Anti-vaccine movie draws a crowd
At least 90 people attended a Whangarei screening of a controversial movie on the safety of vaccines. Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe was shown at Event Cinemas in Whangarei on Monday. The movie alleges the United States' Centres for Disease Control and Prevention covered up research proving autism is linked to vaccinations.
The director of the film, Andrew Wakefield, is a former British doctor struck off the medical register over an unethical study which linked the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine to autism and bowel disorders. Tricia Cheel, WAVES ambassador, said the screening of film had received criticism but all went smoothly on the night.
Brooke matriarch buried
Hine Tuaiwa Brooke (nee Whiu), the mother of All Blacks Zinzan and Robin Brooke, was laid to rest at Maungarangi Urupa near Moerewa yesterday after a tangi at nearby Otiria Marae. Mrs Brooke passed away on May 3 and is survived by husband Sandy, six children, 22 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.