Tairawhiti's rescue helicopter has flown five times this past week. For most of the week they flew a bright-coloured cover aircraft (pictured at Hicks Bay) while their usual BK-117 helicopter has been out-of-hangar for maintenance.
Tairawhiti's rescue helicopter has flown five times this past week. For most of the week they flew a bright-coloured cover aircraft (pictured at Hicks Bay) while their usual BK-117 helicopter has been out-of-hangar for maintenance.
Minutes after a magnitude 5 earthquake struck at 11.20pm on Saturday, the Trust Tairāwhiti Eastland Rescue Helicopter made rumbles of its own as it took off for Gisborne Hospital.
The team had been dispatched to transfer to Waikato a patient suffering a serious medical event.
That was on top of the two other missions for the day — to a medical event in Te Araroa (10.40am) and a motor vehicle accident at Hick’s Bay (2.40pm) — resulting in both patients being flown in stable condition to Gisborne Hospital.
At 3pm on Thursday, the team responded to a trauma at Tiniroto, with the patient flown in stable condition to Hawke’s Bay Fallen Soldiers Memorial Hospital.
Their reporting week ended on Sunday with a 1.15pm mission to Te Kaha, where the onboard critical care flight paramedic treated two patients. Both were flown in stable condition to Whakatāne Hospital.
Council harbourmaster Peter Buell acknowledged the tradition but emphasised there were risks.
“It may feel like a rite of passage but hidden hazards can lead to serious injuries,” he said in a council media release. “Woody debris and underwater hazards make these areas unpredictable and unsafe. This hazard is increased after any storm event.”
The inner harbour was also a busy area.
Buell said with boats constantly moving and children jumping into the water, these situations could lead to serious accidents.
“There is also a blind corner where boat users may not be able to see swimmers, further increasing the likelihood of accidents.
“Signs will be installed around these bridges and the boat ramp to warn about the risks. However, we kindly remind parents and caregivers to discourage children from climbing, jumping or playing on or near boats.”
The council is also working with Māori wardens to encourage safe behaviour in the harbour.
However, everyone had a role to play, Buell said.
“Let’s make sure we keep each other safe so we can enjoy what’s shaping up to be an amazing summer.”
Tairawhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk is welcomed on to Te Rawheoro Marae at Tolaga Bay alongside Superintendent Jeanette Park and Inspector Lincoln Sycamore.
Warm Coast welcome for new area commander
New Tairāwhiti area police commander Inspector Danny Kirk was warmly welcomed on to Te Rawheoro Marae in Ūawa, Tolaga Bay, recently.
Kirk received a powerful haka and wero from about 70 rangitahi.
Kirk, born and bred in Gisborne, has been a police officer for 17 years and has spent his entire policing career so far in the Eastern District. He has policed in Wairoa and Gisborne on the frontline and as a detective and, more recently, he has overseen rural stations across Tairāwhiti.
Kirk told the more than 150 whānau, friends, work colleagues and community gathered that a few short years ago he would never have seen command of a policing area in his future. But every leadership position he had held had taught him
Kirk said his time as the senior sergeant for rural policing was where his passion for people leadership was born.
“Leadership in rural policing highlighted that we cannot police in isolation. Strong and genuine partnerships with iwi, hapū and the community at large are paramount.”
He added that for him, as area commander, it was important police were visible and engaged in their communities.
“Keeping people safe is our core business and we will be focused on doing the basics well. That is where public trust and confidence in our organisation has its genesis.”
Eastern District area commander superintendent Jeanette Park told the gathering the Eastern team were proud to have appointed a people-focused “local” with strong operational and investigative experience to the role.
“Anyone who knows Danny knows he exudes enthusiasm and energy, which are traits that will be extremely useful in his role as area commander. He really cares and I know he will be true to himself and look after Tairāwhiti.”
