A Tongan mental health nurse is fighting for his life at Vaiola hospital after he had been allegedly knocked out and beaten by a mental health patient.
Huʻatolitoli Prison and Correctional Facility
Hu’atolitoli Prison Chaplain Rev Sēmisi Kava has confirmed the incident happened on Saturday evening but provided no other details.
The incident comes in the wake of grave concerns about the country’s biggest prison’s severe overcrowding problem.
The Prison Commissioner told reporters at the time there were 51 cells, which should each hold one person each, however he said sometimes the prison roster was as high as 180.
Reports said that inmates with psychiatric issues were transferred from the main clinic at Vaiola Hospital to the prison and dramatic increase in the prison population made it hard to control them.
The reports mentioned a number of reasons for the overcrowding.
This included people who’d committed drug offences and juveniles.
In another report by the US Department of State in 2021, it said Hu’atolitoli Prison and its psychiatric facility were overcrowded as societal substance abuse and mental illness continued to generate pressure for space in the prison system.
“In 2021 Hu’atolitoli Prison cells built for one individual were holding up to four persons and the prison lacked a facility to house women psychiatric patients separately from other prisoners”.
It’s unclear if these circumstances remained throughout the years.
A police helicopter has been searching the Marokopa area for a man missing and his three children as officers work through the tip-offs they’re received since offering a reward on Tuesday.
Ember, 8, Maverick, 9, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021, when they were taken by Phillips to an unknown location – though police believe it was in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Police yesterday announced an $80,000 reward for information on missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children that leads to their location and safe return.
Ember, eight, Maverick, nine, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021, when they were taken by Phillips to an unknown location – though police believe it was in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders. Photo: RNZ / Jordan Dunn
In a statement, police said the Eagle helicopter was out in the Marokopa area last night “in support of the operation”.
“Results of their work in the area are being assessed alongside other information.”
Marokopa residents should expect to see an increased police presences in the area over the next few days, they said.
Acting Detective Inspector Andy Saunders told Morning Report this appeal was aimed at the people they believed had been helping Phillips to hide.
“This is targeted at those people with direct information as to the whereabouts of the children.”
Police were also offering the possibility of immunity from prosecution to anyone with information.
“The important aspect of this is the safe return of the children, that’s our main focus,” Saunders said.
He said police had received emails, calls, and had community members engage with them since yesterday’s announcement.
Officers were now sifting through all the information and prioritising it “to see what value it is”.
It was too soon to say whether any of the information was credible, Saunders said.
He said police believed the family were in a dwelling, rather than living rough, but hadn’t been able to find them over the past 2.5 years despite several sightings and a number of locations of interest being identified.
Ōtorohanga’s Mayor Max Baxter. Photo: SUPPLIED/ KCN
Ōtorohanga’s Mayor Max Baxter told Morning Report he was hopeful this would be enough for someone helping the family to come forward.
“$80,000 is a lot of money for anybody who’s living out at Marokopa, in fact $80,000 is a lot of money for anybody. I’m hoping the reward is enough to change the attitude of those people that may be withholding information.”
The general consensus in the community was that some body must be assisting Phillips, Baxter said.
“Marakopa itself doesn’t need to be identified for this reason alone, so lets just hope people put their hand up and come forward now,” he said.
* Police said people with information could contact the dedicated email address op.curly@police.govt.nz or call on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 clicking ‘Update Report’ and referencing file number 211218/5611.
Police have announced a $80,000 reward for information on missing Marokopa man Tom Phillips and his three children that leads to their location and safe return.
(clockwise from top left) Tom Phillips, Jayda Phillips, Ember Phillips and Maverick Callam-Phillips Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
Ember, eight, Maverick, nine, and Jayda, 10, have been missing since December 2021, when they were taken by Phillips to an unknown location – though police believe it was in Western Waikato within Marokopa or the surrounding areas.
Police have concerns for the welfare of the children, who have been living in isolation for the past two-and-a-half years, with no connection to others and without formal education and health care, Acting Detective Inspector Andrew Saunders said.
“Phillips does not have legal custody of the children. He is sought by police and there is a warrant for his arrest.”
Saunders said police believe Phillips and the children were being helped.
“We’re urging anyone who’s doing this to please stop, do the right thing and tell police what you know.”
The commissioner of police will determine the amount of the reward, and will share it out if there is more than one claimant.
Immunity against prosecution will be considered for anyone who has committed an offence in assisting Tom Phillips, if they provide information or evidence which leads to the location and safe return of the children, he said.
The reward was aimed at people who have knowledge of where Phillips and the children might be, giving them a small window of two weeks to contact police if they want the reward.
“Over the last two and a half years we’ve issued a number of appeals for information… we haven’t achieved the result we were hoping for,” Saunders told media gathered at the Hamilton Police Station on Tuesday afternoon.
The offer will remain in force until 25 June 2024. Phillips himself was not eligible, Saunders said. The family was notified in advance and supported the offer.
Extra staff have been deployed to the Marokopa area, Saunders said, to act on the “significant amount of information” they expected to receive.
Police said Phillips may be armed and should not be approached. His arrest was of secondary importance to retrieving the children, Saunders said.
Charges faced by Tom Phillips
In November, police appealed for sightings of Phillips riding a red farm-style quad bike.
In May, Phillips was allegedly one of two people involved in the armed robbery of an ANZ bank in Te Kūiti and he was charged with aggravated wounding and unlawfully possessing a firearm.
Phillips and his children had previously disappeared in September 2021.
A large search and rescue operation was suspended after 17 days when he and the children walked into his family’s farmhouse.
Phillips was charged with wasting police resources. But after failing to appear at Te Kūiti District Court for a scheduled hearing in mid-January 2022, a warrant for his arrest was issued.
A new political poll shows the opposition making gains on the government, but not enough to take power if there was an election tomorrow.
The latest Taxpayers’ Union Curia poll put National down 1.9 points on last month to 35.4 percent, while its coalition parties ACT and New Zealand First remained mostly steady on 9.7 percent and 5.6 percent respectively.
Labour slipped 0.6 points to land at 29.4 percent, but the Greens bounced up 2.5 points to 12.7 percent. Te Pāti Māori was up 0.9 points to 4.0 percent.
On those numbers, the three coalition parties would have a majority with 63 seats between them, down three from last month, while the opposition would have 58, up two.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon took a knock to his personal rating with his net favourability score dropping 13 points to -5 percent.
That was below Labour leader Chris Hipkins who jumped 4 points to hit 3 percent.
The scientific poll surveyed 1000 people over three days last week and has a maximum margin-of-error of +/- 3.1 percent.
It captures the response to the coalition’s first Budget where National delivered its promised tax cuts but broke its commitment to fund 13 cancer treatments from this year.
A Supreme Court judge has rejected a request by a former director at the Ministry of Tourism to review a PSC decision to dismiss her due to serious breach of discipline.
Mary Magdalena Tafa Fifita. Photo/Supplied
Mary Magdalena Tafa Fifita was a long-time Ministry employee who eventually held the position of director.
On 19 January 2024 she submitted an ex parte application for leave for judicial review and to strike out the PSC decision.
Fifita’s move came after a complaint was filed against her on 11 April 2023 with PSC.
It alleged that Fifita had given catering contracts to a firm run by her daughter, and this breached the rules for awarding such contracts.
The complaint was made by another senior staff at the Ministry, Sosaia Pahulu.
Following the complaint, the Ministry’s chief executive Mr Viliami Takau submitted a report saying Mr Pahulu’s concerns were valid.
Mr Takau also said the facts in Pahulu’s complaint constituted serious misconduct.
He also said Fifita had expressed her potential for conflict to the then chief executive who had gone on to sign the initial contract.
She was given a final warning and that there was a chance for her to be demoted.
On 27 October 2023 the PSC wrote to Fifita charging her with 27 counts of serious breaches of discipline.
Fifita replied to PSC on 10 November 2023 disputing all allegations.
PSC wrote to her again on 29 November 2023 informing her of the disciplinary recommendations made by the chief executive of PSC.
She was told that in the event of the charges being proved she was liable to be dismissed from Public Service and the matter would be referred to Tonga Police to investigate.
Fifita responded again on 6 December 2023.
On 10 January 2024 the PSC wrote to her stating their decision number 2 of 2024 that she be dismissed from the Public Service as of 11 January 2024.
She was told the chief executive of the PSC was going to report the matter to Tonga Police to investigate.
After listening to both parties in court on the matters arose from the application submitted by Fifita and submission from the PSC, Justice Cooper ruled in favour of the PSC.
Ram raids are down more than 80 percent for the month of April compared to last year.
A ram raid in Takanini, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Mohammad Alafeshat
Police have identified 12 ram raids in April 2024, compared to 64 in April 2023.
Provisional police data from April 2017 to April 2024 shows a downwards trend since the peak in August 2022, when there were 86.
There were a total of 433 ram raids in 2022, 288 in 2023, and 67 in the first four months of this year.
Provisional police data from April 2017 to April 2024 shows a downwards trend since the peak in August 2022, when there were 86. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
The Ram Raid Offending and Related Measures Amendment Bill would add ‘smash-and-grabs’ to the Crimes Act, and would give police the power to prosecute children as young as 12 with up to 10 years in prison, including for being a passenger, or filming the incident.
Around 70 percent of identified ram raiders were aged between 14 and 17, and a further 12 percent were aged between 10 and 13.
By Robin Martin of rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission
Taranaki police are investigating after a rugby player was floored by a punch as opposing players were shaking hands after a premier grade match at Yarrow Stadium on Saturday.
Taranaki Rugby Football Union (TRFU) chief executive Mike Sandle said a Coastal Rugby player was punched by a Spotswood United player as the teams were shaking hands “well after the final whistle”.
“The Coastal player was knocked to the ground, an ambulance was called and he was taken to Taranaki Base Hospital and examined, then later discharged.
“We are extremely disappointed that this incident has detracted from what was an entertaining game played in good spirits.”
There were no other players involved, Sandle said. Although RNZ understood there was a bit of pushing and shoving following the incident, which simmered down quickly.
Sandle said Taranaki Rugby had instigated a judicial process and was supporting both clubs.
He could not comment further because the incident was being investigated by police.
Spotswood United chairperson Shanan Dick acknowledged a member of the club had “physically assaulted” a Coastal player during the “customary post-match handshakes”.
“Regrettably, the altercation resulted in the Coastal player being knocked to the ground, necessitating medical attention. We are relieved to report that the player has since been discharged.”
A police investigation had been launched into the “distressing incident” and the club would be not commenting further, he said.
“Nonetheless, we wish to express our profound disappointment that such an event has overshadowed what was an otherwise enjoyable and spirited game.”
Spotswood United was committed to working with both clubs to address the “regrettable” incident, Dick said.
“Our utmost priority remains ensuring the safety and well-being of all players and maintaining the integrity of the game. Spotswood United has contacted both players involved and are supporting their well-being to the upmost.”
Coastal Rugby and Sports Club chairperson Janet Fleming referred RNZ to the TRFU statement, adding “Coastal Rugby have no further comment to make”.
Coastal were third in the points table while Spotswood were second from last.
Spotswood United lost the close match 29-35.
Te Whatu Ora Taranaki said a patient presented after a fight following a rugby match on Saturday afternoon.
“He was in a stable condition and discharged the same day.”
Police said they were making enquiries following a report of an assault at a premises on Maratahu Street, Westown, about 4.30pm, and were speaking to those involved.
A woman living with a disability was found dead after being left unchecked by support workers for two days.
Ruth Finau, an intellectually disabled woman living in supported accommodation provided by Spectrum Care, was left unchecked for two days before staff discovered her dead in bed. Photo / Supplied
Ruth Kathleen Toka, 30, was discovered at her support accommodation in South Auckland a day after staff first found her lying in bed and thought she was sleeping.
A coroner has found that staff did not attempt to wake her, fearing she would be “angry” due to a history of aggressive behaviour and left.
When she was still lying in the same position the next day, they discovered she had died.
Toka, also known as Ruth Finau, was supported by Spectrum Care who would cook meals, clean and provide medication, including epileptic and diabetic medication, daily to Finau, who also had an intellectual disability.
Coroner Tania Tetitaha criticised the standard of care Finau received, finding she died suddenly from sudden unexpected death in epilepsy in July 2021, and that she had not had her medication.
“The post-mortem report shows Finau was not taking her anticonvulsant medication,” Tetitaha said in her findings.
“I have concerns about the standard of care Finau received whilst resident at Spectrum Care services.”
Tetitaha said there was no formal monitoring being undertaken to make sure Finau was taking her medication, and said evidence indicated staff were “reluctant to actively monitor Finau due to aggressive behaviour”.
“Due to fears of aggressive behaviour, staff also allowed Finau to remain in her room unchecked for two days between 18 and 20 July 2021,” she said.
“Given she had epilepsy and was known to be at times medically non-compliant, regular physical checks on her welfare should have been undertaken.”
Spectrum’s communication and marketing manager Justin Walsh told New Zealand Media Entertainment (NZME) that Finau had been strongly committed to managing all aspects of her life, including her medications, and that no one can be forced to take their medication in the absence of a compulsory treatment order.
Finau’s brother Jonathan Toka told NZME his sister’s death was “shocking” and that the corners findings had contradicted those of Spectrum Care, who had told his family his sister had died of natural causes.
Spectrum Care services were encouraged to undertake an internal audit of their care of Finau, with the coroner referring the case to the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Wild weather, including severe gales and downpours, swept from the west across much of the North Island overnight.
A woman has difficulty holding an umbrella from strong winds in rainy weather. Photo: 123RF
The wet northerly was still hitting eastern Bay of Plenty on Monday morning, an orange severe rain warning remaining in place for the region.
Fire and Emergency said there were no major weather-related callouts anywhere overnight.
About 230mm of rain fell on Kahurangi National Park in west Tasman. Other South Island locations including Arthur’s Pass and Rai Valley in Marlborough saw up to 130mm.
“It was definitely a very wild night compared to that really settled spell of weather we had last week,” meteorologist John Law told RNZ’s Morning Report.
“I think for most people when they wake up this morning across the North Island, they’ll notice how incredibly warm it is as well.”
Law said most of the warnings had expired, with the rain moving east.
“The final few areas… are still catching that front just that runs through places like the Eastern Bay of Plenty, and we will keep hold that severe weather warning there through to around about 11am, just so that rain just taking its time just to clear away, out towards the west.
“But generally things should get a little bit better as we head through the daytime.”
Temperatures will get up to around 17C in Auckland, Law said, after an “incredibly warm” morning for mid-June.
“I think it is going to stay pretty humid through [the] daytime. Still some more showers as we head through the day, and this week generally a much more unsettled story than the weather we saw last week.”
Down south, snow was a possibility in higher parts of Southland and Otago.
“So it’s a real mixed bag across the country – [you] don’t need your winter woollies today, but maybe from tomorrow I think we don’t need them across the North Island, but down south, I think keep an eye on that forecast.”
Later in the week, MetService is forecasting potential heavy rain on the west coast of the South Island, particularly in the far south and Marlborough, on Thursday.
By Friday, there could be gale-strength winds across the North Island and upper South Island.
