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A landmark report has heavily criticised the police for illegally searching and detaining people, and for setting up unlawful roadblocks, during the Urewera raids in October 2007.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority on Wednesday released the findings of its investigation of the case and made a series of recommendations for change.

The authority has found that, as a whole, the police operation was reasonable and necessary, but it also faults the police for several shortcomings.

Authority chairman Judge Sir David Carruthers says it scrutinised police actions at 11 properties that were searched, after people from three different addresses complained that they and others had been personally searched.

Police had no justification for personally searching occupants, and these searches were unlawful.

“The detention of the occupants at five properties examined by the authority was also unlawful, unjustified and unreasonable.”

Judge Carruthers finds fault with the police for leading people to believe they were being detained, and has also criticised what he calls deficient planning for roadblocks set up in Ruatoki and Taneatua.

tumeke.co.nz

I would ask ‘what is going on with the government’ but it is crystal clear.

Just-released Solid Energy documents contain no reference to PM’s suggestion firm asked Govt for money.

The documents released yesterday reveal how relations between John Palmer and Treasury soured as the company’s financial position deteriorated. Photo / Sarah Ivey
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The documents released yesterday reveal how relations between John Palmer and Treasury soured as the company’s financial position deteriorated. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Newly released papers raise fresh questions over Prime Minister John Key’s claim that Solid Energy asked for $1 billion of taxpayers’ money to fund its transformation into a massive resources company.

Key made the claim earlier this year when it was revealed the state-owned coal miner was on the verge of collapse under the weight of almost $400 million in debt.

Former chairman John Palmer, who approached the Government with the plan in 2010, denied asking for the money but later said he understood why Mr Key might have said the proposal involved “those sorts of costs”.

But Solid Energy documents released by Treasury yesterday detailing the proposal contain noreference to a request for the money.

Solid Energy’s business proposal said the Government’s willingness to forgo dividends from Solid Energy and Kupe were essential for the project to proceed, and it would require extra equity of up to $1 billion on top of that to fund the expansion.

However, it did not seek that from the Government in the proposals, saying: “All this can be achieved … without requiring a direct Government equity contribution (other than forgoing dividends from Solid Energy and Kupe for up to 5-10 years).”

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