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Live Covid-19 updates on Auckland’s first day of loosened level 3 restrictions

By
Sisi Latu
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Dr Caroline McElnay has reported the death of a Covid-19 patient at Middlemore Hospital.

At today’s briefing, where 39 community cases were reported, Dr McElnay said there are 32 people in hospital with Covid-19, including seven in intensive care.

Dr McElnay said she did not have details regarding the death of the person.

“There are conversations happening with the family and we have to respect the family’s wishes, they are obviously grieving. When we are able to release information we will.”

Meanwhile, Kāwhia Community Board chair Dave Walsh has confirmed a Covid-19 positive case in the coastal King Country settlement.

Kāwhia, south of Raglan, is not part of the alert level 3 lockdown which covers Raglan and Hamilton.

Tonga committed to Northern rugby tour

By
Sisi Latu
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

The Tonga Rugby Union remains committed to sending an ‘Ikale Tahi squad to the Northern Hemisphere despite the ongoing uncertainty around Covid-19.

Tonga will face the Cook Islands after losing back to back tests against Samoa.

Tonga played the All Blacks, Manu Samoa and the Cook Islands in July. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Manu Samoa’s end of season tour was cancelled this week in line with the current health and travel advice from the Samoa Government.

Tonga is scheduled to kick off their Northern tour against Scotland at the end of the month before facing England, the French Barbarians and Romania in November.

Tonga Rugby Union CEO Peter Harding hopes to confirm a playing squad by the end of the week and are in the process of finalising their tour details.

“Samoa’s made a very difficult decision,” he said.

“We’re not in their building so we can’t really comment on why they made the decision but we do understand, intimately understand, the difficulties of putting this tour together.

“Honestly it is such an energy sapper but we’re going to go ahead with ours and that’s the decision we’ve made.”

Peter Harding, new CEO of Tonga Rugby Union

Peter Harding. Photo: World Rugby

The bulk of the ‘Ikale Tahi squad will be drawn from players already plying their trade in the Northern Hemisphere, with Covid-19 travel restrictions making it difficult to include players from Australia and New Zealand.

Tonga managed to secure an MIQ spot for one New Zealand based player, so they can return home after the Northern tour, and are hopeful of securing another quarantine spot when the next bunch of rooms is released next week.

Peter Harding said it has been difficult trying to put a team together in a world of travel restrictions.

“This isn’t just a normal tour where you take 31 players away. This is a tour where people will be coming in and out as we go…so we’ll be naming an extended squad.”

Ikale Tahi head coach Toutai Kefu will not travel with the squad as he and his family continue their recovery from a violent home invasion in August.

Tonga halfback Sonatane Takulua passes the ball during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match against England.

Tonga will face England in November. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Peter Harding said a make-shift management team will look after the team during the month-long tour.

“I’ve been putting together a squad of staff since July, because I sort of anticipated this,” he said.

“We’ve got all these amazing professional people but it’s a hit and run mercenary style staff – very good at their job but it’s just the way it is and for continuity I’m going and the old doctor is going, just to make sure things stay on the right track.”

The ‘Ikale Tahi squad will assemble in Edinburgh on 24 October.

Meanwhile the Flying Fijians are scheduled to face Spain in Madrid, Wales in Cardiff and Georgia during the November window.

Covid-19 update: 39 new cases in the community, including nine in Waikato

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

There have been 39 new cases of Covid-19 reported in New Zealand today, including nine in Waikato, although just one is unlinked to other cases.

Coronavirus disease cells, 3D rendering. new 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection outbreak occurs from Wuhan, China

File image. Photo: 123rf.com

There has also been one death reported at Middlemore Hospital.

There were 24 new Covid-19 cases in the community yesterday, 18 of which were in Auckland and six in Waikato. Four of these remain unlinked.

There have now been 1420 cases in the current community outbreak.

All of the 18 cases in Waikato are linked to known cases.

Speaking at today’s media briefing, Director of Public Health Dr Caroline McElnay said there are two cases in recent returnees in MIQ

There was also one new case in a border worker and authorities are investigating to determine whether it is linked to the border or to a community cluster.

There are 12 active clusters and Dr McElnay said it was estimated there could be an additional 36 cases in coming days in household contacts.

There are 32 people in hospital with Covid-19, seven of whom are in ICU.

There were almost 25,000 swabs processed nationwide yesterday. There are 22 community testing centres open in Auckland today.

Waikato DHB said a patient visited its ED last Friday night and has now tested positive for Covid-19. They were asymptomatic at the time and correctly screened, but some ED staff have been stood down. Public health staff are investigating.

There continued to be exposure events, but that was expected, Dr McElnay said.

Strict infection control measures are in place, she said.

In light of the increased risk from Delta, the Ministry of Health is advising people consider a shorter gap between vaccine doses than the currently recommended six weeks.

The gap between doses was extended from three to six weeks in August.

Rugby league star Manu Vatuvei pleads guilty in meth importation case

By
Sisi Latu
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By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

Former rugby league star Manu Vatuvei has pleaded guilty to importing methamphetamine.

Manu Vatuvei arrives at Manukau District Court.

Manu Vatuvei arriving at Manukau District Court this morning. Photo: RNZ / Katie Todd

The 35-year-old appeared in the Manukau District Court this morning.

He was due to stand trial this week on charges of importing methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine for supply.

But he has now entered a guilty plea through his lawyer Vivienne Feyen to a representative importation charge.

Feyen told the court Vatuvei accepted responsibility for his offending.

Vatuvei has been remanded on bail ahead of his sentencing in December.

The Crown has indicated it will withdraw the remaining charges at sentencing.

Vatuvei was arrested in November 2019.

Manu Vatuvei pictured in March 2021.

Vatuvei during an earlier appearance in the High Court Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

He fought to keep his name secret, but name suppression was declined by both the District Court and High Court.

Days before suppression was due to lapse, Vatuvei outed himself on Instagram.

At the time, he told his followers he wanted them to hear directly from him that he was accused of possessing and importing the drug in 2019.

“I’ll be fighting my innocence for these charges,” he said.

“I know there’ll be a lot of questions that will be wanting answers but I’ve been advised by my legal team that’s all I can talk about. So hopefully you can all respect that, and also can you please respect the privacy of my family while I go through this battle.”

Manu Vatuvei outside court in March 2021.

Vatuvei outside court in March 2021 Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

Between 2004 and 2017, Vatuvei played 14 seasons for the Warriors and scored 152 tries over 226 games.

He was nicknamed “the Beast” and became the first player in NRL history to complete the feat of scoring 10 tries or more in 10 consecutive seasons in 2015.

In 2019 he had success in Dancing with the Stars, winning the series with dance partner Loryn Reynolds.

NZ govt urged to ban seabed mining for Pacific’s sake

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

A New Zealand Supreme Court ruling against seabed mining has been described as important for the Pacific region.

After a long legal process the Supreme Court has ruled against a bid by Trans Tasman Resources to mine the South Taranaki seabed.

The ruling was welcomed by Te Paati Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer of Ngāti Ruanui iwi in South Taranaki, who led legal challenges against the bid.

A map provided by Trans-Tasman Resources showing the area covered by the proposed ironsands project.

A map showing the area covered by the South Taranaki Bight Project. Photo: Trans-Tasman Resources

Ngarewa-Packer is wary about seabed mining companies courting Pacific islands governments with promises of money and claims that seabed minerals will help the fight against climate change.

“This isn’t about the planet and this isn’t about people, and I think if there’s anything that a pandemic environment has warned us it’s that money is not the ‘be all and end all’ I think,” she said.

No caption

Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

“Seabed mining wasn’t able to guarantee any assurance off environmental protection at all, it’s purely desecration.”

Given the growing interest in the Pacific Ocean seabed by mining advocates, Ngarewa-Packer said it’s incumbent on New Zealand to lead the way.

“The pressure now has to be calling on the prime minister to follow through and ban seabed mining. And if we follow through then the other Pasifika nations will get the confidenceto follow throught. There’s better ways to grow an economy.”

Ngarewa-Packer said New Zealand must now ban seabed mining in its waters.

She said economic growth should not come at the cost of the environment and future generations.

Timaru tragedy: Trial date set for mother accused of murdering daughters

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

A trial date has been set for the South African mother of three charged with killing her daughters.

No caption

Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller

Lauren Dickason, 40, who is a medical practitioner, was excused from appearing in the High Court in Christchurch via video link for her second hearing.

She is accused of murdering twins Maya and Karla, 2, and their older sister Liane, 6.

The three were found dead at their home soon after the family arrived in Timaru from South Africa for a new life.

Today a trial date of March 2022 was set by Justice Dunningham, however, a plea has yet to be entered.

The accused was remanded back to Hillmorton Hospital for a further psychiatric assessment.

Her next hearing is set down for 15 October.

Last week Graham Dickason, the father of the three children thanked all of those donating money to the family on a Givealittle page.

The fundraising was started by other South Africans in Aoteaoa to help pay for funeral expenses, and accommodate relatives who have travelled to be with Graham Dickason.

It has so far raised $31,755.

He said the messages left along with the donations had been heartfelt and comforting.

Coverage of the ‘Atenisi Institute’s recent court case

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Letter to the editor

Dear Sir,

It was gratifying to remark the headline of Kaniva’s recent coverage of the ‘Atenisi Institute’s recent court case (AC9/2021) because it balances the denial of funding with the finding of liability, thereby capturing the two-fold aspect of the judgment. However, there are some factual errors.

In Oct. 2019, the recruitment bans of 2018 and 2019 were declared ultra vires by Lord Chief Justice Whitten, not Lord Chief Justice Paulsen who had denied injunction against the initial ban in February 2019. The ‘Atenisi Institute did not challenge Lord Chief Justice Whitten’s vital judgment of ultra vires but rather on appeal obtained reassuring clarification regarding two obiter dicta, as well as further encouragement to litigate for damages.

Justice Hansen’s opinions regarding quantum are restricted to judgement at ¶56-59. He endorsed endorse the reasoning of the Lower Court in denying quantum, but it is unfair to conflate the Lower Court’s opinions with his. He never, for example, opined that prospective candidates could sufficiently assess the ‘Atenisi environment via a “smart phone”; he cited the Lower Court’s opinion in that regard. And he certainly never described ‘Atenisi’s appeal for funding as “opportunistic”, again citing the Lower Court’s opinion in that regard, as is common practice in appellate judgment;

Moreover, it’s odd that Kaniva is in such detail covering the appellate denial of additional funding without ever having informed its readers that in February the Lower Court awarded ‘Atenisi damages for lost tuition caused by the recruitment bans. Had it done so, its readers would have appreciated that since litigating damages in May 2020 ‘Atenisi has twice established discrete liability for the recruitment bans.

Dr Michael Horowitz

University Dean

‘Atenisi Institute

We regret that some errors of attribution occurred during the editing process – Kaniva News.

The 3 steps to easing Auckland restrictions: what you need to know

By
Sisi Latu
-

By RNZ.co.nz and is republished with permission.

The government has announced a three-step plan for easing Auckland’s alert level 3 restrictions. Here’s what you can do at each of the steps.

Central Auckland on Wednesday 25 August 2021 on the eighth today of a Covid-19 lockdown.

Photo: RNZ / John Edens

The government’s three-step plan for Auckland will allow – over time – for outdoor socialising as well as stores, pre-schools and schools to re-open.

The intention is to to allow whānau to reconnect with each other and more businesses to operate as well as educational facilities to resume having children on site.

Under the roadmap Auckland will remain at alert level 3 for the foreseeable future as the restrictions are eased. The rest of the country stays at alert level 2.

However, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made clear during the announcement of the easing of some restrictions today: “In total, this phasing amounts to a careful and methodical transition plan for Auckland.”

So, how will it operate?

With the Auckland region still at level 3, masks must be worn in most indoor settings and social distancing of 2 metres still applies.

The air and road boundaries between the city and the rest of the New Zealand, including the alert level 3 area in Waikato, will remain in place.

It’s intended schools will reopen on 18 October 2021, although this will be confirmed the week beforehand.

“In the meantime, if your child is aged 12 and older and is not yet vaccinated we strongly urge you to use these two weeks to get them vaccinated,” Ardern said.

There are no dates for moving to each step – it will depend on advice from health officials.

Step 1

  • Outdoor gatherings between two households can go ahead, with a maximum of 10 people attending
  • Travel is allowed anywhere in the Auckland region for exercise, sports or recreation outdoors
  • Early learning centres can reopen to all children, with a maximum of 10 children in each bubble

The prime minister said the ‘outdoor’ part may not sound relevant but it is in fact the most relevant part of all.

“Keep it outside,’ she said.

“The science tells us Covid finds it hard to spread outdoors … children can have a play date in a park, friends can meet outside for a walk, a picnic or a beer.”

Ardern said the public health team believe that with the right precautions in place, the risk posed by reopening early childhood centres is low. This includes limits of 10 within a bubble in ECE and strict infection control.

“To ensure this is done as safely as possible though we’re encouraging early learning teachers to get tested alongside other Aucklanders who will return to work and we’ll look at options for more regular but less invasive surveillance testing.

“This is an added precaution and an acknowledgement that children at that age cannot be vaccinated.”

No caption

Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod

Step 2

  • Retail can operate, with customers able to enter premises, wearing face coverings and keeping 2 metres apart
  • Public facilities like pools, libraries and museums can reopen, with face coverings and 2-metre social distancing required
  • Outdoor gatherings of up to 25 people can go ahead
No caption

Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod

Step 3

  • Hospitality venues, like cafes, bars, and restaurants, can reopen with a limit of 50 people
  • Event facilities likes cinemas, casinos, and theatres can open with a limit of 50 people in a defined space, wearing face coverings and 2-metre physical distancing
  • Close contact businesses, like hairdressers, barbers and beauty salons, can reopen, with workers wearing face coverings
  • Social gatherings, indoors and outdoors, can take place with a limit of 50 people in a defined space.
No caption

Photo: RNZ/Vinay Ranchhod

“At the end of these steps, we will then move to a national framework that reflects a more highly vaccinated population, allowing us the ability to deal with riskier settings such as large-scale events with the use of vaccine certificates,” Ardern said.

Today the country hit the milestone of 2 million New Zealanders vaccinated.

Policing only part of the solution to fighting drugs says taskforce boss ahead of meeting

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Policing was only part of the solution to combating illegal drugs, according to Acting Deputy Commissioner Halatoa Tāufa.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Tāufa, who heads the country’s drug enforcement taskforce, was speaking ahead of a national symposium on illicit drugs, which will be held in Tonga next week.

He said it would  be a chance for people to share their views and work together on the issue.

The symposium will be held at the Tāufa’āhau Tupou IV wharf on October 6-7.

His Majesty will open the event.

The King has described drugs as the greatest challenge facing the kingdom and has criticised Parliament and the government for not doing enough.

Acting Police Commissioner Lord Fielakepa said illicit drugs remained a challenge to Tonga and the region.

“We must step up our collective efforts locally and regionally to combat this grave issue,” he said.

Speakers will talk about the kingdom’s three policies of supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction.

Registration for the conference can be made through the police on nsid@police.gob.to or by phoning the police on 7761809.

Aucklanders can mix with another household, do more outdoor recreation

By
Kaniva Staff
-

By RNZ.co.nz. Republished with permission.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield are speaking to media after Cabinet decisions about alert levels in Auckland.

Watch live from about 4pm:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the government will take a careful, methodical approach to the changes.

From midnight tomorrow, Tāmaki Makaurau will remain in alert level 3 but Aucklanders will be able to connect with people outside their bubble outdoors, with no more than two households and ten people mingling at a time.

Early childhood education will return as normal and people can move around Auckland for recreation, like visiting the beach or hunting.

At the second stage, retail shops can open with face masks and social distancing, public facilities such as pools and zoos will open and number of people who can meet outdoors will increase to 25.

Hospitality venues will open at the third stage, seating people at a distance with a maximum capacity of 50 people.

Public health advice at this stage also indicates schools will be able to return after the school holidays on the 18 October – with a final decision to be made closer to the time.

Cabinet has agreed the rest of New Zealand will remain at alert level 2 – with the only change being the 100 person limit in hospitality venues removed.

She describes step 3 as higher risk. Hospitality will open – seated, separated and with a limit of 50; close contact businesses like hairdressers will also open with mask use and physical distancing; and gatherings will also then extend to 50.

“Cabinet will review each step weekly to ensure it’s safe to move before confirming the next step. The wage subsidy will continue to be available.

“In total, this phasing amounts to a careful and methodical transition plan for Auckland. At the end of these steps, we will then move to a national framework that reflects a more highly vaccinated population, allowing us the ability to deal with riskier settings such as large-scale events with the use of vaccine certificates.”

“Today we hit the milestone of 2 million New Zealanders vaccinated. It follows the doubling of Auckland vaccination rates over the past 7 weeks, with 84 percent of Aucklanders having had one dose, and 52 percent now fully vaccinated. But there is more work to do.

“Vaccines were always going to change the way we manage Covid-19 into the future, but our strategy has worked and will remain – we want to control the virus, avoid cases and hospitalisations, enjoy our freedoms, and reconnect with the world,” Ardern said.

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