Teina Pora / YouTube
Everything you need to know today curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.Andrew Little Confirms Pora Compensation Was Undercut by National Government
Teina Pora, who was wrongly convicted for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett in 1992 and spent 20 years in prison, will receive an extra $1 million in compensation. The additional payment accounts for inflation and was announced by Justice Minister Andrew Little this morning. Pora will also receive $45,000 in costs from his successful judicial review of the last National Government's refusal to adjust for inflation. This takes Pora's total compensation package to just over $3.5 million. In May this year NZ Police announced a plan to prosecute serial rapist Malcolm Rewa for Burdett's murder. Little told media at a press conference today that it was "almost certain" there are other innocent people in New Zealand prisons. Little wants to establish the Criminal Cases Review Commission to systematically review claims of wrongful conviction.Auckland Art Gallery in Financial Trouble
The Auckland Art Gallery is suffering from budget cuts and may need to close some weekdays. The Gallery is currently suffering from a financial crisis after Auckland Council cut the operating budget from $12 million as it stood in 2012 to $6.9 million. Arts Patron Dame Jenny Gibbs says the new budget does not even cover salaries and wages, and the gallery is considering closing on one or more days a week. Regional funding Auckland will be making a bid for more money for the gallery as part of the council's new 10-year budget next year.Gareth Morgan Is Sticking With Politics
Gareth Morgan is closing down his foundation, reportedly in order to focus his efforts on his political party. The Morgan Foundation, set up by Morgan and partner Jo and which functioned as a think tank since 2009, will enter indefinite hiatus this month. All staff have been made redundant, though some are currently working for The Opportunities Party. The closure comes weeks after Morgan donated more than $400,000 to the party, which he reportedly intends to use as the primary vehicle for his aspirations to change society. Morgan disputes the story, saying it is based on hearsay and gossip, but a number of staffers and spokespeople have confirmed it.More Mumps Cases Sparks Teen Vaccination Campaign
A campaign vaccinating young people who are not immune to mumps has been orchestrated by health authorities. Immunisation, which is freely available for infants, will target year 9 and 10 students in West Auckland this month. This follows 740 cases of mumps having been diagnosed in Auckland this year alone. However, vaccinology lecturer at Auckland University, Helen Petousis-Harris says some people aged up to 30 have not been immunised either. She says this group will be harder to target.Booming Native Bird Population Could be a Threat to Crops
A Hawke's Bay farmer has raised concerns that the growing native bird population could damage crops in the area. Bruce Willis, who actively works to eliminate predators as part of a local wildlife programme, says that bird numbers have gone through the roof, and the birds enjoy eating Hawkes Bay crops. Willis will continue his support for native birds, but says potential overpopulation is an issue that must be faced. Ecologist Andrea Byrom is confident, however, that the risk of overpopulation is probably "relatively minimal"."Biblical" Storm Strikes the South
A powerful storm moved through the country last night, bringing in winds of up to 120 km/h and cutting power to many. The West Coast, upper South Island and the east coast expanding to Northern Canterbury all experienced power outages. Ian Littlejohn was communications manager during the night, he told RNZ that the experience was "biblical". Power lines had fallen blocking roads and there was even some flooding. The storm also moved across the North Island with heavy rain in Auckland, but is expected to clear today.United States is the Last Country Outside the Paris Climate Agreement
Syria is set to join the Paris Climate Accords, in a move which will leave the United States as the only nation outside of or opposed to the agreement. Syria and Nicaragua were the only nations that did not agree to the deal when it was agreed in 2015, but Nicaragua signed up last month. US President Donald Trump has said he intends to withdraw the United States from the agreement, but its terms mean that this cannot be done until 2020. Syrian delegates say the accord will be signed as soon as possible, but they are not in a position to sign while fighting in its civil war continues.Trump Now Willing to Negotiate With North Korea
While visiting South Korea on Tuesday, President Donald Trump shifted his tone about North Korea, urging Pyongyang for a dialogue. In a public meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump said that "it makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for North Korea and the world". Moon called for the two leaders to bring "permanent peace" to the peninsula. This follows Trump's earlier claims that Moon was too lenient on North Korea, and that the US would meet North Korea with military forces if necessary—which could cause huge damage to South Korea. During Trump's trip to Asia he will also visit Seoul, which risks antagonising Pyongyang.Saudi Arabia Points Finger At Iran Over Missile Attack
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is accusing Iran of an act of "direct military aggression" following a missile attack by Yemeni rebels. A missile was intercepted last Saturday near the Saudi capital, aimed at King Khalid International Airport. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the missile, which may have been supplied by Iran, may be considered an act of war. The Irani government denies arming the rebel Houthi movement, and its foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif describes the prince's claim as dangerous.UN Calls for Hong Kong to Uphold Rights of Umbrella Protest Leaders
The UN has urged Hong Kong to honour its human rights commitments towards three pro-democracy protesters for their sentence appeal. Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow were jailed for organising the umbrella protests of 2015. The UN says the jailing shows a deterioration of democracy and free speech in Hong Kong. Professor of International relations at the University of Western Australia Jay Chen says Beijing sees pro democracy activism as a threat to their control. Although the trial is overseen by the Court of Appeal, Chen says influence from Beijing is expected.Reporting by Harry Willis, Mary-Margaret Slack, Reilly Hodson.
LOCAL NEWS
Teina Pora, who was wrongly convicted for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett in 1992 and spent 20 years in prison, will receive an extra $1 million in compensation. The additional payment accounts for inflation and was announced by Justice Minister Andrew Little this morning. Pora will also receive $45,000 in costs from his successful judicial review of the last National Government's refusal to adjust for inflation. This takes Pora's total compensation package to just over $3.5 million. In May this year NZ Police announced a plan to prosecute serial rapist Malcolm Rewa for Burdett's murder. Little told media at a press conference today that it was "almost certain" there are other innocent people in New Zealand prisons. Little wants to establish the Criminal Cases Review Commission to systematically review claims of wrongful conviction.Auckland Art Gallery in Financial Trouble
The Auckland Art Gallery is suffering from budget cuts and may need to close some weekdays. The Gallery is currently suffering from a financial crisis after Auckland Council cut the operating budget from $12 million as it stood in 2012 to $6.9 million. Arts Patron Dame Jenny Gibbs says the new budget does not even cover salaries and wages, and the gallery is considering closing on one or more days a week. Regional funding Auckland will be making a bid for more money for the gallery as part of the council's new 10-year budget next year.
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Gareth Morgan is closing down his foundation, reportedly in order to focus his efforts on his political party. The Morgan Foundation, set up by Morgan and partner Jo and which functioned as a think tank since 2009, will enter indefinite hiatus this month. All staff have been made redundant, though some are currently working for The Opportunities Party. The closure comes weeks after Morgan donated more than $400,000 to the party, which he reportedly intends to use as the primary vehicle for his aspirations to change society. Morgan disputes the story, saying it is based on hearsay and gossip, but a number of staffers and spokespeople have confirmed it.More Mumps Cases Sparks Teen Vaccination Campaign
A campaign vaccinating young people who are not immune to mumps has been orchestrated by health authorities. Immunisation, which is freely available for infants, will target year 9 and 10 students in West Auckland this month. This follows 740 cases of mumps having been diagnosed in Auckland this year alone. However, vaccinology lecturer at Auckland University, Helen Petousis-Harris says some people aged up to 30 have not been immunised either. She says this group will be harder to target.Booming Native Bird Population Could be a Threat to Crops
A Hawke's Bay farmer has raised concerns that the growing native bird population could damage crops in the area. Bruce Willis, who actively works to eliminate predators as part of a local wildlife programme, says that bird numbers have gone through the roof, and the birds enjoy eating Hawkes Bay crops. Willis will continue his support for native birds, but says potential overpopulation is an issue that must be faced. Ecologist Andrea Byrom is confident, however, that the risk of overpopulation is probably "relatively minimal".
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A powerful storm moved through the country last night, bringing in winds of up to 120 km/h and cutting power to many. The West Coast, upper South Island and the east coast expanding to Northern Canterbury all experienced power outages. Ian Littlejohn was communications manager during the night, he told RNZ that the experience was "biblical". Power lines had fallen blocking roads and there was even some flooding. The storm also moved across the North Island with heavy rain in Auckland, but is expected to clear today.
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Syria is set to join the Paris Climate Accords, in a move which will leave the United States as the only nation outside of or opposed to the agreement. Syria and Nicaragua were the only nations that did not agree to the deal when it was agreed in 2015, but Nicaragua signed up last month. US President Donald Trump has said he intends to withdraw the United States from the agreement, but its terms mean that this cannot be done until 2020. Syrian delegates say the accord will be signed as soon as possible, but they are not in a position to sign while fighting in its civil war continues.Trump Now Willing to Negotiate With North Korea
While visiting South Korea on Tuesday, President Donald Trump shifted his tone about North Korea, urging Pyongyang for a dialogue. In a public meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in, Trump said that "it makes sense for North Korea to come to the table and make a deal that is good for North Korea and the world". Moon called for the two leaders to bring "permanent peace" to the peninsula. This follows Trump's earlier claims that Moon was too lenient on North Korea, and that the US would meet North Korea with military forces if necessary—which could cause huge damage to South Korea. During Trump's trip to Asia he will also visit Seoul, which risks antagonising Pyongyang.Saudi Arabia Points Finger At Iran Over Missile Attack
The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is accusing Iran of an act of "direct military aggression" following a missile attack by Yemeni rebels. A missile was intercepted last Saturday near the Saudi capital, aimed at King Khalid International Airport. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman says the missile, which may have been supplied by Iran, may be considered an act of war. The Irani government denies arming the rebel Houthi movement, and its foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif describes the prince's claim as dangerous.UN Calls for Hong Kong to Uphold Rights of Umbrella Protest Leaders
The UN has urged Hong Kong to honour its human rights commitments towards three pro-democracy protesters for their sentence appeal. Joshua Wong, Nathan Law and Alex Chow were jailed for organising the umbrella protests of 2015. The UN says the jailing shows a deterioration of democracy and free speech in Hong Kong. Professor of International relations at the University of Western Australia Jay Chen says Beijing sees pro democracy activism as a threat to their control. Although the trial is overseen by the Court of Appeal, Chen says influence from Beijing is expected.Reporting by Harry Willis, Mary-Margaret Slack, Reilly Hodson.