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A home in Waipukurau was extensively damaged by fire on Saturday night. Firefighters from Waipukurau and Waipawa battled the blaze for about 45 minutes before bringing it under control. CHB Rugby & Sports Club members, who were nearby at Central Park, were first on scene with garden hoses and to see if anyone needed assistance. A neighbour alerted the fire service about 8.30 Saturday night. A Fire Safety Investigator was on-site yesterday looking into the cause.  Video footage can be viewed...

Local News

Over 5000 people will take part in this weekend’s New Zealand Sotheby’s International Realty Hawke’s Bay Marathon. Participants will come from across the country – and around the world – including Japan and Belgium - for tomorrow’s event. The Hawke’s Bay Marathon is in its sixth year and is an important event for the region, expected to bring in $7.6 million in economic benefit. ------------------- Central Hawke’s Bay Police arrested four juvenile offenders after a window was sma...

Local News

A Dutch company with links to IKEA has recently been granted approval to buy land at Porangahau. Ingka Investments B.V., which is the investment arm of Ingka Group, the largest franchisee of IKEA stores internationally, has been granted consent by the Overseas Investment Office to acquire 609 hectares on Old Hill Road. The OIO said the applicants plan to establish and maintain approximately 508 hectares of radiata pine. Some land a and a residential dwelling on Stoneridge Farm will be subdivided...

High levels of volcanic gas emissions and strong volcanic tremor continue at Mt Ruapehu.

The Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe) temperature has risen to 41°C and steam plumes can be observed in cold, still atmospheric conditions.The volcano is still at a heightened level of unrest. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at 2, with greater chances of eruption over the next four weeks than at Volcanic Alert Level 1. Last week, steam plumes were observed over Mt Ruapehu’s Crater Lake (Te Wai ā-moe). Observation flights have confirmed these steam plumes were not caused by an eruption. Instead, t...

Local News

A fire investigator is looking into the cause of a blaze at a commercial premises in Dannevirke. Plumes of smoke could be seen coming from the building occupied by Blast and Coat on Miller Street just after 6.30 yesterday morning. Fire appliances and support vehicles from Dannevirke, Woodville, Norsewood and Napier were all called to the scene. Miller Street was blocked off just past the corner of Easton Street, with traffic being diverted. Firefighters had extinguished the fire by 11am, with cr...

Putting people at the heart of Waipawa’s main street

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council will work with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and our community to develop local solutions to improve the safety and connectivity of the main street of Waipawa.  Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has gained funding and support for planning and scoping projects as part of the Streets for People programme, which builds on the Innovating Streets programme established by Waka Kotahi in 2019. The programme aims to make it easier to create safer, healt...

Local News

Dannevirke Police are investigating a break-in at a local school.Staff at Ruahine School discovered the break-in when they arrived at work yesterday.The school was closed for the day while staff sorted through the mess left behind.Televisions and a school cellphone were among the items taken.Ruahine School is on rural Maharahara Road.Anyone with information is asked to contact Dannevirke Police.----------------Urban properties in Central Hawke’s Bay are set to bear the brunt of upcoming rates ...

Local News

Waipawa Country United picked up the $1000 Best Supported Club prize from the recent Rural Air Work Country Rugby Day. Clubs were judged on a number of criteria, including level of co-ordination, creativity, support to game officials, respect and sportsmanship. Mayor Alex Walker made the announcement on Central FM on Saturday morning, and said the $1000 prize was a “fantastic twist to the day”. ------------------ Two events are planned locally as part of this week’s Road Safety Week. Tomor...

QV revaluations have major impact on rates - Urban properties bear the brunt of rates rises

The huge variations in property value increases in Central Hawke’s Bay will have a major impact on how rates, already set by Council, will be shared out across the district.  Before QV valuations were released, Central Hawke’s Bay Council had agreed plans to require additional budget of $1.6 million to operate in 2022/23 - 6.8% more money than was collected from the district last year.  The new QV valuations do not change or increase that budget, but do change how the rates are spr...

Local News

Two people were flown to Hawke’s Bay Hospital following an accident near Aramoana Beach yesterday. Senior Constable Andy Walker from CHB Police said a vehicle carrying two men lost control in gravel and rolled on Gibraltar Road. The accident was reported just after 4pm. --------------------- Tomorrow sees the opening of the 2022 Duck Shooting Season. The season will run until the 3rd of July, with a daily bag limit for Mallard and Grey duck in Hawke’s Bay of eight. For those shooting within ...

Local News

In an effort to get more people vaccinated against influenza this year, a number of ways to get the vaccine have been made available in Central Hawke’s Bay. Today, a Whanau Flu Clinic is being held at the Takapau Health Centre, where funding from the Royston Health Trust will see free flu vaccines to all Maori whanau this year. No appointment is needed for the clinic, which runs from 3pm to 6pm. Meanwhile flu vaccines will also become available at the mobile COVID-19 Vaccination clinics. Both ...

Local News

The Tararua District Council has recently allocated just over $11,500 from the Creative Communities Scheme. The biggest amount - $2141 – was allocated to the Woodville Art & History Group for the grand opening of the new Gallery & Art Exhibition. Dannevirke Theatre Company and the Dannevirke Pipe Band were each awarded $2000. The next funding round from the Creative Communities Scheme is in September, with applications opening in August.Pahiatua Repertory Society Cinderella - A Musical/Pantomi...

Local News

A cyclist has died in an accident on Weber Road. Emergency services were called to a serious crash just before 5pm yesterday between a vehicle and a bicycle. A Police spokesperson said the cyclist died at the scene. The road was closed until late last night to allow the Serious Crash Unit to undertake a scene examination. The crash remains under investigation. ------------------ National Party MP and police spokesperson, Mark Mitchell, will visit Waipukurau and Dannevirke today for public meetin...

Local News

Fire & Emergency NZ was called to a fire inside a bedroom in a house near Otane on Monday night.Firefighters were called to the home on State Highway 2 about 6.30pm.A Fire & Emergency NZ spokesperson said there were no injuries, and the fire appeared to be out on arrival.----------------Active COVID-19 case numbers have dropped substantially in Central Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District.As at yesterday there were 176 active cases in CHB, and 213 in Tararua.-----------------Hawke’s Bay Search &...

Local News

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has a new Chief Executive. Councils’ current Group Manager of Customer and Community Partnerships, Doug Tate, has been appointed to lead the Council. Mr Tate has nearly 20 years of experience in local government around the lower North Island – the last four in Central Hawke’s Bay. In announcing the appointment last week, Mayor Alex Walker said Mr Tate’s appointment comes after a robust and independently led nationwide recruitment campaign, that saw ...

Public feedback invited for milestone Pōrangahau wastewater consents

Marking a significant milestone in Central Hawke’s Bay District Council’s wastewater strategy, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) today publicly released the Pōrangahau wastewater consent(s) lodged by Central Hawke’s Bay District Council.   Following more than three years of direct engagement with Pōrangahau and Te Paerahi residents and wider public, it was clear that continuation of the current system - where treated wastewater is discharged into the Pōrangahau River and d...

Local News

Roading crews are out this morning as some rural roads were closed overnight due to yesterday’s heavy rain. Mangakuri Road and Clareinch Road were both subject to a full closure, while River Road and Elsthorpe Road were down to a single lane in parts. Pourerere Beach Road was open to only 4WD vehicles. The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council said roading crews were out at first light this morning. Meanwhile the Heavy Rain and Strong Wind Warnings for Hawke’s Bay were lifted last night by ...

Local News

A wet and windy day is on the way for the region today.The Metservice has issued an “orange” Heavy Rain Warning for areas of Hawke’s Bay, south of Wairoa.In the period from 4am today until midnight tonight, up to 120mm of rain is expected.Forecasters say the heaviest falls will be this afternoon and evening, with peak rates of 10 to 20mm per hour.For the Wairoa District, a ‘Red’ Heavy Rain Warning has been issued, with up to 310mm of rain expected.An ‘Orange’ Strong Wind Warning is...

Staying focussed on critical infrastructure need - CHBDC adopts Annual Plan

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council last week confirmed its annual budget for 2022/23, consistent with what was adopted for Year 2 of the weighty Long Term Plan in 2021, with an additional $1.6 million in rates required for the coming year to operate the district.  As part of the 2021-2031 Long Term Plan, Central Hawke’s Bay residents ‘Faced up to the Facts’, including confronting issues of historic underinvestment in the district’s water assets.  This year’s annual plan �...

Local News

The Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group says it is monitoring and preparing for potential impacts of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fili. Civil Defence is also warning communities to get ready for the severe weather it may bring to the region. Group Controller Ian Macdonald said that Hawke's Bay CDEM had already moved to a ‘Monitoring’ mode of operation and will be activating the Group Emergency Coordination Centre in Hastings this morning. He said residents need to be prepared for h...

Tākaro Tararua! Tararua’s Play Trailer is available

Tararua District Council has partnered with Sport Manawatu to launch Tākaro Taraua. A free community Play Trailer to educate and promote play for tamariki in the district. The mobile trailer is stocked with a range of play and sports gear including bats, balls, nets,hula hoops, tyres, timber and recycled items which will create hours of fun for Tararua Tamariki. For more information, please contact Tararua District Council  by emailing info@tararuadc.govt.nz or call 06 ...

Central Hawke’s Bay CE farewells and reflects on significant journey

Central Hawke’s Bay District Council Chief Executive Monique Davidson has this week been farewelled by elected members, mana whenua, regional Mayors and Chief Executives, community partners and staff, having made a significant contribution to creating a thriving Central Hawke’s Bay.After five years at the helm, Mrs Davidson is returning home to become Chief Executive of Horowhenua District Council. With the support of elected members, in what has been described as a transformational change, ...

Local News

Former Napier City Council Chief Executive Neil Taylor will fill the acting role of Chief Executive for the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council. Mr Taylor, who lead the Napier council for 20 years, takes over from Monique Davidson, who finished on Friday. In a statement on Friday, Council said Mr Taylor would take a “light approach” as Chief Executive, with high governance confidence in the capability of the Leadership Team.  An announcement on a permanent Chief Executive is expecte...

Local News

Tararua District Council has put a Precautionary Boil Water Notice in place for residents connected to the Eketauna water supply. In a media release last night, the Council said raw water from the Makakahi River is coming in with turbidity levels higher than the current water treatment plant is able to treat to meet the NZ Drinking Standards. Residents are urged to boil water before drinking, food preparation, preparing infant formula and brushing teeth. ------------------ After nearly five yea...

Local News

Moa bones found during construction of the new Manawatu-Tararua Highway have been found to be at least 180,000 years old. The bones were found in March of last year, and were sent for sampling in December. Sediment found nearby suggested they could be as old as 345,000 years. Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency said more analysis results are expected to be available later this year. ------------------ The Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination clinic will be in Porangahau today. Vaccinators will be available o...