By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Parking penalties have jumped 70% throughout Aotearoa – but is it fair and can you pass the buck?

Parking fines are up for the first time in 20 years and misbehaving parkers will now be facing stricter penalties across the board.

What used to be a $40 fine for not paying for parking in Wellington is now $70.

If you miscalculate how long you need the spot, those penalties are also increasing – going up to almost $100 if you really overstay your welcome.

We have all been guilty playing roulette when it comes to parking, but is the price of not paying worth the potential pay off?

Consumer NZ’s Vanessa Pratley has written about the ins and outs of parking fines, and said it was really hard to say whether the 70% increase was fair.

“Councils are free to set parking fines as they like, in the same way that they set rates.

“In the same vein, whether a 70% increase on fines is fair isn’t really a question we can answer without looking into the particular circumstances.”

Even if you get stung and think it’s unfair, it is unlikely you’ll be able to get out of it.

“You’re only likely to avoid a council parking fine if it was given erroneously,” Pratley said.

For example: “if the time was read incorrectly or the parking machines on the street weren’t properly functioning.

“If you’ve overstayed or haven’t paid when you should have, you won’t be able to get out of paying.”

She said there was always the option to appeal the fines, but how you do so, and on what grounds would change from council to council.

That being said, different rules apply to private operators like Wilson Parking.

Private parking breaches sit around the $65-$85 mark, often with additional charges if you don’t pay in time.

When you drive into these locations and park up, you automatically accept the terms and conditions of that parking lot (there should be at least one sign spelling those out).

Pratley said if you don’t pay, or you overstay, you’re in breach of the contract and liable to pay a fee, generally set out in advance.

But is a fee of $65 for a teeny bit of overstaying fair?

Pratley said no.

“The parking fee should be reasonably reflective of the actual loss suffered by the operator. Anything out of proportion to what’s reasonable is likely to be an unenforceable penalty.

“While fines can be set to deter people from breaching the contract, it’s still got to be reasonable.”

So for example, $65 for overstaying 10 minutes in a free supermarket car park – might not be considered reasonable.

‘Fair penalty’ assessment change

But in 2020 the law changed, which might alter your chances of getting off the hook.

“The law shifted from assessing whether a penalty was fair in light of the actual financial loss of the innocent party, in parking cases – the operator, to assessing whether the penalty is out of all proportion to the legitimate interests of the operator,” Pratley said.

“This changed the threshold against which fines imposed by operators are considered unreasonable or not, and therefore how the Disputes Tribunal decides cases like this.”

I.e. it has moved from how much did the supermarket lose while you were overstaying in their car park to a place that gives companies more power to enforce these rules when it comes to financial losses.

However, each adjudicator is different, and the Disputes Tribunal also does not have to follow its own precedent cases.

In short, the Tribunal is less forgiving than it used to be.

Despite all this, Pratley said it was still worth fighting a fine if it was unreasonable or erroneously given – especially if it was over $100.

But is it worth the fight?

In a recent case someone used a private car park with signage stating: “No Parking Private Property, this prompted a $95 fine.

The man disputed the fine and paid $2 of the fee instead. The Tribunal did not agree, and he was forced to pay up.

In another case, OX v QT Ltd, the Tribunal found that $95.00 was “more than sufficient” for 5 to 10 minutes parking.

If you decide to dispute the fee there is a cost of $59 to have the case heard at the tribunal if the claim is less than $2000.

Pratley said even if you win, you don’t get that fee back.

“It’s worth weighing up whether the fine is high enough to displace that filing fee.”

rnz.co.nz

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Weather warnings around the North Island’s East Coast have ratcheted with intense downpours forecast to hit Tai Rāwhiti.

There are numerous heavy rain warnings and watches in place across the country. Photo: Supplied / MetService

Severe thunderstorm watches are also in place for parts of the upper North Island.

Gisborne and the region north of Ruatoria was under a heavy rain watch on Wednesday, which has now been upgraded to an orange warning.

Up to 100mm of rain was expected to fall about the ranges, with lesser amounts closer to the coast.

The warning will remain in place from midnight until 6pm Thursday.

There was also a yellow strong wind watch north of Ruatoria and a yellow severe thunderstorm watch for Gisborne.

MetService warned streams and rivers may rise rapidly, along with surface flooding, slips and hazardous driving conditions.

There was also a heavy rain warning in Taranaki, with up to 140mm of rain expected to fall.

“Almost all parts of the country can expect wet weather by the end of Friday, with heavy rain for some,” MetService said earlier.

Starting in Northland, there was a heavy rain watch in place from 10am until 1pm on Wednesday, with a moderate chance of being upgraded into a warning.

Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for Northland, Auckland, Great Barrier Island from 8pm on Wednesday.

MetService said: “A series of active fronts preceded by a strong and moist northeast flow move onto northern parts of the North Island from this afternoon, reaching Auckland tonight. About Northland and Auckland (including Great Barrier Island), there is a moderate risk of some thunderstorms being severe between 8pm Wednesday and 5am Thursday, producing localised downpours of 25 to 40 mm/h. This risk should ease in Northland around 2am.

“Note, these downpours could occur with or without thunderstorms. Rainfall of this intensity can cause surface and/or flash flooding, especially about low-lying areas such as streams, rivers or narrow valleys, and may also lead to slips. Driving conditions will also be hazardous with surface flooding and poor visibility in heavy rain. Some of these thunderstorms may also be squally, and produce strong wind gusts of 80 to 100 km/h or possiblly stronger. Wind gusts of this strength can cause some damage, including trees and power lines, and may make driving hazardous.”

There is also a thunderstorm watch for Coromandel Peninsula, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Gisborne from 1am Thursday.

The Coromandel also has a heavy rain watch kicking in from 7pm Wednesday until early Thursday morning.

“Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges.”

The Western Bay of Plenty should expect “periods of heavy rain” and “localised downpours” from 9pm through to the morning, with a high chance of levels reaching warning criteria.

MetService advised locals to clear gutters, avoid low-lying areas and drive cautiously.

“The school holidays started out nice and bright, but things do take a turn today and into Thursday,” MetService meteorologist Mathapelo Makabulane told Morning Report on Wednesday.

“For the North Island, we’re also expecting things to get progressively wetter, especially in the northern half of the North Island and then eventually quite wet conditions for places like Northland, Coromandel and the Bay of Plenty into Thursday.”

Heavy rain and snow expected for parts of the country

In the south, heavy rain warnings were in place for Tasman, northwest of Motueka – with up to 160mm expected – and the Richmond and Bryant Ranges, including the Rai Valley, where 110m might fall. Both areas could have their orange warnings upgraded to red.

“So today we’re expecting – especially for the South Island – some wet weather to start coming on, especially in those western parts,” Makabulane said. “But that does spread across the island even reaching the eastern parts, places like Canterbury, Otago later on this evening and into tomorrow….

“The heaviest rain is expected in the mountainous areas, but places away from the ranges can also expect quite wet weather.”

A heavy rain watch was in place for the Buller and Grey districts, with downpours particularly expected about the Paparoa Ranges.

Westland looks set for the heaviest rain nationwide, with up to 200mm expected about the ranges, and a bit less closer the coast.

“Peak rates of 15 to 20mm/h expected about the ranges from late Wednesday morning to early Wednesday evening.”

Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes could expect heavy snow above 700m.

“It seems like we’ve had quite a few snowfall events lately and yes, the latest one is expected for the inland part of Otago – so that includes the Southland, the Queenstown Lakes District as well, and we’re looking at that from this afternoon onwards into the evening as well,” Makabulane said.

North Otago, Dunedin and Clutha residents should expect heavy rain possibly exceeding warning criteria for a whopping 33 hours from 3am Thursday, with a high chance the situation will be upgraded to warning level.

And finally, the northern half of Southland should expect periods of heavy rain from 9am Thursday, with a chance it will last into the night and possibly upgraded to a warning.

“Once this band of rain moves through, the good news for the North Island is that things look like they clear up pretty quickly… All in all it looks like Friday, we could see some bright spots for most of the country,” Makabulane said.

‘Drive to the conditions’

Waka Kotahi / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi warned school holiday travellers to take care, saying some might not expect snow on the roads this late in the year.

“We always do get a few short, sharp blasts,” said journey manager Tresca Forrester.

“Everything sort of happens today into the early hours of tomorrow. So if you are travelling, it would pay to just check probably two things: the MetService has really great forecasting and warnings in place… and also our journey planner,which is obviously the source of truth for 24/7 for our road closures, et cetera.

“At the moment every road is open except for the Milford Road [SH94], so that’s down to the Milford Sound there, and that is closed due to snow at the moment.”

Waka Kotahi warns drivers to take care amid heavy rain

It also remained “avalanche season” in that area, Forrester said.

“That actually is why the road is closed here this morning, and they’re expecting an update around sort of midday.”

In areas where rain was expected, she said to be aware of “small slips, rocks, things like that”.

“Drive to the conditions. – so if it is streaming down with rain, it’s just what you’re feeling comfortable and safe with, and just take it easy, you know? Take your time. You might have a car full of kids, but you know just stop into those awesome local cafes along the way and get a cuppa.”

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Road spikes and the Eagle helicopter were used to stop a man accused of fleeing police this morning.

Police are not commenting on the incident. Photo: 123RF

Police said the man would appear in court Wednesday charged with failing to stop and reckless driving, as well as unrelated arrest warrants.

They said an SUV was spotted on St Lukes Road in Mt Albert around 3.25am, and was signalled to stop due to “its manner of driving”.

Auckland City West Area Commander Inspector Alisse Robertson said the driver accelerated away at speed.

The vehicle was monitored by helicopter as it fled towards West Auckland and spikes were successfully deployed.

It eventually stopped on the Southern Motorway in Ōtāhuhu shortly before 5.30am.

“His actions put the community in harm’s way and it’s fortunate that this matter could be resolved safely,” Robertson said.

A 31-year-old man was taken into custody and would appear in Auckand District Court on Wednesday.

A female passenger was released without charge.

Shortly before 5am, RNZ reporters had seen more than 10 police vehicles blockading parts of State Highway 1, near Nelson Street and Gillies avenue.

By Isra’a Emhai of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Labour MP Carmel Sepuloni says she’s happy to come out the other side of the reality TV show Celebrity Treasure Island without damaging her dignity.

Carmel Sepuloni on Celebrity Treasure Island. Photo: Supplied / TVNZ

Former Warriors player Wairangi Koopu was pitted against Sepuloni, who is the first active MP to be on the show, in an elimination battle on Monday night’s episode.

Koopu was victorious in the challenge, which saw the pair standing on blocks with their hands and ankles tied to one another in a variation of tug of war.

Sepuloni, who has been back as an MP for several months, says she knew she’d have to face off with Koopu but they’d agreed to go as hard as they could and it would be fair play.

“And to be honest, if I was going to go out to anyone, then I’d much rather lose to the strongest person in the team who I had a great deal of respect for. And so, I have no regrets about my time on there, or even the fact that I went out.”

The former deputy prime minister says she had no grand plans to be the final person but wanted to last there as along as she could.

“For me, it was about making sure I came out with my dignity intact, so I wanted to play with integrity, and I think I did … apart from like having a few jabs at people.

“I tried my hardest not to be the type of person that I might be embarrassed about later on when I was watching it back.”

Sepuloni says she’s enjoyed forming relationships on the show. Photo: Supplied / TVNZ

Even her children, who “religiously” watched the reality show over the years, didn’t know she took part until a couple of weeks before it aired, she says.

“We didn’t tell them [earlier] because they’d go and tell the world …

“They were really excited. I’m also really happy that they were not ashamed of their mother. They seem to be really okay and happy with how I performed and so it’s really nice when your kids are not cringing at you.”

One of her favourite parts of the experience was being able to disconnect from technology and forming relationships with people, she says.

“I have to say me and Spankie formed quite a close relationship and I’m going to catch up with Spankie soon, so that’ll be good,” she says, adding that she’s hoping to see Koopu and Gaby Solomona too.

“Even though we may not have got along with everyone the whole time, there’s a special connection that you form with people when you stay with them for that period of time.”

As she was departing, Sepuloni said she was humbled by the way her fellow contestants farewelled her with a Samoan song. Photo: Supplied / TVNZ

After having personal leave approved to be on the show earlier this year, Sepuloni was spotted in May going around Parliament on a scooter due to a leg injury she sustained on the TV show. It has mostly healed now but will take until about December for a full recovery, she says.

“I was limping around half the time that I was there and obviously not at full strength and so I felt a bit frustrated with that, which is why too I knew that when the time came, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world ’cause I could go and actually get the thing checked out properly.”

The response to her challenge with fellow contestant Gaby Solomona on episode eight, where they powered through and encouraged each other to finish their mission, has been overwhelming, she says.

“As we went along, it became much more apparent to me and Wairangi that we had this amazing group of young people that were contestants on the show as well, and we formed a really strong relationship with them.

“Then it became less about ourselves and more about supporting, protecting them and trying to get them through as far as we possibly could. And so, I think I left on that note last night and it was really important to me.”

As she was departing, Sepuloni said she was humbled by the way fellow contestants Bubbah, JP Foliaki and James Rolleston farewelled her with a Samoan song.

By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission

Aotearoa has reclaimed the Guinness World Record for the largest haka from France after thousands performed Ka Mate at Auckland’s Eden Park on Sunday.

The previous official record was 4028, held by France since 2014.

While the official number of participants was yet to land on Sunday night, Guinness World Records adjudicator Brian Sobel confirmed New Zealand had smashed that record.

Preliminary numbers were 6531, but that was expected to fluctuate.

People travelled from far and wide to support the kaupapa, with American TV host Conan O’Brien, director Taika Waititi and boxer David Tua spotted in the crowd.

Gates opened at 4.30pm before the haka attempt itself just after 8pm. Local entertainment included Six60, Alien Weaponry, Che Fu, Rob Ruha and the Topp Twins.

The haka had to be performed for one minute, so those present performed Ka Mate four times in a row.

Dame Hinewehi Mohi championed the world record attempt as part of the 20th anniversary of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, named after her daughter Hineraukatauri, who has severe cerebral palsy.

The All Blacks performing a haka in front of the Wallabies at Eden Park in 2022. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been taken to a secure location inside Iran amid heightened security, Reuters sources say, a day after Israel killed the head of Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah in a strike on Beirut.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been taken to a secure location inside the country, according to Reuters sources. (File photo) Photo: AFP / HO / Khamenei.IR

The move to safeguard Iran’s top decision-maker is the latest show of nervousness by the Iranian authorities as Israel launched a series of devastating attacks on Hezbollah, Iran’s best armed and most well-equipped ally in the region.

Reuters reported this month Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps – the ideological guardians of the Islamic Republic – had ordered all of its members to stop using any type of communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah blew up.

Lebanon and Hezbollah say Israel was behind the pager and walkie-talkie attacks. Israel neither denied nor confirmed involvement.

The two regional officials briefed by Tehran and who told Reuters that Khamenei had been moved to a safe location also said Iran was in contact with Hezbollah and other regional proxy groups to determine the next step after Nasrallah’s killing.

The sources declined to be identified further due to the sensitivity of the matter. As well as killing Nasrallah, Friday’s strikes by Israel on Beirut killed Revolutionary Guards’ deputy commander Abbas Nilforoushan, Iranian media reported on Saturday. Other Revolutionary Guard’s commanders have also been killed since the Gaza War erupted last year and violence flared elsewhere.

Khamenei issued a statement later on Saturday, following Israel’s announcement that Nasrallah had been killed, saying: “The fate of this region will be determined by the forces of resistance, with Hezbollah at the forefront.”

“The blood of the martyr shall not go unavenged,” he said in a separate statement, in which he announced five days of mourning to mark Nasrallah’s death.

Nasrallah’s death is a major blow to Iran, removing an influential ally who helped build Hezbollah into the linchpin of Tehran’s constellation of allied groups in the Arab world. Iran’s network of regional allies, known as the “Axis of Resistance”, stretch from Hezbollah in Lebanon to Hamas in Gaza, Iran-backed militias in Iraq and the Houthis in Yemen. Hamas has been fighting a war with Israel for almost a year, since its fighters stormed into Israel on 7 October. The Houthis, meanwhile, have launched missiles at Israel and at ships sailing in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea along the Yemeni coast.

Hezbollah has been engaged in exchanges of fire across the Lebanese border throughout the Gaza War and has repeatedly said it would not stop until there was a ceasefire in Gaza.

After the pager and walkie-talkies strikes, one Iranian security official told Reuters that a large-scale operation was underway by the Revolutionary Guards to inspect all communications devices. He said most of these devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia.

The official said Iran was concerned about infiltration by Israeli agents, including Iranians on Israel’s payroll and a thorough investigation of personnel has already begun, targeting mid and high-ranking members of the Revolutionary Guards.

In another statement on Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said the United States had played a role in Nasrallah’s killing as a supplier of weapons to Israel.

“The Americans cannot deny their complicity with the Zionists,” he said in the statement carried by state media.

– Reuters