Latest news with #Parrett


Scoop
5 days ago
- Business
- Scoop
Cafe Owner Protests Punakaiki Parking Charges
A Punakaiki café owner is urging the Conservation Department to rethink its plan to charge for parking at the famous Pancake Rocks on the West Coast. Grant Parrett told a meeting of the West Coast Tai o Poutini Conservation Board this week (subs: Tuesday 22/7) that parking charges create de facto entry fee to (Paparoa) National Park, which was unlawful. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has asked for a trial of paid parking to boost revenue. DOC is aiming to launch a pilot programme in October at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki Mt Cook. Project manager John Dore told the Board that DOC had serious budget pressures including a 30 percent shortfall in funding for its visitor network and a huge deficit in the amount available for biodiversity. 'For protection of all endangered species we have a budget of $300 million - but a need of $2.3 billion," Mr Dore said. Climate events in the last few years had added $90 million in costs, he added. Paid parking was a tool used internationally in nature parks and would help manage overcrowding at busy sites, he told the Board. But Mr Parrett said the move would turn public conservation land into a Wilsons-style parking lot, and urged the Board to oppose it. 'However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee; it contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DOC's social license to operate.' There were no free parks at Punakaiki because they had been removed to make room for the new Visitor Centre development and people would have no option but to pay to walk around the Pancake Rocks, Mr Parrett said. Unlike Franz Josef or Aoraki Mt Cook, Punakaiki was not a tourist destination but a stop-off attraction for people driving the scenic Coast Road, and for most of the year there was no congestion or capacity problem in the carpark, he said. 'Parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee or to stretch their legs, and we don't want this,' he said. While DOC owned the land, taxpayers had funded the $45 million Dolomite Point Visitor Centre development and the building was gifted by the last Government to manawhenua, NgatiWaewae, who now leased office space back to DOC. The public has paid for this development and costs should be kept low, he said. "I am surprised that the iwi has supported the paid parking trial … unless they stand to benefit from it," Mr Parrett said. If people had to pay for parking they might be less likely to pay for Ngati Waewae's interactive visitor experience inside, he suggested. Ngati Waewae's representative on the Conservation Board, Francois Tumahai, objected. 'I disagree with everything you've said. The cost of the building was not $45 million and we're not getting a cent from the project. In the early days we suggested we might provide (parking) wardens … that's it.' Mr Parrett suggested it would be good if the iwi put out a statement to that effect in the interests of transparency. The iwi leader responded: 'You're the one causing all the grief - you put it out." Board chair Dr Mike Legge closed off the discussion and thanked Mr Parrett for his contribution to the public forum. The Dolomite Point Visitor Centre, funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, was budgeted to cost $26 million but the project – including the new carparks – received a funding boost of $15 million in 2023 and cost a total of $40.9 million. The paid parking trial, including charging technology and upgrades to carparks at the three sites, is being funded by $3.8 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. DOC plans to release its pricing strategy early next month and hold public drop-in sessions at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki in mid August. Submissions close on August 26 for Punakaiki, and September 30 for Aoraki. *The National Parks Act 1980 gives the public freedom of entry and access to the parks "so that they may receive in full measure the inspiration, enjoyment, recreation and other benefits that may be derived from mountains, forest, sounds, seacoasts, lakes, rivers and other natural features.'


NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- NZ Herald
Cafe owner protests Punakaiki parking charges
DoC is aiming to launch a pilot programme in October at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki Mt Cook. Project manager John Dore told the Board that DoC had serious budget pressures including a 30% shortfall in funding for its visitor network and a huge deficit in the amount available for biodiversity. 'For protection of all endangered species we have a budget of $300 million but a need of $2.3 billion,' Dore said. Climate events in the last few years had added $90m in costs, he added. Paid parking was a tool used internationally in nature parks and would help manage overcrowding at busy sites, he told the board. But Parrett said the move would turn public conservation land into a Wilsons-style parking lot, and urged the board to oppose it. 'However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee. It contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DoC's social licence to operate.' A business owner says parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee. Photo / LDR There were no free parks at Punakaiki because they had been removed to make room for the new Visitor Centre development and people would have no option but to pay to walk around the Pancake Rocks, Parrett said. Unlike Franz Josef or Aoraki Mt Cook, Punakaiki was not a tourist destination but a stop-off attraction for people driving the scenic coast road, and, for most of the year, there was no congestion or capacity problem in the carpark, he said. 'Parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee or to stretch their legs, and we don't want this,' he said. While DoC owned the land, taxpayers had funded the $45 million Dolomite Point Visitor Centre development and the building was gifted by the last Government to manawhenua, NgatiWaewae, who now leased office space back to DoC. The public had paid for this development and costs should be kept low, he said. 'I am surprised that the iwi has supported the paid parking trial … unless they stand to benefit from it,' Parrett said. If people had to pay for parking they might be less likely to pay for Ngati Waewae's interactive visitor experience inside, he suggested. Ngati Waewae's representative on the Conservation Board, Francois Tumahai, objected. 'I disagree with everything you've said. The cost of the building was not $45 million and we're not getting a cent from the project. In the early days we suggested we might provide [parking] wardens … that's it.' Parrett suggested it would be good if the iwi put out a statement to that effect in the interests of transparency. The iwi leader responded: 'You're the one causing all the grief - you put it out.' Board chairperson Dr Mike Legge closed off the discussion and thanked Parrett for his contribution to the public forum. The Dolomite Point Visitor Centre, funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, was budgeted to cost $26 million but the project - including the new carparks - received a funding boost of $15m in 2023 and cost a total of $40.9m. The paid parking trial, including charging technology and upgrades to carparks at the three sites, is being funded by $3.8m from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. DoC plans to release its pricing strategy early next month and hold public drop-in sessions at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki in mid-August. Submissions close on August 26 for Punakaiki and September 30 for Aoraki. - RNZ


Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Cafe owner protests Punakaiki parking charges
A Punakaiki cafe owner is urging the Department of Conservation to rethink its plan to charge for parking at the famous Pancake Rocks on the West Coast. Grant Parrett told a meeting of the West Coast Tai o Poutini Conservation Board on Tuesday that parking charges created a de facto entry fee to (Paparoa) National Park, which was unlawful. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has asked for a trial of paid parking to boost revenue. Doc is aiming to launch a pilot programme in October at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and White Horse Hill at Aoraki Mt Cook in Canterbury. Project manager John Dore told the board that Doc had serious budget pressures, including a 30% shortfall in funding for its visitor network and a huge deficit in the amount available for biodiversity. 'For protection of all endangered species we have a budget of $300 million - but a need of $2.3 billion," Mr Dore said. Climate events in the last few years had added $90 million in costs, he added. Paid parking was a tool used internationally in nature parks and would help manage overcrowding at busy sites, he told the board. But Mr Parrett said the move would turn public conservation land into a Wilsons-style parking lot and urged the board to oppose it. 'However you label it, it's a National Park entry fee; it contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DOC's social license to operate.' There were no free parks at Punakaiki because they had been removed to make room for the new Visitor Centre development and people would have no option but to pay to walk around the Pancake Rocks, Mr Parrett said. Unlike Franz Josef or Aoraki Mt Cook, Punakaiki was not a tourist destination but a stop-off attraction for people driving the scenic Coast Road, and for most of the year there was no congestion or capacity problem in the carpark, he said. 'Parking fees will disadvantage local people who call in for a coffee or to stretch their legs, and we don't want this,' he said. While Doc owned the land, taxpayers had funded the $45 million Dolomite Point Visitor Centre development and the building was gifted by the last government to manawhenua, NgatiWaewae, who now leased office space back to the department. The public has paid for this development and costs should be kept low, he said. "I am surprised that the iwi has supported the paid parking trial … unless they stand to benefit from it," Mr Parrett said. If people had to pay for parking they might be less likely to pay for Ngati Waewae's interactive visitor experience inside, he suggested. Ngati Waewae's representative on the Conservation Board, Francois Tumahai, objected. 'I disagree with everything you've said. The cost of the building was not $45 million and we're not getting a cent from the project. In the early days we suggested we might provide (parking) wardens … that's it.' Mr Parrett suggested it would be good if the iwi put out a statement to that effect in the interests of transparency. The iwi leader responded: 'You're the one causing all the grief - you put it out." Board chair Dr Mike Legge closed off the discussion and thanked Mr Parrett for his contribution to the public forum. The Dolomite Point Visitor Centre, funded by the Provincial Growth Fund, was budgeted to cost $26 million but the project - including the new carparks - received a funding boost of $15 million in 2023 and cost a total of $40.9 million. The paid parking trial, including charging technology and upgrades to carparks at the three sites, is being funded by $3.8 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Doc plans to release its pricing strategy early next month and hold public drop-in sessions at Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki in mid-August. Submissions close on August 26 for Punakaiki, and September 30 for Aoraki. • The National Parks Act 1980 gives the public freedom of entry and access to the parks "so that they may receive in full measure the inspiration, enjoyment, recreation and other benefits that may be derived from mountains, forest, sounds, seacoasts, lakes, rivers and other natural features.' By Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporter

NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Former England rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio declared bankrupt
She was said to have done so in the hope of staving off the imminent threat of Dallaglio being forced into bankruptcy by one of his creditors. Telegraph Sport has been told it was one of those creditors who ultimately secured the bankruptcy order. A spokesperson for Dallaglio declined to comment. The 52-year-old was previously the subject of a bankruptcy petition by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), which it withdrew in September 2023 after saying he had reached an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) – a binding agreement to pay off his debts. That IVA is now listed on the Individual Insolvency Register as having 'failed' last Tuesday. Dallaglio's financial plight has been well-documented in recent years. As well as narrowly averting being made bankrupt in 2023, his company, Lawrence Dallaglio Limited, previously faced a winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs over an unpaid tax bill. Discover more He opted to liquidate the company, since when a report into its financial affairs for the year ending October 2024 stated he was still being chased for hundreds of thousands of pounds loaned to the firm. Dallaglio is not the only former England star – nor member of their 2003 World Cup winning team – to face financial ruin. Phil Vickery had a request to be made bankrupt granted in February last year after reportedly racking up debts to HMRC and others totalling six figures. Telegraph Sport revealed in March that a bankruptcy petition against Ugo Monye had been withdrawn after HMRC said it was unable to find him to serve it. Upon announcing his retirement from rugby in 2008, Dallaglio told the Financial Times: 'I think one has a responsibility to ensure that the taxman does not get everything.' The May 6 hearing before Deputy ICC Judge Stephen Baister centred on an urgent application lodged four days earlier by Alice Dallaglio for an order allowing the immediate sale of the home she shared with her husband for almost a quarter of a century. She was represented at the hearing by Craig Parrett, a director at Isadore Goldman specialising in personal and corporate insolvency. Parrett told the court: 'The completion of the property's set for tomorrow and all the parties are keen to ensure that completion can proceed for the benefit of the first respondent's [Dallaglio's] creditors.' Parrett said the sale price of the property was 'about £2.7 million' but that equity in the home was only 'around £1.2 million'. The sale price appeared to reflect the urgency of cashing in on a property which had been put on the market last year for £3.3m, more than three times its 2001 purchase cost. Parrett told Judge Baister on Tuesday that the conveyancing solicitors acting on the sale of the Dallaglio family home had 'agreed to hold the net sale proceeds'. He added: 'If a bankruptcy order is made, the net sale proceeds will be provided to a trustee. If the bankruptcy order is not made, they'll be provided to the IVA supervisor.' Judge Baister told Parrett he would prioritise the application pending minor modifications. Telegraph Sport has been told the order was subsequently granted. Dallaglio, who was filming with TNT Sports that day, was represented at the hearing by executive assistant Anna Bathurst, who spoke only to convey his apologies for being unable to attend 'due to work'. The Dallaglios are currently going through divorce proceedings after deciding to end their 20-year marriage. They have three children together: Enzo, Ella and Josie. Dallaglio stepped down as England captain in 1999 shortly after allegations emerged that he had used hard drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, while celebrating the Lions' victory in South Africa two years earlier. He denied the allegations, insisting the newspaper that reported the claims had been involved in an 'elaborate set-up'.


Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Lawrence Dallaglio's estranged wife puts £2.7m home up for sale to save him from bankruptcy
Lawrence Dallaglio's estranged wife puts £2.7m home up for sale to save him from bankruptcy Lawrence Dallaglio's wife, Alice, is attempting to prevent the former England Rugby Union star from going bankrupt by trying to sell their £2.7million home in Richmond Alice Dallaglio is trying to prevent her husband, Lawrence Dallaglio, from bankruptcy (Image:) Lawrence Dallaglio's wife is trying to sell the couple's £2.7million home in order to prevent her husband from going bankrupt. As per Telegraph Sport, Alice Dallaglio sought a validation order from the High Court on Friday, to allow for the immediate sale of the property in Richmond which she shared with the former England Rugby Union star for almost 25 years. It comes as the couple, who have been married for 20 years, are currently going through divorce proceedings. Lawrence is faced with the prospect of a bankruptcy order which was raised during an Insolvency and Companies Court hearing on Tuesday. The 52-year-old only escaped financial awe two years ago by paying off debts which included £700,000 in unpaid taxes. The former flanker was the subject of a bankruptcy petition from HM Revenue and Customs before it was withdrawn in 2023 after reaching an individual voluntary agreement. Alice was represented at the hearing by Craig Parrett, a director at Isadore Goldman, who told the court: "The completion of the property's set for tomorrow and all the parties are keen to ensure that completion can proceed for the benefit of the first respondent's [Dallaglio's] creditors." Article continues below While Parrett noted that the sale price of the home was around £2.7m, he explained that the equity in the home was only around £1.2m – with the sale price seemingly reflecting on the urgency of cashing in. Parrett added: "If a bankruptcy order is made, the net sale proceeds will be provided to a trustee. If the bankruptcy order is not made, they'll be provided to the IVA supervisor." ICC judge Stephen Baister told Parrett that the application would be prioritised with minor adjustments, explaining: "Get it in quickly enough. "I'm sitting in the afternoon and I'll certainly get it done." It is reported that the order was granted. Lawrence Dallaglio could face bankruptcy (Image: Getty Images ) It emerged in February that the couple, who have three children in Enzo, Ella, and Josie, were filing for divorce. Both attended Central Family Court in Holborn to attempt to finalise a divorce settlement. Article continues below Considered to be one of the greats of English rugby after winning four Six Nations titles, five Triple Crowns and a World Cup, Lawrence spent the entirety of his 18-year career with Wasps. Since retiring at the end of the 2008 season, Dallaglio has engaged in charity work and took part in a series of cycling events. In 2018, he also hosted the inaugural Dallaglio Cycle Slam, which has since gone on to become an annual event to raise money for excluded youth in need of support.