The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care releases its findings and recommendations, a woman is jailed over her 'morbidly obese' dog, and a spying scandal rocks the Olympics.
1 Abuse in care: 'Devastating' cost to survivors, 'stain' on society
More than a third of people in state and faith-based institutions between 1950 and 2019 were abused, the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care has found, describing it as a “disgrace” and a “stain” on the national character.
The commission’s report released to the public today said that would remain so if the “gross violations” and injustice are not addressed.
Its executive summary stated leaders in those organisations were charged with nurturing, protecting and helping people flourish, but “failed in their duty”.
Children, young people and adults were exposed to “unimaginable physical, emotional, mental and sexual abuse, severe exploitation and neglect”, abuse and neglect widespread, the report said.
2 Auckland woman jailed over 'morbidly obese' dog
The dog, named Nuggi, weighed 53.7kg when he came into the SPCA's care in October 2021, after police carried out a search warrant at the woman's Manurewa property.
Several dogs from the property were taken to a shelter by animal control officers. Inspectors were told Nuggi was fed 8-10 pieces of chicken daily.
He died two months later due to an "acute haemorrhage from a ruptured mass on his liver". A necropsy later revealed that the dog had liver disease and Cushing's disease.
The woman was sentenced to two months imprisonment, ordered to pay reparations of $1222.15, and disqualified from owning dogs for 12 months, according to the SPCA.
3 Major bank cuts home loan rates for second time in three weeks
Westpac, one of the country's largest banks, has cut its home loan rates for the second time in three weeks.
Major banks have all trimmed their rates in the past two weeks. The drops come after the latest data showed the rate of inflation dipping.
A spokesperson for Westpac said: "Today's changes mean Westpac has the joint-lowest advertised special rates of the five major banks on the popular 12-month and 18-month terms, and the outright lowest on the three and four-year terms.
Find out what rates are being trimmed here.
4 Auckland mother who caused infant son's death jailed
The woman pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Auckland High Court in May, and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison today.
The woman was 20 at the time of the baby's death at Starship Hospital in January 2022.
"At some point prior to 9pm, [the mother] became frustrated with [the younger son] and momentarily lost control," a court summary said.
"She shook [the boy] forcefully, causing severe brain injuries that were a substantial and operative cause of his death."
5 'I stuffed up' - Minister fails to show for reading of own Bill
The Social Development Minister Louise Upston says she's apologised to the National Party after she failed to turn up to the reading of her own Bill at Parliament today.
The Regulatory Systems (Social Security) Amendment Bill had to be discharged when Upston didn't turn up.
"I stuffed up," the embarrassed Minister told reporters this afternoon.
"The House was progressing faster than I anticipated, and I didn't make sure a hard copy of the speech was in the House on time."
ONE OLYMPIC SCANDAL
The New Zealand Olympic Committee and New Zealand Football say they are "deeply shocked" that a member of staff from the Canadian women’s football team flew a drone over one of their training sessions.
A strongly-worded media release this morning stated a Canadian team staff member had been "detained" after the incident was reported to police at St Etienne ahead of the two teams’ first game at the Paris Olympics on Friday.
A formal complaint was made by the NZOC, and Team Canada has apologised, according to the statement.
ONE POWERFUL PASSPORT
The latest global passport power rankings have been revealed – and New Zealand has moved up the list.
With 190 destinations available to Kiwis visa-free, Aotearoa ranks fourth-equal compared to other countries around the world in the 2024 Henley Passport Index.
New Zealand, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland and the United Kingdom all shared that spot.
This year, Singapore is the passport ranked first in the world. It has 195 destinations available visa-free.
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