A Rotorua bus driver has been fined $4,500 for attempting to smuggle seeds into New Zealand, in breach of the Biosecurity Act 1993. Woo Chan Shim, 58, pleaded guilty to 2 charges related to an incident at Auckland International Airport. He was sentenced in the Manukau District Court yesterday. MPI regional team manager compliance investigations north, Simon Anderson, says this sentence serves as a good reminder that anyone who smuggles seeds or undeclared goods into New Zealand will be caught and prosecuted. It is important to remember that bringing unauthorised goods into the country by any method, whether smuggling through the border in person or receiving products by mail, puts New Zealand s biosecurity at risk.
Covid 19 coronavirus: Dr Siouxsie Wiles calls on Air New Zealand to stop serving food and drink, criticises link to research
5 Feb, 2021 08:52 PM
4 minutes to read
Nicholas Jones is an investigative reporter at the New Zealand Herald nicholas.jones@nzherald.co.nz@nickjonesnzer
A leading scientist has called out Air New Zealand for encouraging passengers to remove masks by serving food and drink on short flights.
However, the airline says it discussed the issue with health officials recently, and they were supportive of food and drink being served.
Infectious diseases expert Associate Professor Siouxsie Wiles tagged the national carrier in a Twitter thread today, saying she had contacted Air NZ a few times questioning the policy to serve snacks and drink on domestic flights, but never got a response.
A green-thumbed Aucklander who was selling succulents and cacti on Trademe - has been caught red-handed importing illegal plants
A green-thumbed Aucklander who was selling succulents and cacti on Trademe - has been caught red-handed importing illegal plants 3 February 2021
TradeMe
Wendy Li has pleaded guilty to charges over twice being caught with forbidden plants at Auckland International Airport
On March 24, 2019, 947 succulents and cacti were found hidden around her body - valued at more than 10-thousand-dollars and including eight endangered species.
About four months later, Li was caught carrying 142 unauthorised seeds, and 200 plant pots and garden ornaments, in her luggage.
She s been sentenced to 12 months intensive supervision and 100 hours community work.