NPR

New Zealand police arrested two men smuggling KFC chicken and $100,000 in cash into Auckland.
This is the second arrest involving illegal fast-food hauls amid the city's strict Covid-19 lockdown.
As businesses reopened at midnight, the line at one Auckland McDonald's overflowed around the corner.
See more stories on Business Insider SA's home page.
Two New Zealand men were arrested on Sunday after attempting to cross the Auckland border with a car "full" of Kentucky Fried Chicken, chips, and 10 tubs of coleslaw, according to local police.


The police identified the pair as "gang associates" and found over $10,000 in cash and empty ounce bags alongside large amounts of fast food.

According to authorities, "the vehicle did a U-turn and sped off trying to evade police," after they noticed the car driving down a gravel road near the border.

Auckland officials are enforcing strict travel restrictions amid a city-wide lockdown following a surge in Covid-19 cases. With restaurants closed, residents who break travel rules to purchase fast food outside the city risk fines up to $8,400 or six months of jail time.

This is the second set of charges this month involving illicit takeaway food. Last week, a 20-year-old man was charged for breaking health orders as he left Auckland in search of McDonald's, which he documented on TikTok.

As businesses reopened Tuesday at midnight, 40 cars were waiting in line outside a West Auckland McDonald's at 12:30AM, according to Stuff, New Zealand's largest news site. By 1AM, eager customers clogged the road and wrapped around the corner.

Hell Pizza chief executive Ben Cumming told Stuff reporter Glenn McConnell that Auckland fast-food outlets are anticipating around double their normal demand as the city downgrades from Level 4 to Level 3 restrictions.

In a statement, New Zealand Police said they are "pleased with the actions of the majority of people adhering to the Alert Level restrictions, but are disappointed by the small number of people who deliberately flout the rules."

Since the Level 4 lockdown was put in place, police say 86 people have been charged with a total of 90 offenses, the majority of which were failing to comply with Covid-19 restrictions.

On Friday, fines for Covid-19 rule-breakers were raised as authorities expressed concern about the Delta variant spreading beyond Auckland and into other regions, Reuters reported.

"Our success has been really based on the fact that people by and large have been compliant," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said at a news conference. "However, there has been the odd person that has broken the rules and put others at risk."

The three South African children who were killed in New Zealand on Thursday were allegedly strangled with cable ties.
Dr Lauren Dickason was charged with the murder of her three children Liane, 6, and her twin sisters Maya and Karla, aged 2. She appeared in court in Timaru, New Zealand, on Saturday morning after being arrested for the murders on Friday.
Lauren allegedly strangled her daughters with cable ties at their home in Timaru, Canterbury, according to a report in City Press.
A former colleague of Lauren’s husband Graham reportedly said that it was suspected the children had been killed with cable ties.
The family had recently emigrated. According to their social media profiles, both parents are doctors who worked at Pretoria East Hospital before arriving in New Zealand in late August.
The former colleague, also a doctor, said Lauren had used chronic medication, but stopped taking it out of fear it would affect their emigration application. It is not known what condition Lauren was taking the medication for.
New Zealand has strict requirements for immigrants and using chronic medication could count against you.
The former colleague also said that being placed in quarantine when the family first arrived in New Zealand was traumatic.
“The immigration process to New Zealand is extremely traumatic. I understand the place where the Dickason family had to spend their quarantine was basically like in a prison. You don’t see anyone, your food is delivered to your door and you are only let out for about an hour a day.”
The person said that the stress combined with Lauren not taking her medication could have led to the tragic murders of the children.
Media reports said Graham discovered the bodies of his children when he arrived home from work on Thursday. Neighbours also reported hearing “wailing and sobbing” coming from the house and called emergency services.

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

Almost all cases of the last 14 days have either been household or known contacts, and wastewater testing suggests there is no significant undetected transmission.

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:18 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

Zero cases policy.

Auckland only.

Probably a couple more weeks as it’s nearly stopped spreading (community transmission). They’ve just moved from the max lockdown level.

Almost all cases of the last 14 days have either been household or known contacts, and wastewater testing suggests there is no significant undetected transmission.

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:58 pm Weed and munchy delivery service.

Good business model for those stuck at home.

FalseBayFC wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:59 pm

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 1:18 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

Zero cases policy.

Auckland only.

Probably a couple more weeks as it’s nearly stopped spreading (community transmission). They’ve just moved from the max lockdown level.

Almost all cases of the last 14 days have either been household or known contacts, and wastewater testing suggests there is no significant undetected transmission.

Amazing job keeping Delta under control. I have heaps of family and mates over there who almost sound like 1984 subjects of a mind control regime. But best of luck to you all and well done on the job so far.

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

OomStruisbaai wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 5:02 pm

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

SA 56,000 active cases today

Chilli wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:22 pm

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:58 pm Weed and munchy delivery service.

Good business model for those stuck at home.

Brilliant.

assfly wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:59 pm A total of 4,000 cases and NZ is in lockdown?

Interesting.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:35 pm

Chilli wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:22 pm

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:58 pm Weed and munchy delivery service.

Good business model for those stuck at home.

Brilliant.

Well, apart from the fact these two Einsteins were gang prospects who were clearly on their way to, or from, a large weed deal. They now have some explaining to do to their "employers", given they've managed to lose $100k of gang money and worst of all, a car boot full of KFC. Their future employment 'prospects' ain't looking too bright any more. Can imagine they're due a few work-related 'health issues' as well.

Gumboot wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:35 pm

Chilli wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:22 pm

Ymx wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 12:58 pm Weed and munchy delivery service.

Good business model for those stuck at home.

Brilliant.

Well, apart from the fact these two Einsteins were gang prospects who were clearly on their way to, or from, a large weed deal. They now have some explaining to do to their "employers", given they've managed to lose $100k of gang money and worst of all, a car boot full of KFC. Their future employment 'prospects' ain't looking too bright any more. Can imagine they're due a few work-related 'health issues' as well.

FalseBayFC wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:56 am

Gumboot wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:35 pm

Chilli wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 2:22 pm

Brilliant.

Well, apart from the fact these two Einsteins were gang prospects who were clearly on their way to, or from, a large weed deal. They now have some explaining to do to their "employers", given they've managed to lose $100k of gang money and worst of all, a car boot full of KFC. Their future employment 'prospects' ain't looking too bright any more. Can imagine they're due a few work-related 'health issues' as well.

I find it weird that the NZ and Aussie bikie gangs seem so visible and almost semi-respectable. I love reading books about organized crime and have recently been watching youtube videos about Aussie crims. But the Mongrel Mob type operations almost seem to co-operate with civil society at the same time as carrying out extremely anti-social activities. I really need to read up about them, fascinating.

Gumboot wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:11 am KFC is serious business, bro.

Chilli wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:59 am

FalseBayFC wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:56 am

Gumboot wrote: Wed Sep 22, 2021 9:35 pm

Well, apart from the fact these two Einsteins were gang prospects who were clearly on their way to, or from, a large weed deal. They now have some explaining to do to their "employers", given they've managed to lose $100k of gang money and worst of all, a car boot full of KFC. Their future employment 'prospects' ain't looking too bright any more. Can imagine they're due a few work-related 'health issues' as well.

I find it weird that the NZ and Aussie bikie gangs seem so visible and almost semi-respectable. I love reading books about organized crime and have recently been watching youtube videos about Aussie crims. But the Mongrel Mob type operations almost seem to co-operate with civil society at the same time as carrying out extremely anti-social activities. I really need to read up about them, fascinating.

For a while I watched "Tough Nuts, Australia's Hardest Criminals", it was a really good series.

Chilli wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:00 am

Gumboot wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:11 am KFC is serious business, bro.

It must be if organised crime is involved in distributing it.

Gumboot wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 7:30 am

Chilli wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 6:00 am

Gumboot wrote: Thu Sep 23, 2021 5:11 am KFC is serious business, bro.

It must be if organised crime is involved in distributing it.

Biggest syndicate in the country, with chapters in every city. Run by a shadowy national president called El Kernel. Not to be messed with - these guys are notorious for their drive-thru killings.