logo
Gore's brown trout statue defaced overnight amid drinking water crisis

Gore's brown trout statue defaced overnight amid drinking water crisis

RNZ News10 hours ago
Gore's iconic brown trout statue and welcome sign were defaced overnight.
Photo:
GREENPEACE AOTEAROA / SUPPLIED
Gore's iconic brown trout statue and welcome sign have been defaced, with Greenpeace claiming responsibility.
In a press release, Greenpeace Aotearoa said it was
highlighting the town's drinking water crisis
.
Last Friday, local residents were issued a do not drink notice after high levels of nitrates were found in the water supply.
The notice was lifted on Monday evening.
Greenpeace Aotearoa said the dairy industry had "wrecked" Gore's drinking water and it was unacceptable the community was unable to drink the water coming out of their taps.
But Federated Farmers called for Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status, and said the vandalism was a "shameless attempt to divide the rural community and spread anti-farm propaganda".
"Greenpeace need to be held accountable for their repeated illegal activity," Southland Federated Farmers president Jason Herrick said.
"I think it's a total abuse of charitable status.
"How can they be recognised as a charity when they're breaking all kinds of laws trespassing on private property, vandalising public property, and intimidating the community."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jet ski tragedy: Vincent Cornell-Cooke died after giving lifejacket to brother
Jet ski tragedy: Vincent Cornell-Cooke died after giving lifejacket to brother

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Jet ski tragedy: Vincent Cornell-Cooke died after giving lifejacket to brother

By Hannah Bartlett, Open Justice multimedia journalist of Vincent "Vinnie" Cornell-Cooke, died while saving his brother during a jet ski incident on Lake Taupō. The coroner has released findings into his death. Photo: Open Justice / NZME When Vincent Cornell-Cooke saw his brother struggling to stay afloat after they had fallen off a jet ski, he told him he loved him, and handed him his lifejacket. The 35-year-old's "ultimate sacrifice" saved his brother Bronson's life, but resulted in the loss of his own. As Bronson clung to the one lifejacket they had between them, efforts were made to keep Vincent afloat in the choppy waters of Lake Taupō, but eventually he went under and disappeared. His body was found by a police dive squad seven metres underwater at 3.30pm the next day. After his death, a Givealittle page was set up to raise support for Vincent's wife and children. In it "Vinnie" was remembered as "an amazing and loving husband and father, who poured his heart and soul into his family". "His generosity, courage, and devotion to his family and friends will forever leave a legacy of love and kindness," the page read. Now, a coroner's findings have been released outlining the circumstances of the tragic death, and providing safety recommendations for other jet ski riders. On 18 January 2025, Vincent and his two brothers, Washington and Bronson, arrived in Taupō to celebrate Bronson's 30th birthday. They began celebrations with skydiving, followed by food and drinks at their hotel, before Vincent and Bronson went into town where they had "a significant amount of alcohol", and then caught a taxi back to the hotel. The next day, the three brothers headed to the lake to use Bronson's jet ski, taking it for a spin, one at a time. But about 12.30pm, Vincent and Bronson headed out on the jet ski together, with Vincent driving and wearing the one lifejacket they had between them. Neither of them could swim. As the water became choppier, they were thrown without warning from the jet ski. Vincent's lifejacket was not connected to the emergency safety engine cut-off switch, which meant the jet ski circled before drifting away. Bronson told the coroner the men were "freaking out", and he was struggling to stay afloat. Vincent took off the lifejacket, which Bronson reluctantly took. While Vincent struggled and eventually went under, Bronson managed to signal for help and people on the beach called emergency services. Police rescued Bronson about 1pm. A post-mortem listed Vincent's cause of death as drowning. A toxicology report did not detect any alcohol, but found methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was present. The pathologist advised that "MDMA is a stimulant that can contribute to impaired judgment, and it may have impacted [Vincent's] ability to safely operate the jet ski". However, the coroner noted the analysis did not indicate when this was ingested or in what quantities. Coroner Ian Telford began his recommendations by acknowledging Vincent's death was tragic. He said the circumstances around it were "profoundly moving - an enduring example of someone making the ultimate sacrifice for their brother". However, he also said that while he didn't wish to add to the family's pain, he had assessed that Vincent's death was "highly preventable". Telford said Vincent's consumption of alcohol and recent ingestion of MDMA may have impaired his condition and judgment, but also noted, "while Vincent may not have been in optimal condition", it appears that the jet ski capsizing was, fundamentally, "an unforeseeable accident". "It could have been caused by random instability of the craft or roughness of the water. There is simply no way to determine the exact cause of the capsizing." The main factors the coroner considered relevant were that Vincent ended up without a lifejacket and couldn't swim; and a cord was not attached to Vincent's wrist or lifejacket, so the engine cut-off switch wasn't activated. "This prevented the brothers from being able to reboard the jet ski, or at least use it to aid their flotation." The coroner said Vincent's chances of survival would have been "considerably higher" had he been wearing a lifejacket and properly using the emergency safety engine cut-off switch on the jet ski. "By bringing this finding to the public's attention, it is hoped that other jet ski users will rediscover the lifesaving value of taking these small safety steps, and also recognise the potentially devastating consequences of neglecting them." Telford also urged people to refer to Maritime New Zealand's website and take note of its advice. Some of the key information he summarised was: This story originally appeared in the New Zealand Herald .

'Dignity, compassion and support' family showed during Khandallah murder trial 'incredible'
'Dignity, compassion and support' family showed during Khandallah murder trial 'incredible'

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

'Dignity, compassion and support' family showed during Khandallah murder trial 'incredible'

The lead investigator in the death of Helen Gregory says family members of the victim, and her murderer, have shown compassion and dignity through the "really terrible nightmare" of a month-long trial. Julia DeLuney was found guilty of her mother's murder at the High Court in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. She cried quietly, but remained stony faced, as the verdict was handed down. Relatives and friends of Gregory and DeLuney cried in the public gallery, with many having given evidence in the trial, or watched from the beginning. Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch told media outside the court it had been a difficult investigation, and a difficult trial. "I would like to specifically acknowledge the family and friends of Helen Gregory, who've had to endure this terrible and tragic journey," he said. "Many of them have been in court every day over the past month, and have sat through the most difficult and confronting evidence" which "must have been almost unbearable at times". "The dignity, compassion and support the family have demonstrated every day of the trail has been incredible, and also quite remarkable." He said he hoped the verdict would provide them with answers and certainty. He also acknowledged the efforts, commitment and professionalism of the officers involved in the investigation over the past 18 months. "These investigations are particularly taxing on our staff." Helen Gregory. Photo: Supplied Gregory's friend Liz Askin sat through the trial, describing her friend as "an intelligent, kind, generous, prayerful woman full of vitality and hope for the future". "She loved her family deeply following their achievements and going to their sporting events and family gatherings," and it was "with great sadness that her life was cut short". Cheryl Thomson was another of Gregory's friends who waited at the court for the verdict. She had been there every day after giving evidence herself. "This is the place we come to for justice in New Zealand and I am pleased we have now got it," she said. "Helen is sadly missed by all of us, holds a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten." She thanked Detective Sergeant Hayley Adams for her work, and that of her team. "Julia won't now need to worry that she doesn't own her own home," she said. "The roof over her head for many years will be provided for her."

Car fire in building on the Terrace treated as suspicious
Car fire in building on the Terrace treated as suspicious

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Car fire in building on the Terrace treated as suspicious

File photo. Photo: Pretoria Gordon / RNZ A car fire involving a vehicle that was parked in a building on the Terrace in central Wellington is being treated as suspicious. Fire and Emergency got the call to the scene about 6pm with four fire crews, including an aerial fire truck, attending. The fire was now extinguished, with one crew still at the scene. A fire investigator has been called in and police have been notified.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store