16 January 2013 – Wellington

Forest & Bird media advisory

Bigger, better Birdman Wellington ready to soar

A flock of unusual-looking birds will gather on Taranaki Wharf next Monday and take flight in the new-look Birdman Wellington competition.

Entrants dressed in crazy, handmade flying costumes will launch themselves from a specially-designed “airstrip” on the wharf in hope of being crowned Birdman Wellington 2013.

Primary school aged kids will also have their chance to ‘fly’ in the Birdkidz competition.

The celebrity judging panel of comedian Raybon Kan, Mayor Celia Wade-Brown and members of the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra are looking closely for fantastic costumes, dazzling showmanship and a big splash.

Birdman Wellington is part of a full day of family fun on the waterfront with live music, craft stalls, marketplace, kids’ rides and food stalls.

This year Birdman entrants have been using their bravado to raise money for conservation charity Forest & Bird.

What: Birdman Wellington 2013

Where: Taranaki Wharf, Wellington

When: Monday 21 January, Wellington Anniversary Day

Events: 11am Birdkidz – kids’ competition
12:15pm Birdman entrants’ parade
12:30pm Red Checkers aerobatic display
1-3pm Birdman Wellington – adult teams and individuals
10am-5pm Entertainment, market and food stalls

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Arguably Reassuring: Inspector-General Finds GCSB "Arguably" Legal

Of the 88 individuals:

• 15 cases involving 22 individuals did not have any information intercepted by GCSB.

• another four cases involving five individuals were the subjects of a New Zealand Security Intelligence Service warrant and the GCSB assisted in the execution of the warrants. The Inspector-General is of the view that there were arguably no breaches and the law is unclear.

• the Bureau only provided technical assistance which did not involve interception of communications, involving three of the individuals, so no breach occurred.

• the remaining cases involved the collection of metadata, and the Inspector-General formed the view that there had arguably been no breach, noting once again that the law is unclear.
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