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Fresh sighting of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips in suspected Waikato burglary

Fresh sighting of Marokopa fugitive Tom Phillips in suspected Waikato burglary

Waikato police have released fresh footage of Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children after an alleged burglary on Wednesday.  Detective Senior Sergeant Andy Saunders says the police are investigating any connection to Phillips, but the store is one he’s believed to have targeted, unsuccessfully, in November 2023.  “We believe the pair in this footage are Tom and one of his children. They were in the area for 13 minutes, having travelled in and out on a quad bike. The pair can be seen loading items into containers on the quad bike before returning in the direction they had come from.  “We’re appealing for information from anyone who might have seen the quad bike travelling or parked between Piopio and Marokopa in the early hours of Wednesday morning.  “In this latest burglary, the offenders have left with a number of general grocery items.”  Saunders said Phillips faces a range of charges, including aggravated robbery, aggravated wounding, and unlawful possession of a firearm.  “At the heart of this are three children who have been away from their home for four years. Their well-being is our main focus.”  Phillips and his three children disappeared from the Marokopa family farm in December 2021.His immediate family have refused to give interviews for almost four years .  In a heartfelt plea earlier this month, Tom’s mother Rozzi reiterated that the family was still willing to help him.  “You’re very special to me. You’re my friend, as well as my brother, and I love you, and it’s okay.”  Police investigating a retail burglary in rural Waikato, are releasing CCTV footage of who they believe to be Marokopa father Tom Phillips and one of his children.  Phillips and the children were last seen in October 2024, when they were filmed by two pig hunters walking through Marokopa farmland.  This winter marks the family’s fourth in Waikato’s King Country bush.  Jayda, Maverick and Ember were aged 8, 7 and 5 at the time they went into hiding.They will now be aged 12, 10, and 9.  Police believe Phillips is being assisted in evading discovery and is probably receiving supplies from the outside world.  As of June 2024, there is an $80,000 reward for information about the family’s whereabouts.  More to come

Lomu legacy lives on: Jonah’s widow signs UK clothing collection deal with Ellis Rugby

Lomu legacy lives on: Jonah’s widow signs UK clothing collection deal with Ellis Rugby

The Jonah Lomu name will once again be flying high in the United Kingdom and Europe following a deal between Jonah’s New Zealand-based family and British heritage rugby label Ellis Rugby.  The Herald can reveal Jonah’s widow, Nadene Lomu - who now has total control over the Lomu name and brand - has signed with Ellis Rugby to promote and distribute a line of clothing honouring the rugby great in the UK and Europe.  Nadene would not discuss the financial arrangement because of a “confidentiality” agreement.  “I’m bound by confidentiality but confirm the deal was signed last month,” she said.  But she said the deal was about much more than just money.  “For Jonah’s legacy, to us, it is so much more than that; we were the ones Jonah loved and lived for,” she said.  “So, for Brayley, Dhyreille and myself, in honouring Jonah, we do things in a way we know he would be fully supportive of and happy with what we are doing.  “For us what’s important is doing right by Jonah, as if he were still here with us, because although we’ve been without him by our side for almost a decade. We know he is our guardian angel in all that we do and I know he would be proud of us with how we’ve handled the immense scrutiny and adversity.”  Nadene Lomu with her and Jonah's boys Dhyreille and Braylee. Photo / Supplied  She said the Jonah Lomu brand carried “immense mana and embodies Jonah’s values of strength, self-belief, and the belief that nothing is impossible”.  Ownership of the Lomu brand, which had been an issue since the rugby superstar’s death in 2015 now sits with Nadene Lomu and her two boys.  Confirmation of the deal with Ellis Rugby comes less than a month since Nadene hit out at the use of his photo on a book profiling some of the greats of All Black rugby, and also the unrelated sale of unlicensed shirts featuring his likeness, autograph and playing number.  She said the UK collection was a positive step forward for her and the kids.  Lomu died in 2015 from a heart attack after battling kidney failure.  Brayley and Dhyreille Lomu with their mum Nadene.  Nadene said her late husband deserved to be “cherished respectfully”.  The test rugby great was adored in the UK from the moment of his 1995 Rugby World Cup heroics - including scoring four tries in a semifinal win over England.  Nadene added other deals were likely after the partnership with Ellis Rugby.  The Jonah Lomu clothing range will be released later this year. Photo / Supplied  “We are excited by this legacy project and many more that the boys and I are working on to honour Jonah,” she said.  Kevin Ellis from Ellis Rugby said he was delighted with the brand collaboration, saying the Jonah Lomu collection would be befitting the stature of the rugby legend.  “This collaboration is an honour,” said Ellis.  Jonah Lomu bowls over England's Mike Catt to score just two minutes into the 1995 semifinal. Photo / Allsport  “Jonah Lomu is a name synonymous with greatness. To be entrusted with developing a range that reflects his legacy is a privilege. And we’re proud to bring his story to life through this collection.”  The collection is set to launch later this year.  The collection includes a T-shirt, polo shirt, traditional rugby jersey, baseball cap, and a letterman-style varsity jacket.  The products incorporate elements that honour Jonah’s story and heritage; his No 11 jersey, the silver fern and a traditional Tongan pattern, acknowledging his proud cultural roots.  Joseph Los’e is an award winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and before joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.

Lake Rotomā fatal crash: Coroner finds David Jarden suffered medical event, Bibi Ali drowned

Lake Rotomā fatal crash: Coroner finds David Jarden suffered medical event, Bibi Ali drowned

An Auckland couple had been together for a matter of weeks when their car left the road and they plunged to their deaths into Lake Rotomā, near Rotorua.  A coroner has found the driver suffered a medical event, causing the “tragic and unforeseen accident” on July 11, 2020.  Bibi Ali, 53, of Henderson, and David Alexander Fawcett Jarden, 54, of Totara Heights, died when Jarden failed to navigate a bend when driving along State Highway 30.  Jarden’s car travelled through a rest area at Otangiwai Point and off an embankment.  It was 18-20m from the embankment edge to where it hit the lake floor.  Their bodies were recovered from the car the next day.  Jarden was found belted into the driver’s seat.  Coroner Donna Llewell found Jarden’s cause of death was “unascertained, probable natural causes”. It was “likely” he had cardiac dysrhythmia.  She found Jarden had not drowned, “meaning he was likely incapacitated prior to entering the lake”.  As for Ali, Coroner Llewell found she drowned. Ali had been a front-seat passenger but was found in the back seat, suggesting she “unsuccessfully attempted to exit the vehicle after it entered the water”.  In her findings of August 21, Coroner Llewell said Jarden, an earthworking contractor, and Ali, a shift supervisor, had started a relationship in the weeks before the crash.  The couple had planned a trip to Rotorua and intended to visit Jarden’s two daughters in Tauranga.  Jarden, a former sidecar racing champion, was known to be a cautious driver.  About 12.36pm on the day of the crash, a family travelling on SH30 towards Rotorua saw Jarden’s car “travelling too fast to navigate the bend”. The family saw the car drive over an embankment into the lake.  They contacted emergency services and attempted to access the vehicle but could not reach it.  Emergency services arrived a short time later but were unable to reach the car because of the water’s depth.  The next day, the Police National Dive Squad located the couple inside the car. The vehicle was recovered from the lakebed, upside-down and about 4m deep.  “This, along with the fact that the water was very cold, would have made it very difficult for the occupants to exit the vehicle,” Coroner Llewell said.  The police crash analysis report found the road was dry and the weather “fine and clear”.  The signs and road markings were in good condition and the bends near the scene had a speed advisory of 35km/h.  There were “no visual obstructions approaching the bend, but the bend is blind due to the high embankment”.  There were no signs of braking.  Emergency services at the scene of the Lake Rotomā fatal crash on July 11, 2020. Photo / Andrew Warner  Jarden was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and phone records showed neither victim was using their phones at the time of the crash.  Fatigue was “unlikely” to have been a factor. No mechanical issues were detected with the car.  Senior Constable Michael Chelley concluded the most likely cause of the crash was Jarden suffering a medical event, because the car appeared to have accelerated, he had not drowned, and there were no signs of him attempting to exit the vehicle.  While the pathologist could not be conclusive as to Jarden’s cause of death, an autopsy found evidence of medical conditions that could cause a serious or fatal medical event.  Jarden’s sister told the police Jarden had mentioned potentially having high blood pressure but was unaware of any other health issues. She also advised their parents had suffered from health conditions, including strokes and cardiac issues.  Coroner Llewell found it was “more probable than not” Jarden had suffered a medical event while driving.  “The crash was a tragic and unforeseen accident.”  She noted another fatality occurred at the same location in April 2021.  J...

Why is Erica Stanford Importing One Size Fits All Curriculum Ideas from Overseas?

Why is Erica Stanford Importing One Size Fits All Curriculum Ideas from Overseas?

In a recent article “Why Is the Government Implementing New Zealand Initiative Policies?” I explored the influences of the New Zealand Initiative on government policies, especially in Education. Minister of Education Erica Stanford has proven close ties to the New Zealand Initiative, especially Dr Michael Johnston, and her wide ranging changes to the provision of […]

AI PCs — get the latest news and insights

AI PCs — get the latest news and insights

Virtually every aspect of technology has been affected, and potentially improved, by artificial intelligence (AI). PCs are no exception. While the meaning of “AI PC” is still evolving , it generally refers to a computer specifically designed to excel at AI-powered tasks. These beefed-up computers typically feature: High-end CPUs and GPUs to handle the demanding computational requirements of AI applications such as AI assistants that automate tasks, schedule meetings, answer emails, and provide personalized recommendations and data analysis and visualization. Dedicated AI accelerators like Neural Processing Units (NPUs). These specialized chips are optimized for AI tasks such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing. Pre-installed AI-powered software such as AI assistants (like Microsoft Copilot ), creative tools, and AI-enhanced productivity applications. Will AI PCs play a big role in 2025 and beyond? As AI becomes more integrated into daily use, the demand for powerful computers capable of handling AI workloads will grow and provide new levels of productivity by automating tasks, generating creative content, and providing intelligent assistance.  AI PCs are also designed to improve the user experience with AI-powered features like voice assistants, intelligent search, and personalized recommendations to enhance the overall user experience. According to Gartner data released in August, AI PCs will account for 31% of worldwide PC market by the end of the year. The research firm also shared these forecasts: — AI PCs will be become the Nnorm by 2029 — AI PC shipments will total 77 million in 2025 — AI PCs market share will climb to 55% in 2026 Related AI PC coverage AI PCs to surge, claiming over half the market by 2026 August 28, 2025 : Despite some market hurdles, AI PC adoption is taking hold , with about 143 million units expected to ship next year. according to Gartner research. IT buyers are investing in AI PCs — with no clue how to use them July 24, 2025: Eyeing the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 in October, many IT buyers are snapping up Windows 11 AI PCs despite having no clear understanding of how to use them in their infrastructures. “The use cases around AI PCs are not fully fleshed out just yet,” said Jitesh Ubrani, research manager at IDC. “Companies are struggling to figure out if AI PCs are worth the extra investment or not, especially when there’s a lot of AI that can be done in the cloud, as opposed to on the device itself.” What is an AI PC? The power of artificial intelligence locally May 1, 2025 : Unlike traditional computers, an artificial intelligence PC, or AI PC, comes with AI capabilities built in by design. AI runs locally, right on the machine, allowing it to essentially learn, adapt, reason and problem-solve without having to connect to the cloud. Should you buy AI PCs for your workforce in 2025? April 8, 2025: As generative AI continues to dominate technology news, the hype around AI PCs is growing. It’s easy to see the appeal of PCs powerful enough to handle genAI processing tasks. Dell unveils AI PCs with Nvidia GPUs for AI model testing March 18, 2025 : New Dell PCs sport high-powered Nvidia GPUs designed to help workers test AI models before deployment. The new AI PC lineup includes laptops and desktops with Nvidia’s latest Blackwell Ultra and Blackwell GPUs, which provide the muscle needed to test compute-intensive AI models. AI PCs are designed to run generative AI tools and models more efficiently than standard PCs. Just what the heck does an ‘AI PC’ do? November 25, 2024 : AI-optimized PCs have been announced by virtually every system maker and chip producer, but the functions AI PCs offer will vary depending on the hardware. And users face a learning curve trying to figure out the new features. 2025: The year of the AI PC October 24, 2024 : Forrester has tagged 2025 “the Year of the AI PC” — and if the number of recent product announcements is any indication, that’s likely to be the case. Gartner Research projects PC shipments will grow by 1.6% in 2024 and by 7.7% in 2025. The biggest growth driver will be due, not the arrival of not AI PCs, but to the need by many companies and users to refresh their computers and move toward Windows 11. How soon will AI PCs replace traditional PCs in the enterprise? Sept. 25, 2024 : There’s much anticipation among enterprises and consumers alike for AI PCs, However, as with any new technology, it’s unclear when AI PCs will finally have their moment . Gartner forecasts that 43 million AI PCs will be shipped in 2024. IDC predicts even more — 57 million units — will be shipped in 2024. And by 2028, AI PCs will represent 92% of all PC shipments worldwide. What does Qualcomm’s interest in buying Intel’s chip design business mean for the future of PCs? Sept. 11, 2024: Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Apple have been in a fierce battle for domination of the chip market for AI PCs, which are touted as the future of computing. Further ramping up competition in this fiery landscape, Qualcomm has reportedly explored buying portions of Intel’s design business , most notably client PC design, as Intel looks to spin off units ahead of an upcoming board meeting, anonymous sources told Reuters. Copilot+ AI PCs are finally here. You don’t want one — yet July 9, 2024 : The AI hype keeps on coming. The latest news is the arrival of an entirely new line of Windows computers, Copilot+ PCs , which are specifically designed with AI in mind. Microsoft claims they’ll dramatically speed up AI, offer new features unavailable to other PCs, and deliver improved battery life. The new machines point the way to the future of Windows and of AI. Microsoft’s Copilot+ AI PCs: Still a privacy disaster waiting to happen June 12, 2024 : Many security pros say Microsoft is opening a Pandora’s Box with its AI-powered Copilot+ Windows PCs . Microsoft argues those new PCs, available as of June 18, will make it easy for users to find files and remember things you’ve done on your computer using the new Recall feature, which takes screenshots, stores them in a database, and uses AI to help you find and use whatever you want. Despite warnings by security pros, Microsoft claims rock-solid security is baked directly into the new feature. Review: The M4 iPad Pro — an amazing AI PC May 17, 2024 : The M4 iPad Pro is designed to provide the best possible performance thanks to the M4 chip inside. Apple suggests it needed to use this processor because it wanted to make the iPad Pro thin and to drive the amazing display. The move to M4 also means you get a huge leap in processor performance (1.5x faster than the last model) and graphics (4x faster rendering). Deploying this chip means the iPad Pro with M4 could become the world’s ultimate AI-driven tablet . Enterprises want AI PCs, just not yet April 23, 2024 : While the employee benefits of using an AI PC are intriguing , they may not be enough to convince IT buyers to go all in just yet. Despite the enthusiasm generated  by advanced AI-driven functionalities, enterprises are expected to adopt a more measured approach over the next year, according to Forrester. Microsoft is holding back the ‘AI PC’ revolution March 13, 2024 : The PC industry has a big problem. And it’s not hardware makers’ fault — it’s Microsoft’s responsibility. The hardware is here: Intel, AMD, Nvidia, and PC makers have delivered on their end. Now, everyone is waiting for Microsoft to catch up and make Windows truly shine on these AI PCs . Can the company deliver something compelling in time? Dell ramps up ‘AI PC’ plans with Latitude and Precision refresh Feb. 27, 2024: Dell unveiled a range of new laptops and PCs featuring neural processing units (NPUs) designed to run AI workloads on-device for improved video call quality and better laptop battery life.  Dell is one of several hardware vendors looking to benefit from growing interest in AI PCs . Before you buy a Windows 11 AI PC, read this Jan. 17, 2024 : AI PCs were everywhere at CES 2024 , and companies like Intel, AMD, NVIDIA, and Qualcomm are all touting how great their hardware is at running AI tasks.  But since these “AI PCs are already on shelves and you can buy them before CES 2024, we need to cut through the hype and focus on what you’re getting for your money. They might one day deliver a lot of cool features — just not yet.”