Candidates for the Wairarapa and Tukituki Electorates for the upcoming General Election will attend a Meet the Candidates Evening in Waipukurau tonight.
For Tukituki – which has the highest number of candidates in the country standing – Labour’s, and incumbent MP, Anna Lorck will be joined by National’s Catherine Wedd and the ACT Party’s Rob Douglas.
Current MP - Labour’s Kieran McAnulty - and National candidate Mike Butterick, who are both standing for the Wairarapa Electorate, will also be there.
The event has been organised by the Waipukurau Rotary Club, with doors at the Civic Theatre opening at 6pm, for a start time of 6.30pm.
Entry will be by gold coin donation, which will be used towards maintenance of the Tukituki Trail.
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Stage Two of the upgrade the Waipawa’s main street will get underway today.
The second stage will see Waka Kotahi install two new raised safety crossings on High Street, replacing the existing pedestrian crossings.
From today until the 7th of October, Waka Kotahi says the northbound lane will be closed 24/7, with detours in place.
In acknowledging the effect the closure will have on local businesses, Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships Linda Stewart said it is a fine balance between keeping people safe during the project, completing it as efficiently as possible and making sure the township remains as accessible as possible.
Parking will still be available outside shops for southbound traffic, with cars also able to park at the rear of the shopping centre.
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The Central Hawke’s Bay District Council has welcomed the $2.5 million in funding to help to protect Waipawa’s water supply.
The supply was flooded during Cyclone Gabrielle causing significant damage.
The funding – announced by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins when he visited the site last week - will cover the cost of replacing and upgrading the stopbank.
Mayor Alex Walker said the funding will provide immediate protection to the water supply of businesses and residents relying on this drinking water supply.
The Waipawa water treatment plant supplies 3,200 people in Waipawa and Otane.
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The Magpies had a win over the Southland Stags on Saturday in their second to last round-robin game in the Bunnings Warehouse NPC.
Saturday’s 33-7 win sees the Magpies in 5th place on the competition table with 30 points.
This weekend they will play Wellington at Sky Stadium – a game which will also double as a Ranfurly Shield challenge.