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As New Zealanders grapple with the cost of everyday essentials, from the supermarket checkout to power bills and bank fees, pressure is growing to address weak competition in critical sectors.

Rebalancing Markets: Competition, power, and a fair economy, hosted by Business School research centreJuncture: Dialogues on Inclusive Capitalism, will see experts in regulation, energy, consumer behaviour, law and economics examine why competition remains weak and what could help rebalance the system.

The discussion comes as the Commerce Commission’s latest report on the state of competition in New Zealand suggests market conditions favour larger established businesses, making it harder for smaller and newer firms to displace these dominant players. Electricity, gas, water, and waste services, and financial and insurance services were identified as the areas most lacking competitive pressure.

The Commission’s Deputy Chief Executive Raj Krishnan is bringing insights from the competition and consumer watchdog to the panel discussion.

Another panellist, Business School alumnus Tex Edwards, the founder of independent public policy and research group Monopoly Watch, and telecommunications company 2degrees, says the Commerce Commission has clearly identified the country’s competition problems.

“Parliament must now arm the Commerce Commission with the powers, and protect it from lobbyists, so the evidence can be translated into lower prices, more choices, and a fairer economy.”

Dr Eric Crampton, chief economist at the New Zealand Initiative and adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury, says too often, governments create the market power they later condemn.
 
“District plans often have rules banning new supermarkets in particular locations, and consenting processes that force entrants to prove they will not compete with established businesses,” he says.

“When markets are open, underperformance by established players becomes an opportunity for entrants and better service for consumers. When entry is blocked by law, regulation, planning, licensing or procurement, market power becomes entrenched.”

Dr John Land, senior barrister at Bankside Chambers and teaching fellow at Auckland Law School, says competition could be improved through increased Commerce Commission powers and by removing barriers to entry and expansion. He says some areas of the competition framework, however, may go too far, particularly around franchise networks and intellectual property rights, with possible impacts on innovation and pro-competitive business conduct.

Professor Jodi Gardner (Auckland Law School) researches how the law responds to issues such as inequality, vulnerability, poverty, and financial exclusion. She will bring a consumer rights perspective to the panel, which will also explore how technology reshapes markets.

Jessica Venning-Bryan, CEO and co-founder of AI-driven energy forecasting and pricing platform Factor, brings energy industry insights and says technology is constantly changing how households participate in the energy system.  

“When households become producers, not just consumers of energy, they have economic leverage. As we reach a critical mass of empowered households, the market will respond with better products and services to attract these prosumers.”

The discussion is being facilitated by Dr Drew Franklin, senior lecturer in marketing and associate director at Juncture. Franklin says when people feel essential markets are stacked against them, trust in the whole economic system begins to weaken.

“Markets are one of the most powerful tools we have for coordinating economic life, but they don’t work well in isolation. They depend on rules that encourage openness, innovation and accountability.”

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JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 May 2026 – Green SM, Indonesia’s first all-electric ride-hailing service, has partnered with the Traffic Corps of the Indonesian National Police (Korlantas Polri) to launch a large-scale driver safety and professional standards training program in Indonesia. The initiative begins with more than 300 driver partners and is expected to expand to approximately 7,000 participants nationwide this year.

Held at the Indonesia Safety Driving Center (ISDC) in Serpong on May 18, 2026, the program provided participants with practical instruction in defensive driving, emergency response, professional driving ethics, and Indonesian traffic regulations. The initiative combines classroom learning with hands-on exercises conducted in a controlled training environment at one of Indonesia’s leading driving safety facilities. The program reflects Green SM’s long-term commitment to building a professional driver network while promoting safer mobility experiences and higher service standards for Indonesian communities.

Since its launch in Indonesia in December 2024, Green SM had already implemented regular internal training programs for driver partners, focusing on safe driving practices, real-world situation handling, customer service standards, and traffic law compliance. Through this partnership, Green SM aims to further strengthen and standardize its training initiatives while also contributing to broader road safety awareness across Indonesia.

As of April 2026, Green SM vehicles have traveled more than 109 million kilometers across Indonesia, contributing to the reduction of approximately 20.9 thousand tons of CO2 emisssions, equivalent to the annual carbon absorption capacity of more than 964 thousand trees. As the company continues to expand, Green SM remains focused on supporting driver capability development and service quality initiatives to support safer and more reliable mobility experiences. Safety remains one of Green SM’s core operational priorities, spanning driver training, service standards, and the overall customer journey across every ride.

Korlantas Polri, the national authority responsible for traffic management, law enforcement, and road safety education across Indonesia, is supporting the initiative as part of broader efforts to encourage safer and more disciplined driving practices nationwide.

This program marks an important first step in the collaboration between Green SM and Korlantas Polri. Both parties expect to explore additional initiatives in the future to promote responsible driving practices and contribute positively to Indonesia’s evolving transportation ecosystem.

Mr. Deny Tjia, Managing Director of Green SM Indonesia, shared: “Our driver partners represent Green SM in every journey they complete. Through this program, we aim to strengthen their practical driving skills, road safety awareness, and service professionalism, while continuing to elevate the overall customer experience across Indonesia. At Green SM, safety is not only an operational standard, but also a long-term commitment embedded in how we develop and deliver our services in Indonesia. We are honored to work with Korlantas Polri and hope this collaboration can create meaningful benefits for both our drivers and the wider community.”

Head of the Traffic Corps (Kakorlantas) of the Indonesian National Police, Inspector General Agus Suryonugroho, stated, “The training is part of an effort to promote road safety, security, order, and smooth traffic flow. This collaboration in enhancing driver capabilities is important as part of efforts to improve driver professionalism, as the driver aspect plays a crucial role. We hope this initiative can serve as a benchmark.”

Through this initiative, Green SM and Korlantas Polri aim to promote higher standards of responsibility and professionalism that benefit drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and the broader transportation ecosystem across Indonesia.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

“River Lord” takes Senior Secondary Division Grand Award and “My Favourite Team” Award in Hang Seng x HKFYG Seek Our Ways Ideation Programme

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

• Military-connected social media accounts target activists with disinformation
• Online slurs precede intimidation and violent attacks against dissidents
• Meta, TikTok, X and YouTube allow harmful content to spread rapidly.

Coordinated disinformation campaigns portraying government critics as “foreign agents” are silencing dissent and fueling intimidation and violence under Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Amnesty International said in a new report published today.

‘Building up Imaginary Enemies’ reveals a growing pattern in which Indonesian authorities – including the military – deploy online disinformation to target journalists, activists, academics and protesters in retaliation for their legitimate activism and expression.  Meanwhile, tech giants Meta, TikTok, X and YouTube have allowed harmful disinformation to remain online.

“Authoritarian practices have accelerated in Indonesia under President Prabowo Subianto’s government. Amnesty’s research shows that in the 18 months since Prabowo took power, online disinformation has emerged as a key tactic to systematically discredit government critics, shut down public debate and justify repression – all while social media companies sit back and let it happen,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said.

“This disinformation is a political weapon, deployed to consolidate the government’s power when public criticism intensifies, while demonizing and weakening those who dare to speak out. By branding protesters, journalists and human rights defenders as ‘foreign agents’, Indonesia’s authorities and their supporters are deliberately shifting attention away from people’s legitimate grievances.”

Intent to deceive

Since President Prabowo took office in October 2024, there have been multiple waves of demonstrations in Indonesia, including against corruption, budget cuts, environmental degradation and expanded powers handed to the military. Prabowo and senior officials have responded by repeatedly and publicly accusing critics of being paid, manipulated and controlled by foreign interests, and framing dissent as orchestrated rather than legitimate.

This has been followed by a proliferation of “foreign agent” slurs against civil society actors online, often based on unsubstantiated claims that they want to “undermine” or “divide” Indonesia due to the fact they receive foreign funding or other support from overseas actors.

Under international law, civil society organizations and media outlets have the right to access international funding, which is often essential for exercising the right to freedom of association.

Amnesty International’s research found that campaigns disseminating false “foreign agent” allegations against civil society have in most instances involved hundreds of accounts acting in sync to post identical videos, graphics or messages in quick succession. This false information is then amplified across Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. Amnesty was able to infer from the coordinated nature of the campaigns that these accounts were spreading falsehoods with the intention to deceive, a key element of disinformation.

The implications for those branded as “foreign agents” are severe, with victims telling Amnesty it undermined their work and credibility, increased their risk of criminalization and exposed them to physical harm.

‘Your head will fall to the ground’

Digital disinformation campaigns have frequently spilled over into physical violence. In March 2026, Andrie Yunus, deputy coordinator of the Commission for the Disappeared and Victims of Violence (KontraS), was the victim of an acid attack in Jakarta, suffering severe chemical burns.

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MIL OSI

A Coroner says the deaths of two fishermen in Northland highlight the importance of wearing lifejackets while rock fishing – as well as the need for warning signs and flotation aids in dangerous areas.

Sarath Kumar Sasidharan-Nair, 37, and Ferzil Babu, 34, drowned when they were swept off rocks at The Gap, a fishing spot at Taiharuru, east of Whangārei, two years ago.

Sasidharan-Nair’s body was found in the water two days later, while Babu’s remains were only found late last year when they washed up on Coppermine Island in Bream Bay.

According to a report released on Monday by Coroner Janet Anderson, the friends travelled together to Taiharuru on the afternoon of 1 May 2024.

Other friends arrived at the same fishing spot later that afternoon but did not recognise Sasidharan-Nair’s vehicle. They assumed the pair had decided not to go fishing because the water was so rough and went home.

The men’s wives raised the alarm when they failed to return and did not answer their phones.

Police found some of the men’s property on the beach that evening and started a large scale search the next day.

Coroner Anderson ruled that both men had died by accidental drowning and noted that neither owned a lifejacket.

According to evidence provided by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand (SLNZ), 16 people – all men – had died while fishing from land in Northland between 2011 and 2024.

SLNZ said rock fishing could be “rewarding and exhilarating” but required careful preparation and a strong focus on safety.

The chief risks were large waves overtopping rocky platforms, knocking fishers off their feet and sweeping them into the water; and slippery rocks near the water’s edge, where fishers could easily fall while retrieving a catch or a snagged line.

Coroner Anderson said the men’s tragic deaths again illustrated the need to war life jackets and have access to flotation devices while rock fishing.

In November 2025 she called on the Whangārei District Council to install warning signs and flotation aids at The Gap.

The council told her it had done so, working with hapū to get the right wording, but the sign had since been removed by an unknown person.

Coroner Anderson urged the council to urgently reinstate signage so people would be aware of the danger.

Responding to the report, Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Glen Scanlon said a lifejacket could be the difference between life and death while rock fishing.

“The very harsh reality shown by so many drownings is that we need to help each other make decisions which help us enjoy the water and get home safe. Rock fishers need to wear lifejackets and never underestimate the conditions.”

Scanlon said 237 people had drowned while fishing from land in New Zealand since 1980. Of those, 150 occurred while fishing from rocks.

A spokeswoman for the Whangārei District Council said the missing sign was being reinstated, and contractors would monitor it to make sure it remained in place.

The council was working with Surf Lifesaving New Zealand on installing floatation devices and additional safety signs at the site, she said.

Sasidharan-Nair was a registered nurse who had just started a new job in the emergency department at Whangārei Hospital.

Babu’s wife also worked at the hospital while he was seeking work and looking after their young son.

Coroner Anderson included SLNZ’s “five ways to survive” tips for rock fishing in her report. They are:

• Know how to float: Only go fishing from rocks if you know how to float well. Always wear a lifejacket and take a flotation device, like a life ring or a bucket, with you. Lifejackets will increase your chance of survival if you fall in.
• Find the safest place: Check conditions: tide, swell, weather, and local hazards. Always face the ocean and be alert for large waves which can knock you off the rocks.
• If in doubt, stay out: If the weather or conditions look dangerous don’t go fishing – wait for another day.
• Take care of yourself and others: Always fish together. If something happens, the other person can help. Wear light, warm clothing, a lifejacket and shoes with grip (not gumboots).
• Know how to get help: Always take a mobile phone; in an emergency call 111 and ask for police.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/two-men-who-drowned-rock-fishing-werent-wearing-life-jackets-coroner-says/

First Person – You could feel something special building for days, even before the NZ Warriors took the field.

On Air New Zealand planes to Brisbane, the cabins were filled with blue and green jerseys. Pilots and cabin crews dispensed “Up the Wahs”. In this city, Warriors jerseys were omnipresent.

On Friday, a line snaked down the shopping precinct on Queen Street as fans lined up to buy merch from the Warriors pop-up store – and meet former halfback Shaun Johnson.

New Zealanders like Brisbane; there are more of us there than in Dunedin, but this was high visibility Kiwidom. It felt like every local train had someone wearing a Warriors cap with its distinctive Tiki; every cafe had someone in a Warriors jersey, every sports bar a knot of Warriors fans.

On the opening night of the NRL Magic Round, it felt as if there were more Warriors supporters in the stands than fans of any of the other teams playing.

One estimate put the Kiwi contingent at more than 8000 in a stadium whose capacity is a little over 50,000, one of the biggest and certainly the most visible of the travelling groups of fans of the 16 teams playing.

An hour and a half before Sunday’s kick-off, Caxton Street leading down to Suncorp Stadium was packed. Police had already closed the roads with barricades.

Word had gone out that Warriors fans would meet at the Lord Alfred hotel, a watering hole both legendary and apparently historically significant for its Victorian pub architecture, to march – or hikoi as the fan organisers said – to the ground en masse. By 2.45pm, there were so many people outside the Lord Alfred, it took time for the leaders and drummer to get to the front and set everyone off. Slowly.

Then with flags flying, drums beating, the crowd of green and blue set off, chanting, to the stadium, past the gawking pubs and bars, past the watching police and security staff, the merch tents, and sponsors’ sideshows, into the ground.

There we congregated mostly in the northern stand, Kiwi territory, it was a mass of voluble partisan fans, The facing southern stand was more disputed, a stalemate of barrages from Warriors and Broncos fans.

Magic Round-goers are a festive bunch. The fans of 15 out of 16 teams travelled from around Australia for a good weekend; Warriors fans travelled from overseas and were there to make the most of every second.

The noise level on Sunday was staggering. It was enough to trigger warnings on iPhones. We were a long way from the image of New Zealanders as reserved, the “passionless people” of 1970s thinking.

This was the loudest game of Magic Round by a long way; when it was over and the Panthers played the Dragons in one last, ultimately dreary encounter, it sounded like a poorly attended Super rugby match at Eden Park – near silent. But for this game, fans sang, chanted, cheered ever Warrior move, jeering their opponents with gusto, toasting plays, bantering with neighbours, riding every tackle, every shift in the match.

“Ooh, aah, up the Wahs”, the stands chanted.

This was a crowd, working together and determined to tell their players they were there. A wall of noise for the Broncos, a wall of electricity for the Warriors. The body language of players suggested they were aware.

In defence, the Warriors were ferocious. In attack, they were unforgiving.

The Broncos were simply swept away.

This was no longer their Suncorp, their Lang Park.

At half-time the stadium played Poi E. Then the Warriors crowd sang Tūtira Mai Ngā Iwi.

There may have been a few moments in the second half when the Broncos struck back, and their own partisan supporters matched the Warriors’ supporters for intensity, but it didn’t last. The Warriors were disciplined, the crowd vociferous.

Ten minutes from the final whistle, the crowd were lifting the roof off the stand as time ran out for the Broncos.

“Oh, oh, we’re halfway there”; they sang.

“Oh oh, living on a prayer…”

With four minutes left, the crowd were on their feet.

“Hey, hey ya baby, Ooh, aah, I want to know, will you be my girl?”

When it was all over, the Warriors team remained on the field. They hadn’t won at Suncorp against the Broncos since 2018. Now they had claimed it and it was theirs by right.

As a final act, they came together and stood before the northern stand to acknowledge their crowd. The crowd surged forward like waves of the sea. Then it was the turn of hip hop artist Savage to perform for the fans, his Warrior Nation.

“Get up and shout, say it till the end, we are the Warriors 100%.”

The crowd of green and blue exulted.

Double try-scorer Dallin Watene-Zelezniak thanked the crowd: “There were so many fans here, it felt like Auckland”.

Tomorrow, there will be questions. There will be the routine worries of injuries and suspensions and next games to play, all the ongoing huff and puff of sport. There’ll also be time for the nagging question that always dogs the Warriors – can they actually win this thing?

But at that moment, in that place, there was only a wild swirling outpouring of energy and noise and purpose. A cacophony of joy and a shout of resolve.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/warriors-fans-in-brisbane-a-wild-swirling-outpouring-of-energy-for-nrl-magic-round/

A National Party policy to prevent judges discounting sexual offenders’ sentences due to good character is a solution for a non-existent problem, a defence lawyer says.

But a victims’ advocate said it would be a huge relief for survivors who currently have to listen to “completely irrelevant” testimony about their perpetrator being a good person.

National revealed yesterday that if elected, it would scrap good character assessments for sexual offending sentences, so judges can no longer consider it when handing down a punishment.

“The result will be tougher sentences,” said justice spokesperson – and current Justice Minister – Paul Goldsmith.

“It’s just not fair to the victim to sit there in a courtroom and see their offender get a lighter sentence because of the words of a former coach or a boss. That’s not right,” Prime Minister Christopher Luxon added on Morning Report on Monday.

“We’re on the side of victims. We’re not on the side of offenders. And I’ll be really simple – no sex offender is a person of good character, period. I think all New Zealanders would agree with that.”

But Defence Lawyers’ Association co-founder Elizabeth Hall disagreed. She said judges considered a wide range of factors when they determined a sentence.

“Judges must take them into account, but that does not mean that a judge must afford a discount,” she said.

“Particularly in sexual offending cases, judges often don’t apply a good character discount, so I’m not sure that it’s going to make much difference at all in terms of either the type of sentencing or the length of sentence that will be imposed.”

The ability for judges to consider good character was important so people who had lived “blameless lives” and then made one mistake could be recognised for the contribution they had made to society, if the judge felt that was appropriate, she said.

Criminal lawyers were used to the justice system being “fodder for politicians to debate” in an election year, said Hall.

“It’s really pretending that there’s a problem and then offering what looks like might be a solution, that actually isn’t.”

But the government’s chief victims’ advisor Ruth Money said soon after National’s announcement she began receiving messages from sexual violence survivors “overwhelmed with joy”.

The current system was offensive for victims, she said.

“You’ve been sexually violated by someone, they’ve either been found guilty or they’ve plead guilty, and yet you have to hear at sentencing – quite irrelevant at times – letters and submissions about what a wonderful person they may be, which is not at all linked to the offending, let alone the fact that they have sexually violated you.”

Money had advised the government to scrap good character discounts for sexual offending, but said that should not apply across all crimes.

“You could accidentally drive, for example, and kill someone [but] you can’t accidentally sexually violate someone, so it is very different,” she said.

“That’s why the judge ultimately has the decision in their hands around sentencing for other crimes, because there may be that small number of cases where a good character reference is relevant, but it certainly isn’t for sexual violence.”

Money hoped the proposal would have bipartisan support.

Luxon was asked if the idea could be applied to other types of offending.

“We’re going to start with all sexual offending. I think there are legitimate instances where good character is appropriate if you think about a young person who makes a stupid decision with poor judgment,” he replied.

“But look, we’d be open to extending it and looking at it for other criminal offences as well.”

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/huge-relief-or-pretending-theres-a-problem-nationals-sexual-offenders-sentencing-policy/

A man has been found dead at a Waimamaku property in Northland.

Emergency services were called to the Wekaweka Road property about 8.45pm on Sunday.

“The circumstances surrounding his death are currently unexplained, and police are now working to establish the full circumstances of how he died,” Northland CIB detective senior sergeant Christan Fouhy said.

The property will undergo a scene examination on Monday and a post-mortem examination will be carried out.

Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area who may have information.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/man-found-dead-at-northland-property-police-investigating/

Motorists are being advised to expect delays following a crash on Auckland’s Southern Motorway.

Police were called to the two-vehicle incident near Randwick Park shortly before 6am on Monday.

Fire and Emergency said crews were working to extract one person from their vehicle.

State Highway 1 citybound between the Takanini and Hill Road on-ramps was down to one lane while emergency services responded.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/delays-after-crash-on-aucklands-southern-motorway/

The family of murdered police office Lyn Fleming say the way she died was was “nothing short of barbaric”.

Senior Sergeant Fleming and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were on foot patrol in Buxton Square in the early hours of New Year’s Day last year when they were hit by a car driven by Hayden Tasker.

Tasker, 33, was today found guilty at the High Court at Christchurch of murdering Fleming and seriously injuring Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay.

Speaking after today’s verdict, Fleming’s sister Jo Brown paid tribute to her sister.

“Lyn, you should have been able to live out your retirement with your beautiful grandson and wander the hills of your beloved Howard Valley.”

She said the manner of Fleming’s death was “nothing short of barbaric”.

“We were woken up on New Years’ Day by the most heart-breaking news any family could receive.”

Brown said Fleming’s father passed away earlier this year, and he had been heartbroken by the loss of his daughter..

“I promised my Dad I would carry the torch and attend court every day on his behalf. I fulfilled my promise, Dad, and we got the result you so desperately wanted.”

She said the family were grateful for the work of the first responders and hospital staff.

“We know how hard you battled to keep Lyn alive so we could say good-bye.”

Brown said the family also thanked the witnesses who had to relive the events in court.

Aren Olsen – Fleming’s son – also spoke today and said 1 January 2025 was the hardest day his family had ever had to live through.

“Sitting at Mum’s bedside, watching the person we loved slowly slip away from the world.

“The second hardest day has been every day since then.”

He said while nothing would bring their loved one back to them, the family has seen accountability today.

“For that we are eternally grateful to the prosecution team, to everybody who did everything they could to get us the result that we’ve seen today.”

Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, who was also injured in the incident, thanked his colleagues in the investigation team who had “worked tirelessly” to get this result.

“I am deeply grateful to them and all of my police colleagues.”

He said he was still grateful and proud to wear a police uniform.

“I look forward to many more years in the job, and I am lucky for that.”

Deputy Commissioner Mike Pannett said the trial has been challenging, especially for Fleming’s loved ones.

“There will never be a good ending for Lynn’s family and out thought are with them today.”

He said Fleming would have been proud of the professionalism of her colleagues who handled the case.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/05/18/nothing-short-of-barbaric-police-officer-lyn-flemings-family-grateful-for-guilty-verdict/

Police welcome a Christchurch High Court jury’s ruling that the death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was an act of murder. 

Today, the 33-year-old offender was found guilty of murder and wounding with intent causing grievous bodily harm.

Commissioner Richard Chambers acknowledged the verdicts.

“The loss of Lyn continues to feel raw for all.

“This should never have happened at all. Lyn, and those with her that night, were targeted solely because of the uniform they wore.

“Our Police officers were simply doing their jobs that night and trying to keep the public safe.

“I hope we never again have to go through the tragedy of losing a colleague. That is sadly not something that can be guaranteed in our line of work.

“What I am proud of is the way my colleagues have supported each other through this. I want to thank them, and I also thank Tasman District Commander Superintendent Tracey Thompson for her leadership.

“I want to acknowledge Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay who has faced a long recovery and shown strength and courage.

“I have personally spoken to my staff who were called on to take part in the Court proceedings, and many of Lyn’s colleagues who were there on the night. I wanted to show my support and to thank them.

“I have also met with and thanked the investigation team and staff who contributed to that work for their effort and their thorough and professional approach in ensuring we put the best case forward as possible.

“I also want to acknowledge Lyn’s family. They supported Lyn through 38 years and seven months of service. I hope they have drawn some comfort from the obvious love and respect shown for Lyn by her colleagues and the community she was so dedicated to.

“Lyn was the 34th Police officer killed in the line of duty. She was the first woman. She paid the ultimate sacrifice and that must never be forgotten.”

‘Lyn was keeping her community safe’

Tasman District Commander Superintendent Tracey Thompson paid tribute to those involved in getting justice for Senior Sergeant Fleming.

“Lyn should not have died that night. Officers and everyday members of the community should not have had to witness the terrible scenes in that car park. We should not have had to knock on the door of families to tell them their loved ones were in hospital.

“Today’s guilty verdict brings some closure and is an important step in the healing process, however it will never bring Lyn back or erase the traumatic events of that night from our minds.

“Lyn was walking the beat to keep the people in her community safe and doing everything that we expect of our officers. It’s hard to find comfort from any of this, but I want to acknowledge those people – Police officers and the public – who leapt to the aid of Lyn, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, and a member of the public.

“Immediately following the offender’s actions, officers and passersby leapt into action, stopping him from inflicting further damage while others did everything they could to save Lyn’s life and treat the injured.

“Their actions were heroic and a showed the best of humanity.”

Superintendent Thompson also praised the work of the investigation team, made up of officers from outside the Nelson area.

“They have acted with integrity, professionalism and meticulous detail throughout the investigation, objectively reviewing evidence and determining the facts.

“Throughout this case, our Tasman Police staff have continued their work to keep their communities safe, all the while, shouldering the intolerable burden of knowing one of their colleagues had died and another was seriously injured in such senseless circumstances.

“Lyn would be incredibly proud of all of you.

“Lyn was a respected and dearly valued colleague to us, a much-loved wife, mother and pillar of support to her family, and also a mentor and friend to so many people. The outpouring of support from all corners of our communities show how many lives she touched.

“The events that night will never leave us, but also, they will never overshadow the wonderful memories Lyn gave us.”

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

To be attributed to Acting Inspector Mel Robertson, Southland Area Prevention Manager:

Police are investigating after a motorcycle crash in Strathern, Invercargill yesterday (17 May).

At around 7.15am, officers observed a motorcyclist riding without a helmet on Pomona Street and signalled him to stop.

The motorcyclist initially complied, coming to a stop on the side of the road. However, when the police car pulled in behind it, he rode away at speed.  He then appears to have lost control and crashed a short distance away.

The police officer had not pursued the motorcyclist, remaining parked in the car where they had pulled over for the traffic stop.

The motorcyclist was seriously injured and was transported to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.
 

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre. 

MIL OSI

Police are urging the public to stay vigilant following recent vehicle offending across Dunedin.

Around 1.30pm, Police saw a vehicle that had been reported stolen on South Road. When signalled to stop, the driver fled and due to the manner of driving, Police did not pursue the vehicle.

Senior Sergeant Brian Benn says Police are conducting area enquiries to locate the vehicle and offenders; however, this is not an isolated incident.

“Recently, we have received a few reports of vehicles being stolen across Dunedin, or items being stolen out of vehicles.

“It appears the offenders are youths, who are then driving recklessly and evading Police,” Senior Sergeant Benn says.

“We are urging the public to please report any suspicious activity in or around vehicles, as well as any dangerous driving, immediately to 111 in order to give our officers the best chance at catching these offenders.

“We also urge you to lock your vehicles and if they need to be parked on the street, try park them in areas that are of high visibility and never leave valuable items in clear view in your vehicle”.

If you have any information on recent vehicle offending and those involved, please contact 105 – you can also provide information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

High Court jurors have been told they need to be sure the man who killed a Nelson police officer had murderous intent when he drove at her to find him guilty of murder.

Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay were on foot patrol in Buxton Square in the early hours of New Year’s Day last year when they were hit by a car driven by Hayden Tasker.

Tasker, 33, was on trial in Christchurch for murdering Fleming and seriously injuring Ramsay. The jury retired to consider its verdict shortly before 12.30pm on Monday.

Tasker’s defence argued he was drunk and depressed and crashed into the officers in a failed attempt to take his own life.

The Crown argued Tasker was motivated by anger towards the police and intentionally used his car as a weapon to mow them down.

In summing up, Justice Cameron Mander told the jury to put emotion aside in reaching a verdict.

“Feelings of sympathy for the deceased and her family are inevitably aroused but you must simply put such feelings to one side,” he said.

“Similarly you need to put aside feelings of prejudice or shock that may have been engendered in you from in some respects being eyewitnesses to Senior Sergeant Fleming’s death as a result of viewing the CCTV and other video footage.

“Any negative feelings or for that matter sympathetic feelings you may have for Mr Tasker’s living situation or the way he was living his life at the time similarly need to be put to one side.”

Over two weeks the jury heard from more than 40 witnesses including members of the public and police officers who were in the central Nelson car park at the time of the crash.

Mander told jurors they needed to be sure Tasker had murderous intent when he hit Fleming with his car.

“It is not disputed that Senior Sergeant Fleming’s death resulted from Mr Tasker driving his vehicle in a dangerous manner,” he said.

The Crown and the defence gave their closing arguments on Friday.

A ‘grandiose fantasy’

Crown prosecutor Jackson Webber told the jury Fleming was “senselessly and needlessly” killed when Tasker deliberately used his Honda Odyssey as a weapon, accelerating as hard as he could towards the officers at an estimated speed of 45km/h, shortly after 2am.

“Hayden Tasker sitting in his car, drinking wine saw the two police officers. He watched them. He was angry at the police and he made a series of conscious decisions. To start his car, to leave his headlights off, to pull out of that parking space and manoeuvre his car around to the south, then to the west to accelerate, to drive straight into Lynn Fleming and Adam Ramsay,” he said.

Webber said the pair had done nothing to provoke or antagonise Tasker, apart from the fact that they were police officers in uniform.

“They were on duty, doing their job, keeping others safe and ironically, one of the risks that they had been considering that night was the risk of a vehicle intrusion attack,” he said.

Webber said Tasker’s actions did not fit the claim that he did not intend to hurt or kill the officers but wanted to take his own life.

“[He] didn’t stop, he didn’t jump out to see what had happened or to check on the people he had just hit,” he said.

Tasker’s behaviour during and after the collisions was inconsistent with a suicide attempt, he said.

“It was going to be glorious, like a movie. It was a rather grandiose fantasy that he might talk about, but had no real intention of ever carrying out,” he said.

‘Despicable’ behaviour doesn’t make Tasker a murderer – Defence

Defence lawyer Marcus Zintl said the crash was a “terrible, terrible, terrible tragedy” that “should not have happened”.

Tasker had already admitted three charges of dangerous driving.

Zintil said Tasker was driven by a desire to end his own life in a police chase rather than intending to kill or hurt police.

“He was suicidal, he was on medication for depression, he was living in his car,” Zintl told the jury.

“He was alone, he had no close family support and virtually no actual friends.”

Zintl said Tasker’s father died when he was 16. His long-time girlfriend had recently dumped him, he was unemployed, on a benefit and had nothing going for him.

“He wanted to end the painful, pointlessness and pitifulness of his life that he was experiencing at that time, which is why he wanted to end up himself in a police chase,” he said.

Zintl said Tasker “drank himself silly” with a bottle-and-a-half of red wine, he was three-and-a-half times over the breath alcohol limit and filled his car with petrol before arriving in the car park that night.

The first collision, when Tasker drove into Fleming and Ramsay, happened six seconds after he started his car.

The second collision, when he rammed the white police patrol car, was around 26 seconds later in what Zintl said was a moment of madness, desperation, stupidity and empty-headedness.

The court was earlier played footage of Tasker’s first police interview around 11 hours after the crash.

Zintl said Tasker’s state of mind could be ascertained from his admission to police in that interview.

“I didn’t think of the consequences. I was in a bad headspace but that doesn’t give me an excuse,” Tasker said.

The jury saw how he broke down in tears and vomited during that interview after learning Fleming had died.

Tasker said it “should have been me that died that day”.

“I never thought I’d kill anyone… didn’t really think it through,” he said in the interview.

Zintl told the jury Tasker’s actions were “despicable, deplorable and dreadful” but that did not make him guilty of murder.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Thieves after fuel targeted a vegetable stall and a mechanic’s workshop around the rural Southland township of Winton within a 12-hour period last week.

New Zealand Police are investigating if the two fuel theft reports on Great North Road on Wednesday evening and another, fewer than 10 minutes drive south on State Highway 6 on Thursday morning, were connected.

It came amid soaring fuel prices as a result of the US-Israel war in the Persian Gulf, with brent crude oil up to $109 USD a barrel on Friday.

Wilson’s Vege Stall co-owner David Wilson said an offender used a power drill to bore a hole in the vegetable truck’s fuel tank to collect its diesel.

“I got to work in the morning, and could smell the smell of diesel. They’d taken the diesel cap off,” he said.

“I had a look under, and all the diesel had poured out of the tank. They’d bored a hole in the bottom of the tank.”

Wilson said the shop’s security cameras picked up the offender arriving in their vehicle around 6.45am.

“This road is really busy with people going past at that time in the morning,” he said.

“We’re just hoping somebody’s seen them. Like, there are lights in front of the shop, so the lights would be shining on their vehicle as well, so they’ve been pretty brazen to have a go at it.”

Wilson said most of the diesel was spilled onto the ground in the car park.

He said the truck’s damaged fuel tank would have to be replaced, and he would likely have to seek insurance.

“That’s a real pain in the bum because now I’ve got to get the tank fixed.

“It’s the inconvenience.”

For the farm side of the business, Wilson said one of the ways they were working to conserve fuel was by doing shorter trips.

“But hey, it’s sort of disappointing when someone dumps your fuel on the ground.”

Wilson said a local mechanic experienced a similar theft recently too, where the vehicle’s fuel tank was drilled into.

Police confirmed it received another report of a fuel theft from a vehicle at a premises on Great North Road in Winton at 9.30pm on Wednesday evening.

“Enquiries are underway to determine if these incidents are connected,” acting sergeant Daniel Munro of Otautau said.

He said anyone with information could contact police on 105 quoting file number 260514/1519.

“If people have information or footage that may assist with our enquiries, we would appreciate hearing from them.”

Police said it was taking a hard line against fuel thefts and associated offences.

“Overall we are not noticing a particular change in rural fuel theft but this is a timely reminder for everyone, especially those in rural communities, to look at their security, especially around fuel.”

Wilson and his wife Kathy Wilson had ran the vegetable stall and farm shop for more than 35 years.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has given figures for drugs seized in the Pacific so far this year – more than three times the total amount seized in 2025.

A statement from Commissioner Krissy Barrett said 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific since January.

It said the total seizure in the Pacific region last year was about 4.6 tonnes.

Barrett said most of the illicit drugs being trafficked to and through the Pacific are destined for Australia, so the AFP has a moral responsibility to act, and a direct responsibility to the Australian public to stop these drugs from reaching its shores.

Barrett said Australia’s Pacific family is seeking help for this growing problem.

“Pacific Island Chiefs of Police have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities,” the statement said.

“The illicit drug threat to the Pacific is exponentially increasing – corroding their health systems, their family structures, and their future – their next generation.

“The effect on such small populations is devastating. It is a complete undermining of their faith, family structure and their proud culture.”

The Fiji Police Force and the AFP are co-hosting the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit this week, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation on transnational crime.

The summit will bring together Pacific police ministers, senior Pacific operational law enforcement leaders and international partner agencies.

In March, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon – during his Pacific mission to Samoa and Tonga – acknowledged that the region was wrestling with the problem, but they were all stepping up their efforts and sharing more intelligence.

“It’s a Pacific problem, and it’s a Pacific solution that’s needed to be designed,” he said.

New Zealand Police recently released wastewater testing figures that showed cocaine use has hit an all-time high.

The wastewater data was collected between October and December 2025, and testing sites cover up to 77 percent of Aotearoa’s total population.

There’s also been a new initiative announced in Samoa, aiming to strengthen the prevention of and response to drug abuse among children and adolescents in the country.

Japan has contributed US$900,000 to the four-year project, which will focus on strengthening awareness amongst children and families on risks associated with drug use, and improving counselling and recovery support.

Tonga Police commissioner Geoff Turner said in February the illicit drug issue in the country is “not at the scale that some people think it is”, Matangi Tonga Online reported.

Turner told the newspaper that the police were “dealing with the [drug] issue”. However, a significant amount of drugs being transhipped across the region were not intended for the domestic market.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

This story discusses suicide.

Loaded weapons and a Nazi uniform were found by police at the home of a man who died following a police stand-off in Christchurch, an inquest has heard.

Artemiy Dubovskiy, who was known as Troy, is suspected of killing himself early on March 27, 2019.

His death came less than two weeks after the mosque terror attack that killed 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques, and at a time when the country was on high alert for the possibility of further attacks.

Coroner Heather McKenzie was examining the circumstances of Dubovskiy’s death during an inquest in Christchurch.

On Monday. counsel assisting the Coroner, Josh Shaw said police searched Dubovskiy’s home on March 26 after receiving information he was supportive of the mosque shootings.

Officers found a loaded semi-automatic rifle and pistol, a substantial quantity of ammunition and items carrying Nazi symbolism, including a SS uniform.

Shaw said there were fears of a wider terror network and the possibility of copycat attacks after people were shot at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre on March 15, 2019.

“The terror alert was increased to high for the first time in our nation’s history, the first time it had been above low in our nation’s history,” he said.

“It was in that climate of heightened alert and risk that Mr Dubovskiy became a person of interest.

“Police received information that he had said to a family member that he was not going to prison, he would not be taken in and he may take his own life.”

A senior sergeant spotted a car linked to Dubovskiy late on March 26, 2019.

“This wasn’t a pursuit, I should say, but rather a following. It came to the point that the driver, who was Mr Dubovskiy, knew he was being followed,” Shaw said.

Dubovskiy pulled his Mitsubishi Pajero into a no-exit street in the Shirley/Burwood area.

More officers were called to the area and a stand-off ensued.

Shaw said Dubovskiy remained in his car and spoke to a police negotiator by phone.

“The immediate response from Mr Dubovskiy when he learns he was speaking to a police officer is he says it would be best for the police to kill him or take him out because he wasn’t going to jail,” he said.

“The response was that no-one had to get hurt, there was a way out.”

During the almost two-hour long phone call Dubovskiy and the negotiator discussed family, politics and the state of New Zealand.

Dubovskiy was also communicating with his family using a second phone.

The negotiator’s call to Dubovskiy cut out, possibly because Dubovskiy’s phone battery ran low.

Three further calls of a short duration were made but by 3am the calls were not connecting, Shaw said.

A Defence Force light vehicle moved near Dubovskiy’s Pajero.

He was seen to slump backwards and then forwards with tactical police officers then moving in.

“Tear gas is deployed into his vehicle, he is extracted from his vehicle by officers with the assistance of a police dog who has Mr Dubovskiy by the leg,” Shaw said.

Once he was removed from the car it was clear he was critically injured and his breathing was light and shallow.

A paramedic gave him medical attention and a second medic arrived by helicopter.

“Those efforts persist for as long as they can but it is apparent they are not successful and Mr Dubovskiy is declared dead at the scene sometime after 4am,” Shaw said.

The police response to information about Dubovskiy and the events that followed had to be taken in the context of the Christchurch terror attack, Shaw said.

But it also raised questions by the family about whether police took a heavy-handed approach culminating in Dubovskiy’s death and possibly leading to delays in his receiving medical treatment, he said.

Lawyer for police Pip Currie said Dubovskiy’s death “is not the outcome police wanted”.

A Dubovskiy family member, whose name was suppressed, said they were not aware of his terrorist sympathies and he was a helpful person who was always there for his family and friends.

“I never heard any plans from him about any terrorism or anything like that,” they said.

“I think he had a good chance to surrender that night. I feel like the family could have convinced him. We were shocked by the mosque shooting and as a family we donated money to them at the time.”

Police witnesses would be called at the inquest.

Where to get help:

• Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO. This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends
• Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 or text 4202
• Samaritans: 0800 726 666
• Youthline: 0800 376 633 or text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz
• What’s Up: 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787. This is free counselling for 5 to 19-year-olds
• Asian Family Services: 0800 862 342 or text 832. Languages spoken: Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Vietnamese, Thai, Japanese, Hindi, and English.
• Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• OUTLine: 0800 688 5463
• Aoake te Rā bereaved by suicide service: or call 0800 000 053

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has given figures for drugs seized in the Pacific so far this year – more than three times the total amount seized in 2025.

A statement from Commissioner Krissy Barrett said 17 tonnes of illicit drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized by local and international law enforcement in the Pacific since January.

It said the total seizure in the Pacific region last year was about 4.6 tonnes.

Barrett said most of the illicit drugs being trafficked to and through the Pacific are destined for Australia, so the AFP has a moral responsibility to act, and a direct responsibility to the Australian public to stop these drugs from reaching its shores.

Barrett said Australia’s Pacific family is seeking help for this growing problem.

“Pacific Island Chiefs of Police have watched from afar the impacts of illicit drugs on Australia and now they fear the diabolical reality facing their communities,” the statement said.

“The illicit drug threat to the Pacific is exponentially increasing – corroding their health systems, their family structures, and their future – their next generation.

“The effect on such small populations is devastating. It is a complete undermining of their faith, family structure and their proud culture.”

The Fiji Police Force and the AFP are co-hosting the Pacific Transnational Crime Summit this week, with the aim of strengthening regional cooperation on transnational crime.

The summit will bring together Pacific police ministers, senior Pacific operational law enforcement leaders and international partner agencies.

In March, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon – during his Pacific mission to Samoa and Tonga – acknowledged that the region was wrestling with the problem, but they were all stepping up their efforts and sharing more intelligence.

“It’s a Pacific problem, and it’s a Pacific solution that’s needed to be designed,” he said.

New Zealand Police recently released wastewater testing figures that showed cocaine use has hit an all-time high.

The wastewater data was collected between October and December 2025, and testing sites cover up to 77 percent of Aotearoa’s total population.

There’s also been a new initiative announced in Samoa, aiming to strengthen the prevention of and response to drug abuse among children and adolescents in the country.

Japan has contributed US$900,000 to the four-year project, which will focus on strengthening awareness amongst children and families on risks associated with drug use, and improving counselling and recovery support.

Tonga Police commissioner Geoff Turner said in February the illicit drug issue in the country is “not at the scale that some people think it is”, Matangi Tonga Online reported.

Turner told the newspaper that the police were “dealing with the [drug] issue”. However, a significant amount of drugs being transhipped across the region were not intended for the domestic market.

– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Northland Police are reminding retail and small business owners about the importance of having CCTV installed at their premises.

Motion detection and live imagery is often alerting victims to offending taking place.

Late last month it meant a prompt response to a building site in Morningside.

Sergeant Craig Curnow, Whangārei Police, says a security camera gave Police a real-time look at a recent burglary in progress and helped them to arrest four people.

“At around 2.40am on 28 April the site manager contacted Police and reported suspicious behaviour after security cameras were activated,” he says.

“Police went to the property but when they arrived no one was located.”

A short time later the manager called again, and reported he could see a trailer was being loaded with timber, wooden trusses and material for roofing.

“The CCTV camera gave us real time information on what was happening,” Sergeant Curnow says.

“Officers were able to stop the vehicle as it was leaving the address.”

A search of the vehicle uncovered the stolen materials, as well as a knife, methamphetamine, cannabis and utensils for drug use.

The four occupants of the vehicle were arrested, and the building materials were returned to the site.

“In this case CCTV provided real-time situational awareness, allowing us to respond quickly, plan effectively, and achieve a safe and positive outcome,” Sergeant Curnow says.

“If securing materials on-site is not always possible, installing CCTV is a highly effective deterrent.”

Three men aged 37, 40 and 56, and a 43-year-old woman have appeared in the Whangārei District Court on a variety of drug, theft and firearm offences.

ENDS.

Issued by Police Media Centre

MIL OSI

A driver who allegedly turned his lights off before attempting to flee from Police will now appear in court.

At about 8.20pm, officers signalled for a vehicle traveling on State Highway 20, Māngere to stop.

Auckland Motorways Manager, Senior Sergeant Bill Russell says instead of pulling over, the driver allegedly turned their lights off and fled, exiting at Coronation Road, Favona.

“Units did not pursue and a short time later, the Police Eagle helicopter spotted the vehicle as it travelled along Awhina Place, Māngere Bridge at speed and with no lights.

“The single occupant was taken into custody immediately and without incident.

“Police work hard to stop and prevent dangerous driving because we know this can, and does, result in catastrophic consequences,” Senior Sergeant Russell says.

A 44-year-old man had his vehicle impounded for 28 days and has been charged with failing to remain stopped and dangerous driving.

He will appear in Manukau District Court on Thursday.

ENDS.

Holly McKay/NZ Police

MIL OSI

A National Party policy to prevent judges discounting sexual offenders’ sentences due to good character is a solution for a non-existent problem, a defence lawyer says.

But a victims’ advocate said it would be a huge relief for survivors who currently have to listen to “completely irrelevant” testimony about their perpetrator being a good person.

National revealed yesterday that if elected, it would scrap good character assessments for sexual offending sentences, so judges can no longer consider it when handing down a punishment.

“The result will be tougher sentences,” said justice spokesperson – and current Justice Minister – Paul Goldsmith.

But Defence Lawyers’ Association co-founder Elizabeth Hall disagreed.

She said judges considered a wide range of factors when they determined a sentence.

“Judges must take them into account, but that does not mean that a judge must afford a discount,” she said.

“Particularly in sexual offending cases, judges often don’t apply a good character discount, so I’m not sure that it’s going to make much difference at all in terms of either the type of sentencing or the length of sentence that will be imposed.”

The ability for judges to consider good character was important so people who had lived “blameless lives” and then made one mistake could be recognised for the contribution they had made to society, if the judge felt that was appropriate, she said.

Criminal lawyers were used to the justice system being “fodder for politicians to debate” in an election year, said Hall.

“It’s really pretending that there’s a problem and then offering what looks like might be a solution, that actually isn’t.”

But the government’s chief victims’ advisor Ruth Money said soon after National’s announcement she began receiving messages from sexual violence survivors “overwhelmed with joy”.

The current system was offensive for victims, she said.

“You’ve been sexually violated by someone, they’ve either been found guilty or they’ve plead guilty, and yet you have to hear at sentencing – quite irrelevant at times – letters and submissions about what a wonderful person they may be, which is not at all linked to the offending, let alone the fact that they have sexually violated you.”

Money had advised the government to scrap good character discounts for sexual offending, but said that should not apply across all crimes.

“You could accidentally drive, for example, and kill someone [but] you can’t accidentally sexually violate someone, so it is very different,” she said.

“That’s why the judge ultimately has the decision in their hands around sentencing for other crimes, because there may be that small number of cases where a good character reference is relevant, but it certainly isn’t for sexual violence.”

Money hoped the proposal would have bipartisan support.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand