• Otago Daily Times
• 2 gün, 19 saat, 27 dakika

Acts of sextortion have permeated so deeply into our digital world that one in five New Zealanders have now been impacted in some way by the cybercrime, research from Netsafe has found. The nationwide survey, which looked at a nationally representative sample of 1000 adults with key demographics also studied, found 8% of Kiwis have experienced sextortion either directly and 13% have experienced it through someone they knew. Sextortion, or sexual extortion, is when someone threatens to leak sexually explicit material of a person as a means of coercion. Those aged 18-24 reported the highest incidence rate, with 40% saying they or someone they know had experienced sextortion. Māori (38%) and rainbow communities (32%) were also disproportionately affected. Thirty-five % of victims reported a moderate to severe effect on their mental health, with 73% of people familiar with victims describing its impact as significant. “Sextortion is a serious online harm and not a fringe problem,” Netsafe chief executive Brent Carey said. Brent Carey, chief executive of Netsafe, said sextortion is a "serious online harm and not a fringe problem" in New Zealand. Photo / Dean Purcell “New Zealanders need to know sextortion is not their fault. These are predators using technology as a weapon, and the only way to fight them is together.” The findings, which suggest hundreds of thousands of Kiwis have been affected, highlight a “hidden epidemic” with far-reaching impacts on privacy, personal safety and mental health. “Tragically, overseas cases have shown how sextortion can drive young people to despair, and New Zealand is not immune,” Carey said. “Our research confirms the same pattern.” Carey said victims may be tricked or pressured into sharing explicit material, while in other cases, the content may be digitally faked. Police plan to use the data to strengthen their response to sextortion crimes in New Zealand. Professional perpetrators often come from organised crime groups and will manipulate their victims into sharing sensitive content that can later be leveraged against them. “This survey did not include under 18 year olds, and when we look at the reports of harm we receive at Netsafe, we find teenagers are also targeted through sextortion,” Carey said. About 80% of cases reported by victims involved threats to share explicit content. Half the perpetrators demanded money, while a fifth sought further sexual favours. About 24% had their content leaked anyway without consent. Despite the damning figures, most victims avoid seeking help out of shame or a fear of inaction, with less than half of those who alert authorities satisfied with its handling. Data released by Netsafe in May showed sextortion threats were up a “frightening” 68% in the first three months of this year. The new research “stresses that reducing harm requires strong community engagement, education, and early prevention”, Carey said. Police said they recognised the real-world consequences of sextortion, and planned to use the research to further their understanding of its place in New Zealand. “Police encourage all victims of sextortion to seek help and report these criminal acts,” said Greg Dalziel, Detective Senior Sergeant in the police’s Cybercrime Unit. Eighty % of survey respondents also supported an awareness campaign to educate the public on how to identify, report, prevent and legally challenge sextortion in their lives. Tom Rose is an Auckland-based journalist who covers breaking news, specialising in lifestyle, entertainment and travel. He joined the Herald in 2023.

• Newstalk ZB
• 3 gün, 8 saat, 30 dakika

With one million more midwives, the world could prevent 67% of maternal deaths, 64% of newborn deaths, and 65% of stillbirths by 2035 — saving more than 4.3 million lives.

• Scoop News
• 2 gün, 19 saat, 30 dakika

• Otago Daily Times
• 2 gün, 19 saat, 37 dakika

Report by Health Select Committee fails to satisfy range of organisations. The post Organic groups renew opposition to GE Bill appeared first on Farmers Weekly .

• Farmers Weekly NZ
• 3 gün, 8 saat, 37 dakika

Wattie's New Zealand is further reducing local fruit and vegetable crops, citing an ongoing struggle against cheaper imports. The post Wattie’s cuts more Hawke’s Bay crops appeared first on Farmers Weekly .

• Farmers Weekly NZ
• 3 gün, 8 saat, 38 dakika

The villa in Ponsonby is 102 years old and has required frequent repairs.

• RNZ
• 2 gün, 19 saat, 40 dakika

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has joked that quitting cigarettes would make her outright murderous. As she attended the Gaza peace summit in Egypt, Meloni was captured sharing a lighter moment with other world leaders. “You look great. But I have to make you stop smoking,” a translator for Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can be heard telling her. While Meloni seemingly acknowledged it was a bad habit, she joked there might be violent consequences if she gave up cigarettes. “I know, I know,” she said, before quipping, “I don’t want to kill someone”. The 48-year-old previously admitted she had started smoking again after successfully quitting 13 years ago, il Giornale reports. In “La versione di Girogia”, Meloni wrote that the habit had helped her connect with other world leaders, specifically naming Tunisian President Kais Saied as a fellow smoker. The subject itself seemed to have that effect, with French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer sharing a laugh over the Turkish leader’s plea. Amused, Macron himself remarked quitting is “impossible”. Erdogan’s mention of Meloni’s looks was only the second comment about her appearance during the summit. Italy’s first female Prime Minister was also the subject of high praise from US President Donald Trump, CNN reports. “I’m not normally allowed to say it because usually it’s the end of your political career if you say it”, Trump told the summit on October 13, “she’s a beautiful young woman!” The infamously outspoken politician continued to laud Meloni’s beauty as she stood behind him. “Now if you use the word beautiful in the United States about a woman, that’s the end of your political career, but I’ll take my chances!” The pair have fostered a good relationship thanks to their shared political views, with Trump previously describing her as a “fantastic woman”.

• Newstalk ZB
• 3 gün, 9 saat, 1 dakika

A national park shut down during the hunt for Australia's most wanted man has reopened, as police say accused cop killer Dezi Freeman might have left the area.

• Otago Daily Times
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 8 dakika

Wattie's New Zealand is further reducing local fruit and vegetable crops, citing an ongoing struggle against cheaper imports.

• RNZ
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 10 dakika

Police have renewed a call for sightings of a grey Mazda ute after a man went missing eight weeks ago. Aydan, 39, was last seen in Chartwell, Hamilton on August 17 and was believed to be driving his 2016 grey Mazda ute, registration QYA209. Detective Sergeant Jonathan Carter said Aydan’s family and police were hoping for someone to come forward with information about the ute. “Have you seen a grey ute anywhere? Perhaps you’ve noticed it hasn’t moved. “If you’ve noticed a grey Mazda ute somewhere across the region, we would like to hear from you,” Carter said. Last month, Carter said Aydan may have parked up in a rural or bush area. He appealed to those in the wider Waikato/Bay of Plenty region for any sightings of him or his vehicle. “Maybe you’ve gone hunting and seen a vehicle parked up and not thought much of it, and then returned another time and it’s still there. Aydan was last seen in Hamilton on August 17. Photo / NZ Police “We’re looking for anything out of the ordinary like that. If you have any information, contact police via 105, either over the phone or online, referencing file number 250819/5160. You can also get in touch anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-nz.org

• Newstalk ZB
• 3 gün, 9 saat, 23 dakika

• Otago Daily Times
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 28 dakika

A Gisborne teen accused of threatening to kill a Member of Parliament made his first appearance in the Gisborne District Court today. The man, aged 19, has interim name suppression until at least another appearance set for October 23. He has a number of bail conditions which include not to associate with the alleged victim, whose name was also suppressed, and not to threaten violence to person or property. The charging documents said that earlier this year the accused threatened to kill the alleged victim. The charge carries a maximum term of seven years in prison. The man is also charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. During the same period, he is alleged to have posted Instagram messages with the intent to cause harm and which allegedly caused serious emotional distress. This carries a maximum penalty of two years’ jail and a maximum fine of $50,000.

• Newstalk ZB
• 3 gün, 9 saat, 29 dakika

The crew was runners-up at the women's match racing world championships for a second year.

• NZ Herald Sport
• 3 gün, 9 saat, 36 dakika

Drivers are being warned to still expect delays.

• RNZ
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 46 dakika

Central Otago's Dave McKenzie has withdrawn after being accused of financial misconduct.

• RNZ
• 2 gün, 20 saat, 46 dakika