CEO caught in ‘affair' at Coldplay concert under investigation
Astronomer, a New York-based data company, said its directors had begun a 'formal investigation' after Andy Byron, the company's chief executive officer, was filmed with his arms
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NZ Herald
12 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Auckland Transport passenger Jovahna Samuels jailed after seizing control of bus during dispute
The lawyer had tried to enrol Samuels in the New Beginnings Court, which focuses on helping defendants who are homeless rehabilitate. But she accepted that Samuels would instead receive her first sentence of imprisonment after not engaging with the specialised programme. Samuels had gotten on the 83 bus, which starts at Massey University on Auckland's North Shore, last September. When the bus got to the end of the line in Takapuna, she refused to disembark. Instead, the judge noted, she was verbally abusive before clambering into the driver's seat as the Auckland Transport employee stepped off the bus to call for backup. Six days later, Samuels picked up wilful damage charges after throwing rocks at the Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club and at the nearby North Shore Community Toy Library - damaging windows. Mairangi Bay Surf Life Saving Club in Auckland's North Shore. Photo / Google On October 3, she was caught taking a shower in a vacant home and locked herself inside when police arrived. The next day, she tried to shower in the men's locker room at Massey University before staff told her to leave. 'You remained in the dressing room and became verbally aggressive to the witness and other staff,' Judge Bonnar noted, explaining that police eventually had to pepper spray her after she threatened officers as well. There were also multiple shoplifting and trespassing charges, including at Farmer's and the Northcote YMCA, and a charge of ignoring her community work requirements from a previous sentence. Auckland District Court Judge Stephen Bonnar. Photo / Sylvie Whinray Judge Bonnar ordered a four-month starting point for the bus charge, with an additional uplift of four months for all of the other charges. He then allowed a two-month discount for Samuels' guilty pleas, resulting in an end sentence of six months' imprisonment. Once released, Samuels will be required to complete any treatment, counselling or programmes as directed by her probation officer. 'That's unfortunate she didn't want to go through New Beginnings,' the judge lamented to her lawyer as Samuels was led back to a courthouse holding cell. Samuels stood for the entire hearing, declining the judge's invitation to sit. At different points in the hearing, she fanned herself with a notebook, pointed at empty spots in the courtroom and mimicked a choking sound. Craig Kapitan is an Auckland-based journalist covering courts and justice. He joined the Herald in 2021 and has reported on courts since 2002 in three newsrooms in the US and New Zealand. Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
15 hours ago
- Otago Daily Times
Exploration of neurodivergence in engaging show
Hic Sunt Dracones presents The NeuroSpice Girls, by Lizzie Tollemache Wednesday, July 23 24 Filleul St pop-up space Review by BRENDA HARWOOD A large and responsive audience gave a warm welcome to Christchurch-based playwright/actor Lizzie Tollemache's wildly engaging, high-energy exploration of the life-long impact of neurodivergence during last night's premiere performance of The NeuroSpice Girls. Described as ''a funny and ferocious neurodivergent odyssey, from gut-punching denial to celebration,'' the show is directed by Kim Morgan, who also produces through her local theatre company Hic Sunt Dracones (HSD). The NeuroSpice Girls centres on the challenges faced by Tollemache — as a child in the playground, as a teenager and as an adult, when she could finally set about dealing with her issues. Along the way, she shares intimate details — some hilarious and others heartbreaking — of the many times her unique thought processes led to embarrassment, anxiety and punishment. An entertaining and sympathetic performer, Tollemache's masterful performance is superbly supported by a ''Greek chorus'' of top notch local actors, Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Ellie Swann and Destiny Carvell. Each with their own stories of neurodivergence and challenges, the chorus help keep the energy levels high and add immensely to the show's frequent moments of hilarity with impeccable comic timing — especially during satiric moments like the wickedly hysterical ''therapy for the patriarchy'' sequence. They can really sing as well. Alongside its many very funny sequences, The NeuroSpice Girls is filled with relatable moments, such as the triumphant announcement of ''boundaries'' and the moving sharing of the women's whakapapa through their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. An important aspect of the HSD kaupapa is to ''go off the map'' and find distinctive venues for each of its productions and the space at 24 Filleul St (next to the Urgent Pharmacy), sourced with support from the Dunedin Dream Brokerage, is a real coup. Clearly, a lot of work has gone into turning the space into a black box theatre, complete with a simple, effective and adaptive set designed and created by Matthew Morgan, into a fantastic performance space. The large, accessible venue has allowed HSD to cater for diverse audiences as well, with sofas, cushions and mats, as well as a ''chill out room''. Lighting design by Garry Keirle, sound and music by Matthew Morgan, and tech support by Jordan Wichman enhance the theatricality of the piece, while also minimising potential sensory overload. All in all, HSD's production of Tollemache's The NeuroSpice Girls is a triumph, bringing a fresh, informative and thoroughly entertaining approach to an important subject. Congratulations to all involved on a superb show. The NeuroSpice Girls continues at 24 Filleul St until Sunday, with performances at 7.30pm, and also 3pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Performers (top from left) Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Lizzie Tollemache, Destiny Carvell and (bottom) Ellie Swann during rehearsals of The NeuroSpice Girls. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
NZ Herald
15 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Faith Ward corrects confusion about Australian nationality
'We went home like two years ago and I was like, 'Oh, it hasn't changed one bit.'' Ward, who moved to Perth aged 10, is the first New Zealander (and the third Australian) to be selected for the illustrious Texas-based cheerleading squad. She said the significance of her selection was not lost on her. Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. Photo / Instagram 'I feel like it's so cool for us Kiwi girls to show that we are just as capable as everyone else to make our dreams come true. 'Obviously, we don't really get a lot of opportunity in New Zealand, so we have to put ourselves out there as it is, and I did just that and proved us right and that we are capable of doing something like this and made my dream happen.' Her New Zealand nationality may even have helped her secure a spot in the high-profile team. Ward told the radio show she was shoulder-tapped by the team's recruiters, who asked where she was originally from. When she said New Zealand, the recruiter replied: 'We've never had a New Zealand DCC, so you should apply.' Ward also represents a tonsorial first on the squad, breaking the mould by wearing her hair tied up instead of down in the team's signature style. 'I'm honestly so honoured to not only be the first New Zealand DCC and the third Australian, I'm like one of the first to have a ponytail,' she told Fletch, Vaughan & Hayley. 'You guys will see in my cameo if my hair is up or down, that'll be the answer as to whether or not it's staying. But for now, I've been wearing my hair in a pony and [dance director] Kelli seems to like it.' Ward is one of six rookies joining the coveted dance squad for the 2025-26 NFL season. A Netflix docuseries follows the cheerleaders from auditions to training camp and into the NFL season. Asked whether she was prepared for the fame that comes with the role, Ward said her life was 'on a full 360'. 'I'm going to try and live in the moment and take it all in for what it is.' She knows that, when she makes her debut, she'll be inspiring and representing more than just an NFL team. 'Hopefully, I'll do NZ proud.'
