Latest from Gisborne

Life membership for U3A music stalwart

A Life Membership Award was presented to Norman Grey in recognition for his services to U3A over 13 years . A certificate and bouquet of flowers were presented by U3A president Anne Pardoe to Mr Grey at Gisborne Cosmopolitan Club last month. “From...

Two storm-chasing satellites successfully launched from Mahia

Two storm-chasing satellites were successfully put into orbit from Mahia yesterday. It was the first of two planned launches from Rocket Lab’s Mahia space port to deploy a constellation of tropical cyclone monitoring satellites for NASA. The...

Wairoa and Napier to be reconnected three months on from Gabrielle

Three months on from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, Wairoa and Napier will be reconnected when State Highway 2 reopens on Sunday. For now, the road will only be open from 7am to 6pm. A blessing of the new Bailey bridge by Ngāti...

Looking forward to season of ‘good cattle’

The bull sale season is “looking good” after the second day of the three-day East Coast Angus Association Bull Walk. Yesterday about 150 animals from Kaharau, Orere and Tangihau and Tawa Hills studs were paraded in front of potential buyers...

Silt removal top of list for recovery aid applications

More than $2.1 million has already been paid out from the $3.4 million of donations to help our region recover from Cyclone Gabrielle. Mayor Rehette Stoltz thanked everyone who applied for financial help and managed to get the quotes they needed...

Funnel cloud forms over hills northwest of Gisborne

This funnel cloud was seen over the hills to the northwest of Gisborne at the weekend, and lasted for several minutes. Funnel clouds are formed by rotating air movements, which pull down a moisture-laden column from the bottom of a cloud mass

Yende’s singing a jewel in the crown

Clive Bibby Nothing compares with music or a beautiful sound given life by a gifted singer in times when we seek inspiration from a world that appears to offer none. While many will have taken other special moments from King Charles’ coronation...

Rampant YMP put OBM to the sword in one-sided premier club game

YMP delivered their best performance of the season to blow away OBM 52-7 in a top-of-the-table premier club rugby clash on Saturday. Defending champions East Coast Farm Vets YMP made it five wins from five matches in this battle of unbeaten sides to...

Ngatapa go the distance against gritty High School Old Boys

Ngatapa were tested but eventually outlasted High School Old Boys in a premier club rugby game at the Oval on Saturday. Larsawn Ngatapa won 42-26 in a hotly contested match from which both teams were clearly hungry to gain maximum points . Ngatap...

Students deliver race unity speeches with ‘dynamic, ‘impassioned clarity’

Gisborne Girls’ High student Te Paea Maurirere took the top prize in this year’s regional heats of the Race Unity Speech Awards. Organised by the New Zealand Bahá’í Community, the speech awards have been running for 23 years, helping...

Accused Wairoa attacker pleads not guilty

A man suspected of attacking Wairoa veteran Denis Andrews with a wooden pole during an alleged early morning home invasion, can now be named. Iwitoa Gemmell, 28, was arrested last Monday and charged with aggravated burglary and wounding with intent...

Century of trading coming to an end for Gisborne’s Evans Bacon Company

It’s the end of an era, with Evans Bacon Company closing down after 102 years of trading. Owners Steve and Jacki Watson have been touched by the public reaction to news that the iconic Gisborne business will close on May 20. “All our customers...

Bottle thrown by woman during brawl hit police officer

A woman who threw a bottle at police during a large brawl outside a Gisborne bar was identified by officers doing routines checks of licensed premises a week later. Mother of three Ayla Loisandra Rawiri, 32, was one of about 50 people involved in...

Line dancers step out for flash mob

Shoppers at the Gisborne Farmers Market got a surprise on Saturday when a line dancing “flash mob” provided an impromptu display. The Gisborne community of line dancers came together to perform for the International Line Dance Flashmob event...

Patient 'disgusted' by last-minute change to scheduled surgery

A patient has labelled health care in Gisborne as “disgusting” after going to Gisborne Hospital for surgery, only to be told it had been cancelled. Te Whatu Ora Tairāwhiti says staff shortages are the reason why many Gisborne patients are...

Makarika bridge another casualty after Cyclone Gabrielle

The Makarika bridge near Ruatorea has been added to the list of bridges severely damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle. It was permanently closed on Saturday and is the ninth bridge in the region that needs rebuilding. Gisborne District Council said although...

Weekend scoreboard

Gisborne senior netball — Premier Reserve: OG Whangara 26 YMP Masters 20, YMP (2) 35 HSOG 21, Farmlands Ngatapa 28 Horouta Taimana 20. YMP (2), Farmlands Ngatapa into Challenge round as top two. Face Premier Grade teams Gisborne Girls’ High Sr...

Wi Pere to showcase horticultural success

The Wi Pere Trust Horticulture team were named as one of three finalists in this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. On Thursday they will host a field day as part of the final judging. The Ahuwhenua Trophy was inaugurated by visionary Māori...