Latest news with #Rangitīkei
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Former Justice Minister Judith Collins refuses to apologise to Lake Alice survivor
Lake Alice survivor Karilyn Wildbore and family. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham A senior government minister has refused to apologise to a Lake Alice abuse survivor for telling the United Nations more than 10 years ago that there was no state torture in New Zealand. Then-Justice Minister Judith Collins made the comments in 2014, a decade before the government first used the word 'torture' in relation to the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit in the 1970s. She said she was acting on UN reports from the time. The government now says that children and young people who suffered electric shocks or painful paralysing injections at the Rangitīkei institution are eligible for redress, because they were tortured. Included in that is the offer of $150,000 rapid redress payments , which Levin woman Karilyn Wildbore has decided to take up. In March, she also asked for her compensation to include an apology from Collins, now Attorney-General and Minister of Defence, for her 2014 comments. When questioned about New Zealand's obligations under UN conventions, particularly from the Iranian delegate, Collins said: "In response to Iran, I can advise that there is no state torture in New Zealand." In a letter to Wildbore this week, Collins said she would not apologise for the comments. "My response to Iran's remarks reflected the findings of the United Nations subcommittee on the prevention of torture, which had visited New Zealand in April 2013. "In its report, provided to New Zealand in November 2013, the subcommittee found 'no evidence of torture or physical ill-treatment' in places of detention in New Zealand." Collins said she acknowledged the experiences of Wildbore and others at the Lake Alice unit. "However, I don't believe that what I told the UPR [universal periodic review] in 2014, in response to a remark from Iran, was wrong. "As such, I am unable to provide the apology Ms Wildbore has requested." Wildbore said she was not surprised. "Denial's the name of the game at the moment," she said. "No matter what you do, people don't want to be responsible." Wildbore said Collins should have known about what had happened at Lake Alice, especially since the first compensation payments were made more than a decade before 2014. Only last year, the government began using the word 'torture' to describe the unit's treatment of children and young people, under lead psychiatrist Dr Selwyn Leeks. The $150,000 rapid payments are part of a $22.68 million package for Lake Alice Survivors announced late last year. Survivors who received electric shocks or paralysing injections could either opt for these payments or head to arbitration. Collins' office was contacted for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
NZ Herald
26-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Bigger may be better: Late advice shake-up forces councils to rethink water reform plans
At a meeting on Thursday, Rangitīkei District Council confirmed its preference to establish a multi-council water services council-controlled organisation (WS-CCO) under the Government's Local Water Done Well reforms. The three-council proposal remains on the table, but Rangitīkei unanimously resolved to progress 'newly ignited conversations' with Palmerston North City Council and Horowhenua District Council. The surprise move comes after new guidelines from the Department of Internal Affairs, the Local Government Funding Agency, and the Commerce Commission on achieving economy of scale and financial sustainability requirements. Rangitīkei Mayor Andy Watson said the Rangitīkei, Ruapehu and Whanganui councils were newly approached in early May about collaborating with the Palmerston North and Horowhenua councils to form a larger entity. A key element of the new guidance was that a WS-CCO servicing 50,000 connections would achieve the greatest cost efficiencies for bill payers. 'The understanding that 50,000 connections would unlock greater savings for all those involved has absolutely contributed to other councils re-entering discussions about a wider model,' Watson said. A three-council entity with Rangitīkei, Ruapehu, and Whanganui councils would service about 31,000 connections. Rangitīkei consulted with residents in March on three models for the future of water services delivery: A multi-CCO with Whanganui and Ruapehu district councils (the preferred model). Keeping the status quo of in-house delivery. A multi-CCO with as many councils in the Manawatū-Whanganui region as possible. At the time, the third option was not viable because other councils had indicated they preferred alternative models. Following the latest advice, talks have reopened on a wider regional approach. Rangitīkei was now awaiting the decisions of its potential partners, Watson said. Staff would finalise the water services delivery plan by September 3. 'We will inform Rangitīkei residents as soon as the final grouping of councils is clear,' Watson said. 'This is one of the biggest decisions councils will make for their communities in decades.' A decision in Whanganui was deferred on Tuesday to an extraordinary council meeting in early July. Mayor Andrew Tripe said four viable delivery options remained on the table: a multi-CCO with Ruapehu and Rangitīkei, a Whanganui District Council CCO, a multi-CCO with as many councils as possible, and an in-house business unit. Most community feedback showed residents felt Whanganui had invested well in its water assets and did not want to 'cross-subsidise' other councils. 'However, we are looking at a joint council proposal which could include a non-harmonised model, ring-fencing costs for each council but giving the benefits of scale – otherwise known as local pricing.' The council was continuing to back a three-council model as the best level of scale to achieve cost benefits, but Tripe said the possibility of achieving 'greater scale' would be investigated. Under local pricing, residents within each district would be charged on the same basis as currently, but any savings were shared. Advertise with NZME. 'All three councils' customers in this case benefit from these savings, while paying costs that relate only to the delivery of services in their district. So customers pay less than they would have if councils were to go on their own.' The cost benefits could be around $18,000 per Whanganui connection over 30 years, or $588 a year. 'Local pricing may also offer further savings to Whanganui if there is a greater scale, something which requires further investigation.' Tripe said councils took their preferred options to consultation before the new guidelines were received. 'It is pertinent that we consider them now, as considerations such as public liability and ring-fencing of assets, even with an in-house model, do come at a cost. 'The adoption of a water services delivery plan for our district is one of the most significant changes to local government in decades. 'It is vital that we do not rush this process.' On Wednesday, Ruapehu district councillors decided to ditch a standalone option in favour of the three-council CCO and investigating a wider regional entity to reach the 50,000-connection threshold. The decision brings potential collaboration with Waikato back to the table. The Ruapehu council will engage with its community on the new information and options available. No new preferred option will be offered. The council will meet on June 25 to make a final decision.
1News
18-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
'Backbone of NZ' should get hand to buy first farm
A new members' bill from MP Suze Redmayne will help service tenants, like farm workers and Defence Force employees, to use their KiwiSaver to buy a first home. Speaking to Q+A, the National Party and Rangitīkei MP said she wants to help farmers - 'the backbone of New Zealand' - to buy their first farm. Redmayne said she was inspired to push the legislation after a stock manager working on her Tunnel Hill farm couldn't use his KiwiSaver to buy his first house. 'But the current regulations meant that he couldn't because he wasn't able to live in it for six months because obviously he worked on the farm. He didn't think that was right, and neither did I,' Redmayne said. Farmers can currently use KiwiSaver to buy a farm in their name but not a company's name. Most farms are owned by companies, such as a family. Redmayne wants to make it easier for a person to use KiwiSaver using a company name as long as that person owns the business. 'Farming has been the backbone of New Zealand for the last 100-plus years and I think we need to do everything we can – and I'm certainly motivated to do everything I can - to make sure that continues. "I think that with farming your business and your farm are one and the same – they're inextricably linked.' Redmayne said the bill could ensure farmers can look after their workers. 'When you're living on a farm, you have great relationships with the people that work with you. They usually live 50 or 100 metres away from where you are, and you want them to do well and you want to give them opportunities, especially that are going to help them in their retirement.' Federated Farmers supports Redmayne's bill but wants it to go further by allowing farmers to use KiwiSaver to buy their first herd or flock. Federated Farmers campaigned the National government in 2023 to change KiwiSaver rules to support younger farmers. The National Party committed to support the request as well as 11 other policy priorities. In a statement last year, the Rangitīkei MP explained how her bill worked. "Firstly, it allows a KiwiSaver member to withdraw funds to buy a farm through an entity they are a majority shareholder in. "The current law states a farm must be purchased in their own name – but a farm is usually owned by an entity because it is both a business and a home. "This change makes the legislation more practical and applicable to rural situations. It's about supporting farm ownership and ensuring the future of farming. "Secondly, the bill exempts those in service tenancies, such as farm workers and many military personnel, from the requirement to live in their first home dwelling for at least six months when they purchase it with their KiwiSaver funds. 'Many farmers and military personal will live in a service tenancy for a large portion of their career, making it difficult for them to get on the property ladder. This change is about creating a level playing field and making it easier for more people to access a first home using their KiwiSaver funds, while also increasing property ownership rates." Q+A with Jack Tame is made with the support of New Zealand On Air
NZ Herald
27-04-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
‘Schools are asking for more': Rangitīkei children benefit from Bikes in Schools programme
Gowan said the programme had been rewarding. 'We have had a great time coaching the kids and meeting the principals and teachers,' Gowan said. 'The benefits of the programme go far beyond cycling as it builds confidence and self-esteem that flows through into the classroom. Whether it's seeing a learner or child with disabilities ride for the first time or accomplished riders learning new skills, having fun is the reward for us.' Sport Whanganui community connector Libby Rayner said the Rangitīkei initiative grew out of the 2024 Do A Duathlon series, when organisers noticed a lack of participants from certain schools. Kym Skerman of the district council secured a grant from NZ Lotteries, which was used to buy 22 bikes, helmets, repair kits, a trailer and a storage container. Additional funds were granted from Sport New Zealand's Tū Manawa Active Aotearoa Funds. Bulls School acting principal Megan Syme said the progress made in four sessions was amazing. 'I assumed our children both owned bikes and rode bikes regularly. I was shocked when I discovered this wasn't the case and approximately 18% of our kids had either never ridden a bike or couldn't ride a bike. 'Approximately 22% rode regularly and displayed efficiency of skill and safety. These statistics highlight the dire need ... for further skill development and safety learning – safety being essential as our tamariki live in a town with two state highways. 'The delight on the faces of our children and the improvement in their ability was amazing.' The accessibility of bikes led to an increase in participation in the second Do a Duathlon in February and March, with 85 children taking part and an increase in participants aged 5 to 8. The next steps are to seek funding to extend the Bikes in Schools programme to younger students and look at how to continue to develop the Do a Duathlon series in 2026. 'The programme has been so successful that our schools are asking for more,' Rayner said. 'They want their 5–7-year-olds taught the same skills as the older students, and they want the older students to be taught how to ride safely on the road. 'The number of students riding their bikes to school has increased considerably, so they now need to learn how to do this safely without putting themselves and other road users at risk.'
