Latest from Gisborne

From forest to fireplace

Woody material that remains in the forest after harvesting is finding a new home, as a result of a partnership between a Gisborne forestry company and a former logger-turned-detective. Aratu Forests Ltd and Kim Johnston have teamed up to repurpose...

Working through Wairoa flood protection options

A group of Wairoa stakeholders are sifting through options to provide flood protection for the district’s Land Category 2A residents. As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, Wairoa has 627 homes categorised as 2A, which indicates more information is...

Air NZ to fly 14,000 customers here this summer

More than 14,000 people will fly into Gisborne over summer, Air New Zealand estimates. Today is the airline’s busiest day of the year, with nearly 50,000 people taking off to destinations across Aotearoa and overseas. Air NZ is also reporting...

Zwinnen named Community Football Coach of the Year

Tom Zwinnen grew up in Belgium, home to some of the world’s best footballers, but he had to come to Gisborne for his talent as a junior football coach to be recognised. This month Zwinnen, 47, was named the McDonald’s Community Football Coach of...

DoC sets target date for reopening Mōrere pools

The reopening of Mōrere Hot Springs has taken a big step forward, with major remedial infrastructure works now under way at the site. A failing septic system forced the closure of the hot pools last summer, and effects from Cyclone Gabrielle...

Backing call for more transparency

This newspaper gives its full backing to the call by councillor Tony Robinson for Gisborne District Council to conduct as many discussions as possible in forums that are open to the public — while noting that this should not even be up for debate...

Culture matters, as does having hope

Meredith Akuhata-Brown If anyone had told me that in 2023 the incoming National Government would prioritise the return of government department names back to English I wouldn’t have believed it — especially when in our region the priority is...

Impressed by Kiwa Pools

We are visiting your lovely region and were privileged to be taken on a tour of the Kiwa Pools complex by Mr Campbell Macgregor. As we entered the building and he explained the meaning of the green stone in the entrance hall, and the interpretation...

Two caught in savage rip off 'Whales'

Christmas came early for an adult and a child sucked out in a savage rip opposite the Whales Grave at Wainui on Wednesday afternoon, thanks to the brave actions of a young off-duty surf lifeguard from the Midway Club. The drama unfolded at around...

Fisherman finally netted after years of dodging taxes

A Gisborne fisherman has avoided being jailed for evading taxes of more than $216,000, and does not have to pay any of the money back. Rewiti Ruka Waikari, 56, was sentenced in Gisborne District Court this week by Judge Warren Cathcart who agreed to...

Winning skips, leads and directors

Poverty Bay Bowling Club members held their annual Rex Rigney Christmas Tournament this month. The event was run as a progressive triples tournament, with players in different teams for each of their three games. Two skips had two wins and a draw...

OBR, HSOB, Horouta claim wins

Tim Jefferd and Hiren Bhatti proved the value of teamwork on Saturday. Jefferd’s anticipation at mid-wicket and Hiren Bhatti’s nerve at the bowler’s end ensured a one-run win for Chicking High School Old Boys Presidents against defending...

GOLF ROUNDUP

Patutahi SUNDAY — Guy Farmer Trophy mixed pairs South African stableford: J Blair/H Humble 70. Men’s stableford: G Tattersfield 40, C Parker 39, J Blair 38. Women’s stableford: D Johnston 38, S Robertson 37. SATURDAY — Enterprise Motor Group...

Few surprises, more politics and policies

Finance Minister Nicola Willis spent the lead-up to her mini-Budget yesterday lowering expectations, and on that count she delivered. There was a lot of politics — right from the headline on the first of six pages of press releases (compared with...

Aim for everyone to live their best lives

Dana Kirkpatrick MP for East Coast As we head into the Christmas holidays it is timely to reflect a little on the first few weeks of the 54th Parliament and the coalition Government’s 100-day plan. I was extremely pleased to share with you the...

Change the inferior bitumen, repair worst ‘bleeding’ sites urgently

The rivers of bitumen flowing on Morere Hill and throughout the Gorge road are the worst in more than 40 years. It’s clear that NZTA, in its drive for efficiency, has been using an inferior bitumen product that is not fit for purpose in hot...