Latest news with #Mere
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
A Warning From The Future: The Risk If NZ Gets Climate Adaptation Policy Wrong Today
New Zealand 2050: On the morning of February 27, the sea surged through the dunes south of the small town of Te Taone, riding on the back of Cyclone Harita's swollen rivers and 200mm of overnight rainfall. By mid-morning, floodwaters had engulfed entire streets. Power was out. Roads were underwater. Emergency services responded swiftly, coordinating evacuations and establishing shelters. But for many residents, the realisation came days later: the help they expected after the water receded – support to rebuild, relocate or recover – wasn't coming. 'We lost everything,' says Mere Rākete, a solo mother of three, standing outside her home, now uninhabitable. 'I rang the council, the government helpline, even the insurance company. They all said I'm not covered.' Mere lives in a suburb long identified as 'high risk' under national climate risk maps. She didn't stay there because she ignored the risk. She stayed because she had no viable alternative. 'They say we had a choice. But when houses here were $400,000 and anything safer was $700,000, what choice is that?' No more buyouts Although this story is fictitious, it describes a plausible future based on how New Zealand's draft climate adaptation framework could play out. It reflects the likely consequences of policy decisions that focus narrowly on financial exposure. Last week's recommendations from the Ministry for the Environment's Independent Reference Group rightly called for urgent and improved risk information. But they focused narrowly on direct risk to property and infrastructure. In particular, the group proposed that beyond 2045 the government should not buy out property owners after climate-related disasters (or those at high risk of future events). Responding to the recommendations last week, climate policy analyst Jonathan Boston wrote that ruling out property buyouts 'is philosophically misguided, morally questionable, administratively inept, and politically naïve'. But it appears the government shares the reference group's view. Addressing the current flooding disaster in the Tasman district, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said, 'In principle, the government won't be able to keep bailing out people in this way.' Beyond the specifics of financial compensation, however, lie the cascading and systemic risks that follow a major weather event. In reality, the impacts do not stop at the property boundary. When a family is displaced, or even fears displacement, the consequences ripple outward: schooling is disrupted, jobs are lost, mental health declines, community networks fragment and local economies suffer. Research shows how the after-effects of a disaster domino through interconnected systems, affecting health, housing, labour markets and social cohesion. A policy decades in the making Back to the future: our fictional town of Te Taone sits in a floodplain identified decades ago. By the 2040s, insurance had become unaffordable. New development slowed but many families, especially those on lower incomes, remained, with few relocation options. The adaptation framework proposed in 2025, based on a 'beneficiary pays' model, created a 20-year transition period that ended in 2045. After that, residents in high-risk areas became ineligible for buyouts or standard recovery funding. Future government investment was limited to Crown-owned assets or projects with 'national benefit'. Restoration of local infrastructure such as roads and power lines would depend on whether councils or ratepayers could pay. Today, parts of Te Taone remain cut off. Power is still out in some areas. The school has relocated inland. Local shops have closed. Many homes are damaged, waterlogged, or destroyed, and some families are now living in tents. 'It's not that we weren't warned,' says a local community worker. 'It's just that we couldn't afford to do anything but live with the risk and hope for the best.' Te Taone's experience is now raising deeper concerns that Aotearoa New Zealand's climate adaptation framework may be entrenching a form of ' climate redlining '. Those with the means can move to escape risk, while others are left behind to bear it. Adaptation or abandonment? Māori communities are especially affected. Parts of the floodplain include ancestral land, some communally owned, some leased by whānau who cannot easily relocate. In many cases, this land was only recently returned from the Crown, after years of land court proceedings or Treaty settlements. The prospect of abandoning it again, without coordinated support, echoes earlier waves of institutional neglect. Mere Rākete is now considering joining a class action, one of several reportedly forming across the country. Residents are challenging the government or local councils over a failure in their duty of care by allowing homes to be built, sold or inhabited in known risk zones without clear and enforceable warnings or adequate alternatives. Meanwhile, adaptation experts are calling for a reset: a national compensation framework with clear eligibility rules, long-term investment in affordable housing beyond hazard-prone areas. Above all, they argue, government policy based on a climate adaptation framework developed 25 years ago has not reduced exposure to risk. Instead, it has redistributed it from those who could leave to those who couldn't. In the meantime, the remaining residents of Te Taone wait for the next cyclone and wonder whether, next time, anyone will help. Planning with people in mind Our imagined future scenario can be avoided if governments take a broader view of adaptation. Treating climate risk as an individual responsibility may reduce short-term government liability. But it will not reduce long-term social and fiscal liability. The risk of failing to act systemically is that the country pays in other ways – in fractured communities, rising inequity and preventable harm. Adaptation to climate change has to be about more than limiting the upfront costs of buyouts or infrastructure repairs. Ignoring the wider impacts will only shift the burden and increase it over time. Real economic and community resilience means planning with people in mind, investing early and making sure no one is left behind. That work must begin now. Disclosure statement Tom Logan owns shares in Urban Intelligence. He receives funding from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and the Royal Society of NZ. Paula Blackett works part time for Urban Intelligence. She receives research funding from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment and undertakes consulting work regarding climate risk and adaptation.
The South African
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
'When Mambush claps, you listen' – Ex-Sundowns star recalls
Former Platinum Stars right-back Vuyo Mere has revealed that Mamelodi Sundowns legend Daniel 'Mambush' Mudau was known to slap misbehaving players. In addition to being recognised for his scoring ability, many fans remember Mambush for his infamous slap of Charles Motlohi after the 2001 BP Top 8 final. Last month, Mere shared his experiences from his time at Sundowns, discussing how he often misbehaved alongside his teammates. Speaking on the Prime Sport with Mahlatse podcast, Mere recalled the days he and ex-Sundowns star Lerato Chabangu were slapped by Mambush. 'I was staying with Lerato Chabangu in Midrand, so we got accommodation and it's a three-bedroom flat. Lerato Chabangu is from Tembisa, I'm from Bloemfontein, so no one was going to tell Ace 'sleep my boy' because we are almost the same age,' Mere said. 'What used to happen was that Ace would go to Tembisa. He would call me and ask us to wash our cars in Tembisa. Once we got there, everybody knew us and we would relax and drink six, 12 or 18 beers before going back home around midnight.' Mere said he and Chabangu would party until late, even though they had training the next morning. 'It started becoming a habit and we were often intoxicated at training, but the team was winning and we were getting away with it,' he said. 'Mambush started realising that we were coming to training not in a good state and he called me in, yoh,' Mere added. 'At some point, we got a hiding from Mambush in the dressing room. Yoh, the grootman slapped us. 'You know what he did to Charles Motlohi. It wasn't a mistake, the grootman can clap. He believed in us and he (Mudau wanted to help us before the situation got to the coaches and management,' Mere said. Last year, former Sundowns star Charles Motlohi recalled the days he was slapped by Mambush. 'After the match ended, we had five penalty takers in our team. I spoke to Hluphe(Joas Magolego) and I said, 'man, you know the error I made last season, I'm asking you guys to take your penalty kicks, and I will be the last kicker, let's go'. While I was still speaking to Hluphe and the other player, Manzini walked over to the penalty area and took the penalty while we watched. He missed, Doctor (Cyril Nzama) scored and we lost the match.' Motlohi said after Chiefs scored the winning penalty, Mudau and other Sundowns players came running to him. 'After the loss, I was the first one to leave the field but as I was walking down the tunnel, Mambush and the others came running to me. They were shouting and asking 'why are you guys cowards, why did you leave him to take the penalty?'. Because we lost, I didn't have the time or energy to explain why I opted not to take a penalty,' he said. 'I gave them my reasons based on the game against Celtic where I was accused of match fixing. Unfortunately, they didn't listen to me. That's when me and the brother had our exchange on the ground and dressing room.' In recent years, there have been fewer stories of Sundowns players misbehaving, indicating that Mambush may have effectively dealt with those issues. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mere reveals dressing room slap from Mambush Mudau
Former Mamelodi Sundowns right-back Vuyo Mere has revealed how he was slapped by Daniel 'Mambush' Mudau during his playing days. Mere (41) retired from professional football last year after 22 years. He played for teams like Sundowns, Platinum Stars and Moroka Swallows. During the Prime Sport with Mahlatse podcast, the former Sundowns star shared stories about his early days with the team, revealing how he and Lerato Chabangu often drank until midnight in Tembisa. 'I was staying with Lerato Chabangu in Midrand, so we got accommodation and it's a three-bedroom flat. Lerato Chabangu is from Tembisa, I'm from Bloemfontein, so no one was going to tell Ace 'sleep my boy' because we are almost the same age,' Mere said. 'What used to happen was that Ace would go to Tembisa. He would call me and ask us to wash our cars in Tembisa. Once we got there, everybody knew us and we would relax and drink six, 12 or 18 beers before going back home around midnight.' Mere said he and Chabangu would party until late, even though they had training the next morning. 'It started becoming a habit and we were often intoxicated at training, but the team was winning and we were getting away with it,' he said. 'Mambush (Mudau) started realising that we were coming to training not in a good state and he called me in, yoh,' Mere added. 'At some point, we got a hiding from Mambush in the dressing room. Yoh, the grootman slapped us. 'You know what he did to Charles Motlohi. It wasn't a mistake, the grootman can clap. He believed in us and he (Mudau wanted to help us before the situation got to the coaches and management,' Mere said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
Man charged after motorcyclist dies, second hurt in A303 crash
A man has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a motorcyclist died a crash. Emergency services were called to the collision involving a Citroen C5 and three motorbikes on the A303 Charnage, near Mere, at about 10:30 BST on motorcyclist, a man in his 60s, was declared dead at the scene, while a second was injured. The third motorcyclist was not hurt. Nicholas Blackbeard, 66, from Cok Ngurah, Gambir, Bali, Indonesia, appeared at Salisbury Crown Court on Tuesday where he was also charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving. He will next appear at Salisbury Crown Court on 30 July for a plea hearing. Witnesses to the collision, or anyone who may have dashcam footage, have been urged to contact Wiltshire Police.
Hindustan Times
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘Absolutely beautiful': Kyrgyzstan couple's Delhi vlog challenges stereotypes, wins internet
Social media is flooded with videos portraying India as chaotic, overcrowded, and overwhelming, especially its cities. While this perspective draws attention and clicks, it rarely captures the complete picture. But now, a Kyrgyz couple travelling across India is changing that narrative with their recent video on Delhi, where they spent a week exploring the capital's quieter, more vibrant side. 'We just spent a week in Delhi and we are happy to report we loved it,' Collin said at the beginning of their video. 'We were warned so much before we came to Delhi about how crazy it is, and you get here, it's so green. I haven't sat in traffic once. Everywhere we've been has not been crowded. Absolutely beautiful,' Mere continued, adding, 'I just feel everyone puts more insane things on the internet than it actually is. This is super nice.' Also read: 'Bana liya content? Mil gye views?': Woman slammed for reel on 'empty' Air India flight day after Ahmedabad crash In the caption accompanying the video, the couple wrote, 'Welcome to the non-viral side of Delhi. With 22 million people and a heavy reputation, we thought we'd try and limit our time in the capital. Joke's on us. We loved it. (Although it was HOT when the heatwave came).' They praised the city for its architectural charm, diverse neighbourhoods, and its layered history. 'Like all metropolitan cuties, Delhi is, of good and bad areas, and has stunning streets, architecture, and culture. Not to mention a visible history that rivals just about anywhere in the world. The city has a heartbeat, and we are so lucky to have felt it,' they added. Though they didn't recommend Delhi as the ideal first stop for someone unfamiliar with India, they believe it deserves a fair chance. 'You might love this misunderstood city as much as we do,' they noted. Many took to the comment section and appreciated the couple's honest and heartwarming portrayal of Delhi. A user wrote, 'Hate sells . Delhi has got best public infra & public transport in India apart from monument & heritage. Pls don't make perception based on internet' Also read: 'Sone de bhai, garmi ho rahi hai': Elderly man sleeping in Delhi Metro triggers wave of empathy One user added, 'Thank you for showing the beautiful side of Delhi! Loved the positivity and the vibe you captured.' Another commented, 'Thenk you so much for showing the e heart of Delhi!! Delhi is an amalgamation of cultures blending beautifully.' Another added, 'Many vloggers avoid showing the positive aspects of India because those don't attract views. Thank you for going against that trend.' One user noted, 'There are still a lot of problems with Delhi but which city doesn't have problems? But the internet has painted a stereotypical picture of Delhi. This stereotype died long back from Delhi and it's not what it was 20 years ago.'
