Latest news with #MattWilkinson
NZ Herald
4 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay fires: Penalty of fine criticised as ‘economic incentive to burn'
'$300 is not a deterrent. It's actually an economic incentive to burn,' Graham said. 'I rang the Pollution hotline. This was one of the worst examples of air pollution that I have seen this year, which is saying something considering the extent of this activity,' Graham said. 'This fire was in blatant disregard and abuse of our community's air quality and the law. 'The smoke was drifting towards Hastings, completely covering the entire region between Railway Rd and Havelock North,' Graham said. 'It was difficult to drive on Riverslea Rd heading back into Hastings due to limited visibility.' HBRC said its pollution response team investigated a complaint regarding smoke in the Longlands Rd area on July 27. 'As a result of that investigation, enforcement action has been taken and a $300 fine issued.' HBRC compliance manager Matt Wilkinson said it was frustrating that the council's ability to deter this behaviour was constrained by the fines set at a national level. 'But we acknowledge the changes made by the Government, coming into effect in September, which lifts the infringement fines to $600 for individuals or $1200 for companies as a move in the right direction of discouraging burning in or near airsheds.' Graham said those planned increases were not high enough and would still encourage fires to save money. Air pollution records published in Hawke's Bay Today on Friday, August 8, show the National Environment Standard air quality was also exceeded in Hastings on July 26 (54 micrograms). In a 12-month period in 2023-24, HBRC received about 80 complaints of burning during winter. More than 70 infringement fines were issued. Orchard burnoffs are allowed under the Regional Air Quality rules, but they must meet specific conditions. Christian Jirkowsky, who moved from Austria to Hawke's Bay in 2007 and has more than 30 years' experience in the power and heat generation sector, where wood, biomass, and fossil fuels are used for energy production, said it was widely acknowledged and scientifically proven that even brief exposure to fine particles (PM 2.5 and PM1) and aerosols emitted from open wood burning increases the risk of non-accidental and respiratory-related fatalities. 'This is why most developed countries have banned open burning and apply severe consequences for violations,' he said. 'Wood smoke exposure induces airway irritation, causes lung damage, and substantially increases the likelihood of developing asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], and heart attacks,' Jirkowsky said. What is an airshed? An airshed is a legally designated air-quality management area. In New Zealand, regional councils and unitary authorities have identified areas to be managed as airsheds for the national environmental standards for air quality. The majority of airsheds may have levels of pollutants that exceed the national environmental standards for air quality. Some airsheds are also identified based on factors such as: the number of people living in the airshed now or in the future unique weather patterns and geography local air emissions, such as local industrial activity, which need to be specifically considered and managed. Why do we have airsheds? HBRC says airshed rules exist because smoke from backyard fires in urban areas, though they may seem minor, adds up quickly. On cold, still days, the smoke lingers and affects air quality. 'If everyone lit backyard fires, it would quickly become a serious pollution issue. These rules help protect our whānau and community from the harmful health effects of smoke, especially in winter when it gets trapped close to the ground.' LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Metro
16-05-2025
- Metro
Boy, 14, stabbed in middle of London street with 14-year-old arrested
A 14-year-old boy has suffered multiple injuries after being stabbed in the middle of a London street. Police were called to Wood Street, Walthamstow, in East London at 5pm yesterday. They found the victim with multiple stab wounds. Officers arrested another 14-year-old boy on suspicion of affray and possession of a bladed article. The Metropolitan Police said: 'On Thursday, 15 May police were called at 16.56 to Wood Street, E17 following reports of a stabbing. More Trending 'Met officers attended the scene alongside paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London's Air Ambulance who treated a 14-year-old boy for multiple stab injuries before taking him to hospital.' 'We await an update on his condition. A 14-year-old boy from Waltham Forest has been arrested for affray and possession of a bladed article. Enquiries are ongoing to identify an outstanding suspect.' Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow said: 'Walthamstow am sorry to confirm a serious incident in wood street tonight. This is what I can verify at this point in time. 'The police have confirmed that following an altercation a young man has been stabbed – am awaiting details of his condition and ask you not to speculate further on what has happened out of respect to his family.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Londoners charged £1,000 to park outside their home forced to 'give up' their cars MORE: Apple Music's Matt Wilkinson: 'We need grassroots venues so rising artists can have their start' MORE: Roman Lavrynovych, 21, appears in court accused of arson fires near Keir Starmer's home
Metro
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘We need grassroots venues so rising artists can have their start'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video If there's anyone who knows the importance of grassroots venues to London's music ecosystem, it's Apple Music DJ Matt Wilkinson. The industry tastemaker firmly embedded himself in the London scene as a former new music editor at NME before bringing you the best emerging acts around over the airwaves on his daily radio show. And by night, you'll often find him at one of the capital's many gig spots unearthing the next Fontaines DC, Charlie XCX or Lola Young. 'We have such an incredible influx of culture coming in and one of the obvious funnels out is music and performing arts', Matt tells Metro. 'You get different people heading to London – some of them not through choice, some of them because it's London and because it's got this history. When you throw it all together, you just need small venues to be able to give these artists their start. 'It's impossible for an artist to make good music and suddenly go from playing to nobody to selling out Brixton Academy in front of 5,000 people. You need those middle ground venues where you can play to 50 people, then 100 people, then 250, then a 1,000, then 2,000. It's important to have that kind of stepping stone or that ladder that small venues provide. 'They're the lifeblood. Not just of London music but the city itself. It's not just music venues, but comedy venues, theatres, and independent cinemas.' Ticketing app DICE has put together a list of their 25 grassroots artists you need to see in London over the next six months. With tickets ranging from free to £27.50, these shows will ensure a great night to suit all tastes and budgets. Click HERE to catch the full list. This week, Metro along with the London Mayor's Office, TfL, MVT, the Featured Artist Coalition and London Creates Music, launched the London Creates MUSIC campaign at the Outernet in Denmark Street highlighting the importance of London's grassroots music venues and its musical heritage. The map will be screened for a month at the Outernet London, the largest digital exhibition space in Europe. The focal point is a captivating alternative Tube map guiding readers through the city's many live venues, artists you need to see in 2025, record shops, historic locations, and independent labels. Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden, Skin from Skunk Anansie, Billy Bragg, Charlie Steen from Shame and Prima Queen are among the acts who have backed the campaign and given their views on the importance of a thriving grassroots scene. Almost 330,000 performances were held at 179 grassroots music venues in London attended by around 4.3million people last year, according to the Music Venue Trust (MVT). But the trust's founder, Mark Davyd, warned the costs of running these venues has 'absolutely exploded' over the last five years. The nighttime economy suffered a further blow on Wednesday after The Leadmill in Sheffield lost its fight against eviction, prompting Liam Gallagher to brand the decision 'scandalous'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Matt says councils, the government, and larger venues need to be working together to help smaller venues and preserve the city's grassroots heritage. He said: 'Without smaller venues, you're not going to be able to grow artists to a point where they can actually go and play the O2 or Brixton Academy, or Hammersmith, or the Forum. Everybody needs to pull together because it's really tough. 'We read about a venue a month having to do a Crowdfunder – basically having to beg to survive. The future is definitely in a turbulent place thanks to everything that's happened over the past five years, and probably longer. 'Now is the point when people need to come together. It almost feels the onus is on music fans to help save venues, which is wrong. It should be the music industry that leads the way.' We've teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of Music Festival Wristbands valid for 2-7 June 2025. Headliners include Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, Brit Award-winning artist Mabel, Crystal Castles's Alice Glass, and East London-based R&B artist NAO, plus emerging talent set to perform at showcase acts around Shoreditch. Click here to find out more about SXSW London's incredible events and how to enter to be in with a chance to win, or simply enter your details using the form below. *T&Cs apply. You have until midnight on Sunday 25th May 2025 to enter. Good luck! * Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 06:01 BST on 13 May 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 25 May 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions (by ticking the relevant checkbox) is necessary to enter the promotion. 1 entry per person. 1 prize available per person. There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will win two (2) Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each such wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid from 2 until 7 June 2025. Proof of age and photographic ID is required for entry (18+). The prize, including entry and attendance at SXSW, is subject to and governed by the SXSW's full ticket terms and conditions here. Full T&Cs apply, see here. Another facet of the campaign is to guide fans on their own musical journey across the capital – reconnecting memories visiting the likes of The Lexington and the Water Rats and making new ones at upcoming shows. More Trending One of Matt's stand out gig memories was the last show at the Astoria – the iconic live venue on Charing Cross Road that closed its doors in 2009. Organised by Sam Duckworth from Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, the event was a riotous affair. Matt added: 'After the show, they opened the backstage bit you don't often get to see as a fan. Someone came on stage and said 'everything's got to go because they're knocking the place down'. 'People were ripping old school telephones out of the wall, taking them as mementos. I've got crazy memories like that. ' Catch The Matt Wilkinson Show on Apple Music every Monday through Friday from 12pm. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. 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