Media Insider: ‘Huge victory' - District Court lifts gagging order on NZ-Chinese journalist against pro-Beijing political figure
A court decision has been labelled a 'huge victory' for freedom of speech and sparked calls for a deeper review of the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
A district court judge says he is 'seriously concerned' about the way an Auckland-based, pro-Beijing political activist successfully sought a court order to gag
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RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown rejects dog task force amid calls from residents
Mayor Wayne Brown acknowledged the rising concerns about roaming dogs, but said the council was addressing the issue. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has rejected requests to establish a mayoral taskforce on dogs, saying it would duplicate initiatives already in place. The decision comes despite increasing pressure from Manurewa residents, who feel that roaming dogs are making their neighbourhoods unsafe. Brown acknowledged the rising concerns about roaming dogs, especially in South Auckland. But he insisted that the council was addressing the issue through existing programmes. Brown supported the work of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, chaired by Councillor Josephine Bartley and supported Councillor Daniel Newman from Manurewa and the local board. The committee focuses on improving public safety and managing dangerous dogs. Brown and Bartley had also communicated with relevant government ministers, advocating for legislative changes to strengthen enforcement powers. The council's Long-Term Plan has allocated further funding to hire more animal control officers, improve enforcement, trial desexing programmes in high-risk areas, and seek reforms to the Dog Control Act. Brown said a data-led approach to targeting areas in need, including free desexing services in South and West Auckland, was key. He also recognised the Manurewa Local Board's efforts to fund more animal control staff and was looking for ways to expand the capacity of local shelters. Despite these efforts, Manurewa residents contended that the problem remained unresolved. At a public meeting hosted by MP Arena Williams, several residents shared alarming stories about dangerous, roaming dogs in their streets and parks. Brendan, a concerned resident, recounted, "I was fixing up my boat, and from around the corner a huge dog suddenly advanced on me. Lucky, I was able to drive it back using a rope." Victoria, a local dog owner, was frustrated, and said the issue had forced her to stop walking in her neighbourhood. MP Arena Williams. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith "I'm afraid to go to my local park. I bought a house here and want to make it my home, but I'm driving to other suburbs to walk my dog. It's holding me back from making friends and putting down roots." Another resident Ryan said response times from the council had worsened. "I've been calling the Council, but response times have gotten worse. I wonder if, after a certain time, traps could be used in problematic places." Williams continued to advocate for a mayoral taskforce on dogs and is working closely with central government. "Central government are holding local government back. They need to legislate for change, fund frontline council services, and back the communities carrying the burden of inaction," she said. She thanked the SPCA, Brown, and Bartley for supporting a new initiative that offers free dog desexing, microchipping, and vaccinations in high-need areas like Manurewa. Jo Coulam, a volunteer with the Saving Hope Foundation, said they were overwhelmed and had seen little change since the council's pilot programme began. The system was not reaching the right whānau early enough and lacked meaningful follow-up, she said. Her team continued to use donations to fund desexing when they could. "As far as the dog crisis goes, to us nothing has changed," she said. "We still see roaming dogs everywhere, and we're still getting calls every day about puppies being born. We've had over probably nearly 300 requests this month alone for us to take people's dogs. "People are scared their dogs will be taken. They want help, but they're scared because their dog isn't registered or desexed." Auckland Council said desexing was one of the core requirements of responsible dog ownership (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro A recent event at Rawirit Community House brought dog owners together, providing support, flea treatments, deworming, and information on council-funded desexing, Coulam said. "We've met thousands of families desperate to have their dogs de-sexed to end the cycle of unwanted puppies," she said. In one remarkable case, she shared that a dog was finally desexed after having 26 puppies in just seven months. On the pilot programme's efficacy, Coulam said, "They need to get the people like the people that come to our food drops and our desexing talks, those are the ones you want to get because their dog, while they're not problems yet, they will become problems and they'll become the roamers. "That's the scale of the problem if you don't act early." Auckland Council's general manager of licensing and compliance Robert Irvine emphasised the seriousness with which the council treated the issue, especially in high-risk areas like Manurewa. "Dogs can make wonderful additions to our whānau, but they come with commitments," he said. "Desexing is one of the core requirements of responsible dog ownership." The council had invested about $5 million in additional funding for animal management, he said. This included hiring new staff, implementing public education campaigns, targeted desexing, proactive enforcement, and developing a new animal shelter. The council continued to collaborate with the SPCA and community groups, and advocates for reforms to the Dog Control Act. Desexing vouchers were not available for public application, he said. Instead, officers issued them during engagements or when releasing impounded dogs. He says there was no formal follow-up process for voucher use. "The focus of this initiative is on support and prevention, not punishment," he said. "Our goal is to ensure residents feel safe and supported when accessing services. "The onus is on the recipient to book and attend the appointment. We've not been made aware of any issues regarding a lack of follow-up." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland Mayour Wayne Brown rejects dog task force amid calls from residents
Mayor Wayne Brown acknowledged the rising concerns about roaming dogs, but said the council was addressing the issue. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has rejected requests to establish a mayoral taskforce on dogs, saying it would duplicate initiatives already in place. The decision comes despite increasing pressure from Manurewa residents, who feel that roaming dogs are making their neighbourhoods unsafe. Brown acknowledged the rising concerns about roaming dogs, especially in South Auckland. But he insisted that the council was addressing the issue through existing programmes. Brown supported the work of the Regulatory and Safety Committee, chaired by Councillor Josephine Bartley and supported Councillor Daniel Newman from Manurewa and the local board. The committee focuses on improving public safety and managing dangerous dogs. Brown and Bartley had also communicated with relevant government ministers, advocating for legislative changes to strengthen enforcement powers. The council's Long-Term Plan has allocated further funding to hire more animal control officers, improve enforcement, trial desexing programmes in high-risk areas, and seek reforms to the Dog Control Act. Brown said a data-led approach to targeting areas in need, including free desexing services in South and West Auckland, was key. He also recognised the Manurewa Local Board's efforts to fund more animal control staff and was looking for ways to expand the capacity of local shelters. Despite these efforts, Manurewa residents contended that the problem remained unresolved. At a public meeting hosted by MP Arena Williams, several residents shared alarming stories about dangerous, roaming dogs in their streets and parks. Brendan, a concerned resident, recounted, "I was fixing up my boat, and from around the corner a huge dog suddenly advanced on me. Lucky, I was able to drive it back using a rope." Victoria, a local dog owner, was frustrated, and said the issue had forced her to stop walking in her neighbourhood. MP Arena Williams. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith "I'm afraid to go to my local park. I bought a house here and want to make it my home, but I'm driving to other suburbs to walk my dog. It's holding me back from making friends and putting down roots." Another resident Ryan said response times from the council had worsened. "I've been calling the Council, but response times have gotten worse. I wonder if, after a certain time, traps could be used in problematic places." Williams continued to advocate for a mayoral taskforce on dogs and is working closely with central government. "Central government are holding local government back. They need to legislate for change, fund frontline council services, and back the communities carrying the burden of inaction," she said. She thanked the SPCA, Brown, and Bartley for supporting a new initiative that offers free dog desexing, microchipping, and vaccinations in high-need areas like Manurewa. Jo Coulam, a volunteer with the Saving Hope Foundation, said they were overwhelmed and had seen little change since the council's pilot programme began. The system was not reaching the right whānau early enough and lacked meaningful follow-up, she said. Her team continued to use donations to fund desexing when they could. "As far as the dog crisis goes, to us nothing has changed," she said. "We still see roaming dogs everywhere, and we're still getting calls every day about puppies being born. We've had over probably nearly 300 requests this month alone for us to take people's dogs. "People are scared their dogs will be taken. They want help, but they're scared because their dog isn't registered or desexed." Auckland Council said desexing was one of the core requirements of responsible dog ownership (file photo). Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro A recent event at Rawirit Community House brought dog owners together, providing support, flea treatments, deworming, and information on council-funded desexing, Coulam said. "We've met thousands of families desperate to have their dogs de-sexed to end the cycle of unwanted puppies," she said. In one remarkable case, she shared that a dog was finally desexed after having 26 puppies in just seven months. On the pilot programme's efficacy, Coulam said, "They need to get the people like the people that come to our food drops and our desexing talks, those are the ones you want to get because their dog, while they're not problems yet, they will become problems and they'll become the roamers. "That's the scale of the problem if you don't act early." Auckland Council's general manager of licensing and compliance Robert Irvine emphasised the seriousness with which the council treated the issue, especially in high-risk areas like Manurewa. "Dogs can make wonderful additions to our whānau, but they come with commitments," he said. "Desexing is one of the core requirements of responsible dog ownership." The council had invested about $5 million in additional funding for animal management, he said. This included hiring new staff, implementing public education campaigns, targeted desexing, proactive enforcement, and developing a new animal shelter. The council continued to collaborate with the SPCA and community groups, and advocates for reforms to the Dog Control Act. Desexing vouchers were not available for public application, he said. Instead, officers issued them during engagements or when releasing impounded dogs. He says there was no formal follow-up process for voucher use. "The focus of this initiative is on support and prevention, not punishment," he said. "Our goal is to ensure residents feel safe and supported when accessing services. "The onus is on the recipient to book and attend the appointment. We've not been made aware of any issues regarding a lack of follow-up." LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
RNZ News
6 hours ago
- RNZ News
Christopher Luxon concludes China trip: 'No evidence' of collaboration with Russia, Iran and North Korea
Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Christopher Luxon has wrapped up his trip to China, dismissing suggestions the superpower is working with Russia, Iran and North Korea to undermine the West - as alleged by NATO's top official. The prime minister says he also stressed to China's leaders that engagement in the Pacific must advance the region's interests, but refused to say whether the recent Cook Islands crisis was raised by either side. Speaking late Friday at New Zealand's embassy in Beijing, Luxon said he was leaving "very, very convinced" the bilateral relationship was in "a really strong place and in good heart". The comments followed a day of top-level meetings at the Great Hall of the People, capping a three-day visit to China, Luxon's first as prime minister. The prime minister and his officials now fly on to Belgium and then to the Netherlands, where he will attend the annual NATO summit. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Asked about NATO secretary-general Mark Rutte's recent warning that China is working together with Russia, Iran and North Korea, Luxon noted the "Dutch directness" - but indicated a "difference of opinion". "We haven't seen evidence of those four powers coordinating in a way, actively against the West," Luxon said. "We've seen bilateral associations, say, between Russia and North Korea, with respect to the war in Ukraine. We've seen bilateral arrangements between Iran and Russia as well, but we haven't seen evidence of a wholesale force." The rest of the delegation was now returning to New Zealand on the air force 757. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill The talks came a day after revelations New Zealand suspended nearly $20 million in funding to the Cook Islands , after its agreements with China earlier this year. Luxon repeatedly refused to say whether that issue, or any other, was discussed behind closed doors. "We need to respect that they are private diplomatic conversations that need to be respected in the privacy of the sanctum." A media statement issued at the end of the trip said Luxon had raised "the need for engagement in the Pacific to take place in a manner which advances Pacific priorities". Pressed to clarify, Luxon said the concern had been well-canvassed: "Making sure that… all major powers that aren't part of the Pacific family… respect the centrality of the Pacific Island Forum." While none of China's leaders directly mentioned the Cook Islands crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun earlier said China's cooperation with the Pacific nation "should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party". Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown on Friday labelled the funding pause "patronising" and pointed out he had not been consulted on any agreements New Zealand entered with China this trip . Luxon denied any double standard, but said he had "nothing more to add" on the subject. "I'm not going to get into it. I've spoken ad nauseam about the Cooks and the challenge." The prime minister's statement also said he raised "rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific" including the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Photo: Supplied / Dan Brunskill Before speaking to reporters, the prime minister took part in an official welcome ceremony at the Great Hall and then a sit-down with his counterpart, Premier Li Qiang. In opening remarks, Li spoke of global turbulence and the need for "mutually beneficial cooperation". He said he had been "deeply impressed" by Luxon's friendship and hospitality during his 2024 visit to Wellington. In response, Luxon said the international challenges made ongoing dialogue more important "even where we differ". The meeting ended with the signing of 11 agreements, promising cooperation in areas including customs, food safety, and tourism. Luxon - and the wider business delegation - then stayed on for a banquet dinner at the Great Hall. Earlier on Friday, Xi said the bilateral relationship had experienced "many ups and downs" but remained respectful and at the forefront of China's Western ties. Luxon meanwhile described the bilateral relationship as "long-standing" and of "great consequence" to New Zealand. "The world looks to China as a major global power to play a constructive role in addressing many of the challenges that are facing us all," he said. Speaking to RNZ before departure, Luxon said he had established "good rapport" with both leaders during their previous meetings. The prime minister last met Xi in November at the APEC summit in Peru . At the time, Luxon characterised their conversation as "warm, positive and constructive" but noted clear differences over the AUKUS defence pact and missile testing in the Pacific. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
