A pou standing on land that was eroded by the sea in Mahia was removed from the beach by locals at Opoutama.
A pou standing on land that was eroded by the sea in Mahia was removed from the beach by locals at Opoutama.
Mahia locals retrieved a Pou on Thursday evening after asking for support to get the carved post from the shoreline at Blue Bay Beach in Opoutama.
A post on social media showed four people with a vehicle and a winch appearing to secure it before the sea dragged the carving away for good.
Ngaromoana Raureti one of the drivers behind the pou’s installation about four years ago said the harsh southerly swell brought intense and fast-moving water that had eroded the bank it was standing in on Wednesday.
She said big weather events meant that change to the landscape was unavoidable.
Hawke’s Bay Power Consumer Trust election of trustees
Nominations are open for the triennial election of trustees to the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust board.
Five trustees are elected every three years by consumers of electricity in the Hawke’s Bay Power Consumers’ Trust district which is roughly all the Napier City Council and the Hastings District Council areas.
To be eligible for nomination, a candidate must be a consumer of electricity, with their principal place of residence in the Trust district.
Nomination forms are available from the Trust office in Hastings, by downloading from the internet or by phoning the returning office.
Completed nominations must be received by 5pm on Wednesday, July 31.
A big day for Napier, and Wairoa
It will be a big Saturday in Napier and Wairoa rugby, with strong claims in both the respective Hawke’s Bay and Poverty Bay competition semi-finals.
It’s all-Napier in the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s premier championship, the Bayleys Commercial Maddison Trophy competition, in which unbeaten Taradale, with at least four tries in each of 14 wins in 2024, facing defending champions Napier Tech Old Boys at Taradale, and Napier Old Boys Marist playing Napier Pirate at Park Island, both starting at 3pm.
Wairoa, in the midst of its storm recovery, stages three of the four semi-finals in Poverty Bay men’s rugby, with the possibility the grand finals day, previously always held in Gisborne, will be played in Wairoa next week.
Unbeaten Tapuae play Te Karaka side Waikohu in a Premier semi-final at Tapuae, at 2.45pm, and in the Senior grade matches starting at 1pm unbeaten Wairoa Athletic play Tapuae’s second fifteen at Athletic Park, and Nuhaka play Gisborne side Ngatapa at Nuhaka. Tapuae has already qualified for the Poverty Bay women’s final.
With the usual Poverty Bay finals venue undergoing a grandstand rebuild, the PBRU decided that the highest-ranked finalists will have home-match rights to the July 13 deciders.
More than 400 expected for big hockey tournament in Napier
More than 400 players, team coaches and management and officials will be in Napier for the week-long Vantage National U18 Men’s Hockey Championship.
The tournament has attracted 22 teams, from Northland to Southland, with 75 matches to be played, the first on Sunday at 9am and the finals next Saturday (July 13).
The North Harbour A and B sides are matched at 9.30, aiming to end the week with their association’s fourth national Under 18 men’s title in a row, and Hawke’s Bay’s first match will be against South Canterbury, starting at 3pm on Sunday.
The tournament is seen as the stepping stone to international hockey, with most of the Black Sticks Olympic Games squad having come through the tournament over the years, among them Hawke’s Bay players Sean Findlay and Dominic Dixon and non-travelling reserves Sam Hiha and Jonty Elmes.
The national Under 18 women’s tournament will run simultaneously, in Christchurch.
Wattie’s want your recipes
Wattie’s is releasing its 90th birthday cookbook, bringing together the nation’s favourite recipes.
The company is calling on the public to submit their family favourite recipes to be featured in the cookbook, which will be available for purchase in December.
Recipes submitted can be for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert or snack - and must feature a Wattie’s product.
The Taylor Hawks are all-but out of the running for a place in the six-team 2024 Sal’s national men’s basketball league playoffs after losing to Franklin Bulls in Pukekohe on Thursday night.
The 102-93 result, the Hawks’ 5th loss in a row, left the side in 9th place with two matches to play in the 11-team, 20-match regular season, ending with a Saturday-night home match against tailenders the Manawatu Jets and next Wednesday the likely swansong against second-placed Auckland Tuatara.
With six wins and 12 losses behind them, and rebuilding this year after featuring in the playoffs last year, they have two wins less than 6th place Nelson Giants. To qualify, the Hawks need to win both matches by significant margins, and the Giants would have to lose both of their matches by significant margins.
Meanwhile the Hawks’ hopes of having a member at the Olympic Games have ended with the Tall Blacks’ 104-78 loss to Slovenia in a qualifying tournament in Greece. In the squad was Hawks player Jordan Ngatai.
Lotto players in Napier and Waipukurau win second division
Lucky players in Napier and Waipukurau were among eight around the country who won $28,822 in Lotto’s second division draw on Wednesday night.
The winning Waipukurau ticket was sold at Waipukurau New World, while the winning Napier ticket was sold online through MyLotto.
Police searching for man with warrant for arrest
Hawke’s Bay Police are looking for John Blane aged 47.
Hawke’s Bay Police are seeking John Blane, aged 47, who has a warrant for his arrest.
Anyone with information regarding Blane’s whereabouts is urged not to approach him and instead to call 111 immediately and quote file number 240617/7425.
Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
SH38 re-opens to general traffic
State Highway 38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Frasertown reopened to two lanes on Wednesday, under a 50 km/h temporary speed limit.
The state highway near Wairoa remained the only state highway on the East Coast still closed to general traffic after last week’s heavy rainfall and strong winds.
NZTA Waka Kotahi is reminding road users to take care while driving on SH38 and to adhere to the temporary lower speed.
“Making sure people drive to the conditions – in this case, 50 km/h, is incredibly important. The slower speed gives people more time to react to their surroundings,” acting system manager Ray Edwards said.
Irish comedian Ed Byrne to headline comedy festival
Acclaimed Irish comedian Ed Byrne will bring his deliciously dark stand-up comedy to Hastings Toitoi stage at the end of the month with his Tragedy Plus Time show as part of the 2024 Laugh Your A** Off comedy festival.
Tragedy Plus Time has garnered five-star reviews and outstanding critical acclaim as “Best Reviewed Stand Up Show” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023.
In the show, Byrne will “mine the most tragic events in his life for laughs” in a performance that promises to be both poignant and uproariously funny.
The show will take place on Saturday July 27 at 8pm at Toitoi - Opera House. Tickets are available via Eventfinda and at the Hastings Isite.
Help needed for Wairoa sports kids
A Givealittle page has been set up to help 11th and 12th Grade Wairoa Rugby Players after families lost everything in the floods, including sports gear.
The money donated will go towards buying the kids rugby boots, mouthguards and a new rugby uniform.
Wairoa Panthers 11th Grade Assistant Coach/Manager, Wairoa Tigers 11th Grade Manager and Te Mahia School Delegate Irene Raihania said they were open to donations of items to support the teams in playing their final game.
“I have had people from out of region koha second-hand boots which we are so grateful for, and now we are trying to gather any green coloured t-shirts.”
Over the school holidays, Raihania would work to ensure they had a full playing kit for next term.
Two people cut from cars in separate crashes
One person was taken to hospital in a moderate condition, and another believed to have received minor injuries in two separate crashes in Hawke’s Bay on Tuesday.
The first incident occurred in Tikokino when police were notified of a two-car collision near the corner of Phillips St and Murchison St about 8.55am.
A Fenz spokesperson confirmed one person was extricated from a vehicle and handed over to ambulance staff.
A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they responded with one ambulance, one rapid response vehicle, and one operations manager. One person was taken to Hawke’s Bay Hospital in a moderate condition, while two others were treated for minor injuries at the scene.
Later on Tuesday, near Napier Boys’ High School, another person was cut from a vehicle, and roads were blocked after a single vehicle on Chambers St at about 1.00pm.
Police said the road was blocked with diversions on the intersections of Grey and Chambers Sts and Kennedy and Willowbank Roads.
Police said one person looked to have received minor injuries.
Continued pothole fixes following rain
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has said pothole repairs will be a continued focus on Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti state highways following last week’s torrential rain.
State Highway 38 between Lake Waikaremoana and Frasertown is currently the only state highway in both regions still closed to general traffic, with access to one lane for emergency services and residents and traffic management crews at the closure points.
All other state highways remain open, and no major slips were reported over the weekend.
The agency said crews are continuing to temporarily repair potholes as quickly as possible and monitor the network for any further damage, slips, or debris following last weekend’s heavy rainfall and strong winds.
People are also reminded that pothole repairs are only temporary because hotter, drier weather is needed for more permanent solutions such as resealing.
“We’re strongly advising all road users to drive to the conditions when they see a pothole, slow down and when it’s safe to do so, report the pothole and its location to 0800 4 HIGHWAYS,” said NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi system manager Ray Edwards.
“The roads and the surrounding land have seen a lot of rainfall – and there is still a small possibility for slips to occur. Please take your time while driving and be alert.”
Shapeshifter to headline Black Barn concert
Kiwi drum and bass act Shapeshifter will keep their 25th Anniversary party going when they return to Hawke’s Bay in December.
They will perform a one-off show at Black Barn on Saturday, December 7, supported by Sunshine Sound System and George FM’s DJ Sin.
Noted for the hits Monarch, Stars, and Dutchies, the group has performed at Glastonbury, The Big Chill, Big Day Out, and Parklife in the UK and multiple NZ festivals.
Shapeshifter formed in 1999 after the four founding members, including frontman Paora ‘P Digsss’ Apera, met at a jazz school. Their musical backgrounds ranged from dub, jazz, and hip-hop to metal, funk, and electronica.
Tickets are available through Black Barn’s website.
Working group formed from Omāhu hui to take action for Māori unity
A newly formed working group will develop tangible actions for Māori to move forward with ideas of Kotahitanga or Māori unity.
Te Amorangi ki Mua Working Group has been formed to continue the Kotahitanga kaupapa which was the focus of the Hui Taumata at Omāhu Marae at the end of May.
Members of the working group include Ngāti Kahungunu chair Bayden Barber, Treaty lawyer and Te Arawa leader Annette Sykes, CEO of Ngāti Toa Rangatira Helmut Modlik, Māori Womens Welfare League president Hope Tupara, Kōhanga Reo National Trust chair Raniera Proctor, Ngāti Wai chair Aperehama Edwards, the Rev. Zhane Tāhau Whelan (Te Piringa Hapū), Ngāruahine CEO Emma Gardiner and Rangitāne o Manawatū CEO Danielle Harris.
The working group is leaving seats open for Ngāi Tahu and Te Kīngitanga.
Sykes said a coordinated hapū and iwi response was vital to maintain the constitutional status of Māori as tangata whenua.
Whelan said the group was made up of some of the best thought leaders in Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).
“Te Amorangi ki Mua talks to the Kahungunu proverb of leadership spearheading the way so that there’s a clear path for our people to follow,” Whelan said.
Barber said draft Terms of Reference had been developed and will be one of the agenda items discussed at the group’s first hui on July 10.
Waikaremoana Holiday Park reducing winter hours to allow repairs
The Department of Conservation (DOC) is reducing services at the Waikaremoana Holiday Park over the winter.
DOC Operations Director Eastern North Island Jade King-Hazel said a reduction in services would support the completion of essential facility repairs and allow for a re-set in the park due to staffing changes.
From June 26 until September 30 only the self-contained options will be available to visitors.
The remaining holiday park accommodation options will be closed for this period.
The holiday park typically has a variety of accommodation options, including self-contained chalets and units along with small cabins and camping options, with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.
The shop and fuelling service will remain open with normal business hours of 8.30am-4pm on weekdays and 9am-4pm at weekends and public holidays.
“DOC continues to work closely with Te Uru Taumatua to discuss the current/future shape and nature of the holiday park, and how it contributes to the manuhiri/visitor experience within Te Urewera,” King-Hazel said.
“This focus supports and aligns with the opportunity to enhance the authenticity of experience within Te Urewera moving forward for all.”
Consultation opens on Unison’s 10-year Asset Management Plan
Unison has released its 10-year Asset Management Plan and is inviting the community to provide feedback.
The electricity distributor, which powers much of Hawke’s Bay, said the 10-year plan outlines the need for responsible investment for successful outcomes.
Unison’s General Manager Networks and Operations, Gaganpreet Chadha, said Unison had a lot of important work planned for the coming years as regions grow and evolve.
“We’ve carefully planned out the crucial infrastructure developments necessary based on the need to continue to decarbonise, key trends in how people’s lifestyles are changing, where people will be living, and where industry is expanding across Rotorua, Taupō, and Hawke’s Bay,” Chadha said.
“As we balance the needs of sustainability, affordability, and resilience, we are being deliberate in our actions to ensure the best solutions are in place to meet the needs of our regional communities. Through our use of new technologies and data, we’re entering a new phase of network management, helping us improve efficiencies in how we operate.”
Unison said a key element of its vision outlined in the plan was to “enable our communities’ sustainable energy future”.
A summary of the plan and a survey to collect community feedback can be found on the Unison website.
Unison will host regional community events in August to present the plan in person.
Seven light earthquakes in 24 hours
The felt reports for a 3.8 quake that struck near Hastings on Saturday night. Photo / Geonet
Seven light earthquakes in 24 hours, the majority centred around Hastings, caused a few shaky moments for residents in Hawke’s Bay on Saturday.
Three of the quakes were felt and reported by more than 1000 people via Geonet’s “felt” feature.
They were: A magnitude 4.0 at 10.10am on Saturday 10km southeast of Hastings; a magnitude 3.8 at 6.48pm 20km southeast of Hastings; and a magnitude 4.0 at 7.32pm 20km southeast of Hastings.
The most felt of the three, all of which were at a depth between 20 and 30km below the surface, was the 3.8-magnitude quake, which resulted in 1643 felt reports.
Others in the swarm received fewer than 1000 reports, and the 2.8-magnitude quake near Waipukurau at 1.39am wasn’t significant enough to wake anyone - not one person reported feeling it.
Wairoa Lotto player wins second division
A lucky Lotto player from Wairoa is one of 14 around the country to win $19,817 with Lotto’s Second Division in Saturday’s live draw.
One lucky player also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $37,860.
The winning Powerball Second Division ticket was sold on MyLotto to a player from Christchurch.
The winning Wairoa ticket was sold at Wairoa New World.
No injuries in crashes
A damaged vehicle was found in a ditch on Lawn Rd in Clive with its hazard lights on during the early hours of Saturday. Emergency services were called about 3am and the vehicle was towed away. No one appeared to be at the scene.
A vehicle hit the median barrier on State Highway 2 Hawke’s Bay Expressway, south of the Flaxmere Ave turnoff, about 11.25am on Saturday, causing some traffic delays. There was no injuries and the debris was cleared.
A vehicle left the road on State Highway 5 Napier to Taupo Rd on Sunday about 5am, near Te Pōhue. Emergency services attended but, fortunately, no one was injured and the vehicle was towed.
Firefighters were called to Napier Port on Saturday night. Smoke was seen coming from a container and Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called around 10.15pm. However, upon inspection, it turned out to be a false alarm as the smoke was simply coming from a generator inside the container.
Hastings District Council has officially adopted its 2024-34 Long Term Plan and Development Contributions Policy.
In the plan, adopted on Thursday, the Council resolved to increase rates by 19 per cent in the 2024/25 year, down from 25 per cent as initially proposed before considering public feedback from the consultation.
The new rates come into effect with the rates instalment notice due to be sent out on July 23 and a payment due date of August 24.
The Council also resolved to keep the Frimley Pool open for the 2024/25 season, subject to operational fitness.
Other significant decisions comprised introducing a cyclone recovery targeted rate, reducing spend on some non-essential projects and confirming the proposed development contributions policy and consenting fees.
