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Students are no longer able to hold or shoot army guns at school under new government guidelines. The move comes after much public debate on the appropriateness of firearms being brought into schools, including when soldiers taught children as young as nine how to assemble and shoot assault rifles … View moreStudents are no longer able to hold or shoot army guns at school under new government guidelines. The move comes after much public debate on the appropriateness of firearms being brought into schools, including when soldiers taught children as young as nine how to assemble and shoot assault rifles at a leadership exercise in Palmerston North last year. However students can still use firearms as part of shooting clubs and competitions. Click here to read the full article and guidelines.
So what do you think of the new rules? Are you for or against them?
INZ officials advised Lees-Galloway in March that fraudulent behaviour had been found in 88 pending applications, and 83 were declined, with a finance company at the centre of the fraud. "Immigration NZ are going to manually review the 895 applications that came from Sri Lankan students … View moreINZ officials advised Lees-Galloway in March that fraudulent behaviour had been found in 88 pending applications, and 83 were declined, with a finance company at the centre of the fraud. "Immigration NZ are going to manually review the 895 applications that came from Sri Lankan students through the Mumbai office in 2017. They're going to see which of those involved this particular finance company," Lees-Galloway said today. Those that had would be flagged and if the visa-holder sought to have their visa extended, their case would be more closely scrutinised. INZ had looked back at earlier applications but Lees-Galloway said the information confirming they had sufficient finances to support their application came from the finance company, which meant going back to the fraudulent finance company for the information. "It's a pointless exercise and what INZ has done instead is to refuse applications that involve that finance company. They are blacklisted, they can no longer be involved in applications for visas, and to identify how many people are currently in New Zealand on visas that involved an application through that company." National's immigration spokesman Michael Woodhouse said there could be thousands of applications approved where fraudulent documentation was supplied. "Surely it is in the public interest to know how widespread the fraud is. Our immigration system relies in part on the honesty of the applicants, but also on targeting and eliminating fraud when it occurs. Lees-Galloway said he would have a better idea of how widespread the problem was when INZ had completed its review."This is something that has appeared before, that there have been issues with this type of behaviour before. It is something INZ is very aware of." He said people who were not able to support themselves financially in New Zealand ended up being exploited, by employers or others."That is why we have to have a system with integrity that ensures people do have the means to support themselves."
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A potentially life-saving Hepatitis C screening programme is being trialled at some Auckland pharmac…
Experts are calling for mandatory sunscreen standards and a total ban on sunbeds after alarming figures show New Zealand had the highest skin cancer rates in the world. The 2018 Skin Cancer Index published by the German medical analyst group Derma.plus revealed nearly 2500 New Zealanders were … View moreExperts are calling for mandatory sunscreen standards and a total ban on sunbeds after alarming figures show New Zealand had the highest skin cancer rates in the world. The 2018 Skin Cancer Index published by the German medical analyst group Derma.plus revealed nearly 2500 New Zealanders were diagnosed with skin cancer every year. Consumer NZ chief executive Sue Chetwin said these findings were a concern but not surprising considering New Zealand still didn't have adequate protection in place to try and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
"Unfortunately we have been campaigning for this for along time and we don't seem to getting any traction on the mandatory standards." Consumer NZ last year tested 20 sunscreens against the Australia and New Zealand standard and only nine met their SPF label claim."Our test found some natural sunscreens only provided low protection. One didn't meet high protection or broad spectrum claims and two companies – including one big brand - provided test certificates for similar, but not identical sunscreens. She said despite the recommendation to slop on sunscreen in order to prevent sunburn, New Zealand classified sunscreen as a cosmetic."This is clearly not protecting consumers against the sun's harmful rays."In April, New Zealand's non-melanoma skin cancer rates (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) hit an all-time high. Non-melanoma skin cancer rates were projected to reach a new record high, affecting 90,000 people this year, up from 67,000 cases in 2006. "Worldwide, more than three million non-melanoma skin cancers and 150,000 melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed each year. One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer. For New Zealand, a higher expenditure on treatment showed a lower mortality rate, while Sweden, which has the fourth-highest rate of melanoma, spent more than any of the 62 countries looked at. But Chetwin said New Zealand had a long way to go in terms of prevention. She said sunbeds were another big risk. Using one before the age of 30 could increase the risk of melanoma by 75 per cent. Like sunscreens, compliance with the sunbed standard was voluntary.
"Existing regulation isn't providing sufficient consumer protection and it's time the government made the sunscreen standard mandatory and banned sunbeds. "These measures are already in place in Australia and with our higher skin cancer rates it's not good enough our regulations are lagging behind.
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We are proud to present a free seminar focusing on HR issues and legislation changes for small business owners. Please visit the link for full details. All welcome.
Kauri seedlings from the famous Colin McCahon House have been planted on an island in the Hauraki Gu…
Marion Carpenter, 78, has lived in the caravan she calls home for 13 years. Now she's been told she…
Join Sky Tower for a fun day of family friendly activities including DJ, face painting, dancers, Scotty Sky Tower and giveaways. It’ll be a party atmosphere – and it’s all for a great cause. Please expect queues and plan your trip accordingly.
Go for Gold checklist:
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A … View moreJoin Sky Tower for a fun day of family friendly activities including DJ, face painting, dancers, Scotty Sky Tower and giveaways. It’ll be a party atmosphere – and it’s all for a great cause. Please expect queues and plan your trip accordingly.
Go for Gold checklist:
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A gold coin donation per person is required for entry (no change will be given, EFTPOS will be available)
Open from 9am – 7pm (queue will close at 7pm sharp)
Proof of NZ residency per group
Accessible access will be available
Queue jumpers will not be tolerated
If it’s raining please bring raincoats and umbrellas as queues will be outside – wrap up regardless!
Other information:
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For car parking options please click here, but please consider public transport options. Dare to SkyJump or SkyWalk at 50% off normal retail price for Friday 3 August only! You’ll still get all the great inclusions with a free t-shirt if you ‘jump’ or a cap if you ‘walk’. Plus you can experience the Sky Tower after your activity. Find out more about SkyWalk and SkyJump here. Valid only for Friday 3 August walk-up bookings. You must mention seeing this offer to claim it. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability so get in quick.
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All proceeds will go to Youthline.
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We’re stoked to be partnering with Youthline and all proceeds on the day will go to helping our local youth.
Youthline was created in 1970 and forms a collaboration of youth development organisations across the country. Established to ensure young people know where to get help and can access support when they need it, Youthline’s core work is to develop leadership and personal skills in young people. The organisations are made up of volunteer and paid staff members - and have centres based across the country.
Terms & Conditions
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Offer is exclusive to New Zealand residents and proof of New Zealand residential address is required. Valid for walk up tickets on Friday 3 August 2018 only. Please expect queues and plan your trip accordingly. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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The airline has partnered with the White Lady to hand out 500 burgers at Takutai Square, Britomart at lunchtime on Wednesday. Last week it invited New Zealand meat firms to supply beef for its transtasman flights. The Kiwi-targeted "Got Beef" campaign comes following a widely publicised … View moreThe airline has partnered with the White Lady to hand out 500 burgers at Takutai Square, Britomart at lunchtime on Wednesday. Last week it invited New Zealand meat firms to supply beef for its transtasman flights. The Kiwi-targeted "Got Beef" campaign comes following a widely publicised Air New Zealand partnership with the United States maker of the synthetic Impossible Burger. That meatless burger is being served to premium passengers on flights between Auckland and Los Angeles. "New Zealand is a key market for Virgin Australia, and supporting the local meat industry is just one way in which we are reinforcing our commitment to the country, our guests and local suppliers,'' said Virgin's general manager of customer experience and product, Tash Tobias. The airline has had responses from about 20 potential suppliers so far. Virgin is also expected to announce changes to cabin products on Wednesday after several announcements of more transtasman flying following a bust up with current partner Air New Zealand. The two airlines will go their separate ways from October 28 following a seven-year commercial alliance in what is becoming a rancorous divorce. Virgin Australia has announced new flights between Newcastle and Auckland, Melbourne and Queenstown, and Sydney and Wellington as well as increased services between Auckland and major Australian cities. Air New Zealand will also fly more transtasman services and, after October 28, will code share with Virgin's rival, Qantas, in domestic markets in this country and across the Tasman. Virgin says it teamed up with the White Lady because the 70-year-old burger joint was such an established Kiwi institution. The White Lady was founded by Bryan (Pop) Washer — seven years before McDonalds — to cater for the 6 o'clock swill market initially selling ''pea, pie and pud'' before moving into burgers in the 1960s. Washer's son Peter and grandson Max now run the business from two outlets in downtown Auckland, including the traditional pie cart parked up 365 nights a year. Max Washer said the business had operated without a break for 70 years and on the weekends was open around the clock. Five staff would serve up its King Burger (melted cheese, beef, onions, a fried egg and lettuce) between 12 noon and 2pm. He said staff had plenty of experience at mass catering, serving up to 6000 burgers during a busy week. ''We've got pretty good systems.
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Brendon Collings once used his local Auckland park to play football as a teenager, and now it's his …
To help with expenses, a retired West Aucklander is looking for a like-minded person to flat with. …
Loved and loathed, chickens have become a reality in urban Auckland.
An opponent of the West Auckland alcohol trusts has put her hand up to sit on the The Portage Licensing Trust. She is vowing change either from within the organisation, or externally through a petition calling for a referendum on The Trusts.
Once seen solely at its rural edges, Auckland's chicken population has begun to take roost across the city. However, people were divided over the rise in poultry stock, particularly when found wantonly crossing the street in Titirangi.
Simon Bradley, a real estate agent with Glovers Real … View moreOnce seen solely at its rural edges, Auckland's chicken population has begun to take roost across the city. However, people were divided over the rise in poultry stock, particularly when found wantonly crossing the street in Titirangi.
Simon Bradley, a real estate agent with Glovers Real Estate in Titirangi, said while the local colony of chickens were controversial, they added character to local community. While others say that urban chicken's raise issues of noise, smell and fowl that escape and wreak havoc on neighbours' gardens. Is it time for Council to say no to city chickens? What do you think about them - are they are friend or foe?
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