Latest news with #RNZ
Scoop
9 hours ago
- Health
- Scoop
Wellness Industry's Dark Side: Experts Warn Of Dangers In RNZ Podcast The Lodge
The global wellness industry, valued at approximately $5 trillion, harbours a dangerous underbelly, according to a new RNZ podcast. Unproven therapies and charismatic gurus can lead vulnerable individuals away from life-saving medical treatments, the investigation reveals. " The Lodge", an eight-part series by journalist Phil Vine, examines the rise of wellness culture through the story of Aiping Wang. Wang, a Chinese-born guru established a following first in Eastern Europe, then in New Zealand's remote Fiordland. She offered her followers the possibility of healing without medicine. Several experts featured in the podcast warn that social media has supercharged problematic wellness claims, creating an environment where influencers can reach millions with unproven health advice. "What's new is the rise of social media and many digital technologies that enable ordinary individuals to build a brand online and to reach a vast global audience," explains Dr Stephanie Baker from City University in London. She's the author of Wellness Culture: How the Wellness Movement Has Been Used to Empower, Profit and Misinform. The podcast explores how wellness movements often exploit legitimate distrust in conventional healthcare systems, what Dr Baker calls the "low trust society." Dr Jon-Patrick Allem, Associate Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences from Rutgers University, New Jersey, notes this dynamic in his research. "The wellness industry is so appealing to people because there's a lot of problems with medicine," Allem explains. "There's a lot of problems with how one interacts with their physician, when they see their physician, what their physician is versed in to communicate." The podcast documents real-world consequences through the stories of Wang's followers who rejected conventional treatment for conditions including: breast cancer, melanoma, and HIV after hoping for cures through "energy healing". Allem highlights a particularly concerning wellness trend: "What I am seeing in the social media space is individuals claiming to have alternative ways to not just prevent a cancer diagnosis, but to cure a cancer diagnosis." Dr Emily Yang from Western Sydney University, who has trained in traditional Chinese medicine, warns against using unproven therapies as substitutes for evidence-based treatments: "For example I would never claim Tai Chi can treat cancer," she says, advocating instead for complementary approaches alongside conventional medicine. The podcast examines the psychological appeal of wellness gurus, with Baker noting that people often turn to such figures during tough times - an aspect she calls "situational vulnerability". "It could be the situation involving the death of a loved one or possibly divorce. A moment when one feels less stable. They're often searching for answers, for meaning." New Zealand cult expert Anke Richter identifies a clear warning sign in wellness practices: exclusivity. When practitioners insist their method is the only acceptable approach and discourage conventional medical treatment, it can have fatal consequences. "There's a quiet death toll," Richter explains. The podcast connects these modern wellness trends to the rise of figures such as Dr Joe Dispenza, who claims to cure cancer through "coherence healing" and has amassed 3.6 million Instagram followers. Allem warns listeners to be sceptical of practitioners who make expansive claims: "The wellness industry, broadly defined, is so appealing to people because there's a lot of problems with medicine. But that doesn't mean that wellness practices should replace proven treatments." Baker offers advice for those concerned about loved ones who may be falling under the influence of questionable wellness practitioners: "Don't cut them off. It's the worst thing you can do. Through maintaining a sense of common ground with these people, rather than just dismissing their belief system, you can help them see contradictions." For consumers navigating the wellness landscape, experts recommend maintaining open communication with conventional healthcare providers and being wary of any practitioner who suggests abandoning proven medical treatments entirely.
Otago Daily Times
9 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Otago highways open, but care needed
Crews work to clear roads affected by heavy snow in Central Otago this morning. PHOTO CENTRAL OTAGO DISTRICT COUNCIL All state highways in Otago have reopened after heavy snow, but motorists are advised to drive to the conditions. A low off the South Island east coast was expected to bring more heavy rain to the lower South Island and more snow to inland parts of Otago and Southland on Saturday, MetService said. Coastal Dunedin bore the brunt of the rain overnight - approximately 25-50mm, with other parts of Otago getting 20-50mm, the Otago Regional Council said in a statement on Saturday afternoon. Rainfall has eased in North Otago, but Dunedin could see a further 20-30mm and 30-40mm for Clutha until about 9pm on Saturday. A heavy rain watch was in place for Southland about and east of Mossburn from 9am until 3pm. Periods of heavy rain were expected and amounts may approach warning criteria. A snowy Lee Stream near Outram on Saturday. PHOTO: REECE PIPER/ supplied A heavy snow watch remained in place for Central Otago, Southland north of Lumsden, also inland Dunedin and Clutha from 9am until 7pm today. Periods of heavy snow were expected above 400 metres, where amounts may approach warning criteria. There were ice warnings at Middlemarch and Outram, near Dunedin. Heavy snow in Ophir, Central Otago, on Saturday. PHOTO: SARA ANDERSON via RNZ It was a winter wonderland in Ophir, where Sara Anderson told RNZ that 7.5cm of snow had fallen by late morning."[We're] all tucked up by the fire admiring the black and white of it all." The NZ Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi said crews had working hard to reopen state highways following the heavy snow. State Highway 85 from Omakau to Kyeburn had reopened by 10.15am The Lindis Pass (State Highway 8) from Tarras to Omarama was the next to open by 11am, followed by SH87 from Middlemarch to Kyeburn and SH85 from Kyeburn to Palmerston by 11.20am. A spokeswoman for Southern police said motorists should drive to conditions and allow for extra time on their journey. "Reducing speed, using headlights and windscreen wipers, and wearing seatbelts will also ensure a safe trip. Our roads are unforgiving and less predictable in our icy winter conditions, please drive with caution." The Lindis Pass (SH8) in Central Otago has reopened after heavy snow overnight. Photo: MetService In Central Otago, thick snow and ice was affecting roads in the Manuherekia and Maniototo areas, and caution was advised if using them, a spokeswoman for the district council said. By 10am the Ida Valley Omakua Road had reopened. However, rain and snow flurries were continuing and isolated areas of flooding were to be expected throughout Central Otago, she said. The Danseys Pass Road was closed from the gates past the Danseys Pass hotel. Heavy snow was affecting the Crown Range, linking Queenstown and Wānaka this morning, and chains are needed if using the alpine pass. A snow warning was also in place for Southland's Milford Rad (SH94). Ski fields near Wānaka have been blanketed, with Cardona Alpine Resort reporting 29cm of fresh snow overnight and more expected throughout the day. "The forecast has snow continuing throughout the morning and snow flurries over the day. Lifts will be delayed opening. Our teams are out assessing conditions, and we will open terrain as soon as its safe." At Treble Cone, 25cm had fallen in time for the ski field's opening day today. "Triple Treat groomed flat with fresh snow on top and we aim to open Upper Main Street and Big Skite pending patrol setup. Take care if venturing off-trail as this snow is thin. Cafe will be cranking with live DJs this afternoon." Drivers were advised chains were needed at both ski fields. Meanwhile, flood repair works are scheduled for SH1 near Hampden in North Otago and SH8 near Lawrence and Beaumont. Stop and go traffic controls may be in place, RNZ reported. The Crown Range summit blanketed in snow this morning. Photo: MetService Snow warnings for alpine roads LINDIS PASS (SH8) From midnight on Friday until 9pm on Saturday Snow is forecast to lower to 600 metres, and 3cm to 6cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 600 metres. CROWN RANGE ROAD From 2am to 6pm on Saturday Snow forecast to lower to 500 metres, and 4cm to 8cm may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 500 metres. MILFORD ROAD (SH94) From 2am to 1pm on Saturday Snow forecast to lower to 700 metres, and 2cm to 5cm of snow may settle on the road near the summit with lesser amounts to 700 metres. - ODT Online
RNZ News
12 hours ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Live: Marlborough homes flooded, heavy snow in Otago as wild weather continues
The Waimea River near Brightwater in Nelson in flood yesterday. Photo: RNZ/Mark Papalii Nelson Tasman Civil Defence says houses in Motueka flooded last night and the main worry now is the Motueka River. Civil Defence will fly over a number of areas at the top of the south this morning to assess the damage and to identify areas in need, focusing on the Motueka Valley. MetService is investigating reports of a tornado after more than dozen homes in Waitara, north of New Plymouth, were damaged when strong winds ripped through shortly after midnight. Fire and Emergency says there were no injuries, but the fierce winds blew out a sunroom, lifted roofs, and downed fences and solar panels. Follow updates with RNZ's live blog.
Otago Daily Times
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Otago Daily Times
Taranaki homes damaged in strong winds
Shirlene Patterson's 100-year-old villa in Tuiti St had much of its roof ripped off. Photo: RNZ Residents in the Taranaki town of Waitara are assessing damage after strong winds ripped through the area. Meteorologist Kgolofello Dube said the atmospheric conditions at the time were "favourable" to a tornado forming and, given the damage, it was likely - but Dube could not yet confirm whether it was one. Firefighters were called to several homes shortly after midnight on Friday after strong winds blew out a sunroom in Elliott St. There were also reports of lifted roofs, flattened fences and a car being tossed around like it was a matchbox toy. Fire and Emergency NZ said there were no injuries, but at least 11 houses in the main street of Waitara alone suffered damage. Tuiti St resident Shirlene Patterson said the wind had ripped off the roof of her home, demolished a greenhouse and took out trees on her property. Patterson said she was in bed with her young granddaughter beside her at the time. "I was sound asleep but then I heard the peeling and cracking of the tin coming off, and then a bang. I'm not sure what direction it was going - the bang could have been a tree going, it was a huge bottlebrush tree. "I had my five-year-old granddaughter in the bedroom with me, I got out of bed and grabbed her and brought her down to the other end of the house and it felt more secure." Patterson said her granddaughter was "absolutely my first priority". Her villa had "good bones" and that was probably what helped save it. "The damage is significant. For a 100-year-old house, it's got really good bones and it is really sturdy. [But] the roof, the structure, its apex that was up there, that has all gone." Patterson said it looked like parts of a neighbouring property that was damaged had hit her house. At nearby Aratapu St, Susan Duncan thought her Ford Focus had been hit by another vehicle, but the wind had picked it up and thrown it around, smashing windows and denting panel work.
RNZ News
13 hours ago
- RNZ News
Police say Kumeu crash 'horrific, devastating'
Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Two teenagers remain in critical conditions after the car they were in left the road and ploughed into property near Auckland. Police have revealed they had earlier stopped the car because of how it was being driven. Police said it took off from officers but was not being pursued when it crashed on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway at about 8.20pm. Photo: Calvin Samuel "This is a horrific incident with devastating consequences for the young people involved," Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said. All four teenagers in the car were taken to hospital. Police said the driver lost control and crashed, with the vehicle coming to a stop upside down against a home. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Officers who were seizing an unrelated vehicle nearby at the time heard the crash and gave first aid. RNZ's Calvin Samuel, who had been at the scene on Saturday morning, said there was still a trail of destruction. "There's a debris path of about 50 metres from the toward the property, and you can see large trees down, a ceramic sewage pipe and large tree stumps," he said. Samuel said the car appears to have completely cleared a gully before coming to a stop. "The debris leads right up to the edge of the house," he said. Photo: RNZ/Calvin Samuel Police said it's extremely fortunate the public wasn't injured. "We're supporting the families of those injured, and the officers who responded to this tragic scene," Hassan said. She said it was a "tragic decision" to earlier flee Police. During the callout on Friday night four ambulances, five rapid response units, two operations managers, a major incident support team and two Fire and Emergency crews all responded. The Serious Crash Unit has finished investigating at the scene, and Police will be carrying out a full investigation. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has also been advised. Photo: Calvin Samuel Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
