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Depatures board at Auckland Airport
Arresting student loan debtors at airports is an "absolute last resort", but it's not a policy that will be changed soon, the Government says. The comments come after a [woman was arrested]( at the border over her student loan, reportedly while trying to return to her home overseas. Police confirmed the woman, who had been visiting New Zealand, was arrested as she attempted to fly out of Auckland International Airport on January 10. Inland Revenue said it could not confirm further details because of secrecy obligations under the Tax Administration Act. It is the first arrest over [student loan debt]( in 2020. Duty Minister Phil Twyford said an arrest at the border was an "absolute last resort" but the Government was not considering policy changes. Police were alerted to the woman's presence at the airport via a border alert and arrested her on behalf of Inland Revenue.
A photograph of Les Pearson's $100 ticket
A [cancer patient fined $100]( for forgetting to display his mobility parking permit is calling for compassionate discretion towards people in his situation. Retired cop Les Pearson, 68, said those with [mobility parking permits]( were often forgetful due to old age, medication, and/or the stress and exhaustion of illness. He said many were sickness beneficiaries or living on the pension and that fines of $100 or more wiped out much of their week's income. Pearson, whose mobility is "severely limited" by cancer, was parked outside a south Auckland optometrist clinic on Monday when he got ticketed by [Elite Parking Services](. He immediately emailed the company a photo of his permit and asked to be excused from paying the fine. But the firm refuses to back down.The company's owner Gordon Ward said it got slews of complaints about ticketing and steered clear of "the personality side of it".
Participant holds placard during 2019 Pride march
A year on from a [controversial decision]( to replace New Zealand's biggest Pride parade with a march, there's [no plan to return to the status quo]( organisers say. Auckland Pride director Max Tweedie said the [2019 Pride Festival]( had "refocused the purpose" of the event to be more inclusive and diverse. Instead of corporate sponsors parading down Ponsonby Rd, like in previous years, members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community marched from Albert Park to Aotea Square. The Auckland Pride Festival 2020 will run from February 1-16 and the march, entitled ['Our March']( will take place on February 8. A [rival group]( Rainbow Pride Auckland, will hold its own parade on February 29. The group's chairman Matt Bagshaw said it had formed as a response to feedback from the community after the 2019 Pride parade was cancelled.
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The statue of Te Ähua o Hinerangi on Te Ähua Point, above Mercer Bay.
A MÄori carving at West Auckland's Te Ähua Point has been [vandalised with a swastika]( leaving locals disgusted. The anti-Semitic Nazi symbol was carved into the the right side of the leg of the statue, known as Te Hinerangi pou, in Piha. Auckland Council has been informed and its art collection manager Peter Tilley said he was disappoitned to learn of the vandalism to Sunnah Thompson's sculpture. "I have spoken to Sunnah, and with his guidance and direction, an expert will carry out repair works straight away. They will carefully remove the damage, then oil the pou to retain the original texture," Tilley said. Some Piha residents took to social media to condemn the "outrageous" vandalism, stating it was "truly abhorrent" and "beyond disgusting". The Te Hinerangi Pou was installed at the point in 2011 as a way to mark the importance of the site to local iwi, Te Kawerau Ä Maki.
Stuff reporter Brittany Keogh with e-scooter
OPINION: Shared e-scooters have taken over Auckland's footpaths again after a [brief exodus]( of all but one brand during the holiday period. Four brands â Beam, Neuron, Flamingo and Jump â are now competing for residents' rides. But not all e-scooters are made equal. Stuff reporter Brittany Keogh [compared the different brands]( and gave an overall impression score for each. [Flamingo]( 3.5/5 â If you want to get from A to B quickly and with relative ease, the pink e-scooters are for you. [Neuron]( 4.5/5 â Neuron is the standout model overall, it's fast, easy to use and the company takes safety seriously. [Beam]( 4/5 â For those of you with a need for speed, Beam is the superior scooter. [Jump]( 4.25/5 â Jump is a good all rounder â but it's slower top speed means it wouldn't be the scooter to choose if you're trying to get to a meeting you're running late for.
Thousands are expected to flock to Albert Park for Laneway Festival on Auckland Anniversary.
[Laneway Festival]( returns to central Auckland on January 27. Auckland Anniversary Day promises to be a party, with thousands expected to pack out Albert Park for the 18+ event. Alternative rockers [The 1975]( dance outfit [Rüfüs Du Sol]( and pop sensation [Charli XCX]( will headline the line-up. Prep your pals, your sunscreen, and your excuses for your Tuesday morning hangover â here's what you need to know about the festival. Gates open at 11.30am and the event ends at 10.30pm. Twenty-nine acts will perform across the festival's four stages and tickets can be purchased through the [festival's website](. Concert-goers will need photo ID and their tickets ready for scanning when they arrive. Those displaying tickets on their phones should make sure they are on full brightness. Bags will be searched and those who don't have one should look for the express lane.
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