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Magpie murderer slapped with massive penalty

<p>A Victorian man has copped a $2,349 penalty after inflicting “callous” acts on magpies.</p> <p>His sentence comes after an investigation by Victorian authorities who were tipped off that birds were being shot at a property in the state’s Sunraysia region. After inspecting the property in 2021, investigators discovered four dead magpies as well as two so severely injured they had to be euthanised.</p> <p>The 57-year-old was placed on a good behaviour bond after appearing at the Mildura Magistrates Court. He admitted to 10 offences of wounding and inflicting aggravated cruelty on the native birds.</p> <p>While Victoria does allow wildlife to be killed by property owners, they must apply for a permit before they start shooting.</p> <p>After the sentence was handed down, the state’s Conservation Regulator Glen Smith warned offenders would be prosecuted.</p> <p>“Magpies are an iconic native bird and they are protected in Victoria. There is no excuse for unlawfully killing or injuring them," he said.</p> <p>“The Conservation Regulator takes wildlife crime extremely seriously and this court result should act as a warning that we will pursue penalties for offenders.”</p> <p>These “callous” acts on the native birds come soon after another Australian man was found guilty of <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/man-who-killed-350-kookaburras-ordered-to-pay-fine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shooting and killing</a> a staggering 350 kookaburras.</p> <p>Anyone with information about wildlife crime can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Legal

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American zoo apologises to disgruntled New Zealanders

<p>An American zoo has issued an apology after admitting it made a “huge mistake” that outraged an entire country.</p> <p>Footage of Miami Zoo’s paid encounters with Paora the kiwi went viral online, showing the bird being handled and passed around for pictures in broad daylights and under bright lights despite being a shy, nocturnal animal.</p> <p>The handling of their national icon had New Zealanders fired up, with a petition to save the “mistreated” animal being launched amid the video, which received more than 10,000 signatures.</p> <p>“He has been tamed and is subjected to bright fluorescent lighting four days a week, being handled by dozens of strangers, petted on his sensitive whiskers, laughed at, and shown off like a toy,” the petition read.</p> <p>“Kiwi are nocturnal animals, who should be kept in suitable dark enclosures, and minimally handled.</p> <p>“The best practice manual for kiwi states that they shouldn’t be handled often or taken out of their burrow to be held by the public. He is kept awake during the day, with only a small box in a brightly lit enclosure to mimic his natural underground habitat.”</p> <p>The zoo’s communications director Ron Magill has confirmed the attraction has been cancelled and has issued his own apology in an interview with the <em>New Zealand Herald</em>.</p> <p>“We regret the unintentional stress caused by a video on social media depicting the handling of Paora, the kiwi bird currently housed within Zoo Miami,” Magill said.</p> <p>He also told RNZ he had informed the zoo’s director that “we have offended a nation”.</p> <p>“When I saw the video myself I said we have made a huge mistake here,” he said.</p> <p>“I am so sorry. I am so remorseful. Someone asked how would you feel if we did that to your bald eagle, and you’re 100 per cent right.</p> <p>“I never want to come across as making excuses, I am here to apologise … to everyone. I feel profoundly terrible about this.”</p> <p>However, Magill noted Paora was healthy and well despite the uproar.</p> <p>“He eats like he’s on a spa day every day and he’s doing well. It doesn’t excuse what he was subjected to. But I promise it will never happen again,” he said.</p> <p>After the video went viral, the zoo was bombarded with complaints, with New Zealand’s Department of Conservation confirming it would be “discussing the situation with the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums to address some of the housing and handling concerns raised”.</p> <p>New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins also weighed in, claiming the ordeal “shows a lot of Kiwis take pride in our national bird when they’re overseas”.</p> <p>“The New Zealanders who witnessed what was happening there caught it pretty quickly,” he said, adding that the zoo had “made public statements of regret on what’s happened, and I acknowledge that and thank them for taking it seriously”.</p> <p>The kiwi is considered to be a Taonga species - native birds, plants and animals of special cultural significance and importance to native New Zealanders.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Getty</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Kiwi rugby star found dead at just 33

<p dir="ltr">New Zealand rugby player Billy Guyton has been found dead at the age of 33. </p> <p dir="ltr">The death of the halfback player, who played for the Blues, Crusaders and Hurricanes, was confirmed by the Tasman Rugby Union.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Billy Guyton (a 52 game Mako player, and recent coach of our FPC Mako team),'' the Tasman union said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Billy was a much-loved member of our whole Tasman Rugby Union team and had a positive impact on those he played alongside and coached. Billy has been a major contributor to the development of women's rugby across our Tasman region.”</p> <p dir="ltr">"Our condolences and aroha are extended to Billy's whanau, friends and colleagues during this sad time.''</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">It is with great sadness to hear of the passing of Billy Guyton. Billy was a much-loved member of the Blues from 2016-17, as well as playing for the Crusader and Hurricanes. Our condolences and aroha are extended to Billy’s whānau, friends and colleagues during this sad time. <a href="https://t.co/5KBfCpRyPV">pic.twitter.com/5KBfCpRyPV</a></p> <p>— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) <a href="https://twitter.com/SuperRugby/status/1658007748800548864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 15, 2023</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">During his prolific career, Guyton also represented the Māori All Blacks, Tasman and North Otago, but it was his time playing for the Blues that had the biggest impact on his sporting career. </p> <p dir="ltr">Guyton was a member of the Blues squad in 2016 and 2017, and played 24 Super Rugby games for the franchise.</p> <p dir="ltr">Upon hearing of his death, the Blues said in a statement, "We are shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Billy Guyton... we cannot imagine the heartache his family and friends must be feeling at this difficult time. To everyone who knew Billy, we send them our sincere sympathy."</p> <p dir="ltr">Guyton was forced to announce his retirement from playing in 2018, after concussion symptoms continued to impact his daily life. </p> <p dir="ltr">After retiring, the Tasman union announced Guyton was working as an assistant coach with the women's provincial team, where he guided the Marist side to a title in the senior women's club competition.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

News

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Rebel fighters share eerie footage of abducted Kiwi pilot

<p>Rebel fighters in Indonesia’s Papua region have released terrifying footage of Captain Philip Mehrtens, who they kidnapped last week. </p> <p>The New Zealand pilot touched down in Paro village on February 7th to pick up 15 construction workers who had been building a health centre in the remote Papua province.</p> <p>The rebel group set fire to the Susi Air plane and released all five passengers on board the flight, but held onto Mehrtens as a hostage. </p> <p>The group have said they will be holding Mehrtens until Indonesia recognises Papua’s independence.</p> <p>In a series of videos, released to The Associated Press, a man understood to be Mehrtens is surrounded by rebels holding rifles, spears, and bows and arrows. </p> <p>“Indonesia must recognise Papua is independent,” he says in one, seemingly under duress. </p> <p>“I took him hostage for Papua independence, not for food or drinks,” Rebel leader Egianus Kogoya says in another one of the videos. </p> <p>“He will be safe with me as long as Indonesia does not use its arms, either from the air or on the ground.”</p> <p>Indonesian officials are believed to be making efforts to secure the Kiwi pilot’s release.</p> <p>The West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB), who are responsible for Mehrtens' abduction, has also issued a warning to Australia. </p> <p>“This pilot is a citizen of New Zealand,” a statement from Sebby Sambom, a spokesman for the TPNPB armed wing, said last week. </p> <p>“TPNPB considers New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, America, Europe, all are responsible. The US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand has supported the Indonesian government, trained The Indonesian National Police, supplied weapons to kill us West Papuans from 1963 to today. They must be held accountable.”</p> <p>Violence in the region has seen a sharp increase over the last year, with dozens of rebels, security forces, and civilians killed in the name of demanding indolence from Indonesia. </p> <p><em>Image credits: The West Papuan National Liberation Army</em></p>

News

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James Cameron caught giving fans the bird after being booed

<p dir="ltr">Legendary director James Cameron has been caught flipping off the fans who booed him for not signing autographs over the weekend.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the famed director attended a screening of his new film, Avatar: The Way of Water, in LA, he refused to stop for a crowd of autograph-seeking fans.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cameron, 68, powered past the group of people asking him to sign their items, which caused the crowd to turn on him and shout.</p> <p dir="ltr">“F**k Avatar,” one person yelled, as Cameron was escorted into a black car.</p> <p dir="ltr">As the cheering and jeering continued, the Titanic filmmaker slightly rolled down his tinted window to reveal his middle finger.</p> <p dir="ltr">Fans were divided over the interaction, with some calling him a “jerk” and “annoying.” Others dubbed him “a legend” and argued that the people booing him weren’t real fans.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They were fake fans ready to resell autographed stuff 100%. The embarrassing way they reacted to his refusal proves that. Jim was right for ignoring them let’s be serious,” one person wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">Check out the footage and see for yourself. </p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">James Cameron flips off crowd who boos him for not signing autographs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AvatarTheWayOfWater?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AvatarTheWayOfWater</a> <br /><a href="https://t.co/frDDoY4alM">pic.twitter.com/frDDoY4alM</a></p> <p>— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) <a href="https://twitter.com/CultureCrave/status/1604621184611471360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p><em>Images: Twitter</em></p>

Movies

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"We're offering plenty": Kiwis targeted for job no Aussies want

<p>A Perth mining company has resorted to looking for workers from New Zealand after Aussies have continued to turn down roles that offer up to an enticing $300,000 salary per year – and that's for roughly six months of work in any standard 12 months.</p> <p>As a result, Mineral Resources has launched a brand new advertising campaign, geared up to attract Kiwi tradies, guaranteeing “a great pay packet”.</p> <p>“We’re offering plenty,” Mineral Resources CEO Mike Grey told NZ programme AM.</p> <p>“The incentives are amazing, and I have no doubt that our salaries double [New Zealand salaries]; in some examples, they triple.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClX7JZZv16i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClX7JZZv16i/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Mineral Resources (@mineral_resources)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>The mining business is on the hunt for new workers to fill a range of roles including: construction, mining, operations, unskilled labour and administration.</p> <p>The firm is also recruiting higher-paying roles such as mining engineers.</p> <p>One of the highest paying jobs on offer is for construction supervisors and superintendents who can earn up to $300,000 a year.</p> <p>Workers will be required to work on a fly-in, fly-out basis. They would be flying out of New Zealand to work the mines in Perth, with roughly half of the workforce only working for six months per year.</p> <p>It’s not the first time Australian mines have struggled to find workers for highly-paid roles. Earlier in 2022, mining services firm Thiess offered new staff members a $10,000 sign-on bonus and a $5000 bonus for a successful referral.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Kiwi firefighters receive rare Aussie honour for heroic efforts

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand firefighter has been awarded one of Australia’s special service awards for his efforts in fighting bushfires during the summer of 2019 and 2020.</p> <p dir="ltr">Phil Muldoon, Lake Ōkāreka’s chief rural fire officer, was one of 53 firefighters awarded the Australia National Emergency Medal during a recent awards ceremony.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon, who worked 16-hour days fighting fires, said the honour was very humbling.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not what we do it for but it is nice to be recognised, especially from the Australian Government,” Muldoon told <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/australia-bush-fires-nz-firefighter-given-rare-and-special-honour/4K7KKB2WRVEHXJKJ7IC5WBFY4I/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">He was among a 208-strong contingent of New Zealanders sent to help their Aussie neighbours, including personnel from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), the Department of Conservation, forestry company partners, and the New Zealand Defence Force.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">We were proud to see 27 Department of Conservation firefighters awarded the Australia National Emergency Medal last week for their efforts fighting the devastating Australian wildfires during the 2019/2020 black summer. 🎖️<a href="https://t.co/Wh7xVdZQ8g">https://t.co/Wh7xVdZQ8g</a> <a href="https://t.co/vl8iEC9acs">pic.twitter.com/vl8iEC9acs</a></p> <p>— Department of Conservation (@docgovtnz) <a href="https://twitter.com/docgovtnz/status/1591974150008377344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 14, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The majority of those who took part received the award during recent official ceremonies hosted in New Zealand by Australian High Commissioner HE Harinder Sidhu.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon received his award along with 38 firefighters from FENZ, two members of the NZ Army, eight NZ Air Force members, two from the Department of Conservation, and three from forestry company partners.</p> <p dir="ltr">Having been a firefighter for 25 years, Muldoon said fighting the bushfires was his 16th deployment and that firefighters were chosen to deploy based on their skillset.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We went to help their firefighters in Australia who had a tough season. We’re fresh feet on the ground and give them a break,” Muldoon said, adding that the contingent brought New Zealand’s “can-do” attitude with them.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">A great honour to present the Australian National Emergency Medal at Ohakea <a href="https://twitter.com/NZAirForce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZAirForce</a> base, and to personally thank members of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NZDefenceForce?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NZDefenceForce</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/FireEmergencyNZ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FireEmergencyNZ</a> for their service to Australia in support of the 2019-20 Australian Bushfires response. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZAirForce?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZAirForce</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Force4NZ?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Force4NZ</a> <a href="https://t.co/GtTUay8VY6">pic.twitter.com/GtTUay8VY6</a></p> <p>— Harinder Sidhu (@AusHCNZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/AusHCNZ/status/1580682019985854464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Earlier this month, nine firefighters from Northland received the award, including wildfire specialist Rory Renwick.</p> <p dir="ltr">After spending 14 days fighting blazes in remote Australian bush, Renwick said the gratitude expressed through the medal was just “icing on the cake”.</p> <p dir="ltr">"People stopped you on the street to shake your hand and say thank you. It's humbling and pretty amazing," he told <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/northland-firefighters-awarded-medal-for-efforts-during-australian-bushfires/FIMYEOSD5QQGEYTVSFHIRP34WI/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Renwick explained that New Zealand crews were often working in remote areas and tackling large fires.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We were trying to put out the edge of the fire to stop it spreading," he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We did anything from patrolling edges [and] dealing with small hotspots to working with aircraft and heavy machinery to slow the fire down and stop it."</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">I was presented with a national emergency <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/medal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#medal</a> Monday night for the 19/20 bushfires here in Australia. <a href="https://t.co/L8il9Eob7P">pic.twitter.com/L8il9Eob7P</a></p> <p>— Craig Chiffers (@cchiffers) <a href="https://twitter.com/cchiffers/status/1569818214888263681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The award, which was approved by Queen Elizabeth II in 2011, is given to those who performed significant or sustained service during “nationally-significant emergencies”, according to the Governor-General’s <a href="https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awardsnational-emergency-medal/bushfires-2019-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">website</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Muldoon, Renwick, and the many others recognised for their efforts during the bushfires will receive a medal with a clasp that reads, “BUSHFIRES 19-20”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Russell Wood, the national commander of FENZ, said the award had never been given to any member of the organisation before.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a rare and special honour that the Australian Government has extended to us,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The bushfires in Australia in 2019/20 were catastrophic and we were glad we could be there to help them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I am immensely proud of our people, who responded to the call so selflessly and put their time and energy into fighting one of the biggest wildfire disasters of our time.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a dangerous environment for everyone to be in, and they showed true Kiwi spirit in their sustained efforts under challenging conditions.</p> <p dir="ltr">“As a nation, we are very proud of our fine firefighters.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Fire and Emergency NZ (Facebook)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Two-time Big Brother winner's tragic health news

<p dir="ltr">TV personality Reggie Bird, who won <em>Big Brother</em> twice, has taken to social media to share tragic news.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 48-year-old told her thousands of followers that she had recently been diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a condition that affects sight and hearing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Bird was first declared legally blind in 2008 following her diagnosis with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and has now shared news that she said was “the worst thing you could have”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s not what I wanted to hear,” Bird said in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ReggieBirdBB/videos/1343107059766143" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a video</a> shared online, with clips showing her in an interview and in August when she received her diagnosis.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m gonna find out today what my link is for my RP. I had my DNA taken 13 years ago and it’s just been found what the genetic link will be,” she explains in the clip.</p> <p dir="ltr">After being told that she has Ushers syndrome, Bird fought back tears.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s the worst thing that you could have. I’m going to be deaf-blind.”</p> <p dir="ltr">According to <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15046-usher-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleveland Clinic</a>, Ushers syndrome is a genetic condition that causes varying degrees of hearing and vision loss, as well as balance issues in some cases.</p> <p dir="ltr">After shooting to stardom following her 2003 win, Bird’s condition worsened. In 2014, she revealed that she had no peripheral vision and that her field of vision had become constricted to only 10 degrees.</p> <p dir="ltr">Earlier this year, she made her return to TV on <em>Big Brother</em>’s ‘Contenders vs Royalty’ season and won once again, taking home another $250,000 in prize money.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m honestly so proud of myself for going in and doing what I did and having a go,” Bird said after her second win.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I just wanted to show people who do live with disabilities that you can get out there and achieve anything that you put your mind to.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m so proud to represent people with a disability.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Since making her announcement, Bird took to social media again to thank fans for their support.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A s**t announcement really, finding out that I’ve got Ushers syndrome,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“But, you know, life goes on and you’ve gotta make the most of each day and I’m gonna have so fun and I’m gonna get fit again.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Love you all, and thank you for listening.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-88f8e8f9-7fff-c001-ea9b-91664656d60e"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @reggiebirdbb (Instagram)</em></p>

Caring

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King Charles III offloads Kiwi mansion

<p dir="ltr">In an estate that boasts the likes of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, one property belonging to the newly-minted King Charles III is located in a surprising place: northwest Auckland.</p> <p dir="ltr">But, the documents for the two-storey heritage villa in Hobsonville show the registered owner to be the Queen herself, forming part of an expansive portfolio inherited by the new king.</p> <p dir="ltr">In actual fact, the home doesn’t belong to King Charles III since Crown real estate is owned by the Defence Force.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a result, the Auckland mansion, known as Clark House, was used for Royal New Zealand Airforce operations from 1950 to 2016, when they moved out and left the home boarded up and unused.</p> <p dir="ltr">According to historical records, the Crown paid just £8000 for the home, which now holds a category 1 listing on the Historic Places Register.</p> <p dir="ltr">The home was built in 1902 to showcase innovative new building blocks created by entrepreneur Rice Owen Clark, whose family stayed in the house until it was sold to the Crown.</p> <p dir="ltr">During its use by the RNZAF, the house became the office of Task Force Headquarters and even hosted a South East Asian Treaty Organisation conference in the grand rooms in 1955.</p> <p dir="ltr">Phill Gurnsey, a general manager of estate strategy for Defence, said Clark House had most recently been used as a medical unit, with rooms upstairs acting as offices and the lower floor used for reception and medical testing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Harcourts agent Graham Lewis said the sale of Clark House was an opportunity to own a piece of New Zealand history that might not be seen again in our lifetime.</p> <p dir="ltr">“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a special buyer to purchase a slice of New Zealand’s history from the current owner, His Majesty the King,” Mr Lewis said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The building is a fine example of the Italianate villa style. Because of its role as a showpiece, no expense was spared in the building.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Most of the original features have survived, including the grand staircase, ceilings and carved mantlepieces made with timber from the kauri tree, stained glass windows, a wrought iron verandah and a tiled entry floor.</p> <p dir="ltr">As a historical building, Mr Lewis noted that potential buyers should be aware of the responsibilities and restrictions that come it, adding that the home could be turned into a lodge or fine hotel, an art gallery, or even corporate headquarters.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It takes your breath away the first time you see it. This was a supreme legacy to Rice Owen Clark’s beloved family, status and ambitions,” Mr Lewis said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I think he’d be pleased that the passion and care of a new owner will bring this home back to its former glory as a historic landmark for generations to come.”</p> <p dir="ltr">The house will be <a href="https://www.oneroof.co.nz/25-59-clark-road-hobsonville-waitakere-city-auckland-1823259" target="_blank" rel="noopener">available for tender</a> until November 21.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-3632adb5-7fff-1bd7-65a6-c2c25b884793"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Getty Images, Harcourts Realty</em></p>

Real Estate

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Kiwi journalist hits back at viewer’s complaints about her Māori tattoo

<p dir="ltr">A popular New Zealand newsreader has hit back at an irate viewer who has repeatedly complained about her traditional Māori face tattoo, asking him to keep his comments for “another lifetime”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Oriini Kaipara made headlines in 2021 when she became the first person to bear a moko kauae - a traditional Māori tattoo that covers a woman’s lips and chin - while anchoring a prime-time news broadcast in New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">While many viewers have applauded Ms Kaipara, others were less kind, with one repeat objector prompting her to take to Instagram to respond on Thursday, saying she had “had enough” of his complaints.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Today I had enough. I responded. I never do that. I broke my own code and hit the send button,” the Newshub presenter shared with followers in a since-deleted post.</p> <p dir="ltr">The viewer, identified only as David, had written to the entire newsroom to complain about Ms Kaipara’s tattoo, which he mislabelled as a “moku” and said was “offensive” and “a bad look”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We continue to object strongly to you using Māori TV presenter with a moku, which is offensive and aggressive looking. A bad look,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">David also objected to the use of te reo Māori during broadcasts, despite the fact that the Māori language features in most Kiwi TV broadcasts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She also bursts into Māori language which we do not understand. Stop it now,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">On Instagram, Ms Kaipara shared her full response to him.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Thank you for all your complaints against me and my ‘moku’. I do find them very difficult to take seriously, given there is no breach of broadcast standards,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“If I may, I’d like to correct you on one thing – it is moko not ‘moku’. A simple, helpful pronunciation guide of ‘Maw-Caw’ will help you articulate the word correctly.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I gather your complaints stem from a place of preference on how one must look on-screen, according to you. Moko and people with them are not threatening, nor do they deserve such discrimination, harassment or prejudice.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Moko are ancient cultural markings unique to the indigenous people of Aotearoa, myself included. We mean no harm or ill intent, nor do we deserve to be treated with such disregard. Please refrain from complaining further, and restrain your cultural ignorance and bias for another lifetime, preferably in the 1800s.”</p> <p dir="ltr">She ended her message with, “Nga mihi matakuikui o te wa,” a polite te reo Māori farewell, and signed off as “the lady with the moko kauwae who speaks Māori but MOSTLY English on TV”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/newshubs-oriini-kaiparas-response-to-viewers-complaint-about-her-offensive-moko-kauae/LWLE2VNRPXM2GJTQ73Z3FNME74/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em> after, Ms Kaipara said the viewer had been “relentless” in his complaints.</p> <p dir="ltr">“These types of complaints are being sent by a minority,” she told the publication, adding that she receives plenty of “lovely and thoughtful” messages from viewers.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The fact that my existence triggers some people is testament to why we need more Māori advocates in key roles across every sector.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Kaipara, who is of Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Rangitihi and Ngāi Tūhoe descent, has previously said she got her moko in 2019 to remind herself of her identity as a Māori woman.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When I doubt myself, and I see my reflection in the mirror, I’m not just looking at myself,” she explained.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’m looking at my grandmother and my mother, and my daughters, and those to come after me, as well as all the other women and Maori girls out there. It empowers me.”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-d248cbbc-7fff-de3f-a32a-984cc801f082"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @oriinz (Instagram)</em></p>

Technology

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“We will miss you brother”: Kiwi soldier killed in Ukraine identified

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand soldier who died in Ukraine fighting alongside other foreign troops in the International Legion has been remembered by fellow soldiers as “strong, hardcore and handsome”.</p> <p dir="ltr">Corporal Dominic Abelen was fighting on the frontline in the east of Ukraine while on leave away from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and not on active duty, as reported by the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-ukraine-war-off-duty-new-zealand-soldier-dominic-abelen-killed-in-ukraine/M45ZWJEZ47I2Z5XD4Q44KNJFD4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 30-year-old soldier was based at Burnham Military Camp, outside Christchurch, with the Royal New Zealand Regiment’s 2nd/1st Battalion.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At this early stage, there is still more information to be gathered in order to understand the circumstances fully,” the NZDF said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">Brigadier Rose King, the Acting Chief of Army, said <a href="https://www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/further-details-released-on-nzdf-soldier-reportedly-killed-in-ukraine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">in a statement</a> that their efforts would be concentrated on supporting Abelen’s family and NZDF personnel.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Any loss of one of our whānau (‘family’) is deeply felt across the New Zealand Defence Force. We are concentrating our efforts on supporting Corporal Abelen’s loved ones and our personnel as they grieve,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">His family have requested not to be approached by the media, with his father, Bryce, sharing a statement with the NZDF.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dominic was in the New Zealand Army for 10 years but never got to fight for his country,” Bryce said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He didn't tell us he was going to Ukraine until he was there. He knew we would talk him out of it. He also knew the risks of going there but still went to fight for them.</p> <p dir="ltr">“That is Dominic, always thinking of helping others.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We understand why he went and hold no grudge against the NZ or Ukraine Army and fully support what he did.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dominic loved being in the army, the life-long friends he made there.</p> <p dir="ltr">“There has been relentless support from half the Burnham Military Camp that knew him, as well as personnel from overseas.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A kind, gentle man with the most infectious smile that you couldn't help but smile back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He had a love of the outdoors and did a lot of tramping. He spent his holidays travelling around New Zealand and the world.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I'm extremely proud of my children and especially Dominic for standing up and doing what he thought was right. He leaves a massive hole in all our hearts.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Abelen’s siblings describing him as “the most amazing human being”, the “buffest” member of their family, and that he had “the biggest heart to match”.</p> <p dir="ltr">A former NZDF soldier who is also fighting with Ukraine’s International Legion paid tribute to his fallen comrade, describing him as “a warrior until the end”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The bro was anything but scenery. Strong, hardcore, handsome but extremely humble,” he wrote online.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Best believe he died doing what he loved and was extremely good at.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We will miss you brother. So much. You have left a hole that we are feeling and we could never hope to fill.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Sources have since told the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/russia-ukraine-war-off-duty-new-zealand-soldier-dominic-abelen-killed-fighting-re-taking-trench-in-ukraine/26EVXCDFPOAROXLSARVPKIZSQU/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Herald</a></em> that Abelen was involved in a joint operation to retake the frontline of a trench network and was instantly killed in a firefight during a dawn assault.</p> <p dir="ltr">Another American fighter is also said to have died.</p> <p dir="ltr">Defence Minister Peeni Henare expressed his condolences to Abelen’s family, friends, and colleagues.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have been advised the New Zealand Army are supporting the soldier’s family through this difficult time,” he said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Tenby Powell, the former commanding officer of the NZDF who is currently in Ukraine undertaking humanitarian work, said he was asked by Abelen’s family to bring him home.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though he didn’t go into the details surrounding the soldier’s death, he told Today FM that the family were distraught.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s a very sad day here in Ukraine, not just for New Zealanders but for everyone,” Powell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’ve talked to a family member they have asked me and I have agreed to go and get him. We need to do this in a very respectful and expedient manner. I have given the family my assurances that he will be well looked after all the way back.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The critically-important thing is to ensure that he is recovered and brought back in a way where he is looked after for the entire trip back to New Zealand.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Powell intended to drape the New Zealand flag over the coffin for the trip home and ensure that Abelen had all the care a person serving in the defence force warranted.</p> <p dir="ltr">Abelen would be taken first through Warsaw, then Ukraine and on to New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We are determined to bring him out. He will come out and he will be looked after all the way,” Powell said.</p> <p dir="ltr">The soldier’s passing comes after the New Zealand government announced that a further 120 NZDF personnel would be sent to Britain to help train Ukrainian soldiers, on top of the 30 personnel deployed in May.</p> <p dir="ltr">"New Zealand has been clear that we will continue to answer the call of Ukraine for practical support as they defend their homeland and people against Russia's unjustified invasion," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on August 15.</p> <p dir="ltr">"We know that one of the highest priorities for Ukraine right now, is to train its soldiers, and New Zealand is proud to stand in solidarity alongside a number of other countries to answer that call."</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-936352a7-7fff-fcbe-1d7f-0f92419aff13"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: NZDF</em></p>

Caring

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Missing Kiwi cameraman remembered as “exceptional” and “sweetest” person

<p dir="ltr">A top New Zealand cameraman has been remembered as the “sweetest” and an “exceptional” colleague after he was found dead several days after disappearing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Jason Day, who formerly worked for New Zealand’s TVNZ, was last seen on Saturday, April 30 in the British city of Bristol, where he was living with Kelsey Mulcahy, his partner of five years.</p> <p dir="ltr">Just three days later, Mr Day’s next of kin were informed by police that they located a body at Avon Gorge, as reported by <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/top-tvnz-cameraman-joseph-day-found-dead-in-mysterious-circumstances-in-bristol-uk-c-6672258" target="_blank" rel="noopener">7News</a></em>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“While formal identification has not yet taken place, we have updated the family of missing 31-year-old Joseph Day,” Avon and Somerset police said in a statement.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our hearts go out to them and we thank them for their patience while inquiries into the circumstances of death continue.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-950adcc3-7fff-74ac-7cb9-07ad8a94b5d0"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“We’d ask the public to avoid speculation and respect the privacy of Joseph’s family at this time.”</p> <p><iframe style="overflow: hidden; border: initial none initial;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Favonandsomersetpolice%2Fphotos%2Fa.66888374811%2F10159874114884812%2F%3Ftype%3D3&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="451" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Day and his partner were engaged and reportedly planning to return to New Zealand to tie the knot at the end of the year.</p> <p dir="ltr">Ms Mulcahy last spoke to her fiancé on the same night he disappeared, with her last text reminding him to pull the blinds down at home before going to bed.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My last message to him was reminding him to pull down the blackout blinds because he always forgets and it’s light so long in the UK now,” she told the <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/something-s-gone-wrong-kiwi-cameraman-goes-missing-in-the-uk-20220503-p5ahxz.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>Sydney Morning Herald</em> and <em>The Age</em></a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“His reply was ‘will do’ and then he stopped responding but before that we were talking about how we were going to go to London in three weeks.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We just adore each other, we have not had problems in our relationship and I would be truly honest if we did.”</p> <p dir="ltr">When she arrived home the next afternoon, she said she panicked after discovering he wasn’t home and the grocery box that had been delivered to them was still outside.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I ran upstairs and the bed was made and the blinds were open and everything was shut up,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">After his disappearance, Ms Mulcahy took to social media asking for any help locating him, writing: “This is extremely out of character for him, we always keep in touch every minute of the day.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Everyone who knows Joe loves him very much, he is incredibly special to me, and his family and friends.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Speaking to <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/new-zealander-and-former-tvnz-cameraman-joseph-day-missing-in-bristol-england/JL5N7G4JIHJMR6VZY3GG6UIEOQ/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em>, she said her partner had planned to have “a really nice night in” with the apartment all to himself.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It’s hard because there are so many people that love him in New Zealand, his family and all of his friends adore him - he’s just the sweetest, nicest guy ever,” she told the publication.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Day’s colleagues have echoed the same sentiments in their tributes to the cameraman, describing him as “exceptional”, “loyal” and “humble”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“He had the ability to capture angles, lights and moments that added so much beauty to each story. He was loyal and honourable,” TVNZ current affairs reporter Maca Moayyed wrote on Twitter.</p> <p dir="ltr">“When we would go out on shoots, the people we were filming adored him. He was humble, hardworking, but work wasn’t his life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was clear how much he loved his family and his fiancée. My heart is broken for them. Rest in peace, Joe.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Correspondent Mark Crystall wrote: “Absolutely devastated to hear of Joe Day’s passing.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Joe like his dad, Pete, was a much loved member of our SundayTVNZ whanau - his beautiful eye &amp; deep soul became pictures that lifted our stories to another level.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Our deepest sympathies &amp; love to Pete &amp; mum, Feloani.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d4e90184-7fff-90d0-1299-518d6f36d30b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

News

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“I need a new butt!” Kiwi book leads to teacher being fired

<p dir="ltr">An assistant principal has claimed that he was fired from his job after reading a book about butts to his year two students. </p> <p dir="ltr">Toby Price was reading <em>I Need A New Butt!</em> to his second graders at Gary Road Elementary School in Mississippi.</p> <p dir="ltr">The children’s book, written by New Zealand author Dawn McMillian, tells the story of a boy who looks for a new bum after seeing a crack on his. </p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Price said the children “loved” and “really liked” the book, but it appears those on top did not and he was soon called to the principal’s office. </p> <p dir="ltr">"About 10 minutes after that, the principal called me into her office and said, 'Mr Price we are probably going to get some parent calls about this book' and I understood, a very professional lady, I get it," he told <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-the-monday-edition-1.6384517/this-assistant-principal-says-he-was-fired-for-reading-kids-a-book-called-i-need-a-new-butt-1.6384717" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBC</a>. </p> <p dir="ltr">"A few minutes after that I was called to the superintendent's office - there are two superintendents - the main superintendent, she let me have it pretty good for choosing that book. </p> <p dir="ltr">"She asked me if that was the kind of thing I thought was funny - butts and farts - and before I walked in there I thought it was."</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Price was placed on administrative leave and two days later was “totally blinded” after being fired. </p> <p dir="ltr">The educator of 20 years has the support of the parent-teacher association and because of how much traction his story received, it will go to court to reverse the decision. </p> <p dir="ltr">He admits he’s scared of the decision because it “might not be the happiest work environment".  </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Facebook</em></p>

Books

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Cheaper in Oz: One Kiwi shopper’s savvy way to save on groceries

<p dir="ltr">A New Zealand woman has shared the unusual way that she saved 35 percent on her usual grocery bill - and it involves and it even comes with free shipping.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman, who asked not to be identified, told the <em><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/kiwi-shopper-saves-35-per-cent-ordering-groceries-from-australia/BL3RATPOZGLJQASWDRVY3DC4O4/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NZ Herald</a></em> that purchasing her usual groceries from Australia and shipping them to New Zealand ended up being significantly cheaper than shopping at her local supermarket.</p> <p dir="ltr">The Otago woman ordered 13 items from the neighbouring country, including pasta, nuts, dried fruit, rolled oats, toothbrushes, shampoo and hair dye, via Amazon.</p> <p dir="ltr">She told the publication she received her goods within five days, having paid just $AUD 93.30 ($NZD 100.59).</p> <p dir="ltr">“I only bought items that were included in a free shipping promotion, so I wasn’t charged for shipping. According to the receipt, shipping would have added $15,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">When she compared prices using the Countdown online shopping app, she found that the same items would have cost her an upwards of $30 more, totalling $NZD 139.96 ($AUD 129.82).</p> <p dir="ltr">She found the best deal was on toothpaste, which she paid $AUD 2.50 ($NZD2.69) for.</p> <p dir="ltr">“All the items were long-shelf life items. I don’t think ordering from Australia would work for fresh food,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though she made a significant saving, the savvy shopper says she might not repeat her “crazy little experiment” due to the carbon footprint that came with it.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-baad06f1-7fff-9595-6d01-0b32442ccaaf"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Qantas’ eight-year streak as safest airline ended by Kiwi rival

<p dir="ltr">In the wake of some of its toughest years during the pandemic, the airline industry has welcomed the gradual return of travelling by announcing the safest airlines in the world for the year ahead - with the top prize going to Air New Zealand.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 2022 rankings were compiled by <a href="https://www.airlineratings.com/news/air-new-zealand-worlds-safest-airline-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AirlineRatings.com</a>, which considered the number of serious incidents over the previous two years, safety initiatives, fleet age and COVID-19 safety protocols in each airline’s score.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-5b66640e-7fff-fcac-f0d3-d051d525fdce"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">Air New Zealand was lauded for its technical innovation and young fleet of planes, with the website’s editors noting that the airline operates in “some of the most challenging weather conditions and remote environments”.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CagcvZXlCNq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CagcvZXlCNq/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Air New Zealand ✈️ (@airnz)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“The last two years have been extremely difficult for airlines with COVID-19 slashing travel and Airline Ratings editors have particularly focused on the lengths airlines are undertaking to re-train pilots ahead of a return to service,” said Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas, </p> <p dir="ltr">He added that Air New Zealand was a leader in the field thanks to its “comprehensive retraining”..</p> <p dir="ltr">This year’s rankings has also seen the end of Qantas’ eight-year streak, with the website stating that an incident at a Perth airport in 2018 caused the drop in its ranking.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite this, the Aussie airline still made the top 20 of the 385 airlines included in the ranking, coming in seventh place.</p> <p dir="ltr">The top 20 ranking, in full, is as follows:Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airways, TAP Portugal, SAS, Qantas, Alaska Airlines, EVA Air, Virgin Australia/Atlantic, Cathay Pacific Airways, Hawaiian Airlines, American Airlines, Lufthansa/Swiss Group, Finnair, Air France/KLM Group, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and Emirates.</p> <p dir="ltr">Meanwhile, the safest low-cost airlines have also been ranked, with Jetstar, Ryanair, Vietjet, Westjet and Wizz were among those that made the top ten list for 2022.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-3f917cbd-7fff-1d64-ce8c-c859b68bbbc3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: @qantas (Instagram)</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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How to attract more birds to your garden

<p dir="ltr">Turn your garden into a flurry of feathered activity by choosing a selection of plants that will produce an abundance of food over a long period of time.</p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/australian-native-plants">Australian natives are a great choice as they are available in colours known to attract wildlife</a>, and are particularly laden with nectar and seeds – both of which birds love. Here are six native plants known to seduce our feathered friends.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Grevillea</h3> <p dir="ltr">Many <a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-grow-grevilleas">grevillea species are highly desirable to birds</a> because of the nectar produced. To attract a variety of bird species, consider planting both large- and small-flowered cultivars. Grevillea ‘Fire Sprite’ has large, showy flowers offering plenty of nectar, while Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’ is a smaller variety providing plenty of protection.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Banksia</h3> <p dir="ltr">These are like a buffet for nectar-feeding and seed-eating birds, such as wattlebirds and cockatoos. Many species also flower in winter, when other natural food sources are scarce. Try Banksia ericifolia, which produces orange flower spikes through autumn and winter, providing ample nectar for many bird species.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Kangaroo Paw</h3> <h3 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; background-color: #ffffff; margin-top: 23pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; padding: 0pt 0pt 15pt 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you don’t have room for a small tree or shrub, consider this option. Kangaroo paw used to be hard to grow in some locations, but modern breeding has meant varieties will now flourish just about anywhere. All species have strap-like leaves and tubular flowers that attract honeyeaters. Try the Bush Gems range, which is compact and free-flowering, or the red and green kangaroo paw (Anigozanthos manglesii), which features flowers borne on 600mm stems.</span></h3> <h3 dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-96435447-7fff-408a-8d6a-9a2e57cc8806" style="font-weight: normal;"></span></h3> <h3 dir="ltr">Bottlebrush</h3> <p dir="ltr">Bursting into bloom from early spring, bottlebrush delivers rich pickings for birds. They also provide shelter and nesting material and attract insects. Tree shapes and sizes vary considerably, so there’s one suitable for just about any garden. Plant crimson bottlebrush to lure nectar-feeders, or the weeping bottlebrush, which gives excellent protective cover for small birds and an abundance of nectar for honeyeaters.</p> <h3 dir="ltr">Wattle</h3> <h3 dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-56f150f6-7fff-841f-a36a-42fba3ab9e61" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A bird magnet! Insectivorous birds, such as robins and some honeyeaters, use these trees for shelter, while cockatoos, rosellas and native pigeons favour the seeds. </span><a style="text-decoration-line: none;" href="https://www.bhg.com.au/how-to-grow-wattle"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Several wattle varieties</span></a><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-family: Arial; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> have nectar glands on the leaf stalk, such as Sydney golden wattle Acacia longifolia, which attracts small honeyeaters and insects.</span></span></h3> <h3 dir="ltr">Eucalyptus</h3> <p dir="ltr">These trees often have hollows in the trunk or branch forks, which provide shelter. Eucalypts, such as scribbly gum (Eucalyptus haemastoma), also bear nectar and fruit so you might find honeyeaters and other nectar-feeding birds enjoying the blossoms, and cockatoos and rosellas feeding on the fruit.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Home & Garden

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See the Aussie and Kiwi cities that stun by night

<p dir="ltr">Sydney has <a href="https://travel.nine.com.au/latest/sydney-named-among-most-beautiful-cities-to-visit-by-night/50b6ffaf-037a-409a-a1c9-8078690f6328#1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">topped</a> a list of Australia and New Zealand’s most Instagrammable cities by night, according to a new study of the world’s best cities when the sun goes down.</p><p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6f8439a3-7fff-85d6-0d53-1649310a808a">The <a href="https://www.premierinn.com/gb/en/news/2021/instagram-cities-by-night.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">study</a>, conducted by Premier Inn, analysed thousands of hashtags to determine the best cities by region and globally, with Paris taking out the worldwide No. 1 spot.</span></p><blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF;border: 0;border-radius: 3px;margin: 1px;max-width: 540px;min-width: 326px;padding: 0;width: calc(100% - 2px)" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZNRR1u2mL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"><div style="padding: 16px"><div style="flex-direction: row;align-items: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 40px;margin-right: 14px;width: 40px"> </div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 100px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 60px"> </div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0"> </div><div style="height: 50px;margin: 0 auto 12px;width: 50px"> </div><div style="padding-top: 8px"><div style="color: #3897f0;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 550;line-height: 18px">View this post on Instagram</div></div><div style="padding: 12.5% 0"> </div><div style="flex-direction: row;margin-bottom: 14px;align-items: center"><div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px;flex-grow: 0;margin-right: 14px;margin-left: 2px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;height: 12.5px;width: 12.5px"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: 8px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 50%;flex-grow: 0;height: 20px;width: 20px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 2px solid transparent;border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom: 2px solid transparent"> </div></div><div style="margin-left: auto"><div style="width: 0px;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right: 8px solid transparent"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;flex-grow: 0;height: 12px;width: 16px"> </div><div style="width: 0;height: 0;border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left: 8px solid transparent"> </div></div></div><div style="flex-direction: column;flex-grow: 1;justify-content: center;margin-bottom: 24px"><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;margin-bottom: 6px;width: 224px"> </div><div style="background-color: #f4f4f4;border-radius: 4px;flex-grow: 0;height: 14px;width: 144px"> </div></div><p style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;line-height: 17px;margin-bottom: 0;margin-top: 8px;overflow: hidden;padding: 8px 0 7px;text-align: center"><a style="color: #c9c8cd;font-family: Arial,sans-serif;font-size: 14px;font-style: normal;font-weight: normal;line-height: 17px;text-decoration: none" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZNRR1u2mL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Paris Living Way (@parislivingway)</a></p></div></blockquote><p dir="ltr">Sydney scored the top spot for the Australia and New Zealand region with over 15,600 hashtags for #SydneybyNight.</p><p dir="ltr">Sadly, it didn’t make the cut for the global rankings, where European cities dominated. </p><p dir="ltr">Coming in second place in the regional rankings was Melbourne, followed by Brisbane and Perth.</p><p dir="ltr">New Zealand only claimed one spot in the list, with Auckland coming in fifth place out of eight cities.</p><p dir="ltr">Adelaide and the Gold Coast took up the rear, claiming just over a thousand hashtags between them.</p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38;margin-top: 0pt;margin-bottom: 0pt"><em>Image: @vividsydney (Instagram)</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-4e6deea7-7fff-a3e8-83c0-8ef8df71c227"></span></p>

Domestic Travel

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TikTok shows bird inside cabin on flight from Europe to US

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A passenger on a flight from Europe to the US has shared a video of a bird that was trapped inside the cabin during her flight.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brooke Frazier uploaded a video to TikTok of a bird flying throughout the cabin of the plane she was on, writing, "Bird stuck on our eight hour flight from Europe lil guy about to be so confused.” In the caption, she wrote that the bird had “hopped on” the flight in Belgium and was “going crazy” during the flight to the US.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p> <div class="embed"><iframe class="embedly-embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7051627241830403374&amp;display_name=tiktok&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40totallychillfemale%2Fvideo%2F7051627241830403374&amp;image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F7dd3104a4c624e7ebda67ae7affa603c_1641834912%7Etplv-tiktok-play.jpeg%3Fx-expires%3D1642078800%26x-signature%3D26FoJY0C1LvfiLhbFiJa3bTZQBc%253D&amp;key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" scrolling="no" title="tiktok embed" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></div> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The video has received almost 12 million views, almost 2 million likes, and over 20,000 comments. Commenters were quick to see the humour in the situation, with one suggesting it was something out of a movie, writing, “Pixar movie. European bird runs away cuz all his family bullied him for being small. now he's raised by a bunch of pigeons from Jersey”. Brooke herself responded with her own movie synopsis, saying, “migrant bird opens a bakery in jersey to show his pursuit of the american dream while going back to his roots with family recipes”. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Another commented “Omg I hope he speaks English,” while another said, “He’s gonna have to learn to fly on the right side.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brooke posted a followup video once they’d touched down, asking, “Does anyone know if Pfizer protects against bird flu?”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Many users wanted more information on the bird’s fate, with one person writing, “They should provide a free return trip for him”, while another said, “It’s gonna be so lonely without its friends”. Brooke herself commented, “I started tearing up bc it's whole family is in Belgium and it's gonna get off and have to make new friends."</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: TikTok</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Garden birds are struggling: four ways to help

<p>More than a quarter of Britain’s birds are now on the RSPB’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/uk-conservation-status-explained/" target="_blank">red list</a>, meaning that their numbers are in severe decline.</p> <p>Some of the recent additions to the red list are thought of as common garden birds, such as the greenfinch. Others, such as the swift and house martin, only spend spring and summer visiting the UK before migrating to warmer climes. But the environment they encounter in the UK, as well as along their migration routes, affects their survival significantly.</p> <p>Many of the species that we feed in our gardens and on balconies are under threat. Here are four ways to help them.</p> <p><strong>1. Clean your bird feeders and bird baths</strong></p> <p>In the wild, with a few exceptions such as starlings, birds don’t come into close contact with each other much. This lack of contact makes it harder for diseases to spread.</p> <p>Bird feeders change this dynamic. The presence of a bird feeder means that many individual birds from many different species feed in the same area. This leads to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bto.org/community/news/201803-feed-birds-scientists-highlight-risks-disease-garden-bird-feeders" target="_blank">spread of disease</a>, because birds often poo where they eat, leaving pathogens to infect the next visitor.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/438076/original/file-20211216-23-13tbwiw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Two birds on a house shaped feeder" /> <em><span class="caption">Greenfinches on a bird feeder.</span> <span class="attribution"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/greenfinches-perching-on-bird-feeder-spring-1667803654" target="_blank" class="source">Chamois huntress/Shutterstock</a></span></em></p> <p>The greenfinch, a once common garden bird now added to the red list, has suffered because of this. The disease <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/gardens-wildlife/garden-birds/disease/trichomonosis" target="_blank">trichomonosis</a>, which used to just infect pigeons and doves, has spread to greenfinches with deadly consequences. Regular cleaning of your garden bird feeders and bird baths can reduce this risk.</p> <p><strong>2. Install bird nesting boxes</strong></p> <p>Many people help birds by putting up nest boxes in their gardens. But these boxes are mostly made for robins and tits who nest in open boxes, or ones with small holes. These nest boxes mimic the crevices and holes that would be available in mature trees.</p> <p>Swifts and house martins are new entrants to the red list, and both of these will readily use man-made nesting places if we provide them – with a few modifications for their needs.</p> <p>House martins will nest in a pre-made or home-made <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/how-to-attract-house-martins/" target="_blank">nest cup</a> which mimics the mud nests house martins make for themselves.</p> <p>Swifts will <a rel="noopener" href="http://www.saveourswifts.co.uk/attractswifts.htm" target="_blank">nest in boxes</a>, but they take a bit more work to attract. The best way to do this is to play their screeching call from a speaker placed close to the nest box, to get them to investigate and hopefully nest.</p> <p>You can make nest boxes attractive to these species by installing them in the eaves of your home, as they need them to be up high so they can take flight from them easily.</p> <p><strong>3. Add some insect-friendly plants</strong></p> <p>Many of the species entering the red list, such as the house martin and house sparrow, feed on insects. Insects numbers have <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/february/the-world-s-insect-populations-are-plummeting-everywhere-we-look.html" target="_blank">declined rapidly</a>, so it is no surprise that these avian predators are finding it hard to feed themselves and their chicks.</p> <p>You may love a neat and tidy garden or balcony, but set aside an area to be a bit messier and weedier to attract insects. Adding <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/conservation-biodiversity/wildlife/plants-for-pollinators" target="_blank">pollinator-friendly plants</a>, such as lavender, foxglove and sedum, could really boost insect numbers – natural bird food – in your garden.</p> <p><strong>4. Reduce dangers to birds</strong></p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0049369" target="_blank">Pet cats are predators</a> and can target species like house sparrows, which remain on the red list. Even the presence of cats could be enough to <a rel="noopener" href="https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2664.12025" target="_blank">scare birds</a>, reducing the number of young they may be able to have. This may have a more damaging impact on bird populations than the number of birds killed by cats.</p> <p><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/438077/original/file-20211216-17-10dzdgj.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="Cat stalking along fence under roses" /> <em><span class="caption">Cats are predators and their presence affects bird populations.</span> <span class="attribution"><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/cat-burglar-front-roses-on-prowl-1503499694" target="_blank" class="source">Lilly P. Green/Shutterstock</a></span></em></p> <p>If you own a cat, there are ways for you to reduce its effect on bird numbers. A collar with a bell is an effective way to warn birds and other animals about a cat’s presence.</p> <p>In addition, you could consider restricting when cats are allowed outside to just the daytime, as birds can be more vulnerable in the very early morning when they wake and start to look for food. Alternatively, you could keep cats inside entirely. It is very common in Australia and the US for cats to remain indoors.</p> <p>These changes may seem small and your garden or outdoor space may not be big, but gardens in the UK <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/habitats/towns-and-gardens" target="_blank">cover more area</a> that all of our nature reserves put together. Encouraging wildlife in these garden habitats can make a big difference.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/173025/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/becky-thomas-506528" target="_blank">Becky Thomas</a>, Senior Teaching Fellow in Ecology, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/royal-holloway-university-of-london-795" target="_blank">Royal Holloway University of London</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/garden-birds-are-struggling-four-ways-to-help-173025" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Home & Garden

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Kiwi rugby star dies after freak accident

<p><em>Image: Ina Olaizola/ordizia rugby</em></p> <p>The Spanish Rugby Federation has paid tribute to Kiwi lock Kawa Leauma after he died following a "freak accident" in the Netherlands, aged only 32.</p> <p>The Auckland-born Leauma had been hospitalised and underwent surgery after he "suffered an accident that caused severe head trauma" on Saturday, the federation said.</p> <p>Spanish media reports said Leauma fell eight metres from a building in Amsterdam. It has been reported his condition had "slightly improved" on Sunday after surgery but worsened 24 hours later.</p> <p>"World Rugby, and Spanish rugby in particular, is in mourning, and from the Spanish Rugby Federation we can only thank the commitment of a player admired and loved by all his team-mates from XV del León [Spain's national men's team] and his club, AMPO Ordizia," the federation said in its obituary to Leauma.</p> <p>Leauma, who played for the AMPO Ordizia club in Spain's Basque Country, was in Amsterdam for Spain's Rugby Europe Championship match against the Netherlands.</p> <p>The federation said he died because of a "freak accident" suffered just hours after Spain beat the Netherlands 52-7 in a match that doubled as a qualifier for the next Rugby World Cup in France in 2023.</p> <p>He was on-track to make his official international debut for Spain after becoming eligible through three years of residency, but he was withdrawn at the last minute because of doubts about eligibility. He played in a friendly for Spain against an Italian side in Madrid in October. The federation said its president Alfonso Feijoo and Ordizia sports director Iñigo Marotias would meet Leauma's wife when she arrived in Amsterdam.</p> <p>In the obituary, Leauma was described as "a person who made himself loved" and made his mark on Spanish rugby.</p> <p>At 197cm and weighing 110kg, Leauma was hoping to become a regular in Spain's team.The federation said they would honour his memory by trying to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since their only appearance in the UK in 1999.</p> <p>Leauma played for a handful of Auckland clubs, including Otahuhu, Papatoetoe, Mount Wellington and Manukau Rovers. A blindside flanker, No 8 or lock, he represented Samoa's under-20s and played for Auckland's sevens team.</p> <p>Leauma also took his rugby career to Australia, playing for the Sydney Rays and West Harbour clubs in New South Wales, before moving to Spain in 2018.</p> <p>The Mount Wellington and Papatoetoe clubs led the tributes for Leauma on social media.</p> <p>"These posts aren't easy to do and this one in particular is pretty upsetting as this club acknowledges the passing of Kawa Leauma," Mount Wellington's Facebook post said.</p> <p>"Kawa was an integral part of our Mount Wellington Premier side, great player and humble both on and off the field and we enjoyed seeing him continue to thrive beyond his time at our club. He will be sorely missed by many of our community and we extend our sincere condolences to his wife and family as they navigate this tough time in a foreign country."</p> <p>Papatoetoe tribute's said "another brother gone way too soon".</p> <p>"Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Kawwa Leuma who passed away in a tragic accident whilst living abroad in Spain," the club's Facebook post said.</p> <p>"Kawwa had been playing professional rugby and just recently made his international debut for Spain. He was part of a strong Papatoetoe U21s team back in 2010.</p> <p>"Rest in love brother Kawwa."</p>

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