that way too because it's easier to pronounce and there's no confusion I was too scared to step on anyone's toes "I guess I've built a bit of a relationship with these fellas now so I asked the question and got it done pretty quick." which was often mispronounced by commentators when his father and uncle Tony were playing "Even my dad and uncle when they were playing the Pommies would pronounce it 'aye-ro' rather than 'ear-ro'," Iro added he loved it but it's pretty cool to hear a commentator saying our family name." Iro was born in England while his father was playing for Leeds but spent most of his childhood growing up in the Cook Islands While he hinted he would be open to facing the Kangaroos in the end-of-season Ashes series "I wouldn't say no but my first thing is getting the Cook Islands qualified for the World Cup next year," he said Iro and the sixth-placed Sharks (5-4) will face one of the most daunting challenges of their season to date when they travel to take on Manly (4-4) at Brookvale Oval on Sunday "They've got a strong right edge and also [Tom] Trbojevic at the back," Iro said "[Trboejvic] is a strike weapon in attack and things happen around him we've got to be aware of him." Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu has been unsuccessful in its bid to buy back the mountain Kahurānaki but the iwi says its connection to the land will always remain Kahurānaki Station - a 1156 hectare sheep and beef farm south of Havelock North which includes the peak of the mountain - came up for sale earlier this year and the iwi launched a fundraising campaign to buy it The campaign to bring the Kahurānaki back into Māori ownership was called He Maunga Ka Taea and included a 10-day hīkoi from Māhia to Kahurānaki It raised more than $95,000 on crowd funding platform koha.kiwi Hastings-based post-settlement governance entity Tamatea Pōkai Whenua Trust submitted a tender on behalf of the iwi Chairman Pōhatu Paku said the trust was the only local entity to tender for the Station and they were saddened and disappointed by the outcome The trust had approached the tender on the basis it was presented Paku acknowledged the young and emerging iwi members who had generated the groundswell of support for the tender and for the longer term status of the mountain ki tēnā o tātau e titikaha nei ki tēnei kaupapa I just want to acknowledge and mihi to everybody that has connected with this kaupapa Paku said the trust would be engaging with the station's new owners at an appropriate time to convey the iwi's history and also set out their aspirations "The continuation of the protection of our wāhi tapu (sacred sites) is significantly important to us Continued access to the mountain would also be a high priority "The previous owners were quite open for Kura for people running kaupapa and also those that wished to ascend the maunga they allowed that they identified that it was culturally significant to us all." Paku said Tamatea Pōkai Whenua will need to foster the groundswell of support and leadership that the He Maunga Ka Taea campaign had generated "The whakapapa connections and taonga that is Kahurānaki maunga remain our greatest advantage is that we live in perpetuity and our maunga and our tīpuna live with us and they continue to be ours "And like all of our tūtohu whenua (landmarks) our maunga carries our traditions and our identity and our histories and we remain uncompromising to act in the best interests of our tūtohu whenua both for this generation and for future generations." Paku said the trust may look at legal personhood as another avenue to protect the mountain but ultimately he said the maunga remains an ancestor and retains its own mana which no one can ever own rnz.co.nz Audrey Backeberg disappeared from a small city in south-central Wisconsin after reportedly hitchhiking with her family’s babysitter and catching a bus to Indianapolis Nobody ever knew where she went or what happened to her All that changed last week when she was found alive and safe in another state thanks to the fresh eyes from a deputy who took over the case in February Detective Isaac Hanson discovered an out-of-state arrest record that matched Backeberg which triggered a series of investigative moves that led to finding her alive and safe in another state Turns out Backeberg chose to leave the town of Reedsburg on her own accord – likely due to an abusive husband safe and secure; And just kind of lived under the radar for that long,” he said Hanson was assigned the case in late February and he and other officials met with Backeberg’s family to see if they had a connection with that region They also started digging through Backeberg's sister's Ancestry.com account obituaries and marriage licenses from that region they found an address where a woman was living that Hanson said shared a lot of similarities with Backeberg including date of birth and social security number Hanson was able to get a deputy from that jurisdiction to go to the address "I was expecting the deputy to call me back and say ‘Oh nobody answered the door.’ And I thought it was the deputy calling me I could sense that she obviously had her reasons for leaving.” Most of the information he learned during that call he declined to share saying that it was still important to Backeberg that she not be found “I think it overwhelmed her of course with the emotions that she had having a deputy show up at her house and then kind of call her out and talk with her about what happened and kind of relive 62 years in 45 minutes,” he said Hanson described discovering her safe after more than six decades practically unheard of And while he doesn't know what will happen next in terms of her family reconnecting he said he was happy that she can reach out if she wants to so she has my contact number if she ever wants to reach out or needs anything any phone numbers of family members back here," he said "Ultimately she kind of holds the cards for that.” 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 The government is making it harder to make a claim for pay equity that will cut costs There have been massive pay equity claims in recent years for nurses and resthome workers Workplace Minister Brooke van Velden announced the moves to raise the threshold for proving work has been historically undervalued to support a claim on Tuesday saying changes back in 2020 had created problems "Claims have been able to progress without strong evidence of undervaluation and there have been very broad claims where it is difficult to tell whether differences in pay are due to sex-based discrimination or other factors." Claims were concentrated in the public sector with costs to the Crown of all settlements so far totalling $1.78 billion a year "The changes I am proposing will significantly reduce costs to the Crown," she said "The changes will discontinue current pay equity claims." Van Velden told Midday Report she believes in pay equity but the current thresholds were "a bit too loose" Asked how she ensure women were not hurt by this the minister said "I'm a woman and I support women who work" "I also support removing gender based discriminations from our workforces but what I don't support are muddied laws and unclear laws," she said "So these changes are better for all women who are working where we can genuinely say hand on heart that what they are finding with their claims is genuine gender based discrimination." Van Velden told reporters at Parliament any current claims would be stopped and need to restart under the new threshold to show "genuine" gender discrimination and make sure the comparators were right She gave a figure of 33 current claims that would be stopped as the legislation was put through under urgency "You have librarians who've been comparing themselves to transport engineers We have admin and clerical staff at Health New Zealand comparing themselves to mechanical engineers." Social workers had compared themselves to air traffic controllers "We don't believe we have that setting right." Any comparison would now be between female employees and male employees at the same employer "But you cannot go fishing for discrimination across the New Zealand workforce." All current settled claims would continue but the government was drawing "a line in the sand" "We're not stopping claims." The nurse's union has this year had at least 10 pay equity claims in play The PSA union has said pay equity claims and settlements had resulted in significant improvements in pay and working conditions for many workers The union said the changes would make it "impossible for people in female-dominated professions to be paid fairly" "Women across the country will pay the price for this," PSA national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons said "The government's changes today are a dark day for New Zealand women as the government says it will repeal the pay equity law and extinguish 33 existing claims in a constitutional overreach "The PSA is exploring all possible avenues to oppose these unconstitutional amendments and stop this attack on women We will not be deterred in our fight to achieve pay equity for all." "This is a blatant and shameful attack on women," New Zealand Nurses organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said "Women in workforces predominantly performed by female employees have been underpaid and undervalued for generations That is what pay equity claims seek to rectify," he said "This move by the government will widen the pay gap between men and women." The union had at least 10 pay current pay claims across Aged Care These cover many nurses and support workers The E tū union also called the changes an attack on women and a green light to pay them less for work of equal value The government was pulling the rug out from under a 13-year-long fight in aged care "These changes are not about evidence — they are about saving money by keeping women underpaid," national secretary Rachel Mackintosh said in a statement A number of unions have called a snap rally at Parliament at 1pm today in light of the announcement the Council of Trade Unions and representatives of other unions say they will be "protesting the government's attack on women and the destruction of progress on pay equity..." rnz.co.nz 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 Through 30 years of living within walking distance of the Derby course I was ever hopeful of seeing Epsom’s status revived to the 600 horsepower training centre it once was with the likes of Walter Nightingall turning out winners for Winston Churchill There have been brief dawns as when Laura Mongan won the St Leger with Harbour Law in 2016 or Adam West won the Nunthorpe with Live in the Dream Hard-working and capable trainers such as Simon Dow and Jim Boyle have kept the Epsom flag flying but too many yards were lost to housing developers as numbers dropped to only 150 Last Wednesday though I stood at the top of the seven furlong sand gallop on Epsom Downs with a man whose arrival with 46 horses to take over a historic Epsom yard could be part of a significant Epsom renaissance there will be no shortage of joie de vivre I have rarely seen more joyous scenes on a racecourse than when George Baker’s Get It won Goodwood’s celebrated Stewards’ Cup last August The winners’ enclosure literally overflowed with exultant high-fiving racegoers from the My Racehorse syndicate When the gregarious Bakers woke up two days later they found so many celebrants distributed around their home that wife Candida had to dispatch George to buy five chickens for lunch This is a trainer who accepts that racing is part of the entertainment industry and who works at making it fun for his owners not just on the winning days but even when their pride and joy has finished seventh of nine on a wet day at Catterick George Baker wasn’t going to be a racehorse trainer Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3 Already a subscriber? 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