Gisborne harbourmaster Peter Buell gets a lifejacket library ready for instillation. The life jackets are available free for the public.
Gisborne harbourmaster Peter Buell gets a lifejacket library ready for instillation. The life jackets are available free for the public.
Ocean safety is behind Gisborne District Council’s launch of two new “lifejacket libraries” on the East Coast.
The libraries, funded by ACC, are aimed at making waters safer for families and communities by providing lifejackets free for public use.
The initiative is part of the Tairāwhiti Haumaru Moana – Safety at Sea campaign, which promotes safe and responsible boating practices in the region.
The lifejacket libraries operate on a simple borrow-and-return system, ensuring everyone can access the life-saving gear they need while enjoying the water.
The first lifejacket libraries are up and running at Tokomaru Bay United Sports Club and the Manaaki Matakaoa Community Centre in Te Araroa.
Each location will house 10 lifejackets, including sizes suitable for adults, children and infants.
Community members can borrow lifejackets by visiting the libraries during opening hours and following the easy sign-out process.
“We want to ensure that everyone, no matter where they are in Tairāwhiti, has access to the life-saving equipment they need,” harbourmaster Peter Buell said.
“These libraries are an accessible and practical way to keep our whānau safe on the water this summer.”
With the summer boating season fast approaching, Buell encourages all whānau to take advantage of the libraries and prioritise safe practices on the water.
In Gisborne, a lifejacket library is already available at the council.
From Thursday, Buell and Māori wardens will be at the main boat ramp, lending lifejackets and providing boating safety advice.
“We are so glad to offer these lifejackets to our Coast whānau and deeply appreciate ACC’s support in funding this initiative and the Tokomaru Bay United Sports Club and the Manaaki Matakaoa Community Centre for hosting these libraries,” Buell said.
A third lifejacket library is set to be stationed up the Coast in the coming weeks.
Bleeding seal issues on roads as temperature rises
Hot temperatures in the past week have caused “bleeding seal” and “sticky” issues on the region’s roads.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is taking precautions, with water carts and chip-spreading crews on standby.
“The first onset of hot weather in a season can create issues with newly constructed chip seals, especially on uphill inclines, but it settles down as we move through the summer,” NZTA Hawke’s Bay/Tairāwhiti system manager Martin Colditz said.
“Even some older seals can ‘liven’ up with the first flush of hot weather. Saturated road surfaces can sometimes also exacerbate bleeding seal as water is released from the road.
“Road temperatures are typically significantly hotter than the air temperature on any given day, given the road surface retains the sun’s heat for a lot longer,” Colditz said.
“For example, when the air temperature reaches the high 20s or early 30s, the temperature of the road may reach 55 degrees Celsius or higher. Bleeding seal isn’t an East Coast-specific occurrence.
“NZTA currently has crews out actively monitoring the East Coast state highway network for signs of bleeding,” he said.
“Water carts are also on standby and being used to spray water at sites that have previously been known for bleeding. Spraying water helps the road cool and prevents bleeding in the first place.
“A water cart and chip spreader have been used on previous occasions to successfully address bleeding seal.
“Our crews are also using trucks to spread sealing chip at sites that have already started bleeding. If there is loose chip at sites, we’ll have warning signs in place reminding road users.
“The biggest thing road users can do to help avoid bleeding and minimise the disruption at sites that are already bleeding is to drive to the conditions. If there are speed restrictions in place, please respect them.
“It’s crucial to follow the traffic management in place and the speed limits.
“By respecting those speed limits, we can prevent further damage at other sites, while also minimising the chance of crashes and possible injuries to people.”
Over 1000 enjoy Gizzy Christmas event
The It’s a Gizzy Christmas event at the Marina Park on Sunday night was described as “absolutely brilliant”, with a sizeable crowd converging to celebrate the festive season.
The crowd was estimated conservatively at around 1000-plus.
“It was hard to judge how many were actually there but we were definitely happy with the size of the crowd,” event creator and organiser Tash Olsen said.
The event was Olsen’s brainchild on behalf of the Gisborne District Council.
“We had bouncy castles - even though we could only use them for an hour because of the wind - face-painting, food stalls ... and Santa rocked up on a jetski. “
A big crowd enjoyed It's a Gizzy Christmas and one of the highlights was the appearance of the man in red, who made a jolly entrance on a jetski before getting his photo snapped with his many fans.
People were able to have photographs taken with him in his sleigh for a couple of hours, which the crowd really got into.
“The line for that was all the way across the reserve until Santa departed,” Olsen said. “All in all it was a very successful event.”
