Everything you need to know about the world today, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.
LOCAL NEWS
Storm Thrashes Auckland Overnight
A storm ripped through Auckland overnight with power to 100,000 properties affected. Winds of over 140 km/h downed trees and power lines throughout the city. West Auckland had the most power outages, and Auckland Airport closed its runway, diverting international and domestic flights. Fire and emergency services are reporting an excess of people requiring help, but no injuries have been reported. There are also reports of damage to homes in the Taranaki region, with a dozen homes in Rahotū facing extensive roof damage.
Videos by VICE
Blue Penguins Die In Droves
There has been a mass die-off of blue penguins along the East Coast beaches of the upper North Island. Potentially thousands of the penguins may have washed up in recent months. Western Bay Wildlife Trust chairperson Julia Graham says warmer ocean temperatures mean there is either a lack of, or a change in food sources. The Department of Conservation says the La Nina weather pattern may be a culprit.
Gender Attitudes Survey Reveals ‘Old-Fashioned’ Beliefs
The National Council of Women says New Zealand men need to just walk away from fighting. Research New Zealand’s Gender Attitudes Survey found nearly a third of male respondents believe other men who don’t fight back when “pushed around” are not masculine enough. National Council of Women spokesperson Gill Greer, is calling for attitudes to change: “This is challenging to realise that you can be different, and you can be other. And I think it is about men saying to each other that we don’t have to fight back, we can walk away. We don’t have to act in the same old ways.” Greer said these views are holding New Zealand back from achieving true gender equality.
More Regulation Around Financial Advice Encouraged
New Zealanders’ access to trustworthy financial advice could be set to improve as focus turns to more easily understood disclosure rules around the practice. Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi wants disclosure rules simplified to ensure customers won’t be led astray when seeking financial help. A bill is currently being considered that would require more attention on the interests of the individual client. Under the bill, advisers giving advice to retail clients would have to adhere to a strict code of conduct that would demand more ethical behaviour.
Nurses Rally Across the Country
A union representing nurses, midwives and caregivers will be holding rallies across New Zealand. This comes ahead of possible industrial action over issues such as underpayment and overwork, after members rejected a deal proposed by employers. A spokesperson for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, Georgia Choveaux, spoke to 95bFM’s The Wire: “Over the next fortnight members are rallying for good health outside most DHBs, in marketplaces, in squares and flyering at railway stations. They will be out and about asking for your support for greater investment in public health.”
Government Urged to Help Family Carers
The government is being urged to revamp its carer and respite policies to help women who are disproportionately acting as family carers. Two-thirds of New Zealand’s 420,000 family carers are women, who devote an average of 30 hours per week to caring for suffering family members. Laurie Hilsgen from Carers NZ says these women often can’t work due to these responsibilities and can face resultant financial hardship. On top of economic support, Hilsgen says women carers need more breaks to recharge and programmes to support their own wellbeing.
Porotī Springs Purchased by Crown
A bottling company operating in culturally significant Porotī Springs has backed down and sold up to the Crown after a debate over Māori water rights. Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little says the $7.5 million purchase of land and water-take consents will be landbanked for a future treaty settlement. Whatitiri Māori Reserve Trust, which represents several hapu, has been trying for over two decades to halt water being removed from the sacred spring. The Porotī Springs Treaty claim is believed to be the particularly strong in its relevance to Māori rights and stake in freshwater.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Black Lives Matter Facebook Page a Scam
The largest Facebook page linked to the Black Lives Matter movement has been revealed as a scam. An Australian man has been discovered running the page, and is connected to a wider organisation that creates fake fundraising pages on Paypal and Patreon. It is claimed that those behind the page raised around $131,000 as part of a wider operation, with funds being tied to an Australian bank account. The revelation comes as Facebook faces increasing examination of its practices and integrity.
Syrian Military On High Alert
Syria is placing its armed forces on alert after a threat of military action by the United States. This comes after Saturday’s alleged chemical weapons attack on a rebel-held town near Damascus in Syria. Russia and Syria deny the attack occurred but medics and rescuers claim dozens of people were killed. US President Trump called the alleged chlorine attack on the town of Douma “atrocious”, adding that he will respond “forcefully”. Former commander-in-chief of Russia’s Airborne Troops, Vladimir Shamanov, says military, diplomatic and political measures will be taken by Russia if the US attacks Syria.
Tanzania Vaccines to Help Thousands
Tanzania has begun vaccinating more than 600,000 girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to prevent cervical cancer. It is the seventh African country to introduce the HPV vaccine into its immunisation program. Prevention is considered to be far better than trying to cure the disease, which is the most common cancer in the country. The equivalent of around NZ$20 will be spent treating each individual according to the Tanzania health minister.
Additional reporting by: Reuben Mclaren, Ben Webber & Ruamano Te Koi
