Plants uncovered

A smuggler has been fined more than $2000 for attempting to bring foreign plants and seeds into New Zealand. During his court appearance, Deo Rajan Gounder, a New Zealand resident, said he knew what he was doing was illegal but did it anyway because his cousin talked him into it. Gounder pleaded guilty at the Manukau District Court on Wednesday to trying to bring the vegetation - four plants and 11 seeds into Auckland Airport in July last year. Biosecurity officers found the plant material at the bottom of a chilly bin containing food. Two of the cuttings were Neem plants, or Indian lilac, a fast-growing tree that can grow up to 20 metres in height. The other plants were unidentified. ‘‘All of these organisms have the potential to damage New Zealand’s environment and economy,’’ said passenger manager Craig Hughes. All plants legally imported into New Zealand must at least spend three months in quarantine and be treated with insecticide.

Woman dies

One person died following a twovehicle crash in Alexandra, Central Otago, about at 12.30pm on Friday. A St John spokesman said a 75-year-old woman suffered critical injuries and was taken to Dunstan Hospital.

Passenger rescued

A seriously ill woman on a cruise ship sparked a challenging rescue in choppy seas off Auckland on Thursday night. The Coastguard reached the Norwegian Jewel at 9.30pm. Battling 2m swells, gusting 37 knot winds and poor visibility, a paramedic climbed aboard the ship. The patient and paramedic were lowered on to the rescue boat in a lifeboat and the ship resumed its journey to Sydney.