And from the "only in New Zealand" file... - Page 5

braindead · 10-19-2007, 03:41 AM

Is the sheep-killing a myth ? Durrell wrote that farmers hated them because of that .
After reading your post my cat voted against Kea-as-pet .

**Parihaka** · 10-19-2007, 16:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead

Is the sheep-killing a myth ? Durrell wrote that farmers hated them because of that .
After reading your post my cat voted against Kea-as-pet .

There's a sanctuary across the ridge from us and we now have kaka breeding there and flying out across our valley. Our cat, after once trying to stalk one perched on our balcony, now knows to stay the hell out of the way

Keas will take lambs, and it's taken the country quite some time to convince the cockies (farmers) to not shoot them as a consequence. They now recognise that if you want a high country farm you pay the price, the Keas were there before the farmers were and the farmers can pay rent in the form of a few lambs.

**Parihaka** · 11-29-2007, 20:59 PM

Close Up is our state owned TV stations premier investigation programme, dedicated to the important news of the week

Quote:

Sideswipe: Thursday
4:59AM Thursday November 29, 2007
By Ana Samways
Watson's dog.
For those who missed TV One's Close Up on Tuesday night, here is a brief account of the item, arguably the second most important event that happened in New Zealand in the previous 48 hours, from John Christiansen of Mt Albert: "Nicky Watson lost her chihuahua. Well, after numerous clips of Nicky nearly falling out of various dresses followed by clips of Nicky wandering around day and night with torch in hand calling out for her little lost pet, the interviewer finally sat down for a little heart-to-heart with Ms Watson. Recounting her tale of woe Nicky, voice strained with overuse and emotion, says, 'I must have called his name a million times', to which the interviewer kindly responds, trying to empathise: 'You're hoarse.' 'No', replies Nicky sadly, 'my dog'."

glyn · 11-30-2007, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

Close Up is our state owned TV stations premier investigation programme, dedicated to the important news of the week

Skull6 · 11-30-2007, 14:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

NZ women 'promiscuous'

"NZ women 'promiscuous"
Gee, ya think

That survey evidentally discounted any male response of "sheep," or I'm sure their numbers would be closer to the global average!

(just kidding!)

**Parihaka** · 11-30-2007, 15:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parihaka

NZ women 'promiscuous'

"NZ women 'promiscuous"
Gee, ya think

I forgot to mention, this photo was taken during the indigenous ancient annual ritual "b00bs on bikes parade" and was the least promiscuous one I could find.

**Parihaka** · 12-04-2007, 16:54 PM

Theft of military medals from Waiouru

Quote:

Monday, 3 December 2007, 9:06 am
Press Release: New Zealand Government
Theft of military medals from Waiouru

---------------------------------

Defence Minister Phil Goff has described the theft of military medals including nine Victoria Crosses and two George Cross medals as a crime against the nation.

The medals were stolen from the Army Museum in Waiouru at around 1am today.

"These medals are national treasures. They were earned by men who served their country with courage and selflessness," Phil Goff said.

"New Zealanders will be appalled and disgusted at the greed and self interest of those who have stolen the medals.

"Every effort possible will be made to recover the medals. They will be almost impossible to sell within New Zealand and we will be working with Interpol to make it as hard as possible to market them internationally.

"I would urge anyone with knowledge of the whereabouts of the medals or of who stole them to contact the police with that information," Phil Goff said.

**Parihaka** · 12-04-2007, 16:57 PM

Police close in on medal thieves
Dec 5, 2007 8:47 AM

Police say they are following strong leads in the hunt for thieves who stole nine Victoria Crosses and other medals from the Waiouru Army Museum and are hopeful of an arrest soon .

Detectives have been working their way through security camera footage collected from the Army Museum and around the town, but have so far been tight-lipped about what they have learned.

"If I released anything that's on that footage at this time, it would compromise the investigation...I prefer that we just leave it," says Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann, Head of Enquiry.

Forensic evidence is also believed to have been gathered from near the smashed display cabinets which contained the medals.

Meanwhile police are continuing to canvas the town of Waiouru, interviewing locals and soldiers based there.

A reward of $200,000 for information leading to the return of the medals has been offered by a British Lord who is the world's biggest collector of VCs.

"I'm absolutely dismayed and outraged that this theft has happened and I hope this contribution of $200,000 leading to the information to the safe return of the nine Victoria Crosses will work," says Lord Ashcroft.

Lord Ashcroft, who already owns 146 Victoria Crosses, says they could command a price of at least $6 million and the Victoria Cross and bar a lot more.

The Prime Minister is concerned the reward could set a precedent.

Helen Clark says police have told her a reward would normally go towards finding the people responsible and not just the safe return of the stolen articles.

She says she is a little concerned about getting into a mentality where people can steal things and then collect a reward for giving them back.

Nevertheless, Clark says the offer's generous and police should consider it.

dave lukins · 12-04-2007, 18:17 PM

Let's hope there is no hiding place for these thieves. The Medals cannot be sold on the open market. 1. They are held for ransom

2. A greedy private collector just wants to own something they cannot normally buy. Once caught I hope the Book is thrown at them

**Parihaka** · 12-04-2007, 18:28 PM

Talkback radio is running hot. The general consensus is the thieves should receive military punishment for what is primarily a crime against the military

captain · 12-18-2007, 19:19 PM

Quote:

Man told not to traumatise worms with eco-toilet
December 17, 2007 12:00am
Article from: Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
A NEW Zealander who invented a toilet that used worms to produce compost had to prove the worms were not traumatised before authorities would approve his product.

An Auckland Regional Council official told Coll Bell to get an expert's report on the psychological impact on the worms.

"She felt that the worms were being unfairly treated and that it could affect them in a psychological way," Mr Bell said.

He said his "wormorator" was finally approved after a vermiculture expert reported the worms were in excellent health and breeding happily.

Man told not to traumatise worms with eco-toilet | NEWS.com.au

How the hell do councils justify employing people like this crazy woman.

New Zealand does not however have a monopoly on the assorted crazies who afflict our daily lives. Australia has it's own fair share of them to.

I have just purchased a book titled Nanny State, written by David Harsanyi.
The book refers to America but could just as easily refer to Australia and if the above article is any indication, New Zealand as well.

If any one was to purchase this book they should be made aware that unless they have a very good sense of the ridiculous, they may be at risk of significantly increased blood pressure.

Cheers.

**Parihaka** · 12-18-2007, 19:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain

How the hell do councils justify employing people like this crazy woman.

Hey, they've got to waste our taxes somehow, otherwise we'd make them give it back....

Gun Grape · 12-18-2007, 20:29 PM

I like this as an immigration policy

Quote:

New Zealand Denies Immigration to U.K. Wife Because She's Too Fat

Saturday , November 17, 2007

NEW YORK —
New Zealand immigration officials are keeping a U.K. wife from joining her husband "down under" because they say she is too fat, the Daily Mail reports.

Click here to read the full report in the Daily Mail.

British citizens Rowan Trezise, 33, and Richie Trezise, 35, are living apart as she tries desperately to shed the pounds needed to comply with New Zealand guidelines that immigrants maintain a healthy BMI, or body mass index.

BMI is a weight-height ratio that estimates percentage of body fat. The New Zealand Immigration Service requires all applicants to undergo a complete medical examination, which includes body size measures like "waist circumference."

The regulations were supposedly put into place for budget reasons. The country's health care system cannot afford to open its doors to overweight immigrants, a spokesman for New Zealand's Fight the Obesity Epidemic explained to the Daily Mail.

Over half of New Zealand adults and nearly one-third of New Zealand children are already overweight or obese, according to the group. Those figures are expected to rise, as are the health problems associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Richie Trezise managed to trim two inches off his waistline, the Daily Mail reports, bringing his BMI down and allowing him to take the first step toward the couple's dream of resettling in New Zealand.

Rowan Trezise is alone at home and still struggling.

In an interview with the paper, Richie Trezise admitted his wife is having trouble losing the weight — a difficulty which may force the couple to abandon their overseas plans and stay in the U.K. for good.

They've set Christmas as their deadline.

captain · 02-09-2008, 04:00 AM

This may not be "only New Zealand" but appeared today in the Melbourne Herald's Andrew Bolt blog.

I hope it is not about to happen here also.

Whilst child abuse is henious, the effect of this bill seems to be only about placating the control freaks who would have parents with all the responsibility and no rights whatsoever.

Sue Bradford, N.Z MP said (The epidemic of child abuse and child violence in this country continues, sadly. My bill was never intended to solve that problem.)

So what was the intent of her bill?

Any idea Pari?

Quote:

> CASES

HERE ARE JUST SOME

EXAMPLES OF PARENTS

WHO HAVE BEEN

REPORTED AS A RESULT

OF THE ANTI-SMACKING LAW

CLICK HERE for pdf of left full page advertisement
CLICK HERE for pdf of right full page advertisement

1. School Dobs Mum to CYF for Hand Smack
Wellington
Sunday Star Times 28 October 2007
A Wellington mother says her family has been left traumatised by new anti-smacking laws, after her son's school reported her to Child, Youth and Family for smacking him on the hand. "I don't want to feel like a child abuser, and I don't want to be labelled as a child abuser because I smacked my son," she said. "It's brought a lot of trauma to our family unit and unnecessary stress." The woman, who did not wish to be named because she says she fears losing her children, says another smacking several months later resulted in a visit from police and referral to a foster care agency – despite the police not charging her.
Read Full Report
Read Full Testimony of the Mother

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Police Investigate Grandmother for Giving Swearing Grandchild a Smack in Shop
Bay of Plenty
In October, a woman had been shopping with her granddaughter at one of the Warehouse stores in the Bay of Plenty to buy a bubble blowing Kit. They decided on one on a lower shelf when the granddaughter spotted one more expensive higher up and insisted that she wanted that one. Grandma said no and the granddaughter let her feelings be known in an offensive verbal manner using the F word amongst others. Grandma responded with a smack. As they left the store, she was surprised to find a policeman waiting to interview her. Aaccording to the store management, a complaint had been made by a member of the public. Fortunately they didn't press charges, but the grandmother was shocked.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3. Boy Calls 111 to Report Parents
East Auckland
Eastern Courier 3 August 2007
A boy called 111 after learning about the new child discipline regulations at school. The 11-year-old turned to police fearing he was assaulted by his parents, but it turned out that he was being disciplined. "He was engaging in offensive and obstructive behaviour and his parents intervened with reasonable force," Howick-Otara family violence coordinator sergeant Brett Woodmass says. "The boy said he had learnt about the law at school and I believe he was misinformed," he says.
Read Full Report

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4. Toddler's Bedtime Tantrum Brings Three Cops Knocking
West Auckland
NZ Herald August 14, 2007
When Karyn Scherer's 2-year-old threw a bedtime tantrum, the last thing the busy working mother expected was three police officers knocking on her door. But that's what happened on Saturday night after a neighbour of the senior Herald journalist called 111. The police who responded said they had to check everything as quickly as possible, given the number of children who suffered harm. Police made no apologies yesterday for responding to an emergency call to the Titirangi property from a neighbour who told them: "I can hear a child screaming ... and I've heard it before."
Read Full Report

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. Solo Mum Investigated by Police When Child Falls Over
South Auckland
This South Auckland mother had no previous CYF or Police involvement. In October, she took her 5 year old shopping. As they were leaving the supermarket, the mother chased some money which the daughter had dropped. She then grabbed the child’s hand to lead the child to the car, but the child tripped and fell over. When mum got her daughter back to the car, she gave her a hug and kiss. An hour later, 2 police officers were at the door interviewing both her and her 5 year old after a complaint had been laid. The police said it was a waste of time, but the complaint would be held on file. The mother said “They could have phoned. Their visit surprised me. It made me feel like a criminal. It made me question my parenting skills. I may have been frazzled but in no way did I abuse my child.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. Passerby Reports Squealing Child
Auckland
Tanya had two police officers arrive on her doorstep as she was hosting visitors on a Saturday night. The police informed her that a ‘passer by’ had heard a child being smacked and subsequently screaming. They could not tell the mum what day this occurred on, what time or who the person was. She explained to them that her 9 year old daughter squeals when she plays, particularly when outside on the trampoline with her brother. She likes to play hard with her 13 year old brother – and inevitably she sometimes gets hurts – and performs! The mum says the passer-by could have heard her children 'playing' – “do I have to stop them having fun??”

“We don't smack our kids (or if we have in the past, it has been minor) and this incident did not occur. I informed the officers accordingly. They insisted that they needed to see my daughter. I informed them that she was now with her father as we share custody. I gave them full contact details. They told me they would have to go around there to check she was OK.”

“I have found the whole episode to be extremely distressing. I felt completely humiliated to literally be accused of child abuse and have now found it hard to sleep at night at it has upset me so much - how I look after and care for my children is being questioned. On hearsay I am now a guilty person. This new law is ending up with a lot of good innocent parents being wrongfully accused. This law needs to be changed.”

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Grandmother Warned by Police After Grabbing Grandchild Running onto Road
South Auckland
This grandmother had to prevent her 2 year old grandson from running onto the road by grabbing his arm and pulling him back to the footpath. She was petrified that her grandson could be run over. A police officer witnessed her and said she was breaking the law by grabbing him. She was let off with a warning but was told that if it ever happened again, they would prosecute her. She had recently lost a friend’s child (6) to a train crash. (Takanini)

She now puts him in the pram to avoid getting arrested. Her family is horrified by what's happened and she's now concerned about taking her grandchildren out in public. She feels she's been publicly humiliated.

Another grandmother came up to her and said she'd been interviewed by the police for giving her 4 year old grandson a smack on the bottom in Countdown for swearing at her. The woman was taken to the police station to be interviewed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8. Eight year old’s Class Taught to Dob in Parents – Behaviour Deteriorates
Hawkes Bay
The police went to a local primary school and did a session on “Keeping Ourselves Safe.” During the session, the policeman told this particular class of 7 and 8 year olds that parents couldn’t smack them, and that if they did, they should immediately tell the teacher. This was not the only school in the area where this message was given.

Within the next few days, this solo mum’s 8 year old daughter who had been in this session and who had had a ‘clean’ record at school all year was stood down for kicking the teacher in the leg. She also kept telling her mother “you can’t make me do anything - you can’t smack me”, following the lesson. Her older child (10) also told the mother that “you can’t make me go to school.”

The mother went to the police to clarify what they had said and to tell them the difficulties she'd had since their visit to the school. The Sergeant was obliging and said he would sort it out by sending the officer involved to speak to the girls and reinstate her authority. An angry phone call from the officer followed to the mother, questioning whether she had a problem with the smacking law. Two days later 2 male officers arrived to supposedly reinstate the mother’s authority but instead they questioned her parenting skills and told her they had investigated her background with a variety of community organisations. They had her in tears and she found them intimidating and degrading. They also proceeded to tell the children their rights. Yet amazingly the police said to the mother the daughter deserved a smack after kicking the teacher. The mother in desperation at her treatment spoke to her local MP, & was then contacted by the District Commander of the Police who told her not to go complaining to the MP because he had better things to do.

The mother was traumatised by all this, and has laid a formal complaint with the Police but to no avail.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Mother Investigated After 4 Year Old Smacked For Running Out on Road
West Auckland
Jackie’s 4 year old ran across the road outside a busy supermarket when she saw a friend on other side of road. The mum smacked her on the bottom once to show her how dangerous her actions were. A member of the public challenged the way she had disciplined her child, took her vehicle registration, and the mum was visited by police two days later. She felt like a criminal and embarrassed by it all. She said “please don’t take my daughter” to the police. They did a police check to see if it had happened before. The Police (who had kids as well) told the mum they felt it was a waste of time. The daughter said “what’s wrong mummy,” and was upset by it all.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10. Supermarket tantrum earns stressed mum police warning
South Auckland
Wanita’s 5-year old son (who is autistic) was having what his mum calls a “magic moment” in the supermarket. This included screaming, lying on the floor and waving his arms around. Mum had to leave the supermarket despite not completing her shopping, with the son crawling on the floor and screaming at her.
Once outside, Wanita attempted to deal with the behaviour quickly, as taught to her by the specialists who work with her son. She told him to get himself under control and started counting to 5. She also had to hold his arm as he was attempting to run out into the parking lot.
As all this was happening, a policeman approached her, asked if she was aware of the anti-smacking law, and informed her that he was giving her a warning. The mother said that she had not even smacked the child, and enquired whether he knew what it was like to have an autistic child. He said that he was simply doing his job. She replied that she was simply doing her job as a mother.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11. Father surrounded by 6 police officers after disciplining naughty child
Christchurch
The Press 14 January 2008
A Christchurch father is fuming after he received a police warning for hitting a child after he flicked his son's ear in public as a reprimand. Professional musician Jimmy Mason flicked the ear of his son, Seth, at the Bridge of Remembrance just before Christmas after the three-year-old disobeyed his instructions while riding his new bike. The toddler took off down a ramp and was followed by his brother, Zach, two, who was also on a new bike. Seth made the tight corner but Zach did not, and injured his eye. "Seth just wanted to go on riding. He didn't realise the seriousness of it with the youngest one slipping in and out of consciousness," Mason said. "So I turned to Seth and flicked him on the ear and told him to shut up while we fixed up the young one," Mason said.

A nearby teacher took umbrage, an off-duty policewoman rang the incident in and in minutes later Mason was surrounded by six police officers. "They were going to arrest me and were trying to ascertain whether it was safe for the kids to go home with me," he said. "It was pretty bizarre to tell you the truth."

I said to the cops that I need to impress upon him (Seth) what he did was wrong and I need to impress it on him straight away and asked them how they suggested I do it. "They didn't know and I said to them, 'Well, you've just told me what I did was wrong so you must know what is right'." In the end, Mason was not charged but he was told that a warning would go on his record for hitting his child. "It needs to be on record that I disciplined him for something he deserved, not that I'm a child beater.
READ FULL REPORT

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

YOU COULD BE NEXT!

And meanwhile, Police and CYF resources and time are diverted from at-risk families and children that do need investigation and protection..

More cases to come....

Source: CASES

Cheers.

**Parihaka** · 02-12-2008, 23:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captain

This may not be "only New Zealand" but appeared today in the Melbourne Herald's Andrew Bolt blog.

I hope it is not about to happen here also.

Whilst child abuse is henious, the effect of this bill seems to be only about placating the control freaks who would have parents with all the responsibility and no rights whatsoever.

Sue Bradford, N.Z MP said (The epidemic of child abuse and child violence in this country continues, sadly. My bill was never intended to solve that problem.)

So what was the intent of her bill?

Any idea Pari?

Source: CASES

Cheers.

Missed this sorry Captain. NZ, like everywhere else in the world has it's share of bleaters who'll complain to the police though I'm a bit sceptical about the cases in the blog as reported. Simply though, since the law was rescinded, i.e. children got the same legal rights as adults, to my knowledge one father has been prosecuted for hitting his child, the boy still having bad bruising two weeks later.

10-19-2007, 03:41 AM	#61 (permalink)
braindead Lost in Translation *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-30-06 Location: estonia Posts: 1,418 Country:	Is the sheep-killing a myth ? Durrell wrote that farmers hated them because of that . After reading your post my cat voted against Kea-as-pet . __________________ If i only were so smart yesterday as my wife is today

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12-04-2007, 16:57 PM	#68 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,732 Country:	Police close in on medal thieves Dec 5, 2007 8:47 AM Police say they are following strong leads in the hunt for thieves who stole nine Victoria Crosses and other medals from the Waiouru Army Museum and are hopeful of an arrest soon . Detectives have been working their way through security camera footage collected from the Army Museum and around the town, but have so far been tight-lipped about what they have learned. "If I released anything that's on that footage at this time, it would compromise the investigation...I prefer that we just leave it," says Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann, Head of Enquiry. Forensic evidence is also believed to have been gathered from near the smashed display cabinets which contained the medals. Meanwhile police are continuing to canvas the town of Waiouru, interviewing locals and soldiers based there. A reward of $200,000 for information leading to the return of the medals has been offered by a British Lord who is the world's biggest collector of VCs. "I'm absolutely dismayed and outraged that this theft has happened and I hope this contribution of $200,000 leading to the information to the safe return of the nine Victoria Crosses will work," says Lord Ashcroft. Lord Ashcroft, who already owns 146 Victoria Crosses, says they could command a price of at least $6 million and the Victoria Cross and bar a lot more. The Prime Minister is concerned the reward could set a precedent. Helen Clark says police have told her a reward would normally go towards finding the people responsible and not just the safe return of the stolen articles. She says she is a little concerned about getting into a mentality where people can steal things and then collect a reward for giving them back. Nevertheless, Clark says the offer's generous and police should consider it.

12-04-2007, 18:17 PM	#69 (permalink)
dave lukins *Military Professional* Join Date: 01-04-07 Location: cheshire uk Posts: 5,192 Country:	Let's hope there is no hiding place for these thieves. The Medals cannot be sold on the open market. 1. They are held for ransom 2. A greedy private collector just wants to own something they cannot normally buy. Once caught I hope the Book is thrown at them

12-04-2007, 18:28 PM	#70 (permalink)
Parihaka Moderator Join Date: 11-10-04 Location: Te Ika a Maui Posts: 9,732 Country:	Talkback radio is running hot. The general consensus is the thieves should receive military punishment for what is primarily a crime against the military

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)