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News of Zealand

The News of Zealand: Monday 3 July

Pill testing shows dodgy drugs prevalent at NZ festivals, Teina Pora's bid for more compensation and fears of a cholera outbreak in South Sudan.

Everything you need to know about the world this morning, curated by 95bFM and VICE NZ.

LOCAL NEWS

Undercover Drug Testing at Festivals Reveals Many Kiwis Aren't Getting the High They Thought
Community group, KnowYourStuffNZ tested over 300 illicit drugs at eight different music festivals this summer, finding that 31 per cent of samples were not what the possessors thought they were. Festival-goers often believed they had MDMA or LSD, but in many cases testing revealed more dangerous substances were present.
Executive Director of the NZ Drug Foundation, Ross Bell said the Misuse of Drugs Act should be modernised to allow more testing at festivals. Bell said drug testing is currently a legal grey area which puts volunteers at risk of a possession charge.
When people did find out their drugs weren't what they thought they were, more than half of them decided not to take the substance.
While drug testing is technically illegal, Associate Minister of Health Peter Dunne told TVNZ he couldn't see it causing any particular problem. "I think they actually provide a benefit to people, and I think it is a common sense solution," he said.

Call For Kiwisaver to Become Compulsory
The architect of KiwiSaver and former Labour Finance Minister, Sir Michael Cullen, believes KiwiSaver should become compulsory as not enough people are saving for their retirement.
Ten years after the establishment of KiwiSaver, 42 percent of members aren't contributing to their fund and another 500,000 people over 18 have not signed up. Sir Michael said the Government's reduction of member tax credits and removal of the Kickstart Grant has impacted the savings of low income members.
Massey University banking expert Claire Matthews said the minimum contribution of three percent is too high and a lower rate should be looked at to increase participation.

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Teina Pora Asking For Compensation Payout To Be Reviewed
Teina Pora, who served over two decades in prison after being wrongfully convicted of rape and murder, is returning to court over his compensation payout. Last year, Pora was paid $2.5 million by the Government, based on guidelines from 1998 which see loss of liberty compensated at $100,000 per year. Today, Pora's lawyers will argue he should receive half a million dollars more, as inflation was not accounted for. Justice Minister Amy Adams says the Government's decision to reject the inflation-adjusted payout was lawful and consistent with Cabinet guidelines. Pora's convictions were overturned in 2015.

New Number Helps People Reach Mental Health Services
National Telehealth services believes a new number to contact mental health services will help people feel comfortable and confident in seeking help. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman has released a new number with the four digits '1737' that will connect people to 24/7 services for mental health and addiction. National Telehealth Chief Executive Officer Andrew Slater told 95bFM research has shown that people want a number to dial that is neutral. "They wanted a number that didn't or wasn't connected to a mental ill ness or an addiction, for example they didn't think it needed to have a name." Slater added that the biggest challenge is to let everyone know that '1737' exists, so spreading the word to your friends and whānau is important.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Grenfell Fire: Council Leader Resigns After Criticism
The head of the local council in the London borough where at least 80 people died in the tragic Grenfell Tower blaze has resigned. Kensington and Chelsea Council leader Nick Paget-Brown faced calls to resign from the London Mayor and a number of senior politicians. Paget-Brown said he accepts responsibility for "perceived failings" by the council following the tragedy. The resignation comes after an aborted meeting of the council's cabinet which leaders had tried to ban press and members of the public from attending. The Labour group leader on Kensington and Chelsea said he is ashamed of the response, accusing council leaders of "hiding from residents".

Qatar Under Pressure to Accept Demands
Qatar could face further sanctions as the nation comes under pressure to accept a series of demands from its Gulf neighbours. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain have demanded that Qatar shut down Al Jazeera, close a Turkish military base and cut relationships with Iran. The demands have been made by the Saudi-led allies over allegations of Qatari support for terrorism. Qatar's Foreign Minister has effectively rejected the demands, labelling it as an attack on the nation's sovereignty.

Eight Killed In Attack On Iraq Aid Camp
A suicide attack in central Iraq has killed eight people and injured 13, with police at the scene saying the victims are primarily women and children. The attack happened at an aid camp in western Ramadi, revealing considerable security challenges in the region. Head of the local council in the area, said the camp will be closed following the attack. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility from any terrorist organisation.

Experts Fear Uncontrollable Cholera Outbreak in South Sudan
A sharp increase in cases of cholera in South Sudan has doctors and aid workers fearing the disease will spread out of control. In the past year there have been 8,000 reported cases of cholera, with 2500 arising since April. The disease has killed 250 people in the past year, but experts say that there are likely to be many more cases that have not been confirmed or reported. With millions of people left vulnerable due to displacement and malnutrition, and hospitals stretched to their limits, experts believe an outbreak has the potential to kill thousands.

Reporting by India Essuah, Alessandra Nixon and Mark Casson.