Government introducing instant fines for shoplifters
The government is introducing instant fines for shoplifters, with penalities up to $1000. It said low level theft is a real scourge on the community and public confidence in the justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparently impunity. Retail New Zealand says just over $1.3 billion of goods were stolen in 2023. Under the new regime anyone caught stealing up to $500 worth of retail can be fined up to $500. For goods valued at more than $500 the fine will be up to $1000. Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith spoke to Lisa Owen.
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The police cordon at the intersection of Hewletts Rd and Tasman Quay after cyclist Bryan Marris was killed in a collision with a left-turning truck, driven by Kelly Shearer. Photo: NZME Now, a judge has acquitted the man, deciding the road layout contributed to the accident, as the road markings did not clearly indicate who had right of way through the intersection. Judge Melinda Mason presided over a one-day, judge-alone trial in February and reserved her decision, which was recently released to NZME. In it she said it was "not clear beyond a reasonable doubt that a reasonable and prudent driver would see a cyclist attempting to pass on the left in the circumstances that confronted Mr Shearer". It was an outcome Marris' wife Brenda told NZME was both disappointing and unexpected. Commuter cyclist Bryan Marris was heading home, and travelling in a designated cycle lane next to the truck. 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The judge's decision said the CCTV footage showed him "cycling at a good pace from the city as he approaches the intersection". As the light turned green, Shearer flicked on his left indicator, and checked his wing mirrors, but didn't see Marris. Marris, who was in a designated cycle lane next to the truck, took off straight ahead. Seconds later, the two collided. The experts said Shearer was indicating for about 12 seconds and when he began turning, Marris had been in his blind spot for just over four seconds. The fatal impact occurred 0.52 seconds after the truck started to turn. The judge said Marris was seen cycling at a consistent speed, not slowing on his approach nor hesitating at the intersection as he entered it. Police pointed to the fact Marris had a forward-facing flashing light on and was in his own designated lane, as he was entitled to be. They said Shearer did not pause before making his turn, cutting across Marris' cycle lane without ensuring it was clear. 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RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Government introducing instant fines for shoplifters
The government is introducing instant fines for shoplifters, with penalities up to $1000. It said low level theft is a real scourge on the community and public confidence in the justice system is undermined if people can steal with apparently impunity. Retail New Zealand says just over $1.3 billion of goods were stolen in 2023. Under the new regime anyone caught stealing up to $500 worth of retail can be fined up to $500. For goods valued at more than $500 the fine will be up to $1000. Justice Minister, Paul Goldsmith spoke to Lisa Owen. Tags: To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Hawke's Bay business tens of thousands out of pocket after six burglaries in two months
Owner of Pedlista Harry Van der Zanden and his girlfriend Airi Sait. Photo: Supplied A fledgling Hawke's Bay business is tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket after six burglaries in two months. Harry Van der Zanden, the owner of Pedlista, a mobile coffee car and bike repair service, told Checkpoint it was a tough reality. "It's defiantly keeping the business pretty small." About $20,000 - $30,000 worth of tools and bikes had been stolen from the business' garage in Marewa, Napier, and of the 11 bikes stolen, Van der Zanden said only one had been returned. He said he dreaded going into work over the fear of being broken into again. "We rely on CCTV and everything has been reported, but everyone who has been reported has be caught through a grassroots and through community groups I have been involved in. "They are gonna know bikes and they are gonna know some of my stuff by seeing me use it." He said there was limited police follow up despite reporting the break-ins, especially when the item stolen was worth under $500. "We even ID people who are the culprits but they often receive no consequences." Van der Zanden said instant fines were a "really good step forward", but only if they were enforced "otherwise it's just a paper punishment really". He said he would continue with his business but find a better location. Hawke's bay police said they were aware of burglaries in the retail premise of Marewa shopping area where Van der Zanden's garage was located. Police said they had received three reports of burglaries from his address and had been investigating. So far one of the stolen bikes had been recovered and police had identified one person of interest. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
