Holiday Breakfast

It took five years to get here, but the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark has become the first UNESCO accredited Geopark in New Zealand and Australia. 

There are nearly forty different sites across the district such as the iconic Moeraki boulders, the Ōmarama Clay Cliffs, the Elephant Rocks, and Anatini Valley, featuring million-year-old marine fossils. 

Waitaki District Mayor, Gary Kircher, told Tim Dower that they have a lot of stories to tell in the district, from the start of social security with the Waitaki Dam to the stories of the mana whenua. 

Although the history and culture of the district is a fantastic learning opportunity, there is also the option to sit back, relax, and enjoy the lake. 

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A series of events featuring pro-Russian speakers visiting Italy has caused a conflict with the Ukrainian embassy. 

The embassy is urging local authorities to cancel the events, including one that was going to feature the far-right Kremlin ideologue, Alexander Dugan, whose concept of a Russian world helped to inspire the war in Ukraine. 

Italy Correspondent, Jo McKenna, told Tim Dower that authorities are concerned that this may be tapping into some disillusionment with the Italian support for Ukraine. 

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A Wellington Councillor is appalled a Wellington Water employee has bragged online about doing nothing at work. 

The staffer uploaded a video clip —since deleted— labelled:  'one day slacking off and no work.' 

The company is investigating. 

City Councillor Ray Chung told Tim Dower that some of it must be down to the culture and management. 

He asks why management aren't overseeing such things and asks how valid the claim is she has 'nothing to do'. 

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The number of students in home education has continued to rise.  

About 11,000 students are in home education as of November 2023, compared to more than 6,000 in 2018.  

The Education Ministry's noted a decline in the number of applications since the peak in November 2021, but this is still higher than pre-pandemic levels.  

National Council of Home Educators government liaison Cynthia Hancox says there's many reasons parents opt for this, including concerns with the education system.  

She says that includes a desire for a closer family unit, wanting a higher quality more tailored learning programme, and to avoid bullying or peer pressure. 

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Cloud cover is keeping a warm blanket over much of the country this morning. 

MetService Metereologist Mads Naeraa-Spiers told Tim Dower that it was a very warm night, with many regions seeing 20 to 21 degree temperatures. 

He says the cloud will burn off, so much of the North Island will be warm/hot and muggy today. 

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American tourists are eyeing up a near $15 thousand train journey across New Zealand. 

The New York Times has named the KiwiRail Great Journey trains as one of the top things to do this year. 

KiwiRail's Journeys Manager Tracey Goodall told Tim Dower that the American market prefers this all-inclusive bells and whistles tour. 

She says to be acknowledged at this stage is brilliant, because they have a long-term growth plan already in place. 

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British Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has been caught up in the UK post office scandal. 

The British Government is seeking a law change to overturn hundreds of wrongful convictions towards postal workers, wrongly charged with fraud. 

Correspondent Rod Liddle told Tim Dower that Starmer was the director of the Crown Prosecution Service between 2008 and 2013. 

He says Starmer oversaw these cases and seemed to think they were perfectly okay. 

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An alleged incident involving Green MP Golriz Ghahraman at a boutique Auckland clothing store happened just two days before Christmas.

Ghahraman, who was justice spokeswoman for the Greens up until yesterday, has stood aside from her portfolios after being accused of shoplifting, Newstalk ZB Plus understands.

Police have now confirmed they received a report about an incident at a Ponsonby retailer on December 23.

“Initial enquiries are still being made into this report and Police are not able to comment further at this stage” a spokesperson said.

According to sources, Ghahraman is understood to have been accused of shoplifting during the festive season from exclusive Auckland clothing store Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby, in the electorate of fellow Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick.

The store declined to provide specific details when contacted by ZB Plus but confirmed the alleged incident was being handled by police.

A political commentator says, whether true or not, the prominent Green Party MP and human rights lawyer’s reputation will be tarnished following the accusations.

Political commentator Brigitte Morten told Newstalk ZB this morning it will be difficult for Ghahraman to rebuild her reputation.

“I think it’s going to be difficult even if they come out and say that it was a misunderstanding or that it was, you know, incorrectly accused etc, it’s still going to be a tarnish on her reputation,” Morten said.

“Obviously, she’s a senior and experienced member of the Greens so, for her, she’s going to have to sort of rebuild that credibility gap.”

Morten said if the allegations were true, it would “absolutely speak to the unsuitability of someone to be an MP”.

“You’ve got to respect the law of the land, particularly when you are making the law of the land.”

The Green Party has confirmed it is aware of the allegations Ghahraman faces and that she “will stand aside from all portfolio responsibilities until the matter is resolved”.

According to sources, Ghahraman is understood to have been accused of shoplifting during the festive season from exclusive Auckland clothing store Scotties Boutique in Ponsonby, in the electorate of fellow Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick.

The store declined to provide specific details when contacted by ZB Plus but confirmed the alleged incident was being handled by police.

In a statement, a Green Party spokesperson said the party was “aware of allegations regarding MP Golriz Ghahraman” and was in contact with Scotties Boutique to “better understand and address the situation”.

“Green MPs are expected to maintain high standards of public behaviour,” the spokesperson said.

Ghahraman’s portfolios for the Greens included justice, foreign affairs, defence, ethnic communities and trade.

Auckland police said they were unable to confirm whether individuals were facing investigation for specific incidents.

Scotties Boutique clothing store in Ponsonby, Auckland. Photo / Raphael Franks 

ZB Plus has approached Ghahraman for comment. 

Ghahraman made New Zealand history as the first refugee to be sworn in as an MP, having arrived in Aotearoa as a child asylum seeker with her family from Iran. She was selected as a Green Party list candidate in January 2017. 

In the 2023 election, Ghahraman was ranked at number seven on the Green Party’s list. 

Recently, she has been outspoken on the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza, considering it “ethnic cleansing” and called on world leaders to stand against Israel’s military actions she has described as “crimes against humanity”. 

In 2020, Ghahraman opened up about her multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. 

Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

She said at the time she has a “responsibility” to start an honest conversation about the autoimmune disease. 

Ghahraman said she first learned about her diagnosis two years prior after she began to lose sight in one eye. 

She described being on “hardcore medication” and had to visit a hospital every six months. 

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Kiwi shotput champion Tom Walsh had a busy year last year, his 2023 season filled with highs. 

This year he’s gearing up for the Paris Olympics, missing most of New Zealand’s summer in favour of taking part in the World Indoor Tour. 

He gave the 2023 season about an eight, telling Tim Dower that it was his best season stats wise thus far, with only his shortfall at the World Championship leaving a sour taste. 

“That’s what kind of, you know, gives me a little bit of a, you know, motivation for this year coming.” 

Walsh told Dower that the Olympics are the Holy Grail for athletics, and the only medal missing from his mantelpiece.  

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There’s a sharp decline in the number of physiotherapists and medics offering their services to our national rugby game. 

Historically medical professionals have offered their services free of charge, but the rising workloads and rates of burnout have seen volunteers drop off. 

Physiotherapy NZ President, Kirsten Davie, told Tim Dower that there’s nothing in the tank for volunteer work. 

She said that while ACC does fund injuries, it’s only once the injury is registered.  

Since the injuries occur and begin to be treated during the game by physiotherapists waiting on the sideline, the funding stream isn’t there in the initial stages. 

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