Residents at Wellington Council flats stressed by Oliver Hayes' unexplained death
Police confirmed they were investigating after musician Oliver Hayes, 40, was found dead in the Newtown Park Apartments on Saturday.
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5 days ago
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UN Warns Of Steep Rise In Sexual Violence During Conflict
14 August 2025 According to the annual Report of the Secretary-General on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, both State and non-State actors were responsible for violations in 21 countries, with the highest numbers recorded in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Somalia and South Sudan. Women and girls made up 92 per cent of victims, but men, boys, people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, racial and ethnic minorities – together with some persons with disabilities – were also targeted, ranging in age from one to 75. ' These alarming figures do not reflect the global scale and prevalence of these crimes, ' the Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict said. Many attacks were accompanied by extreme physical violence, including summary executions, while stigma and harmful social reactions has often driven survivors and children born of wartime rape into deep social and economic marginalisation. Violence in detention The report pointed to a troubling rise in sexual violence in detention, often used as a tool for torture, humiliation and the extraction of information. While men and boys were most affected, women and girls were also targeted. Non-State armed groups carried out such crimes to tighten control over territory and resources, and to impose extremist ideologies. Widespread availability of small arms, mass displacement and food insecurity were cited as factors that further increased the risks. The report also noted that parties to conflict frequently blocked or restricted humanitarian access for survivors. ' The unprecedented severity and scale of destruction of healthcare facilities, and attacks, harassment and threats against frontline service providers, has severely hampered access to life-saving assistance for survivors,' said Pramila Patten, the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Lack of legal compliance The report lists 63 State and non-State actors credibly suspected of or being responsible for patterns of sexual violence in armed conflicts on the Security Council's agenda. While compliance with international humanitarian law remained low, several parties have made formal commitments to address crimes. The report recommended involving Security Council sanctions committees to target persistent perpetrators, noting that sexual and gender-based violence is now explicitly sanctionable under the Council's counter-terrorism regime against Da'esh and Al-Qaida. Newly listings Newly listed groups include Résistance pour un Etat de Droit (RED) Tabara in the DRC for an egregious mass rape in 2024, and in Libya, two State actors – the Deterrence Agency for Combatting Organized Crime and Terrorism (DACOT) and the Department for Combating Illegal Migration (DCIM) – along with the non-State Internal Security Agency. Hamas was listed on the basis of information verified by the UN in 2024, indicating reasonable grounds to believe that some hostages taken to Gaza were subjected to different forms of sexual violence during their time in captivity, and clear and convincing information that sexual violence also occurred during the attacks of 7 October 2023 in at least six locations. Israel, Russia, 'on notice' For the first time, the report also names parties 'on notice' for potential listing in the next annual report. Due to 'significant concerns' regarding patterns of sexual violence perpetrated by Israeli armed and security forces, and Russian forces and affiliates, ' these parties have been put on notice for potential listing in the next reporting period ', the authoring office said. Call for accountability, access The report urged all parties to adopt clear orders prohibiting sexual violence, ensure accountability, and grant unimpeded UN access for monitoring and service provision. 'The promise expressed by the Security Council through its six dedicated resolutions on conflict-related sexual violence is prevention,' Ms. Patten said. ''
Scoop
10-08-2025
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Predatory Moneylenders Allegedly Targeting Regional Residents
Allegations have surfaced of a predatory moneylending scheme in Fiji that is allegedly targeting regional workers and students from other Pacific Island countries, exploiting their financial vulnerabilities while charging interest rates far above the legal limit. In a particularly concerning case registered with the Consumer Council of Fiji, a regional worker living in Fiji reported seeking a loan late last year and borrowing approximately $5,000 from a husband-and-wife lending team. As a condition for the loan, the lender confiscated the borrower's bank card in October 2024, a practice strictly prohibited by law, and did not return it until the Council intervened. Between January and June 2025, the lender withdrew a total of $17,490 from the borrower's account. When the Council requested records to justify these deductions, it was discovered that the moneylender was not keeping any proper documentation of loans or repayments, in breach of mandatory record-keeping requirements. During its investigation, the Council also found that while the wife held a valid licence under the Moneylenders Act, her husband was not authorised to conduct lending. Despite this, he was allegedly posing as a registered moneylender, distributing his own business cards, and dealing directly with clients. Further inquiries revealed that borrowers in such cases were being charged 40% interest per month, despite the law capping the maximum rate at 12.5% per annum. The alleged targeting of regional workers and students appears calculated, with the lenders exploiting situations where individuals face delayed remittances from home or other financial setbacks, later demanding excessive repayments once those funds arrive. Consumer Council of Fiji Chief Executive Officer Seema Shandil strongly condemned the alleged practices. She said this case was a stark reminder of how opportunistic and exploitative some operators can be, particularly towards those who have come to Fiji in search of education or employment. 'Many of these individuals are far from home, with limited support networks, making them easy prey for illegal and unethical moneylending. The Council will not stand by while vulnerable consumers are trapped in cycles of debt by those who deliberately flout the law. We will continue to expose and refer such cases for enforcement action, and we urge anyone affected to come forward,' she said. The Council's investigation is ongoing, and the matter will be referred to the relevant agencies for further action, if required. Consumers are reminded to exercise caution when borrowing numbers to anyone. Awareness of the legal interest rate limits is crucial in avoiding exploitation. The Council encourages all consumers who feel that they may have been exploited or are struggling to repay after engaging with a moneylender, to lodge a formal complaint. The Council can assist in seeking redress, or a debt restructure, and ensuring that your rights as a consumer are protected. The Council can be reached via its toll-free National Consumer Helpline 155, or through Complaints@
RNZ News
06-08-2025
- RNZ News
More than 100 traps found at popular Invercargill reserve
A large number of leg-hold traps were found around Sandy Point. Photo: Invercargill City Council More than 100 leg-hold traps have been discovered in a popular Invercargill reserve, prompting warnings that someone or their pet could get seriously hurt. The traps were found around Sandy Point, which is used for walking, mountain biking and horse riding. Invercargill City Council parks and recreation manager Caroline Rain said a member of the public alerted them after finding a leg-hold trap between Sandy Point Road and Christies Track. Rangers then found and removed more than 100 of them during about a two kilometre sweep, she said. They did occasionally find traps in the area, but it was highly unusual to find them on that scale, Rain said. "We've not seen this many illegal traps in this area. These are things we didn't permit to happen, it's beyond what I've seen before," she said. "We want the public to be safe out there." She urged people to take extra care as there could be more, and reminded people that it was illegal to put them on the council's recreational reserve. "Please never place leg-hold traps in our public parks - these are areas where people walk and where pets often roam. It would be far too easy for someone or their pet to be seriously injured," the council said. She said no injuries had been reported, but she had heard of people's pets getting caught and injured in one "a couple of times" in the five years she had been with the council. Anyone who found a leg-hold trap on council land was encouraged to contact the council's parks and recreation team immediately, not to approach or tamper with it and to note the exact location. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
