Latest news with #NZ-based
Scoop
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fiji Coach Doubles Down On Claim NZ Rugby Contracts Restrict Players From Representing Pacific Nations
Flying Fijians head coach Mick Byrne has told RNZ Pacific that New Zealand-based players of Pacific Island heritage have signed letters of agreement attached to their contracts, which bar them from playing for teams other than the All Blacks. In an exclusive interview with RNZ Pacific, Byrne said that while New Zealand Rugby has publicly stated that players contracted to NZ-based Super Rugby clubs are free to choose which national team they want to represent, he has been told otherwise. This follows comments he made in June, stating that some players of Fijian heritage playing Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand have been unable to play for Fiji because their contracts ban them from doing so. Byrne claims he has spoken to some player agents who confirmed that there is an agreement players sign, and these are attached to their contracts. "I know New Zealand Rugby came out and said they're not contracted; well to the letter of the law, they're probably not, but they have a letter attached to their contract that they signed that they can't play," Byrne said. "At the moment, I'm trying to chase down a couple of players. Since we spoke, a couple of the players have been taken into wider training squads, but there's still a couple of players there that I'd like to talk to, but we still need to get their approval. "I know New Zealand Rugby said I was wrong, but I've done some investigations and spoken with agents, and they've told me that the players actually signed a letter attached to their contract, and there's a little bit more to it. "I'd actually like to get some more details. I'm investigating and trying to find out exactly where we're at." However, he said there is light at the end of the tunnel, as there is a process that can be followed to get players released from their current arrangements while still honouring their player contracts. "But my understanding is I can't just say if a player wants to play for Fiji. I can't just sign him and get him to play. "I have to go through a process to get him cleared to be released from current letter of arrangement that New Zealand Rugby have with these players." Last month, a New Zealand Rugby spokesperson told RNZ Pacific that, while the they could not comment on individual players, the union was clear on what it can do, including offering contracts to up to three players who may not opt to play for New Zealand. Responding to Byrne's claims on Monday, New Zealand Rugby maintained that players have the freedom to choose which national union pathway they wish to pursue and that is declared at the time they sign their contracts. "NZR's five Super Rugby Pacific clubs have the ability to contract up to three 'non-NZ eligible players' who have already played internationally (including for Pacific Island nations Samoa, Tonga or Fiji) or who have declared their intent to play internationally for a non-NZ national team at international level and therefore not make themselves eligible for NZ national teams. "All other players contracted to NZR's five Super Rugby clubs have declared their availability and intention to represent NZ national teams over the duration of their contract." Byrne is interested to discuss options with Blues' Hoskins Sotutu, Crusaders' George Bower and Highlanders pair Jona Nareki and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens. Former All Black Sotutu will be eligible to play for Fiji this year and is also eligible for England through his mother. Bower, who was also going to be eligible to play for Fiji this year, has since been recalled into the All Blacks by head coach Scot Robertson, and is named on the bench for Saturday's third Test against France in Hamilton. Both Nareki and Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens are currently contracted to the Highlanders and have both indicated their willingness to play for Fiji. Byrne said he will continue to pursue the issue and hopes to have some positive news soon. With the 2027 Rugby World Cup in 24 months, the Fiji head coach is hopeful he will be able to use some of the New Zealand-based players during the 2026 build-up campaign.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Gisborne Council Awarded $51k From Forestry Company In Environment Court Decision
Article – Zita Campbell – Local Democracy Reporter Environmentalists call for stronger regulations to prevent similar issues. Gisborne District Council has recovered half of just over $100,000 spent on what its legal representative described as 'avoidable' legal costs in an Environment Court decision against a Chinese-owned forestry company. The case followed several recent enforcement actions taken by the council across several forests, including Kanuka, West Ho, Te Marunga, and Wakaroa, which the council says have resulted in forestry operators reducing risks and improving compliance. Environmentalists said they were pleased with the legal outcome but believe these issues should be addressed through stronger regulations. The council spent $101,175 on legal and expert witness costs associated with a four-day hearing in July last year. The hearing concerned enforcement orders related to woody debris and sediment migrating from commercial forestry activity in the Kanuka Forest in the Upper Waimata River catchment. According to the court decision, the council argued that the conduct of the forestry groups, China Forestry Group (CFG), and management company Wood Marketing Services (WMS), 'unnecessarily lengthened' the hearings process through conduct before and during the hearings, which included the NZ-based director of China Forestry Group NZ, Mr Yuxia Sun, resigning 10 days before the hearing. The council submitted that the respondents provided 'arguments without substance and technical or unmeritorious points which failed', which caused the council to incur more 'avoidable legal costs' drafting submissions in response. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, council's resource management compliance manager, Gary McKenzie, said the council had a responsibility to uphold environmental standards and protect public welfare as a regulatory authority. 'While some costs can be recovered through the courts, full cost recovery is not always possible. Like other regulatory agencies, we rely on public funding to fulfil these statutory obligations,' McKenzie said. He confirmed the costs awarded by the court had been paid to the council by the respondents. 'The council will continue to monitor forestry activity across the region and, where necessary, pursue legal action where environmental risks are not adequately managed.' During a council meeting last year, council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said about forestry prosecutions that for every $1 million spent on legal and investigation fees, 'you may get $250,000 back'. The environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT), served as a third respondent to the case, with Alanya Limmer, a King's Counsel from Uawa, working pro bono. Spokesman Manu Caddie said it was a poor way to manage environmental issues and not fair to ratepayers, as it took council resources, including staff time away from other priorities. 'A small community group like ours could never afford to go up against these multinational companies like China Forestry Group if it wasn't for Alanya's generosity,' Caddie said. He said it was the fifth enforcement order application against forestry companies, four of which have been successful and one of which was awaiting an outcome. 'This is an incredibly costly and ineffective way of trying to reduce risk in catchments across Tairāwhiti and should instead be dealt with through stronger regulations.' The lawyers of China Forestry Group and Wood Marketing Services said the organisations did not wish to comment. The court decision, made on April 28, enforced China Forestry Group NZ, its NZ director at the time, Mr Yuxia Sun (who has since resigned), and management company Wood Marketing Services to pay the council $51,000 and MTT $8500. The council sought various enforcement order applications on September 8, 2023, which were granted nearly a year later on August 9, 2024 However, 'the issue of costs was reserved', with the court granting leave for the council and MTT to apply for costs. The council sought half of its expenses incurred in its application, which the court rounded up to $51,000. The $51,000 will be split, $38,250 for China Forestry Group NZ and Sun, and $12,750 for Wood Marketing Services. MTT's $8500 will be split, $6000 for China Forestry Group and Sun and $2500 for Wood Marketing Services. The court found that the respondents contributed to the length of the case management process and the hearing, with 'WMS's contribution to the length of the process less than CFG in terms of the way it conducted itself at the hearing. Further, it complied with Court directions'.
Scoop
28-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Gisborne Council Awarded $51k From Forestry Company In Environment Court Decision
Wednesday, 28 May 2025, 7:50 pm Article: Zita Campbell - Local Democracy Reporter Gisborne District Council has recovered half of just over $100,000 spent on what its legal representative described as 'avoidable' legal costs in an Environment Court decision against a Chinese-owned forestry company. The case followed several recent enforcement actions taken by the council across several forests, including Kanuka, West Ho, Te Marunga, and Wakaroa, which the council says have resulted in forestry operators reducing risks and improving compliance. Environmentalists said they were pleased with the legal outcome but believe these issues should be addressed through stronger regulations. The council spent $101,175 on legal and expert witness costs associated with a four-day hearing in July last year. The hearing concerned enforcement orders related to woody debris and sediment migrating from commercial forestry activity in the Kanuka Forest in the Upper Waimata River catchment. According to the court decision, the council argued that the conduct of the forestry groups, China Forestry Group (CFG), and management company Wood Marketing Services (WMS), 'unnecessarily lengthened' the hearings process through conduct before and during the hearings, which included the NZ-based director of China Forestry Group NZ, Mr Yuxia Sun, resigning 10 days before the hearing. The council submitted that the respondents provided 'arguments without substance and technical or unmeritorious points which failed', which caused the council to incur more 'avoidable legal costs' drafting submissions in response. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, council's resource management compliance manager, Gary McKenzie, said the council had a responsibility to uphold environmental standards and protect public welfare as a regulatory authority. 'While some costs can be recovered through the courts, full cost recovery is not always possible. Like other regulatory agencies, we rely on public funding to fulfil these statutory obligations,' McKenzie said. He confirmed the costs awarded by the court had been paid to the council by the respondents. 'The council will continue to monitor forestry activity across the region and, where necessary, pursue legal action where environmental risks are not adequately managed.' During a council meeting last year, council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said about forestry prosecutions that for every $1 million spent on legal and investigation fees, 'you may get $250,000 back'. The environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT), served as a third respondent to the case, with Alanya Limmer, a King's Counsel from Uawa, working pro bono. Spokesman Manu Caddie said it was a poor way to manage environmental issues and not fair to ratepayers, as it took council resources, including staff time away from other priorities. 'A small community group like ours could never afford to go up against these multinational companies like China Forestry Group if it wasn't for Alanya's generosity,' Caddie said. He said it was the fifth enforcement order application against forestry companies, four of which have been successful and one of which was awaiting an outcome. 'This is an incredibly costly and ineffective way of trying to reduce risk in catchments across Tairāwhiti and should instead be dealt with through stronger regulations.' The lawyers of China Forestry Group and Wood Marketing Services said the organisations did not wish to comment. The court decision, made on April 28, enforced China Forestry Group NZ, its NZ director at the time, Mr Yuxia Sun (who has since resigned), and management company Wood Marketing Services to pay the council $51,000 and MTT $8500. The council sought various enforcement order applications on September 8, 2023, which were granted nearly a year later on August 9, 2024 However, 'the issue of costs was reserved', with the court granting leave for the council and MTT to apply for costs. The council sought half of its expenses incurred in its application, which the court rounded up to $51,000. The $51,000 will be split, $38,250 for China Forestry Group NZ and Sun, and $12,750 for Wood Marketing Services. MTT's $8500 will be split, $6000 for China Forestry Group and Sun and $2500 for Wood Marketing Services. The court found that the respondents contributed to the length of the case management process and the hearing, with 'WMS's contribution to the length of the process less than CFG in terms of the way it conducted itself at the hearing. Further, it complied with Court directions'. © Scoop Media
1News
27-05-2025
- Business
- 1News
Council awarded $51k from forestry company in court decision
Gisborne District Council has recovered half of just over $100,000 spent on what its legal representative described as "avoidable" legal costs in an Environment Court decision against a Chinese-owned forestry company. The case followed several recent enforcement actions taken by the council across several forests, including Kanuka, West Ho, Te Marunga, and Wakaroa, which the council says have resulted in forestry operators reducing risks and improving compliance. Environmentalists said they were pleased with the legal outcome but believe these issues should be addressed through stronger regulations. The council spent $101,175 on legal and expert witness costs associated with a four-day hearing in July last year. The hearing concerned enforcement orders related to woody debris and sediment migrating from commercial forestry activity in the Kanuka Forest in the Upper Waimata River catchment. ADVERTISEMENT According to the court decision, the council argued that the forestry groups, China Forestry Group (CFG), and management company Wood Marketing Services (WMS), "unnecessarily lengthened" the hearings process through conduct before and during the hearings. This included the NZ-based director of China Forestry Group NZ, Yuxia Sun, resigning 10 days before the hearing. The council submitted that the respondents provided "arguments without substance and technical or unmeritorious points which failed", which caused the council to incur more "avoidable legal costs" drafting submissions in response. Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting, council's resource management compliance manager, Gary McKenzie, said the council had a responsibility to uphold environmental standards and protect public welfare as a regulatory authority. "While some costs can be recovered through the courts, full cost recovery is not always possible. Like other regulatory agencies, we rely on public funding to fulfil these statutory obligations," McKenzie said. He confirmed the costs awarded by the court had been paid to the council by the respondents. "The council will continue to monitor forestry activity across the region and, where necessary, pursue legal action where environmental risks are not adequately managed." ADVERTISEMENT Call for stronger regulations During a council meeting last year, council chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann said about forestry prosecutions that for every $1 million spent on legal and investigation fees, "you may get $250,000 back". The environmental group, Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti (MTT), served as a third respondent to the case, with Alanya Limmer, a King's Counsel from Uawa, working pro bono. Spokesman Manu Caddie said it was a poor way to manage environmental issues and not fair to ratepayers, as it took council resources, including staff time away from other priorities. "A small community group like ours could never afford to go up against these multinational companies like China Forestry Group if it wasn't for Alanya's generosity," Caddie said. He said it was the fifth enforcement order application against forestry companies, four of which have been successful and one of which was awaiting an outcome. "This is an incredibly costly and ineffective way of trying to reduce risk in catchments across Tairāwhiti and should instead be dealt with through stronger regulations." ADVERTISEMENT The lawyers of China Forestry Group and Wood Marketing Services said the organisations did not wish to comment. The court decision, made on April 28, enforced China Forestry Group NZ, its NZ director at the time, Yuxia Sun (who has since resigned), and management company Wood Marketing Services to pay the council $51,000 and MTT $8500. The council sought various enforcement order applications on September 8, 2023, which were granted nearly a year later on August 9, 2024. However, "the issue of costs was reserved," with the court granting leave for the council and MTT to apply for costs. The council sought half of its expenses incurred in its application, which the court rounded up to $51,000. The $51,000 will be split, $38,250 for China Forestry Group NZ and Sun, and $12,750 for Wood Marketing Services. MTT's $8500 will be split, $6000 for China Forestry Group and Sun and $2500 for Wood Marketing Services. The court found that the respondents contributed to the length of the case management process and the hearing, with "WMS's contribution to the length of the process less than CFG in terms of the way it conducted itself at the hearing. Further, it complied with Court directions". ADVERTISEMENT LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Shares in online electronics retailer Kogan sink after Mighty Ape tech issues drag earnings
Listed electronics retailer Kogan has warned its New Zealand online business Mighty Ape won't return to profitable trading performance until next financial year as it faces website upgrade headaches. In a trading update on Tuesday, Kogan said Mighty Ape — which sells electronic games, board games, toys, homes and collectables — continued to be impacted by technical challenges following the website platform upgrade announced in February. This affected sales performance and inventory levels, contributing to a 63.7 per cent decline in adjusted earnings to $2.5 million in the four months to the end of April. Kogan shares fell 8.4 per cent to $4.14 in early trade following the update. Shares are off 32.5 per cent for the year so far. But the company said 'early signs of recovery are evident, with gross sales showing positive momentum driven by the Mighty Ape marketplace scaling rapidly since launch'. 'Over the coming months Mighty Ape will continue to right-size inventory levels,' Kogan said. Group revenue decline 0.7 per cent over the four-month period, with the 8.4 per cent growth in Kogan offset by a decline at Mighty Ape. The Ruslan Kogan-led Kogan said group active customers grew 27.3 per cent to 3.4 million as at April 30. Kogan active customers grew 38 per cent to 27 million, while it declined 1.8 per cent to 695,000 at Mighty Ape. Kogan acquired NZ-based Mighty Ape in December 2020 for just over $120m in the hopes of accelerating the group's growth across the Tasman.
