Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft and new Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon say New Zealand’s high bullying rate — among the worst in the world; and Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has admitted she would only back Wellington’s $6.4 billion transport programme if a mass public transport system was built before an extra Mt Victoria tunnel.
* The New Zealand Herald
In the New Zealand Herald, two independent watchdogs have launched a campaign to make all schools record every case of bullying and adopt anti-bullying moves that have been proven to work.Children’s Commissioner Andrew Becroft and new Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon say New Zealand’s high bullying rate — among the worst in the world — means the problem can no longer be left up to individual schools.
In other news, here are just 50 days left until the firearms amnesty and buyback deadline – and police have issued a public warning that those who do not make the cut-off will feel the full force of the law. A six-month amnesty and buyback scheme was put in place after gun law reforms – supported by all parties but Act – banned most military-style semi-automatic (MSSA) firearms in the aftermath of the March 15 terrorist attacks in Christchurch.
In business news, Freightways will have something to talk about at tomorrow’s annual meeting after it announced a $117 million acquisition of Bill Chill Distribution, which operates a fleet of more than 200 refrigerated trucks and trailers.
* The Dominion Post
In the Dominion Post, Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter has admitted she would only back Wellington’s $6.4 billion transport programme if a mass public transport system was built before an extra Mt Victoria tunnel. Genter yesterday released details of a letter she sent to Transport Minister Phil Twyford on March 26, in which she outlined her conditions for supporting the Let’s Get Wellington Moving (LGWM) programme.
In other news, for the second day in a row, beleaguered Transport Minister Phil Twyford appears to have given Parliament incorrect information, crucial documents leaked to Stuff reveal. But instead of correcting the record as he did on Tuesday, Twyford is now sticking to his guns, denying he gave Parliament incorrect information.
In business news, Wellington’s cross harbour ferry company East by West has been fined $380,000 for an April 2017 grounding and speeding thousands of times in restricted areas.The company’s lawyer had told a judge at the Wellington District Court that a fine of over $200,000 could put at risk the more than $4 million electric ferry being built for the Wellington run.
*The Press
In The Press, in the wake of the measles outbreak sweeping the country, the National Party has said it might sanction sole parent beneficiaries who don’t vaccinate their children.National’s social development spokeswoman, Louise Upston, has gone further, saying she is open to broadening the scope beyond beneficiaries to cover more child-related payments, if that’s what New Zealanders want.
In other news, Christchurch’s southern motorway roadworks have been labelled ‘‘deathtraps’’ after a truck driver killed a cyclist while turning into a construction site.The indcident took place in a 30kmh roadworks site on Springs Rd, Halswell, about 8am. Construction firm Downer is building a motorway overbridge opposite the site.
In business news, a celebrated chef says suppliers left out of pocket by the liquidation of his Christchurch restaurant earlier this year are not his responsibility. Award-winning Lyttelton restaurant Roots went into liquidation in June, seven years after it was established by chef Giulio Sturla and Christy Martin in 2012.
