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NZ Herald
11 hours ago
- Health
- NZ Herald
Anti-vaccine group Voices For Freedom's book criticised for misleading Covid claims
The book features photos and descriptions of 22 supporters of the VFF movement under the Latin heading 'dramatis personae', including Nelson-based lawyer Sue Grey who was recently fined for breaching a suppression order. A marketing lecturer told the Herald the design strongly evokes the look and feel of Government documents, risks misleading readers into assuming it's endorsed by the Government, and poses reputational risk for the legitimate Royal Commission. However Deeks said the book was necessary because commissioners overseeing the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 response were relying on government agencies and 'favoured experts'. VFF was allowed to make submissions as part of public hearings on vaccine safety last month. 'If the public is to engage meaningfully, they need access to a clear, evidence-based counterpoint while the hearings are live, not months later,' Deeks told the Herald. Nelson-based lawyer Sue Grey is listed in the book as one of its 22 "dramatis personae" - or list of characters. Photo / NZME The book claims foreign DNA found in Pfizer and Moderna vaccine vials could cause cancer and 'genomic instability', suggests deaths increased as a result of the booster vaccine rollout, and that there's no robust scientific evidence for the widespread use of face masks. Many of the topic-based sections are written or co-authored by New South Wales lawyer Katie Ashby-Koppens. Ashby-Koppens has been helping represent the views of VFF founders Alia Bland and Deeks during hearings at the Government's Royal Commission. She has no medical qualifications. Otago University epidemiologist professor Michael Baker told the Herald he was 'mystified' as to the purpose of the book. He said the most productive channel for making valid arguments about the country's Covid-19 response was at the Government's official Royal Commission, where submitters, including members of the VFF, were asked to justify their views. University of Otago epidemiologist, Professor Michael Baker said if claims haven't gone through the scrutiny of a peer review process they "don't have much standing". Photo / Supplied Baker said there was also another way to gain scientific credibility. 'If you think the science is wrong, the most effective channel is to write something and get it published in a journal. Then it goes through a peer-review process. Unless it goes through some scrutiny, it doesn't have much standing,' he said. There was 'no evidence' to support increased mortality being linked to the use of vaccines, he said. The anti vaccine group Voices For Freedom has produced a 271-page book about New Zealand's response to the Covid-19 pandemic which a marketing expert says looks like a Government document. Photo / Michael Morrah Baker's colleague and professor of public health at Otago University Nick Wilson didn't think the publication was worth spending money on. 'From a public health perspective, if they're not using well-informed people, it [the book] has very little value. 'There has been a range of evidence on masks that show that they work.' Professor Nick Wilson said the book has little value "if they're not using well-informed people". Photo / John Gerritsen, RNZ He said New Zealand's Covid-19 response 'was not perfect' but it worked - a conclusion supported by the first phase of the Royal Commission, which finished last year. 'We have some very thorough documents from the first Covid inquiry. That is the official source of information,' he said. Commissioners in the first phase the inquiry concluded the vaccine mandates were 'reasonable' for specific professions in 2021 and said lockdowns were an effective tool for managing virus elimination. VFF's book uses the colour navy blue throughout and states on the front cover that it's a 'special report' on the New Zealand Royal Commission of Inquiry. Auckland University's Dr Herbert Sima said there is a credible likelihood the publication could be mistaken for an official government report. Auckland University senior marketing lecturer Dr Herbert Sima told the Herald the design of the book was problematic. 'There is a credible likelihood that this publication could be mistaken for an official government report,' he told the Herald. He said those unfamiliar with VFF or its contributors, or those who skim read the document without reading the fine print could be misled. 'The design employs multiple visual and textual strategies that can strongly evoke the look and feel of an official government document.' He said this included the navy blue colour palette and bold sans-serif fonts. He said that raised ethical concerns from a marketing perspective. 'It risks misleading readers into assuming government endorsement. It leverages public trust in official inquiries to amplify the advocacy group's viewpoint,' he said. He said it also posed reputational risks for the Royal Commission. Deeks said navy blue is a longstanding brand colour of VFF and the movement's logo is displayed on the book's cover. 'The Government does not have dibs on a colour palette,' she said. In response to Baker, Deeks claimed the book did contain legitimate scientific perspectives. 'It is grounded in peer-reviewed science, official data, and testimony from internationally recognised experts, many of whom advised governments before 2020,' she said. Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the Herald. He won News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards and has twice been named reporter of the year at the NZ Television Awards. He has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years and joined the Herald's video team in July 2024.
Scoop
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
The Disastrous Effects Of Pine Forests On Our Land And On Ratepayers Pockets
The New Zealand Outdoors and Freedom party are outraged by the ongoing harm caused to communities, beaches and economy by pine forestry. Nothing has changed since the massive devastation in the East Cape and Tasman flood events several years ago. This time it's stunning Kaiteriteri Beach that has borne the brunt of destructive logging practices and yet again while private forestry companies profit, they expect ratepayers to pay for their mess. The public made it clear they wanted to end the shocking and predictable pollution from slash and waste logs, putting lives and property at risk, and clogging beaches after each significant rainstorm. 'The RMA and councils are failing the public. It's time for a more careful public focused response." says NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party leader and lawyer Sue Grey. "The common law makes individuals strictly responsible for the consequences of activities on their properties. Every lawyer learns about Rylands v Fletcher and strict liability for harm. Why are councils not holding logging companies responsible under these principles? Why are the public being expected to pay time and time again for the clean ups? How can it be in the public interest for private companies to take the benefits of logging but the public to pay the costs?" The cost to the taxpayer of cleaning some of the beaches in the Gisborne area resulted in a public outcry. As a result we all thought that might have been the end of the problem. The forestry companies promised that they would amend their harvesting practices. "Of course it was all posture and hollow words to keep the public quiet" says Alan Simmons of the NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party, who published a report after the East Coast floods. "The same can be said for the Government response which again was nothing but platitudes.' Take one look at the Tasman District after this latest huge rain event and you wonder why anyone ever wasted breath or ink on their promises. One of regions favourite beaches , Kaiteriteri Beach, has been left in an appalling state, covered in pine forest logs and waste. Sue Grey leader of the Outdoors & Freedom Party and Nelson Resident is angry about the damage done to this beautiful beach and by the lack of respect for the law by the forestry industry and local council. Sue Grey wants to know "Why forestry companies are not automatically required to pay for the cleanup and also the economic costs to the local business". She said "These costs should not fall on the ratepayer. The community is tired of the continuous excuses, the never ending slippery answers and the hollow promises they will ""voluntarily amend practices"", to avoid further harm and cost to the environment and local communities.' 'A decision by the House of Lords in 1868 developed English tort law establishing the rule of Rylands v Fletcher that everyone is strictly liable for harm caused by non-natural use of their land. It's now approaching 200 years since that rule was developed. Why are we still waiting for it to be applied in New Zealand?' asks Party leader Sue Grey 'If you seek to make the profit from growing the pine trees, then you must pay the costs for the consequences."
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Live blog: WCIA 3 Diaper Drive 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — WCIA 3's annual Diaper Drive for Nexstar's Founder's Day of Caring took place June 20. Throughout the day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., we collected new / unopened packs of diapers for newborns and toddlers, as well as monetary donations in our backlot. We hoped to collect enough diapers and money to be able to care for Champaign County children for six months. After 13 hours, we collected enough to last five-and-a-half months. The diaper drive may be over, but you can still donate year-round online by clicking here. Updates from the drive, including donation totals, who reigns on the diaper race leaderboard, and more, are listed below. 7 p.m. After 13 hours, the WCIA diaper drive for Nexstar Founder's Day wraps up with the final number. United Way CEO Sue Grey reveals how long donations from the diaper drive will be able to care for Champaign County children. In the diaper changing race, there is a new champion, with Jennifer Newell having the fastest time of 17.46 seconds. A table of participants and their times are listed below. Time (in seconds) Participant 17:46 Jennifer Newell 17:83 Stephanie Seay 18:65 Brandon Merano 21:83 Sarah Sandquist 25:00 Kevin Hildebrand 26:20 Josh Jessup 28:43 Kevin Lighty 29:10 Katie Madigan 29:20 Luke Sullivan 30:06 Seth Bohnhoff 31:39 Laur Bleill 31:63 Cindy Crawford 32:50 Senator Paul Faraci 32:79 Sue Grey 32:87 Jennifer Roscoe 34:00 Jess Firmand 34:03 Dr. Lymarie Rosado 34:40 Alyssa Whitacre 34:90 Michelle Gonzales 35:32 Amanda Brennan 37:66 Julie Cebulski 38:13 Martin O'Donnell 38:26 Mitchell Rife 38:33 Andy Quarnstrom 39:20 Julie Pryde 39:83 Laura Gerhold 45:16 Brad Zimmerman 48:23 Addy Johnson 51:40 Heidi Gulbrandson 6:55 p.m. There's one more diaper changing race between WCIA reporters before the diaper drive wraps up. Brandon Merano, with a station-leading 18 seconds, squares off with new dad Seth Bohnhoff. 6:40 p.m. Becca Guyette with United Way of Champaign County speaks on what happens to diapers after they are donated. 6:16 p.m. Kevin Hildebrand with CRS Hospitality was the winner of the diaper changing race last year, and he's back to defend his title. 6:10 p.m. Jennifer Roscoe speaks with Dr. Lymarie Rosado, a pediatric intensive care physician at Carle, on how important clean diapers are for a baby, not just for hygiene but for their development. 5:25 p.m. It's usually not a good thing to see an ambulance, but a crew from AMT Ambulance stopped by the WCIA backlot for a good reason. They donated 4,500 diapers, one of the biggest donations of the 2025 diaper drive and a close second to the Champaign Park District, which donated just over 5,000 diapers. 5:15 p.m. Another rematch in the WCIA diaper changing race, this time it's Jennifer and Kevin. Kevin won this matchup last year but lost to Seth just minutes earlier. He's looking to bounce back. 5:00 p.m The WCIA Weather team has two dads on the team — Kevin and Seth. They went head-to-head in the diaper changing race to defend their wins — Kevin from last year and Seth from just minutes earlier. 4:51 p.m. It's a rematch one year in the making. Seth and Amanda go head-to-head again in a race to change a doll's diaper the fastest. But unlike last year, Seth now has experience with a real baby. He's looking for redemption. 4:30 p.m. Amanda Brennan interviews Bev Baker, Chief Impact Officer of United Way of Champaign County, on the history of diaper banks in Champaign County, how United Way became involved and how they get diapers into the community. 4:00 p.m. Behind the scenes, WCIA employees are busy handling diapers and getting them ready for distribution to the community. Here's a step-by-step process of how that happens: 12:25 p.m. Amanda, Jacob and Mitch face off during WCIA's Diaper Drive with United Way of Champaign County. This is round three for Mitch, who hasn't had any luck all morning with changing a diaper the fastest. 12:10 p.m. Organizations across Champaign-Urbana have been collecting diapers ahead of WCIA's diaper drive all week. Amanda Brennan visited two banks and a law firm that participated, picked up the diapers they collected and spoke with staff on why they took part. 12:03 p.m. Sue Gray, the President and CEO of United Way Champaign County, provides an update on how many diapers have been donated during WCIA's diaper drive for Nexstar Founder's Day of Caring. 11:45 a.m. 10 a.m. Jacob Dickey and Mitchell Rife wrap up The Morning Show with an update on how many diapers have been donated so far and with their plans on how to beat Taylor Mitchell in the diaper changing race. 9:50 a.m. It's redemption time for Mitchell Rife. He lost to Taylor Mitchell earlier in The Morning Show, so he's getting another chance to beat his co-anchor in the diaper changing race. 9:17 a.m. WCIA's Amanda Brennan speaks with Dr. Awad Alyami, a pediatrician at OSF, on how important diapers are for babies' health and why they must be clean. 'Diapers take care of the skin, which is the first defense mechanism of the body from germs and infections,' Alyami said. 'Urine and stool is very irritant to the skin, so if (the diaper) isn't changed quickly enough, we can have diaper rash…if that's not addressed quickly enough, we might run the risk of superimposed yeast infection or bacterial infection.' 'A diaper change doesn't cost much, but to treat infections after that can be very costly,' Alyami added. He added that he often sees families without diaper bags when they bring their babies for appointments. In that event, OSF does connect families with community resources to help them. 9:13 a.m. Already a few hours into the Diaper Drive event, Taylor Mitchell and Mitchell Rife checked in to see how donations are coming in and who reigns on the diaper race leaderboard so far. 9:01 a.m. Mitchell Rife took on Beverley Baker of United Way for another diaper changing race. After Baker celebrated a victory, she discussed the impact of donations to the diaper drive. 'We reached enough to cover the diaper bank for four months last year. We would love to be able to reach six, if at all possible. We've seen the need increase. We're getting the demand from our partners and we know that families in our community are stretching their dollars … We want to keep the kids in our community healthy, we want families to be able to go to work and school, kids to be able to go to childcare where they're safe and well cared for, and we need the diapers to accomplish all of those things,' Baker said. 7:46 a.m. Laura Gerhold from the Family Room talks about how donations are important for their children who go into the foster care system. 'Every year there are 100s of children who enter into the foster care system here in Champaign County,' Gerhold said. 'Those children are in need just like your own children at home, and so making sure that they have access to diapers so that they're clean and sanitary and their families can support them in other ways financially. Sometimes when children enter into a new home, there may be limited resources. This is one burden that we can take off of those families because everyone knows the cost of taking care of a kid and any little bit of support can help.' Gerhold added that families are so grateful and thankful when they receive the donations. 7:26 a.m. The Morning Show team went head-to-head in a diaper changing race. 7:15 a.m. Cindy Crawford of the Community Service Center in Rantoul said having this event in 'critical' to help fill a community need. 'Right now with our economy, it's just so challenging for people to be able to afford diapers, and they're very expensive,' Crawford said. 'Wipes as well. So just being able to provide that to people is huge.' Crawford said at the Community Service Center, they provide diapers for around 100-300 children a month at their location alone. 'This is a multiplier effect. If they're able to get help with diapers, they're able to get out and buy other things that their families need,' Crawford added. 6:57 a.m. WCIA's Mitchell Rife faces off with Martin O'Donnell of Busey Bank in one of the first diaper changing races of the day. Ultimately, O'Donnell walked away with a win at a time of 38.13 seconds. That time puts him in third place, behind Stephanie Seay (17.83) and Sarah Sandquist (21.83). 6:37 a.m. Mitchell Rife caught up with Chief Development Officer of United Way Becca Guyette on why diaper donations are so helpful. Guyette said that between 13- 14,000 diapers are distributed a month from United Way to the community through their partner agencies. Last year, WCIA collected around 15,000 diapers in just one day for the drive, emphasizing how far the donation drive goes to help families in need. 6:15 a.m. WCIA's Taylor Mitchell and Mitchell Rife preview more of what's to come throughout the event, including the anticipated diaper races. Rife said he's vying for that number one spot this year. 6 a.m. As the Diaper Drive kicked off, our own Mitchell Rife talked with United Way's Carolyn Butterfield about the importance of the drive. Butterfield said diapers are about $80-100 per month, per child. 'So when you're on a limited budget, that's a lot of money…' Butterfield said. 'Folks are forced to make it stretch until their next paycheck. And those are tough choices. Parents don't want to do that. But we're here to help kind of bridge that gap so that folks can get to that next paycheck, not have to ration diapers, kids are healthier, parents don't have to miss work or school because they can't bring enough diapers to daycare. So that's real important; that affects the household bottom line.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
