Six face drug charges
Five Western Bay men and a woman facing serious drug charges after police raids that netted drugs, guns and explosives were back in court yesterday. Nikki Merekeeti Whare, 27, Noel Eugene Walters, 29, Morehu Selwyn, 18, Tiri Kapene, 19, and Wharemoeroa Whare, 18, all from Te Puke and Justin Ngahana Walters, 29, from Maketu are jointly charged with cultivating cannabis, possession of cannabis for supply and participation in a criminal group. The six defendants, who appeared in Tauranga Registrar's Court, are yet to plead to the charges. They are due back in court on June 20.
No bail for accused
A Papamoa Beach man facing a serious assault charge after he allegedly bashed his partner at their home on Wednesday evening remains behind bars. Jason Maney, 31, faced a charge of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in Tauranga District Court yesterday. Maney did not apply for bail and he was remanded in custody. Maney, who is yet to plead to the charge, is due back in court on June 12.
Clarification
Allergies are caused by the immune system setting up a response to an otherwise harmless substance, such as a food or pollen, says Allergy New Zealand. Why this happens in some people and not others, and why allergies such as to food are increasing in prevalence in developed countries and now spreading to developing countries, is not clear. Globally, research is focussing on various aspects of changes in environment and lifestyle that comes with our western lifestyle, and how these changes might interact with our genetics and affect the immune system. So far there are no clear answers, and all indications are that the interaction between environment and genetics is extremely complex.