
Trump plays video alleging 'genocide' in South Africa
New Zealand Herald football writer Michael Burgess wraps up the Auckland FC's dramatic A-League semi-final first leg in Melbourne and looks ahead to Saturday's match.
A Māori nurse faces a backlash over a cultural facial tattoo. Video / Michael Craig
'You've crossed him to the other side. Thank you so much.' Video / Beyond the Beat
The electronics shop fought back against the group by chucking items at them from behind the counter. Video / Supplied
Acclaimed filmmaker Gaylene Preston and neighbours Ralph Highnam and Dave Woods share their objections to the plans. Video / Ethan Manera
Hamas and Israel in new round of negotiations as Israeli bombardments continue, and Andrew Little launches his Wellington mayoral campaign. Video / NZ Herald, AFP
Pawanjit Singh Ghatora, who had his leg amputated after a horrific accident in February, finished the last lap of his 21km run alongside friends and family in Te Atatū.
A 28-year-old man was arrested and is due to appear in court tomorrow. Video / Supplied Premium
A Herald investigation has found allegations of unsafe practices against a turtle tour operator. Video / Alyse Wright
10 kiwi were transferred from neighbouring Pōnui Island to Te Matuku Peninsula at the eastern end of Te Motu-ārai-roa/Waiheke Island. Video / NZ Herald
Victim claims inconsistencies in police investigation and fears for her life. Video / Michael Craig
The whale can be seen swimming up to the boat before blowing water at the camera. Video / Aaron Farrell
Members of the public in the area are advised to follow instructions from police officers.
NZ Herald football reporter Michael Burgess reports from Melbourne to look ahead to the first leg of the A-League semi-final between Auckland FC and Melbourne Victory.
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NZ Herald
9 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Police Minister Mark Mitchell, Shane Jones defend Northland police over racism claims
Mitchell replied: 'Like any organisation, police are always looking for constant improvement and it was very good to hear the District Commander highlighting a positive culture, receiving strong support from other policing districts and making good progress with recruiting new police officers. 'My experience with Northland police has been nothing but positive. They are deeply connected and part of the communities they serve and take pride in that.' Ninety extra police officers have travelled to Northland to relieve pressure on the beleaguered force, with 30 staying for five weeks at a time. An anonymous Far North officer told the Advocate the extra cover was needed as so many staff were leaving due to the poor culture within the force. They shared an example of "systemic racism in the force': a Far North officer referring to an alleged offender as a 'little black 1″ in an internal email that was accidentally sent to all Northland staff. Northland police are investigating two burglaries and two incidents of suspicious activity in the past month along at substations across the north. Photo / NZME The email, sent by an officer who is Māori, was in reply to a routine internal email asking for assistance to identify several suspects. The response was accidentally sent to all. 'Dogg this fulla the little black 1 ...' the email said. Far North area commander Inspector Riki Whiu followed with a response to all, acknowledging the message had caused alarm and offence to many and had failed to meet expected standards. While Whiu said the matter was being addressed with the individual, the anonymous officer was concerned the response lacked transparency and accountability. District commander, Superintendent Matt Srhoj, said vacancies in Northland have dropped and the culture had never been better. Superintendent Matt Srhoj with Recruit Sergeant Joe Te Ao. Behind them are nine new police recruits heading to Northland. While the accidental email was 'highly unprofessional', it was an isolated incident, front-footed by the embarrassed officer who had sent an apology to everyone, Srhoj admitted. The mistake email included slang language and text-speak, giving some context to the tone, he explained. 'I acknowledge it was unprofessional, but I don't think there's a racist motivation behind it. 'We work very hard and are always trying to improve culture across our organisation. 'It does have an impact. It makes us feel sad because that's not who we are.' Extra police have come to Northland because of a surge in violent crime, not because officers are leaving, Superintendent Matthew Srhoj says. Photo / NZME Srhoj said a surge in violent crime this year – including nine alleged homicides – resulted in Northland police putting out a 'call for help' from officers around the country. Jones, a Northland resident, said police around the country were facing tough challenges, but claims of racism and culture could not be based on a single email. 'I'll leave operational matters to police but I'm raised in Taitokerau and the police face huge challenges in the North because of the spread of P and gang culture,' Jones said. He said it was up to iwi and the community to stand behind police. 'My advice to iwi leaders and other politicians is, the hardest thing for a police officer is to do their job without high-level criticism. We need iwi leadership up North confirming the role of police and their ability to push back against this tide of violence and drug-run culture. NZ First Deputy Leader and Northland resident Shane Jones backs police. 'From time to time people will be a bit injudicious with their language. I have made a career myself over it, and that matter of the email remains rightly within the police official guidelines. 'But to take that single incident and stigmatise the entire police culture in Taitokerau is wrong and playing into the hands of those who have a vested interest in destabilising policing, so they can get on with their criminality. 'Better law and order outcomes in Taitokerau depend on leadership within the Northland community, specifically the Iwi community and fewer excuses of victimhood and rationalisation. 'Providing an atmosphere for law and order activity is built on strong iwi and civic business leadership against the ferals that are blighting the lives of businessmen and women and the scores of garden-variety every-day Kiwis.' Joseph Los'e joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los'e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and before joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.


Scoop
12 hours ago
- Scoop
TE WHATU STARDOME: A New Dawn For Tāmaki Makaurau's Planetarium
Press Release – Elephant Publicity It reflects a bold new direction for the observatory as it deepens its commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, honours its role as leaseholder on this sacred maunga, and shows how Indigenous knowledge and cosmological science can walk hand in hand to … At the first light of dawn on Monday 18 August, Auckland's Stardome unveiled its new name: Te Whatu Stardome, in a special ceremony held in partnership with mana whenua, Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, on Maungakiekie. The renaming marks a major milestone in Stardome's five-year strategic journey to embrace biculturalism and embed mātauranga Māori into every part of its work. It reflects a bold new direction for the observatory as it deepens its commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi, honours its role as leaseholder on this sacred maunga, and shows how Indigenous knowledge and cosmological science can walk hand in hand to educate and inspire. 'Te Whatu is more than a name — it's a commitment,' says Stardome Chief Executive, Kelly Bewley. 'It invites us to honour the knowledge systems that have long guided people across land and sea, and to create a space where Indigenous perspectives and scientific exploration sit side by side. This is about how we see the universe — and how we see each other.' Te Whatu links the concept of 'the eye' to the phases of the maramataka, the cycle of life death and renewal within the cosmos and on Earth, planetary orbit, and has physical connections to an aerial view looking down upon Maungakiekie, and the telescope dome on the roof of Stardome itself. The new visual identity and tohu were created by artist Graham Tipene (Ngāti Whātua, Ngāti Kahu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāti Haua, Ngāti Manu), whose work across Tāmaki Makaurau is known for seamlessly weaving Māori values into the built environment. The design draws on the puhoro pattern, a motif that represents movement, water, and navigation. The symbolism of the puhoro acknowledges waka journeys guided by the stars and the twin harbours visible from the summit of Maungakiekie. Te Whatu Stardome is now one of only a handful of planetariums in the world to carry a name that reflects a meaningful and ongoing partnership with Indigenous knowledge systems. Other examples include the Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hawai'i, which means 'exploring new knowledge'; the Waasa Debaabing Observatory in Ontario, Canada, meaning 'seeing far'; and the Rapanui Planetarium on Easter Island, whose name translates to 'Eyes that Look to the Heavens'. From its home on Maungakiekie, Te Whatu Stardome stands proudly as a bicultural organisation delivering inspiring, relevant experiences that reflect many ways of knowing. Visitors will be invited to explore the cosmos through a variety of lenses – from the maramataka to modern astrophysics, from traditional navigation to cutting-edge telescope technology, creating connections between people, the planet, and the universe.


NZ Herald
19 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Northland police officer claims staff leaving, top cop cites improved culture
The email, sent by an officer who is also Māori, was in reply to a routine internal email asking for assistance to identify several suspects. The response was accidentally sent to all. 'Dogg this fulla the little black 1 ...' the email said. Far North Area Commander Inspector Riki Whiu followed with a response to all, acknowledging the message had caused alarm and offence to many and had failed to meet expected standards. While Whiu said the matter was being addressed with the individual, the anonymous officer was concerned the response lacked transparency and accountability. They also pointed to an Employment Relations Authority hearing in Whangārei last month, where senior police manager Bridget Doell alleged she was met with a pervasive 'boys' club' culture when leading the mainly male detective team. The authority will make a decision about the personal grievance towards the end of the year. The Northland District Commander, Superintendent Matthew Srhoj, says police culture in Northland has never been better and vacancies have halved. Photo / NZME But the District Commander, Superintendent Matthew Srhoj, said vacancies in Northland have dropped and the culture has never been better. While the accidental email was 'highly unprofessional', it was an isolated incident, front-footed by the embarrassed officer who had sent an apology to everyone, he said. The mistake email included slang language and text-speak, giving some context to the tone, Srhoj explained. 'I acknowledge it was unprofessional, but I don't think there's a racist motivation behind it.' Srhoj said he was unable to comment on the Employment Relations Authority hearing, because it was up to the authority to make a ruling on the historical incidents. But he acknowledged there was disappointment in the way it had played out with a public hearing. Extra police have come to Northland because of a surge in violent crime, not because officers are leaving, Superintendent Matthew Srhoj says. Photo / NZME 'We work very hard and are always trying to improve culture across our organisation,' he said. 'It does have an impact. It makes us feel sad because that's not who we are.' Srhoj said Northland's attrition rate at 5.7% is only slightly higher than the national average of 5.5% and vacancies have halved, from about 50 18 months ago to about 25 now. A surge in violent crime this year – including nine alleged homicides – resulted in Northland police putting out a 'call for help' from officers around the country. A total of 90 officers from as far away as Southland answered the call, with a further 30 planned to start shortly, Srhoj said. Northland staff have 'loved' having the officers here, and are feeling well-supported and able to take much-needed breaks, he said. 'They have boosted our frontline during the process, we have a team of road policing staff as part of it, and just the visibility it's created.' Superintendent Matt Srhoj, pictured with Recruit Sergeant Joe Te Ao, says police recruits in Northland are high, with seven currently training in Albany. Srhoj said the secondment is a short- to mid-term solution to help Northland staff get over a pressure point. The long-term solution is recruitment to fill all the vacancies. More Māori representation would help better reflect the community, he said. 'Having good local people applying is always our number one desire with our recruiting strategy.' A new training centre in Auckland's Albany is a game-changer for recruits, who are able to travel home for the weekend, rather than staying away in Porirua, he said. Seven Northlanders are undergoing training in the new centre's first intake, he said. As well as considering joining the force, Srhoj said, Northlanders who care about the community need to report illegal incidents to police – such as meth dealing – if they want police to do something about it. Police Association Northland director Murray Fenton agreed there have been big improvements in police culture in Northland. 'I am aware that the district is putting a lot of effort into addressing and focusing on improving culture for the region and I applaud the management and executive team for their efforts," he said. 'Nationally, I believe our culture is improving.' Denise Piper is a news reporter for the Northern Advocate, focusing on health and business. She has had more than 20 years in journalism and is passionate about covering stories that make a difference.