Darren Edwards, Kāpiti Coast District Council chief executive says Kāpiti Coast District Council was advised by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) that a former council employee has been charged with obtaining by deception.

“These charges have come about following an internal investigation that our Council referred to the SFO in 2023. The charges relate to the way the work was contracted and paid for rather than the work itself, which has been completed in full and to the expected standards.

“Council is committed to a culture that is open, transparent, and accountable and we have policies, systems and processes in place for staff to raise concerns when they come across behaviours or practices that do not align with expectations of Council employees,” says Mr Edwards.

He says “We remain focused on ensuring our internal controls, governance, finance and accounting processes are operating effectively.

“As the charges are currently progressing through the courts and are subject to name suppression, we’re unable to provide any further details relating to the charges beyond what the SFO have shared,” says Mr Edwards.

The three people, who have interim name suppression, face two charges each of obtaining by deception. They appeared in the Porirua District Court today, where they entered not guilty pleas and elected trial by jury.

The charges allege that the first defendant, while employed at Auckland Council and Kāpiti Coast District Council working on infrastructure projects, was at the same time involved in running an engineering firm with the remaining two defendants.

It is alleged that the first defendant used their council positions to obtain more than $12 million in work for the engineering firm, including manipulating the procurement process.

Of this $12 million, it is alleged the engineering firm received $1.7 million from Auckland Council between 2011 and 2015, and $10.5 million from Kāpiti Coast District Council between 2015 and 2024.

“The SFO would like to acknowledge Kāpiti Coast District Council and Auckland Council for their co-operation and assistance during its investigation. Kāpiti Coast District Council referred this matter to the SFO following its own internal audit.”

The defendants’ next scheduled appearance is at the Porirua District Court on 15 September.

Grey Power President David Marshall said the report correctly recognises that New Zealand’s aged-care system needs fundamental reform as the population ages and more people require support to live independently.

“We strongly support the report’s vision of a more integrated system, better support for people to age in place, improved support for carers and a stronger, more sustainable aged-care workforce,” Mr Marshall said.

“Older New Zealanders should be able to access the care they need without having to navigate a fragmented and confusing system. Care should be built around the needs of the person, not the boundaries between government agencies and funding streams.”

Grey Power particularly supports proposals to strengthen home-based care, improve respite and support for family carers, expand rehabilitation and recovery services, improve information sharing and strengthen the aged-care workforce.

It also supports establishing an independent Aged Care Pricing Authority to provide greater transparency and help ensure funding decisions better reflect the real cost of providing quality care.

‘Older people must not become the funding solution’

However, Grey Power is concerned about recommendations that would significantly increase the financial contribution expected from older people receiving care.

The report proposes lowering the asset threshold for residential care contributions to $100,000 and introducing stepped contributions for people with higher assets. It also proposes greater income-based contributions towards some care costs. Where a couple with one partner in residential care elects to exclude the family home from asset testing, the report proposes limiting the value of the home that can be excluded, with any value above that threshold included in the asset test.

“Grey Power cannot support a reform programme that solves the funding pressures in aged care by progressively asking older people to pay more for essential care,” Mr Marshall said.

“For many older New Zealanders, the family home is their primary asset and the foundation of their financial security in retirement. It is not a bottomless source of income.”

Grey Power supports the principle that people should contribute towards genuine personal preferences or additional services but says essential health and care services must remain accessible regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

“Older people should not face financial insecurity simply because their health and care needs increase as they age, says Mr Marshall.”

‘Sustainable funding is essential’

Grey Power has welcomed the report’s call for substantial increases in funding for home-based and residential care.

“The proposed funding increases recognise that quality care cannot be delivered without properly funding providers and the workforce,” Mr Marshall said.

“Investment in aged care is an investment in the wellbeing of older New Zealanders, their families and the wider health system.”

Grey Power also supports investigating a future social insurance scheme to help fund aged care for future generations, provided any model is carefully designed and subject to broad public consultation.

‘Older people must have a voice’

Grey Power says older people and their families must have a meaningful role in implementing the reforms.

“The report proposes a significant transformation of aged care over the next decade. Older New Zealanders cannot simply be consulted after the important decisions have been made,” Mr Marshall said.

“The test of this reform is simple: will an older New Zealander who needs care be able to get it when they need it, without being forced into financial insecurity.

Mr Marshall says that is the standard Grey Power will use to judge the Government’s response.

For more see Kāpiti GreyPower: https://www.kapitigreypower.co.nz/

With over 5,300 high-school students and their caregivers already registered to attend, including many students from the Kāpiti Coast, the university says it will be a day to remember.

Iconic Wellington landmarks will be lit up green to mark the occasion, contributing to a city-wide celebration. From the moment visitors exit the train station and head to the bus stop outside our Pipitea campus, they will see Wellington through green-tinted glasses.

The event offers prospective students a chance to attend sample lectures, explore the University’s campuses, and get a feel for life as a student in the capital. They will have the chance to ask big questions of the University’s in-house philosophers, use some giant rollers to create a printed design, play some student-created video games, and even sample some ice cream made with liquid nitrogen.
Local retail, hospitality, and tourism businesses are also getting involved, offering discounts and giveaways to visitors through our funky festival wristband.
Vice-Chancellor Bryony James says that while attracting prospective students to Open Day is a key focus, the event is as much about showcasing the city vibe as our three fantastic campuses.
“What an incredible city to be a student in. You’re right in the beating heart of the creative, political, legal, corporate and scientific ecosystem of the country.
“The best thing about Open Day is watching the spark ignite someone’s sense that they might just have found their place in the world.”
The event is part of the University’s ongoing efforts to attract and engage prospective students while supporting the Wellington scene. Open Day 2026 is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of future students in recent years.

Registrations are open now. https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/open-day

There are free buses throughout the day between campuses:
 Kelburn campus, Kelburn parade, Kelburn
 Pipitea campus, Bunny Street, Pipitea
 Te Aro campus, Vivian Street, Te Aro

Stop-go traffic controls will operate in both directions between Paekākāriki Hill Road and Ames Street from Monday to Friday, between 6am and 4.30pm.

NZTA Waka Kotahi says vegetation crews are removing trees identified as hazardous along the highway.

The trees are also blocking light from reaching the road, with their removal expected to improve conditions during winter when wet road surfaces can become more slippery.

Motorists using Transmission Gully may also encounter daytime lane closures at various locations from Monday to Friday.

Northbound lane closures are scheduled between 6am and 3.30pm, while southbound lane closures will operate between 9.30am and 4pm for traffic cable work.

The roadworks form part of NZTA’s programme for the week from Saturday 15 August to Friday 21 August and are weather dependent.

“We endeavour to break down barriers between candidates and voters by providing an opportunity for candidates to voice their message on why they should be elected as an electorate MP (for their electorate).

“Voters then have a more informed chance (either in person or online from the comfort of their own home) to decide where they should put their electorate vote for this coming election,” says Somers.

The Kāpiti electorate show will be held at the Kāpiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu on Monday 19th October. Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm.

Somers and Nick Hollander, Candidate Liaison will kick the series off with the show in Palmerston North.

The schedule:

Palmerston North Electorate

Venue: Square Edge Community Arts Evelyn, Rawlins Room, on Level 1(Same place as 2020, 2023 and Local Bodies 2025)

Date: Saturday 10th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6.30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Wellington North Electorate

Venue: Khandallah Town Hall; Cornerstone Community Centre in the main hall (Same place for the Ōhāriu in 2020, 2023 and Wellington Mayoralty in 2022 and 2025)

Date: Sunday 11th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Rangitīkei Electorate

Venue: Te Takeretanga o Kura-hau-pō (Levin Community Centre) (Same place for the Horowhenua Mayoral Race in 2025)

Date: Monday 12th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 3:30pm – Broadcast Time from 4pm to 6pm

Wellington Bay Electorate

Venue: Te Whare Hapori o Ngā Puna Waiora, Newtown Community Centre (Same place for the Rongotai Shows in 2020 and 2023)

Date: Wednesday 14th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Wairarapa Electorate

Venue: Eketahuna Community Centre, 4 Haswell Street, Eketāhuna

Date: Friday 16th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Kenepuru Electorate

Venue: Linden Community Centre, Tawa

Date: Saturday 17th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Remutaka Electorate

Venue: Epuni Community Hall, 40 Mitchell Street, Epuni, Lower Hutt (Same Venue we filmed Central Ward, Hutt City Council, 2022 and 2025)

Date: Sunday 18th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 3:30pm – Broadcast Time from 4pm to 6pm

Hutt South Electorate

Venue: Epuni Community Hall, 40 Mitchell Street, Epuni, Lower Hutt

Date: Sunday 18th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

Kāpiti Electorate

Kāpiti Impact Hub, 6 Tongariro Street, Paraparaumu (Same place we did our 2023 Mana Electorate General election Show and Kāpiti Coast Mayoral Race in 2022 and 2025 Local Bodies)

Date: Monday 19th October 2026

Time: Doors open at 6:30pm – Broadcast Time from 7pm to 9pm

All candidates standing in the aforementioned electorates are welcome to appear in their electorates’ show, and can register their participation at www.itsintheballot.nz

Voters wanting to put questions to the candidates standing, can also do that at www.itsintheballot.nz  or ring toll free on 0508 Ballot

Candidates who have already confirmed their attendance:

Palmerston North

● Netra Ghimire – Opportunity

● Helma Vermeulen – NZFirst

Wellington North

● Jessica Hammond – Opportunity

● Matthew Hague – ACT

Rangitīkei

● Steve Gibson – NZFirst

● Bernard Long – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ

Wellington Bays

● Julie-Anne Genter – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ

Kenepuru

● Matthew Evetts – National

● Lan Pham – Green Party of Aotearoa NZ

Hutt South

● Ben Wylie-van Eerd – Opportunity

Kāpiti

● Sophie Handford – Labour

● Penny Gaylor – NZFirst

Full list will be updated as candidates confirm their participation.

Most managers and business owners will face situations where they need to address performance issues, behaviour concerns, or other sensitive workplace matters. These conversations can feel daunting, but with the right approach, they can lead to positive change and stronger working relationships.

Join us for an engaging and practical workshop designed to help you tackle challenging conversations with confidence, professionalism, and empathy.

Date: 10th September

Time: 9:30am – 11am

Location: Ramaroa at QE2 Park, Whareroa Rd

Free to attend

More information: https://www.kapitichamber.org.nz/events... or www.starpeople.nz

Tata is a full-time truck driver with Gilmours in Wellington, and while he goes into the match as under underdog against world number three Gian van Veen he says he is up for the challenge.

Along with van Veen of the Netherlands, the tournament will also feature Gerwyn Price, fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton and James Wade (England) among the world’s top 10.

Tata says heading into the tournament he’s been training two hours a day after work – double the amount of practice time he usually gets.

Tata, who made the second round of the world championships late last year, says the mental factor may be the biggest part of competitive darts.

“Like when you start getting pissed off with yourself or if you’re not having what you want, then it just goes worse and worse.

“For me, if I go up there and hit a five or a one instead of a 20 or a triple 20, I laugh it off a bit and try to do better on the next throw. Once you start doubting yourself, it goes downhill, says 33 year oldTata.

Tata said his practice sessions focus mostly on scoring big triples.

“I just go hard on the 20s, 19s, 18s segments. I do a lot of practice on the bullseye. I don’t know why, I just like practising on bullseye.

At last year’s world champs, he upset former European champion Ritchie Edhouse in the first round before bowing out 3-2 against England’s Ryan Meikle.

Tata said he’ll be lifted by the home crowd when he plays on Friday night.

“I’ve been booed by thousands of people over in Australia before, and I’ve been cheered on by thousands of people here in New Zealand. I’ve been in crowds over in the UK where they’ve just sung so loud it’s intense.”

Tata certainly knows how to hit the big numbers. He hit the first nine-dart finish in Darts Players New Zealand (DPNZ) Pro Tour history.

The son of former national champion Ra Tata, Jonny Tata began playing darts aged nine. He won a number of youth titles but gave up playing at the age of 17. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began to play again.

Tata made his World Series of Darts debut at the 2023 New Zealand Darts Masters. He defeated world number two Peter Wright 6–3 in the first round.

In September 2025, Tata topped the end of season 2025 DPNZ Pro Tour ranking, hitting the first ever nine-dart finish in DPNZ Pro Tour history during his victory in the final of the last event. This qualified him for the 2026 PDC World Darts Championship, his first ever PDC World Championship.

His victory on the Pro Tour also saw him qualify for the 2025 ANZ Premier League, a competition featuring eight of the best darts players from Australia and New Zealand. Tata won the opening night of the tournament in Melbourne, defeating Raymond Smith 5–3 in the final.

During the 2026 WDF season, Tata defended the Canterbury Classic title he had won in 2025.

For more on local darts see: https://www.facebook.com/KapiManaDartsAssociation/

On Monday 10 August 2,221 emergency calls came into ambulance via 111, below last Monday’s record of 2,404 calls (on 3 August), but above 2,107, the average number of 111 calls for an ambulance on a Monday in August last year, and well above the daily average of just over 1,900 calls.

”While we expect workload pressures to remain well above normal this week, we are hopeful demand will ease from last-week’s record-breaking levels,” says Stuart Cockburn, Hato Hone St John General Manager Ambulance Operations.

“Our ambulance personnel remain focussed on making sure patients receive the most appropriate care for their needs. Not all patients will receive an ambulance; they may receive clinical advice over the phone or a referral to another healthcare provider.

“We are asking people to continue to call 111 for life-threatening emergencies; this includes symptoms like chest pain, severe difficulty breathing, stroke-like symptoms, unconsciousness, or severe injury, but for non-urgent health concerns, we encourage people to explore alternative healthcare options that may be more appropriate for their needs.

“We also want to remind the public some patients may also wait longer than usual for an ambulance to arrive, and we appreciate your patience”, Mr Cockburn says.

Hato Hone St John is in close contact with Healthline and is working with the service to ensure people know where they can get appropriate healthcare advice and support.

“While Healthline is also experiencing high demand, they have an option for a callback. For people who don’t need help or advice right away, the Healthline team can call them,” Mr Cockburn says.

Visit www.healthy.org.nz  to request a callback. Healthline is free and available 24/7.

“Despite the very high level of demand we are seeing, our ambulance personnel are doing an exceptional job, ensuring that those who call us receive the help they need,” Mr Cockburn adds.

“We are reminding the public again to please be kind and respect our ambulance staff, whether you’re on the phone to them, or they’re treating you in person. They are working incredibly hard under immense pressure.”

Horowhenua Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle

Need help getting to a medical appointment? We’re here to help. 

Did you know our Hato Hone St John Health Shuttle helps people get to and from medical appointments across our community?

Our volunteer drivers can pick you up from Ōtaki and throughout Horowhenua, taking passengers to appointments in Levin, Palmerston North Hospital, and other approved medical destinations.

Whether it’s a specialist appointment, treatment or a check up, we’re here to help make getting there a little easier.

Our Health Shuttle is a koha based service, operated by a wonderful team of volunteers who are passionate about supporting our community.

To book your journey, please call 0800 589 630 at least 48 hours before your appointment. Our phone lines are open weekdays from 8.30am to 3pm.

A huge thank you to all of our incredible Health Shuttle volunteers who help keep our community connected to the care they need. 

The seriously damaged car has been towed and Police say the driver in not seriously injured.

Traffic is now flowing in both directions.

Earlier report:

Police and fire service personnel are at the site of a serious crash on the old state highway south of Waikanae.

There appear to be significant delays for traffic heading south toward Paraparaumu. Traffic heading north is slowed but steady moving.

More traffic news see: www.trafficfox.co.nz

More traffic news at www.trafficfox.co.nz

The woman, Sharon, was last seen on Monday, 27 July around 11am, near Kent Road in Saint Johns Hill.

“Police and Sharon’s family have great concerns for her welfare and would like to find her as soon as possible,” authorities wrote in a post on social media on Sunday.

“We believe she is still in the Whanganui area, however she has links to Auckland, and could also be in the wider Auckland area.”

Anyone who has seen her or has information that could help police find her is asked to call 111 and reference file number 260728/5601.