Yan set to return to China
The first time behind the wheel of a car for 12 refugee women began with staring down the length of a race track.
While some careened off, hoping for the best, others slowly manouevred their go-kart along the painted yellow lines. These were the ones who had been in a car before.
Hamilton Blastacars staff pulled out all the stops, including stop signs, to allow each of the women a few laps around the indoor track.
And although there were crashes, breakdowns, and confusion, Passport 2 Drive manager Tania Pointon said the group was ‘‘ready to give it a go’’.
The women are all from Afghanistan and Pointon said driving their own car had been a distant thought for many of them.
‘‘We’re giving them the opportunity to make decisions, which is what driving is all about.
‘‘And for a lot of these women, some decisions used to be made for them or taken away from them.’’
The idea has been piloted by English Language Partners, an agency at the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre.
The women are in the middle of a 10-week road code training class, which helps them prepare to sit for a learner licence.
From there, they can take part in a driver training programme, with the goal of gaining a restricted licence.
Pointon said 49 participants had got a restricted licence, and nine had gone on to secure a full licence.
‘‘We thought it would be a great idea to introduce the ladies to early spatial awareness. Braking, turning and just moving forward.’’
For many of the women, it was their first time manoeuvring a vehicle and Pointon said they were not aware that turning the steering wheel would turn the kart, or that they would have to brake to stop.
‘‘It’s something our kids would know, because from an early age they are watching. - Fairfax NZ Controversial Auckland businessman William Yan is understood to be heading back to China to speak with authorities.
Just under what circumstances he’s going, remain shrouded in mystery. Yan has been branded an economic fugitive by his own country, and China allege he embezzled hundreds of millions of dollars before fleeing to New Zealand.
Concerns over his safety should he return to China - including arrest, imprisonment, execution and organ harvesting - formed the basis for then Associate Immigration Minister Shane Jones to grant him New Zealand citizenship in 2008.
It seems those concerns are no longer an issue, as Yan is travelling to China in the coming weeks to be interviewed by Chinese authorities. But there is no suggestion he’s being deported or forced back, despite China seeking that in the past.
Yan - who is also known as Bill Liu - remains a New Zealand citizen, and is therefore entitled to consular assistance overseas, should he require it.
His lawyer Paul Wicks QC would not comment and said Yan was not willing to speak to media.
This month, Yan was at the centre of the single largest forfeiture in New Zealand. He, his wife and two associates, surrendered almost $43 million to police in late August, following a years-long money laundering inquiry.
While the settlement figure was made public, other parts of the deal - which was approved by the High Court - were kept secret.
The money would be shared between the New Zealand and Chinese Governments.
Police have confirmed Yan was not going back to China as part of the deal they struck.
Detective Superintendent Greg Williams, head of the Financial Crime Group, said: ’’Resolving matters with China is between China and Mr Yan and independent from the civil case the Commissioner took against Mr Yan.’’
Yan has not been charged with any money-laundering offences and has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully was in China for the first half of last week to talk on a number of issues.
It’s understood the trip was planned at relatively short notice, but asked before his departure, if he would seek assurances over Yan’s fair treatment there, McCully refused to comment.
New Zealand is embroiled in a number of tensions with it’s major trading partner, and it’s likely discussions will span trade, defence and extradition issues, for which Prime Minister John Key appeared to soften his stance during a state visit to China in April. - Fairfax NZ