Letters to the Editor: What have anti-smacking laws achieved?
13 May, 2021 08:00 PM
3 minutes to read
Sparing the rod has spoiled the children, says one reader. Photo / Getty Images
Rotorua Daily Post
In 1990, New Zealand legislated the outlawing of corporal punishment in schools.
Then in 2007, we saw the ushering in of the controversial anti-smacking laws, which even today, some 14 years later, provoke vigorous discussion.
We were assured both times that these measures would reduce violence in society as we were tackling these issues at the very grassroots, protecting children from both the physical and mental trauma supposedly associated with smacking as a disciplinary measure.
Letters to the editor: Need to step up the fight against drug dealers
13 May, 2021 08:00 PM
3 minutes to read
A reader says new figures on kids and drugs were grim reading. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
Bay of Plenty Times
Nationwide figures showed how desperate the problem is. We can t blame the government, police or social services. No, the parents of the younger offenders need to step up and take responsibility for instilling moral standards on their children.
They need boundaries from birth. Even former drug kingpin Billy Macfarlane stated that cannabis use by children is a big problem.
Obviously, the numbers in the article are only the ones who have been caught, the real figures are probably double.
Police data: Kids aged 5 to 9 among youth busted with drugs
10 May, 2021 06:00 PM
6 minutes to read
Figures show court proceedings were taken against 631 Bay of Plenty youth between 2016 and 2020. Photo / File
Figures show court proceedings were taken against 631 Bay of Plenty youth between 2016 and 2020. Photo / File
Police are finding children aged nine or even younger with drugs, new figures reveal. Over the past five years, police have caught more children and young people with illicit drugs in the Bay of Plenty than in any other district.
And a former drug kingpin says children as young as six are smoking cannabis.
Details of police dealings with youngsters and illicit drugs between 2016 and 2020 were supplied to NZME under the Official Information Act.
Photo: Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty
Organisers behind the disastrous Fyre Festival have reportedly reached a $2 million (R28.5 million) settlement with ticketholders, meaning that each of the 277 attendees will receive $7 220 (R100 000).
The settlement comes almost four years after the $100 million class-action lawsuit was filed,
The publication writes that each attendee could potentially receive less than the settlement amount as Fyre Festival is still in the middle of a bankruptcy case with several creditors.
Quoting Billboard, NME adds that lawyers representing ticketholders for the event have secured a settlement, but still need a vote of approval which is expected to take place on 13 May.
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