Man admits ferry crossing scissor attack

Despite the setback, the programme will continue with the aim of releasing the insects next summer, though there are many steps that must go perfectly before they can be released.

“Nationally, it will be one of the biggest game changers in biodiversity. We absolutely want to see that happen,” Smith said.

“Hopefully, next year we’ll have a better story.”

The two insects, the hoverfly species, Volucella inanis, and the wasp nest beetle, Metoecus paradoxus, both infiltrate the nests of common and German wasps to parasitise the grubs, decimating the wasp populations. The two species go through extensive testing to make sure they’re host-specific to the two wasp species and not any of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna.

TRACY NEAL Open Justice Reporter

Passengers on an otherwise standard ferry trip across Cook Strait were alarmed to see a man suddenly lunge at another passenger and stab him with a pair of scissors. A 23-year-old man was remanded for a further psychiatric report in the Nelson District Court on Monday, having pleaded guilty to a charge of injuring with intent/reckless disregard, after the incident on board an Interislander ferry on February 8 this year. The man, who has name suppression, was on the Interislander ferry travelling from Wellington to Picton. At about 4.20pm he and the victim were in the lounge area of the ferry when the man walked towards the victim with scissors in his hand.

The police summary of facts said he then began to “rapidly advance” on the victim from behind with scissors in his hand, and stabbed him in his left side. He swung the scissors twice more, but missed.

In explanation, the man told police he had “wanted to harm the victim with scissors”. Defence lawyer Mark Dollimore told the court on Monday that psychiatric reports already completed confirmed that the man did not have the defence of insanity available to him, but that he did have a “serious mental health problem”.

Lisa Trusler (front centre) presented the White House with $976 that was raised from her Nelson Rugby Football Club fundraiser the previous weekend. Lisa’s aim was to get a coin trail around the perimeter of Trafalgar Park. While the goal fell short, the club managed to raise just short of $1000 to support mental health in the region. She says she chose the White House as the recipient becasue of their open-door policy. White House visitors began discussions about what to use the money for, with Lisa suggesting it be put towards helping more people hear about the services they provide. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Dollimore said discussions with various doctors showed the man, who appeared in court on Monday via video link from a mental health facility, had made “major progress”. Judge David Ruth remanded the man in the care of the facility until next month for a further report that would help the court better understand the best outcome. Interislander general manager of operations Duncan Roy told Open Justice it would not comment on this particular incident. It was however standard practise for the organisation to review security on its ships ahead of the peak summer period, to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew.