Latest news with #RVA
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Mad as hell and not taking it any more
The government's Retirement Villages Act review must put people before profits, Brian Peat writes. The review of the Retirement Villages Act 2003 has turned into a slow-motion farce. Every extra month without reform is another month residents remain trapped in unfair contracts — waiting far too long for their own money, paying fees after they have left, and battling disputes in systems stacked in favour of operators. Let us call it for what it is: the government is dragging its heels. Hiding behind phrases like "careful consideration" and "getting it right" is nothing more than political cover for doing nothing while older New Zealanders suffer. This is not a theoretical policy exercise. This is about real people, many in their 80s and 90s, who do not have the luxury of waiting years for fairness and protection. The government has all the evidence it needs to act. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has years of reports detailing systemic unfairness. Residents have spoken out repeatedly. International models, for example New South Wales, show that fairer rules including repayment timeframes can be introduced without bankrupting the sector. The worst injustice is "the elephant in the room" — exit payments. Residents' capital is routinely held for months, even years, after they leave. The answer is simple. Require operators to lodge sufficient funds in a government agent trust account, just as landlords must under the Residential Tenancies Act. That would force repayment within a set timeframe and end the industry's excuse that "there's no money until a new resident moves in." That excuse sounds eerily like a Ponzi scheme, especially when one of the "big six" operators openly boasts in its annual report of holding $2.8 billion of interest-free funds from residents. The Retirement Villages Association (RVA) calls this a "resident-funded model". If that is true, why don't residents share in the profits? We all know the answer. The RVA continues to refuse to make any concessions, or even enter into meaningful discussions with the Retirement Village Residents Association (RVResidents) on the urgent issue of a mandated timeframe for repayment of capital. This stance disregards the overwhelming feedback from thousands of residents and their families and, effectively, prolongs financial hardship for many older New Zealanders who cannot afford to wait months, or even years, for what is rightfully theirs. The operators love to boast that "95% of residents are happy". No-one disputes that but happiness does not make an unfair law fair. The Act is broken, and it must be fixed. The government must commit to: — A hard, enforceable deadline for exit payments — no more than 3 to 4 months — Operators, not residents, paying for the repairs and maintenance of operator-owned chattels — An end to ongoing fees after departure — Contracts written in plain English, so residents know exactly what they are signing — A genuinely independent dispute resolution system with real teeth and real consequences I have visited and presented in more than 400 villages across New Zealand. I have heard the stories first-hand. Residents are tired of being told they are "just grumpy old radicals" for daring to demand fairness. RVResidents is no longer a lone voice. We have the backing of Consumer NZ, Grey Power, Citizens Advice, Age Concern, the Law Society, Community Law, Positive Ageing and major superannuation groups. These organisations represent hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders. The message is clear: reforming the Retirement Villages Act is not just a residents' issue — it is a national issue of fairness, dignity and consumer protection. Ignoring this call is ignoring a powerful cross-section of New Zealand society. We are done with hollow promises. We are done with endless process. And we are especially done with ministers claiming to "care about older New Zealanders" while siding with corporate operators. This review will not be judged by the weight of its final report. It will be judged by how quickly it delivers concrete protections. Every day without change is a deliberate political choice. Right now, the choice this government is making is to protect operators over people. The clock has run out and so has our patience. The government's choice is clear: side with the people who built this country, or side with those exploiting them. — Brian Peat is a Dunedin village resident and president of the Retirement Village Residents Association.
Herald Malaysia
4 days ago
- Herald Malaysia
Church closed after vlogger's disrespectful act sparks outrage
The Church of St John the Baptist in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental — one of the Philippines' oldest churches — was temporarily closed on August 5 by Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz after a viral video showed a 28-year-old vlogger allegedly spitting on the holy water font. Aug 15, 2025 Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz MANILA: The Church of St John the Baptist in Jimenez, Misamis Occidental — one of the Philippines' oldest churches — was temporarily closed on August 5 by Archbishop Martin Jumoad of Ozamiz after a viral video showed a 28-year-old vlogger allegedly spitting on the holy water font. The act, filmed and posted on social media, provoked widespread condemnation from netizens, prompting calls for legal action. Although the video was later deleted and the vlogger issued a public apology — denying she spat — Archbishop Jumoad described the desecration as a 'corporate sin,' stressing that others may have witnessed the act but did nothing to intervene. All liturgical celebrations at the parish were suspended, and Masses were relocated to the Divine Mercy Shrine. The vlogger reportedly sought to speak with the parish priest, who declined. A Holy Hour of Adoration was held across the archdiocese on Aug 7, and clergy were made available for confessions. The archbishop urged the faithful to reflect and do penance, emphasising the need for vigilance in preserving the sanctity of sacred spaces. --RVA
Herald Malaysia
4 days ago
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Clergy reminded of sacred mission in ministry
A Filipino bishop has called on priests to see their vocation not merely as a role to perform, but as a sacred calling deeply rooted in Christ. Aug 15, 2025 Bishop Raul Dael shares a message of hope during the clergy retreat for Mindanao dioceses on August 6, 2025. (RVA/Diocese of Tandag facebook) MANILA: A Filipino bishop has called on priests to see their vocation not merely as a role to perform, but as a sacred calling deeply rooted in to the personal struggles and silent sacrifices of priestly life, Bishop Raul Dael of Tandag in Surigao del Sur said, 'What breaks you makes you whole; what exhausts you energises you.'Bishop Dael delivered this message on the third day of a retreat for clergy from the dioceses of Butuan, Surigao, Tandag, Malaybalay, and the newly established Diocese of Prosperidad on August prelate spoke on the theme Clergy and Religious: Guardians of the Sense of the Sacred. Drawing from the wisdom of Optatam Totius, he emphasised that the renewal of the Church greatly depends on the ministry of Second Vatican Council's decree Optatam Totius addresses priestly formation, emphasising a comprehensive education that integrates pastoral, intellectual, and spiritual components to prepare priests for bishop encouraged priests to examine the state of their hearts, saying, 'There is never enough for a heart that is empty, but when the heart is free, even in abundance, it remains content with simple joy.'His words offered both challenge and consolation, a call for priests to return to the sacred centre of their vocation with renewed hope, deeper purpose, and hearts open to week-long retreat (Aug 4–8) began with an Opening Mass at the St Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, presided over by Archbishop Jose A. Cabantan of Cagayan de Oro, with Bishop Dael as by the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro, the retreat was held at the Chali Resort and Conference Centre in Cagayan de Oro City. 'This is a time of reflection and renewal, to deepen their faith, refresh their spirit, and strengthen them in their priestly mission,' said Archbishop Cabantan. --RVA
Axios
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
11 ways to savor Richmond's final weeks of summer
August is here and that means the end of summer is nigh. Why it matters: It's time to get busy and make the most of these last few weeks of summer, especially since Richmond-area public schools start back up in two weeks. Driving the news: Here a few can't-miss RVA summer experiences you should try to check off your list. ⚾️ Take in one last game at The Diamond. There are just a few more weeks of home games for The Squirrels' season, which is their last at The Diamond before it closes and the team moves to CarMax Park. 🦀 Host a Chesapeake Bay crab pickin'. 🍉 Hit up a Richmond summer festival, like next weekend's Carytown Watermelon Festival and the Richmond Jazz fest or Crabs, Beer & Spirits by the James at the end of the month. 🎸 Get thee to the new Allianz Amphitheater for a show, and with 11 concerts on deck for August, you've got plenty of chances. 🎡 Go to the fair. The state fair may not happen until late September, but Chesterfield's starts Aug. 22. 🍽️ Check out one of the many new restaurants that opened this summer. 🫗 Grab one last meal at longtime favorites Brenner Pass and Nokoribi before they close forever this month. 🎢 Visit Kings Dominion or Busch Gardens during their 50th anniversary summer. 👙 Hit the water at one of Richmond's outdoor public pools and splash pads, which are open through Labor Day.
Scoop
22-07-2025
- Scoop
Driving In Winter?
With the effects of winter being well and truly felt over the last month, driving on New Zealand's roads can become extremely challenging. Our roads are not like the expressways of Europe. Our weather can be quite hazardous at times. Road conditions can vary significantly. 'Kiwis think they're used to New Zealand's roads, so they tend to drive fast - too fast', says Ben McFadgen, CEO of the Rental Vehicle Association of New Zealand. 'Whether it's people driving their own car, or a rental vehicle, the speed which many people are driving at is not just reckless – it's flat out dangerous. This is not Le Mans. One distraction and a nice family holiday rapidly becomes a nightmare. Is three-minutes worth your safety? Really? Because driving at 105 kph instead of 100 kph for one hour only saves you 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Which is …pointless. We urge everyone to slow down, drive to the conditions, and take some time to enjoy the journey. There's plenty to look at.' International tourists may find some roads quite challenging to navigate, especially in areas that have experienced severe weather events. 'It pays to plan ahead', says Mr McFadgen, 'we recommend all travellers have an alternative route they can use, just in case'. Ski access roads also present their own unique challenges, not the least of which is navigating them when drivers are coming back down at the end of the day. 'Brakes can be a problem', says Mr McFadgen, 'drivers tend to ride them all the way down, leading to very high temperatures and a distinct possibility of brake fade. We recommend people descend these steep, hazardous roads slowly and carefully.' 'In short, drive defensively. Be considerate, stick to the conditions.' Says Mr McFadgen. Information on driving in New Zealand is freely available on the Drive Safe website: RVA rental operators also assess each renter to ensure this information is provided where appropriate to ensure safer journeys on our roads.
