Latest news with #Where'sWally
NZ Herald
02-08-2025
- NZ Herald
What to do in Sydney and New South Wales as a first-time visitor
While the intensive care units and rehabilitation yards aren't open to the public, there is a large window into the clinical services area where visitors can observe non-invasive treatments (if any are scheduled). The Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary has eight permanent residents. The sanctuary also has eight permanent residents who cannot return to the wild: one, for example, is blind, and another has a leg deformity. Visitors can see them while walking along a 225-metre-long elevated pathway that winds through the forest, but given their climbing abilities and love of long naps, it can feel like a tough game of Where's Wally? Despite being solitary creatures, two of the resident koalas get along well and can sometimes be found in the same tree. During my visit, they were not only close to each other but close to the pathway as they munched on eucalyptus. For some, a few hours will be enough, but if you want to extend your stay, there are cosy glamping tents and rooms, as well as a pool and barbecue area. There is no need to set an alarm for morning: you will wake up to the chatter of kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets. Cute koalas aren't the only creatures to visit in Port Stephens. The azure waters are also home to humpback whales and dolphins. They are, obviously, best visited via a boat tour, for example, through Moonshadow-TQC Cruises (although you can sometimes see them from the land, I've been told). Port Stephens is also known for its marine life, including humpback whales. They offer separate whale and dolphin experiences (and snorkelling trips), but during the Whale Watch Express tour, we were lucky to see both species, as well as seals and a range of seabirds. Our fun, knowledgeable guides said they had also seen hammerhead sharks. The wider Port Stephens area is known for the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in the Worimi Conservation Lands, the largest moving dunes in the Southern Hemisphere. Sand Dune Adventures, owned by Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council, runs quad bike and sandboarding tours of the dunes, which are equally fun as they are informative. As a motorbike enthusiast, this was right up my alley, although I was among the slower part of the tour group: it took a bit of time getting used to going down steep slopes on four wheels. The view from the Worimi Sand Dunes. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer We stopped a few times and turned off the quads, allowing us to appreciate further the magnificence of the dunes, which felt reminiscent of a desert, vast and serene. In other places, they provide a mesmerising vantage point of the ocean, where we spotted whales breaching in the distance. The dunes aren't just beautiful, our guide explained, they are also a culturally significant site for the Worimi people and contain historic camp and burial sites, as well as ancient middens with shell deposits and tool-making artefacts. Next stop, Sydney If someone who hasn't been to Sydney asked me to describe it, I'd say it's something between New York and Auckland. The hustle and bustle that comes with being home to more than 5 million people (let that figure sink in for a second - New Zealand's entire population fits into Sydney) can be felt even from the comfort of a taxi. The Sydney Opera House surrounded by Sydney Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden and Sydney CBD. Photo / Destination NSW Beautiful historic buildings, some of them very colourful, sit next to modern multi-storey apartments with panorama windows and the more the CBD approaches, the higher the buildings seem to get. There are lots of things to do, and you could easily spend a few days in the city alone. It's well-connected, with a metro and bus network (and Ubers), so even though I believe there is no better way to get a feel for a city than by exploring it as a pedestrian, there are plenty of opportunities to give your feet a break. As I was in the city for a good time, not a long time, I made a beeline for Sydney's icons, the harbourfront with the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. They are real stunners, especially around sunset (even in winter), but that's also why it is touristy. In the grand scheme of metropolis travel, it's not that bad, though, and there are plenty of spots to snap a selfie with the Harbour Bridge without being photobombed by strangers. Where to stay The Adina Apartment Hotel Sydney Town Hall features 144 apartment-style rooms, plus a pool and gym. You can do your own cooking, which can be quite handy if you want to stay in after a big day of exploring. It's right in the centre of the action and only a short walk from the metro station. The Dining Room in Sydney. Photo / Steven Woodburn If you want to treat yourself, the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth makes you feel like a celebrity. No wonder: opened in 1966, it is Australia's first international hotel and has hosted Princess Diana, the Queen and Elton John, among others. A short walk from the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, the perfectly located spot also has two restaurants and two bars. Where to eat Both Sydney and Port Stephens are full of amazing food and dining experiences. In Sydney, The Tailor Room is an intimate cocktail bar with an innovative menu, inspired by fabric. Instead of selecting a drink based on your alcohol of choice, you are inspired to try something new, as the main menu only describes the character of the cocktail (fresh, bright and fizzy, for example) and doesn't list the ingredients (although these are mentioned in the back of the menu). An excerpt of the Tailor Room Menu. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer The adjacent Dining Room, a fine-dining restaurant, boasts an original menu that showcases seasonal produce. I don't usually opt for meat or seafood but, based on the recommendations of the staff, I gave the caviar tartlets and the beef fillet a try - and I'm so glad I did. Another standout is Midden by Mark Olive, by the Opera House. The stunning views of the Harbour Bridge pair well with the menu celebrating indigenous Australian cuisine. View from Midden by Mark Olive in Sydney. Photo / Danielle Zollickhofer In Port Stephens, Little Beach Boathouse and Rick Stein at Bannisters both focus on the region's seafood, but there are other options on the menu. If you come for dinner at the Little Beach Boathouse, you might be lucky enough to see the local dolphin pod swimming by, staff told me. Light Years Newcastle is also well worth a visit. The menu features modern Asian share-style dishes and signature cocktails (their wild truffled mushroom dumplings are a true highlight). The wild truffled mushroom dumplings at Light Years Newcastle. Checklist Sydney, New South Wales, Australia GETTING THERE Fly direct from Hamilton to Sydney with Jetstar. DETAILS Visit New Zealand Herald travelled courtesy of Jetstar and Destination New South Wales.
Daily Mirror
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
You have razor-sharp vision if you can spot Queen's corgi in just 6 seconds
Sharpen your attention to detail and pop your Specs on, it's time to put your visual skills to the ultimate test with this royal-themed brainteaser that's leaving most Brits scratching their heads Discover whether you've got the eyes of a sniper or desperately need a Specsavers appointment with this devilishly difficult brainteaser. Solving puzzles and riddles is a great way to keep the little ones entertained, or can even help pass the time on your gruelling morning commute. But research has also suggested that they can also positively impact the central nervous system, resulting in a slew of cognitive benefits such as better attention span and concentration levels. However, this royal-themed brainteaser may just leave you utterly stumped and frustrated. Seriously, you'll need razor-sharp vision, meticulous attention to detail, and rapid reaction times to solve this one... READ MORE: You'll need lightning sharp reactions to spot rogue food item in 17 seconds The above image - created by - depicts a vibrant royal garden party at Buckingham Palace in a Where's Wally? style illustration. There are over 100 tiny, comical characters in the picture - from fainting palace guards to aristocrats. However, hiding in plain sight is one of the Queen's beloved corgis - which takes the average person seven seconds to find. So, if you can find the pooch in just six seconds or less, you've proven you've got some serious 20/20 vision. We're not giving away any clues for this one, but zooming in on the picture may help you find the corgi quicker. Giving up, or think you've finally cracked it? Scroll down to the bottom of the article to find the answer. If that regal puzzle didn't even make you break a sweat, it's time to ramp things up to the next level. Below are five seemingly normal questions that look like something you'd see at your local boozer. However, each one of these Qs has been strategically designed to trick you - so don't get too ahead of yourself and rush through. Still, you only have three seconds on each question before you need to move on to the next... Oh, and to prove you're the genius you constantly claim you are - you need to score five out of five. Once you're done, you can check your answers here. How many pairs of animals did Moses take on the Ark? You're in a race and pass the person in 3rd place. So, what place are you in now? John's father had three sons: Snap, Crackle, and...? If a plane crashes right in between France and Spain. Where do you bury the survivors? If it takes seven people seven minutes to eat seven burgers, how long will it take 30 people to eat 30 burgers? Up for another mental workout? Check out our full collection of tricky brainteasers, riddles, and puzzles here - or, learn more about your hidden personality traits with these mind-boggling optical illusions.
Scottish Sun
27-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Police slammed over daft hate crimes including trans woman banned from ladies loo & man singing Scots song in England
The bizarre cases were among at least 6,300 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) recorded in 2024 LOO-NACY! Police slammed over daft hate crimes including trans woman banned from ladies loo & man singing Scots song in England COPS are still logging bizarre hate incidents — including the singing of anthem Flower of Scotland at an English railway station. An investigation by The Sun reveals how police — under fire for not catching shoplifters and burglars — are wasting vital time on the 'non-crime hate incidents'. 5 Police across Britain stand accused of failing to tackle 'actual crimes' while instead investigating 'hate' complaints (stock picture) Credit: Alamy 5 One force probed concerns about a man singing anthem Flower of Scotland at an English train station (stock picture) Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Cops also investigated a pub landlord who stopped a transgender woman using his ladies' loo (stock picture) Credit: Alamy Former officers and MPs want the 'crackers' cases scrapped. Police stand accused of failing to tackle 'actual crimes' while instead investigating 'hate' complaints — including one about a pub landlord who stopped a transgender woman using his ladies' loo. Cops also logged a case after a caller put on an Indian accent to order a chicken tikka masala from a takeaway. Another force was contacted by a person whose new boss called their designer clothes 'fake' and told them of an intimate Where's Wally tattoo. The bizarre cases were among at least 6,300 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) recorded in 2024. The true figure would be much higher as 15 of the 44 police forces in England and Wales did not disclose figures under a Freedom of Information request. MPs and top cops led calls to stop wasting time on NCHIs, which are recorded where no criminal offence has been committed but the 'victim' feels it was motivated by hate or prejudice. Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick said: 'We have lost the plot. 'Practically everyone in the country will have at some point said something that would get them reported. 'This is crackers. Moment Met boss dodges question over two-tier policing of riots by grabbing reporters' mic & chucking it to floor 'We need to scrap NCHIs altogether.' Reform UK's Lee Anderson added: 'The majority of these incidents are reported by total snowflakes. 'These are the people who should be charged with wasting police time. 'Officers should be investigating proper crimes not hurt feelings. 'Those who complain should go and live on a remote island with some of our celebrities who make a living out of being offended.' The person in Bedfordshire upset by the Where's Wally tattoo also complained of the supervisor asking about their shoes and requests to remove their durag hair covering. The incident was recorded as 'sex-based and hate-motivated'. The police log obtained by The Sun says: 'The victim felt irritated for the rest of the shift as it was mean and uncalled for.' In Dunstable, Beds, a complainant said they heard a neighbour gossiping on their Ring doorbell, then point at their home and make an insult before walking off. Bedfordshire Police said: 'We record hate related incidents in line with national guidance set out by the College of Policing.' South Wales Police, which dealt with the trans row, recorded 40 NCHIs last year. It said one 'perpetrator' was aged nine, another 11. Humberside Police logged the case where a person put on an Indian accent to order a curry. West Yorkshire Police handled 175 complaints — one from a man who claimed his bins kept being moved because he was gay. Forces that did not provide their figures included London's Met — the UK's biggest — West Midlands, Essex and Devon and Cornwall. Ex-Met detective Peter Bleksley said: 'These examples are ludicrous and a total waste of police time. 'Waste of police time' 'It is not a policing matter if someone is singing Flower of Scotland. 'If it were, the whole of the Met would have to be deployed when Scotland play rugby at Twickenham. 'These are mostly juvenile situations and officers should not lower themselves to getting involved. 'It is a serious problem when a lot of actual crimes are not investigated.' NCHIs were introduced in 2014 and are meant to help forces develop intelligence on situations that could potentially escalate. In some cases, cops speak to those supposedly committing offences. An NCHI can remain on file for six years and, in some cases, be disclosed to a prospective employer. A report this week by think tank Civitas called for NCHIs to be abolished. Author Hardeep Singh said: 'Some activist groups continue to weaponise them against their political opponents. "We've seen the most absurd incidents being recorded over the years, and precious police resources should not be drained by policing online ideological disputes.' 5 Cops also logged a case after a caller put on an Indian accent to order a chicken tikka masala from a takeaway Credit: Getty - Contributor 5 Another force was contacted by a person whose new boss called their designer clothes 'fake' and told them of an intimate Where's Wally tattoo Credit: Alamy In 2023, the Home Office issued guidance instructing officers to consider if there was genuine hostility in the incident or whether it could be considered freedom of speech. Earlier this month, Greater Manchester Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said the policy of recording NCHIs had 'passed its sell-by date'. Sir Andy Marsh, head of standards body the College of Policing, called on officers to use more 'common sense' and signalled that the recording of NCHIs needs to be scrapped. He said: 'What we've wrapped up that objective in doesn't stand up to scrutiny on many occasions under the common-sense test. 'We need to fix it. 'I don't want to be policing freedom of speech.'
The Spinoff
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
‘I'm still searching for Wally': Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham's childhood favourite
Welcome to The Spinoff Books Confessional, in which we get to know the reading habits of Aotearoa writers, and guests. This week: Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham, author of Whānau: Reo Māori phrases to share with the people you love. The book I wish I'd written I'm very fortunate that I get to work alongside highly proficient speakers of te reo Māori and, while my passion lies in normalising te reo and I believe that Whānau has something to offer speakers at any level, I'd love to write a book that clearly and thoroughly explains some of the most common language errors that people make, from pronunciation to semantics to grammar. I could really geek out in a book like that, complete with footnotes, diagrams and a glossary that's almost as big as the book! Unfortunately, two friends of mine, Dr Hona Black and Te Aorangi Murphy-Fell, beat me to it. I'll always harbour a grudge towards them for that. Everyone should read Everyone should read something from the Kotahi Rau Pukapuka range. I'm a licensed translator and interpreter of te reo Māori, and that collection features the best translations out there. No Māori-language book has gotten my oldest son more excited that Hare Pota me te Whatu Manapou, the translation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The book I want to be buried with Such a morbid question deserves a morbid answer. I'd like to be buried in the most eco-friendly manner possible. I'm not sure which book would breakdown the fastest – maybe a newspaper? The first book I remember reading by myself Where's Wally! I know it should probably be more profound, or something that paints me in a more cultured light, but I didn't find my love of reading until I was an adult. Growing up, we had two main options for entertainment: go outside or watch TV. I wasn't read to as a child, but sometimes going outside led me to the library and the Where's Wally collection was so much fun! I'm still searching for Wally in The Land of Wallies. Fiction or nonfiction I've spent a lot of time with my nose buried in Māori-language grammar books, so I'd have to say I read more nonfiction, but I have a well-used Audible subscription and have absorbed a large amount of fiction since I signed up. Even though I was a late bloomer when it came to reading, we've always tried to fill our house with books and foster a love of reading. Because of this, I've managed to do a lot of catching up alongside my kids and my boys and I loved the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games series, the Percy Jackson series, just to name a few. It's a crime against language to My pet peeve is macrons in the wrong place, especially if someone has added one where it doesn't belong! There's a world of difference between tara and tāra, but I'll let you look that one up for yourself. The only graffiti I've ever done was adding a macron or an apostrophe to a sign. Luckily, this serial orthographic corrector is still at large. The book that made me cry My wife says that I only have two emotions: 'grumpy' and 'not-grumpy', so I can't claim a book has literally brought me to tears, but my 8-year-old nephew lives with us and he hasn't had an easy life, so far. We love Dog Man by Dav Pilkey and, I won't spoil it too much, but there's a child (or kitten to be more precise) that isn't able to live with his parents. However, he grows up with a loving whānau and is an awesome, well-rounded kid. It's hard to find a book where the child isn't raised by their biological parents, let alone one where the foster parents are portrayed as a positive, stable part of their lives. Dog Man has so many positive messages for children. We're big fans of the series. So no, I didn't cry, but I did sit non-grumpily and stare out the window for a while, which for me is practically sobbing. The book I never admit I've read Apart from my wife, no one knows about my fleeting obsession with The Walking Dead – the popular TV show that started around 15 years ago. Well, I was so into it, that I also read the comic book series and would wait eagerly every month or so for a new one to come out. I read just over 100 of them, before deciding that I needed to give it up cold turkey. Edit: I just Googled it. They only made 193! It might be time for a relapse. If I could only read three books for the read of my life they would be Ladies and gentlemen, strap yourselves in for possibly the most boring answer to this question that you've ever heard. If there were an apocalypse and I could only read three books for the rest of my life, they would be as follows: A Dictionary of the Māori Language by Herbert A Māori Reference Grammar by Ray Harlow Ngā Pēpeha a ngā Tīpuna by Hirini Moko Mead and Neil Grove These three are the staples in my reading diet, but hey, if the apocalypse comes, I'll be prepped to correct anyone's Māori-language! Encounter with an author A disturbingly large number of my friends are authors, and whenever one of them publishes a book, I make a point of asking them to sign a copy for me. Not one of them has accepted graciously. Now, of course, I have my own book, and I can wholeheartedly say that I have not accepted signing my friends' books graciously either. It's so awkward and I wouldn't wish it on anyone … until one of them publishes again. Then it's back ambushing them with pen and book in hand, for the sake of the collection. What are you reading right now Right now, I'm partway through my sister's Master's thesis. She's amazing – she's working on undoing the narrative of 'The Angry Māori Woman', interviewing Māori women in leadership roles. She's done a great job telling their stories, but it is a Master's thesis and it's slow going. Maybe I need to wait for the audiobook version. Whānau: Reo Māori phrases to share with the people you love by Donovan Te Ahunui Farnham and illustrated by Rehua Wilson ($30, Hachette) is available to purchase from Unity Books.
The Independent
22-03-2025
- The Independent
A Where's Wally tattoo, Hitler moustache and Palestine flag sticker recorded as hate incidents by police
A disagreement in the workplace over a colleague discussing a genital Where's Wally tattoo and someone sticking an 'Adolf Hitler moustache' on their face featured in more than 6,500 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) recorded by 28 police forces in Britain last year. Forces also recorded a neighbour parking too close to a car as well as a report of two white females singing a song with 'Africa' in a lyrics while a black woman walked past. NCHIs should only be recorded by police forces where no criminal offence has been committed but the person reporting it believes the incident is motivated by hostility or prejudice because of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity. Personal data can only be logged if there is a serious risk of significant harm or it could lead to a criminal offence. They are recorded for officers to gather intelligence on hate incidents in communities - but critics say they are an intrusion of freedom of speech. Under Home Office's guidance, police officers and staff should take a 'common sense' approach, and not log trivial, malicious or irrational reports. But Freedom of Information Act requests by The Independent show that while many NCHIs clearly meet the threshold for recording, several appear to be questionable. Bedfordshire Police recorded 'fuss' in a work place when a colleague described a Where's Wally tattoo on his genitals as part of an incident logged that also included the worker calling a cap the complainant was wearing a durag, which they said 'came across as quiet racist/stereotypical'. Cumbria Police recorded an NCHI were two white women sang a song with Africa in the lyrics whilst walking past a black female in a store, which the complainant perceived to be a hate incident due to race. The same force logged a man stating on public forums words to the effect of 'European Union citizens, steal your jobs without putting money in and take money out without contributing to society'. And its officers also recorded a NCHI after it was reported a person made a sticker to look like an Adolf Hitler moustache, and then stuck it to their face. Staffordshire Police recorded a Palestine flag sticker being stuck on a shop shelf calling for a boycott of Israeli produce. North Wales Police logged a neighbour parking closely to the complainant's son, and also a pentagram symbol spray painted on a lawn which was believed to be linked to religious hatred and antisocial behaviour. The force also recorded an incident where a person had objected to a disabled person riding a mobility scooter on a pavement. Humberside Police recorded a 'smirking' learner vehicle blocking a guide dog's owner's right of way on a pavement. The force also logged an incident where a male pupil called a person 'Rishi'. Another NCHI recorded by the force read: 'Female sends an email to family members and copies in police email. The email is nothing to do with police and is a long rant aimed at family members and refers to them as "pure evil Nazis".' Dorset Police recorded an incident summarised as 'brown sauce over car', and two other NCHIs were linked to youth pride events. Dyfed-Powys Police logged an incident over a person targeted with radio static noise while playing outside in a dispute that started 'when they fell out over a chicken'. The Home Office's code of practice on non-crime hate incidents was updated in 2023 to raise the threshold for when personal data can be recorded on a NCHI in response to concerns over freedom of speech. It appeared to reflect a fall in NCHIs recorded by the 29 police forces that responded to the FOI request. A total of 6,684 NCHIs were logged last year in the 12 months ending on 31 October last year - although two forces provided the data on calendar years. That figure was down from 7,036 the year before, and 8,389 in 2020/21. Police Scotland recorded the most NCHIs, 1,173, followed by South Yorkshire, 513, and Nottinghamshire, 465. In November, the College of Policing chair Lord Herbert of South Downs suggested the need for a 'rebalancing' over the public's response to the incidents, saying police should be able to focus on their job rather than deal with 'mere disputes' that damage public confidence. And last September, watchdog His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services found that police were recording and attending too many NCHIs, and not consistently applying national guidance. Critics include Hampshire Police and Crime commissioner Donna Jones, who said NCHIs should be scrapped in their current form. She said police should not be responding to an incident that was not a crime. The Tory politician told The Independent: ' The police exist to investigate crime and protect the public. The fact that more than 6,000 'non-crime' incidents were recorded in 2024, including reports about stick-on moustaches, tattoos, and song lyrics shows just how flawed the guidance is. 'This issue stems from poorly worded legislation and unclear guidance issued to police forces, which has left officers in an invidious position of taking time away from tackling serious crimes like burglary, shop theft, street robbery, and sexual assault. 'Hate crimes are impactful and some can be very serious. When these actual crimes are committed, the police must act and take appropriate action. Victims of hate crimes deserve the right support. Policing should focus on criminal offences, with clearer laws to prevent unnecessary interventions. 'But the clue is in the title, if it's not a crime, police shouldn't be involved; they simply don't have enough time. Officers don't have the resources to monitor playground disputes or pub conversations. This legislation needs an urgent overhaul so police can focus on delivering justice for victims and making communities safer.' A National Police Chiefs' Council, which is currently reviewing the use and effectiveness of NCHIs, said forces faced an 'operational complexity' in balancing freedom of speech and protecting communities and individuals from hate crime. A spokesperson told The Independent: 'There is a high bar for prosecuting the offence of stirring up racial hatred, which is substantially different from the grounds for recording and investigating an allegation. 'There are many complaints across offence types that pass the test for recording and investigation but do not reach the threshold for prosecution once investigations are complete. We recognise there are strongly held and competing views on hate crime and the criminal justice response to it.' A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: 'Police need to apply their judgement in establishing whether there is hostility towards a protected characteristic group. If, having applied their judgement and taking account of the full context, no hostility is found, the incident must not be recorded as an hate incident.' The Home Office said home secretary Yvette Cooper had made clear the 'consistent and common-sense approach' required when dealing with NCHIs. A spokesperson added: 'The home secretary has also made clear that she believes all police forces should be focused on the central priorities of the government's Safer Streets Mission, including rebuilding neighbourhood policing, reducing anti-social behaviour, and making progress towards the unprecedented ambition to halve knife crime and violence against women and girls within a decade.'
