Our first evening meeting for the year was held at the Remuera Golf Club last Tuesday
New Member
President Dave inducted Olivia McIver into the Club. Olivia is a social media specialist, and a finalist in last year’s Newmarket Business Awards. She will be a member of the Youth Committee. Welcome Olivia!
Paul Harris Fellows
Boyne Drummond and Paul Monk received well-deserved Paul Harris awards for their sterling work in organising last year’s very successful Garden DesignFest.
Vocational
Holly Bennett, Te Arawa, introduced herself to the Club, detailing her very impressive whakapapa. After her law degree from Auckland University she commenced her career at the Manukau District Court, next going to Parliament and then in 2017 founded her government relations and communications firm Awhi. In 2022 she was named Young Business Person of the Year at the Newmarket Business Awards. She is always looking for ways to innovate government relations in Aotearoa, ensuring the expert industry is something that everyone can access.
Cyclone Gabrielle Support
President Dave outlined the Club’s proposed response to Cyclone Gabrielle. Donations were being sought from members to be provided to ButterBean and the Kindness Collective, both actively supporting Cyclone victims. Ric Buchanan, our Treasurer, is standing by to receive requests for the direct debiting of nominated amounts. [Alternatively, funds may be credited to the Newmarket Rotary Charitable Trust by direct bank transfer: 12-3252-0042374-00. Don’t forget to include your name!]
The Riccarton Club in Christchurch has been in touch concerning joining their support with us.
Judge Charles Blackie
Our speaker for the evening was Judge Charles Blackie QSO, from the Parole Board. After a distinguished legal career as a District Court and Executive Judge, in 2017 Judge Blackie was appointed as Convenor of the Parole Board. He is Chief Justice of the Pitcairns Supreme Court and a former Commander in the Royal NZ Naval Volunteer Reserve.
The Parole Board covers all the NZ prisons. There is a panel convener and two lay members for each hearing – more for major crimes. Prisoners may be released if and when they no longer pose undue risk – monitoring continues for six months. Judge Blackie provided statistics for hearings and outcomes.
Classification of prisoners ranges from Maximum Security [Paremoremo] on a graduated scale to Minimal. Many offences relate to drug habits. There are drug treatment programmes. Release plans can include electronic monitoring, ensuring controlled movement and a curfew. Prisoners released on parole can be recalled for parole breaches.
There is no right of appeal against the Parole Board’s decisions. Reviews may be sought on limited specific grounds. Applications for Judicial Review are very rare. In cooperation with the various authorities, parole may be revoked. Deportation is initiated by the Immigration Department.
The victim’s voice can be heard on the basis of written statements, and the Board can call for reports.
Judge Blackie advised that his term as Convener ends shortly.
An illuminating and informative address. We are very fortunate to have Judges of the calibre of Judge Blackie taking on these significant duties, serving our society so well under such difficult and challenging circumstances.
Next Meeting
Tuesday 7 March, 12 noon, Ellerslie
District Conference
31st March – 1st April 2023 Karaka
RI Melbourne Convention
27th – 31st May 2023.
Our meeting on Tuesday evening left me feeling positively energized.
