1423 days ago

Dr Gavin Knight.

Rhondda Sweetman from Plimmerton Rotary

Thirty years ago, workers were workers, managers were managers and workplace bullying hadn’t been invented. There was no privacy legislation. Private investigators were scruffy chain-smokers who took photos of adulterous couples as evidence in divorce cases. Or, perhaps, they were aristocratic amateur sleuths who solved perplexing murders in country houses.

Things have changed, according to this week’s speaker Dr Gavin Knight. Gavin is multiply qualified in engineering, statistics, data science, and more recently, criminology. His wife is a forensic scientist. Gavin has worked for the police and in the justice and health sectors and started a new company, Independent Investigators, about a year ago. He works from home. His business has only one employee, himself, but many strategic partners.

Gavin explained that he was engaged in an old game with new rules. Investigators must be licenced and are strictly regulated. Ethical and privacy issues are front and centre.

New technology helps the PI, especially recording devices, CCTV, and of course the internet. Data analysis can reveal identities and patterns of behaviour in new ways.

Finding people and carrying out background checks require great care to avoid privacy breaches. Similarly, complaints arising in the workplace may reveal systemic or cultural problems requiring tact and counselling on the part of the PI. Gavin cited resistance to Covid restrictions as an example of changing values in some parts of society.

The Pi's role is to “find the truth and the evidence, if any, needed by decision-makers” and to do so using just procedures in a spirit of fairness.
An interesting talk well-received by our members.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.

While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.

And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?

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Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
  • 40.8% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
    40.8% Complete
  • 57.4% No, I enjoy it
    57.4% Complete
  • 1.8% Other - I'll share below
    1.8% Complete
1218 votes
2 days ago

Don't overthink this riddle...

The Neighboury Riddler

I have a silver sole
but no feet,
I make my living by bringing the heat.
What am I?

Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!

Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

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3 days ago

We're taking the bus!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The number of Wellingtonians taking the bus and train rose by 3% last week compared to the same time last year, according to Metlink.

Not surprising given petrol prices at the moment. But if you're considering giving up your car commute for a leisurely bus ride in the mornings, it would be worth it.

It's about to get even easier: In April, e-pay will be launched, meaning you can tap on with your credit cards as well as smart devices.

It's better on the environment too: With most Metlink trains running on electricity, 25% of the bus fleet being EV’s and the Ika Rere electric ferry, Metlink is able to move more people using less fuel than any other transport option.

With fuel costs so high, it's a good idea to jump on board if you can. If you've become a public transport convert recently, how have you found it?

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