New taxi service aims to keep women safe
Bashed, bloodied and bruised, but not defeated Praveet Singh has taken a traumatic experience and turned it around to help others. Ms Singh was attacked in broad daylight while walking down a south Auckland street in 2014. “After about 10 minutes there was a huge crowd, they all surrounded the incident. Everyone was standing and watching while this person was actually still hitting me,” the 45-year-old says. It’s that horrific experience that has made her want to protect other vulnerable people. By being a taxi driver for new service DriveHer she could do that, as well as help herself heal. Ms Singh says “this is something for me to show everyone that despite everything that's happened, I'm still willing to go and drive”. The app-based taxi service is the invention of 23 year old law student Joel Rushton who has a good reason to feel protective towards women. “Throughout my life growing up my family was affected by male violence towards women. My mum and sister are the most important women in my life.” Joel's taxis are driven solely by women and are there especially for women to hire. Men can use the service too as long as they sit in the back seat and they have female passenger in the car. But Executive Director of the Taxi Federation John Hart warns it won’t be easy. “The challenge for them will be getting women prepared to drive at night.” However, Kathryn McPhillips from HELP Auckland is hopeful. “We'd all prefer women would be safe all the time with men but that's not the world we live in,” she says. Ms Singh says “you can't stop feeling like a victim for the rest of your life.” “You do need to get out and start doing normal things and living a normal life.” DriveHer starts in Auckland next week and is expected to be available in other centres next year.
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Witnesses sought in relation to mass disorder on K-Road Auckland
Police are appealing to the public for any footage they may have of the mass disorder that occurred on Karangahape Road in Auckland in the early hours of Sunday 28 December.
Emergency services were called to the disorder around 3.41am where it is estimated around over 50 people were present.
A Police investigation is underway after there were three serious assaults on and around Karangahape Road during the mass disorder.
A portal has been set up to allow the public to upload any footage they have of the disorder and the serious assaults.
The portal is https://dahr.nc3.govt.nz/
Police have arrested one person but are asking for help to identify and locate others involved.
• Around 4:15am there was a serious assault outside the Crown Bar on Queen Street.
A 33-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4647.
• Around 4:30am there was another serious assault on a Cobden Steet just off Karangahape Road.
A 27-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
The offender is still unknown, and the Police file number is 251228/4462.
• Around 5am there was third serious assault at the Mobil Service Station on the corner or Karangahape Road and Ponsonby Road.
A 46-year-old man received serious injuries and was hospitalised.
A 21-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
He has been bailed to appear in court again on 16 January 2026.
The Police file number is 251228/4774.
Police would like to speak to anyone who has witnessed or filmed the assaults.
Witnesses can call Police directly on 105.
Please quote one of the above file numbers.
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