Retiring Judge Joanna Maze, is looking forward to losing her anonymity in the South Canterbury community she loves but has remained at arm’s length from for the past 11 years. Maze, Timaru's resident District Court judge since September 2011, finished her final court sitting on Friday with "a courtesy farewell between bench and bar" and told The Timaru Herald she made the decision to retire "when I knew that I was beginning to run out of energy ... and a sense that I wanted to have some time left still to do things for myself". "It's a job where you have to maintain a degree of separateness in your life, and that does suit my personality, and this has been a wonderful community to be part of, but I'm ready to be more part of it and that isn't entirely consistent with being a judge in a small community,’’ she said. "South Canterbury really is a delightful community. The people have good values, it is a caring community, it is an ideal size. It's more like a big village really. … [Read more...] about South Canterbury community calling retiring District Court Judge Joanna Maze
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‘Biodiversity loss is humanity’s greatest threat’
Mass species extinction is taking place right before our eyes, and yet most of us hardly notice. The dying can't circulate online petitions or stage demonstrations. Often, we don't even know they exist. Of the estimated 8 million animal, fungi and plant species on our planet, only a fraction have been scientifically documented, according to the international biodiversity council IPBES. Yet according to scientists, the world may lose nearly 1 million species by 2030, with one species already becoming extinct every 10 minutes. This is catastrophic, because a world that lacks diversity is a dangerous place for all species, including humans. Later this year, at the second phase of the 15th UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Canada almost 200 countries hope to agree on a new international framework for the protection of biodiversity . The agreement text is being prepared this week in Nairobi, Kenya. Will the global community succeed in halting the extinction crisis? Here's … [Read more...] about ‘Biodiversity loss is humanity’s greatest threat’
Shutting Westminster bars not needed as MP scandals ‘bigger than hospitality arrangements’
Bar closures in Parliament are not needed to prevent MP scandals, senior politicians agree, as it was argued the cause is "bigger than the hospitality arrangements". Frontbenchers from both main parties pointed out few of the recent misconduct controversies had actually happened in hostelries at Westminster. Chris Pincher , MP for Tamworth in Staffordshire, quit as Tory deputy chief whip - responsible for party discipline - after he was accused of drunkenly groping two men at the members-only Carlton Club. Politics latest: Minister insists it 'isn't the case' there is a problem with male Tory MPs Boris Johnson bowed to demands to withdraw the whip from Mr Pincher, meaning he will now sit in the Commons as an independent, after an official investigation was launched. Advertisement There are several bars on the parliamentary estate, including the Woolsack and Strangers' Bar. Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey told Sky's … [Read more...] about Shutting Westminster bars not needed as MP scandals ‘bigger than hospitality arrangements’