A detour will be in place for next week’s SH51 southbound lane closure. Photo / Paul Taylor
A detour will be in place for next week’s SH51 southbound lane closure. Photo / Paul Taylor
Hawke’s Bay road users are advised to factor in next week’s one-lane overnight closure on State Highway 51 when travelling.
From Monday, May 6, crews will complete resurfacing work at the intersection of SH51 and Waitangi Rd as part of a scheduled maintenance programme.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said while this was not part of the current safety improvements, completing the work at the same time minimised the potential for delays at a later date.
The southbound lane of SH51 between Awatoto Rd and Farndon Rd will be closed nightly between 8pm and 5am, starting on Monday, May 6 and ending at 5am on Saturday, May 11.
Closures near Awatoto will begin on Monday, May 6. Photo / NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.
During these overnight closures, access will remain open for residents and businesses in the area.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advised people to add 20 minutes to their journey or avoid the area during this time. A sign posted detour will be available.
Dates are subject to variables such as weather and may change at short notice.
Man killed in workplace incident named
Police have named the man who died in a workplace incident in Ongaonga, Hawke’s Bay on Monday, April 29.
He was 62-year-old Michael Gabor Horvath, from Ongaonga.
Police were called to an incident on a private property on State Highway 50, near Blackburn Road, at 11.09am.
WorkSafe has been notified.
“Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this difficult time,” a police spokesperson said.
Garden shed fire in Hastings
Firefighters were called to a garden shed fire that left one person needing treatment for minor smoke inhalation.
Crews from the Hastings fire station were called to the fire on the corner of Albert St and Miller St just before 2am.
Hastings senior station officer Dennis O’Leary said two trucks attended the scene and the 1 metre by 1 metre fire was extinguished with one high-pressure hose reel at 2.22am.
“There was one patient with smoke inhalation.”
Hato Hone St John said they were called to the fire and responded with one ambulance and one rapid response unit. A spokesp
erson said the crew treated one person in a minor condition.
Illuminati Night Ride to be a ‘party on wheels’ through Hastings
Organiser Neill Gordon, of Bike Hawke's Bay, said the Illuminati Night Ride on Saturday, May 11, would be “A whanau-friendly party on wheels”. Photo / Supplied
Bikes are set to light the night in Hastings’ city centre next weekend with a prize for the most eye-catching rider.
Organiser Neill Gordon, of Bike Hawke’s Bay, said the Illuminati Night Ride on Saturday, May 11, would be “A whanau-friendly party on wheels”.
“It’s all about promoting safe cycling and having fun,” Gordon said.
Anyone with a bike can take part and someone will win a $200 cash prize for the best decorated one.
Riders will gather in The Atrium next to Brave Brewing from 5pm and set off at 6pm on a short route that will take in the Clocktower fountain and Civic Square.
Between 20 and 50 riders are expected, including four towing light sculptures made by Hawke’s Bay creatives.
The event is free and people can register interest by emailing nightridehb@gmail.com.
Hot-rodders and auto parts swappers
It’ll be petrol and motor heaven in Hawke’s Bay this weekend with the Marineland Street Rod and Kustom Klub run through the area on Saturday, and on Sunday there’s a Hawke’s Bay Vintage Car Club Back to Basics automotive swap meet in the Meeanee Speedway pits.
The hot rod club had a longstanding run and swap-meet weekend, but the swap-meet became too big for its resources and was last held by the club in 2019.
The date was picked-up by the vintage club, which will be running its event for a third time. It starts on Sunday at 9am.
Pekapeka Regional Park closed over weekend
The Pekapeka Regional Park will be closed this weekend from 4pm on Friday, May 3, until midday on Monday, May 6 for public safety during the opening weekend of duck shooting.
Throughout the year Pekapeka and Waitangi Duck Shooters Association provide Hawke’s Bay Regional Council with pest control help in the wetlands to support native wildlife.
Lotto said there are also 75 extra prizes of $10,000 cash up for grabs with Lotto NZ’s Mother’s Day promotion, which started last week.
All Triple Dip tickets bought between Sunday, April 28, and 7.30pm on Saturday, May 18, will be in the draw to win.
Reclyffe Bridge closure times confirmed
Hastings District Council has confirmed the times the Redclyffe/Waiohiki Bridge will close for maintenance work on the bridge deck.
A full closure will take place from 7am to 5pm on Sunday May 5.
“VMS signage will be installed 3 days out from this closure, and on the day traffic will be detoured via Meeanee Road to SH2,” Hastings District Council said in a statement on social media.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the bridge during the works and emergency vehicles will still be able to cross the bridge in the event of an emergency.
“To complete the works, contractors require fine weather. So if it is wet, the maintenance work will be postponed to the next available dry Sunday (ideally Sunday 12 May),” the statement said.
Ākitio Rural Fire Station burgled
Aerial shot of Ākitio after Cyclone Gabrielle. Photo / Mark Mitchell
The Ākitio Fire Station was broken into and several items were stolen last week.
Police received a report about a burglary in the rural area in the Tararua District on Monday morning.
It is believed that the break-in occurred between 9am on April 14 and 1.30pm on April 28.
A police spokesperson said items had been taken and didn’t know specifics about what was missing.
A post to a community group on Facebook said the “Ākitio Fire Brigade was broken into, and boots, torches and ID badges were stolen”.
Social media comments on the post outlined the outrage the community felt towards the burglary with one commenting, “Lowest of low targeting emergency services.”
While another asked where money could be donated to help out.
Napier police investigating school burglary
Napier police are investigating a burglary at Onekawa School.
Two brand new charcoal-black shade sails covering a sand pit and outdoor stage were taken from the school grounds sometime between the start of the school holidays on April 13 and midday on Sunday 28 April.
Senior Sergeant Craig Vining said police were appealing to the public to help recover the shade sails and urged everyone to be vigilant on social media.
“What sort of person steals shade sails from a school? They are there to protect our kids from the sun and as a community, we need to reject this type of bottom-of-the-barrel offending,” Vining said.
Police asked anyone with information that could help locate the sails or identify those responsible to come forward and speak with police.
Information can be given over the phone or online via 105, referencing file number 240430/1240.
Hawke’s Bay wine industry experts go on exchange
Three members of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry have become the first recipients of the Great Wine Capitals Knowledge Exchange Programme.
Ryan Fraser, Vineyard Manager at Paritua Vineyards, Sara Macdonald, Assistant Winemaker at Sileni Estates, and Gavin Dalton, Assistant Winemaker at Brookfields Estate, will travel to the Great Wine Capital of Adelaide, South Australia to discover more about sustainable practices that can further assist their own operations and the Hawke’s Bay wine industry as a whole.
The Great Wine Capitals Outbound Knowledge Exchange (OKE) Programme is designed to ignite reciprocal knowledge sharing within the esteemed Great Wine Capitals Global Network and each scholarship is worth $3000. It is a programme that is only available to those working within a Great Wine Capital.
The recipients will undertake bespoke journeys, engaging with key industry, regional, and educational stakeholders.
Upon their return, each will share what they learned with the wider Hawke’s Bay wine industry to ensure the knowledge gained is shared throughout the region.
A key focus for each of the recipients is the sustainability of vineyard management and wine production.
Police release name of pedestrian killed in Dannevirke
Police can now release the name of the pedestrian who died after being struck by a car in Matamau earlier this month.
He was 43-year-old Christopher Michael Connell, from Masterton.
The incident happened between Okane Rd and Tataramoa Rd around 3.20am on April 15.
“Police extend our condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time,” the police statement said.
Police inquiries into the circumstances of the crash were ongoing.
Sustainable Hawke’s Bay seeking Youth Committee applicants
Sustainable Hawke’s Bay is forming a Youth Committee for young people who are keen advocates and want to take action to make a difference
Zoe Solomon, Sustainable Hawke’s Bay youth board member, said they are looking for people between the ages of 12-24 and passionate about sustainability, biodiversity and resilience.
“Are you part of the generation who will be charged with safeguarding our environment in years to come, politically, practically, and passionately? Join the Sustainable Hawke’s Bay Youth Committee and make a real difference today for our region tomorrow,” Solomon said in a statement.
Interested people should contact Dana Hartley by email at dana@sustainablehb.org.nz for an application form.
New chief executive for Napier taiwhenua
A prominent advisor to the Auditor General is returning to Hawke’s Bay as tumu whakarae (chief executive officer) with Napier area Māori authority Te Taiwhenua o Te Whanganui a Orotu.
He is Mat Mullany (Ngāti Pārau, Ngai Te Ruruku, Ngāti Matepu, Ngāti Hawea, Ngai Te Whatuiapiti, Kuki Airani), who has worked almost 20 years in the public and private sectors, also serving his marae and hapu of Ngāti Kahungunu, of which the taiwhenua is one of six constituent authorities.
He delivered the first Te Ao Māori Strategy in the Officer of the Auditor General and established an advisory of Māori leaders to the office.
He had previously worked at Deloitte and has experience at the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Education and Te Arawhiti, the Ministry for Māori-Crown Relations.
In a governance capacity, Mat has served as trustee of the Mana Ahuriri Trust, the Ngāti Pārau Hapū Trust, and Waiohiki marae.
Taradale Intermediate team to represent Hawke’s Bay at NZ Kids Lit Quiz
Four students from Taradale Intermediate School will represent Hawke’s Bay at the NZ Kids Lit Quiz national final after winning the Hawke’s Bay heat.
The school fielded four teams in the competition of 28 teams held on April 12, and Olivia Coulthard, Emmi Edwards, Tai Eady and Millie Schulberg made up the team to take out the event.
“The team of four train each Thursday morning at 7.45am in the TIS Library. We are very proud of them, particularly as our kura has represented the Hawke’s Bay region a number of times,” teacher Vinka Donkin said.
The national final will be held at the National Library in Wellington on June 15th.
Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank seeks volunteers
The Hawke’s Bay Knowledge Bank would like to reassure the public they are still operating normally.
They continue to receive large and small collections from many different people, groups and organisations, enabling them to digitise with upgraded and more efficient equipment.
A large focus will be placed on the collection of photos, stories, and documents in a joint project, with Radio Hawke’s Bay which will record verbal information to document Cyclone Gabrielle.
This will be a long-term undertaking and they expect a lot more information to come over the next few years.
