Latest from Gisborne

Call to bring a wool levy back

Federated Farmers has asked the Government to consider bringing back a wool levy, 14 years after farmers booted it out. The Feds wool spokesman, Gisborne farmer Toby Williams, told the Primary Production Committee last week a levy was the only way...

‘Pretty positive vibe’ at the monthly Cattle Fair

Just over 740 head of cattle changed hands yesterday in the monthly Cattle Fair at the Matawhero saleyards and the market had a “pretty positive vibe” about it, according to auctioneer Chris Hurlstone from PGG Wrightson. “Spring’s just...

Progress on teacher, nurse pay disputes

Pay disputes between teacher and nurse unions and their respective ministries have reached milestones on the way towards resolution. The pressure to reach deals before a potential change of government to one likely to be less sympathetic will be one...

Link with Wairoa for improved SH2 south

by John Wells With the Government announcement of substantial additional funding for infrastructure repairs to Cyclone Gabrielle-ravaged northern Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti/East Coast, now must be the time for Gisborne District Council to join...

KiwiRail needs to be part of Blacks Beach solution

Re: Alternative route to Mahia could be considered again, August 1 story. I fully support Wairoa District Council and what they are trying to do on the three kilometres of road and rail along Blacks Beach over here at Mahia. I have met with Mike...

Fix broken roads before National’s ‘grand plan’

Wow. Doesn’t the National Party grand plan to build a four-lane 382km highway from Whangarei to Tauranga sound wonderful? I can’t imagine how they will deliver it for $6 billion, though, considering that a 2km road in Tauranga was to cost $70m...

Rail worries, will never give up

I am worried about our rail line, but the holes in the road need to be fixed first. I am a great fan of trains and I will never give up trying to get them back, just like the Rail Action Group. We are going to have a big election and the Green Party...

Second-half Tauranga blitz sinks Gisborne in Super 8 rugby

American president John Fitzgerald Kennedy said on more than one occasion that “one man can make a difference” and on Saturday Ashton Paintin was that man. The powerful Tauranga Boys’ College left-winger scored two tries in the home team’s...

July figures bear out warmer times

July’s weather figures have again indicated the Gisborne-East Coast region is heading to warmer, sunnier winters. Last month added to the trend of warmer than usual months, and gave further proof of the long-term trend with its mean temperature...

Poverty Bay Dog Trial Centre's prizegiving wraps up challenging season

The Poverty Bay Dog Trial Centre held their annual prizegiving on Friday night, wrapping up what was described as a challenging season. Cyclone Gabrielle made her presence felt and subsequent rain events impacted on a number of competitors, farms...

Silver day under golden skies

The region’s best grape vine pruners were put through their paces in the annual Gisborne Silver Secateurs Awards at the Ashwood Estate property at the Makaraka racecourse on Monday. It was rescheduled to that day because of the heavy rain on...

Frost fans to the rescue

Gisborne winemaker Geoff Wright was on the money with his forecast this week, bringing in a frost fan to protect this year’s grapes. “Our Ormond Valley vineyard is known as the Grand Cru appellation of Gisborne. This location produces...

Environmental scientist to talk about ‘degrowth’

“Managed degrowth” is the subject of a public address to be given by leading environmental scientist and fresh-water ecologist Dr Mike Joy, in Gisborne next Tuesday. The talk will be in the St Andrew’s Community Centre, Cobden St, at 7.30pm...

New exhibitors at home and lifestyle expo

Vendors are gearing up for what they expect to be another successful Gisborne Home & Lifestyle Expo this weekend. Event coordinator Andy Searle said the event was “jam-packed” with exhibitors from Gisborne “and all over New Zealand” who...

Beau all set to enjoy new warm, dry Kāinga Ora home

More new homes here have been opened up for their new residents. Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities east north island regional director Naomi Whitewood, (Ngāti Porou, Ngāpuhi) said 12 new public homes were blessed by kaikarakia Morehu...

Road to close at Trafford’s Hill for asphalting

Overnight closures on State Highway 2 at Trafford’s Hill, north of Gisborne, will be in place next week to complete asphalt resurfacing. The stretch of SH2 between Matawai and the Waioeka Gorge will close at 7pm on Monday (August 7) and reopen at...