From comments sent by blog contributors and readers
Killed in NZ’s Top Tourist Deathtraps
“Kiwi dies on Tongariro Crossing” Feb 14, 2020
A three-day rāhui has been put in place after a Kiwi man died halfway up the stairs of the Tongariro Crossing.
“The Tongariro Crossing is one of New Zealand’s most popular hikes spanning 19.4 kilometres of the Tongariro National Park. It’s considered one of the most dangerous walks in the country.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119529821/kiwi-dies-on-tongariro-crossing
Tourist-Hunting Taniwha?
“In just nine months in 2019 (between April and December) at least 11 people died while tramping in the Tararua Range, Arthur’s Pass, the Remarkables, the Tongariro Northern Circuit, Nelson Lakes National Park, Mount Lancelot, and the Routeburn Track.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/118176741/the-most-dangerous-and-deadly-places-to-tramp-in-new-zealand
Multiple Fatalities
“A recent analysis conducted by Mountain Safety Council (MSC) found the Tongariro Alpine Crossing had the most safety incidents over nearly a decade. In total there were 293 incidents – a combination of fatalities, search and rescues, and injuries – compared with 52 on the Mount Taranaki Summit Route, and 47 on the Milford Track over the same period. The exact number of fatalities for each track wasn’t yet known by MSC.”
Deadliest Places
“The most fatalities occurred in Southland, followed by Queenstown Lakes and Tasman, Westland, the Tararua Ranges, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and Central North Island, Taranaki and Auckland.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/travel-troubles/118176741/the-most-dangerous-and-deadly-places-to-tramp-in-new-zealand
State Secrets: Police Secrecy and Rejection of Volunteers in Search for Stephanie Simpson
Friday, 14 February 2020 – 10:41am | Tasman
Search for Stephanie Simpson continues
“The search for missing tramper Stephanie Simpson continues today.”
“Due to the difficult conditions in the area and the necessity for specialist crews, Police do not require any additional volunteers at this time, however we would like to thank those members of the public who have offered assistance.”
[Volunteers are NOT welcome since they aren’t sworn to secrecy and are likely to spill the beans on police activities! –Editor]
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/search-stephanie-simpson-continues
Latest Assassinations by NZ Police: Shoot to Kill Policy
Friday, 14 February 2020 – 1:30pm | Bay of Plenty
Fatal Police Shooting, Tauranga
Please attribute to District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor
“A fatal shooting is an outcome nobody wants, however if people present firearms to us or other members of the public, we will respond accordingly, with the appropriate degree of force necessary to ensure staff and public safety.”
[Police policy dictates otherwise!]
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-following-fatal-police-shooting-tauranga
Deadly Police Pursuits: Pursuits initiated by NZ police are designed to kill the “fleeing drivers” as a matter of policy!
Many people including innocent bystanders are killed during police pursuits each year. Senior police officers like Canterbury District Commander Superintendent John Price lie through their rotten teeth when they say:
“No one could have foreseen the result. The officers’ absolute desire and aim was to prevent harm on our roads and I absolutely support them.”
Three more teens murdered by police
Teenage brothers Glen and Craig Mcallister, aged 16 and 13, and their 13-year-old friend, Brooklyn Taylor, where violently killed after the stolen car they were in hit police spikes at speed, crashed and exploded in a “huge ball of fire” on Christchurch’s Blenheim Rd on Sunday night (January 12, 2020) a report said.
Craig Mcallister, 13, Brooklyn Taylor, 13, and Glen Mcallister, 16, killed in a crash as a result of a chase-to-kill police pursuit in Christchurch on Sunday night (January 12, 2020). Photo: Stuff
Bodies in the Lake (Harbour, River…)
Thursday, 13 February 2020 – 7:57pm | Canterbury
Body located near Akaroa Harbour
A body has been located around 4pm today near the Akaroa Harbour by the National Police Dive Squad.
Searches have been ongoing to locate the diver since they were reported missing in the area yesterday afternoon.
While formal identification is yet to be completed, the body is understood to be that of the missing diver. [Not identified]
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/body-located-near-akaroa-harbour
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Missing swimmer’s body found in Whanganui River – Jan 27 2020
The body of a man missing in the Whanganui River since Sunday afternoon has been found.
Police will release the name of the man, a 24-year-old Israeli national, as soon as family have been notified. [That was 18 days ago!]
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119058450/search-for-swimmer-missing-in-whanganui-river-enters-second-day
Latest Reported Fatal Crashes
Thursday, 13 February 2020 – 5:20pm | Central
Name release: Mahoe, Taranaki, crash
Police can now confirm the name of the man who died yesterday following a crash at the intersection of Opunake Road and Rowan Road, Mahoe, Taranaki. He was Hamuera Taiawa, 21, of Mahoe.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/name-release-mahoe-taranaki-crash
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One dead after motorcycle and car crash in Taranaki
Feb 12 2020
A person has died after a serious crash in rural South Taranaki on Wednesday evening.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/119474067/one-dead-after-motorcycle-and-car-crash-in-taranaki—————————————————————————————————
Man charged with killing two Chinese Tourists in Otago crash
A 29-year-old fruit picker has been charged with killing two people in a car crash in Otago.
He was charged with careless driving on January 30 near Makarora, in Central Otago, causing the deaths of two Chinese tourists of Pei Lu Chan and Yee Fun Pang.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/119285459/man-charged-after-two-people-died-in-otago-crash-named
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Spate of Otago fatal crashes ‘hard to comprehend’ – district’s top road cop – Jan 31, 2020
Three deaths on Otago roads in less than 24 hours is a tragedy, the areas top road policing cop says.
Two people died in a crash on State Highway 6, between Wanaka and Haast, about 10.30pm on Thursday.
It is understood the pair were tourists, but police were not in a position to confirm. [Victims’ identities have NOT been disclosed.]
Earlier on Thursday, another person died when their four-wheel-drive crashed off Macetown Rd, near Arrowtown in remote Central Otago, about 12.15pm. [Not identified by police.]
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119171021/two-dead-after-crash-near-makarora-otago
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Four Deaths Devastate Otago Town of Makarora [One tramper still missing]
Two bodies were found in the Makarora River by members of the public at the weekend, one on Friday, the other on Saturday. The pair, a man and a woman, had been tramping in Mount Aspiring National Park, police said. [Woman not identified by police.]
Two people were killed in a car crash near Makarora on January 30. Two others were injured. [Their identities have NOT been disclosed by police.]
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12307180
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Fears for missing Southland tramper
British tourist Stephanie Simpson was last seen around lunchtime on Friday, February 8, 2020.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz—————————————————————————————————
One person still in hospital after fatal crash in Mapua [on Feb 9]
“One person remains in hospital the day after a crash at Mapua that claimed the life of a female driver. [Police have NOT release the victim’s identity.]
Three other people were injured in the fiery two-car crash on State Highway 60 in the early hours of Sunday morning.”
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/119387984/one-person-still-in-hospital-after-fatal-crash-in-mapua
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Three people in hospital following weekend crashes in Tasman
Two patients remain in a critical condition, report said.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/119073355/three-people-in-hospital-following-weekend-crashes-in-tasman [Fates unknown. No update available.]
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Name release – fatal crash, Putaruru
Man who was killed in a crash on State Highway One, near Putaruru, on Wednesday 22 January was Paul Dickinson Aimes, 76.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/name-release-fatal-crash-putaruru
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Name release – fatal crash, Rotokawa
The man who was killed in a crash on Broadlands Road, Rotokawa, about 11.40pm on Thursday 23 January was Daley James White, 29.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/name-release-fatal-crash-rotokawa—————————————————————————————————
Motorcyclist in a critical condition after a serious crash in Upper Hutt (Monday, Feb 10, 2020)
[Victim’s fate remains unknown!]
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119406684/road-closed-on-state-highway-2-at-silverstream-after-crash
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Water Pollution
Surely, the golfer’s balls ought to be removed!?
Marlborough Sounds golfer claims to have hit thousands of balls into bay
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/119236356/marlborough-sounds-golfer-says-not-aiming-to-bag-king-shag
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A ‘tsunami of faeces’ is overwhelming Wellington’s urban streams Feb 13, 2020
“Contaminated water flowing into Owhiro Bay is more than 30 times above the safe swimming level, and has been at dangerously high levels for the last 20 years according to Wellington Water.
The problem is so overwhelming that officials aren’t even sure where to start.
Almost every urban stream in the Wellington region is graded ‘E’, marking ‘unacceptable levels of risk’. It’s the lowest possible grade.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/119480229/a-tsunami-of-faeces-is-overwhelming-wellingtons-urban-streams
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Code browns: Auckland’s filthiest public pools revealed
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119462837/code-browns-aucklands-filthiest-public-pools-revealed
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Raw sewerage has been discharged into the ocean and waterways in Nelson for years. [See video}
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/116820821/wanaka-diver-deep-in-poo-wins-fame-sympathy
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Agent Orange Revisited
The following may offer some lateral insight into chemical warfare:
The use of Agent Orange has been controversial in New Zealand, because of the exposure of New Zealand troops in Vietnam and because of the production of Agent Orange for Vietnam and other users at an Ivon Watkins-Dow chemical plant in Paritutu, New Plymouth. There have been continuing claims, as yet unproven, that the suburb of Paritutu has also been polluted; see New Zealand in the Vietnam War. There are cases of New Zealand soldiers developing cancers such as bone cancer but none has been scientifically connected to exposure to herbicides. A controversial television documentary was broadcast in New Zealand on TV3 called “Let us Spray”. As of 2019 this documentary can be found on YouTube. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-IZDcSAzoU)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_Orange#New_Zealand
Concern prompts new review of dioxin study
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/dioxin/news/article.cfm?c_id=675&objectid=10412402
“Elevated Sister Chromatid Exchange Frequencies in New Zealand Vietnam War Veterans”
The Abstract is available at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17431321
Paid article, first page at https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/100407
Exporting Death
Kiwi Adam Bascombe found dead in Bali pool
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12306023
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Kiwi mother-of-three dies suddenly in Melbourne
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12304481
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NZ citizen James Hargraves killed in crash in Australia
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12307550
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MURDERED in NZ [apparently not by police]
Police launch homicide investigation after death of 5-year-old in Rotorua
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/119405650/police-launch-homicide-investigation-after-death-of-5yearold-in-rotorua
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Wednesday, 12 February 2020 – 12:51pm | Bay of Plenty
Murder charge laid in relation to Edgecumbe death
Police have charged a man with murder in relation to the death of 45-year-old Thunder Savage at his home in Edgecumbe on 2 October 2019.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/murder-charge-laid-relation-edgecumbe-death
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Two men killed in shooting at McLaren Falls (Omanawa, Tauranga)
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/119443300/two-people-believed-to-have-died-after-incident-at-mclaren-falls
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Murdered: 56-year-old man Davis Phillips in Taita
He was murdered on 26 January 2020.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-taita-homicide-0
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Monday, 10 February 2020 – 4:31pm | Bay of Plenty
Homicide inquiry, Rotorua
A homicide inquiry is underway after Police were advised on Saturday night (February 8) that a 5-year-old child had passed away at Rotorua Hospital.
Police and ESR subsequently attended a Union Street address to make inquiries into circumstances surrounding the cause of the child’s death.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/homicide-inquiry-rotorua
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Tuesday, 11 February 2020 – 2:37pm | Eastern
Serious injuries: Investigation into child’s injuries, Flaxmere
Police continue to make inquiries into the critical injuries sustained by a 4-year-old boy in Ramsey Crescent, Flaxmere on January 29, and are seeking any further information which may help.
Detective Inspector Mike Foster says they are some of the most severe injuries he has seen on a child in 30 years of policing.
The child remains in a serious condition in a ward in Starship Hospital, and is likely to be severely disabled and brain damaged if he survives.
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/investigation-childs-injuries-flaxmere
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Thursday, 13 February 2020 – 10:02am | Tasman
[Negligent homicide?] Workplace death, Motueka Valley
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/workplace-incident-motueka-valley
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This is NZ: No one gives a fuck!!!
Hospital failed to provide proper care for man who was dumped at bus stop and later died
Neil Jones died after an “appalling” failure of care by the Canterbury District Health Board in 2013.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/119399862/hospital-failed-to-provide-proper-care-for-man-who-was-dumped-at-bus-stop-and-later-died
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Coroner outlines ward’s failings relating to death of Ruarangi McIntyre
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/409222/coroner-outlines-ward-s-failings-relating-to-death-of-ruarangi-mcintyre
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20-year-old died of septicemia after repeated failures by Auckland District Health Board
Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill found Auckland DHB failed to treat Ms A with “reasonable care and skill”.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/119398756/my-daughter-would-still-be-alive-20yearold-died-of-septicaemia-after-repeated-failures
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Shackled by student loan till the day you die
About 750,000 Kiwis have a student loan.
New Zealanders carrying student loans until they die
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/119397157/new-zealanders-carrying-student-loans-until-they-die
Inland Revenue figures show that in the year to June 30, 2019, there was $25.7 million in debt written off due to the death of the borrower.
That involved 1803 cases, or roughly 5 per cent of the people who died in that year.
Students have borrowed $24.7 billion since 1992 and the average student loan balance at June 30, 2019, was $22,630.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/119397157/new-zealanders-carrying-student-loans-until-they-die
Woman arrested at Auckland International Airport over student loan debt
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/118823550/person-arrested-at-auckland-international-airport-over-student-loan-debt
Woman arrested for shirking student loan repayments is actually an economic hero
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/118937496/woman-arrested-for-shirking-student-loan-repayments-is-actually-an-economic-hero
‘I won’t pay off my $120,000 student loan in my lifetime’: call for lower tertiary fees
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/112972872/i-wont-pay-off-my-120000-student-loan-in-my-lifetime-call-for-lower-tertiary-fees
Thousands of Kiwis living in Australia are too scared to go home and at risk of becoming ‘student loan refugees’ after they are threatened with arrest
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3623085/Student-loan-refugees-New-Zealand-scared-arrested-returning-home-Australia.html
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Coronavirus
If 5,000 years of alleged civilization can’t teach the Chinese what not to eat, handle or sleep with…
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Tokyo Olympics organizers insist they won’t cancel the games, even if you nuked them!!!
Olympics officials: Coronavirus outbreak even God himself won’t be allowed to cancel Tokyo Games
The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will not be interrupted by the coronavirus outbreak, Japanese organizers said Thursday.
Yoshiro Mori, the head of Tokyo’s organizing committee , told reporters the Games will go ahead as planned, starting July 24.
“I would like to make it clear yet again that we are not considering a cancellation or postponement of the games,” he said. “Permit me to make that crystal clear.”
“We have unexpected issues to deal with, such as the coronavirus. We look forward to hearing from the Japanese government … to ensure the athletes and people who come to the Games are not going to be affected and that all precautions are being taken,” the former Japanese prime minister added.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2020/02/13/Olympics-officials-Coronavirus-outbreak-wont-cancel-Tokyo-Games/9861581618451/
Japan reported its first death from the outbreak on Thursday and has one of the fastest rates of infection outside China.
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Japan’s Contempt for Tourist safety
Once again Japan ruling classes have shamelessly demonstrated they’re pathologically incapable of making rational decisions, despite the potentially deadly consequences.
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Digital Sex
Police trials digital person and self-service option
Today, Commissioner of Police Mike Bush announced two trials beginning tomorrow: a digital person named Ella and..
https://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/police-trials-digital-person-and-self-service-option
– Will Ella be giving Mike Bush a digital blow job in her downtime?
PoMeWa said