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1News
3 hours ago
- Business
- 1News
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei tells iwi wanting to invest to ‘come through the front door first'
Central Auckland hapū Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei is sending a clear message to iwi that want to invest within its rohe or tribal territory to "come through the front door" first. The hapū has endured significant loss throughout its history of colonisation and was rendered to a quarter acre section by 1855. It's now rebuilding its estate, with over 160 hectares of commercial and cultural land in its portfolio, and a total asset base worth $1.5 billion. But Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust deputy chairman Ngarimu Blair said it was disappointing to see iwi based outside of Auckland investing in the city without meeting with them first. "If a Ngāpuhi buys a house, pai ana (all good), but if the iwi entity invests here under traditional leadership structures then we expect our tikanga to be followed," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "Being tūturu Māori is when you go into a tribal district as manuhiri (visitors), you seek out the local home people to acknowledge them as the host, and build a relationship with them. That's all we ask." But that had not always occurred. "Not all of them have come through the front door and we have a list of them," Blair said. Among them was Ngāi Tahu, an iwi based in the South Island, that opened the All Blacks Experience at Sky City in 2020 and purchased property at Onekiritea, Hobsonville. "They made amends for that, have left town, and they've said when they come back they will come to the marae," he said. "We are actually holding on to a taonga that they brought with them for safekeeping so that when they do come back, we have that pounamu in our meeting house, and we will reignite that relationship." Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust deputy chairman Ngarimu Blair. (Source: 1News) ADVERTISEMENT Ngāi Tahu Holdings chief executive Todd Moyle acknowledged mistakes had been made. "In recent years, we have been working closer with Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, which is an improvement on years gone by," he said. "We acknowledge there were instances in the past where Ngāi Tahu Holdings did not engage appropriately, and we appreciate the willingness of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei to work with us to address these issues. "We value our current strong relationship and look forward to future opportunities for collaboration and partnership." But the hapū's northern neighbour, Ngāpuhi, could be next to invest in Auckland when it eventually settles. Penetaui Kleskovic, who affiliates to the tribe, certainly hopes so. "Once we get the economic endowment, we need to look towards Auckland, and the tribes in Auckland will say, 'Ngāpuhi has no legit claim there', but they do," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "If I have discussions with the Crown negotiators, I'll say to them, 'We want all of the remaining assets on the Crown's balance sheet within the Auckland area'." Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chairwoman Marama Royal said the hapū was very protected of its rohe. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Trust chairwoman Marama Royal. (Source: 1News) "That's not because we don't want to share, it's because no one has endured the losses we have in a place like Auckland," she said. "For us, the protection of this, and the fact we have had to purchase back everything we have, sends a clear signal that we are here to stay, and we are the true ahi kā of central Tāmaki. "All we've asked is that they have the courtesy to come through the front door, not the back door – it's as simple as that."
1News
18 hours ago
- 1News
Mona Blades: 'Steady stream' of tips 50 years after hitchhiker disappeared
Fifty years to the day after 18-year-old hitchhiker Mona Blades went missing while travelling from Hamilton to Hastings, police say they are still receiving a 'steady stream' of tips and information from the public. On the morning of May 31, 1975, Blades hopped into the back of an orange Datsun station wagon and was never heard from again. The cold case into the suspected murder, one of New Zealand's most notorious, remains open. Not one piece of physical evidence has ever been found, and her body was never located. But Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Yardley says, five decades later, police are continuing to seek information regarding her disappearance. ADVERTISEMENT Blades' disappearance was the subject of an episode of TVNZ's Cold Case in 2018, and Yardley said a 'steady stream' of information had been coming in from members of the public since. 'The information is assessed and reviewed as it is received for potential further lines of inquiry, which police can follow up on.' He said no case is ever fully closed, 'and it is not too late to provide Mona's family with answers they have long wanted". Noting the anniversary of her disappearance, Yardley said: 'It has been 50 years since Mona went missing in 1975, and we would like to acknowledge her family who have been left with a number of questions around her disappearance.' The sightings, suspects, and speculation A stretch of road Mona Blades had been hitchhiking on when she went missing. (Source: 1News) On the day she disappeared, she was dropped off on Cambridge Road (State Highway 1), Hamilton, early in the morning. She was wearing light green slacks, a green rugby jersey under a fawn jersey, a black duffle coat and brown shoes with yellow laces. ADVERTISEMENT Fifty years missing: Revisiting one of NZ's most chilling cold cases - Watch on TVNZ+ She was carrying a hitchhiker's brown pack and shoulder bag containing a set of colourful plastic tumblers as a birthday present for her nephew, who she was planning to visit in Hastings over the Queen's Birthday weekend as a surprise for his birthday. At around 10am she was seen getting into the back of the orange Datsun. A poster showing the orange Datsun. (Source: 1News) Later that morning, a fencing contractor spotted the vehicle parked about 200 metres down a dirt road off the Napier-Taupō highway. He claimed to have seen a woman matching Blades' description in the back, with a middle-aged man in the front. When he drove past a short time later, the car was empty. Blades' disappearance sparked what was, at the time, one of the country's largest manhunts. ADVERTISEMENT Hundreds of police officers from Taupō, Rotorua, Hamilton and Auckland combed a 200km stretch of highway between Tokoroa and Napier. People search during the 1975 manhunt for Mona Blades. (Source: 1News) But nothing was ever found. More than 500 suspects, many of whom owned or had driven orange Datsuns, were investigated. Auckland police tried to make the case that John Freeman, a man who had rented an orange Datsun the same weekend Blades went missing, was responsible. Two weeks after police announced they were searching for a similar car, Freeman shot and wounded a student at St Cuthbert's College in Auckland before killing himself. John Freeman, one of the suspects in the Mona Blades murder. (Source: 1News) Another person of interest for police was Hamilton man Charlie Hughes, who had since moved to Australia. He has vehemently denied he had anything to do with the alleged murder, and said the constant doubt over his innocence ruined his life. ADVERTISEMENT Charlie Hughes was another suspect in the case. (Source: 1News) In 2003, police investigated a report that Blades' name had been etched on a concrete garage floor at a house in Huntly with fears it could be a makeshift grave. it turned out to be a joke and the former property owner apologised. In early 2012, police dug up the concrete floor of a Kawerau house's laundry room in an attempt to find her body. Nothing was found. Blades' disappearance was then the subject of a 2018 episode of TVNZ's Cold Case, where investigators reassessed every aspect of the file. Experts believed the original investigation had focused too heavily on the orange Datsun. They also believed witnesses may have been misled by the photo of Blades issued by police as her hairstyle was different. A mockup showing Blades as she was believed to have looked when she went missing. (Source: NZ Police ) The investigation also concluded Blades spent longer in Taupō than initially thought, with multiple sightings being made. ADVERTISEMENT Inspector Mark Loper, who led the inquiry then, believed Blades did not leave Taupō alive. Detectives also said they had discovered Blades had some links to gangs in Auckland and Hamilton. Those gangs might have been on the roads travelling to a gathering that weekend. A red car that could have been travelling with a bike gang was also a focus of the new inquiry. A witness had claimed they saw Blades get into a red Toyota station wagon outside the bottle shop at the Spa Hotel. Another said they saw two people carrying a rolled-up piece of carpet into the back of a vehicle matching the description. A red station wagon similar to the one witnesses had described. (Source: NZ Police) However, despite a steady stream of tips and possible leads, no physical evidence, suspects able to be charged, or body have been found. It's now been 50 years since Blades left Hamilton, and her family, as well as police, are still waiting for answers. Sgt Yardley said this week: 'If you have information that may assist in our investigation not yet reported to us, please contact police.' ADVERTISEMENT Anyone with information on the disappearance of Mona Blades was asked to call police on 105.
1News
18 hours ago
- 1News
Arrests after Levin boy racer event injures police, spectators
Ten people have been arrested after police and spectators were injured following a boy racer event involving around 1000 people in Levin and Palmerston North overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford St and Bath St at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. "Fireworks, physical aggression, and a vehicle were all used against police who were attempting to break up the gathering," Manawatū Area Prevention Manager Inspector Ash Gurney said. ADVERTISEMENT Spectators crowd the Oxford/Bath Street intersection as boy racers did burnouts yesterday evening. (Source: 1News) "Two police officers received minor injuries from the fireworks that did not require hospitalisation." By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Five people were arrested and will appear in the Levin District Court in the coming days on disorderly behaviour and driving charges. Five bystanders struck by cars doing burnouts ADVERTISEMENT The group then moved to the intersection of State Highway 57 and Tavistock Rd, where police "were again confronted with more unruly behaviour, including a number of burnouts", Gurney said. A bystander was struck by a car doing a burnout. An ambulance attempting to get to the pedestrian was delayed by people and vehicles and blocking the roads, Gurney said, leading police to "employ tactical options – including deploying sponge rounds to disperse the crowd – to allow it through". Several police vehicles were damaged and had tyres slashed during this period, he said. The crowd then moved to the intersection of SH56 and Tiakitahuna Rd, where "further burnouts and unsafe driving took place". Gurney said four bystanders – aged 16 to 20 years old – were hit by cars. One female had both of her legs run over, he said. ADVERTISEMENT The group were taken to Palmerston North Hospital for treatment for their injuries. One driver who struck the bystanders was tracked by the police Eagle helicopter. An 18-year-old man was taken into custody "after a lengthy foot pursuit by officers". He is due to appear in the Levin District Court on Tuesday on a raft of serious charges. Diesel poured on intersection Diesel was poured on an intersection in Palmerston North city, where the group – which had dwindled to an estimated 200 people – set up again around 2am. The crowd dispersed shortly after the diesel was set alight. ADVERTISEMENT Over the next hour, "several other instances" of single vehicles doing skids and burnouts were identified by officers. 'The escalation in the level of violence committed against officers at these events is incredibly reckless and will not be tolerated,' Gurney said. 'The fact that members of the public were injured should send a strong warning to people intending to take part or observe – this is dangerous and stupid behaviour which can very easily result in multiple serious injuries or even death. 'On this occasion, given the size and unruly nature of the crowds involved, it is fortunate no other people were seriously hurt or worse, and that no Police officers were seriously injured." Gurney said staff will be deployed from Central District and Wellington to respond to "any potential further activity" this weekend. 'This behaviour has no place in our communities' - mayor In a post to Facebook this morning, Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden said he understood the "concern and disruption" that last night's event had caused for the community. ADVERTISEMENT "This behaviour has no place in our communities. I want to acknowledge the significant planning and swift response by police and emergency services to keep our people and our roads safe," he said. "Their work helped prevent a repeat of last year's dangerous and unacceptable events." Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000. - Additional reporting by Abbey Wakefield
1News
a day ago
- 1News
Police swarm Levin boy racer event with riot shields, dogs
Police responded with riot shields and dogs at a boy racer event held in Levin overnight. Boy racers and other spectators swarmed the intersection of Oxford Street and Bath Street at around 10.30pm yesterday. The event was held just before the one-year anniversary of the 2024 'Levin Invasion', where about 30 police officers were outnumbered by 200 anti-social road users, leaving officers injured. This year, the boy racers did burnouts while hundreds of spectators crowded around the intersection, filming and watching. By 11pm, officers armed with riot shields took back control of the intersection, and most of the crowd ran away. The Police eagle helicopter was also hovering above. ADVERTISEMENT Police with riot shields attend a boy racer event in Levin. (Source: 1News) Officers held their lines as glass bottles were being thrown at them, and some in vehicles continued to drive past and through them. 1News witnessed several arrests at the scene. Just two weeks ago, the Government announced tougher penalties for boy racers and fleeing drivers. Those changes were to be introduced in new legislation around mid-2025. The new measures included destroying the vehicles of those who flee Police, street racers, intimidating convoys, and owners who fail to identify offending drivers. Police would also get more powers to manage illegal vehicle gatherings by closing roads or public areas and issuing infringements. ADVERTISEMENT The infringement fee for making excessive noise from or within a vehicle would increase from $50 to $300, and the court-ordered fine would increase from $1000 to $3000.
1News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- 1News
Country music resurges as Gold Guitars strikes golden milestone
The country's prestigious Gold Guitar Awards has reached its own triumphant milestone of the same colour — it's golden anniversary. Many of the past winners of the highly-acclaimed competition returned to Gore's golden stage in Southland to celebrate 50 years. The three-day event is part of 10-day Tussock Country Festival in the south that brings country lovers from New Zealand and the world. On Thursday night, the Gold Guitars held a special gala for more than 20 returning winners to perform — many for the first time in years. Peter Cairns took the coveted prize in 1984. ADVERTISEMENT "This is, literally, the best of the best [in New Zealand country music.]," he told 1News. Around 600 people packed Gore's Town & Country Club venue for the four-hour show this week. "There's been a lot of similar awards that haven't lasted the distance and it's really the tenacity and the hard work of all those involved in putting it together that's led to its success," said Cairns. But it was not just about classic country music. The event organisers have witnessed a resurgence of genre with a record number of entrants this year — 829 in total. That compared to just 38 in the first event back in 1974. Gold Guitar Award convener Phillip Geary has been involved with the competition for 30 years. "Country music is definitely becoming more popular," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Geary added, "we've noticed that over the last, probably five years a big, big increase... in the intermediates [level] which is your teenagers." "With the likes of Taylor Swift and some of the upbeat-type country music artists, [teenagers] are recognising that and enjoying it and I think that's helping," he said. Kylie Price claimed Gold Guitar champion in 2012 and jetted in from the United Kingdom for the show. She told 1News, interest from the younger generation has been felt across the world. "It's like a big family which, I think, is a massive thing when you're trying to bring the future generation in," she said. "We want to be as welcoming as possible." Price said the likes of New Zealander Kaylee Bell's success and others have also helped. ADVERTISEMENT "And you get the overseas artists like Chris Stapleton and Luke Combs and that sort of thing," added Price. She said the resurgence has allowed the genre to evolve. "For a long time, I remember when I was singing and it wasn't deemed as the cool genre to sing... and I think people are starting to realise that country isn't just this one specific sound that they might have always thought country was." With the awards stronger than ever — the next Gold Guitar star would be revealed on Sunday night.
