7:05AM - Reports of a crash on #SH29 between Hopkins Rd and Hinuera Rd, south of Matamata. Please follow directions of response crews in the area. Delays are likely. Diversions may be required. ^AA pic.twitter.com/FLbXyKksIU Two people have been seriously injured in a single-vehicle crash on State Highway 29 south of Matamata Police said a car crashed into a power pole near Glenrowan Rd around 7.10am “The road is blocked and there are diversions in place,” a spokeswoman said Hato Hone St John spokesperson said two ambulances and one rapid response unit went to the scene and two people New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said stop/go traffic management was in place on State Highway 29 in Matamata following the crash between Hinuera Road and Hopkins Road “The temporary traffic management is likely to be in place for several hours while PowerCo undertakes repairs which is likely to cause significant delays this afternoon given usual Friday traffic levels,” a spokesperson for NZTA said “Road users are advised to plan ahead and may wish to consider detouring around the area.” 'The team have nailed it – it’s a strategy that everyone can understand.' KiwiRail failed to follow a decade-old Coroner's recommendation to fence off an area of railway line where a young Matamata College student was killed by a train this week Thirteen-year-old Sarie Morton died after being hit by a northbound freight train on Firth St after school on Wednesday Coroner Peter Ryan recommended that a section of rail corridor in Matamata be fenced after 15-year-old Zakariah Paul Lang was fatally struck by a train in July of that year not far from where Sarie died near College Rd Coroner Ryan said trees and shrubs next to the track obscured both the train driver's and Zakariah's view before the student accidentally stepped in front of the train He called the situation inherently dangerous and recommended that KiwiRail make the area safer for pedestrians especially because young people were likely to cross the tracks at any point On the day Zakariah died he and two friends left school early and were walking south along Firth St about 2.40pm "The group decided to cross over the road and into the trees bordering the railway line as they were 'wagging school' and did not want to get caught." The trio were smoking cigarettes and chatting for about 10 minutes before Zakariah decided he wanted to buy some lollies from the dairy at the intersection of Station Rd and Firth St holding his mobile phone which he had been using to text his girlfriend "At the precise moment that Zakariah stepped out from the trees and onto the track a train was travelling south from Hamilton to Kinleith." The collision caused massive head and other injuries to Zakariah and he died instantly about 100m from where Sarie was struck on Wednesday The Coroner said the driver did not immediately realise he'd hit Zakariah until one of two colleagues in the cabin said he believed the train had struck a person The train was travelling at the permitted speed limit of 70km/h The driver said he knew there might be children walking near the track because it was close to the end of school that day but he did not see any children as the train went through town A rail staff member in the cabin told the Coroner the train was travelling through an area covered in trees and shrubs on the eastern side when a figure suddenly appeared in front of the train on the tracks The Coroner said he believed the driver had no opportunity to avoid hitting Zakariah Neither of Zakariah's two friends heard the train coming that day because the train did not have wagons attached which usually made a noise as they passed over track joins Coroner Ryan said if the friends did not hear the train it is likely Zakariah also didn't hear it "There is no evidence to suggest that Zakariah has deliberately walked onto the track in front of the train." He said the boys and the rail staff indicated the trees and shrubs alongside the track caused difficulties for both pedestrians and train operators and that the foliage obstructed the view then Zakariah may have seen the train approaching or the train driver may have seen Zakariah approaching and sounded the train's horn to warn Zakariah of the approaching danger "To reduce the possibility of other deaths occurring in the future it seems to me that this inherently dangerous situation should be addressed." The Coroner noted Zakariah had a small level of THC - a cannabinoid found in cannabis - in his blood equivalent to smoking a single joint between half an hour to nine hours before his death He said Zakariah was distracted by either sending or receiving a text from his girlfriend and the effects of the drug when he crossed the track Coroner Ryan said Zakariah's death was accidental but it could have been avoided "The evidence indicates this death occurred in an inherently dangerous situation where train tracks in an urban setting are bordered by trees and shrubs "Although pedestrians are not permitted to cross railway tracks at any uncontrolled point where you have a park on one side of the track and a main road on the other side it is inevitable that pedestrians are going to cross the track." He said this was especially so when children and youths frequented the area because they did not have the same sense of social responsibility and personal safety "is not usually keenly felt" Safeguards should therefore be put in place to "protect such vulnerable people" He recommended that KiwiRail consider safety measures such as fencing off that section of track or reducing or removing the trees bordering it to improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians the company may wish to review the applicable speed limit for trains travelling on this particular section of track." The area is not fenced and there is only one nearby level crossing accessible by pedestrians further north at the intersection with Tainui St RNZ asked KiwiRail what action it took after Coroner Ryan issued his findings more than 12 years ago A spokesperson said in a statement: "We are looking into all these matters with the council right now and as our enquiries are ongoing we are unable to add anything to yesterday's statement at this stage" Yesterday Matamata mayor Adrienne Wilcock said she would wait for the various investigations into Sarie's death before the council would consider safety measures Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday Sarie Morton's mum says she is still processing the loss of her daughter who was struck by a freight train outside Matamata College A collage student was hit by a freight train and killed just after 3pm on Wednesday A female high school student has died after being hit by a train this afternoon in Matamata New Zealand RSS Follow RNZ News League leaders Otumoetai face a spirited challenge from Matamata Swifts this weekend as the teams battle to hold the WaiBOP Federation Challenge Shield is contested by teams in the Lotto NRFL Southern Conference with the holders obliged to put it on the line to challengers The Swifts get the first chance to lift the shield from Otumoetai who won it last weekend There’s plenty at stake this weekend when Otumoetai host Matamata Swifts Otumoetai will face their first challenge for the WaiBOP Federation Challenge Shield a trophy they won last weekend when beating holders Taupo at Crown Park Taupo had regained the shield because last season’s holders lost the right to defend it when they won promotion to the Lotto NRFL Men’s Championship As the shield can only be played for in the highest level of men’s competition in the region the rules said the shield should revert to the previous holder As Unicol no longer play in the Conference the shield went to the holders before them Otumoetai now get the chance to go after a shield/league title double replicating last season’s effort by Cambridge In their way are Matamata Swifts who back up after a 4-2 first round Chatham Cup win against NRF League One side Papatotoe The incentive of taking the shield back to Matamata Domain will give the Swfits every reason to want to be at their best is back in action after missing the opening three fixtures O’Donogue (31) managed 35 minutes off the bench a fortnight ago O’Donoghue scored both Taupo goals — a sign that he’s ready to pick up where he left off last season when he came fourth on the Golden Boot table O’Donoghue has been a key player for Taupo in recent seasons and chances are they’ll rely much on his goals again this year With Ngongotaha claiming their first win of the season last time out I think that will boost their confidence this weekend when they welcome Claudelands Rovers to Tamarahi Reserve I tipped Papamoa to beat Claudelands Rovers 3-1 Waikato-based Max Fletcher is a writer for Friends of Football and is a match analyst for Northern United Here’s NZ Football’s 5-minute highlights reel from last.. Here’s NZ Football’s 7-minute highlights reel from last.. Auckland FC’s Guillermo May is the special guest on episode 17 of New Zealand’s weekly.. Auckland United have started the defence of their OFC Women’s Champions League title with a.. Dub Zone is back for another week of analysis Papua New Guinea have claimed the final place at August’s OFC U-16 Men’s Championship after.. A widely-admired former club and regional football administrator Here’s NZ Football’s 12-minute highlights reel from last.. May 3-9: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship – qualifying, Tonga (click here for details) May 5-18 (NZT): Auckland United at OFC Women’s Champions League, Tahiti (click here for details) May 16-18: Grand final, women’s A-League (click here for details) Monday May 19 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Switzerland, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) Tuesday May 20 (2.30am NZT): New Zealand U-16 men v Guatemala, FIFA Youth Series, Zurich (click here for details) May 26-June 3: FIFA international window (women) May 30-June 1: Grand final, men’s A-League (click here for details) May 31-June 1: Second rounds of Chatham Cup June 2-10: FIFA international window (men) Thursday June 5 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (7.30am NZT): Chile U-20 v New Zealand U-20, men’s international, Complejo Deportivo Quilín, Santiago (click here for details) Sunday June 8 (11am NZT): All Whites v Côte d’Ivoire, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) Wednesday June 11 (9am NZT): All Whites v Ukraine, BMO Field, Toronto, Canada (click here for details) June 15-July 13: FIFA Club World Cup, United States (click here for details) Monday June 16 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Bayern Munich, FIFA Club World Cup, TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio (click here for details) Saturday June 20 (6am NZT): Auckland City v Benfica, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter&Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida (click here for details) Wednesday June 24 (7am NZT): Auckland City v Boca Juniors, FIFA Club World Cup, Geodis Park, Nashville, Tennessee (click here for details) June 23-July 1: FIFA international window (women) July 5-6: Quarter-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup August 1-14: OFC U-16 Women’s Championship, Samoa (click here for details) August 15-30: OFC U-16 Men’s Championship, Solomon Islands (click here for details) August 16-17: Semi-finals of Kate Sheppard Cup September 2-9: FIFA international window (men) September 17-24: University of Auckland at FISU Men’s Football World Cup September 20-24: OFC Futsal Men’s Cup September 21-October 4: OFC U-19 Women’s Championship September 27-October 19: FIFA U-20 Men’s World Cup September 27-28: Season starts for men’s and women’s National Leagues October 7-15: FIFA international window (men) Wednesday October 15 (k/o TBC): Norway v All Whites, international friendly, Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo, Norway (click here for details) October 17-November 8: FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, Morocco (click here for details) October 20-28: FIFA international window (women) November 4-28 (NZT): FIFA U-17 Men’s World Cup, Qatar (click here for details) November 10-18: FIFA international window (men) November 17-22: OFC Futsal Men’s Champions League November 21-December 7: FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, Philippines (click here for details) 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Oceania qualifiers December 13-14: Grand finals of men’s and women’s National Leagues June 12-July 20 (NZT): FIFA Men’s World Cup © 2025 Friends of Football Site designed by Hurricane Press Ltd using - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP "It is with deep sadness that we inform our school community of the sudden passing of one of our beloved students, Sarie Morton, following an incident after school yesterday," Matamata College board presiding member Craig Alexander and principal Dr Angela Sharples posted today on the school's Facebook page. "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sarie’s family and friends during this incredibly difficult time." Emergency services were called to the railway tracks alongside Firth St, near the intersection with College St, about 3.15pm yesterday. The girl received medical attention but died at the scene. Alexander and Sharples said the school would remain open today and tomorrow with "a range of professional support services available for anyone who needs them". "As we navigate this sudden loss, we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our community. Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated by Sarie's family, friends, and all of us here at Matamata College. "Further details will be provided by the family and communicated with you. In the meantime, we are focused on wrapping our love and care around the family." Police were making inquiries on behalf of the coroner. KiwiRail executive general manager Paul Ashton said in a statement it was providing support for the driver who was now on leave. "KiwiRail’s thoughts are with the victim’s family, friends and her community," Ashton said "We thank the first responders and others who provided assistance at the scene." Ashton said the "rail corridor is an unforgiving environment where the consequences of an accident can be devastating" and urged the public to cross the tracks only at dedicated pedestrian and level crossings. A student who died yesterday after being struck by a train in Waikato has been named by Matamata College as Sarie Morton. Person dies following morning crash on Auckland motorway A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning New Zealand Homegrown music festival's new location revealed Sheep killed more euthanised after stock truck rolls in Southland Police were called to the single-vehicle crash on Tokanui Gorge Rd Highway near Fortrose at around 7.45am on Monday Four injured State Highway 2 at the intersection of Wi Duncan Rd is currently blocked Warning of poisonous shellfish in Western Firth of Thames New Zealand Food Safety said routine tests on shellfish from Waimangu Point have shown levels of the toxins over the safe limit Environment Selwyn lifts state of emergency as severe weather recovery continues Flooding from heavy rain has led to a state of emergency being declared in Christchurch (including Banks Peninsula) Film industry anxiously awaits details on Trump's 100% movie tariff 7:17pm Search underway for Masterton man, 74, missing since Sunday 7:07pm Crooks, culture first order of business for Mike Bush in Victoria 7:05pm Charges filed against Woolworths over pricing, misleading specials 6:45pm Police, experts warn 'emerging risk' of 3D-printed firearms rising 6:33pm Trade war: Sir John Key's 'optimism' on Trump's next tariff moves 7:28pm 1US woman who disappeared for more than six decades found safe Sole survivor of poisoned beef Wellington takes the stand Two men's shared name brings years of trouble and a hefty bill to one New Zealand's Cardinal John Dew prepares to go into conclave 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 A student who died yesterday after being struck by a train in Waikato has been named by Matamata College as Sarie Morton "It is with deep sadness that we inform our school community of the sudden passing of one of our beloved students following an incident after school yesterday," Matamata College board presiding member Craig Alexander and principal Dr Angela Sharples posted today on the school's Facebook page Emergency services were called to the railway tracks alongside Firth St The girl received medical attention but died at the scene Alexander and Sharples said the school would remain open today and tomorrow with "a range of professional support services available for anyone who needs them" we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from our community Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated by Sarie's family "Further details will be provided by the family and communicated with you we are focused on wrapping our love and care around the family." Police were making inquiries on behalf of the coroner KiwiRail executive general manager Paul Ashton said in a statement it was providing support for the driver who was now on leave "KiwiRail’s thoughts are with the victim’s family friends and her community," Ashton said Ashton said the "rail corridor is an unforgiving environment where the consequences of an accident can be devastating" and urged the public to cross the tracks only at dedicated pedestrian and level crossings A person has died following a crash on Auckland's south-western motorway this morning The single vehicle crash was reported to police shortly before 5am the sole occupant of this vehicle died at the scene," a police spokesperson said "Earlier closures of northbound lanes have now lifted and police advise motorists to continue to expect delays as earlier backlogs clear "We appreciate motorists' understanding this morning while emergency services carried out their work." Police said the serious crash unit examined the scene this morning and an investigation was underway into this morning's crash on behalf of the Coroner This is in addition to an earlier crash on Auckland's northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge Emergency services responded to a two-truck collision on the northern motorway near the Auckland Harbour Bridge shortly after 5am New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said all lanes south on State Highway 1 were open again following this earlier crash with five lanes available on the Harbour Bridge "Allow extra time for delays on the Northern Motorway to slowly ease this morning three lanes going south were now open again between Onewa Rd and the Harbour Bridge," NZTA said Hamilton has been announced as the new home for the Homegrown music festival In January the festival, which features New Zealand music, confirmed it would be leaving Wellington's waterfront after being there for 18 years From next year it will be held at Hamilton's Claudelands Oval Festival director Andrew Tuck said the move is "about creating something that celebrates our roots and gives back to the region that inspires us" Organisers said that Hamilton offers potential for the festival to expand and evolve as New Zealand's fastest-growing city "Its central location — just a short journey from the Bay of Plenty and the King Country — makes it accessible for a wide range of attendees eager to enjoy Aotearoa's finest musical acts." Tuck said accessibility for as many people as possible is key for the festival and "being close to such a large population makes this dream even more achievable" Hamilton City Council deputy chief executive Sean Murray said the festival returning to the Waikato is "a win for the whole upper North Island" Next year's event will be held on March 14 Sheep have been killed and others have had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled in Southland this morning The road was completely blocked and expected to be closed for sometime while the scene was cleared however the road is completely blocked," a police spokesperson said Southland District Council confirmed some animals were killed in the crash while others had to be euthanised due to injuries Fire and Emergency responded with crews from Waimahaka It's the second incident of sheep being killed after a stock truck rolled in Southland in a little over a week A small number of lambs had to be euthanised after a stock truck rolled near Balclutha on April 27 Four people have been injured following a two-vehicle crash south of Dannevirke this evening Police said they were called to State Highway 2 at the intersection of Wi Duncan Rd around 7.10pm One person sustained serious injuries following the crash Motorists have been asked to take alternate routes People are being warned not to collect or consume shellfish gathered in the Western Firth of Thames region due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins The warning extends from the mouth of the Waitakaruru River up to Pakatoa Island and across to the mid-point of the Firth "Affected shellfish include bivalve shellfish such as mussels as well as pūpū (cat's eyes) and Cook's turban," New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle said "It's also important to know that cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin." crab and crayfish if the gut was removed before cooking "New Zealand Food Safety is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation," Arbuckle said New Zealand Food Safety said there had been no reported associated illness Commercially harvested shellfish are still safe to eat Symptoms of poisoning appear between 10 minutes and three hours after ingestion and may include: rnz.co.nz A search and rescue operation is underway for a Masterton man in his 70s missing since Sunday John Rafferty was last seen at Masterton Railway Station about midday on May 4 The 74-year-old did not board a train and left on foot about 20 minutes later Matheson said it was possible Rafferty was staying with a friend but police and loved ones "want to know he’s safe" and John doesn’t have his cell phone or wallet," he said A search team and a helicopter has been out looking for the missing man "We are really keen to know that he’s safe." Police have released an image from CCTV showing Rafferty on a station platform on the day of his disappearance He was wearing a blue jacket with 'NASA' written on the back Anyone who saw him was asked to contact police on 111 or online at 105 if there was Information after the fact The next top cop of the troubled Victoria police force embraces his "outsider" status to curb its leadership malaise and has a stern warning for crooks Former New Zealand Police commissioner Mike Bush won the race to become Victoria's chief commissioner after months of top-level staffing woes The 40-year police veteran steps into the role on June 27 with a five-year contract The Kiwi conceded the job will be no picnic with Victoria's crime rate hitting an almost decade-high in 2024 everyone knows that," he told reporters today "These crime issues are actually global they are quite similar wherever you go but it's not good enough just to turn up after the act Rising youth crime and high-profile cases of alleged offenders committing crimes while on bail spurred the Victorian government to strengthen laws in March Bush said he was familiar with the crackdown but bail laws were just one part of the solution to tackling youth crime along with a "prevention mindset" He retired from the NZ police force in 2020 after joining in 1978 and spending his final six years in the top job Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption and Covid-19 pandemic were among the biggest crises Bush confronted during his tenure Bush also made headlines in 2022 after it emerged he had a past drink-driving conviction when unsuccessfully applying to become head of the UK's Metropolitan Police Former New Zealand police minister Stuart Nash describedr Bush as hard but fair He said Bush regularly met with police forces across the Tasman in his previous role and recalled travelling with him to every district across New Zealand once a year to chew the fat with communities and then we all had biscuits and a cup of tea," Nash told AAP "Mike is someone who had deep credibility in policing." The state government has not handed the reins of Victoria Police to an outsider since former NSW Police assistant commissioner Christine Nixon in 2001 The Kiwi was happy to wear the "outsider" tag and is already hatching plans to hit the ground running "I've got a lot to do to come up to speed," Bush said "Culture is a consequence of leadership." establishing relationships with community groups amid rising tensions and increasing police visibility on the beat were among his other top initial priorities Victoria Police was thrust into leadership turmoil in February with a no-confidence vote from officers costing chief commissioner Shane Patton his job Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent became acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent before throwing in the towel in April Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill will serve in an acting capacity until Bush takes over Bush intends to speak with Patton before starting and said he wouldn't shy away from pushing back if he disagreed with the government Premier Jacinta Allan said a recruitment agency was hired and instructed to find a leader capable of addressing the "challenges" plaguing the force "Mike Bush is the best person for the job," she said whose union led the no-confidence vote against Patton following a bitter pay dispute admitted there was a disconnect between members and leaders The state police union secretary welcomed Mr Bush's appointment and pledge to listen to the mounting workforce concerns "We have a police force that is currently under-resourced that needs fresh officers," he said The Commerce Commission has filed criminal charges against Woolworths NZ for alleged inaccurate pricing and misleading specials that may have breached the Fair Trading Act The commission filed the charges against Woolworths in the Auckland District Court It indicated in December last year that it would be filing separate criminal charges against Woolworths and two Pak'nSave supermarkets the commission said there were ongoing issues with pricing in the supermarket sector and the operators may have breached the Fair Trading Act deputy chair Anne Callinan said operators should know what the expectations were "Supermarkets have long been on notice about the importance of accurate and clear pricing and specials and we're not satisfied with the continuing issues we're seeing across the industry "Pricing accuracy is a consumer right and an expectation of a competitive market well-resourced businesses that should invest the time and effort to get pricing and promotions right." She said the charges were filed to remind all supermarkets that they are expected to fix the pricing accuracy issues and implement better processes In a statement when the charges were announced Woolworths managing director Spencer Sonn said it was important customers could trust prices advertised at their supermarkets Woolworths said it has cooperated with the Commerce Commission's pricing investigation for some time rnz.co.nz Former prime minister Sir John Key says he remains optimistic about Donald Trump's domestic economic policy despite opposing the tariff strategy that has sent global markets into turmoil in recent months who served as prime minister for eight years was the keynote speaker at an Auckland business summit earlier today Sir John told 1News he believed Trump would ultimately take a more moderate approach to tariffs than initially proposed "I'm not a fan of tariff policies I don't think they really work," he said as I think the stock market is telling you at the moment that actually there will be a more sensible landing place for the tariffs that he's wanting to impose." Sir John said he "wasn't entirely surprised" at Trump's call to go ahead with the policy "They're just a negotiating point I think he simply put on widespread and high rates of tariffs on every country to give himself a leverage point and a negotiating point "What I think he actually grossly underestimated was the stock market reaction You can actually make the case that his own strategy hasn't worked The reason the markets have recovered is because he's taken those tariffs off the most part 'I'm going to negotiate case by case'." Sir John suggested Trump's economic policies could still generally be positive for the US but the tariffs could be trickier for the global economy Asked whether he stood by his October comments that Trump would be good for the economy he said: "Do I think he's going to reduce regulatory burden in the United States It depends on where things shake down in terms of tariffs." Sir John acknowledged that for certain industries Trump's policies could be "a really negative thing" particularly if the president's proposed 100% tariff on the film industry were to be implemented "I can't see how it would be cost-competitive to make a movie in New Zealand with a 100% tariff on it," he said noting that films such as The Hobbit would not have been made in New Zealand without government subsidies who now served as a director of US tech company Palo Alto Networks said he had "always been opposed" to Trump's tariff policies but believes they won't be the "dominant part of his economic solutions" "I don't think it's perfect from New Zealand's point of view but I don't think we should panic either and America will still be a very big market for us to sell things to," he said "There are growing markets around the world It's not a great thing from New Zealand's point of view We've got a very sound economy with lots of options in front of us." Sir John suggested a belief that the Republican Trump was was better "on balance" for the US economy than Democratic opponent Kamala Harris he expressed concerns about Trump's tariff approach: "China doesn't pay those tariffs middle-income consumers or consumers in America do because when a tariff goes on a good that you bring into a country He added: "I don't agree with the massive tariffs and I don't think you'll follow through with all of that and I certainly don't agree with this view on trade." 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 Cardinal John Dew is about to go into conclave to vote for a new pope is among the 133 cardinals gathered in the Vatican to elect a successor to Pope Francis Dew and his fellow Cardinals will be locked away from the world as they participate in daily votes in the Sistine Chapel until white smoke billows from the rooftop signalling a new pope is selected Read more about how the conclave works here He follows in the footsteps of Cardinal Reginald Delargey and Cardinal Thomas Williams - Kiwis who had previously entered conclave in 1978 and 2005 Dew said cardinals had been meeting daily to share their perspectives on the needs of the church and what qualities a new pope would need to possess to address said needs “Listening to what everyone is saying and the kind of person they're looking for to hear the passion that people have for spreading the work of the Gospel,” Dew said “I think one of the things that a new pope will need to do is to continue to try and give hope to the world “But as well as being the leader of the Church he needs to be a world leader who's prepared to speak out and in this world of disinformation and misinformation and sometimes lies Dew said other cardinals who had previously participated in conclavce described the centuries-old tradition as "divinely inspired" “A couple of the cardinals actually said you can go into the conclave and even have some ideas but it's only after a vote or two that things start to clarify,” he recalled but it became very clear that he was the one They described that as the work of Holy Spirit “And the fact that you're in a place where you have no contact with anybody else – no cell phones no iPads – the whole thing becomes a bit like a retreat and a real time of prayer.” Dew said finding a successor among a sea of so many contenders also had him feeling some "apprehension" the fact that this only happens once every few years and it has incredible consequences for the Church and for the world 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 Scam alerts: we’ve seen an increase in scam texts and emails claiming to be from us, asking for payments.Check our example scams or report a scam to us NZTA App: our mobile app provides a simple and secure way to access your driver licence and vehicle information.Learn more and download the NZTA app NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Waikato System Manager says these sections of state highway need attention and full closures allow work to be carried out safely and efficiently between Monday 18 November and Friday 6 December including road rebuilds and re-surfacing of the road which will be undertaken in 3 stages and require SH27 and SH24 to be closed at various times “We want to upgrade this road as quickly as we can and using full closures allows us to do this We appreciate this will cause some disruption but it will result in a better roading network for everyone to enjoy.”  The first 2 stages of work are north and south of the SH27/Peria Road/Broadway roundabout The detour is via Waharoa Road East or Burwood Road Stage1 is north of the roundabout and runs from Monday 18 November until Friday 22 November and will see SH27 between the Peria Road roundabout and Ratcliffe Street closed completely 24 hours a day for a road rebuild and resurfacing works road rebuild and resurfacing works continue on the southern side of the roundabout from Sunday 24 November until Friday 6 December The work will be completed at night between 8pm and 5am and the road closed between SH27 Peria Road roundabout and Elizabeth Street There will be no night closures on the weekends for work in stage 2 While this work is underway the detour is via Burwood Road The third piece of work will see daytime closures on SH27 taking place Monday 18 November and Tuesday 19 November The road will be closed from 7am until 6pm on both days however it will reopen under a reduced speed limit overnight There will be a detour route available via Hinuera Road View larger/downloadable map [PDF, 131 KB] “The state highway network plays a critical role in New Zealanders lives and we want to make sure it is up to the standard people expect.  “We’d like to thank people for their patience while this important maintenance work is carried out,” says Mr Oakley.  “The works are weather dependent and if you’re travelling through the area make sure to plan ahead and check Journey Planner.”  Journey Planner(external link) Increased maintenance and resilience are a priority for the government and this work forms part of the government’s $2.07 billion investment into road and drainage renewal and maintenance across 2024-27 via the State Highway Pothole Prevention fund.  NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi works to create transport solutions for all New Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and local roads. Photo / Supplied- Matamata's affordable homes are attracting buyers priced out of nearby towns like Cambridge and Hamilton - Entry-level homes range from $500,000 to $600,000 - The town offers good amenities and a strong community spirit appealing to first-home buyers and investors First-home buyers are turning their attention to a rural town close to Sir Peter Jackson's Hobbiton attraction Agents told OneRoof that homes in Matamata were attracting a lot of interest from Kiwis worried about rising prices in Waikato's main centres They pointed to the scramble for "affordable" properties at last month's auction event in the town The exterior of the George St home had been renovated Property Brokers Waikato regional manager Chris Moore said entry-level two-bedroom homes in Matamata sold for between $500,000 and $600,000 and were proving a hit with people who had been priced out of the likes of Hamilton and Cambridge “That price point is getting harder and harder to find in some of the other areas of the Waikato Matamata is proving to be quite popular as a starting point.” Moore said buyers with slightly bigger budgets - between $650,000 and $850,000 - could pick up a nice tidy three-bedroom home in the town “You are getting a lot more property for that money in Matamata “It’s just one of those provincial towns that seems big enough to offer all the conveniences but is still accessible to most [buyers].” At Property Brokers' auction last month a three-bedroom home on George Street sold for $565,000 a four-bedroom home on Bruwood Road sold for $775,000 and a three-bedroom home on a 4600sqm plot on Te Poi South Road fetched $760,000 Moore said buyers were a mix of locals and out-of-towners First-home buyers were out in force but investors were starting to return to the market which made sense given there was a shortage of rental properties in the town “It’s one of those towns where you can still get a reasonable return on investment." - Grand mansion linked to infamous Harvey Crewe cold case for sale - Aucklanders selling NZ’s remotest hotel - it’s the ‘closest thing to the Wild West’ - Luxury lodge loved by Sir Peter Jackson and Lord of the Rings fans looking for $5m-plus Harveys agent Jodi Hilliar agreed that first-home buyers were driving much of the market She believed there was some good buying to be had in the town and she had noticed the prices of brand new homes and older 1960s properties dropping slightly Brand new homes had dipped in price this year because there was an oversupply and this had been to the detriment of the 1960s homes Hilliar said the price of brand-new three and four-bedroom homes with two-bathrooms in new subdivisions ranged from $790,000 to the $900,000s "What last year was $1m and over is now selling for $995,000-$999,000," she said Entry-level homes such as this three-bedroom one-bathroom home at 7 Puriri Place can be picked up for somewhere in the $600,000s "With all the newer houses [on the market] it’s hard to get a good price for the 1960s houses which have been our bread and butter for years." Some owners of these older homes were now having to drop their prices by about $50,000 to compete One 1960s home that was listed last year with a price indication of early to mid-$600,000s had just been re-listed at $595,000 Hilliar said well-presented homes were still selling well "Basically if it doesn’t sell in six weeks Matamata Real Estate owner Joanne Morgan said Matamata was attracting out-of-towners because it was still viewed as very affordable “Some are downsizing from Cambridge or Tauranga and finding they can get something very reasonable coming to Matamata Even your Auckland buyer can come down [to Matamata] and buy something very She was also selling a large three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on a large 1887sqm section spread over two titles at 27 Ngaio Street with an asking price of $1.4m The original farmers had developed some of the land and kept one of the sections to build a home for them on it as well as hanging onto the neighbouring section https://www.oneroof.co.nz/property/waikato/matamata/27-ngaio-street/3aIWg Morgan said this was the last property in the subdivision still owned by the original family She said the new buyer had a lot of options as it could suit retiring farmers who still wanted some land or someone who wanted room for the kids to play and a pool someone could buy the house on the 1070sqm section and immediately on-sell the 817sqm section Morgan raved about the town: “Everybody rallies around for people in Matamata We’ve got a lot of farming and horse stud people and Matamata just seems to be a really good hub for a lot of people.” - Click here to find more properties for sale in Matamata A rise in dirt bikes being ridden dangerously in Waikato centres including an incident where a rider was seriously injured Police said this week they were noticing a rise in incidents involving people riding dirt bikes in an unsafe and dangerous manner around Hamilton and Matamata Police were called to a crash on Hukanui Rd in Hamilton on Tuesday where a dirt bike rider was seriously injured after coming off his bike around 2.15pm Senior Sergeant Scott McKenzie said riding motorcycles or dirt bikes in dangerous and anti-social ways was unacceptable “It puts not only the rider but other members of our community at risk “Police will be making further inquires into these types of behaviours and will take enforcement action where necessary We are asking the public to help us by reporting any unsafe or dangerous behaviour,” McKenzie said Hamilton mayor Paula Southgate said the unruly dirt bikes on local streets and parks were a “tricky issue” to solve “There are some places where we can put chains and bollards up It doesn’t prevent them from going there entirely “But it’s not possible to do that everywhere wheelchairs and walkers to be able to access those spaces.” She said she felt for people and encouraged those observing unruly behaviour to report it to police “instantly” Meanwhile, three stolen dirt bikes allegedly ridden dangerously around Matamata have been recovered by police following the execution of warrant in the township The stolen dirt bikes were ridden on footpaths pulling wheelies on the roads and failing to stop for police when signalled to do so and were recovered from a Matamata property last Friday “We will not tolerate this type of dangerous riding behaviour that puts members of the public and the riders themselves at risk of serious harm on our roads and in our townships we will act and investigate to hold these offenders to account.” Matamata-Piako mayor Adrienne Wilcock said she had been in regular contact with Police about this issue “It’s frustrating – people in our community are trusting and unfortunately that can make it easier for these sorts of things to happen and write down things like the serial number – that kind of detail really helps Police if it’s stolen it’s still valuable information that helps build a picture for Police so anything that helps prevent this kind of behaviour – whether it’s securing your belongings or reporting concerns – makes a difference.” Police also encouraged people to report anti-social motorcycle riding of illegal motorcycles often without wearing helmets or other safety equipment “We would also like to remind people that it is illegal to ride a dirt bike on the road unless it is roadworthy with a current warrant and registration,” Police said in a statement “If you witness any riding behaviour that could put anybody at risk please call 111 if it is happening now or 105 if it is after the fact “Gain as much information as you are safely able to A Matamata College student has died after being hit by a train this afternoon in Matamata The accident occurred close to the college at about 3.15pm two helicopters and a rapid response vehicle attended An email from Matamata Intermediate's principal to a parent said the person hit by a train was a college student Police confirmed the girl died from her injuries the young female died at the scene," police said "Police extend our condolences to her family "Police will be continuing to make inquiries on behalf of the Coroner." KiwiRail's executive general manager of operations Paul Ashton said a northbound freight train had been involved in the collision "The collision did not happen at a level crossing," Ashton said "KiwiRail's thoughts are with the victims family and friends." and KiwiRail thanked first responders and all who helped at the scene of the incident Police have urged anyone who saw the accident at the intersection of College Street and Firth Streets to get in touch Locals were asked to avoid the area if possible while emergency services worked at the scene A rail maintenance vehicle was derailed last week after being struck by a car at a level crossing a few hundred metres further up Firth Street A rail maintenance vehicle was struck by a car and derailed on Wednesday morning at a level crossing in Matamata Sahil Prasad died in a crash when his car was driven into by drunk driver Jack Halliday (inset) A WorkSafe “assessment” into a contracting company’s policies around its staff’s alcohol use when driving company vehicles has found “some inconsistencies” The inquiry was made into Matamata’s J Swap Contracting after its employee killed a man while driving a work ute when drunk Worker Jack Halliday had a few after-work drinks at the company’s premises on July 21 before heading to the pub with his colleagues Halliday notched up a few more drinks before making the fatal decision to drive home to Hamilton he crashed head-on into a vehicle being driven by Sahil Prasad was travelling to his home in Eureka but was struck by Halliday’s vehicle after it crossed the centre line Halliday was jailed for 22-and-a-half months when sentenced on a charge of driving with an excess blood alcohol level of 144mg Coroner Ian Telford held an inquiry into Prasad’s death given the stark similarities to two other fatal crashes just two months later Ronnie Kohi Hoera Takao and Brock Moffat died in September 2023 in unrelated crashes Takao’s blood alcohol level was more than five times the legal driving limit Both were speeding and affected by cannabis Takao also had methamphetamine in his system Coroner Telford said “the only blessing was that other people were not hurt or killed” the coroner said his death “illustrates that point with tragic clarity and shows the extensive and devastating consequences that can flow from making such high-risk choices” He reiterated NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi’s (NZTA) message about drink-driving: “Do not do it under any circumstances and do everything you can to stop anyone else.” Slightly more detail has been uncovered in the coroner’s findings into Prasad’s death including that witnesses reported seeing Halliday on his phone in the moments before the crash Halliday had five drinks with his J Swap Contracting colleagues in their Matamata workshop CCTV footage showed the 26-year-old leaving his work ute at 8.15pm and heading to a pub in Matamata he met several workmates whom he had dinner with and drank “several” more handles and “at least” two whiskeys was concerned Halliday was over the limit and suggested he stay at his place or another associate’s But Halliday declined and left the bar at 10.45pm He drove back to Hamilton and took the quieter roads on his travel Prasad was travelling from Hamilton to his home The tracking system in Halliday’s vehicle sent his employer an alert that he was speeding at 101km/h Halliday approached Newstead on State Highway 26 Prasad was in a line of traffic when the vehicle in front of him took evasive action as Halliday’s vehicle drifted across the centre line and into Prasad’s car He suffered several brain and head injuries and died at the scene Halliday – who had been sentenced for drink-driving seven months earlier – admitted to drinking but said he believed he was under the limit he said he remembered “looking down and then looking up and then hitting the headlights” in front of him The coroner’s findings state Halliday couldn’t recall why he looked down “This evidence conflicts with other witness statements who reported that Mr Halliday had said that he was using his phone when he crossed the centre line,” the coroner stated Halliday also indicated he hadn’t been sleeping well before the crash A serious crash investigation found that alcohol was a contributing factor while fatigue and distraction were also “elements” WorkSafe carried out an “assessment” – not an investigation – to identify J Swap’s level of compliance under the Health and Safety at Work Act and discovered “some inconsistencies” WorkSafe found after-work social events were “normal practice” the company’s policies didn’t detail any controls to ensure workers stayed within the legal driving alcohol limit including reviewing its policies and procedures and whether alcohol should be allowed in the workplace at all The company was contacted by NZME for comment this afternoon to confirm whether any or all of the recommendations had been completed told NZME today that despite Halliday being ordered to pay $4500 reparation The family was declined ACC and Sahil’s vehicle was not insured meaning they’ve been left not only broke but heartbroken was still just as devastated about her son’s death almost two years on “She can’t accept anything about what happened “It’s like it still freshly happened to us.” Rajesh Prasad laid some blame about what happened at the feet of J Swap for allowing its employees to drink and then drive from its premises He said he had previously asked the company for compensation but had been turned down NZME has also approached J Swap about this Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato She has worked at NZME for 10 years and has been a journalist for 21 The only high-reach ladder truck in Auckland broke down last night A Matamata woman who says she has pulled five toddlers riding tricycles off unfenced tracks says the tragic death of a young student hit by a train near the local college was “inevitable” Around 100 Matamata College students and faculty along with friends and family of Year 9 student Sarie Morton gathered this morning near the spot where she died after school yesterday. said she had pulled five toddlers on tricycles off the tracks along the same stretch of railway line and had pleaded with the council to fence the tracks or get better signage She said the incident happened in November 2023 and she had been advocating for change since “I just thought someone’s going to get killed .. She claimed she called the council and sent multiple emails but nothing was ever done “[The trains] just speed through there so fast .. She said she wants the tracks to either be fenced off or for better signage and a new crossing to be installed for students She worked nearby and routinely saw students and other young people walking across the tracks Although there are bells warning students of incoming trains she said there were many trees around preventing conductors from seeing people Headphones also sometimes prevent students from heading the warnings Matamata-Piako Mayor Adrienne Wilcock told the Herald there had been requests from the public for a fence to be installed on the roadside of the tracks but it was out of the council’s jurisdiction She said she would be waiting for the investigation to be completed by police and WorkSafe before putting forward any recommendations to prevent further tragedies Wilcock sent her condolences to the school and the girl’s family who had been in the community for generations students faculty and police officers gathered near the train tracks outside Matamata College this morning to pay tribute to the girl Sunflowers and other colourful bouquets had been laid along with notes wishing the student a peaceful journey back to her ancestors The incident occurred about 3.15pm yesterday at the intersection of College St and Firth St Police said despite receiving medical attention A reporter at the scene said a freight train was stopped on the tracks at the Farmers Rd railway crossing with the barrier arms down and lights flashing KiwiRail said yesterday’s collision was a tragedy and its thoughts are with the victim’s family “We are looking into the circumstances of this incident and will be working with all stakeholders It would be premature to comment in detail at this stage,” KiwiRail executive general manager operations Paul Ashton told the Herald “The rail corridor is an unforgiving environment where the consequences of an accident can be devastating KiwiRail urges the public to cross the tracks only at dedicated pedestrian and level crossings.” Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news The school lunch fiasco has been headline news for months Whatever you think about the lunches themselves there's another contentious point in the scheme.. That means there are some children - the less well off attending schools in higher income area - that fall through the cracks Jackie Diprose noticed that in her home town of Matamata See terms of use for easy access to all your favourite programmes students faculty and police officers gathered near the train tracks outside Matamata College to pay tribute to the student Sunflowers and other colourful bouquets have been laid along with notes wishing the student a peaceful journey back to her ancestors Matamata-Piako Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said the Matamata College student was from a well-known family and her community is mourning the “tragedy” Police and WorkSafe are looking into the incident Wilcock said she would be assisting relevant authorities to see if anything could have been done to prevent the tragedy That included looking at recommendations to see if a fence is required along the roadside of the tracks across from the school She said she had sent her condolences to the school and the girl’s family She said people were feeling “very raw” and the shockwaves of the young girl’s death were being felt across the tight-knit community She said “critical information” would come from the coroner’s report and they would make changes based on those recommendations “It’ll be a question of what can be done to avoid more tragedies like this in the future.” Wilcock urged her community to “lean on each other” for support while investigations take place police said despite receiving medical attention Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident on Firth St one rapid response vehicle and an operations manager No one knew he'd fallen after a guard rail gave way while he was loading containers Residents in the Matamata area are in shock after a college student was hit and killed by a freight train Matamata Mayor Adrienne Wilcock told Morning Report it was a tough time for the community following the death on Wednesday afternoon "It's always sad when these tragedies happen and you feel it quite emotionally - you know Wilcock said she was not aware of any safety concerns prior to the student being hit "I do understand there will be investigations and enquires take in place and I think council will very keen to work with the related authorities to see if these tragedies can be avoided in the future." She said she hadn't been updated with any more details but believed it could be a possibility that the student had just finished school Wilcock said train tracks were part of everyday life in Matamata and the school was providing support to students and families "I would say Matamata college will be actively working in that space i'm sure they have procedures to cope with these sorts of instances when a student is sadly lost.. they will definitely be wrapping their support around the community." Wilcock's advice to the community was to reach out and talk to one another "Its going to take a little bit of time to obviously work through - some will be more affected than others stick together and support one another," she said Police are asking anyone who saw the accident to get in touch A young female has died after being hit by a train in the Waikato town of Matamata this afternoon The incident occurred around 3.15pm at the intersection of College St and Firth St The Herald understands it involved a student from Matamata College The school had cancelled events it had planned for this evening “Police extend our condolences to her family The intersection has since reopened after it was blocked while emergency services assessed the scene Police said it would be continuing to make inquiries on behalf of the Coroner we would ask anyone who saw what happened this afternoon to please get in touch with police if you have not already done so.” WorkSafe has also been advised of the incident local school Firth Primary took to social media this evening saying a number of its students may have witnessed the incident and could possibly know the student “We are working to have support in place for family Please reach out if your child needs support,” the post read It said the school’s thoughts were with the family of the Matamata College student Motorists and residents in the area were earlier asked to avoid the intersection while emergency services worked at the scene one rapid response vehicle and an operations manager attended They referred all other inquiries to police A reporter at the scene said a freight train is stopped on the tracks while barrier arms are down and lights flashing at the Farmers Rd railway crossing KiwiRail’s executive general manager of operations said a northbound freight train was involved in a collision with a person on the Kinleith Branch Line in Matamata at about 3.15pm The collision did not happen at a level crossing “Police are on the scene and any further information should come from them,” said Ashton A Matamata College student who died after being struck by a freight train has been named as Sarie Morton The Year 9 student died on Wednesday afternoon when she suffered critical injuries during the incident on Firth St outside the college Morton's mother Katrina Bagley confirmed her daughter's death on Facebook this morning saying words cannot describe her sadness at having to announce the news "Friends and family and for all of you who know Sarie it's with sadness that words cannot describe that we're letting you know that Sarie was taken from us suddenly in an incident yesterday after school," she wrote I am overwhelmed by the love and support by everyone and offers of help Matamata College principal Dr Angela Sharples also released a statement confirming the tragedy describing Morton as "one of our beloved students" "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Sarie's family and friends during this incredibly difficult time." with a blessing at the site held this morning Professional support is being offered for anyone who needs Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated by Sarie's family "Further details will be provided by the family and communicated with you we are focused on wrapping our love and care around the family." Morton's death is being investigated by police A WorkSafe spokesperson said it was not yet investigating and only making initial inquiries KiwiRail executive general manager of operations Paul Ashton said they were looking into the circumstances of the incident and it would be premature to comment in detail at this stage "Yesterday's collision between a freight train and a pedestrian in Matamata was a tragedy and KiwiRail's thoughts are with the victim's family Ashton thanked first responders and others who provided assistance at the scene "The rail corridor is an unforgiving environment where the consequences of an accident can be devastating KiwiRail urges the public to cross the tracks only at dedicated pedestrian and level crossings." The train line runs parallel to Matamata College In 2012 another Matamata College student died after being hit by a train outside the school had been walking with two friends near the tracks about 3pm when he was hit after stepping out of a tree line and into the path of the train The train line runs through the township of 10,000 with houses on both sides and next to a state highway Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said she would wait until investigations were complete before the council could consider whether safety improvements were needed RNZ asked NZTA whether there were renewed concerns over safety and whether the section of railway line outside the school between College and Tainui streets should be fenced off or an overhead bridge installed for students In a statement NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) rail safety regulation national manager Gini Welch said NZTA was notified of yesterday's fatal collision and its thoughts were with everyone affected by the tragic event police will also investigate on behalf of the Coroner and the Transport Accident Investigation Committee (TAIC) has been notified," she said "NZTA is also making preliminary enquiries in our capacity as rail safety regulator." There was a level crossing that pedestrians could use at the intersection with Tainui St Police advised Matamata motorists to avoid the intersection of Firth St and Tainui St after a collision at the railway crossing A car and a rail maintenance vehicle collided at a crossing in Matamata this morning A KiwiRail spokesperson said the maintenance vehicle was struck by a car at the level crossing at Tainui St but the maintenance vehicle has derailed as a result of the impact,” KiwiRail said “The line is closed pending clearance from KiwiRail and the police The level crossing does have lights and barrier arms and an investigation is under way.” In a statement, police said the crash happened at the intersection of Firth St and Tainui St just before 8.50am Traffic control was in place at the site but police advised drivers to avoid the intersection Fire and Emergency NZ was alerted to the incident at 8.48am They found the car damaged but no one trapped One ambulance was sent to the scene but was not required and the road has since been cleared Maryana Garcia is a Hamilton-based reporter covering breaking news in Waikato She previously wrote for the Rotorua Daily Post and Bay of Plenty Times The man was seen falling into the river near Wairere Falls Emergency services are searching for a man who fell into a fast-moving Waikato river this morning Police say a rescue operation is underway to find the missing man who was seen falling into the river near Wairere Falls The person who saw the man fall tried to help but could not reach him in time A Swift Water Rescue Team is on its way to the scene alongside a helicopter The rescue attempt comes as the country deals with storms and flooding caused by the remains of ex-Cyclone Tam sweeping through rnz.co.nz Severe weather to lash both islands 'unusually strong' winds for Wgtn A low pressure system deepening and moving across the country today and tomorrow has sparked a huge amount of weather warnings and watches Pair charged with arson after blaze at Hamilton workshop Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze and crews from as far as Te Awamutu responded when the building went up in flames on March 10 Crime and Justice Cathedral Cove makes World's Best 50 Beaches list Megan Nunn from Destination Hauraki Coromandel said she was "incredibly proud" to see Cathedral Cove named for the second year running Further severe weather is forecast to impact both islands tomorrow unusually strong winds for the capital and more disruption to transport A low-pressure system is deepening and moving across the country over the next 48 hours sparking a large number of weather warnings MetService has issued orange heavy rain warnings for Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki Canterbury between Amberley and Timaru including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula An orange strong wind warning is in place from tomorrow for both sides of Cook Strait coastal areas of Wairarapa and coastal Marlborough south of Blenheim Gusts of up to 130km/h could hit the capital and further disruption was expected to Cook Strait ferry services NZTA has warned motorists of possible lane closures on the Auckland Harbour Bridge tomorrow SH1 would be blocked in Northland at the Mangamuka Gorge overnight into Thursday morning Damaging wind is a real concern for parts of the lower North Island, including Wellington, later today & Thursday.Gusts may reach 120+ km/h.Likely impacts include:🌬️ Damage to trees🌬️ Risk of power cuts🌬️ Difficult travelStay on top of weather warnings from @MetService. pic.twitter.com/E4OPApFHoQ Orange heavy snow warnings were in force overnight for the Canterbury High Country with 12 to 20cm of snow expected to fall above 800 metres including heavy rain watches for the eastern Bay of Plenty Strong wind watches were also forecast for Auckland MetService's Heather Keats said the storm was "very widespread" "It's covering almost the entire country," she said "Most of us will get at least a little taste of this system." There was a "large amount of impactful rain" forecast for the east coast of the South Island including a high chance of a red warning for Canterbury north and about Amberley which was "not to be ignored" but she said it was at "unusual levels even for them" with southerly gusts approaching 130km/h alongside high sustained wind speeds possible "When the wind is combined with the swell there will be elevated impacts from this weather coastal inundation and erosion just to name a couple," Keats said It’s about to get properly windy for parts of the country over the next day and a half💨In the capital, this looks like more than just a typical Windy Welly day - unusually strong southerlies could bring gusts of 130 km/h, making trees and structures more vulnerable to damage pic.twitter.com/KotAHrhoFa She said it had been a "really wet and warm April" "We did have a relatively quiet start to 2025 so it does feel like all the rough weather is now pushing over us but we are well into autumn now and we can expect the weather to become unstable at times." Forecast swells of up to seven metres have forced a large number of cancellations on both the Interislander and Bluebridge over the coming days SH1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has been closed since yesterday due to a slip NZTA said the road would remain closed overnight "Contractors will be on-site with specialist machinery tomorrow morning to remove loose material above the slip site in a safe and controlled manner," a spokesperson said the agency said contractors were monitoring the movement of the hillside following recent heavy rain and another slip was expected "The geology and varying terrain through the Mangamuka Gorge mean it will always be susceptible to some movement during severe weather like what we’ve seen over the past two to three weeks." NZTA has warned drivers to prepare for the possibility of short-notice lane closures or reduced speeds on the Auckland Harbour Bridge "Wind gusts of 75-89 km/h are forecast for the bridge between 4am and 9am tomorrow potentially triggering a red alert," a spokesperson said "Wind gusts of 75-85km/h are forecast for between midday and 7pm The bridge will remain in a four-by-four configuration during peak traffic tomorrow speed limits may be reduced and some lanes on the bridge may close we close all lanes because it’s unsafe for any vehicle to be on the bridge and the bridge structure is vulnerable to vehicle impacts." Drivers of high-sided vehicles and motorcyclists were urged to travel around the harbour using the Western Ring Route via State Highway 18 Bay of Plenty east of Ōpōtiki – 29 hours from 10am Wednesday to 3pm Thursday Canterbury about and north of Amberley – 35 hours from 10am Wednesday to 9pm Thursday including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula – 32 hours from 10am Wednesday to 6pm Thursday Kaikōura coast and ranges – 44 hours from 10am Wednesday to 6am Friday Wellington – 21 hours from 3am Thursday to midnight Coastal areas of Wairarapa – 15 hours from 9am Thursday to midnight including the Kaikōura Coast – 21 hours from 1am Thursday to 10pm Canterbury High Country south of the Rangitata River – 12 hours from 9pm Wednesday to 9am Thursday Bay of Plenty about and west of Ōpōtiki – 11 hours from 10am to 9pm Wednesday Wairarapa – 8 hours from 1pm to 9pm Wednesday Wellington – 45 hours from 6pm Wednesday to 3pm Friday and Waikato north of Hamilton – 5 hours from 7am Thursday to noon and Hawke's Bay south of Hastings – 12 hours from 1pm Thursday to 1am Friday Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast – 13 hours from 9am Thursday to 10pm Marlborough Sounds – 18 hours from 6pm Wednesday to noon Thursday also the Nelson Lakes – 27 hours from noon Wednesday to 3pm Thursday Two people have been arrested and charged with arson after a fire gutted a Hamilton mechanic's workshop last month Emergency services were called to the building on Ellis St Dozens of firefighters battled the blaze and crews from as far as Te Awamutu responded Detective Sergeant Matt Lee today said police have arrested a 46-year-old man and a 39-year-old woman "We would like to acknowledge and thank the members of the public who provided information that assisted in our investigation." The pair were due to appear in the Hamilton District Court on May 6 Heidi Shoston told 1News at the time she was sitting in her office "We all went running out to the carpark and saw the roof was on fire A group of workers gathered to watch the fire from across the road and Shoston said they could feel the heat from the flames there would be these loud bangs coming from the building we reckon they were oil drums heating up and going off intermittently." Firefighters got the blaze under control "really quickly" "They had the majority of it out within half an hour." A KiwiRail spokesperson said the rail line was currently closed and an investigation into how the crash occurred was underway The level crossing has lights and barrier arms Police said traffic control was in place for motorists at the intersection of Firth and Tainui Streets A St John ambulance responded to the crash but no assistance was required It is understood one person suffered minor injuries Group One targets are in the offing for Tajana after she broke through for her maiden win in the AKW Farrier LTD 2YO (1200m) at Matamata on Wednesday. All eyes were on sale-topping juvenile Hostility ahead of the race, with the $1.65 million Karaka purchase jumping a short-priced $1.30 favourite, but it was The Oaks Stud-bred and raced Tajana who came out on top. The daughter of Darci Brahma jumped well from her ace draw before settling three back on the rail where she enjoyed and economical trip before improving to sit in the trail from the 400m. She peeled off leader Heloisa’s back at the top of the straight and entered a duel with Hostility down the straight, with her raceday experience telling against the debutant in the concluding stages to win by a head. Cambridge horseman Shaune Ritchie, who trains the filly in partnership with Colm Murray, was pleased with the victory, but believes she is a filly that will improve with time. “It was a beautiful ride from Sam (Spratt, jockey),” Ritchie said. “It is pretty hard to beat Te Akau colours at Matamata, and he (Hostility) is a magnificent colt, but she had that bit of experience and that counts for a lot.” It was Tajana's third raceday appearance, having finished runner-up behind subsequent Group One winner Return To Conquer in the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) at Ellerslie last month, and now an elite-level target awaits her later this month in the form of the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Trentham. “The way she is going it (Sires’ Produce) is very tempting,” Ritchie said. “She has got a nom for it and if she does go to that, that will be it from there (this season). “Even if she can run a place in a Group One that would be fantastic. She has got that Group placing at Ellerslie, so a little bit more would be nice.” While a Sires’ Produce tilt is likely, Ritchie believes she will be a more natural three-year-old and has eyed the Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton in November as her primary objective. “I really see her as a 1000 Guineas filly next season,” he said. “She has got a magnificent nature, she is a real sweetheart to deal with and I think there is a lot more ahead of her than a maiden here.” Spratt shares Ritchie’s sentiments and believes Tajana will be an ominous force in the spring. “She is going to be a beautiful filly next season, she is probably doing it on natural ability at the moment, she still has a bit to learn,” she said. “I wouldn’t say she is a natural two-year-old running type, she managed to hold her ground just and stuck on nicely. “The Sires’ might come up a little quick, but while you are going you have got to go for it. I think she is definitely one to follow next season that’s for sure.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk A young person has died after being hit by a train in the Waikato town of Matamata. Video / Maryana Garcia MetService National Weather Update: May 7 - May 9. Video / MetService Police said emergency services were called to a Mahia Rd property just before 10am after a report of a person seriously injured. Christchurch, Mairehau house fire: Firefighters battle two-storey house blaze 10 patients were assessed and treated by our crews in total. Video | George Heard Auckland commuters face a chaotic morning after two highways leading into the central city have been majorly disrupted by crashes. Video \ NZME NZ film industry faces uncertainty over US tariff, ongoing decline in livestock numbers and questions over longer sentences reducing reoffending. The moa might be extinct, but they’ve left an imprint! Reporter Sierra is at Magnificent Moa Day where experts are revealing their incredible 3.6 million year-old find. Emergency services are attending the fire at a McDonald's on Pakuranga Rd. Video / Supplied, Te Rina Triponel A video of a dog abuse incident is circulating on social media, showing a dog swinging in the air and slamming into the ground on a walk in Manurewa. Video / Supplied A memorial tree has been planted at the entrance of St John’s bush in honour of slain American entomology student Kyle Whorrall. Video \ Jason Dorday Victim of abuse is wanting a judicial review Goodman Group is upgrading Highbrook Crossing to add retail, dining and public space to New Zealand’s largest business park in East Tāmaki. Video \ Jason Dorday Reporter Angelina is in Auckland, where hip hop crews from all over the world are battling to see who’s the best. Aotearoa group En-Locked is in the house, let’s see how they do! $2b for NZ Defence helicopters, Trump’s influence on global elections, and Parliament tackles alcohol and mental health. The Coleman family has been melting down precious metals for more than 40 years. This is the first time they've shared inside their multi-million dollar gold and silver operation. The Prime Minister joins Mike Hosking in the Newstalk ZB studio to talk all the big politicial issues. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon was joined by Deputy PM Winston Peters and Minister of defence Judith Collins to make a pre-budget defence announcement. Video / Alex Burton Albanese wins Australian election, Kiwis worry about wild weather, and 3D-printed limbs help child amputees in Gaza. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is expected to be joined by Defence Minister Judith Collins and deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters make a pre-Budget defence announcement. Neighbours heard explosions as a fire ripped through a Mt Roskill house. Video / supplied Mum pays tribute after Auckland bus stop killing, Australians vote early and insurance companies brace for claims. Megyn Cordner and Lucas Prince started their business from the back of a van in 2022. Video / Brodie Stone Andrew Che lost his life savings after sending it to the wrong account. Barclays Bank has refunded his money after a prolonged battle for compensation. Video \ Jason Dorday Aerial footage reveals the scale of flooding across areas of Canterbury after a destructive weather system hit the region and prompted a state of emergency. Sir Bob Jones, a prominent business figure, has died at his Wellington home aged 85. North Shore real estate agency chief responds to a Real Estate Disciplinary Tribunal decision. Video \ Supplied Mark Mitchell provides an update on the state of emergency in Christchurch and Selwyn A possible mini tornado was spotted about Auckland Harbour as the latest band of wild weather hits the city. Fire and Emergency NZ said it responded to more than 30 callouts overnight, mainly in the Wellington area. The worst of the weather is over, more Kiwis turning to methamphetamine and Drs are back at the negotiating table. NZSA chief executive Oliver Mander speaks about CEO pay in 2024. Video / Dean Purcell Waiwhetu woman Julie Paterson heard 'a loud cracking', looked up, and saw a tree branch falling towards her during Wednesday's storm. Video / Julie Paterson Heather Keats updates the powerful system battering New Zealand, bringing floods, snow, extreme wind and widespread disruption. Video / NZ Herald, MetService, Vanessa Weenink MetService Head of Weather News, Heather Keats, breaks down why Wellington is under a rare red warning with extreme winds, heavy rain and dangerous high tides. Hon Mark Mitchell, Deputy Mayor Malcolm Lyall, and Local MP Hon Nicola Grigg speak to the media on the local state of emergency in Selwyn Gisborne locals and health workers marched to Heipipi Park, where speakers highlighted what they say is a regional health crisis. NZ Herald Live: Simeon Brown talks to media Grail Seeker meets a hot field in Sydney on Saturday. Photo / Peter Rubery Grail Seeker has added two Group 1 victories to her record this season and she will attempt to make it a third when she heads to Randwick on Saturday to tackle the All Aged Stakes (1400m). The lightly-raced mare has just had three runs this season, winning the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings last September before doubling up in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham in January. She didn’t handle the firm going when sixth in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa a month later and has been freshened ahead of her hit-and-run Australian mission. She travelled over to Sydney on Sunday, and trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have received positive reports ahead of her Easter weekend assignment. “She did a good, solid gallop in Matamata on Saturday, and we think her work was as good as it has ever been,” Scott said. “She went over on Sunday and Linda Burton, her regular attendant, accompanied her. She has really settled in well and it has just been quiet work on her arrival. We will just canter her through to the weekend. Linda is really pleased with her and she knows her really well.” While pleased with his mare ahead of her Australian debut, Scott is wary of the star-studded line-up and her tricky barrier of 12. “We would have liked to have got a bit better barrier to aid our chance, but hopefully she can step up on the weekend and give us a good line going forward,” he said. “She is going as well as she can go, it’s just the quality of the field is somewhat stronger than what she has faced before. “We didn’t anticipate it would be this strong a field, but it just means we are going to get a really good line on next season and where we set our targets. “Jason [Collett] is a good jockey, and he is in terrific form at the present time, and he is going to get off and give us a good lead forward too.” Grail Seeker will continue the one-and-done theme of her season and return to New Zealand in preparation for the spring after her All Aged Stakes run. “We are looking to bring her straight home after this,” Scott said. Back in New Zealand, the stable will be represented by a quartet of runners in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, including Little Bit Of Love, Mosinvador, Uderzo, and Desert Mystic. “Little Bit Of Love loves when there is a bit of moisture in the ground,” Scott said of the last-start winner. “He just needs a bit of luck and he’ll get a bit of one of these races. “Mosinvador is a promising young horse that is only getting better with age. He is going to be in these races next season, but it might just be 12 months away. “Desert Mystic got caught wide from a wide gate last time and didn’t draw much better on the weekend (16). He is another that gets around Ellerslie really well and he loves a bit of give in the ground.” On the undercard, Scott is also upbeat about the chances of Monday Melody in the Trackside.co.nz (1600m), Reptak in the Trackside.co.nz 1200, and Grande Gallo in the Join TAB Racing Club 1200. “Monday Melody is racing super consistent,” Scott said. “He has been drawing pretty wide gates and he just needs a good bit of fortune in the run to give him his best chance. “We think Reptak will sprint well fresh. He is owned by the same connections as Waitak and he trialled really well up there [Ellerslie] not so long ago. “Grande Gallo gets around Ellerslie well and is improving with racing. She is a big, burly mare that has certainly taken a bit of racing to get fit, and we think she is close to top fitness. With any kind of moisture in the ground that will only improve her chances as well.” The Karaka yearling sales are a key economic driver for the New Zealand racing industry. While Donald Trump is being widely cited as a reason/explanation for Anthony Albanese’s landslide victory on the weekend, that’s like blaming the icing for the state of a badly baked cake. In no particular order of incoherence...although allegedly being the party of low taxes, the Liberal opposition voted against Labor’s tax cuts. Liberal coalition leader Peter Dutton also offered a natural gas policy that even the industry and his major donors (e.g. Gina Rinehart) slagged off in public. The PSA has welcomed the news from the NZDF that $33 million will be allocated to staff pay increases over the next four years as the result of last year’s industrial action. As a maritime nation we are prioritising naval capability. The new helicopters will be able to go further and carry larger loads, including weapons, personnel and equipment – all of which is critical for Defence to protect New Zealand and New Zealanders. If we change the way farming is done, we can prevent the worst of the climate crisis by reducing methane pollution from intensive dairy, and we can protect drinking water, lakes and rivers here in Canterbury, which are under threat from intensive dairy pollution. At the event in Wellington, Jotika will join Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand Executive Director, Gina Lockyer, to explore the struggles and resilience of Fiji's garment workers and their collective fight for better pay and conditions. In a significant milestone for indigenous-led conservation, Hokotehi Moriori Trust has successfully carried out the first imi (Moriori tribal group) translocation of hakoakoa (muttonbird), relocating 50 juvenile birds from Mangere Island to a newly prepared site in Kaingaroa. The new standard requires public service agencies to conduct a risk assessment whenever personal information is to be shared and includes robust safeguards to protect individual privacy and directs agencies to apply best practices when granting access to personal information. is a standout example of mid-century design Photo / Supplied- A mid-century home with Japanese design elements in Matamata is listed for sale with an RV of $780,000 - Owners Diane and Bruce Romley renovated the 1970s house restoring original features and adding Japanese touches - Listing agent Joanne Morgan praised the home as a standout in Matamata A mid-century home with a Japanese flavour has been listed for sale in Matamata with an RV of $780,000 The three-bedroom property at 15 Kestrel Crescent could be mistaken for ultra-modern thanks to the design touches of owners Diane and Bruce Romley and the vision of local artist and architect Jim Cotter The house dates back to the 1970s and was commissioned by local builder Peter Galvin He wanted his home to be a cut above the hundreds of new builds that were cropping up in the farming town at the time He picked Cotter to create the look and feel of the property on the strength of his growing profile as an artist and architect in the region The vendors brought the house back to life The courtyard and gardens are a delightful highlight of the property The Romleys told OneRoof that when they moved to Matamata Cotter represented the best of mid-century design he had a really nice little retail shop called Interior Designs,” Bruce said “We used to go into his shop because he had this really funky mid-century items interiors and drapes as well as architecture And he was also quite a well-known artist,” he added By the time the Romleys bought 15 Kestrel Crescent “It was quite rundown and overgrown,” Diane said “But we saw the potential straight away and brought it back to its original loveliness.” - Most popular NZ homes of 2024: Celebrity pads and budget buys top list - Mortgage forecast: Just how low will interest rates go in 2025? - Mum transforms plaster townhouses into Airbnb money-spinners The couple carefully kept as many original features as possible “Every room you’re in has floor-to-ceiling windows and ranch sliders and you can see something different in every little courtyard area,” Diane said Scoria and other leftovers from the original landscape design suggested they may have had a Japanese theme Shoji-style doors inside give a Japanese vibe to the interior “As soon as we walked in and saw the shoji doors we decided It helped that both Bruce and Diane loved rocks and had been able to collect what they needed from friends’ farms The house boasts floor-to-ceiling windows and many Japanese design touches the couple bought a Cotter abstract painting They have been slightly surprised by the level of interest in their home from younger buyers “We’ve had quite a lot of young people through but monetary wise it’s possibly quite difficult [for them] Auckland buyers have also made the trip to view the property said 15 Kestrel Crescent was a standout house in the town She viewed the house several years ago before the Romleys bought it and thought even then that it was ahead of its time the couple’s design touches had really brought it back to life - 15 Kestrel Crescent, in Matamata, Waikato, is for sale by negotiation Manaia Te Wiata has been appointed chief executive of Matamata-Piako District Council Matamata-Piako District Council’s Manaia Te Wiata who has been its group manager of business support for the past 30 years will be taking the reins as chief executive when Don McLeod retires Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said the council went through a “thorough external recruitment process” as the CEO position was “critical” to a progressive council “We were impressed with the high calibre of candidates for the role and went through several rounds of interviews,” Wilcock said “Manaia was a clear stand out from the pool of candidates and the council was unanimous in appointing him to the role.” She highlighted his unique combination of strategic vision and local connections make him the perfect fit for the CEO position I’m confident he’ll provide excellent continuity for our staff and the community building on the strong legacy of Don McLeod who has served the council and community for 25 years.” saying the community would be in “safe hands” with his leadership “He has been a valued part of council’s executive team for 30 years and his understanding of our projects Te Wiata has lived in the district since 1985, and came from Ngāruawāhia to join the Morrinsville Borough Council information management and asset management he’s been responsible for a wide range of council activities These roles have brought him into contact with many people across the district they’ve formed strong connections in the district raising their family in Morrinsville and participating in a wide range of sports and community activities His Waikato iwi also have strong links to the district’s iwi He takes pride in the many things the council does to improve people’s lives and was particularly proud of the great team at Matamata-Piako District Council and I feel honoured to have been selected to lead the organisation by Mayor Adrienne and the council.” he acknowledged that “Don has been an amazing chief executive and I will do my best to continue the great legacy he has established.” An event at a Waikato RSA has drawn criticism after an attendee turned up in blackface A Waikato RSA is under fire after a community member turned up to a quiz night at its club rooms in blackface Images on the Matamata RSA’s Facebook page show guests dressed up for a quiz night with the theme “black and white” One photo showed a guest dressed in a black suit a large white bow tie and white gloves while also sporting a black curly wig and large white painted lips and white circles around their eyes After the RSA shared the photos on the community group Matamata Notice Board One person said: “What in the f**k is funny about this .. Matamata RSA seriously point out the humour to me please.” Acknowledge your wrong doing learn and do better move forward geez...” The Matamata RSA defended the guest’s actions “It’s called humour people...And fancy dress” I’m unsure what part is humorous about mocking enslaved Africans Please enlighten me on the punchline of this humour The RSA also posted a 290-word history of minstrel shows from medieval Europe until today but was told “You missed the bit about how extremely horribly racist this is Blackface minstrelsy was an extremely disturbing form of racial impersonation.” Matamata RSA president Dennis Greaves told the Herald there was nothing offensive about the guest’s costume “It was a fun night and we had lots of people painted in white faces Is there any disagreement with people turning up in white faces?” Greaves said he saw no need to speak to the person who was wearing black paint on their face “It is only people with nothing better to do than to pick on stuff like this which is not really warranting worrying about it,” he said “The Matamata RSA do not see it as an issue because it was a fun night and that was all that was intended There was no racial slur or anything like that “It was a black and white night and it was up to them how they come dressed.” The Herald has also sought comment from the national RSA body Blackface originated during the 19th century when actors in minstrel shows would use black grease paint to represent a caricature of a black person the representations were cartoonish and dehumanising reinforcing the idea that black people were inferior It is also inextricably linked to systematic social and political repression and deemed racially insensitive by the African American community In 2018, a Hāwera Lions club was criticised after six members dressed up in blackface on a float during the town’s Christmas Parade The club responded to the accusations saying it was not meant to be derogatory “What if these persons had been dressed up representing Māori wahine and warriors “This group of ladies work very hard for you the community and support all the diverse cultures within it Next parade let’s see you participate and join in the celebration ...” David Williams is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist who joined the Herald in 2023 He covers breaking news and general topics Sign up to The Daily H a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday A McDonald's worker has been hospitalised after getting their arm stuck in a rubbish compactor The Herald has reported the incident happened at the Matamata McDonald's branch on Firth Street The police confirmed someone at a commercial address in Matamata had got their hand/arm stuck in a rubbish compactor early on Sunday morning Hato Hone St John said it was notified of the incident at 1.36am and took one person to Waikato Hospital in a moderate condition The police said WorkSafe had been notified Matamata College has named the student who died after being struck by a train outside their school The Herald understands Morton was 13 and in her first year of secondary school Principal Angela Sharples said Morton was a “beloved student” and their heartfelt condolences go out to the family Sharples said they had a range of professional support services available today for those who needed them “Your kindness and compassion are greatly appreciated by Sarie’s family “Further details will be provided by the family and communicated with you we are focused on wrapping our love and care around the family.” Morton’s mother shared a tribute online to her daughter that said words could not describe their sadness I am overwhelmed by the love and support by everyone and offers of help.” She said more details on her daughter’s farewell would be worked out at a later date and they were still “navigating this loss” fellow students and teachers gathered at the tracks this morning to pay tribute to her Sunflowers and other colourful bouquets had been laid along with notes wishing the student a peaceful journey back to her ancestors Loud crying could be heard as the group sang and said prayers near the site where Morton was struck The incident occurred about 3.15pm yesterday at the intersection of College and Firth Sts Matamata-Piako mayor Adrienne Wilcock told the Herald there had been requests from the public for a fence to be installed on the roadside of the tracks but it was out of the council’s jurisdiction Ministry of Education hautū (deputy secretary) Te Tai Whenua (Central) Jocelyn Mikaere said the ministry was “deeply saddened” by the news and offered condolences to the young girl’s family and school “Our Traumatic Incident Team are supporting the school in responding to this tragic event and will be available for as long as needed,” Mikaere said Tim was educated at Matamata College and gained a Bachelor of Social Science from the University of Waikato. Following his formal education he worked as a dairy farmer and ran his own rural construction business before joining the commercial sector, as a rural bank manager. Alongside this, he has owned several small businesses and served as an Officer in the New Zealand Army Territorials. With a strong passion for the primary industries, Tim was proud to be named the 2012 Australasian Rural Ambassador. Then in 2013, he won the prestigious NZ Young Farmer of the Year Award. He is also a graduate of the Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. A passionate, life-long resident of the electorate he serves, Tim strongly supports improving the infrastructure across the Waikato, in particular the extension of the Waikato Expressway to Piarere and to Tauranga; as well as the further rollout of high speed internet. Further developing the infrastructure to support the region’s economic growth and future prosperity, with a strong focus on advancing the safety and social connectivity of the community. A keen outdoorsman, Tim relishes every opportunity to enjoy New Zealand’s natural environment, particularly scuba-diving, fishing, and getting off-the-beaten track exploring forests, ranges, and National Parks. Tim lives rurally in Tamahere with his wife Hilary, daughter Isobella, son Arthur, and the family’s two golden retrievers.  By clicking subscribe you agree to receive emails from Waikato and the National Party. Youth Parliament 2025   Are you interested in political issues and debate? Do you want to learn more about how Parliament works? Do you have... wins the Group 2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday Local filly La Dorada backed up from her stunning victory in the Karaka Million 2YO (1200m) last month with another gritty performance to take out her home track feature the Group 2 J Swap Contractors Ltd Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) on Saturday The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-prepared daughter of Waikato Stud resident stallion Super Seth was expected to put in a strong showing and once she found the fence and the lead after 200m she was always going to be hard to beat who had taken out the other 2-year-old feature on the card aboard stablemate Return To Conquer in the Group 3 Fairview Matamata Slipper (1200m) La Dorada cruised along nicely with her main danger To Cap It All on her outer This pair settled down to a fierce home straight battle with La Dorada pulling out something extra in the shadows of the post to win by half a length with another Te Akau Racing runner taking third ahead of stablemate Marokopa Falls Bergerson was quick to praise the filly and the ride by McNab after the race “What she lacks in size she makes up in toughness as she is just the ultimate racehorse,” Bergerson said “She has gone to the next level since her Karaka Million win as we gave her a quiet week after that and she came back and hasn’t missed a beat “She paraded fantastic and she has the little bit of grit and sassiness that gives her the edge and when the other one went up to her “He [McNab] got away with a cheap sectional down the back and that was the winning of the race “We had it mapped that we were going to be outside the leader but he used his initiative and took up the running and the filly was very game late.” Bergerson indicated La Dorada was now likely to take on Return to Conquer in the Group 1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie on March 8 where she is the second favourite at $3.20 in the TAB Fixed Odds market behind her stablemate who is at the head of affairs at a $2.20 quote McNab was thrilled with how tough his mount was at the finish “She [La Dorada] is as tough as anything and she was never going to let the other horse get past her,” he said “The second horse is a really good one and we probably fit inside her height-wise but mine is just all heart and a real little sweetheart.” Te Akau Racing boss David Ellis purchased La Dorada for $190,000 out of the Waikato Stud draft during the Book 1 sale at Karaka in 2024 after purchasing her dam as a yearling for $110,000 from the draft of Sledmere Stud at the 2016 Gold Coast Yearling Sale She adds to her extended family legacy in the Breeders’ Stakes as her dam took out the event in 2017 while another member of her family The victory took La Dorada’s career earnings past the $744,000 mark for her owners The Karaka yearling sales are a key economic driver for the New Zealand racing industry Three people died in a two-car collision after a vehicle crossed the centre line on a long left-hand bend on State Highway 29 near Matamata in 2022 A car crash that killed three people near Matamata in 2022 was caused by “driver error” The collision happened on State Highway 29 in Waikato at about 5.30pm on September 16 that year A couple, Vili Lolohea Losaki, 52, and Polokola Kaimua, 50, were driving from Hamilton towards Tauranga in a Nissan Liberty Auckland man Jay Robert Acton, 44, was driving in the other direction in a Volvo V50 from Tauranga on the way to Cambridge In findings publicly released today, a coroner found that Acton’s car crossed the centre line into the eastbound lane and the path of the Nissan with the right-hand headlight the point of impact for both A person in a vehicle following the Nissan witnessed the crash and called 111 before going to help Ambulance staff were dispatched but all three people died at the scene Acton’s car crossed the centre line as he steered into a long left-hand bend A police investigator said this could have been caused by “driver distraction and/or fatigue” Associate Coroner Dan Moore said that while these could not be discounted there was insufficient evidence to make a finding that they were the cause of the crash A blood sample showed Acton had traces of alcohol in his system which might have come from a means other than drinking Acton’s Volvo had a worn front left tyre and the Nissan had incorrect wheel nuts but neither factor was considered to have contributed to the crash Witnesses said both vehicles appeared to be travelling within the 100km/h limit and the coroner said speed was also not considered a factor “I find that the cause of the motor vehicle incident was driver error on the part of Mr Acton,” Coroner Moore said The coroner released two sets of inquest findings today – one for Acton and one for Losaki and Kaimua He said that Polokola Kaimua (also known as Polokola Losaki) was not wearing her seatbelt at the time “There have been numerous driver safety campaigns stressing the importance of correct and consistent use of seatbelts,” he said “There is good reason for this: advice on the Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency website states that wearing a seatbelt reduces your chances of being killed or injured in a road crash by about 40% “I encourage all drivers and passengers to use their seatbelts at all times.” Ric Stevens spent many years working for the former New Zealand Press Association news agency including as a political reporter at Parliament before holding senior positions at various daily newspapers He joined NZME’s Open Justice team in 2022 and is based in Hawke’s Bay Waharoa Rd East has been closed after a two-car crash Four people have been injured and a Matamata road blocked after a two-car crash one person was transported to Waikato Hospital in a serious condition A police statement said the crash happened at about 1.40pm near the intersection of Waharoa Rd East with Pohlen Rd in Matamata. “Initial indications are that there are serious injuries to two people,” the statement said A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said emergency services were at the scene “We’re currently on scene with one helicopter one first response unit and one manager,” the spokesperson said The spokesperson said four people were injured in the crash One person was transported to Waikato Hospital by helicopter in serious condition one in serious condition and one in moderate condition were taken to Waikato Hospital by road ambulance “A fourth person has been taken to Matamata Medical Centre in a moderate condition by road ambulance,” the spokesperson said Superstar mare Legarto may not have raced for nearly a year but she has done more work than ever heading into her comeback at Matamata tomorrow The former Australian Guineas winner returns in a very strong Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes on Matamata’s biggest race day of the season also featuring both the Fairview Matamata Slipper and J Swap Breeders Stakes Several leading Auckland Cup contenders will also contest the Matamata Veterinary Kaimai Stakes but any time a mare of Legarto’s class returns on her home track that’s likely to be the highlight of the meeting especially against fellow Group 1 winners Skew Wiff and Provence Legarto hasn’t raced since finishing sixth in the Australian Cup last March but was favourite for the first Group 1 of the New Zealand season While such a long break from racing would usually be a red flag for punters co-trainer Ken Kelso says Legarto has actually been busy on either the water walker or the treadmill since she developed that little problem,” says Kelso we weren’t going to risk putting her in the paddock for three months – she simply would have come back too big “So she is quite fit without having a trial may be able to sit with at least a few horses behind her so she doesn’t have to try to come from last against some very good Legarto could be set for the NZ Breeders Stakes at Ellerslie on Champions Day with not only Skew Wiff and the much-improved Provence but real depth through the field and with many of the favourites drawn wide While the Chittick Champagne Stakes has the most horses with recognisable names of any race on the card the two juvenile races are the stepping stones to even greater riches The Matamata Breeders Stakes sees Karaka Million winner La Dorada back there is enough depth in the field to suggest she will still need to race up to to her peak to emulate her dam Gold Fever Things start to get serious for the male juveniles as they use the Slipper as their next step toward the Group 1 Sistema on Champions Day one of only two Group 1s for NZ juveniles over the season Te Ākau dominate the Slipper with Return To Conquer and while Return To Conquer has looked highly talented he also looks to have more improvement as his concentration improves but it isn’t a past-the-post job considering juvenile form can change so rapidly at this stage of the season as horses grow Kelso confirms his Railway runner-up Alabama Lass is on target for Kings Plate at Ellerslie on March 8 after which she could head to Melbourne to make her Australian debut at Flemington on March 29 “There is an 1100m race down the straight there that day worth A$500,000 which could work in really well,” says Kelso Michael Guerin wrote his first nationally published racing articles while still in school and started writing about horse racing and the gambling industry for the Herald as a 20-year-old in 1990 He became the Herald’s Racing Editor in 1995 and covers the world’s biggest horse racing carnivals NZ Dairy Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson and Matamata farmer PJ Williams The NZ Dairy Expo is returning to Matamata next year and promises to be bigger and brighter than ever Organiser Amanda Hodgson says more than 100 exhibitors are already locked in for the February 11-12 up from 86 for this year’s inaugural edition With returning exhibitors were given first choice for their spot in 2025 a waiting list has been drawn up for newcomers to claim the limited remaining sites Amanda stresses that exhibitors must be dairy-related “The NZ Dairy Expo is a genuine grassroots event focused on connecting the heart of the dairy industry-farmers and industry professionals-in a relaxed setting that encourages meaningful conversations with the goal of turning these into valuable business opportunities Almost nearly 2500 dairy farmers attended the inaugural event in February from across the country including groups from Victoria and Tasmania Amanda says the expo is designed with the farming community in mind Co-owner/CEO of Te Puke-based agricultural service provider Archway Group she was also in the unique position of being an exhibitor as well as event organiser “It’s about putting yourself in front of farmers,” she says “They like the face-to-face engagement impactful discussions with the people who matter most…farmers.” Amanda says the expo provides farmers with the platform to meet “everyone they need on-farm” in a practical sense While farmers may have had just a chat on the day with exhibitors she says a number of sales were completed on-farm after the event “Farmers still want to understand who they are buying from.” Matamata farmer PJ Williams was one of those to make a significant purchase after an item caught his eye at this year’s expo serving his farm and home “is paying dividends already” PJ found out that cows “hate iron” in their drinking water with testing showing his supply contained elements including suspended iron and manganese Through the filtration system he picked up at the 2024 expo he says his cows are now consuming water which is up to human water-drinking standards “And drinking more water means more milk is produced.” PJ agrees that the 2024 expo was farmer friendly “We got to talk one-on-one with suppliers and services,” he says “It was completely farmer focused.” with more ensured for next year’s expo Because the scale of the expo is not as great as some national events he says farmers could see what they wanted to see in a couple of hours he expects dairy farmers to have a buoyant upcoming season and the expo to be a real drawcard next February “I’d like to think it will become a regular fixture here.” He understands there also considerable spin-offs for Matamata retailers after each of the two-days PJ is on the committee of United Matamata Sports Club which is paid by expo organisers for allowing the event to be held on Bedford Park This is ploughed back into junior rugby by way of new equipment including balls and training gear A portion of the expo funding will also go towards redevelopment of the changing rooms underneath the grandstand at Bedford Park PJ says this project is due for completion before the start of the next club rugby season Amanda Hodgson says it is great to “give back” to the local community which has supported the expo NZ Dairy Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson at Bedford Park She admits the first edition was predictably a learning experience While an extra row of sites has been added at the Bedford Park venue Amanda says the layout has been “tightened up a bit” to utilise space better A wide variety of dairying services and products has already been confirmed including automation The two-day expo will again run on farmer-friendly time: 8.30pm to 3pm Amanda says February is a relatively quiet time on the farm making it the best time to connect with dairy farmers “They’re not quite so under the pump.” February weather also came into consideration for repeating the date Amanda says the expo is free for farmers “because we're here for the industry driven by our passion for what we do” How do you feel about Tauranga’s rapid population growth Back to top Matamata-PiakoEnquiry over $1,400,000423357m²993m²Premier spot plus a pool!This is where family dreams come true The real magic is in the seamless flow outdoors - the swimming pool will keep the kids (and their friends) entertained for hours Positioned on the rise in Tawari Street with the amazing views of the ever changing Kaimai Range this meticulously maintained home set on 993m2 and neighbouring Tom Grant Drive A home that makes family life effortless and in a condition that you can simply move into straight away without hassle - this is definitely worthy of your immediate attention Our vendors are clear on their next steps and have long admired the location of this home - now is the time to secure it for yourself This 357m2 home is enhanced by an expansive and functional floorplan with a grand foyer and complimented by solid rimu features throughout This inviting home offers multiple downstairs living rooms including elegant formal and informal lounges spacious family/dining rooms incorporating built in storage units plus large games room complete with pool table which has the space families crave - all living areas and games room seamlessly transition to a wonderful outdoor area complete with salt water pool and covered entertaining area a recently modernised family bathroom and laundry separate toilet and internal access triple car garaging with additional off street parking for a motor home or boat The second level has views to die for from the reading room/office nook updated ensuite with tiled level entry shower The property's appeal is further heightened by the proximity to Matamata's township and all amenities storage and a pool are a rare find - this is the kind of lifestyle upgrade you've been waiting for 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 Matamata-Piako District Council has been fined for discharging millions of litres of untreated human effluent into Mangawhero stream Matamata-Piako District Council has been fined $67,500 for unlawfully discharging at least 2.8 million litres of wastewater and untreated human effluent into Mangawhero stream over five days in April 2023 The district council was sentenced for the offending in the Hamilton District Court this week Judge Melinda Dickey said the council’s offending was “highly careless but not deliberate” that multiple alarms were raised and their being ignored had serious consequences.” The spill happened at the district council’s Matamata treatment plant on April 6 a plant employee reset the system according to standard procedure Having just cleaned the well and reset the system the operator thought the critical-level warnings he received via text message were false flowing through conduit pipes to the electrical control panel the base of a control box and started flowing out of vents the effluent reached a nearby surface water drain and flowed about 430m to the Mangawhero stream The problem was not discovered until April 10 an estimated 2.8m to 5.25m litres of wastewater was illegally discharged into the Mangawhero stream Judge Dickey said it was essential that there be back-ups in place so the right people could be alerted about problems when they happened reliance was placed on one person,” the judge said “It was not until another wastewater operator logged on to the database that a problem was identified.” Judge Dickey said the district council had provided “no more than would be expected from any other defendant” under the circumstances “I note the council has not followed up on its suggested restorative justice process.” The judge did not award the district council any sentencing discount for improvements to its systems She said Mangawhero stream was “of significant cultural Waikato Regional Council prosecuted the case with Matamata-Piako District Council pleading guilty at an Environment Court hearing a year later in Morrinsville District Court The district council was sentenced this week to a fine of $67,500 for breaching the Resource Management Act 1991 The maximum penalty for the offence was a fine of $600,000 Matamata-Piako District Council chief executive Don McLeod said the district council didn’t take lightly “incidents like this” “The care and protection of our environment is a core part of the council’s business and an incident like this is our worst-case scenario “We sincerely apologise to those who are affected McLeod said a thorough investigation after the spill led to changes in the treatment plant’s systems within a couple of weeks after the event “We’ve also recently implemented a new district-wide SCADA monitoring system which provides a much higher standard of remote monitoring and alarms.” McLeod said he was disappointed with the regional council’s decision to prosecute “We always alert Waikato Regional Council of incidents of this nature no matter how large or small because we want to do the right thing and learn from it.” McLeod said the district council had been “working hard” to upgrade its water and wastewater systems with about $45 million allocated to improvements at the Matamata Plant “over the next few years” “The first contract for this work is soon to be awarded.” McLeod said dealing with the prosecution took time and money “While the majority of the costs are covered by insurance the process impacts significantly on staff morale and detracts from the projects we’re already working hard to deliver across our district,” McLeod said and we would prefer to work alongside Waikato Regional Council and focus on progressing this critical work and meeting the standard that regional council and the community want to see.” One person has died after a crash between a vehicle and a bicycle on State Highway 29 in Matamata One person has died after a crash between a vehicle and a bicycle on State Highway 29 at Matamata this morning The incident occurred near Pond Road at about 10.35am Emergency services were called to the scene and found the cyclist in a critical condition Attempts were made to resuscitate the cyclist but the person could not be saved and died at the scene The Serious Crash Unit has carried out an examination of the area and investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing The latest death takes the holiday road toll to 12 The mayor of the community where a young girl died after being struck by a train says she will do everything she can to prevent it from happening again.  Matamata-piako Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said the Matamata College student was from a well-known family and her community is mourning the “tragedy”.  Police and WorkSafe have opened an investigation into the incident.  Wilcock said she would be assisting relevant authorities to see if anything could have been done to prevent the tragedy.  She said she would be looking at recommendations to see if a fence is required along the roadside of the tracks across from the school.  Mayor Adrienne Wilcock said she would be looking for recommendations on whether to put a fence on the roadside of the tracks across from the school who had been in the community for generations.  She said people were feeling “very raw” and the shockwaves of the young girl’s death were being felt across the tight-knit community.  She said “critical information” would come from the coroner’s report and they would make changes based on those recommendations.  “It’ll be a question of what can be done to avoid more tragedies like this in the future.”  Wilcock urged her community to “lean on each other” for support while investigations take place.  The incident occurred around 3.15pm yesterday at the intersection of College St and Firth St one rapid response vehicle and an operations manager.  with the barrier arms down and lights flashing.  A spokesperson for KiwiRail said the collision did not happen at a level crossing.  She has worked for the Herald since 2022.  Track inspection prior to abandonment of the meeting at Hastings on Saturday Matamata is set to host the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) for the second time in three years after a slippery track forced the abandonment of Saturday’s blockbuster race meeting at Hastings The second day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival had promised so much with quality fields set to compete under blue skies But a short burst of rain late on Friday afternoon created a slippery layer on the surface of the track which was rated Good4 on Friday and Soft5 on Saturday morning The effects of that moisture were easy to see in the opening race on the card the MacTaggart Family Gratitude Stakes (2100m) The Kevin Myers-trained Just Charlie clearly slipped while rounding the turn out of the home straight The meeting was initially put back by one race while a Verti-Drain was deployed to that section of the track but a delegation of jockeys and trainers were still not confident that the track would be safe for racing and the meeting was abandoned ”The Hastings track had a full renovation earlier in the year and was in absolutely beautiful condition for the first day of the carnival so this has probably come out of the blue a little bit,” New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s chief operating officer Darin Balcombe said there was 1mm to 3mm of rain yesterday afternoon which is probably the worst thing that could have happened and it’s obviously just formed a bit of a slippery layer on top We can’t say for sure until we have a full review of what’s happened “It’s a situation we desperately need to avoid It’s very frustrating and we’ve got to make sure that things like this don’t happen.” is a very good operator and this issue has really come out of left field ”What we’re going to need to do now is thoroughly test the track and see whether the possibility of being back here for the last day of the carnival in two weeks is a reality.” the remainder of Saturday’s abandoned meeting has been rescheduled to be run at Matamata on Wednesday That includes the Arrowfield Stud Plate and the Group 2 AHD Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) Both of those feature races were also relocated to Matamata in 2022 when severe weather forced a complete washout of the Arrowfield meeting originally scheduled for Hastings ”We looked at the possibility of coming back on Sunday and rescheduling the Woodville meeting but at this stage we wouldn’t be comfortable that we could turn the track around make sure it’s safe and get that testing in before sending the riders back out there,” Balcombe said ”We also looked at staging the meeting at Hastings on Tuesday but horses going back home to the north and then coming all the way back again New nominations will be required for all of Wednesday’s races aside from the Arrowfield Preference will be given to horses that were originally accepted for the Hawke’s Bay meeting Nominations for this new meeting will close on Monday at 9am with withdrawals closing at midday the same day The Cambridge meeting which was scheduled for Wednesday will now run on Thursday Nominations remain open for this meeting until 9am Monday The Matamata meeting scheduled for next Saturday will now be run at Tauranga Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club president Ross Sainsbury and "Eric" Ross Sainsbury and his wife Vicky live in the beautiful homestead on the Matamata dairy farm his grandfather bought in 1930 Sainsbury’s parents farmed the property from 1949 He was raised there and bought it from the family in 1980 “Vicky and I raised our three children here and we’ve just leased it to our daughter and son-in-law,” he said “I still manage our other 120-hectare drystock farm in Te Poi.” Sainsbury has a degree from Massey University and moved into farm consultancy “When things were grim in the 1980s, I ran the dairy farm Sainsbury is the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club president “I had a wooden Fergy with a wooden trailer which was my go-to toy in the sandpit for many years.” His first paid job away from his parents’ farm was for local farmers Eric and Kath Waldon who were really good to him The Waldons had a 1960 Massey Ferguson 35 when Eric died in 1978 “The Fergy 35 blew up and was abandoned in a shed which eventually fell down around it,” Sainsbury said “Eric and Kath’s daughters kindly offered me the tractor and we dragged it over to our home farm “A couple of South Africans who were working for me at the time got it up and running Owning that tractor is very special for Sainsbury It reminds him of the time he spent with Eric “It’s definitely my favourite tractor in a nostalgic sort of way.” The Ferguson 35s were general-purpose farm tractors with 35hp “I use it around my farm with a rear-mounted sickle bar mower earth scoop or Cordwood saw,” Sainsbury said “I deliberately find jobs that I can use Eric for.” At the Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club Once they tested it with a dynamometer and it reached 28.8hp Sainsbury isn’t sure what happened to the other 6hp A current project is fitting Eric with an early 1950s Mörtl mid-mounted sickle bar mower which has a few parts missing Ballance Agri-Nutrients worker says there a lot of anxiety over potential loss of jobs.