DATE: 27 July 2012

Burning issues to be discussed at conference

Getting overnight accommodation in Hawera next week could prove a challenge as more than 150 Volunteer Rural Fire Fighters from all over New Zealand descend on the South Taranaki town for the NZ Forest and Rural Fire Association’s Annual Conference

The conference, which has been organised by the South Taranaki District Council rural fire team, is being held at TSB Hub

South Taranaki principal rural fire officer, John Gunn, says having the conference in Hawera is a real coup as it is the first time the association has held its annual conference outside a major metropolitan area.

“It’s fantastic that we have got a facility which allows us to host events like this in South Taranaki which have positive flow on effects for our businesses,” says Mr. Gunn. “I know the people of South Taranaki will make our guests feel very welcome,” he says.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Firesmart’ and international speakers from the USA and Australia will be attending. The latest Ariel firefighting equipment will also be on show with helicopters featuring from Beck Helicopters Eltham and Helipro Services Palmerston North. On Friday Ravensdown Aerowork will be doing a display of fixed wing aircraft fire fighting at the Hawera Aerodrome.

The conference runs from Tuesday 31 July till Friday 3 August.

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"Unlawful, Unjustified And Unreasonable": Report Into Urewera Raids Finds Police Acted Unlawfully

Independent Police Conduct Authority Chair Judge Sir David Carruthers said today that the decision by the then Commissioner of Police to undertake the operation in Ruatoki Valley and elsewhere on 15 October 2007 was reasonable and justified.

“However, the road blocks established by Police at Ruatoki and Taneatua were unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable... Police had no legal basis for stopping and searching vehicles or photographing drivers or passengers,” he said...

The report also showed that the detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the Authority was unlawful and unreasonable. More>>