Latest news with #Auckland-based
Otago Daily Times
a day ago
- Otago Daily Times
Blackmail complaint made to police: Taxi driver left stressed by supposed' prank'
Gurpreet Singh. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON A Dunedin Taxis driver says he was left shivering and in tears after believing he was being "blackmailed" for $10,000 by two fellow drivers. The driver said former Dunedin Taxis director Gurpreet Singh and driver Vishal Vala demanded the payment be made to an Indian bank account in March to alter log books. He claims he was told if he did not make the payment he would be fired. When he complained to Dunedin Taxis chairman Paul Oliver and the police, he was told the incident was just a prank — an explanation which he doubted. The driver, who provided texts and emails to the Otago Daily Times, said he felt forced to withdraw the complaints, but said the ordeal left him scared of Mr Singh, who is still a driver for the company. "I still can't make any sense of this whole incident, that's why was I intimidated," he said in communication supplied to the ODT. "[I felt] threatened, emotionally blackmailed and financially blackmailed. "Tears are rolling down my eyes — I am stressed, I feel betrayed, I am shivering, and I couldn't sleep for the whole night." When approached by the ODT, Mr Singh and Mr Vala stood by their explanation the incident was a prank they regretted. Mr Vala said the prank took place while the pair were drunk. The driver said the incident happened after Mr Singh and Mr Vala befriended him when he first joined Dunedin Taxis, and claims the pair introduced him to their system of getting preference for big-ticket rides. They told him they had an arrangement with a staff member at the Dunedin Taxis call centre to allocate them the more expensive trips that came through the system — which was against the constitution of the company. The driver said he took a few of those rides after believing Mr Singh had set them up for him. On March 14, the driver claims Mr Singh told him that Dunedin Taxis had a record of those rides and they needed to be deleted from the company's system or else he would lose his job. The driver alleges Mr Singh had told him to make a $10,000 deposit into an Auckland-based staff member's Indian account to wipe logbook records. At this point, the driver was scared and refused to take part in the arrangement. The driver complained to Dunedin Taxis chairman Mr Oliver and to the police on the evening of March 14. The following day the driver received an apology from both Mr Singh and Mr Vala. Mr Singh wrote: "I'm really sorry for the prank — I misjudged it and I regret that it didn't come across as harmless fun. Mr Vala wrote: "I never imagined it would affect you that way, especially since we used to be good friends". The driver responded to a separate apology Mr Singh made on WhatsApp by saying he had "lost all respect" for the pair. He highlighted he was "shocked and shivering" after their threats. Mr Singh responded to him by saying "GOOD THOUGHTS FROM CHAT GPT" and "U can f... off". The driver said he ended up in the emergency department at the hospital with high blood pressure The driver said the incident left him feeling unsafe working for Dunedin Taxis, and he was not happy with the response from the company to his complaint. When questioned by the ODT, Mr Singh reiterated the incident was a prank and denied allegations of blackmail and any involvement in a scheme to give drivers preferential treatment for big ticket rides. He said the matter was amicably resolved with the help of two fellow drivers, and the police complaint was withdrawn. Mr Vala also denied the allegations. He said he had been drinking with Mr Singh when they decided to prank call the driver. "We did not know he would take it so seriously." Mr Vala thought the matter had been resolved within the company and said he was told no further action would be taken. Mr Oliver said he told the driver he could not do anything about the complaints against Mr Singh and Mr Vala because the driver had already taken the issue to police. "That was the end of it for me. "Whether there was $10,000 or whatever it was, it's just no longer my problem or concern ... it had nothing to do with taxi operations." He said after the complaint was withdrawn from police he thought the driver and Mr Singh and Mr Vala were friends again, and he did not have to take any further action. He said it was impossible to wipe any logbook records. "Unless they go up to Auckland and break into the place and do a Watergate, that's impossible." He said there were constant complaints some drivers were getting better rides than others, but the system could not be worked improperly.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Building worlds through music
Arli Liberman is an Auckland-based composer who, among other things, scores sporting events. Video \ Jason Dorday
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
EFG's Shaw and Partners to pick 75% stake in New Zealand's ISG
Sydney-based Shaw and Partners Financial Services, a fully owned subsidiary of EFG International, has agreed to acquire a 75% stake in Investment Services Group (ISG) for NZ67.5m ($40.8m). The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. ISG, an Auckland-based investment firm, manages over NZ7bn ($4.2bn) in assets across its wealth management, funds management, and investment platform divisions. ISG operates two main offices in Auckland's CBD and Takapuna, alongside several regional offices across New Zealand's North and South Islands. ISG's diversified model is expected to complement Shaw and Partners' existing offerings. The acquisition represents a significant step in Shaw and Partners' growth strategy, marking its formal entry into the New Zealand market and enhancing its presence across the Trans-Tasman region. Following the acquisition, ISG's business will report to Shaw and Partners' Australian CEO, Earl Evans. 'Shaw and Partners and ISG share a client-first approach, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a clear strategic vision,' the company stated. EFG International, headquartered in Zurich, is a global private banking group providing private banking and asset management services, with operations in over 40 locations worldwide. In February this year, EFG announced the acquisition of Swiss private bank Cité Gestion, which specialises in serving ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) from Switzerland, Western Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. In April this year, EFG (Middle East) Limited in Dubai (EFG Dubai), part of EFG International, appointed Soha Nashaat as its new executive chair. She works with EFG International's senior management to align with the group's strategic goals. "EFG's Shaw and Partners to pick 75% stake in New Zealand's ISG" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Scoop
2 days ago
- Scoop
Sky Tower To Shine A Light On Family Violence
Auckland's Sky Tower will be lit up bright orange on July 1st to help draw attention to the high rates of family violence in New Zealand as part of Shine's annual Light It Orange fundraising appeal. Shine is an Auckland-based specialist family violence provider that delivers a range of services that support people experiencing family violence. It is part of Presbyterian Support Northern's (PSN) group of social services. GM Fundraising & Social Enterprise Lisa Rudolphe says Sky Tower's support will be a big boost for the Light It Orange fundraising appeal, which runs for the month of July. 'The colour orange is used to symbolise hope and Shine provides hope for people experiencing family violence. 'As the Sky Tower can be seen from many parts of Auckland, we are thrilled that on July 1 it will be lit up orange – it will be a beacon of hope for women living with family violence as we call upon the community to help Shine support them and their children,' says Lisa Rudolphe. The theme for this year's Light It Orange campaign is Let's light the way out of family violence and is aimed at highlighting the specialist services that Shine needs support for. These include support for family violence advocates who work with those at risk; KIDshine which supports children traumatised by family violence; emergency short-term accommodation; and programmes to hold people who use violence accountable and support them to change their behaviour. 'This year, we're encouraging the community to join the campaign and be a light in the lives of women and children needing to escape family violence,' says Lisa Rudolphe 'Every year, women and children are killed as a result of family violence. At this moment, women and children are living with abusive family members in our communities – we need support right now to help.' Lisa Rudolphe encourages workplaces, communities, teams and schools to get behind Shine's campaign throughout July. 'Whether your team loves to be social, prefers to support behind the scenes, or you're a mixed bunch, you can turn your collective creativity into real-world impact. Every single dollar counts!' Visit the Light It Orange website to create anindividual or team fundraising page to get started. You'll also find tips and ideas, plus resources to help. About Shine Shine works to make New Zealand homes violence-free. We provide a range of effective, practical, and innovative services to achieve our mission to stop family violence in New Zealand. Key services include: support for family violence advocates who work with those at risk; KIDshine which supports children traumatised by family violence; emergency short-term accommodation; and programmes for people who use family violence to motivate and support them to change their behaviour. We also indirectly help thousands more through our Shine Education & Training professional programmes in workplaces, and our justice and health sector partnerships.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
NZ First list MP quits Parliament
New Zealand First MP Tanya Unkovich. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith New Zealand First List MP Tanya Unkovich has resigned, saying she serves New Zealanders better in the private sector. In a statement, the Auckland-based MP said serving in the public sector had been a great honour, but she believed she could serve better in the private sector, as well as coaching and consultancy. Before becoming an MP, Unkovich was a self-employed international life and business coach. "It has always been my deepest desire to serve mankind, and in my work as a Member of Parliament I have been privileged to be a voice to many in the community who need it the most," Unkovich said. "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the New Zealand First caucus, party members, and in particular the Rt Hon Winston Peters for his strong leadership and commitment towards a greater New Zealand." Economic development consultant David Wilson from Upper Harbour was next on the party's list. Unkovich was a member of select committees for social services, economic development, science and innovation. RNZ requested interviews with both Peters and Unkovich, but a spokesperson for the party said they had "no further comment at this stage".
