A prediction we haven't seen the last of a transnational crime syndicate operating out of Auckland airport.

Operation Matata's seen 43 arrests since February, including 20 border workers - allegedly involved with smuggling large quantities of meth and cocaine. 

It's thought the group were exploiting baggage handlers at the airport. 

Chair of the ministerial advisory group on organised crime Steve Symon told Heather du Plessis-Allan that authorities have done a fantastic job rooting out that many offenders. 

But he suspects either there are more, or if not, they'll be replaced like they were at the start of the year. 

LISTEN ABOVE

A prediction we haven't seen the last of a transnational crime syndicate operating out of Auckland airport.
Operation Matata's seen 43 arrests since February, including 20 border workers - allegedly involved with smuggling large quantities of meth and cocaine.&nbsp;
It's thought the group were exploiting baggage handlers at the airport.&nbsp;
Chair of the ministerial advisory group on organised crime Steve Symon told Heather du Plessis-Allan that authorities have done a fantastic job rooting out that many offenders.&nbsp;
But he suspects either there are more, or if not, they'll be replaced like they were at the start of the year.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Steve Symon: Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on organised crime comments on the progress of Operation Matata

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ec6192b5-995c-45b6-84e0-b3a3004eab26/transcript

Auckland FC boss Nick Becker hopes the crowd for their semi-final first leg against Adelaide United next Saturday is better than last night's elimination final.

11,351 went through the Mt Smart gates and saw Auckland FC keep their season alive on penalties over Melbourne City.

Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further.

LISTEN ABOVE

Auckland FC boss Nick Becker hopes the crowd for their semi-final first leg against Adelaide United next Saturday is better than last night's elimination final.
11,351 went through the Mt Smart gates and saw Auckland FC keep their season alive on penalties over Melbourne City.
Sportstalk host Jason Pine explained further.
LISTEN ABOVE

Jason Pine: Sportstalk host on Auckland FC's weekend victory over Melbourne City

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/b9b7ebd9-cbd9-4e69-9c3c-b440005184cf/transcript

Walk Without Fear Charitable Trust is running a two-day anti-violence programme tomorrow, for up to 120 South Auckland secondary students.

The Trust plans to roll out national school programmes, which will include lessons to avoid coward punches.

Chair Eugene Bareman says kids are taught self-control, de-escalation and how to protect themselves. 

"Just how to approach a situation calmly when they're under pressure, just responding rather than reacting."

LISTEN ABOVE

Walk Without Fear Charitable Trust is running a two-day anti-violence programme tomorrow, for up to 120 South Auckland secondary students.
The Trust plans to roll out national school programmes, which will include lessons to avoid coward punches.
Chair Eugene Bareman says kids are taught self-control, de-escalation and how to protect themselves.&nbsp;
"Just how to approach a situation calmly when they're under pressure, just responding rather than reacting."
LISTEN ABOVE

Eugene Bareman: Walk Without Fear Charitable Trust chair on the group's plan to roll out anti-violence programmes for schools

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/56d249ac-323a-4213-a2ae-b440005024f5/transcript

So I was in Christchurch giving a speech to part of Local Government New Zealand - the South Island arm - so the room was full of mayors and councillors from across the South Island.

One of the topics up for discussion was what councils around the country need to do, or could do, to win back public approval. I have to be honest: I left that room - and you know my views on councils - feeling just a little bit sorry for the councillors and mayors I met.

The ones I spoke to seemed to be honestly trying. They admitted they’ve got more to do and that there are stupid costs they need to cut as well. But what they told me is that they’re up against it.

They’re dealing with things they can’t change: national laws like the RMA that tie their hands, and unelected staff who just go ahead and do their own thing. And sure enough, there’s a story that illustrates at least some of that perfectly.

Wellington City Council staff have spent $130,000 on new art for their flash new building - a building where they’ve hogged the top floors and shoved the mayor downstairs, where he’s staring at a wall.

Now, the thing is, they don’t need art. They have no money and they’re going hard on Wellington ratepayers. They do not need to be spending on art. They’ve already got an extensive collection they could draw from, which includes Colin McCahon, Toss Woollaston, Ralph Hotere, Dick Frizzell - Pablo Picasso, for goodness’ sake.
Judging by the criticism from elected councillors, it seems those councillors didn’t even know the unelected staff were splashing out on fancy art.

That’s what these people are up against: bureaucrats who treat ratepayers like a bottomless ATM. That is a major problem.

Now, I’m not making excuses for elected councillors or mayors - they have their own part to play in big spending.

But some of them are genuinely trying. They’re just up against decades of ingrained largesse like this.

LISTEN ABOVE

So I was in Christchurch giving a speech to part of Local Government New Zealand - the South Island arm - so the room was full of mayors and councillors from across the South Island.
One of the topics up for discussion was what councils around the country need to do, or could do, to win back public approval. I have to be honest: I left that room - and you know my views on councils - feeling just a little bit sorry for the councillors and mayors I met.
The ones I spoke to seemed to be honestly trying. They admitted they’ve got more to do and that there are stupid costs they need to cut as well. But what they told me is that they’re up against it.
They’re dealing with things they can’t change: national laws like the RMA that tie their hands, and unelected staff who just go ahead and do their own thing. And sure enough, there’s a story that illustrates at least some of that perfectly.
Wellington City Council staff have spent $130,000 on new art for their flash new building - a building where they’ve hogged the top floors and shoved the mayor downstairs, where he’s staring at a wall.
Now, the thing is, they don’t need art. They have no money and they’re going hard on Wellington ratepayers. They do not need to be spending on art. They’ve already got an extensive collection they could draw from, which includes Colin McCahon, Toss Woollaston, Ralph Hotere, Dick Frizzell - Pablo Picasso, for goodness’ sake. Judging by the criticism from elected councillors, it seems those councillors didn’t even know the unelected staff were splashing out on fancy art.
That’s what these people are up against: bureaucrats who treat ratepayers like a bottomless ATM. That is a major problem.
Now, I’m not making excuses for elected councillors or mayors - they have their own part to play in big spending.
But some of them are genuinely trying. They’re just up against decades of ingrained largesse like this.
LISTEN ABOVE

Perspective with Heather du Plessis-Allan: Here's the real issue impacting local councils

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/81c6a172-882c-4ab6-b7b8-b43f0047bb5e/transcript

Steve Symon: Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on organised crime comments on the progress of Operation Matata

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