Police warn of escaped offender
Political savvy squared off against rugby brains yesterday at Westlake Boys’ High School in the name of charity.
Former Prime Minister Sir John Key and former All Black Dan Carter pitted their golf chipping and place-kicking skills against each other.
The score was 3-3 in efforts to clear the cross-bar of the school’s No.1 rugby pitch.
The occasion came about courtesy of Carter becoming an ambassador for the International Sports Promotion Society (ISPS Handa). The aim is for him to assist in addressing social issues that prevent sporting participation in New Zealand, the Pacific Islands and Japan.
Key has been a patron and global ambassador for the organisation since 2016.
The charity, founded by Dr Haruhisa Handa, is committed to developing international sporting, cultural and humanitarian programmes.
Carter, who has begun a two-year contract with Japan’s Kobe Steelers, put his left foot to accurate use left, right and in front of the posts. Key responded with a series of elegant lobs from the same spots, proving his handicap has not suffered since resigning as Prime Minister in December 2016.
He successfully executed one shot while ignoring a heckler bellowing “Jacinda”. However, there was disappointment when he “pulled one left” trying to drill a wedge between the uprights from the opposition 22.
Carter delivered a ceremonial passing of a bag of balls to Westlake students to kick off his role.
“You do get some opportunities to give back to local communities through the All Blacks in South Africa and Europe, and I’ve got more time at the end of my career,” Carter said.
“This gives me a platform, and something as simple as a rugby ball can help inspire and take people’s minds off problems in their lives.”
Key said: “If you can keep youngsters active and involved in sport, they learn life skills, commitment to a team, and have some fun. And let’s be honest, obesity is an issue in New Zealand and the Pacific. Part of solving that is education about food and drink — and part of it is exercise.” A man who escaped from police custody in Auckland is a patched gang member with a history of serious violence, police warn.
Darcy Hayes, 48, escaped from the Auckland District Court on Tuesday about 1.10pm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid, from Auckland City Crime Squad, said Hayes has links in the Auckland area, and is known to frequent the Bay of Plenty.
He may have links in the Upper South Island too.
“Hayes is a patched gang member and has an extensive history of serious offending.
“Police are asking the public to report any sightings or information to us immediately,” Schmid said.
“Police re- mind anyone who is found to aid or assist a wanted offender to evade police, that is a criminal offence and they will be held to account.”
Hayes is described as being 1.77m tall and of medium to slim build.
He has two large tattoos of skulls on the front of his neck and a glove tattooed on the back of his left hand.
He was last seen wearing grey slimfitting pants and a blue long sleeve hooded jacket with a white zip up the front and white zip pockets.
Hayes is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
If you see him, please call 111 immediately, or if you have any information that could help the investigation, please contact the Auckland City Crime Squad on 09 302 6557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.