Disproportionately high rate of homeless women in NZ
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RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Chinese national charged in Australia under foreign interference laws
AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt at a press conference announcing that a Chinese national has been charged with foreign interference offence in Canberra. Photo: Australian Federal Police Australian police said on Monday they had charged a Chinese national with "reckless foreign interference", accusing the woman of spying on local Buddhists for Beijing. Assistant police commissioner Stephen Nutt said the unnamed woman had been covertly gathering information on the Guan Yin Citta Buddhist association in Australia's capital, Canberra. Nutt said she was working under the command of China's Public Security Bureau, the country's main domestic law enforcement body. "We allege the activity was to support the intelligence objectives of China's Public Security Bureau," said Nutt, from the special investigations division of the Australian Federal Police. "It is a crime carried out by, or on behalf of, a foreign principle involving covert or deceptive conduct." The woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - is an Australian permanent resident. She was arrested and charged with "reckless foreign interference" after police raided a number of houses in Canberra over the weekend. "During the searches, a number of items, including electronic devices, were seized and will undergo forensic examination," police said in a statement. Reckless foreign interference carries a maximum of 15 years in prison. China's sprawling security apparatus has long been accused of infiltrating community organisations as a way to keep tabs on expats and dissidents. But it is rare that a major trading partner such as Australia so bluntly links Beijing to a covert influence plot. "At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia," said Nutt. Australian police have foiled a series of foreign interference plots in recent years, but these have typically targeted migrant communities. Nutt said this case was unusual in that it also appeared to be targeting Australian citizens. "This is the first time the AFP has charged a person with foreign interference that allegedly involves targeting members of the Australian community," he said. Police started investigating the woman in March 2025 after receiving a tipoff from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australia's top counter-espionage agency. Australia's spy chief Mike Burgess last week warned of the mounting domestic security threat posed by foreign actors such as China. "Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty," Burgess said on Monday. "Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve." - AFP
NZ Herald
5 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Cryptopia customer tried to bribe court registrar for information about company's case
A man claiming to be an affected party in the collapse of a multimillion-dollar cryptocurrency company has tried to bribe a court registrar to release information related to the case for $2 million in Bitcoin. New Zealand-based company Cryptopia was allegedly hacked in January 2019, leading to the loss
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Coward punch' laws need to be fast-tracked, says family of New Plymouth victim
By Tara Shaskey, Open Justice reporter in Taranaki of New Plymouth videographer Daniel Nganeko died after a coward punch outside a rugby club. Photo: Supplied Whānau and friends of a man who died from an alleged coward punch are calling for the fast-tracking of a new law introducing tougher penalties for such crimes. Daniel Nganeko, 37, was allegedly punched by Daytona Thompson outside the Tukapa Rugby and Sports Club in New Plymouth on 26 July. Thompson pleaded guilty to assault two days later, but that was withdrawn after Nganeko died on Tuesday. An elevated charge of manslaughter has since been filed, to which Thompson has yet to plead. The maximum penalty for manslaughter is life imprisonment. In June, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced a new law that will introduce an assault offence for one-punch attacks which cause grievous bodily harm. The maximum penalty when the offender intended to cause injury or acted with a disregard for safety would be eight years' imprisonment. If an offender was found to have intended to cause grievous bodily harm, the maximum penalty would be 15 years. The new law would also see a culpable homicide offence for such attacks which resulted in death, with a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. The new offences would be added to the Three Strikes Regime. A Givealittle page set up after Nganeko's death stated all funds raised would not only go to his whānau to help with funeral and memorial costs, but also towards advocacy and support to fast-track the introduction of the pending law. "We want justice for Daniel, and for every injury and life lost to this horrible violence. We will make sure his story is heard, not just as a tragedy, but as a call to action," the page, which has raised more than $25,000 in two days, stated. The page described Nganeko, a videographer and Tukapa Rugby supporter, as a cherished son, twin brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend who was known for his creativity, kindness and infectious smile. "We are committed to ensuring Daniel's death is not in vain," it said. Nganeko's twin brother Cameron Nganeko demanded change in a statement shared on the page. In questions to Goldsmith about whether the government would consider the calls to fast-track the new law, NZME was advised he was unable to comment on individual cases. However, his office provided information on the incoming Coward Punch offence, which would be introduced as part of a Crimes Act Amendment Bill. It said it would be introduced before the end of the year, with the aim of being passed into law before the next election. Normal practice would be that only offending that happens after the "take effect" day would be covered by the new law. There would not be a mandatory minimum period of imprisonment imposed for such attacks that resulted in death. Goldsmith said in his earlier announcement that a "coward punch" got its name for obvious reasons. "These attacks affect everyday Kiwis and are often committed by cowardly attackers, who strike when the victim is distracted. "We know how dangerous they are. People can be killed or suffer lifelong brain injuries, yet perpetrators often receive lenient and insufficient sentences." According to the summary of facts relating to the assault charge, Nganeko was hit once by Thompson "without any obvious provocation". He fell backwards and his head hit the edge of the footpath. Nganeko died after he was flown to Auckland City Hospital, where scans revealed he had suffered a fractured skull and extensive brain injuries with damage to his frontal and rear lobe. Thompson is expected to enter a plea to the manslaughter charge at a hearing in the High Court at New Plymouth on 15 August. A service to celebrate Nganeko's life will be held at Francis Douglas Memorial College, where he attended school, this weekend. On Saturday, a moment of silence was held before the Ranfurly Shield rugby match between Taranaki and Northland. - This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .
