The manager of a popular West Auckland campground is claiming a win with its short-term future being saved. 

The Waitakere Ranges Local Board will again let people camp overnight at Piha Domain, despite the area being a high flood hazard environment.   

It has updated its monitoring and warning systems, occupancy restrictions, evacuation procedures and reporting requirements - with a long-term plan being decided next year.  

Fiona Anderson told Kerre Woodham the community has pulled together to make this happen. 

She says the phone has been ringing constantly this morning, and the bookings are now flooding in.

LISTEN ABOVE

The manager of a popular West Auckland campground is claiming a win with its short-term future being saved.&nbsp;
The Waitakere Ranges Local Board will again let people camp overnight at Piha Domain, despite the area being a high flood hazard environment. &nbsp;&nbsp;
It has updated its monitoring and warning systems, occupancy restrictions, evacuation procedures and reporting requirements - with a long-term plan being decided next year. &nbsp;
Fiona Anderson told Kerre Woodham the community has pulled together to make this happen.&nbsp;
She says the phone has been ringing constantly this morning, and the bookings are now flooding in.
LISTEN ABOVE

Join Kerre Woodham one of New Zealand’s best loved personalities as she dishes up a bold, sharp and energetic show Monday to Friday 9am-12md on Newstalk ZB. News, opinion, analysis, lifestyle and entertainment – we’ve got your morning listening covered.

Kerre Woodham Mornings Podcast

Fiona Anderson: Piha campground manager on the ground reopening over summer

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/69d8e3a8-078f-4182-ab60-b4e40188f229/transcript

The Greens are under fire with Marama Davidson doubling down on her desire to work with the mob to get positive health outcomes. First there was the photo in the mob headquarters, cha ching, look at us, woo hoo! That was the Greens and Te Pāti Māori MPs popping along to a health hui.  

And when asked about that in faintly judgy tones by the media, Greens co leader Marama Davidson said, "We are open to funding the Mongrel Mob to deliver drug prevention programs. We're open to funding what works. We're an evidence-based party."  And that instead of pushing problems under the carpet, they want to bring problems out into the light, get to the people who are hard to reach, and if that means working with the mob, well, all well and good.  

They have got the receipts already, we will support more of that work. But have they? The thing with receiving government money for pet projects and worthy community initiatives is that you have to show you get results, measured in hard data, before you can get any more dosh. And when it comes to drug rehabilitation and trying to rehabilitate people who are not part of the mainstream, sure, try something different. 

But Labour has tried. Under Jacinda Ardern, they funded the Harry Tam marae-based rehab program for gang members. Harry Tam's a lifelong Mongrel Mob member. The money didn't come from the taxpayer's pocket per se, it came from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, which seemed perverse to critics but logical to supporters: use gang money to rehabilitate gang members.  

But the whole thing boils down to whether or not it worked. And the answer is: who would know? There were 80 participants across nine intakes who went through an eight-week live-in program at Waipawa, followed by two weeks of reintegration and then wrap around support services for six weeks. All of the intakes were drug tested at the beginning, almost all of them testing positive for meth. The program was addiction treatment, then cultural immersion to build self-worth, physical activity programs, and help towards the end of the program with welfare applications, writing CVs and applying for driver's licenses or training courses to make you more employable. 

All very well and good and marvellous, but did it work? Did the graduates kick the meth? Again, who would know? To quote from Derek Cheng's story in the Herald, "an exact figure is not possible from the reports, as only some of them include data for the post program checks, while others have the data redacted." Available data shows that some relapsed at some point, while a minority were using methamphetamine regularly after the program, and this data is caveated as mostly self-reported." And that's the thing, Lynn, as Tom Sainsbury would say. You cannot self-report and rely on anecdotal evidence and reckons if you want more money from the government. You don't get that when you're dealing with the government. They want to know that if they're putting in money, there is a set of measures, there's a set of outcomes, and you have to tick a certain number of them before you can get the money.  

You'll know that if you're working in a not for profit or a community initiative or a community organization. Trying to get funding is really, really difficult, and you have to show that your program works. I feel much the same way about the boot camps.  If they're not working, can them. I don't expect a 100% success rate. You simply won't get that when you're dealing with drug addiction, nor will you get that with lawless kids.  I'm not asking for 100%. You do need a bit more than "it felt really good to talk with the brothers" from the participants. An early evaluation of the program after the first two intakes found of the 22 people who had completed the program, two thirds still used meth, although most said they used less than they used to. 

On the positive side, 65% of those participants self-reported an improvement in their physical health between week one and week eight of the course. Cool. Healthier, fitter, stronger gangsters. And of the 22 unemployed participants who attended the first two intakes, 10 had since found employment of some kind, although whether they're still in employment, who would know.  

Now, if Harry Tam was doing all this through private funders and sponsors, great. Go for it. Show them and see if they want to keep funding the rehab program. If the mob wants to put its members through a rehab program and pay the going rate for a place in a rehab centre for each of the lads, again, go for it. None of our business, good luck, I wish you the best of British. But as every worthy organization reliant on public money needs to know, before we show you the money, you need to show us we're going to get value for it. When Marama Davidson says, hey, we're an evidence-based party," on that level, Harry Tam's rehab program fails. 

The Greens are under fire with Marama Davidson doubling down on her desire to work with the mob to get positive health outcomes. First there was the photo in the mob headquarters, cha ching, look at us, woo hoo! That was the Greens and Te Pāti Māori MPs popping along to a health hui. &nbsp;
And when asked about that in faintly judgy tones by the media, Greens co leader Marama Davidson said, "We are open to funding the Mongrel Mob to deliver drug prevention programs. We're open to funding what works. We're an evidence-based party." &nbsp;And that instead of pushing problems under the carpet, they want to bring problems out into the light, get to the people who are hard to reach, and if that means working with the mob, well, all well and good. &nbsp;
They have got the receipts already, we will support more of that work. But have they? The thing with receiving government money for pet projects and worthy community initiatives is that you have to show you get results, measured in hard data, before you can get any more dosh. And when it comes to drug rehabilitation and trying to rehabilitate people who are not part of the mainstream, sure, try something different.&nbsp;
But Labour has tried. Under Jacinda Ardern, they funded the Harry Tam marae-based rehab program for gang members. Harry Tam's a lifelong Mongrel Mob member. The money didn't come from the taxpayer's pocket per se, it came from the Proceeds of Crime Fund, which seemed perverse to critics but logical to supporters: use gang money to rehabilitate gang members. &nbsp;
But the whole thing boils down to whether or not it worked. And the answer is: who would know? There were 80 participants across nine intakes who went through an eight-week live-in program at Waipawa, followed by two weeks of reintegration and then wrap around support services for six weeks. All of the intakes were drug tested at the beginning, almost all of them testing positive for meth. The program was addiction treatment, then cultural immersion to build self-worth, physical activity programs, and help towards the end of the program with welfare applications, writing CVs and applying for driver's licenses or training courses to make you more employable.&nbsp;
All very well and good and marvellous, but did it work? Did the graduates kick the meth? Again, who would know? To quote from Derek Cheng's story in the Herald, "an exact figure is not possible from the reports, as only some of them include data for the post program checks, while others have the data redacted." Available data shows that some relapsed at some point, while a minority were using methamphetamine regularly after the program, and this data is caveated as mostly self-reported." And that's the thing, Lynn, as Tom Sainsbury would say. You cannot self-report and rely on anecdotal evidence and reckons if you want more money from the government. You don't get that when you're dealing with the government. They want to know that if they're putting in money, there is a set of measures, there's a set of outcomes, and you have to tick a certain number of them before you can get the money. &nbsp;
You'll know that if you're working in a not for profit or a community initiative or a community organization. Trying to get funding is really, really difficult, and you have to show that your program works. I feel much the same way about the boot camps. &nbsp;If they're not working, can them. I don't expect a 100% success rate. You simply won't get that when you're dealing with drug addiction, nor will you get that with lawless kids. &nbsp;I'm not asking for 100%. You do need a bit more than "it felt really good to talk with the brothers" from the participants. An early evaluation of the program after the first two intakes found of the 22 people who had completed the program, two thirds still used meth, although most said they used less than they used to.&nbsp;
On the positive side, 65% of those participants self-reported an improvement in their physical health between week one and week eight of the course. Cool. Healthier, fitter, stronger gangsters. And of the 22 unemployed participants who attended the first two intakes, 10 had since found employment of some kind, although whether they're still in employment, who would know. &nbsp;
Now, if Harry Tam was doing all this through private funders and sponsors, great. Go for it. Show them and see if they want to keep funding the rehab program. If the mob wants to put its members through a rehab program and pay the going rate for a place in a rehab centre for each of the lads, again, go for it. None of our business, good luck, I wish you the best of British. But as every worthy organization reliant on public money needs to know, before we show you the money, you need to show us we're going to get value for it. When Marama Davidson says, hey, we're an evidence-based party," on that level, Harry Tam's rehab program fails.&nbsp;

Kerre Woodham: Government gang rehab programmes need to show us their value

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9b11f160-c57d-47a1-b11f-b4e50008d859/transcript

Sweet mercy. I don't know about you, but the sight of Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs posturing and posing with members of the Mongrel Mob brought back very bad memories of the bad old days. Remember when gang members were given funding for dubious rehab programs? And when they took over the roads and the streets as they were going to tangihanga or just, you know, going from point A to point B and wanted to put on a show?  

Remember when the Mongrel Mob Kingdom tried to tell New Zealanders, "Hey, look, we're just ordinary everyday members of society who want the best for our kids and our families just like you," who got Don Brash on board with their education trust, and had their own media liaison person, Louise, who would ring me almost on the daily for a while and harangue me for my anti-gang sentiments? This is the same Mongrel Mob Kingdom that said, "Hey, we're not like the other Mongrel Mob. I mean, we might have it in our name, but we're anti-drugs." Bit awks then when the 2IC of the Mongrel Mob Kingdom was jailed for 10 years in 2023 for importing, distributing, and supplying meth and the date rape drug. Cool story, guys. Some of somebody believed it.  

One of the best things about the gang patch ban is that it's stopped the gang members overtly recruiting in my neighbourhood. They used to park up on sunny days on their gleaming bikes on the patch of grass next to the roundabout, and the local kids would ooh, aah around the bikes while these men swaggered and punked around. Now the recruiting is not quite so obvious and not quite so overt, not so bloody shamelessly in the face of the neighbourhood. I couldn't agree more with Casey Costello when she condemned the MPs for their ill-advised photo op. 

"It was beyond despicable. They have done more damage for our fight against organised crime than I think they even realise. You know, these are trying to legitimise themselves and they've just played into their hand and told young people, "Oh, look at these cool guys." Just pathetic. If they want to be treated legitimate, take their damn patches off and meet as individuals. Don't try and come as a collective entity as if you're representing some legitimate business. And I wouldn't allow them into my office. I wouldn't allow them into I wouldn't meet with them full stop. Take your patches off and be treated as individuals." 

Absolutely. Could not agree with her more. And I accept that there are people within gangs who are hardworking, productive members of society. I don't know if you remember Paul who rang us from Kawerau around home detention. People are complicated. The world is not binary. But when you wear that patch, you have to accept that people will judge you on that patch. They've worked very, very hard to build up a reputation around the patch so that as soon as you see it, you know what it stands for. They want to make you fearful. That's the point. And the reason you do feel fearful when you see it is that they associate it with so many violent crimes and drug dealing. It's like working at ZB a bit. You know, there are people who think that everyone who works at ZB is a foaming right-wing racist. They've never listened to any of the shows, but because ZB has been branded that, that's what people believe. And the truth's a little bit more nuanced than that, I hope.  

I think Casey Costello is right. I mean, individuals, absolutely fine. Take off the patch, have a discussion, cool. But these guys look like 16 year olds posing with the gang members inside the pad. "Ooh, look at us flirting with danger. Oh my god, we're just so cool. Just so cool." No, you're not cool. Looks pathetic. And it gives validation to a criminal organisation that that organisation has not earned. 

Sweet mercy. I don't know about you, but the sight of Green and Te Pāti Māori MPs posturing and posing with members of the Mongrel Mob brought back very bad memories of the bad old days. Remember when gang members were given funding for dubious rehab programs? And when they took over the roads and the streets as they were going to tangihanga or just, you know, going from point A to point B and wanted to put on a show? &nbsp;
Remember when the Mongrel Mob Kingdom tried to tell New Zealanders, "Hey, look, we're just ordinary everyday members of society who want the best for our kids and our families just like you," who got Don Brash on board with their education trust, and had their own media liaison person, Louise, who would ring me almost on the daily for a while and harangue me for my anti-gang sentiments? This is the same Mongrel Mob Kingdom that said, "Hey, we're not like the other Mongrel Mob. I mean, we might have it in our name, but we're anti-drugs." Bit awks then when the 2IC of the Mongrel Mob Kingdom was jailed for 10 years in 2023 for importing, distributing, and supplying meth and the date rape drug. Cool story, guys. Some of somebody believed it. &nbsp;
One of the best things about the gang patch ban is that it's stopped the gang members overtly recruiting in my neighbourhood. They used to park up on sunny days on their gleaming bikes on the patch of grass next to the roundabout, and the local kids would ooh, aah around the bikes while these men swaggered and punked around. Now the recruiting is not quite so obvious and not quite so overt, not so bloody shamelessly in the face of the neighbourhood. I couldn't agree more with Casey Costello when she condemned the MPs for their ill-advised photo op.&nbsp;
"It was beyond despicable. They have done more damage for our fight against organised crime than I think they even realise. You know, these are trying to legitimise themselves and they've just played into their hand and told young people, "Oh, look at these cool guys." Just pathetic. If they want to be treated legitimate, take their damn patches off and meet as individuals. Don't try and come as a collective entity as if you're representing some legitimate business. And I wouldn't allow them into my office. I wouldn't allow them into I wouldn't meet with them full stop. Take your patches off and be treated as individuals."&nbsp;
Absolutely. Could not agree with her more. And I accept that there are people within gangs who are hardworking, productive members of society. I don't know if you remember Paul who rang us from Kawerau around home detention. People are complicated. The world is not binary. But when you wear that patch, you have to accept that people will judge you on that patch. They've worked very, very hard to build up a reputation around the patch so that as soon as you see it, you know what it stands for. They want to make you fearful. That's the point. And the reason you do feel fearful when you see it is that they associate it with so many violent crimes and drug dealing. It's like working at ZB a bit. You know, there are people who think that everyone who works at ZB is a foaming right-wing racist. They've never listened to any of the shows, but because ZB has been branded that, that's what people believe. And the truth's a little bit more nuanced than that, I hope. &nbsp;
I think Casey Costello is right. I mean, individuals, absolutely fine. Take off the patch, have a discussion, cool. But these guys look like 16 year olds posing with the gang members inside the pad. "Ooh, look at us flirting with danger. Oh my god, we're just so cool. Just so cool." No, you're not cool. Looks pathetic. And it gives validation to a criminal organisation that that organisation has not earned.&nbsp;

Kerre Woodham: The MP-gang meeting brought back memories of the bad old days

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/10d5c5f6-9796-4fb6-9166-b4e4000806bb/transcript

Christopher Luxon says National's delivered a lot of what it wanted to this term.  

While taking talkback with Kerre Woodham, a supporter asked why he allowed ACT and New Zealand First to veto National promises after the 2023 election. 

She pointed out although Luxon had expressed support for capping vape stores at 600, in Coalition negotiations he handed NZ First responsibility for regulation of smoking and cessation tools.  

Luxon says voters decided the election, and National had to make that work.  

He says you have to make trade offs, but the minor parties had to sign up to the National Party agenda.   

Another supporter told Luxon he's foolish to rule out working with the Opportunity Party, saying he owes it to New Zealanders to at least have a conversation if Qiulae Wong’s party holds the balance of power. 

Luxon responded with a well-worn answer saying he opposed Opportunity’s land tax policy, despite Wong previously saying it would be worth considering accepting no tax reform next term if it meant forming a government with other policy gains. 

“Taxing New Zealanders is just the wrong thing at the moment.” 

The caller encouraged the National leader to reconsider, saying they don't have to agree with the minor party's policies, but closing the door from the get-go is foolish if they want to get into power.  

LISTEN ABOVE 

Christopher Luxon says National's delivered a lot of what it wanted to this term. &nbsp;
While taking talkback with Kerre Woodham, a supporter asked why he allowed ACT and New Zealand First to veto National promises after the 2023 election.&nbsp;
She pointed out although Luxon had expressed support for capping vape stores at 600, in Coalition negotiations he handed NZ First responsibility for regulation of smoking and cessation tools. &nbsp;
Luxon says voters decided the election, and National had to make that work. &nbsp;
He says you have to make trade offs, but the minor parties had to sign up to the National Party agenda. &nbsp;&nbsp;
Another supporter told Luxon he's foolish to rule out working with the Opportunity Party, saying he owes it to New Zealanders to at least have a conversation if Qiulae Wong’s party holds the balance of power.&nbsp;
Luxon responded with a well-worn answer saying he opposed Opportunity’s land tax policy, despite Wong previously saying it would be worth considering accepting no tax reform next term if it meant forming a government with other policy gains.&nbsp;
“Taxing New Zealanders is just the wrong thing at the moment.”&nbsp;
The caller encouraged the National leader to reconsider, saying they don't have to agree with the minor party's policies, but closing the door from the get-go is foolish if they want to get into power. &nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

Christopher Luxon: National Party Leader takes talkback, discusses coalitions, achievements, education

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/32d243b2-9657-4abd-9172-b4e30175cdf4/transcript

Fiona Anderson: Piha campground manager on the ground reopening over summer

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