Seal Security director Chetan Kumar fined and banned from hiring overseas workers
A Lamborghini-driving security company boss accused of exploiting migrant workers has been fined $1000 and his business has been banned from recruiting overseas staff.
The adverse ruling was made by the Private Security Personnel Licensing Authority (PSPLA) against Chetan Kumar, the director of Auckland-based security
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Scoop
18 minutes ago
- Scoop
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
Article – RNZ Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland's new electric ferries set to make waves worldwide
Auckland Transport's first electric ferry has touched water for the first time. Workers began the slow process of bringing the vessel from the McMullen & Wing shipyard factory floor into the nearby Tamaki River in Mt Wellington early Wednesday morning. The first of two fully electric ferries will undergo technical tests here over the coming weeks, before trialling its seaworthiness inside the Hauraki Gulf. "In about a month's time we'll be taking it down the river and charging up at Auckland Transport's new charging station in Half Moon Bay," said EV Maritime chief executive Michael Eaglen. "Then we'll be doing trialling more broadly on the Hauraki Gulf, which we're expecting to be handing over to Auckland Transport in probably around about three months' time. "These are highly automated boats, so you test all the automation systems, take it to the point where we can then hand it over to Auckland Transport who can bring their operator on board and get into crew training," he said. Auckland Transport ferry programme director Nathan Cammock said the main route the EV Maritime ferries will run will be between Half Moon Bay and downtown Auckland, although they may take the occasional trip to Devonport and Hobsonville Point. "They're designed for mid-harbour routes so those are routes between 30 to 45 minutes journey time." "These two new electric vessels will service the Half Moon Bay route and we may see them go to other destinations over time," said Cammock. He said each boat cost about $20 million. "The New Zealand government has provided the biggest contribution around two-thirds of the cost of each vessel, the remaining third is split between NZTA Waka Kotahi and Auckland Council. "So a lot of parties have come together to make sure this project is successful," he said. The first work on the boats began in 2022 and they could begin service before the end of year, although Auckland Transport said there was still no fixed date for when commercial sailing will start. "We're not keen to rush it, we want it fully tested and commissioned and any issues are worked out so when it's handed over to Auckland Transport its working as expected," said Cammock. The fully electric ferries were designed by EV Maritime, while the propulsion technology was created by HamiltonJet in Christchurch. The ferry is made from carbon-fibre composite will be able to reach speeds of up to 25 knots - or 46 km/h - with a capacity of 200 passengers. The ferries are expected to have a lifespan of more than 30 years. Auckland Transport said the batteries were anticipated to have a lifespan of about 10 years before requiring a replacement. Although Auckland Transport did expect newer, lighter and higher-capacity batteries to be available as technology advances. The EV Charger that will be used at the ferry terminals can operate at roughly 10 times the speed of a Tesla supercharger, rated at up to 3.3 megawatts. The ferries will charge while passengers board and disembark, needing 10 minutes of charge time to have enough power for a one-way journey. It is expected they will do eight return trips per day, meaning they will need to charge 16 times over the course of a day's service. McMullen & Wing director David Porter said today's launch was a success and showcased the strength of New Zealand innovation. "The day is a milestone in which we can show the world what is possible and I know there are people out there for some time, looking to ride on these ferry boats and be convinced that it all works," he said. "There's scepticism always in new technology but today we've taken a real step in proving that we're on our way." "There's a great team in the background, I don't build the boats, we've got a team that do. Michael's (Eaglen) team does the design work and it all fits in together and we've got a great group of really good contractors," said Porter. The New Zealand designed and made electric ferries were also world leading. Eaglen said the eyes of the world were eagerly watching the project, with only two or three other similar ventures known internationally. "This is a really high-profile project from an international ferry world perspective, as I said, there's been a lot of vehicle ferries electrified, but very few fast passenger ferries," he said. "We've got a lot of people very keenly aware of what we're doing here and very much looking forward to coming down here. "It's believed to be the first one going into a really rigourous, high-frequency core public transport service and it's also the first one to be using the new megawatt charging standard, which I think is going to be the new standard for electric ferry operations around the world. "So this is a really important demonstrator for EV Maritime as a project for our kind of export ambitions. "We're really grateful to the government and to Auckland Transport for supporting us with putting their faith in us for these first projects and helping us get these first boats in the water and demonstrated because that's how you grow an export industry, and that's what we're trying to do here," said Eaglen. Cammock said they were keen to support launch what could be a new industry for New Zealand. "It's a great example of New Zealand innovation... a great opportunity for a technology export industry to grow off the back of New Zealand's existing maritime industry. "EV Maritime have been proactive in the market and have got some early contracts overseas and we're looking forward to supporting that with these new boats going on the water," he said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Scoop
3 hours ago
- Scoop
More Deaths Reported Out Of West Papua Clashes
Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific Journalist Further reports of civilian casualties are coming out of West Papua, while clashes between Indonesia's military and the armed wing of the Free Papua Movement continue. One of the most recent military operations took place in the early morning of 14 May in Sugapa District, Intan Jaya in Central Papua. Military spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Iwan Dwi Prihartono, in a video statement translated into English, said 18 members of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) were killed. He claimed the military wanted to provide health services and education to residents in villages in Intan Jaya but they were confronted by the TPNPB. Prihartono said the military confiscated an AK47, homemade weapons, ammunition, bows and arrows and the morning star flag – used as a symbol for West Papuan independence. But, according to the TPNPB, only three of the group's soldiers were killed with the rest being civilians. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua said civilians killed included a 75-year-old, two women and a child. Both the women were allegedly found on 23 May in shallow graves. A spokesperson from the Embassy of Indonesia in Wellington said all 18 people killed were part of the TPNPB, as confirmed by the military. 'The local regent of Intan Jaya has checked for the victims at their home and hospitals; therefore, he can confirm that the 18 victims were in fact all members of the armed criminal group,' they said. 'The difference in numbers of victim sometimes happens because the armed criminal group tried to downplay their casualties or to try to create confusion.' The spokesperson said the military operation was carried out because local authorities 'followed up upon complaints and reports from local communities that were terrified and terrorized by the armed criminal group'. Jakarta-based Human Rights Watch researcher Andreas Harsono said it was part of the wider, Operation Habema which started last year. 'It is a military operation to 'eliminate' the Free Papua guerilla fighters, not only in Intan Jaya but in several agencies along the central highlands,' Harsono said. He said it's been intensifying since the TPNPB killed 17 miners in April, which the armed group accused of being 'military informers'. RNZ Pacific has been sent photos of people who have been allegedly killed or injured in the 14 May assault, while others have been shared by ULMWP. Harsono said despite the photos and videos it's hard to verify if civilians had been killed. He said Indonesia claimed civilian casualties – including of the women who were allegedly buried in shallow graves – were a result of the TPNPB. 'The TPNPB says, 'of course, it is a lie why should we kill an indigenous woman?' Well, you know, it is difficult to verify which one is correct, because they're fighting the battle [in a very remote area]. 'It's difficult to cross-check whatever information coming from there, including the fact that it is difficult to get big videos or big photos from the area with the metadata.' Harsono said Indonesia is now using drones to fight the TPNPB. 'This is something new; I think it will change the security situation, the battle situation in West Papua. 'So far the TPNPB has not used drones; they are still struggling. In fact, most of them are still using bows and arrows in the conflict with the Indonesian military.'
