logo
Businessman Peter Huljich reveals himself as convicted inside trader

Businessman Peter Huljich reveals himself as convicted inside trader

RNZ News15-05-2025

An appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
Photo:
123RF
An Auckland businessman has revealed himself as the person found guilty of insider trading in relation to the sale of shares of a digital donations company Pushpay.
Peter Huljich was convicted in 2023 in a case brought by the Financial Markets Authority, but name suppression was not due to expire until Friday.
He said he revealed himself early because he wanted to front the issue and his belief in fair and ethical business environment.
Huljich, a member of a well known Auckland business family, maintains his innocence and said he was an intermediary in the issue.
An appeal against conviction was dismissed by the Court of Appeal and a fine of $100 thousand dollars doubled.
He said he intended to seek an appeal to the Supreme Court.
More to come...

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Rotorua homeless trespassed in Amohia St in council operation with police
Rotorua homeless trespassed in Amohia St in council operation with police

RNZ News

time3 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Rotorua homeless trespassed in Amohia St in council operation with police

Rough sleepers and their possessions outside the Salvation Army store on Amohia Street. Photo: Kelly Makiha Homeless people have been moved on and trespassed from a makeshift camp in Rotorua's CBD in a scene a charity worker described as "heartbreaking". The Rotorua Lakes Council said its operation, with support from police, was respectful, safe and necessary given concerns about antisocial behaviour by rough sleepers on Amohia Street. People have been staying outside the Salvation Army building in recent weeks, near sources of free food, showers and laundry facilities. Businesses complained about people urinating in public and other bad behaviour deterring customers. This morning, the camp was disestablished. Rough sleeper Adrianne Renata said authorities "came in and moved everybody" about 7am. She said they gathered loose belongings into bins and took away trolleys being used to carry them. Renata said she walked away to avoid being trespassed. The group had been warned at dinner the night before that police would be coming at 7am, she said. A woman with her wondered where they would sleep that night, and Renata said her head was spinning. "I feel like we're being moved around like cattle … like, 'oh, you need to go and graze in another garden'." A council spokesperson said the operation was responding to "increasing concern" about people sleeping rough in the CBD, including reports of anti-social behaviour and intimidation. Homelessness in the city was a complex issue, and the council worked with agencies to encourage people to accept support and "explore opportunities for stable accommodation". "However, there comes a point where anti-social behaviour and intimidation - and their impact on the public's sense of safety in the CBD - must be addressed." The area outside the Salvation Army on Amohia Street after authorities cleared it. Photo: Ben Fraser Operating under several council bylaws, trespass notices were issued. Belongings left behind were not seized, but collected by staff and stored for the owners to retrieve. More locations will be visited this week, and the council encouraged the government and social services to provide meaningful support and solutions for those experiencing homelessness. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell met last week with concerned CBD business owners, who urged the council to take action. Tapsell said the footpath was not an appropriate place to sleep, and the council had heard about illegal, offensive and anti-social behaviour by rough sleepers. "This has created unacceptable safety concerns for others and impacted businesses. We've taken action to resolve this issue." Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell. Photo: LDR / Laura Smith Salvation Army Rotorua community ministries manager Darnielle Hoods said it was not warned of the operation. "It is heartbreaking to see that this had to happen at such an early time of the morning, where some [homeless whānau] were having breakfast and some were still asleep." Hoods was not sure how many were moved on, but by 8am "everyone and everything" was gone. Staff saw people trespassed, and two were handcuffed and taken away. She emphasised that whānau could still access the charity's support, and it would continue working with rough sleepers. "Homelessness is not a moral failing; it is a complex social challenge that requires compassionate systemic solutions that uphold people's dignity." Hoods believed the incident reinforced the need for council, police and agency collaboration, and a compassionate approach for "our most vulnerable community members". "We believe there are more innovative ways to address rough sleeping that centre on the needs and voices of those experiencing homelessness, and that includes advocating for approaches that preserve human dignity." Rotorua's area commander, Inspector Herby Ngawhika, said the police role was to ensure council staff could conduct their work without incident and those trespassed remained safe. "By and large, people moved away quickly and without incident." Two were arrested for disorderly behaviour. The operation followed one to remove people from a geothermal park. Council active and engaged communities manager Rob Pitkethley told a meeting this month that the accumulation of people sleeping rough in Kuirau Park reached a point of "significant public concern". Police issued nine trespass notices there, and one person was later arrested for trespassing. Rotorua Lakes Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston and community safety and regulatory services director Mihikore Owen. Photo: LDR / Laura Smith In a report to a meeting on Wednesday, community safety director Mihikore Owen said "increasingly visible" homelessness in the CBD was driven by emergency housing facility closures and "prevailing economic pressures". Tents erected in Kuirau Park resulted in litter and "disorderly behaviour". Safe city guardians provided referrals to support services and encouraged behavioural change, but "behaviours did not improve". The meeting heard that at times there were about 40 rough sleepers, with 12-15 not engaging with support offered. Destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said the team worked to communicate with support agencies to convey how the support and help offered to homeless people created challenges. "We've seen that amplified in recent weeks around Amohia Street." He said previous council efforts to trespass the homeless from reserves drove more to the CBD. A further update on homelessness in the CBD was heard in a confidential phase of the meeting. The council said this discussion was not heard in public because it contained information provided in confidence, and it was not in the public interest to share it at the time. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Additional reporting by Kelly Makiha of NZME.

'We're quite excited': Fieldays farmer spending tipped to hit new highs
'We're quite excited': Fieldays farmer spending tipped to hit new highs

RNZ News

time3 hours ago

  • RNZ News

'We're quite excited': Fieldays farmer spending tipped to hit new highs

The southern hemisphere's largest agricultural event is a ritual for many farmers, but this year it's hoped there'll also be record spending. Huge numbers are rolling into Fieldays in Hamilton which kicked off today, with an estimated 100,000 people expected to attend between Wednesday and Saturday. With a farmgate milk price of $10, record beef prices and strong sheep meat returns - the rural sector is on the up. Combine that with the government's recent move to allow farmers to deduct 20 percent off new farm equipment from their taxable income , and the prediction is sales could reach new highs. The Minister of Agriculture also announced a $4 million boost to rural wellbeing, and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said during his visit to Fieldays that he wanted farmers to know they were "deeply loved" by the government. That's certainly something that agricultural machinery companies are feeling, down at the Husqvarna stand there were plenty of smiles and national sales manager Steve Middleton told RNZ there had been a recent uptick in spending and mood amongst farmers. Steve Middleton says sales are on the upward curve. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi "We're seeing an improvement, there's been a lot of signals in the market place in the rural sector that we're seeing signs of the times getting better and farmers are looking to spend some of the cash they've built up. "We're definitely seeing it come through particularly in robotic auto mowers and lawn tractors - it's positive and we are on the upward curve now," he said. Palmerston North dairy farmers Christian Allen and Anna Maley believe the 20 percent tax reduction will make a difference. "Farm owners I think will be more willing to spend a bit more money and upgrade some gear considering it's 20 percent off you can get back. Palmerston North dairy farmers Christian Allen and Anna Maley. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi "Farmers with older tractors that have done seven or eight thousand hours, it'll be more appealing to trade it in and get a new one, less hassle," he said. A sentiment that has businesses feeling optimistic. CNH business manager John Gilbert told RNZ that sales of Case and New Holland tractors were likely to be high at this year's Fieldays. "We're quite excited, I think there's a sense of a mood shift. Last year we sold 40 tractors at Fieldays and this year we're hoping to eclipse that. "With the tax boost announced a few weeks ago by government that's really got people talking and we've seen evidence of that already in the market - people are buying tractors," Gilbert said. John Gilbert is expecting this year's sales to eclipse last year's. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi However, that's not the case for all of the 1200 exhibitors at Fieldays. A few tents along at the All Trade Tools stand, key account manager Rodney Smith told RNZ their clients, many DIYers and tradies, were not doing as well as farmers at the moment. "It's been tough for us out there, we're down considerably year on year. We're finding the DIY market is non existent at the moment. "I think interest rates, mortgages - people don't have that money in their pocket to go out and spend a couple hundred dollars on something they really don't need," he said. A cautious approach the Jowsey family is taking, they farm sheep and beef in Raglan and mum Amber said even in the good seasons, they were always careful. "You've still got to stay within your limits but farmgate prices are pretty good so doesn't feel bad like last year... for sure," she said. The Jowsey family from Raglan on their annual trip to Fieldays. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Husband Clint Jowsey is eyeing up solar water pumps, and is relieved to see the rural economy doing well. "I reckon it's going pretty good at the moment, it's ticking over," he said. Whangārei farmers Julie and Bruce Paton are also looking for some Fieldays deals such as water tanks. "We certainly feel we can spend a bit more this year. Because we're in dairy and beef, and both are up, so why wouldn't we be positive about that," they said. Whangārei farmers Julie and Bruce Paton on their annual Fieldays trip. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Natasha Kahu of New Plymouth convicted after dog attacked man fixing her car
Natasha Kahu of New Plymouth convicted after dog attacked man fixing her car

RNZ News

time4 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Natasha Kahu of New Plymouth convicted after dog attacked man fixing her car

By Tara Shaskey, Open Justice reporter of A man was attacked by a dog when he went to Natasha Kahu's house in New Plymouth to fix her car. Photo: NZ Herald/Supplied WARNING: This story contains graphic details of a dog attack injury. A man visiting a property to fix a car was left with a gaping wound in his leg and facing possible amputation after being attacked by a dog that had previously bitten another person and been impounded several times. The 62-year-old was at Natasha Raedine Kahu's house in New Plymouth when her dog Boogi, a bull mastiff-boxer cross, wandered into the front yard dragging a chain around his neck. At the same time, the man walked towards a vehicle in the driveway, intending to inspect it, New Plymouth District Court heard on Wednesday. But Boogi rushed at him and although the man was able to fend him off initially, the dog took a few steps back and lunged at him, biting his left leg. The man fought Boogi off, at which point Kahu's partner came outside, dragged the dog away and secured him inside. The man went back to his car and used a towel to wrap his leg, which was bleeding heavily. He drove to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to repair his left tibialis anterior tendon. The man spent three days in hospital after the surgery and had to be readmitted the next month because of issues with the wound. Animal Control was later advised of the attack and Boogi was seized. After the March 27 incident last year, Kahu, 54, was charged with owning a dog that attacked and caused serious injury, which she admitted. At her sentencing on Wednesday, Judge Gregory Hikaka said the man recalled the dog "ripped" a chunk from his shin "and ate it in front of me". "I got him away but he came back. The only way I got away was that he was eating the flesh from my leg," the man said in a statement read by the judge. The man said he was immobile for three months and in a lot of pain. He had to undergo follow-up surgery, the injury became infected twice and he was warned that if he did not rest his leg it would be amputated at the knee. The judge said the man was unhappy that Kahu's inability to restrain Boogi had caused him so many issues, which were ongoing. In her affidavit, Kahu claimed the dog had not been aggressive before and children often visited the property and were safe around Boogi. She believed there were exceptional circumstances in the attack, including that Boogi had been on a chain and she thought he was secure. However, she had not realised the chain had become detached from the house and he was roaming the yard. Kahu said Boogi was protecting her and the property when he attacked the man. Defence lawyer Susan Hurley argued Kahu should be discharged without conviction on the basis that if convicted, it would risk her current employment. However, Hurley submitted that if a conviction was entered, Boogi should not be destroyed given there were exceptional circumstances involved. According to the Dog Control Act 1996, if an owner is convicted, the court must make a destruction order unless it can be proven the circumstances of the attack were exceptional. Prosecutor Jacob Bourke, appearing on behalf of the New Plymouth District Council, opposed the application for a discharge without conviction. He said the injury caused by Boogi was serious. "This isn't just a bite that had a little bit of antiseptic applied to it and away we go. "There were reasonably involved medical requirements for the injury as well as the ongoing psychological impact." Bourke submitted the consequences of a conviction were not out of proportion to the gravity of the offending and a conviction was warranted. He also argued there were no exceptional circumstances involved and a destruction order should follow. "This is a dog that has bitten people at the address before and has gotten loose off his chain before." Bourke told the court Boogi had previously bitten a Kāinga Ora property manager who had visited the property, and had a history of being impounded. He referenced Kahu's affidavit and her belief the dog was not dangerous. "I don't really understand how that can be her position given it's bitten people before and it's got loose, and the council has been involved with her a number of times and have given her chances, warnings and educational opportunities." Hurley confirmed Boogi had attacked the Kāinga Ora worker but said it did not result in a prosecution. She said the worker was at Kahu's home to assist other parties in ensuring the property was fenced. Judge Hikaka said Boogi had previously been impounded several times. Detailing Kahu's history of non-compliance, he said she had been given every opportunity to address concerns raised about the dog's behaviour. He found the injury Boogi caused was serious and Kahu had not met the test for a discharge without conviction. Upon convicting her, Judge Hikaka also found there were no exceptional circumstances involved in the attack and ordered that Boogi be put down. Hurley indicated Kahu would appeal the outcome and asked that the dog not be destroyed in the meantime. Kahu was also sentenced to 60 hours of community work. This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store