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SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Film and Literature Board boss Don Mathieson steps down after Into the River saga

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Stuff News Reports: A censor involved in banning [sic] controversial novel Into the River is leaving the Film and Literature Board of Review. [An interim restriction order was applied to the publication not a “ban”]

Don Mathieson, QC, will be replaced as the board’s president in January by Auckland lawyer Kate Davenport, QC.

Mathieson, a conservative Christian, made headlines in September, after Ted Dawe’s teen novel Into The River was briefly banned, [sic] following a complaint from conservative lobby group Family First.

The book had previously won the NZ Post Children’s Book Award, and the ban [sic] – the first handed down in 22 years – sparked public outrage.

By a majority vote, the board lifted the interim ban in October – and the book’s previous R14 classification was thrown out at the same time, making it an unrestricted read.

Mathieson opposed the ruling, with a dissenting opinion in the board’s final decision, saying “no responsible parent of a 17-year-old, let alone of a 12-year-old, would want this repetitive coarse language normalised.”

On Monday, Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne announced Mathieson’s departure from the board, in a statement announcing seven new appointments.

Mathieson, from Waikanae, north of Wellington, told Stuff he did not expect to be reappointed after two three-year terms, both as president, and did not put his name forward to continue in the job.

He said he was “not particularly glad or sorry” to be leaving the board, which he joined as a public service.

To see full story published 1/12/15 go to:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/74575182/film-and-literature-board-boss-don-mathieson-steps-down-after-into-the-river-saga

Failed Canterbury businessman Paul Encell a convicted fraudster

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A Canterbury businessman whose failed company ruined a man’s barn home dream is a fraudster with a queue of angry creditors. MYLES HUME delves into his past. 

Paul Encell has a lot of people on his back.

The Canterbury businessman has been thrown out by his partner and his company, Encell Group Ltd, faces police scrutiny after it folded almost a month ago.

Encell is in the spotlight after his project management company offered to build a barn-style home in Rolleston, south of Christchurch, with a Master Builder guarantee he was never qualified to give. Foundations were laid and framing stood before the company went bust. The homeowner, Barry Jones, says he is owed $225,000.

The company was liquidated on October 29, potentially owing creditors hundreds of thousands of dollars. Where the money went, only he knows. Inquiries by Stuff have uncovered Encell, a British national, has been convicted on fraud charges in New Zealand and in Britain.

Ernst and Young liquidator Rhys Cain met with Encell, 50, on November 20 to discuss the liquidation. Four days later Cain referred company documents to police to investigate, but could not disclose the allegation. Police said they were assessing the case.

For full story published on 30/11/2015 go to:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/74356983/failed-canterbury-businessman-paul-encell-a-convicted-fraudster

For earlier story see:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/73843314/Liquidated-project-management-company-offered-worthless-building-guarantee

Broadcasting Standards Authority uphold Seven Sharp complaint

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Prime-time current affairs show Seven Sharp has been issued with a complaint from the Broadcasting Standards Authority, after airing an “imbalanced” story about voluntary euthanasia in March of this year.

In light of the widely-publicised Lecretia Seales case which followed, the story proved extremely topical, timely and relevant however, according to the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA), also “lacked balance”.

The item was broadcast in March this year and featured the story of a terminally ill woman who is a long-standing voluntary euthanasia campaigner,” the BSA said in a statement on Monday.

“It also discussed the history of attempts to legalise voluntary euthanasia in New Zealand and overseas.

“The BSA found the item did not solely approach the issue of voluntary euthanasia from the personal perspective of the interviewee. It included a wider discussion of the voluntary euthanasia debate and law reform. This meant the broadcaster should have presented more than one side of the issue.” [Read more…]

Broadcasting Standards Authority upholds Complaint of Right to Life Against TVNZ Seven Sharp

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Right to life Media Release Monday 16th November 2015

Right to Life welcomes the decision of the Broadcasting Standards Authority [BSA] to uphold its complaint against the TV programme Seven Sharp. The decision was given on 10 November 2015. The item featured the story of a terminally ill woman who is a longstanding campaigner for euthanasia. The item which screened on 16 February 2015, also included a history of the attempts to pass euthanasia legislation in New Zealand and overseas. The item did not include any information on the views of those opposed to euthanasia such as those being put forward by the medical profession, disability groups or palliative care specialists. [Read more…]

Liquidated project management company offered worthless building guarantee

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A Canterbury man’s dream of a luxury barn-style home has been shattered after the company supposed to build it went into liquidation, leaving him $225,000 out of pocket.

Barry Jones thought Encell Group Ltd could build his dream home in Rolleston, south of Christchurch, but the project management company was now in liquidation.

Days after Encell Group went bust, Jones found out the company, directed and owned by UK national Paul Encell, had never registered with the Master Builder scheme that would have provided some financial protection when the project fell through.

Jones said he had almost paid for the entire build, but all he got was a concrete pad and frames. He believed he was about $225,000 out of pocket.

"I would have never started this project if I couldn’t have afforded it, and now I’m robbing Peter to pay Paul and I’m dead scared I’m not going to be able to pay people.

"I paid the money to pull up the drive, push the button and drive into my completely finished home."

Encell Group was put into liquidation by the High Court on October 29 on an application by building supply company Carters.

Eight days before the company was liquidated, Encell set up two other companies: Hungerford Homes Ltd and Creative Homes Ltd.

For a company that had taken on only two projects, Encell Group had "a disturbing level" of affected creditors lining up, appointed Ernst & Young liquidator Rhys Cain said.

Cain said the company’s debt was into the hundreds of thousands, but more details would be available in his December 2 report.

For full story by Myles Hume published 13/11/15 go to:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/73843314/liquidated-project-management-company-offered-worthless-building-guarantee