Toxic fire rages in Canterbury
Firefighters were last night battling a ferocious fire in North Canterbury, with a public health warning issued and residents advised to keep their windows closed. The “very, very hot” fire was at the site of the Amberley tyre stockpile which has been controversial over the years. Environment Canterbury has been working closely with the Hurunui District Council to ensure the removal of the pile. A Weekend Herald reporter said “enormous flames more than 20m high” could be seen as dozens of firefighters fought the blaze. Thick black smoke was visible from Christchurch city, 45km away.
Witnesses filmed attack
Bystanders filmed as a police officer was attacked near Auckland’s T¯amaki Drive during an attempted arrest. Police said they were concerned that the incident occurred in front of members of the public who took video and then shared it on social media. “Our staff go to work every day to keep our community safe, and this video shows a police officer in a very dangerous, and vulnerable situation,” a police spokesperson said. The attacker was eventually subdued by other police officers using a Taser. A 41-year-old man was due to appear in the Auckland District Court yesterday charged with injuring with intent to injure, resisting police, escaping police custody and possession for supply of methamphetamine. The officer, who suffered a facial injury and grazes, was taken to Auckland City Hospital for observation.
Transparency International has again named New Zealand and Denmark as the world’s least corrupt countries. However, the organisation warned that despite its number one ranking in the annual index of perceived publicsector corruption, New Zealand faces corruption risks. They include inadequate protection for whistleblowers, and no register showing who ultimately controls or benefits from companies registered in this country. The index ranked 180 countries. Denmark and New Zealand received 88 points, while Syria, with 14 points, and Somalia and South Sudan with 12 points each, ranked last.
Police hijab goes global
A New Zealand Police uniform hijab created by Wellington designers has turned heads overseas, and Leicestershire police in Britain are now trialling the prototype for their officers. After 16 months of a collaborative design process — involving fabric research, pattern sampling and trialling — the hijab was launched last November. The operational hijab is now an optional part of the the uniform for NZ police which can be worn with their other issued headgear.