The Star: December 28, 2023

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The Star Thursday December 28 2023 4 NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz ‘CEO’ made fake profiles, false claims • From page 1 Before he began work there, he created the pseudonym ‘Paul Tavern’ to use in online reviews and Trade Me listings. But in May 2017, he used the false name to post a negative review of the clinic on Google. “The waiting time was astronomically long to the point of being dangerous,” he posted. “I think they have had three managers over the last year. There must be something intrinsically wrong in this organisation or the higher management.” He made another disparaging post in December 2017. In May 2019, he was sacked by another clinic, which was also not identified in the decision. Tovararonte took to a community Facebook page under the same pseudonym claiming he took his sick child to the clinic but was turned away as they were about to close. The claim was false. In July 2019 he wrote to the Health and Disability Commissioner under his pseudonym, stating the clinic put financial gain before patients’ best interests and had dismissed patient concerns about those policies. The following month he made several online posts about the clinic, including responding to another user’s allegation in which he wrote the clinic was “well UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT: Dr Pleayo Tovaranonte has been censured by the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal. known for this kind of disgusting behaviour”. In response to an online recommendation of a doctor, Tovaranonte wrote “he charges your arm and your leg. Plus he is close to retirement and he has not been up to date with modern medicine”. The decision said Tovaranonte had founded a website to provide career advice to doctors. In 2020 he revamped the website and labelled himself as “co-founder and CEO” and included profiles PHOTO: LINKEDIN of two other people he also listed as co-founders. The two other “co-founders” were fictitious, and photographs of them were ripped from a stock image site. Tovaranonte’s profile on the website and his LinkedIn profile also listed two law degrees from two UK universities. The claim was false – Tovaranonte had never obtained the qualifications, the decision stated. In his latest case before the tribunal, Tovaranonte was charged with professional misconduct. While he did not dispute the facts, his lawyer submitted that even if he was misguided in his actions, they were consistent with a genuine motivation. Ultimately, the tribunal found his comments made against the first practice, where he labelled its alleged failures “dangerous”, were derogatory. “The tribunal considers that it is unethical to make a statement using the pseudonym, and then drawing on material others have told him, and then to falsely cast this statement as being his own personal experience.” His comment referencing “disgusting behaviour” about the second clinic was “highly unprofessional criticism”, the tribunal ruled. It reached a similar conclusion regarding the comments he made about a specific doctor. Regarding the complaint to the Health and Disability Commissioner, the tribunal found Tovaranonte misused the process by providing misleading and inaccurate information involving a vulnerable patient. His lawyer submitted the complaint was a “protected disclosure” under a piece of law designed to protect whistleblowers. The tribunal disagreed. Tovaranonte told the tribunal This report was produced by Open Justice – Te Pātītī, an NZME initiative funded by NZ on Air he accidentally published his website in an unfinished state. The tribunal still found it to be misleading, due to both the fictitious “co-founders” and the doctor’s false claims about his legal qualifications. It reached the same conclusion for the LinkedIn profile. Tovaranonte said detailing the qualifications was an “inadvertent error”. “We are satisfied that Dr Tovaranonte acted in an unprofessional and unethical manner. This is a significant departure from professional standards and separately warrants a finding of professional misconduct.” Tovaranonte was censured, fined $8000 and ordered to pay $40,000 in costs. He was also ordered to engage with a clinical psychologist every three months for three years and to undergo professional mentoring and supervision. The New Zealand Herald attempted to contact Tovaranonte via Doctors on Cashel. While the clinic confirmed he worked there, it said it could not pass on the request. As we wrap up another fantastic year, we just want to extend a massive thank you to all of you, our amazing customers! Your support has been the key ingredient in our recipe for success, and we're stoked to have shared this journey with you. As we close our doors for a wee holiday break, we're already buzzing with excitement for what 2024 has in store. Remember, we're back on the 3rd of January, ready to serve you with more top-notch goodies and bright smiles! Until then, stay safe, have a cracker of a summer, and here's to bringing more flavour and fun to your tables next year! The Prime Range Fresh Team EXPORT QUALITY MEATS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES 303 COLOMBO STREET SYDENHAM WWW.PRIMERANGEFRESH.CO.NZ
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz NEWS 5 Life on the most expensive street in the city Queens Ave in Merivale is Christchurch’s most expensive street with a median sale price of $2.58 million. Sasha Watson reports Thursday December 28 2023 The Star WHEN SIMA Siruspour moved to Christchurch from Tehran in late 2008, she put location to the forefront when seeking to buy a house. She bought a three-bedroom, two-bathroom 15 years ago on Queens Ave, for about $420,000. The house was rebuilt in 2016 after the February 2011 earthquake and now has a RV of $1.26 million. She is surprised though the street is now the city’s most expensive. “It was all about the location when I was looking for a house. This home has a great location and I will most likely be here until I die,” she said. Sima Siruspour Siruspour said one winning feature of the street was the nice and quiet neighbours, which is a sentiment held by many of Queens Ave’s residents. David Clare bought a fourbedroom, two-bathroom house STREETS OF GOLD: The median sale price of houses along the street is about six times more than what Sima Siruspour originally paid. PHOTOS: SASHA WATSON on Queens Ave for $285,000 about 30 years ago, which now has an estimated value of $1.64 million. Said Clare: “It’s a nice spot, very quiet, with a strong community feel. We used to hold street parties. But it did change after the earthquake. “Several neighbours held on to their properties afterwards and rebuilt their homes. Many of the homes that used to have lawns now have expansive housing and much less grass space.” Clare said the street is in a handy location for his job, close to Hagley Park, and is just down the road from where former All The most expensive streets in Christchurch at median sale price: 1. Queens Ave, Merivale – $2.58 million. 2. Waiwetu St, Fendalton – $2.547 million. 3. Mayfly Lane, Northwood – $2.358 million. 4. Garden Rd, Merivale – $2.26 million. 5. Fendalton Rd – $2.237 million. Blacks rugby captain Richie Mc- Caw and his wife, former international hockey player Gemma, used to live. They spent $2.5 million on a five-bedroom house with a sauna, swimming pool and underfloor heating in late 2016, with daughters Charlotte and Grace also living there until March this year. Lyn Anderson has owned a house on Queens Ave for a long time, having bought her original 1960s house in 2002. Said Anderson: “I couldn’t tell you the exact price. After the earthquake, I had to rebuild my home for well over $1.5 million, like many others along the street. There were cracks and a lot of damage that ran right through the middle of the house. “I’ve always lived around the area – even before the quake hit, I was happy. My garden is a haven, my house is set up for family and friends staying over, and I have no worries.” Top Harcourts Grenadier agent Alison Aitken is familiar with the city’s most expensive streets. “A lot of the expensive streets in Christchurch, such as Queens Ave and Fendalton Rd, are popular because of the school zones and the proximity to the park and a lot of buyers who are just hard-working families,” Aitken said. The priciest street in New Zealand was Marine Pde in Herne Bay, Auckland where the median sale price was $11.5 million. new year sale Open new years day 10am-4pm 50% Off deciduOus fruit trees Apples, Nectarines, Pears, Peaches, Plums. 20% Off sHruBs 20% Off rOses & IndOOr plants VeGe plants 6 pack $4.50 Or 3 packs fOr $12 20% Off perennials 20% Off decIduOus trees 20% Off GlaZed & terracOtta pOts and many mOre specials in stOre 465 Ferry Road | P: 03 389 4352 Open 9am - 5pm 7 Days www.portstone.co.nz T&C’s apply, While stocks last. Inflatables, obstacle course, hydroslides, ice cream and more! Saturday 30 December, 12pm–5pm Waltham ccc.govt.nz/poolparties
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The Star: December 28, 2023

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