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Local News

High turbidity levels following recent heavy rain has seen the Tararua District Council put a Boil Water Notice in place for the Pongaroa water supply.The Council said yesterday that the filters at the treatment plant are not able to treat water according to NZ Drinking Water Standards.Pongaroa residents are advised to boil water before drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth, and preparing infant formula.Three clear days of tests are required before the notice can be lifted.-----...

July 11, 2023

Local News

Waikato farmer Emma Poole was crowned the FMG Young Farmer of Year on Saturday night.28-year-old Poole is the first female winner of the contest in its 55-year history.Seven Grand Finalists battled it out for the title in Timaru, including Patoka farmer Patrick Crawshaw, who represented the East Coast.The finals for the FMG Junior Young Farmer and Agrikids NZ were also held.Napier Boys High School students Cameron Brans and Quinn Redpath finished runners-up in the Junior Young Farmer competition...

July 10, 2023

Local News

After what has been a generally fine week, heavy rain is on the way for Central Hawke’s Bay this weekend.The Metservice says late tomorrow and Sunday, a low should develop east of Central New Zealand, directing southeasterly rain onto eastern areas.Forecasters say there is a moderate chance of rainfall reaching warning criteria in CHB, along with the Esk Valley area.------------------An electrical fault at the Waipukurau Wastewater Treatment Plant on Wednesday night caused an overflow of waste...

July 7, 2023

Local News

Rural landowners can now legally burn waste left over from Cyclone Gabrielle.The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has received an Order in Council under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery Legislation for the Burning of Cyclone and Flood Waste.The order came into effect yesterday (5th July), and property owners have until November 1st to complete burns.The Regional Council is working with Fire & Emergency NZ, and landowners are urged to complete a fire management plan for their burn-offs and...

July 6, 2023

Local News

The Government is giving extra funding to Rural Support Trusts.Minister for Rural Communities Kieran McAnulty announced this week the Government is backing the Trusts to provide more help to farmers and growers affected by severe weather events in the North Island with at least $2.4 million for the 2023/24 financial year.McAnulty said during the significant weather events, the Rural Support Trust stepped up to provide critical response and recovery services.He said the funding includes $517,000 ...

July 5, 2023

Local News

A further Strong Wind Watch has been issued for Hawke’s Bay today.The Metservice says west to southwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places for areas of Hawke’s Bay from SH5 southwards.The Watch is in place for the 24-hour period from 9am today.---------------The head of CHB Police says the level of violence seen in an incident between rival gang members last Friday is “unacceptable”.Sergeant Neil Baker said at about 3.30pm on Friday afternoon, Police responded to an inciden...

July 4, 2023

Local News

A Government inquiry into Civil Defence’s response to major weather events, including Cyclone Gabrielle, has been welcomed by the Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group.The inquiry was announced yesterday by Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty, and will be led by former Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae.Hinewai Ormsby, chair of the Hawke’s Bay Group, said the announcement is a significant step in ensuring the emergency management system continues to learn, improv...

June 30, 2023

Local News

Waka Kotahi engineers have assessed the State Highway 50/Waipawa River Bridge as structurally sound.The abutment of the bridge was washed away by heavy rain at the weekend, forcing the closure of the section of SH50 between OngaOnga and Tikokino.Engineers visited the site on Monday, and Waka Kotahi say they will begin preparing the site for repairs in the next few days.A timeframe of when the repairs would begin, or how long they would take, is still unknown.------------------Law changes are exp...

June 28, 2023

Critical decisions to be discussed about Dannevirke’s Impounded Water Supply in upcoming public meeting

In mid-May, inspection with a remotely operated vehicle (an underwater drone) found two leaks in the impounded supply liner. These were located at the base of the western embankment of the dam wall and required repairs to manage the risk of dam failure and/or disruption to Dannevirke’s water supply.The recent repair operation was the result of a team effort which involved careful preparations and planning, as no known examples of a similar operation have previously bee...

June 26, 2023

Local News

It is unknown when State Highway 50 between OngaOnga and Tikokino will reopen again after the abutment leading onto the SH50/Waipawa River Bridge was washed away due to heavy rain.Police closed the highway on Saturday morning, with concrete blocks put on the road to stop vehicles from using it.Waka Kotahi says it is unknown when repairs will be made.Traffic is being diverted along Bridge Street and the Waipawa – Tikokino Road.-----------------A boil water notice is expected to be in place for ...

June 26, 2023

Local News

A 33-year-old Mongrel Mob member has been arrested after Police executed two search warrants in Central Hawke’s Bay yesterday.Sergeant Neil Baker said CHB Police, along with staff from Hawke’s Bay and the Armed Offenders Squad executed the warrants at local Waipukurau addresses.He said the warrants were in relation to the distribution of methamphetamine in the region.The arrested man will appear in the Hastings District Court next week.Mr Baker said yesterday’s arrest follows on from warra...

June 23, 2023

Local News

One person was critically injured following a two-vehicle crash south of Dannevirke yesterday morning.Police say they were responded to the crash on Maharahara Road, near State Highway 2 about 10.50am.A Hato Hone-St John spokesperson said one person had critical injuries, and another two minor injuries.A rescue helicopter was called to fly the critically injured person to Palmerston North Hospital.The Serious Crash Unit has been advised. SH2 was closed in both directions until around 3.30 yester...

June 22, 2023

Local News

A former Cabinet Minister has been appointed to lead the negotiating team for Hawke’s Bay during discussions with the Government on the Cyclone Gabrielle recovery package.Chris Finlayson will be the lead negotiator working closely with the regions five Council chief executives and the Hawke’s Bay Regional Recovery Agency.A media statement yesterday said the goal is to achieve an agreement that determines the key features of a voluntary buy-out scheme proposed for Category 3 properties, and c...

June 21, 2023

Local News

A Heavy Rain Watch remains in effect for the region today.Metservice issued the watch for the period from 9am Saturday through to midday today.The Watch said periods of heavy rain, possibly reaching warning criteria, were expected, along with the possibility of thunderstorms.---------------------Another week of industrial action by the Post Primary Teachers Association will commence today.Year 9 and 10 students are rostered home today.Further action is planned from tomorrow through until Thursda...

June 19, 2023

Local News

One person was flown to Hawke’s Bay Hospital with moderate injuries yesterday after becoming trapped under a digger.Emergency services, including three fire appliances, were called just after 1.30pm to the accident on Pourerere Road.It has been reported the digger tipped over, trapping the person.------------------ Metservice says there is a moderate confidence of rainfall accumulations reaching warning criteria over the weekend and early next week.Metservices Severe Weather Outlook says areas...

June 16, 2023

Local News

State Highway 2 through Waipawa was closed again on Tuesday night due to a sewerage leak.The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council had staff on-site yesterday looking into the issue.The first leak was last Friday afternoon at the intersection of High St and Ruataniwha St.Traffic was diverted for a short time while the sewerage was cleaned up.Police were called again just after 9pm Tuesday when more sewerage leaked out on to the road.A Council spokesperson said yesterday that a 3-metre section o...

June 15, 2023

Local News

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Fieldays at Mystery Creek is back in full swing from today.Some 130,000 people are expected to attend the 55th Fieldays, which run until Saturday.CEO Peter Nation said the event will be a vibrant hub of activity, drawing farmers, industry professionals, advocates, and families from far and wide. A new Sustainability Hub will be one of the highlights this year for attendees.A number of local companies will also have a presence at Fielda...

June 14, 2023

Local News

The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council is bringing its successful Community Roadshows to the OngaOnga community tomorrow.Along with finding out about Council services, the Roadshow will also have information on budgeting services, Civil Defence, animal control, and welfare support.The Roadshow is at the OngaOnga Hall from 10am to 1pm tomorrow.-----------------Tararua District Council received 136 submissions on its draft Annual Plan.Hearings were held last week on the submissions, which saw ...

June 13, 2023

Local News

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has welcomed news that an Order in Council has been proposed by the Minister for the Environment over burning of waste from Cyclone Gabrielle. Environment Minister David Parker said a proposed temporary rule change would enable rural Hawke’s Bay landowners dealing with masses of cyclone and flood debris to carefully burn mixed waste so they can replant and return their land to productivity. The proposed Order in Council under the Severe Weather Emergency Recovery...

June 8, 2023

Local News

Police have revealed more details about a pursuit last Saturday.Senior Constable Andy Walker said the vehicle being pursued had been reported stolen from Palmerston North.Dannevirke Police had begun pursuing the vehicle, with CHB staff joining the pursuit on SH2.Mr Walker said the pursuit was stopped as the manner of driving was very dangerous.The vehicle was followed through to Hastings, with Police there unsuccessful in stopping it.Mr Walker said enquiries are continuing to locate the vehicle ...

June 7, 2023

Local News

Periods of heavy rain are set to continue across Hawke’s Bay today.The Metservice has extended a Heavy Rain Watch for the region, which came into effect yesterday.Forecasters say in the 20-hour period from eight o’clock last night until 4pm today there would be periods of heavy rain, and that rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, mainly about the ranges.----------------Police abandoned a pursuit that started in Central Hawke’s Bay on Saturday morning.A member of the public alerte...

June 6, 2023

Local News

579 properties in Central Hawke’s Bay have been placed into the Category 2 classification following Cyclone Gabrielle.Provisional classifications were released yesterday, with Category 1 properties deemed to be safe, with Category 2 meaning some level on intervention is needed; with Category 3 properties those where severe weather event risks cannot be sufficiently mitigated.Porangahau, the lower part of Waipawa, and the Elsthorpe areas are the where nearly all of Category 2 properties are loc...

June 2, 2023

Local News

Tikokino fireman Brendan Butler was one of six Fire & Emergency NZ volunteers and staff who were presented with their Royal Honours at Government House in Wellington yesterday.Mr Butler received his Queen’s Service Medal for services to fire and emergency from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro.Joining the brigade in 1972, Brendan currently holds the rank of Senior Station Officer, and has attended around 2,400 trainings.Fire and Emergency Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan said Brendan continues t...

May 31, 2023

Local News

Strong winds are expected for Central Hawke’s Bay later this week.The Metservice has issued its Severe Weather Outlook covering tomorrow through until Friday.Severe gale winds are forecast to affect many areas, with forecasters expecting severe gale westerlies to hit Central Hawke’s Bay on Friday.-----------------Attributable to Detective Glen Yule, Eastern District Organised Crime UnitNapier Police are appealing for information following an assault last Saturday night.Detective Glen Yule sa...

May 30, 2023

Review: Last Tango & Last Panto at The Waipukurau Little Theatre

The Waipukurau Little Theater's double bill production of Last Tango and Last Panto offers a refreshing and entertaining experience that effortlessly combines humor, relatable characterizations, and a touch of desperation.From the very beginning, it's clear that the cast members are fully committed to their roles, delivering performances that capture the essence of each character's unique quirks and motivations. Their dedication to their craft shines through, and the chemistry among the cast mem...

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