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Kiwis deported from Australia have checked in to a dedicated managed isolation hotel in Auckland. T…
Auckland radio personality, Michael Kooge, who has been battling an aggressive form of brain cancer …
Health Minister Chris Hipkins is not ruling out the use of electronic bracelets for those in managed isolation after a third person allegedly escaped in the space of six days. The Government is tightening monitoring of those in managed isolation facilities after Queenstown man Martin McVicar, on … View moreHealth Minister Chris Hipkins is not ruling out the use of electronic bracelets for those in managed isolation after a third person allegedly escaped in the space of six days. The Government is tightening monitoring of those in managed isolation facilities after Queenstown man Martin McVicar, on Thursday night, allegedly jumped down the Distinction Hotel fire escape, eluded police and made a mad dash for booze in Hamilton. But Hipkins said the All-of-Government response had already improved significantly from a man's escape from a facility in Auckland on Tuesday night, when health officials failed to provide timely advice to the Countdown that the man had visited.
By the time the Health Ministry was in touch, Countdown had already viewed CCTV footage, shut shop, completed a deep clean and chosen to self-isolate 18 staff members. "The health communication with Countdown was certainly too late in the piece," Hipkins said. "It does not meet my expectations around the speed of the response and that message has been well understood by all of the relevant health officials." The Health Ministry was quickly part of the response in Hamilton, and should be part of every such response, he said. The Government would be making announcements about ways to tighten up monitoring of those in managed isolation, but Hipkins wouldn't be drawn on the use of electronic bracelets. The use of such bracelets has been floated University of Otago public health expert Professor Nick Wilson. "New Zealand needs to learn all the lessons possible from the apparent failure of quarantine systems in Melbourne. New Zealand could also explore the benefits and costs of the use of electronic bracelets for people, as used in Hong Kong," Wilson said. The bracelets in Hong Kong are mandatory and correspond to an app. If someone tries to break quarantine, it issues a warning. Wilson said the focus should be on the system failures - for example, inadequate fencing or security - rather than the individuals involved. "All systems should be designed to account for the whole range of human behaviour – including people who don't follow the rules." It has been 70 days since the last case of community transmission, and there are two new cases yesterday - both contained in managed isolation facilities. The first case is a man in his 20s who arrived on June 28 from India, while the second is a man in his 20s who arrived on June 27 from England. Both tested positive on their day 12 tests. There are now 23 active cases of coronavirus, none of whom require hospital care. On Thursday there were 2575 tests, still well short of the recommended 4000 daily tests, and Hipkins said the numbers would ramp up in coming days. Part of the reason the testing was too low, he said, was that GPs had told people to get tested but they were being turned away by clinicians at community-based assessment centres (CBAC). Every person showing up at a CBAC with a GP's instruction to be tested should be tested, he said. There have been three escapes out of just under 28,000 people in total who have come through quarantine and managed isolation facilities. "I don't accept people knowingly and willingly breaking the law represent a flaw in the system. These are not maximum security prisons. These are hotels," Hipkins said. "If someone broke into your house and stole all of your stuff, and then turned around and said, 'Well, you should have had better locks,' I don't think anyone would accept that." He said the increase in facility breaches could be an indication of the type of New Zealanders now returning from overseas. "There are fewer families coming through, there are more single people coming back, there are more people who have more complex health needs." He wouldn't be drawn on the reasons for McVicar's alleged escape. The staffer of the Hamilton liquor store who served McVicar said: "He walked in and bought a four-pack of Leffe Blonde and a pinot noir." McVicar, 52, appeared in the Hamilton District Court via audio visual link yesterday and faced a charge of intentional damage of a 52-inch TV and intentionally failing to comply with an order under the Covid-19 Public Health Response Act by leaving a managed isolation facility and purchasing alcohol. He was remanded in custody and denied bail. He will reappear in court on July 15.
Last Saturday, a woman jumped two fences at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland shortly before 6.20pm and was located soon after a couple of blocks away at 8pm on Anzac Ave. She is appearing in the Auckland District Court on Monday. On Tuesday night, a man sneaked through a gap in the fence at the Stamford Plaza in Auckland and visited a Countdown before returning 70 minutes later. He has also been charged. There is now meant to be 24/7 police presence at every one of the quarantine and managed isolation facilities, as well as a lead security person at each facility.
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An Auckland man charged with harassing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and her family will go on trial…
Unlocking the cuisines of other cultures with the Advanced Cookery students on their last day with us. The dishes included scrumptious Korean Fried Chicken, Malaysian Nasi Lamek with anchovies and peanuts, Indonesian Beef Rendang, Okonomiuaki classic Japanese pancake with pork belly, Cambodian … View moreUnlocking the cuisines of other cultures with the Advanced Cookery students on their last day with us. The dishes included scrumptious Korean Fried Chicken, Malaysian Nasi Lamek with anchovies and peanuts, Indonesian Beef Rendang, Okonomiuaki classic Japanese pancake with pork belly, Cambodian pancakes stuffed with turmeric, shrimp, lettuce and Sour cherry dumplings from Ukraine.
More than 130 police cellphones have been lost or stolen in recent years and more than $500,000 spen…
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Do you have a vehicle that is taking up space and becoming an eyesore? At AAA Auto Parts we dismantle and wreck cars. We will pay top cash whether your car is dead or alive!
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An Aucklander is looking for a flatmate to rent a corner of her lounge for $220 per week. The space…
Most New Zealanders would rather go without sex for three months than give up Netflix, TV or their p…
Hi neighbours,
I am starting the process of applying for welfare of guardian for my Dad as he has Alzheimers and is in the moderate stages. Just wondering if there is any lawyer here on neighbourly or if someone can recommend a lawyer that is affordable to help me with my application please. And … View moreHi neighbours,
I am starting the process of applying for welfare of guardian for my Dad as he has Alzheimers and is in the moderate stages. Just wondering if there is any lawyer here on neighbourly or if someone can recommend a lawyer that is affordable to help me with my application please. And also if anyone has gone through the process I’d love to hear how it went for you and your experience. This is my first time doing something like this and I’m very nervous as I have no idea what I’m doing 😅 and have no support as my siblings live overseas. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you
Up to 14,000 train passengers in one day alone could be affected by a three-day closure of Auckland’…
With Covid-19 still a very real risk, people who are unwell are told to stay home, and to keep any sickly kids home too - but what if you don't have any more sick leave owing?
Most Kiwis are entitled to five days of sick leave a year, but some - often those in lower paid jobs - get less.
… View moreWith Covid-19 still a very real risk, people who are unwell are told to stay home, and to keep any sickly kids home too - but what if you don't have any more sick leave owing?
Most Kiwis are entitled to five days of sick leave a year, but some - often those in lower paid jobs - get less.
New Zealand’s minimum sick leave allowance is one of the lowest in the OECD. In Australia they get 10 days, in most European countries it’s even more.
Should Kiwis be entitled to more sick leave?
To read more, click here.
Opinion: If you’ve been reading this column for at least the last year, you probably know that my hu…
BEEF COTTAGE PIE Serves 4 Ready in 40 mins Ingredients Pie topping 800g potatoes, peeled & dice…
Hey neighbours, the struggle to find affordable accommodation in the city isn't getting any easier is it? A recent flatmates wanted ad is offering a spot in a "bright and sunny" central Auckland apartment, for $220 a week - but you'd be sleeping in a corner of the living room.
… View moreHey neighbours, the struggle to find affordable accommodation in the city isn't getting any easier is it? A recent flatmates wanted ad is offering a spot in a "bright and sunny" central Auckland apartment, for $220 a week - but you'd be sleeping in a corner of the living room.
The cordoned off space is listed as being suitable for a woman “looking for a place to crash”. You can read more about it, here. Would you consider a rental like this? What's the most extreme rental ad you've come across in Auckland?
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