Latest news with #Connell
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
More than 400 roaming stock incidents reported in one year on Tairāwhiti roads
'I've almost hit cows on three occasions in the last three years, all in the same spot... between the area around Nūhaka, and Iwitea to Wairoa,' Connell said. As well as stock, he said he has also seen a countless number of goats 'mowed over by everything in the middle of the night' between Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Connell provided Local Democracy Reporting with dashcam footage from his vehicle, showing him nearly hitting cows in Wairoa last week. 'I was also towing a heavy-laden trailer, so it was just by chance that I managed to squeeze them between the two that were on the road.' There were another eight to 10 cows on the side of the road, not shown on the video, he said. 'Cows are herd animals; once one of them is drifting, the whole lot's going.' He believed accessways, gates, and fences on the main highways should be reinforced or improved. 'I'm in commercial vehicles nine times out of 10, but if you were... in a little bl***y Yaris or a Swift... you're not walking away from hitting... a ton worth a cow, especially if you hit it at 100[km/h]'. NZTA Hawke's Bay and Gisborne systems manager Martin Colditz reiterated its call to farmers to help 'avoid their stock becoming a statistic on our roads'. Property owners or farm managers should be mindful of their supervision, regularly check fences, and take extra care when moving stock on roads, he said. Colditz said NZTA Waka Kotahi was carrying out an inspection of SH35 and would work with the council to engage with property owners. They were also exploring how they could manage and enforce increasing occurrences of wandering stock, especially on SH35. 'Wandering stock on our highways presents a risk to life, so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety,' said Colditz. Waka Kotahi worked closely with the GDC, which had a delegation to enforce stock control on the region's state highways via the Stock Control Bylaw (2017). There were 186 instances of contractors being called out to deal with wandering stock (horses, sheep, deer) on Tairāwhiti state highways between May 2024 and May 2025, according to NZTA. This included 157 callouts on State Highway 35 and 29 on State Highway 2 north and south of Gisborne. On local roads, GDC animal control team lead Ross Hannam said the council received 271 'requests for service' regarding the issue from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. 'Waka Kotahi have contractors to deal with stock on state highways,' Hannam said. The council had received four requests for services for both SH2 and SH35, which were dealt with as quickly as possible, according to Hannam. He said the first thing the council did was remove stock from the road to make it safe. If the owner was known, they would contact them. If they couldn't contact the owner, they would impound the stock. 'The big problem is horses within the city and townships up the coast. There are a lot of horse owners that don't have any land to hold their horses,' he said. 'Any stock not claimed is auctioned off. This is mainly horses, and there are two or three per year.' He said the council issued fencing notices to repeat offenders. The council could not issue infringements under the Animal Control Act and bylaws. Federated Farmers Gisborne-Wairoa provincial president Charles Reynolds said farmers must be vigilant about fencing. He said he had no information on whether the issue of wandering stock was worsening in the region. Wandering stock was a bigger issue up the coast north of Tolaga Bay along SH35, he said. However, Reynolds believed incidences of livestock on roads were low relative to the hundreds of kilometres of farming fence lines in the district. The vast majority of farmers were aware of the safety threat to motorists – and their animals, he said. Storms and landslides that took out fencing were a known issue. 'From time to time, gates may be left open by mistake, or by visitors to a farm. Trees and large branches can fall on fences, damaging sections and enabling animals to escape,' Reynolds said.
9 News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- 9 News
Ghost of Yotei developers detail new features of the game
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan dead at 71 I feel it's been the right amount of time between games, with the passionate fans of Ghost of Tsushima more than ready to dive back into this immersive world. But how do you carry it forward? How do you create something new? Ghost of Tsushima was such an epic stand-alone title. So Ghost of Yotei has a big task ahead. Ghost of Yotei is releasing on October 2. (PlayStation) As I sat down with Sucker Punch Productions Jason Connell and Nate Fox, it was the first question I asked. How do we carry this game forward for a true, epic sequel? "We asked almost the exact same questions of ourselves," Connell told "That's the magic judo of making video games. And, for us, it was making sure we carry forward that like lethal precision in the combat, that samurai cinema film inspired sort of vibe, you know. "Respecting the quiet moments, but making sure there's sort of a visceral feeling to all with an awesome story pulling it together," he said. Players will wield deadly weapons as Atsu. (PlayStation) Ghost of Yotei follows the journey of Atsu, a wandering samurai hellbent on vengeance. Set 329 years after the first game, the team at Sucker Punch Productions is pushing open-world exploration to the next level, granting players "unparalleled freedom to discover Ezo". The game heavily leans into its cinematic inspirations, introducing new "director modes" for players. Beyond the returning Akira Kurosawa mode, which celebrates earlier samurai films, two new modes expand the experience, including one that gets players up close and personal with enemies. The setting incorporates "Wild West film tropes" with classic samurai movie influences, creating a unique blend that evokes a sense of being on the "edge of, the sort of the civilised world where anything could happen", Connell said. The game features a large and expansive open world set in Ezo, Japan. (PlayStation) Sucker Punch emphasised their collaborative approach with advisors, building upon the "epic training wheels called Tsushima". These advisors help ensure authenticity and accuracy. "Advisors really help us understand everything from our writing style to our historical, and like, geographical locations that we want to depict… Each of them understand we're making a piece of entertainment," Connell said. Connell and Fox stressed that their goal is not a "stone for stone sort of recreation", but rather to "capture the feeling of a place with enough authenticity and accuracy that really transports people". Ghost of Yotei is coming to PlayStation 5 on October 2. More from our interview with Jason Connell and Nate Fox in the player above. Tech Technology PlayStation Playstation 5 Video Games CONTACT US
Sky News AU
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
‘Clear swing': Labor punished while Liberals secure most seats in Tasmanian election as Sky News projects hung parliament result
Tasmanians have delivered a stern rebuke of Labor leader Dean Winter's decision to pass a no-confidence vote against the government, with Premier Jeremy Rockliff's Liberal Party receiving a boost to its primary vote and claiming more seats than any other party in the snap election. Tasmanians headed to the polls on Saturday to decide on the state's next government as Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Opposition Leader Dean Winter battled it out for the state's top job in an intense election campaign. The early election was sparked by a successful no-confidence motion against Premier Rockliff last month, with the deciding vote being cast by speaker of the house Michelle O'Byrne. The Liberals claimed more seats than any other party in the election, with Sky News Chief Election Analyst Tom Connell projecting another hung parliament. Neither major party secured enough seats to form a majority, with party leaders now set to negotiate with members of the crossbench to piece together a government. 'It hasn't been a big swing but nonetheless a clear swing because it's a three per cent swing against Labor and basically that vote going to the Liberal Party, 3.2 per cent swing to the Liberal Party,' Sky News Chief Election Analyst Tom Connell said. However, both major parties received record-low scores with Labor recording its worst primary vote in the state's history. The Liberals are currently sitting on 14 seats, Labor on 10 and the Greens with five, the exact same composition as last year's election. The crossbench remained progressive as Connell explained Jacquie Lambie Network's votes had flowed to other independents after her candidates decided not to run under the federal senator's banner. 'This is essentially Jacqui Lambie Network votes that have gone to independents.' 'How that leaves the state of the house, it's a very similar situation, 14 to the Liberal Party, 10 to Labor, 5 Greens and 4 independents and 2 undecided and there is a small possibility the Liberal Party can actually grow in number,' Connell said. The Liberals received a 3.3 per cent swing taking its primary vote to 40 per cent while Labor suffered a 2.9 per cent swing, plunging its primary score to a dismal 26.1 per cent. Connell said the Liberals could grow their camp in either Bass or Lyons, with the seventh seat in both electorates up for grabs depending on preference flows. 'The Liberal Party hopes to get up to four in both Bass and Lons, the Liberal Party still has a path to forming government regardless – they can get.' 'If the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers win both of those seats on side or win them in their own right which gets them to 16 but they still need the crossbench.' Speaking at the tally room on election night, Premier Rockliff remained triumphant and slammed Mr Winter for plunging the state into political uncertainty. 'To all Tasmanians, I'm very humbled by tonight's result, a little over six weeks ago the leader of the opposition forced this unnecessary election on the Tasmanian people,' Mr Rockliff said. 'Well tonight the people of Tasmania in return have said they have no confidence in the Labor party to form government,' he said, and outlined his intention to ask the governor to remission his government. Opposition Leader Dean Winter meanwhile refused to concede defeat, stating 'another election is not an option which means we need to figure this out.' 'Tasmanians have delivered another hung parliament, and with it, they want their politicians to work together more collaboratively. They are not happy with politics as usual, and they want to see things done differently,' Mr Winter said. Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff offered to 'have a conversation' with the Labor leader about forming a government with independent members despite Mr Winter repeatedly ruling out a coalition with the Greens during the election campaign. Connell said that if the Liberals managed to garner the support of the two potential Shooters, Fishers and Farmers members, it would have to turn to former Jacqui Lambie Network MP turned independent Kristie Johnston and ex-Labor member David O'Byrne for confidence and supply. 'Kristie Johnston and David O'Byrne are the most likely to go to Jeremy Rockliff, there are no guarantees, O'Byrne used to be a Labor MP, that's how he gets to 18, he gets the first chance to form government, if he can't do that it's unclear what would happen.'
Extra.ie
06-07-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Pope Leo XIV praises the ‘faith' of Irish teacher group
Pope Leo XIV had warm praise for a group of Irish teachers, who he described as 'models of faith', during a meeting at the Vatican yesterday. The pontiff met with a delegation of teachers from Ireland and the UK, led by Bishop Paul Connell of Ardagh and Clonmacnois and Archbishop William Nolan of Glasgow, Scotland. Bishop Connell said: 'We came to Rome hoping to strengthen our faith and reflect on the work we do as teachers in Catholic schools.' Pope Leo XIV had warm praise for a group of Irish teachers, who he described as 'models of faith', during a meeting at the Vatican yesterday. Pic: VATICAN MEDIA / Catholic Press Photo Directly addressing the teachers, Pope Leo said: 'Children will look up to you as models of faith, particularly in how you teach and live. 'I hope that, each day, you will nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic, so that, in turn, you may guide and encourage those entrusted to your care to follow Christ in their own lives.' Following the papal audience, Bishop Connell said of the visit: 'Since our arrival, there has been a wonderful bonding among the entire group. The education context is different in each of our countries, but we are learning so much from each other.'
Daily Record
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'Exquisite' series that fans dub 'best they've ever watched' to hit Disney Plus
The series has been a hit with fans since it was released, with some calling it the best show they have ever watched A critically acclaimed series hailed by fans as the "best they've ever watched" is set to arrive on Disney Plus. Based on Sally Rooney's bestselling novel, Normal People is a poignant portrayal of a complex relationship between two Irish teenagers navigating adulthood. The show, starring Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, tells the story of Marianne, a school outcast, and Connell, a popular student, as their relationship deepens and becomes increasingly complicated. Although currently available on Hulu, Normal People will soon be accessible to UK viewers on Disney Plus, starting in July. According to Hulu's synopsis, "Normal People is an exquisite, modern love story about how one person can unexpectedly change another person's life and about how complicated intimacy can be. "It follows Marianne and Connell over several years-both from a small west of Ireland town, but from very different backgrounds-as they embark on an on-again/off-again romance that starts at school and continues through college, testing their relationship as they explore different versions of themselves." Since its release in 2020, the show has continued to garner rave reviews. A fan on Google reviews praised the show, saying: "Wondrous, magical, messy, complicated and oh so relatable 'Normal People' is one show that revels in nuance and subtlety - capturing each moment in all its raw emotive glory." Another added: "This TV show is exquisite in all its aspects: from the shots to the actors and of course the story." A third commented: "This is one of the best series I have ever watched. It is messy, cute, sometimes awkward, and uncomfortable and that's what makes it feel all 'normal'." On Reddit, one fan said it was the "most devastating romance", adding: "I have rarely been invested in anything as much as I was invested in the relationship of the two main characters probably the best pair of star crossed lovers I have ever seen." One person responded: "That one stayed with me for a long time. It's incredibly real, in the production as well as the writing, which makes it exceptionally absorbing. I related a lot, too." But not everyone agrees as one person said: "The acting is rest is so miserable it's hard to comprehend." Another penned: "Call me boring or whatsoever but I don't understand the whole point of this show." Amidst significant praise since its debut, including a BAFTA, rumours of a sequel circulate amongst fans, which has not officially been confirmed.
