Auckland gets full fleet of parking enforcement vehicles
Auckland Region 4:36 pm today
Auckland motorists who park without paying may want to think twice about chancing their arm now the city has full fleet of parking enforcement vehicles that can catch you out in a split second. The cars, which have advanced plate recognition cameras, digitally "chalk" the wheels of vehicles and assess whether they're parked illegally or not. Reporter Finn Blackwell went for a ride with an enforcement officer as they digitally marked cars on the most ticketed street in town.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Michael Scott Wallace now eligible for parole after the Taranaki murder of German backpacker Birgit Brauer in 2005
By Tara Shaskey of Michael Scott Wallace is now eligible for parole after being imprisoned for the 2005 murder of German backpacker Birgit Brauer. Photo: Supplied / NZME Warning: This story discusses crimes of murder and sexual assault. It has been almost 20 years since a young German backpacker was murdered in a picnic area of a national park. The death of Birgit Brauer, whose body was found in Lucy's Gully, near Ōakura, southwest of New Plymouth, shocked two nations and led to an 18-day manhunt for her killer, Michael Scott Wallace. Wallace, then a 44-year-old drug-taking transient with an extensive criminal history, went on to deny the murder but was found guilty by a jury. He was sentenced in 2007 to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years. This month, he became eligible for parole and, despite the time that has passed, the 63-year-old is still refusing to admit to killing Brauer. Wallace made his first appearance before the Parole Board on 14 May at which he sought parole but was denied. The panel determined he had "a long way ahead to go" before he could be released. Birgit Brauer was on a working holiday in New Zealand when she was murdered. Photo: Supplied / NZME Wallace did not have an approved address at which he could reside if paroled, nor did he have a release proposal. The board's decision, released to NZME this week, stated Wallace has not been motivated to complete recommended treatments and was considered to still be in the rehabilitative phase of his sentence. It was also noted that he would undergo a formal assessment of psychopathy. Wallace recently refused to discuss his criminal history with a psychologist, and while the decision stated he had at some point claimed he could not remember the murder, he told the board that was no longer his stance. "He now said that he did not commit the offending," according to the decision, which was the position he took at trial. On 20 September 2005, Brauer and Wallace's paths fatally crossed in the tiny town of Waitōtara. There, she was picked up hitchhiking by Wallace as she travelled between Whanganui and New Plymouth. Michael Scott Wallace was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non-parole period of 18 years for the murder of Birgit Brauer. Photo: Kenny Rodger / NZME He drove her to Lucy's Gully in Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, formerly known as Egmont National Park, and bludgeoned her with a metal bar before unbuttoning her jeans, likely with sexual intent. When Wallace was disturbed by a passing vehicle, he dragged Brauer into the bush and stabbed her in the chest. Her body was later found by a jogger. Wallace disposed of evidence and eventually made his way to the Manawatū area, where, almost three weeks later, he was arrested. He told police at the time that he did not want to hurt people, but he had, and he would be better off if police had shot him. Meanwhile, Brauer's body was returned to Germany. She was described by those who knew her as reserved yet open, honest and friendly. Brauer knew how to enjoy herself; she had a good sense of humour and was sometimes cheeky. Police searching an area of interest while investigating the murder. Photo: Pool / Chris Skelton She was drawn to New Zealand by a love of nature and geography and soon became a keen All Blacks fan. Brauer loved New Zealanders' down-to-earth attitude and believed she was safe hitchhiking. At Wallace's sentencing, Brauer's parents told the court that the events of 2005 would never leave them. "To this day, we cannot believe Birgit is not with us. A criminal like him does not deserve to live," they said in their victim impact statement. A former top Taranaki detective said he wasn't surprised Wallace still denied killing the 28-year-old tourist, who had been on a working holiday in New Zealand when she was murdered. Grant Coward became a household name when he led the high-profile investigation into the murder, during which he made a "we will catch you" promise to the killer. Former detective senior sergeant Grant Coward, who is now retired, pictured during the investigation into the murder of Birgit Brauer. Photo: NZME / Dean Purcell Speaking to NZME this week, Coward, who received the Commissioner of Police's Silver Merit Award in 2008 for his role in the inquiry, recalled the murder as being callous and cold-blooded. Now retired, Coward said the case had been "a real whodunit", and it was a team effort to track Wallace and help bring him to justice. "It took longer than normal, but we got there in the end." He said it was difficult to know if, or when, Wallace should be released. But, he believed that if Wallace was not rehabilitative or admitting fault, he should have an extended period of imprisonment. Coward said he had not maintained contact with Brauer's family, but she would be in his thoughts forever. "I reflect on the cases that I've worked on, and she's right up there as someone who you remember, because of what happened." Brauer was also someone Caryl Blomkvist remembered from time to time. She and her husband, Fritz Blomkvist, hosted Brauer at their Whanganui farm in the final two weeks of her life, as part of the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. When Brauer left, the Blomkvists dropped her off at the edge of Whanganui so she could begin her hitchhiking journey, but not without a warning. "We told her she shouldn't hitchhike," Blomkvist recalled when speaking to NZME this week. "Then a cop came and banged on our door at 11pm that night. We were pretty shocked." Blomkvist said Brauer's death was a traumatic time for everyone who knew her. Michael Scott Wallace arriving at court for one of his earliest appearances on the murder charge. Photo: NZME / Mark Mitchell "We still think about her," she said, describing Brauer as pleasant and hardworking. "She was no trouble. She spent her time quietly doing what we expected of her, very well. And she enjoyed reading her books and writing. "She wasn't living a party life at all; she liked the quiet life and enjoyed being on the farm." Blomkvist remained in contact with Brauer's mother, whom she said was a strong woman. Brauer's father has since died. Blomkvist preferred not to comment on Wallace, only to say that what he did to Brauer was undeserved. She said that she and her husband do not support him ever being released on parole. After Wallace's conviction for murder, it was revealed he had an extensive criminal history dating back to dishonesty offending in 1976, as well as arson and violence. In particular, he twice raped a woman in 1983, after attacking her husband and locking him in a closet. He served a five-year sentence of imprisonment for the home invasion and sex attack before later committing armed robbery and being sent back to prison. A memorial for Birgit Brauer stood near where her body was found beaten and stabbed at Lucy's Gully. Photo / Kenny Rodger Photo: NZME / Kenny Rodger According to the recent parole decision, Wallace acknowledged at the hearing that he was guilty of his other crimes. "It would be useful to understand from him why he thinks he committed that offending, even if he continues to deny the index murder offence," the board's decision stated. While Wallace, who has not had any misconducts during his current sentence, was initially reluctant to speak with a psychologist in April for a risk assessment, he did but refused to discuss his offending. The psychologist's report detailed a long history of alcohol and drug use and referred to a formal assessment of psychopathy to be conducted. Wallace, who has reimmersed himself in Te Ao Māori while in prison, has completed sessions with a one-to-one departmental psychologist, and a special treatment unit for high-risk violent offenders has been suggested. But there were impediments to Wallace entering such treatment, including his denial of the murder and his belief that he would not work well in a group setting. In the meantime, he will continue to undergo one-to-one treatment. The board found it was important Wallace also complete a drug treatment programme, despite not being motivated to do so. A stolen vehicle Michael Scott Wallace abandoned in the Ōhau River after the murder. Photo: NZME / Mark Mitchell "Overall, Wallace is still considered to be in the rehabilitative phase of his sentence, and therefore rehabilitation must be a priority." An updated psychological risk assessment was ordered before his next parole hearing, scheduled for next year. "So that the assessment is useful, we encourage Wallace to discuss his offending history with the psychologist." * This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald.
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre calls for financial help
Pūkaha board co-chair Mavis Mullins says without an immediate and significant cash injection the sanctuary will be forced to shut its doors. Photo: Supplied/ Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre A former board chair of a wildlife sanctuary in financial strife says he is working overtime to get a handle on the situation. The not-for-profit Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, which boarders the Tararua and Wairarapa districts, is a breeding sanctuary for native birds including kiwi. It has, in recent days, put out an urgent plea for financial help. In a statement Pūkaha board co-chair Mavis Mullins said without an immediate and significant cash injection the board would be forced to shut its doors. The Post has reported that the centre needed to find $600,000. Former board chair Bob Francis and local businessman Shane McManaway had recently been brought in to oversee a complete overhaul of the organisation, she said. Francis said he and McManaway were in the process of figuring out the centre's finances. "We're working over time to sort it out." Former Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre board chair Bob Francis. Photo: Supplied / Bob Francis Mullins said for several months the sanctuary had been working with potential investors, and had brought in independent financial advice. "We've also been in discussion with the Department of Conservation about the payment of outstanding invoices for Shore Plover Aviaries, a nearly completed construction project urgently needed to continue the national programme of protection of this endangered species." The centre was now asking for the community to step in, she said. "Pūkaha has been one of the New Zealand trail blazers in saving native wildlife like our national icon the kiwi, and takahē, kōkako, tūturuatu and kākā. "But the current operating model, which includes only part funding of conservation work by the Department of Conservation, with the rest from community funding, is no longer sustainable." She said the centre had not given up hope - "but the doors will shut soon unless immediate additional funding is forthcoming". The board and management were communicating to lenders, creditors and staff about the potential closure, Mullins said. "This is a very difficult time for all our staff, stakeholders and communities as we work through the next steps and urgently raise capital so we can avoid the painful decision to close," she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Football Ferns 'nowhere near' the required level in loss to Venezuela, coach says
While Annalie Longo has signed off as Wellington Phoenix captain she played for the Football Ferns in this morning's 3-1 loss to Venezuela. Photo: Photosport Football Ferns coach Michael Mayne isn't ruling out benching his starting players for the next international match after a comprehensive 3-1 loss to Venezuela in Spain. The Ferns were behind 2-1 at halftime on Sunday morning in the first of two games against the South Americans, with Venezuela sealing the result in the 86th minute with their third strike. "There are some questions for me to answer about some individual performances and how they help the team," Mayne said. "There are some pretty motivated players and hungry players who want to have an impact in this next game. "We need to learn very quickly and the team that takes the field on Wednesday, we need to make sure that we react very positively in that game and look for the result that we need." Having been named full-time coach just last week, Mayne admits they weren't at their best, with a host of problems in defence. "To concede three goals like we did, all very similar goals, we were nowhere near the level we needed to be at in and around our box," Mayne said. Mayne is settling in after his appointment to lead the team for the Women's World Cup 2027 cycle. Looking ahead to the second game, Mayne stressed the importance of learning quickly and bouncing back. "We're a senior international team and need to perform despite being early in the cycle," Mayne said. "I felt we were one or two touches away from really opening them up. "I don't think it was all doom and gloom but we're working on a new system. "The way we tried to press, and that's where our goal came from, worked really well." Katie Kitching equalised for the Ferns after Venezuela opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Deyna Castellanos. The South Americans responded quickly, regaining the lead just before halftime with Mariana Romero finishing an attack down the right-hand side, assisted by Gabriela García. Despite the positive momentum, Venezuela extended their lead in the 86th minute with a long-range strike from Malanie Chirinos. Ferns midfielder Betsy Hassett marked a special milestone as she played again at the international level for the first time since giving birth to a daughter last September. The 34-year-old campaigner initially returned to her club in Iceland just months after becoming a mother. The Football Ferns will take on Venezuela again early on Wednesday morning. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
