Cricket players' ban reduced after homophobic and racial slurs
Two Hawke's Bay cricket players banned for the season over racial and homophobic slurs are back on the cricket pitch.
The match between year 11-13 students was called off on January 21, after the two players made both racial and homophobic slurs towards the Western Districts XI, which had players of Sri Lankan, Indian and Pakistani heritage.
Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association (HBCA) did not name the players, but Stuff understands the pair are the sons of former Central Districts representatives Mike Pawson and Craig Findlay, who is chief executive of HBCA.
The initial ban was appealed and the pair are already back playing cricket. Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon has criticised the reduction in penalty and called for a restoration process.
What do you think of the ban?
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
Powdery residue
Is anyone else finding dishes coming out of their dishwasher with a powdery residue?
I washed them twice, no powder second time and they came out worse.
I put a dishwasher cleaner through 3 weeks ago.
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.4% Inside!
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23.6% On top!
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