The Star: May 31, 2018

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10 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday May 31 2018 News The Star Casino expands facial recognition • By Bridget Rutherford CHRISTCHURCH Casino has rolled out its own facial recognition technology to identify problem gamblers and is looking at expanding what it can do. Chief executive Brett Anderson said after a six-month trial, the technology, developed by Cognetic, had proved successful. “Now we’re looking at how further we can take it and adapt it and increase its capabilities.” He said that could include scanning how Brett Anderson long punters had been at the casino to identify whether they might have a gambling problem. The casino has cameras at the main entrance which scans every face. It then compares them with its database of people who have been either voluntarily excluded through treatment agencies, banned by the casino, or excluded through a concerned third party. “It alerts us someone has entered the premises, we approach that person and remind them of their status,” Mr Anderson said. Previously, staff had to use “good old fashioned facial memory,” but this meant a much faster response time, he said. He said along with the casino’s other policies it was a step in the right direction to reduce gambling-related harm. It comes as a new system, called Guardian, is being trialled in 15 bars and clubs nationally, which scans faces as people enter gaming rooms. It then checks them against a cloud-based database of people who have voluntarily excluded themselves. If there is a match, staff would be alerted and could ask them to leave. Hospitality NZ Canterbury Branch president Peter Morrison said facial recognition would help problem gamblers, but also hospitality staff, who currently have to rely on recognising faces. As of March, there were 1334 non-casino pokie machines in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula. Guardian was developed by COMS Systems and Torutek, NEW: Facial recognition technology is being trialled in gaming rooms at pubs and clubs, while Christchurch Casino is looking at how to expand its system. at the request of the gaming industry. The Salvation Army Oasis national operations manager Lisa Campbell said the team supported 129 people in Canterbury who were harmed by pub and club pokie gambling. She said Guardian would be good, but would depend on the system’s accuracy and the buy-in of the sector. “For this system to work effectively we’ll need everyone on board and using the same national electronic system. RADIO PROGRAMME The Salvation Army has launched radio episodes to highlight problem gambling and how people can overcome it. Hedge Your Bets is a monthly 25min show presented by the team at The Salvation Army’s Oasis airing on Plains FM. It looks at problem gambling, how to help and tells real stories from people who have dealt with it. There are also issues to work out around privacy of personal information, ownership of data, the cost and who will pay.’’ Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand chief executive Paula Snowdon said she had seen the Guardian technology work and it was “brilliant.” She said the Guardian system worked “privately and respectfully” and would go a long way to helping both venues and problem gamblers. A Ministry of Health spokeswoman said it was aware of support for facial recognition. “The ministry is considering this initiative, including any privacy and legal issues.” GOING AWAY THIS QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND? For those of you heading off for a break this long weekend please take the time to check real-time travel information before you head off and be prepared for increased traffic volumes. Drivers have two options for travel in the Upper South Island between Picton and Christchurch. • SH1 via Kaikōura is now open 24/7 but construction is ongoing (north and south) with delays and some single lanes. • The alternate Picton to Christchurch route via the Lewis Pass is open 24/7 (but check before travel as winter conditions may cause the Lewis Pass to be closed temporarily). Both routes will be busy so whichever one you choose the NZ Transport Agency advises you allow plenty of time for your trip, especially if you are catching a ferry or are on a tight schedule. The NZ Transport Agency encourages everyone heading off for a break to ‘know before you go’ and check the holiday hotspots map: www.nzta.govt.nz/hotspots. The map collates data from previous Queen’s Birthday Weekend journeys and advises on the best time to leave to avoid the rush. With the change in season it is also time to prepare for winter driving to stay safe: • Take the time to check your vehicle is in good condition – tyres/spare tyre, indicators, windshield wipers, lights • Be prepared by travelling with warm clothes, food, water and a fully charged cell phone • A flat battery is the most common cause of winter breakdowns. If it’s more than five years old it may struggle in the cold. Get it checked and replaced if necessary • Keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in case of any unexpected delays Drivers need to be patient, cautious and courteous. Take your time and be prepared for the unexpected. And remember, over holiday periods many drivers are on unfamiliar roads, so please be patient as we are all in this situation at some stage. HOW TO STAY UP TO DATE: • Plan your journey between Picton and Christchurch and get real-time information via www.nzta.govt.nz/p2c or call 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49). We recommend checking at least two hours before you travel and while on your trip • Check the MetService weather forecast before you head away
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday May 31 2018 11 Region’s rebuild rumbles on PLANS FOR a $15 million central city art museum, a hospitality outlet in Lyttelton and a new name for the Convention Centre were all revealed yesterday. The Ravenscar Trust and Canterbury Museum released the final design of the delayed Ravenscar House, which will start being built on Rolleston Ave in October. Built using earthquake rubble from Jim and Susan Wakefield’s original Ravenscar House in Scarborough and the Arts Centre, it will be gifted to Canterbury Museum when complete in 2020. Meanwhile, Lyttelton Port Company has received strong interest to tenant Te Ana Marina’s Woolstore development. Knight Frank’s Craig Edwards said the renovated building would become a hospitality hub, possibly for a brewery, the seafood industry and a restaurant. The $475 million Convention Centre will be called Te Pae, which means gathering space. Otakaro spent $30,000 developing the name, back story, logo, and design work for the brand. It will open in 2020. EXCITING: The Woolstore next to Lyttelton’s Te Ana Marina is being renovated and could become a hospitality hub. NEW: Construction on Ravenscar House will begin in October. PROGRESS: The Convention Centre will be known as Te Pae. HORNCASTLE ARENA June 29 - July 1 10AM - 5PM TICKETS ONLINE: starhomeshow.kiwi Earthquake survivor earns award EARTHQUAKE survivor Ann Brower has won a prestigious award for her work on building reform. Dr Brower’s life was changed by the February 22. 2011, earthquake. She was the only survivor of 13 people in a bus crushed by falling masonry from the un-reinforced parapet and facade of a Colombo St building. Dr Brower was awarded the Gama Foundation’s Critic and Conscience of Society Award, which comes with a $50,000 cheque for Ann Brower her work on reforming the country’s Building Act after the quake. The ‘Brower Amendment’ was made to the Building Act last year. Cabinet shortened the time frame for reinforcing masonry in an aftershock zone from 15 years to 12 months Dr Brower’s experience also led her to launch the Little Guy’s Guide to Making a Difference for scientists and engineers to raise issues in their fields. She will give a public lecture at Canterbury University today from 7pm. MASSIVE CLEARANCE SALE NOW ON UP TO $500 OFF E-BIKES WHILE STOCKS LAST 2018 RIKONDA Bigfoot Folding 48V 11.6 Ah battery RRP $2,499 Sale Price $1,999 $300 OFF Folding e-bike for convenience & portability $500 OFF On and off road terrain RIKONDA Folding 10 Ah or 16 Ah battery RRP from $1,899 Sale Price From $1,599 There will be no entry at the Clarence St and Blenheim Rd intersection on Sat 2 June to Tues 5 June. ICyCLE ELECTRIC IS OPEN Entrance from Princess St or Troup Dr. RIKONDA Commuter Elite 15.6 Ah battery RRP $2,799 Sale Price $2,599 $700 OFF $200 OFF Living life on the slide Luxury commuting RIKONDA Drift Trike 12 Ah battery RRP $1,599 Sale Price $899 ✓ Quality at affordable prices ✓ Excellent after sales service ✓ Workshop servicing ✓ Free safety checks 2.5% credit card fee applies on sale items Free demonstration & test ride Ph: 03 377 4886 TE IWA O MATARIKI Toitū Ngā Mahinga Kai o Matariki: Tupu-ā-nuku, Tupu-ā-rangi, Ururangi CELEBRATING THE WIND AND NATURAL RESOURCES OF MATARIKI Activities include Matariki Storytime and storytelling, community art projects and whanau fun days. Whanua Fun Days: Saturday 9 June, 10am–1pm Aranui Library Saturday 23 June, 10am–1pm Ōrauwhata: Bishopdale Library and Community Centre 85 Clarence Street, Riccarton sales@icycleelectric.co.nz | www.icycleelectric.co.nz For more information visit christchurchcitylibraries.com
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The Star: May 31, 2018

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