Outrage in New Zealand After Police Mistakenly Drug Minor in Identity Mix-Up

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.

In a groundbreaking decision, New Zealand has granted legal personhood to Mount Taranaki, now officially recognized as Taranaki Maunga. This landmark ruling makes Taranaki Maunga the third natural feature in the country to receive individual status, following the Whanganui River and Te Urewera National Park, as reported by BBC. The recognition reflects the indigenous Māori people's view of Mount Taranaki as an ancestral entity. Under the new law, Taranaki Maunga will effectively be able to own itself, with local iwi (tribal representatives) and government entities collaborating to manage it. Paul Goldsmith, the government minister overseeing the negotiations, emphasized the importance of acknowledging past injustices inflicted upon the Māori during colonization, particularly concerning land confiscation. The move also includes a renaming initiative, restoring the mountain's original Māori name, Te Papa-Kura-o-Taranaki, with the highest peak designated as Taranaki Maunga. The new legislation endows Taranaki Maunga with all the rights and responsibilities of a legal person, naming its legal personality Te Kahui Tupua. This shift signifies a profound step toward recognizing the rights of nature in New Zealand.

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.