The Employment Court has heard details of the “tsunami of abuse” received by Covid commentator Siouxsie Wiles over the course of the pandemic.
It’s the first day of a three-week hearing between Wiles and her employer the University of Auckland. As described in The Bulletin, it centres on claims that the university failed to adequately protect Wiles from the abuse she was receiving, which included the leaking of her home address and death threats.
Both Stuff and the Herald have reports from the courtroom today. They detail how a video was played that showed Covid conspiracist Billy TK calling Wiles a “satanist”, while in other Wiles is seen listening to an abusive voicemail left for her.
“These are not just one-off or random threats, this is an escalating tsunami of threats and harassment,” Wiles’ lawyer Catherine Stewart told the court.
“Outwardly, the University of Auckland has clearly enjoyed the prestige of employing such an academic. All at the same time while somewhat hypocritically urging her not to engage in public commentary herself.”
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has landed in Wellington where it’s expected he will finally sit down with representatives from the Act Party.
Peters will first meet with his caucus as coalition talks with National drag into their fourth week – though the first since the overall outcome of the election was made public.
Footage shared by Newshub showed Peters silently wander through Wellington Airport, refusing to answer media questions on how negotiations were progressing. It’s the second time in recent weeks that Peters has opted to avoid media at the airport.
One key question that went unanswered was around reports from The Post that a draft coalition deal between National and Act had been prepared. Peters wouldn’t say whether this was premature.
Over the weekend, Peters also tried his best to avoid the media, though was happy to criticise them instead. At the Port Waikato campaign launch for NZ First’s Casey Costello, Peters took aim at broadcaster Jack Tame, calling him a “left-wing shill” and a “moron”.
Act’s David Seymour told media that he had tried and failed to get in touch with Peters after the election. On Newshub’s AM this morning, he elaborated by saying he had called Peters first and then sent a follow-up text that said something like: “Hi, congratulations on your election result. We should get together, David Seymour.”
Staff received an email last Friday stating Barbara George’s resignation would be effective from this Friday. In late September, Court Theatre staff saw George cleaning out her office, and several days later, it was announced she was going on “medical leave”. George never returned.
The resignation follows a series of reports by The Press, which pointed to George as the source of deep culture issues at Court Theatre, the largest professional theatre company in the country. More than 30 people have quit the theatre since her appointment in 2018, and another report suggested the theatre was “literally running out of cash”.
The inside of the Court Theatre (Design: Tina Tiller)
Fashion design Emilia Wickstead, noted for her work with the likes of Kate Middleton, will create Air New Zealand’s next uniform.
The New Zealand designer, based in London, has been described as a “go-to designer” for Middleton, the Princess of Wales, and has also created outfits worn by Melania Trump and Samantha Cameron, the wife of former British prime minister David Cameron.
Air New Zealand’s chief customer and sales officer Leanne Geraghty said there were more than 40 expressions of interest from local designers to create the uniform.
“Emilia presented outstanding initial designs that were creative, unique, and will set Air New Zealand apart on the global stage. She also demonstrated her understanding of the importance in creating a uniform that is both functional and comfortable for our people,” said Geraghty.
“Her ability to create modern yet timeless pieces perfectly fits with what we were looking for in a design partner – someone who could create a uniform that our people can wear with pride now and into the future.
“Emilia has built an incredibly successful brand, designing for some of the most high profile customers in the world and we think our people deserve to be dressed by the very best too. We’re thrilled to have Emilia onboard and couldn’t be prouder to welcome her to the Air New Zealand whānau.”
Wickstead said it was a privilege to take on the role. “This is a true passion project for me; one that further connects me with my homeland Aotearoa, and the community and places that I love,” she said.
“My approach to the uniform centres around a deep respect for New Zealand’s cultural heritage. First and foremost, it is inspired by people. I’m a big believer that clothing can be transformative, uplifting and empowering, and my hope is that the new uniforms will instil a sense of pride and purpose in Air New Zealand’s incredible, world-class team.”
The next phase of the project will see Air New Zealand collaborate closely with Wickstead for design refinements, onboard trials, and uniform wearer consultation before the final designs are revealed in late 2024.
Oscar Kightley has been named the 2023 TV legend by the New Zealand Television Awards.
In a statement, awards’ committee member Adrian Stevanon said Kightley had “pierced the glass ceiling” for Pasifika storytellers in the mainstream.
“In front of the camera, from comedy, sport, to drama and factual – his contribution has been massive. Behind the scenes, as a writer, director and mentor, his body of work is also significant,” said Stevanon. “He’s been a positive Pasifika presence on TV and has always represented the pacific community with pride. The massive impact that he has had in the television industry makes him truly worthy of receiving this award.”
Oscar Kightley at Rutherford College (Image: Tim D)
Also announced today were the ten finalists for the country’s TV personality of the year, with public voting now open. The finalists include comedians Guy Montgomery and Joe Daymond, broadcasters Ryan Bridge and Jenny-May Clarkson and Shortland Street star Michael Galvin.
NZ First leader Winston Peters says he plans to hold a face-to-face meeting with Act’s David Seymour but will not say when. Speaking in Pukekohe for NZ First’s Port Waikato campaign launch, Peters refused to answer other questions on negotiations to form a new government, but said he would fly to Wellington today to meet with the NZ First caucus and “work out some fundamental things”, the Herald’s Michael Neilson reports.
Peters also revealed that he had received a text message from Seymour following the election but he “thought this has gotta be fake so I didn’t answer it”. The campaign launch included a speech by Peters in which he “spoke of Māori being rammed down his throat on TV [and] said the victims of ‘Christchurch the 15th’ need the truth”, writes Amberleigh Jack in a great colour piece for Stuff.
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The incoming prime minister has reiterated his view that a referendum on the Treaty of Waitangi would be “divisive” for New Zealand, but labelled comments made by Willie Jackson “unhelpful”.
Appearing on TVNZ’s Q&A yesterday morning, outgoing Labour minister Jackson said that Act’s proposed referendum could lead to “civil unrest” in a manner akin to the Springbok protests in 1981.
“I don’t think we’d be able to handle it or control it when I hear from our people surely they aren’t going to do that after we used the system, after we went through the courts, after Māori mortgaged homes, and their lives in terms of utilising the system and got victories, and now all of a sudden they’re going to be able to manage it in this country and I hope Mr Luxon and Winston show a bit of common sense over this,” he said.
Luxon, who still won’t rule in or out the referendum, said the comments were “really unhelpful” and “intemperate”.
“We need this country be more unified not less unified and I just didn’t think those were appropriate remarks to be making on the weekend as he did in the way that he did,” he told RNZ.
He said his government will lead for everyone in New Zealand but the “bottom line is we need to get going”.
David Seymour, Christopher Luxon and Winston Peters (Image: Archi Banal)
On coalition talks, Luxon remained consistent in refusing to provide specific details on how they were progressing, but said discussions with both Winston Peters and David Seymour had been positive.
He told Newstalk ZB the special vote count landed about where he expected and there was “good alignment” with all three party leaders. “There are differences and some bespoke policies, we are going to work through to try and accommodate all of that. Yes, we’re all going to have to make some trade-offs,” he said.
For now, he would continue having conversations with both Act and New Zealand First individually to “understand what their big concerns are or issues that are important to them” but would ultimately pull all parties into one room. “I can’t give you a timeframe but the reality is we’re making good progress,” he said.
Luxon wouldn’t rule out some sort of cross bench deal, but followed that up by saying he would be a little surprised if that were to happen. “I can’t rule out anything,” said Luxon.
