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Otago Daily Times
24-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Serial book vandal targeting biographies of NZ women
By Adam Burns of RNZ A Hamilton book store owner is fed up with the "disrespectful" actions of a serial book vandal, who she says has wilfully targeted the biographies of high-profile New Zealand women. Nichola Carter, who owns Pennys' Bookstore in the Chartwell Shopping Centre, said the unnamed man has deliberately ripped the covers of stock during three separate visits to the store. The book-tearing campaign began six weeks ago when the man first visited the store, making a beeline for the sport section. "We noticed this gentleman... he picked up books and put them down and picked up books again and put them down again, and then he walked out," Carter said. A staff member then spotted a copy of Straight Up , the biography of Black Fern star Ruby Tui had been ripped, and put back on the shelf with the back facing. Two copies of rugby league commentator Honey Hireme-Smiler's biography were also damaged in the same way during a later visit. "We knew then that someone was doing this on purpose and we did think 'OK does this person have an issue with women'," Carter said. On Friday, a copy of Full Circle by TV presenter Jenny May-Clarkson was also found "ripped and hidden, face down" on one of the store's display stands. "I was thinking why is this happening to these three particular women," she said. Carter then discovered that the same thing, involving the same three books, had also occurred at another book store 25 minutes out of Hamilton. "What got the disrespect. No respect for our store, no respect for these women, and just purposefully doing it," she said. "We're an independent book store, we've been here for 44 years and we've actually never had anything like this happen to us." Although the store had experienced theft, no one had deliberately vandalised stock until now, Carter said. "In 2025, as everyone knows retail is hard for anyone. We are against the big-wigs, we are very local and our customers support us and they're amazing," she said. "It's hard work in this retail environment, and then to see that, that's more money going out of my pocket." The store owner had not engaged with police yet as she was unsure as to whether they could do anything. "I want this person to know that they're not welcome back and we will trespass. I don't want this kind of behaviour in the store." Because it had happened at multiple stores, Carter felt the man's actions were racially-motivated. "Someone's got an issue, a big issue," she said. Hireme-Smiler, a former cross-code international-turned commentator, hails from Putāruru, South Waikato and is of Ngāti Raukawa and Ngāti Ahuru descent. Meanwhile, May-Clarkson (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Kahu) is another former international sporting star who had successfully transitioned to a media career. Tui - a Black Ferns world champion and sevens Olympic gold medalist - has Samoan, Irish and Scottish heritage. "What really annoys me is that these three women who have written these books, and what they've gone through to get to where they are is unbelievable," Carter said. "And this person just comes along and just does this to their books, that really grates me. "It'll be really interesting to find out if this is happening anywhere else in the Waikato. What concerns me is that he's doing it another store." She estimated the culprit was aged "between 45 and 60". "We hope he feels like sh*t. It's just uncalled for. We're not going to tolerate this behaviour any more."
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Ticket holders frustrated with refund process after airshow failed to take off
By Adam Burns of RNZ A Christchurch man who purchased tickets to a popular Marlborough airshow has been left frustrated, saying it is unfair to be reimbursed only part of the ticket price after the event was called off. But event organisers say they are facing financial difficulties as they scramble to compensate ticket holders who have been left out of pocket. The Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka, near Blenheim, was due to take place over Easter Weekend but was cancelled four days beforehand due to severe weather expected. The biennial event has been running since 2001 as a showcase for historic military aircrafts from both World War I and II. Following the cancellation, organisers said they were in the process of "contacting all ticketholders ... to advise when they can expect some clarity around their ticket investment". But many ticket purchasers have vented their anger online after being offered only a "50 to 80 percent partial refund", with one woman describing the situation as "absolutely disgraceful". Colm McArdle planned to travel to the event with his family before he was told about the cancellation in the days leading up. The trip was set to cost between $1000-$1500, he said. In an email to ticket holders a week later, event organisers signalled the "considerable challenge of navigating the financial repercussions of this cancellation". "We have the immediate task of ensuring that our suppliers and contractors engaged in the preparation of the airshow are paid in accordance with their contracts." The email also included a link to a survey, offering options of a partial refund, donating the ticket cost to organisers or rolling tickets over to the next show in 2027. McArdle tried to follow up with organisers. "I wasn't confident that 2027 would go ahead and that it's too far in the future," McArdle said. "I told them I expected a full refund and I got no reply from them." It is the second time McArdle had purchased tickets to the event only for it to be cancelled. The 2021 airshow was abandoned due to Covid-19, however, he received a full refund "within a couple of weeks". "I was sort of expecting the same thing," he said. Airshow organisers facing 'significant financial challenges' Earlier this month, the Classic Fighters Airshow Charitable Trust informed ticket purchasers organisers were "facing unavoidable costs associated with the show preparations". "We are deeply grateful to the many ticket holders who have generously chosen to retain their tickets for the next show in 2027, and to those who have made kind donations to support us, your generosity is truly appreciated." A number of suppliers had also offered to absorb some of the expenses incurred, the email said. "I was under the impression that these events would be insured for these sorts of situations," McArdle said. "For me, it's very unfair, times aren't easy these days. I'm not in the business of giving my money away to events and event organisers and not getting anything in return. The whole thing wasn't cheap." In a statement to RNZ, the Trust said the cancellation had caused a "significant financial challenge". "We understand the frustration caused by the air show's cancellation and sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of most ticket holders. "Mindful of our commitment to all our ticket holders, we made the difficult decision to secure a loan. This allowed us to provide an 80 percent refund of the original ticket price and most of these refunds have now been made." It was also dealing with a "small number of issues" and dealing with each case on an individual basis, a spokesperson said. "All ticket refunds and roll-overs should be completed within the next two days." Under the Consumer Guarantees Act, if an event or show is cancelled, ticket holders are entitled to a full refund plus the booking fee. Consumer Protection states, under the Act, this may not be the case if the breach was due to something outside the control of the business and their agents. "For example, the ticket seller and event organiser are not liable under the [Act] if an event was unavoidably delayed because of bad weather." Earlier this week McArdle was refunded $237.60, amounting to 76 percent of the total sum he paid for tickets. Consumer New Zealand has been approached for comment.
Otago Daily Times
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Brain injury group appalled by 'horrendous' new collision sport
By Adam Burns of RNZ A brain injury support group says it is appalled that the controversial collision sport Run it Straight is staging events across Auckland. The activity, which has generated tens-of-millions of views on social media, involves a ball runner and a defender running full speed into each other within a 20 metre zone. The participant who "dominates" the contact is deemed the winner. On the RUNIT Championship League homepage, it claimed to be "the future and home of collision sports". "RUNIT's the world's fiercest, new collision sport. Born to go viral, built to break limits, it has taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views. "Designed for live crowds and global broadcasts, RUNIT delivers real athletes and the biggest collisions." The first of several scheduled events in Auckland this week was held on Monday night at Trusts Arena with prize money of up to $20,000 on offer. Chief executive of the Headway charity Stacey Mowbray said the activity was undoubtedly causing brain injury. "There's some horrendous and really distressing videos. Going into seizure, having obvious brain injury, that's what we can see," she said. "We refer to concussions as the invisible injury, so you don't have to see anything initially to have had one." Mowbray said the format and promotion of the Run It Straight events appeared to exploit financially vulnerable people by offering large cash prizes. "It's so hard to say no to this $20,000 carrot hanging in front of you when people right now are finding life pretty tough," she said. Despite its burgeoning popularity, the sport has not been without other detractors in other contact codes over its safety and risk. Former league internationals Dean Lonergan and Mark Carroll have raised concerns over its safety. After representing both Australia and New South Wales during the 1990s, Carroll revealed in 2023 he had been diagnosed with Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Headway also took aim at the involvement of New Zealand Warriors stand-off Chanel Harris-Tavita, who was a special guest at RUNIT's Auckland trial at Trusts Arena on Monday. Other league stars, both current and former, have been involved in the promotion of Run it Straight, including Melbourne and Kiwi forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona and former South Sydney and Great Britain prop George Burgess. "We have contacted New Zealand Warriors to express our serious concern about this association and what message this is sending," Mowbray said. As reported by the NZ Herald, New Zealand Rugby (NZR) had also distanced itself from the sport, believing the sport "carried significant risk of serious injury". Earlier this month, Headway also flagged concerns with Auckland Council, the Mayor's office, elected members and WorkSafe New Zealand about how permits for Run it Straight events were issued. "This is not just a twisted ankle. A concussion, particularly when it's not managed properly, can have really significant impacts," Mowbray said. "How, under the Health and Safety Act, did this permit get approved and how did the promoters provide evidence that they were mitigating the risks?" RUNIT, Auckland Council and the New Zealand Warriors have all been approached for comment.
