Allegations have emerged voting papers were stolen from letterboxes, and that voters were told how to vote inside polling booths.

• RNZ
• 1 gün, 46 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

The spotlight will go on children’s motocross riding in New Zealand after a coroner ruled that four similar deaths be examined in a joint inquest. The second part of an inquest into the death of 10-year-old motocross rider Jack Willson in Taupō was to be heard this week, but it has been put on hold because three more young people have since died in similar circumstances. Coroner Ian Telford described the deaths as a “dreadful situation” and has asked for a joint inquest to give more weight to recommendations to prevent further deaths. Jack, from Cambridge, died in a crash while racing at the Digger McEwen Motocross Park in Taupō on April 30, 2023. The first part of the coroner’s inquest into his death was in February and the second part would deal with the prevention of similar crashes. Jack Willson of Cambridge died at the age of 10 in a motocross crash. Photo / Supplied Jack’s father, John Willson, a trained first responder and a Fire and Emergency New Zealand officer, said in his evidence in February he did not blame anyone for his son’s death, but believed the accident happened because of a change in the design of the track. He said the change allowed the riders to take a corner more quickly than previously. In anticipation of taking the corner more quickly, Jack, a Pukekohe Motorcycle Club representative, took a “whoops” bump leading up to the corner too fast. Willson said his son lost his centre of balance, his feet came off the pegs and he went into a “superman” position, holding on to the handles with his legs out. Jack “hit the throttle” and the acceleration drove him into the ground head-first, causing his fatal injuries. Call for a joint inquest Telford held a case management conference on Thursday to hear views from Jack’s family and Motocross New Zealand on a potential joint inquest. All were in favour of that approach. Telford said he had become the responsible coroner for another three young people who had died in “broadly similar circumstances” to Jack. “This has, of course, changed the situation we all find ourselves in profoundly,” Telford said. He said a joint inquest could lead to more “consolidated and cogent” recommendations. “This collectively is a dreadful situation … we are looking at the deaths of four children and I think we are united in a desire to do the very best we can to make the most good out of this situation as is possible.” Telford said the deaths of the other children were relatively new and some of those families were not yet aware there would be a coroner’s process. He said he would therefore not publicly name the other cases to allow time for the coronial office to contact those families. Jack’s family’s views John Willson said their family was supportive of a joint inquest to ensure a stronger outcome but reminded the coroner the long delays took an emotional toll on them. “I was quite looking forward to today to get into the how. For that to be pushed back is quite emotional.” He asked for timeframes to be put in place to ensure it did not drag out so they could try to move on. “We understand why [Jack’s inquest needed to be delayed] and we understand it is for the greater good … Kids are still dying.” Another case management conference will be held in about five weeks on a yet to be determined date to progress the joint inquest. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 13 saat, 56 dakika

Ambulance staff treated a person at the scene.

• RNZ
• 1 gün, 59 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

Just hours after walking from court free following a drink-driving conviction, a Canterbury man went drinking again, then got behind the wheel drunk and killed himself and an elderly motorist in a head-on crash. Associate Coroner Stephen Burdes has found the crash was directly caused by the actions of Zejayohn Keyli West Hurinui, 24, whose blood alcohol was more than four times the legal limit. On the morning of April 26, 2023, Hurinu, from Cheviot, had appeared in the Christchurch District Court, where he was convicted of driving with excess breath alcohol and disqualified from driving for 28 days, pending the installation of an alcohol interlock device. His breath-alcohol reading for that earlier offence was 949 milligrams per litre of breath – more than twice the legal limit. But instead of heeding the ban, Hurinui spent the afternoon drinking with his mother and uncle. His mother told police she had travelled from out of town to support her son at court. After the hearing, the trio stopped at pubs in Kaiapoi and Amberley, where they “had three crate bottles each” and “a few more drinks” before parting ways around 5.30pm. Around 9.15pm, 69-year-old Methven man Anthony Thomas Wood was driving south on State Highway 1, near Domett, with his wife beside him, when a northbound Mazda GSX, driven by Hurinui, veered across the centre line and slammed into their Subaru Outback. Hurinui was killed instantly, while Wood died of blunt-force head and torso injuries shortly after arriving at Christchurch Hospital. His wife suffered serious injuries but survived. Both vehicles were destroyed in the collision. Coroner Burdes found that Hurinui was more than four times over the legal alcohol limit when he crossed into the Woods’ lane. Toxicology tests found 221 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood, compared with the legal limit of 50mg. Around 9.15pm, as he approached a gentle left-hand bend near Domett, Hurinui’s Mazda crossed into the southbound lane, directly into the path of the Woods’ car. Police crash investigator Sergeant Nigel Price found impact marks confirming the crash occurred entirely in the Woods’ lane. Neither vehicle braked before the impact. Price said it was “highly likely” Hurinui’s intoxication slowed his reaction time, causing him to drift wide through the curve. He also found Hurinui had not been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a temporary 50km/h roadworks zone, but both cars were likely travelling at open-road speeds, with Hurinui’s car moving faster than the Subaru. Mechanical inspections found no defects in either vehicle. Wood was described by his wife as a careful driver who often travelled below the speed limit. Hurinui, meanwhile, had been driving illegally on a restricted licence that had been revoked just hours earlier. In separate findings into the deaths of both men, Coroner Burdes said Hurinui “should not have been behind the wheel of a car” and labelled his behaviour “appalling”. “Within hours of being convicted and disqualified for drink driving with a very high reading, the Mazda driver was back behind the wheel of his car in breach of the court order and with a blood-alcohol level of more than four times the legal limit,” the coroner wrote. “His actions caused the crash and caused Mr Wood’s death and Mrs Wood’s injuries.” The coroner declined to make new recommendations, noting that the dangers of drink-driving were already well publicised, but directed that copies of the findings be released to the media as a warning. In his concluding remarks, Coroner Burdes extended condolences to both families, but said Wood “had done nothing wrong and was killed through the appalling actions of another”. “I find that the motor vehicle collision was caused by Mr Hurinui’s failure to stay within his lane. I find that Mr Hurinui failed to stay within his lane due to his gross intoxication. “Mr Hurinui’s decision to drink and drive after being disqualified tha...

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 2 dakika

The public is being warned of “serious delays” to emergency services as 2000 firefighters walk off the job at midday today, calling for urgent investment increases. Firefighters will strike for an hour following stalled negotiations between Fire and Emergency NZ and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union [NZPFU]. NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said the action was the last resort for members. “It is very easy for the FENZ management to criticise the lawful strike, but FENZ rolls the dice on emergency response to the public every day, every hour, with failing fire appliances and failing to maintain minimum staffing.” Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said the organisation is disappointed the union has decided to strike. “We’re disappointed that the NZPFU has rejected our offer of a 5.1% pay increase over the next three years, as well as increases to some allowances, and that they have elected to withdraw their labour, compromising public safety,” Stiffler said. Professional firefighter Terry Bird and NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell said the public should be cautious today because there will be “serious delays” across Fire and Emergency between midday and 1pm. NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell told Herald NOW there were broken promises and failures across the entire organisation. “Fire and Emergency is in a real dire state. We’ve got fire trucks breaking down on a daily basis right across the country now.” Those striking include firefighters, 111 fire emergency dispatchers, volunteer support officers, trainers, staff working in community resilience and risk reduction, and those working in health, safety and wellbeing. The pay rise offer of 5.1% over the next three years, didn’t tell the full story, according to unionists. “It’s actually going to be over five years because firefighters actually haven’t had a pay rise since July 2023. So by the time that contract would have expired, it would have been less than 1% a year, not even keeping up with the cost of living,” Campbell said. The union said ongoing conditions and funding gaps were putting lives at risk. “The big heavy aerials, the big ladder trucks, breaking down all the time. We’ve got equipment that is breaking down. We’ve had promises from the last negotiations for an extra 235 firefighters still haven’t been fulfilled by the organisation,” Campbell said. Professional firefighter Terry Bird noted a long history of poor pay rises. Hastings' 33-year-old fire truck has had the words "Undervalued" and "Mismanaged" as part of their New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union actions. Photo / Michaela Gower “The reason for that is that there is no competition. Firefighters love their job. There is nowhere else they can go to work and we accept the offers that have been made to us historically. “There comes a time when you go, ‘enough is enough’. We can’t afford to not improve our conditions and not improve our pay,” Bird said. The firefighters’ strike comes as nurses, midwives, other healthcare workers and teachers are planning to join a mega strike on October 23. NZ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Richard Wagstaff said that strike was shaping up to be New Zealand’s largest one in decades. Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 19 dakika

The public is being warned of “serious delays” to emergency services as 2000 firefighters walk off the job at midday today, calling for urgent investment increases. Firefighters will strike for an hour following stalled negotiations between Fire and Emergency NZ and the New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union [NZPFU]. NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said the action was the last resort for members. “It is very easy for the FENZ management to criticise the lawful strike, but FENZ rolls the dice on emergency response to the public every day, every hour, with failing fire appliances and failing to maintain minimum staffing.” Fire and Emergency deputy national commander Megan Stiffler said the organisation is disappointed the union has decided to strike. “We’re disappointed that the NZPFU has rejected our offer of a 5.1% pay increase over the next three years, as well as increases to some allowances, and that they have elected to withdraw their labour, compromising public safety,” Stiffler said. Professional firefighter Terry Bird and NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell said the public should be cautious today because there will be “serious delays” across Fire and Emergency between midday and 1pm. NZPFU vice president Martin Campbell told Herald NOW there were broken promises and failures across the entire organisation. “Fire and Emergency is in a real dire state. We’ve got fire trucks breaking down on a daily basis right across the country now.” Those striking include firefighters, 111 fire emergency dispatchers, volunteer support officers, trainers, staff working in community resilience and risk reduction, and those working in health, safety and wellbeing. The pay rise offer of 5.1% over the next three years, didn’t tell the full story, according to unionists. “It’s actually going to be over five years because firefighters actually haven’t had a pay rise since July 2023. So by the time that contract would have expired, it would have been less than 1% a year, not even keeping up with the cost of living,” Campbell said. The union said ongoing conditions and funding gaps were putting lives at risk. “The big heavy aerials, the big ladder trucks, breaking down all the time. We’ve got equipment that is breaking down. We’ve had promises from the last negotiations for an extra 235 firefighters still haven’t been fulfilled by the organisation,” Campbell said. Professional firefighter Terry Bird noted a long history of poor pay rises. Hastings' 33-year-old fire truck has had the words "Undervalued" and "Mismanaged" as part of their New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union actions. Photo / Michaela Gower “The reason for that is that there is no competition. Firefighters love their job. There is nowhere else they can go to work and we accept the offers that have been made to us historically. “There comes a time when you go, ‘enough is enough’. We can’t afford to not improve our conditions and not improve our pay,” Bird said. The firefighters’ strike comes as nurses, midwives, other healthcare workers and teachers are planning to join a mega strike on October 23. NZ Council of Trade Unions (CTU) president Richard Wagstaff said that strike was shaping up to be New Zealand’s largest one in decades. Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.

• Newstalk ZB
• 1 gün, 14 saat, 19 dakika