The $100,000 target for a 24-hour shearing event held in Dannevirke at the weekend has been reached.
The Shear4U, held at Pukemiro Station on Saturday and Sunday saw four shearers – Vaughan Wrenn, Dan Billing, Adam Roe, and Isaac Scott – joined by a number of guest shearers to raise money for the Rural Support Trust, Shear4U, and the NZ Breast Cancer Foundation.
In all, 6654 sheep were shorn over the 24-hours.
$50,000 had been raised before the event even got underway, with an auction and other contributions raising a further $12,000.
A final tally is expected to be confirmed later this week.
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Government Minister and Wairarapa MP Kieran McAnulty says he has been advised to stop holding his mobile offices around the electorate.
McAnulty told Central FM yesterday he had received a number of death threats over the past year, and he is very disappointed about not being able to hold the offices like he used too.
He said nevertheless, he will still be getting out and talking to people.
Mr McAnulty said political debate is healthy, and should be encouraged, but some of the abuse being levelled at politicians is uncalled for.
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After being delayed by a week, night-time closures of Dannevirke’s main street will commence tonight.
Waka Kotahi is resurfacing the section of High Street between Miller Street and Swinburn Street and will shut the section from 7pm-6am every night from tonight until the 14th of February.
Detour routes for both northbound and southbound traffic are available on the Tararua District Council website.
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Hawke’s Bay Police are urging the public to take extra precautions to keep their vehicles safe after a recent increase in stolen vehicles across the region.
Hawke's Bay Area Prevention Manager Acting Inspector Caroline Martin said two weekends ago, there were 20 vehicles reported stolen – 13 of which have been recovered by Police.
She said the vehicles have been stolen from public areas as well as from outside residential addresses.
The Mazda Demio and Nissan Tiida are the most commonly stolen vehicles in the region.
Ms Martin said Police are, however, seeing other makes also stolen - often being used for joyriding, and to commit further offences and harm in our community.
She is encouraging vehicle owners to ensure vehicles are locked, and all valuables removed; park vehicles in a garage, or in a well-lit area; and to install anti-theft devices such as steering locks, immobilisers, and car alarms.