New Zealand Grants Legal Personhood to Mount Taranaki

A report revealed that an 11-year-old girl in Hamilton, New Zealand, was mistakenly identified by police as a missing adult woman, resulting in her being restrained and injected with anti-psychotic medication. The incident occurred on March 9, when the girl, who has limited verbal ability, was crossing a bridge and misidentified by a passing police vehicle as a missing 20-year-old hospital patient, according to a review by the Ministry of Health. Despite a nurse’s observation that the girl appeared to be a child, police transported her to an “intensive psychiatric care unit.” Upon arrival, staff assumed they were treating an adult, leading to the administration of medication that is rarely given to children. The girl remained in the hospital for over 12 hours until police recognized their error and contacted her family. Health officials, including senior official Richard Sullivan, have apologized for the incident, emphasizing the need for changes to prevent future mistakes. New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the events as "incredibly distressing," expressing empathy for the girl and her family while announcing an investigation.

Scarlett Pavlovich, a former nanny for British author Neil Gaiman and musician Amanda Palmer, has filed a civil lawsuit accusing Gaiman of sexual assault and alleging that Palmer facilitated the abuse. The lawsuit was lodged in federal court across Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and New York, as reported by The Guardian. Pavlovich claims in her lawsuit that Gaiman assaulted her repeatedly while she was employed as their babysitter and later as a nanny. She alleges that Palmer was aware of the abuse and "presented" her to Gaiman, knowing of his intentions. Among the accusations are claims of rape, coercion, and violation of human trafficking laws, with damages sought exceeding $7 million. Gaiman has denied all allegations, asserting that his relationships were consensual. Palmer expressed her distress over the accusations and stated that ongoing custody and divorce proceedings prevent her from commenting further. Following the allegations, several of Gaiman's publishing projects have been canceled or paused, while he remains embroiled in a divorce from Palmer, with whom he shares one child.

New Zealand has announced a new initiative aimed at boosting its tourism sector by relaxing visa rules for digital nomads and influencers. Under the new regulations, visitors can now work remotely for foreign employers while staying in the country for up to 90 days without incurring tax liabilities. This visa can also be extended for an additional nine months, although visitors may be subject to tax during that extended period. Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis highlighted the importance of attracting global talent and tourism, stating that making it easier for digital nomads to work in New Zealand will enhance the country’s appeal as a destination. The government is specifically targeting highly skilled IT workers from the United States and East Asia in its promotional efforts. Willis emphasized that these remote workers would not compete for local jobs, as they are employed by overseas companies. She acknowledged that there may be occasional abuses of the system, but the overall economic benefits outweigh the risks. While the tourism sector is showing signs of recovery, it was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the country experiencing the most significant GDP contraction among developed nations in 2024. Opposition finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds criticized the policy, calling it inconsistent with previous government actions, which have included restrictions on remote work for public servants. Edmonds argued that more comprehensive and long-term solutions are needed for sustainable economic growth, rather than short-term incentives for foreign workers.