Hawke’s Bay Coastguard rescued a man and his dog onboard a damaged yacht on Friday night off the coast of Napier.
The man and his dog were the only occupants on board the yacht, which had damaged sails, and a call for help was received just before 9pm when the yacht was more than 40km off the coast.
The yacht was running low on fuel and making slow progress toward Napier.
The Coastguard got to them about 29km out from Napier.
It took until 2.45am on Saturday to tow the boat back into Napier’s inner harbour, and St John ambulance met the sailor at the Coastguard headquarters and treated him for a minor condition.
Former NBHS pupil’s MNZM
A former Napier Boys High School who became a teacher at two other Hawke’s Bay schools and then a long-term principal was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the King’s Birthday Honours, for services to the community and rugby.
Rex Kerr attended NBHS in 1954-1955 and became a teacher at Colenso High School (now William Colenso College) and at Wairoa College. He was then principal of Ōtaki College for 21 years, retiring in 1997.
He authored five books celebrating the history of the Ōtaki and Horowhenua-Kapiti region, and also became chair and president of New Zealand Secondary Schools Rugby Union, and the Hurricanes Youth Rugby Council.
Hawks fly south again
The Taylor Hawks head for a second trip south in a week in a crucial sixth place on the Sal’s national basketball league after a win and loss on the first venture.
The Hawks have had five wins from 12 matches after an 89-84 win over Nelson Giants in Nelson last Thursday and being beaten 98-84 by defending champions Canterbury Rams in Christchurch on Saturday.
They now head south again to play Southland Sharks in Invercargill on Thursday and Otago Nuggets in Dunedin on Saturday, having had home wins against both sides.
Isaiah Moore, who scored 28 points against Canterbury, has increased his chart-topping average to 25.1pts a game.
Meanwhile, injury has cost the Hawks two key members of their Rapid League side. Tommy Fergusson, leading the new league’s race for Most Valuable Player, and Balin Gasson are both out for the rest of the season with ACL injuries. The Hawks are fourth on the Rapid League ladder.
Helicopter rescue
One person was flown to Hawke’s Bay Hospital on Sunday following a motorcycle accident in Kaikarau, in Central Hawke’s Bay.
Emergency services were called shortly before noon about the crash.
The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter landed on Kaikarau Beach and took one patient to hospital in a moderate condition.
Police did not have further details about the incident.
Expressway crash
A part of the Hawke’s Bay Expressway near Hastings was closed for a short time but there were no reports of injuries after a crash in which a vehicle hit a barrier early on King’s Birthday.
Emergency services were called at 2.07am to the crash near the expressway intersection and police reported the southbound lane was closed for a short time.
Outdoor burning ban for Napier and Hastings
Outdoor burning bans are in place for properties within the Napier and Hastings airsheds until August 31.
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Group Manager Policy & Regulation Katrina Brunton said outdoor burning is banned in some urban areas during winter to protect air quality for now and future generations.
“Improving our air quality is a team effort and we all need to play our part for our neighbours and the community. Putting it simply – we breathe what you burn.”
The rules over winter are to protect the environment and safeguard people from health risks related to smoke and particle inhalation.
”Although outdoor burning is banned in these urban areas, you can still fire up your barbecue or have hāngī fires.
”People living outside the airsheds can burn outdoors if they follow certain rules, these include only burning dry garden vegetation, dry and untreated wood, and paper and cardboard that has come from the same property.”
Anyone who has an issue with smoke from a neighbouring property can call the Regional Council’s Pollution Hotline 24 hours every day on 0800 108 838.
Waipukurau Transfer Station closed for three weeks
The Waipukurau Transfer Station will be closed until June 23 to construct and install a new weighbridge.
The new weighbridge is 92 per cent funded by the Ministry of Environment and will help to improve the council’s waste data collection, track and measure waste diversion and shape effective waste minimisation initiatives.
Central Hawke’s Bay District Council said they would not move to a weight-based waste disposal pricing system.
The Waipawa Transfer Station will be open 9am to 4.30pm seven days a week during this time.
Basketball Hawke’s Bay announces appointment of new chairman
Basketball Hawke’s Bay has announced the appointment of Ben Hill as the newest chairman of the board.
Hill brings a wealth of experience and expertise to Basketball Hawke’s Bay, with a distinguished career spanning 20 years in basketball.
Hill will collaborate with the board of directors and the general manager to provide guidance and oversight on key strategic decisions.
He will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of basketball in Hawke’s Bay.
“I look forward to working with the talented team at Basketball Hawke’s Bay, alongside building our grassroots so we can establish a strong foundation and drive continued success in the years ahead.”
Hawke’s Bay Farm Forestry Field Day
Forestry enthusiasts gathered at Clifton Station on Tuesday for the Farm Forestry Field Day hosted by the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society.
The event was held at the property of 2024 winners of the Napier Port Primary Sector Awards, Pan Pac Farm Forester of the Year Tom and Lucia Gordon.
It brought together farmers, landowners, forestry professionals, and nature enthusiasts to explore sustainable forestry practices and their vital role in environmental conservation.
Attendees gained first-hand insights into the importance of agroforestry, and other innovative practices in maximising land productivity while preserving natural resources.
Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, general manager Elisha Milmine said they were thrilled to see such a great turnout
“It’s inspiring to witness the growing interest and commitment among farmers and landowners to integrate sustainable forestry into their land management practices.”