Latest news with #MarkPatterson
Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Support grows for return of Southerner
Southern MPs Scott Willis (Green Party), Mark Patterson (NZ First) and Rachel Brooking (Labour) celebrate after a petition to restore the Southerner train service was accepted. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Restoring the long-retired Southerner train service from Invercargill to Christchurch has moved a step closer to becoming a reality. Yesterday, supporters gathered at the Dunedin Railway Station to watch as New Zealand First MP and Regional Development Associate Minister Mark Patterson accepted a petition to restore the Southerner service as a regular public transport service from Invercargill to Christchurch. More than 12,000 people from Invercargill to Christchurch have signed the petition. Dunedin resident and former Hamilton city councillor Dave MacPherson said passenger rail was an issue that transcended political boundaries. "It doesn't matter whether you're progressive or conservative or Green or New Zealand First — there's definitely a place for tourist trains, but there's a lot of locals that also want to use this kind of service. The group, Save Our Trains, was asked by MPs to drum up a petition within about a month. "That was their challenge to us — they said, 'Look, we'll try and help you, but if you give us some sort of proof of the level of support you've got, that makes it easier for us'." That was at the end of May, he said. While the group was originally Dunedin-based, it now had support from Invercargill to Christchurch, and in many of the population centres along the proposed route. "We've got one woman from Oamaru who collected about 1500 signatures ... she did an amazing job. "It's a genuine regional thing, not just for Dunedin." They would like to see prices on the restored Southerner similar to routes in the North Island, about $60 to $70. Mr MacPherson, who was involved in getting the Te Huia line from Auckland to Hamilton running, said he had never had such an easy time collecting signatures. "There's a transport and infrastructure select committee they're planning to put [the petition] in front of, and hopefully that sparks a discussion. "It's not going to happen overnight, but the fact that there is government-supported long-distance passenger trains already under way up in the North Island, but nothing in the South Island, is a powerful reason for this getting done."
NZ Herald
03-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Government invests $56.4m in Canterbury water storage, irrigation for farmers
A $56.4 million Government investment in water storage and irrigation will be 'a gamechanger' for Canterbury farmers, the Associate Regional Development Minister says. Minister Mark Patterson said three Canterbury water storage and irrigation projects will receive loans from the Government's Regional Infrastructure Fund. Patterson made the announcement at the Taggart
RNZ News
01-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Wānaka residents grill government ministers over healthcare shortfalls
About 300 people squeezed into the Lake Wānaka Centre . Photo: Katie Todd Wānaka residents have pressed government ministers and health chiefs for answers on why they are paying for blood tests, travelling to Dunedin for basic scans and waiting months for children to see psychiatrists, at a packed public meeting in the Otago town. About 300 people squeezed into the Lake Wānaka Centre for the third stop on a rural health roadshow with Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey, Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson and representatives from Health NZ. Local residents and health providers waited with raised hands for a turn on the microphone - demanding commitment to the needs of their communities, and "actual, physical, on the frontline, where-the-people-are funding." Residents had been encouraged to speak up by advocacy group Health Action Wānaka, which has been calling for urgent improvements to health services in the Upper Clutha. Earlier this year, it released a report that showed significant service shortfalls, systemic barriers and inequity in accessing healthcare. Spokesperson Monique Mayze said it was time for officials to enact meaningful, positive change. "The ministers need to hear from people how the decisions the make are affecting lives. We've heard so many stories from people in our community over the past 12 months about the terrible inequity they've faced, the challenges they've had when trying to access health services and having to travel vast distances to access healthcare that should be available locally," she said. "The time has come for action. We've had enough words now." Matt Doocey pledged that Health NZ would carry out an assessment of the Upper Clutha and Queenstown Lakes health inequities and create a plan to address them by the end of the year. Matt Doocey speaks at the roadshow. Photo: Katie Todd "Just going and saying 'we want to put a lot of money into this' and spraying it around, will not work. We want to have very clear plans that show we understand what the problems are in your community, and then you will know what we've listened to," he said. Ahead of the public session, Health Action Wānaka also had a private meeting with the officials, and handed a three part-wishlist to Health Minister Simeon Brown in Auckland. They were seeking commitment to three "quick wins" - publicly funded blood collection service in Wānaka within two years, psychiatric consultations via telehealth within one year and better local access to publicly funded radiology. Group spokesperson Trish Fraser said ministers appeared receptive to their ideas, which she described as a positive outcome. "We have done a lot of work with our research, our report. And [health officials] are taking seriously our work, which is great. But we want to see things really time for action." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Ottawa Citizen
30-06-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Sexual assault charges withdrawn against Ottawa police superintendent
Article content Criminal charges were withdrawn last week against Ottawa police Supt. Mark Patterson three years after he was suspended from the force amid allegations of sexual assault and breach of trust. Article content Assistant Crown attorney Vlatko Karadzic and Patterson's defence lawyer Mark Ertel confirmed all charges were dropped during an appearance in Ottawa's Superior Court on June 24. Article content Article content Article content Karadzic said the charges were dropped after the complainant at the centre of the police investigation expressed that she no longer wanted to participate in the criminal justice proceedings. Article content Article content Patterson, 56, was suspended with pay on June 15, 2022 during an Ontario Provincial Police investigation into the allegations, and was formally charged with two counts of sexual assault and one count of breach of trust on Dec. 8, 2022. Article content According to his court file, one of the sexual assault offences was alleged to have occurred between June and August 2019, while the other was alleged to have occurred between Dec. 2018 and May 2022. The charges related to the same female complainant, whose identity is shielded by a publication ban customary in cases involving allegations of sexual assault. Article content At the time the charges were announced, Chief Eric Stubbs said in a news release that the Ottawa Police Service 'takes all allegations of sexual assault and harassment very seriously. We have no tolerance of either. It is damaging and debilitating to all those impacted. The allegations and charges in this case are very serious and it is important that we respect the judicial process and for all the facts to be heard.' Article content Article content The statement also said the OPS 'remains committed to creating a workplace where all members feel safe, respected and supported' through its Joint Strategy on Workplace Sexual Violence and Harassment Project. Article content Article content Patterson remains suspended with pay during a disciplinary investigation under the Police Services Act, which is also being led by the OPP. Article content 'We are aware of the court's decision and are currently reviewing the matter,' Ottawa police said in a statement. Article content The professional standards investigation 'is still outstanding and… that process will now continue. Further updates will be provided when available,' police stated. Article content
CTV News
30-06-2025
- CTV News
Charges withdrawn against Ottawa police superintendent
Sex assault charges against a veteran Ottawa police superintendent have been withdrawn by the Crown. Ontario Provincial Police charged Supt. Mark Patterson in December 2022 with sexual assault, sexual assault committed in a position of trust, power or authority, and breach of trust. The charges stemmed from alleged incidents involving one complainant between December 2018 and May 2022, police said. Last week, the Crown requested the charges be withdrawn. 'Superintendent Patterson has maintained his innocence since the day he was charged and is relieved that the criminal charges have been withdrawn,' Mark Ertel, Patterson's defence lawyer, said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'This was a very difficult time for his family. He hopes that there will no longer be a need for any Police Act charges and he can resume his duties at the Ottawa Police where he has spent so much of his life serving the citizens of Ottawa.' The Ottawa Police Service said Patterson was suspended from duty in June 2022 after the service became aware of the allegations. An Ottawa police spokesperson said Monday that Patterson remains suspended from duty. 'We are aware of the court's decision and are currently reviewing the matter,' police said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. 'The Police Services Act investigation into this matter is still outstanding and is being led by the Ontario Provincial Police. That process will now continue. Further updates will be provided when available.' With files from CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin
