9 January 2013

Lightning Strike Closes Wanaka Pool
Wanaka Pool has been temporarily closed after the facility was hit by lightning during an electrical storm this afternoon.

Lakes Leisure chief executive Ruth Stokes said a young girl who was showering at the time was thought to have received a mild electrical shock. The child did not sustain any injuries and did not require any medical attention. “Our primary concern is for the child but we have been assured that she is fine. This is an accident that no-one could have anticipated, however we are investigating the matter further,” she said.

As a precaution the pool would remain closed for the remainder of the day. Given the weather conditions Lakes Leisure has also closed the outdoor Arrowtown Pool.

ENDS

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World Refugee Day:
Are We Doing Our Bit?

On World Refugee Day, Thursday June 20th, Doing Our Bit will officially launch a campaign to double New Zealand’s UNHCR Refugee Resettlement Quota...

New Zealand’s low refugee intake is not a new issue. In February a NZ Herald editorial commented that our intake was ‘paltry’, remarking that ‘surely we could do more’. In April, Amnesty International described the quota as ‘tiny'.

“Despite being a small country in the middle of the South Pacific, New Zealand prides itself on being hospitable. We are friendly to overseas visitors and we see ourselves as punching above our weight in international affairs,” said Murdoch Stephens, coordinator of Doing Our Bit.

“However, in terms of accepting refugees New Zealand is clearly not doing our share.” More>>