Police sought information on the whereabouts of Blenheim parolee James Panapa Hapakuku, 39, in November.
A meth “courier” jailed for bringing drugs into the South Island has breached his parole during a relapse. Blenheim man James Panapa Hapakuku, 39, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment in 2017 for his role in a meth ring, one of seven people arrested during Operation Book.
NZ POLICE
Blenheim police seized this meth from a Dillons Point Rd property during Operation Book in February 2016. He moved 350 grams of methamphetamine worth more than $300,000 on several trips from Auckland to Blenheim in 2015 and 2016. He was also convicted of supplying cannabis to girls aged under 18, in exchange for photographs of their feet.
The victim tried to leave the address but Reihana stopped her from going anywhere, the summary said. He charged at her with his head down, striking her in the torso multiple times. The assaults continued, and he punched her multiple times, including in the face, the summary said. He then picked her up, but the victim slapped him, so he dropped her. On realising the victim was hurt, Reihana tried to tell the woman she was alright, the summary said. She eventually managed to get away and go to the home of extended family where she was taken to hospital.
The shop assistant and France wrestled briefly as the assistant tried to remove her from the store.
Stuff France overpowered the shop assistant before grabbing three plastic money bags, totalling $203. The assistant called for help and members of the public assisted her in retrieving the money from France in the car park outside. The shop assistant received bruising to her left elbow and hand and experienced a stiff neck and shoulders in the days following. France pleaded guilty to robbery by assault at the Blenheim District Court in June. She also admitted three charges of shoplifting which included a security camera and drone worth about $500 from Harvey Norman, $557 worth of groceries from Countdown, and a $12 body wash from a pharmacy.
CHLOE RANFORD/LDR
Pool owner Bernie Rowe is part of a group looking to appeal the ministry’s decision to ban pool covers as safety barriers.
Fences might be expensive and ugly, but pool owners must make “sacrifices” to keep children safe, the Government says, banning covered pools without a fence for the second time. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is being dragged into court after ruling pool covers cannot replace pool fences, standing by a determination it made two years ago. Debate fired up after a word change in the Building Act from ‘fencing’ to ‘physical barriers’ allowed councils in New Zealand to issue waivers for pool owners with covers instead of fences.