Patutahi road ‘goat track’ and flood signs criticised

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

“A goat track” was a Patutahi resident’s description of Knight Road. She outlined her frustration at the state of the road at a Gisborne District Council community meeting attended by nine residents.

Knight Road is on the outskirts of the township.

A lot of trucks use that road, she told Mayor Meng Foon.

“It’s like a goat track with all the pot holes. In summer there’s a lot of dust. We have come to you many times and nothing happens.”

Knight Road was one of the few roads on the Poverty Bay Flats that was not tar-sealed, said Mr Foon.

“Once we get the money . . .”

He was cut short by the resident, who said, “You’re getting plenty from us.”

“Yes,” said Mr Foon. “Thank you.”

The same resident said Patutahi people wanted the drains to be maintained effectively.

“We’ve put in a sump but the water doesn’t get away fast enough. The consequences are that we have to replant the orchard. All our work is wasted because you don’t do your bit.”

One man said people used to put oil on the road.

“Next day, the job would be done.”

Another resident said she and her husband phoned the council at 10.15 one night to say Wharekopae Road near Spaniards Bridge had been flooded and road signs needed to be put up to warn drivers.

“But the woman who answered the phone did not know where it was.”

She talked about an incident in which two women tried to drive through the flooded road but found they could go no further.

The women got out of the car and “ran for the hills” but they could have fallen into the drain, she said. The next day, she and her husband found the warning signs were under water.

“Your road people don’t realise what the force of water can do,” she said.

Her husband said if the council gave him a sign he could keep on the property he could put it out in the event of a flood.

One man said people could drive into the water without realising it was there.

“Even when signs are there, it’s incredible the number of people who ignore them.”

The flooding happened nearly every year, he said. He suggested the creek needed stopbanks.

One resident complimented council contractors who maintained the lawn around the cenotaph.

“Thank you. It looks great.”

He was looking for funding to get some greenery around the village, he said.

“If the council could help in any way, we would be very grateful.”

Patutahi was scheduled for an upgrade next year, said Mr Foon. Now was the time for people to start having meetings to discuss what needed to be done

The Patutahi meeting was the last of the community consultations for the year.

Submissions to the council can be made online at www.wtftairawhiti.nz.

Printed forms are also available in the What’s the Future Tairawhiti booklet available from the council. Tomorrow is the final day for submissions.