Make your family aware: Scam posing as officers returns
A phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Waitematā CIB’s Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting says scammers are cold calling, mainly on landlines, and claim to be a Police officer.“They will also provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” he says.“This person will carry on and provide a reason for their call: either they are investigating fake bank notes, or that your credit card has been cloned.
“As part of this scam, they will ask you to withdraw money from a nearby bank to be collected or ask you to provide further financial or banking information to aid their investigation.”
Be aware: this is a scam call.
Police are investigating two reports this week, in south Auckland and the North Shore, where two people have fallen victim to the scam. “Both victims withdrew cash from a bank and handed this over to someone who arrived at their door to collect it under the fake cover story,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says.“These victims have had their good-will and trust trodden on by these scammers.”
Investigation staff have ensured there is support available for the victims. Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says: “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you.“These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”
There are occasions where legitimate Police officers will contact people as part of their duties, he says.
Police are asking the community to be aware and take the opportunity to spread the word amongst friends and family members. “We are particularly keen to ensure elder family members are aware of what is happening,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says. “If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up.
“If you have had the unfortunate position of being a victim to this scam and have not reported this, we encourage you to report this to Police.”
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Health workers needed in rural areas
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Recruiting medical professions into rural areas remains a challenge, says a North Canterbury mayor.
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand has made good progress in recruiting staff, but Hurunui mayor Marie Black says rural areas are missing out.
Training more health professionals is a priority in Budget 2024, with $22 million set aside for doctor training.
‘‘That will take us from an intake of 589 this year to an intake of 614 from next year,’’ Reti said.
‘‘We are also progressing a cost benefit analysis for a proposed third medical school through Waikato University, which will focus on primary and rural care.’’
While overseas-trained medical professionals make a valuable contribution, Reti said training young New Zealanders was more sustainable in the long term.
‘‘Health workforce shortages are a problem in every country around the world.
‘‘That is why it is so important we invest in training doctors and other health professionals here in New Zealand.’’
In the year to December 2023, Health NZ recruited more than 200 full-time equivalent senior doctors, 2500 nurses, nearly 100 midwives, and more than 230 scientific and technical staff.
There were still shortages in mental health, critical care and midwifery, Reti said.
While it was reassuring to know progress has been made in recruitment, Black said there was little evidence of it in ‘‘primary health provision in country areas’’.
The Hurunui district has been doing its bit to encourage health students to consider working in rural areas, she said.
Third year Otago Medical School students have been visiting the district each August for several years.
The initiative has been running for 10 years, with the students visiting medical centres, St John, District Nurses, police, the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and a local preschool.
‘‘If we can grow our own people that is the best solution,’’ Black said.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased the Government was addressing workforce shortages.
A new medical centre was being planned in Rangiora to offer urgent and after hours medical care, but it would need more medical professionals, he said.
‘‘I am pleased with the Government’s announcement that funding will be allocated to ensure we are training more doctors and health care professionals here in New Zealand.
‘‘This will help to alleviate doctor shortages particularly in the regions and rural communities.’’
The Kaikōura district faced similar challenges, and its over 65 population was expected to increase to one-third over the next 30 years.
Takahanga Marae has hosted tertiary health students from around Aotearoa in recent years for a three-day Noho Marae visit.
The initiative was a partnership between Te Tai o Marokura, a Maori health and social service provider in Kaikōura, and Hauora Taiwhenua/Rural Health Network’s careers programme.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
New Canterbury bypass set to be a toll road
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Motorists could be paying a toll to drive a new bypass on State Highway 1, in North Canterbury, once it's complete.
Meanwhile, planned safety improvements to the area have been canned for now, as officials review the planned work as part of the Woodend Bypass design.
The Government is considering a proposal for its promised roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) said the Woodend Bypass has been confirmed as one of the first five roads of national significance and that a safety review will be undertaken.
Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey said the Government has backed recommendations by NZTA to introduce tolls in its Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.
‘‘As a Government, we are open to a wide range of funding tools to ensure we are able to deliver the roads that will allow kiwis and freight to get to where they want to go quickly and safely.’’
Safety improvements for Woodend’s Main North Rd were announced in December 2022, as part of a $35 million funding package for State Highway 1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River, with work due to begin this year.
NZTA had previously advised the safety improvements were on hold, pending the revised policy statement on Land Transport.
Doocey said it made sense to have another look at the work programme.
‘‘When you look at the Woodend safety improvement programme, it was in response to Labour cancelling the bypass, so it is right to relook at that programme in the context of the new motorway.’’
The former Government included the Woodend Bypass in its policy statement on Land Transport announced in August 2023.
Funding was also announced in December 2022 for a $6 million project, including cycleways linking Kaiapoi, Woodend and Pegasus, as part of NZTA’s Transport Choices Programme.
But the programme was axed last December by the new Government.
Doocey said the proposed cycleways and an under-pass at the Pegasus roundabout would be considered as part of the final bypass design.
‘‘When you look at the Christchurch Northern Corridor, the (Christchurch to Kaiapoi) cycleway was an important part of it, so I think it would make sense to consider the cycleways and an underpass as part of the bypass design.’’
Woodend-Sefton Community Board chairperson Shona Powell said she welcomed news about the bypass, but the safety improvements were needed now.
‘‘It will take several years to build the bypass. It is just getting frustrating.’’
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he had been seeking clarity about the promised safety improvements without success.
But he welcomed Doocey’s comments that the cycleway and under-pass would be considered as part of the final design.
‘‘It makes total sense to construct this as part of the works and I know the community would be thrilled to have these included.
‘‘This is an incredibly important project for our district and I am delighted by the depth of consideration the Government is giving to it.’’
He would also like to see a cycleway clip-on added to the State Highway 1 bridge over the Ashley-Rakahuri River.
The council has been planning the Kaiapoi to Woodend and Woodend to Pegasus cycleways for several years, along with a Rangiora (Southbrook) cycleway.
Proposed safety improvements had included road widening, wider centrelines and safety barriers, and reducing the speed to 60kph at the Pegasus roundabout, which would have become one lane with raised safety platforms.
Traffic lights were also proposed at the Rangiora-Woodend Rd intersection, roundabouts at the Woodend Beach Rd and Williams St intersections and a crossing refuge for people using bus stops near Pineacres.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Spice up your winter
When it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?
From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of cinnamon, each spice brings not only flavour but also a host of nutrients and healing properties to our winter dishes. So, whether you're sipping on mulled wine, indulging in gingerbread, or savouring a hearty stew, every bite promises to not just please your palate but also contribute to your overall wellbeing.
Click read more for the full story.
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