Latest from Gisborne

Power cuts to just over 400 customers due to fire

A fire outside a scrapyard in Stanley Road caused multiple short circuits on an underground cable resulting in just over 400 customers losing power, at around 9.15pm. “Most had power restored within 50 minutes,” said a Firstlight Network...

Indecent assault trial: jury considers verdict

A woman’s claims to a jury this week that she was indecently assaulted as a child by her uncle were honest and believable, a prosecutor says. The woman didn’t try to “put the boot in, embellish her evidence, or fill in gaps in her memory”...

Wairoa to Napier highway to reopen May 14

Three months on from the devastation caused by Cyclone Gabrielle, State Highway 2 will reopen between Wairoa and Napier on Sunday, May 14. Work to restore access along the cyclone-damaged stretch of highway has progressed faster than anticipated...

Freshwater frustration: district council’s commitment to tangata whenua questioned

Gisborne District Council’s ability to work in partnership under Te Tiriti o Waitangi has been questioned at a spirited closed-doors meeting this week. The council is racing against the clock to develop a regional freshwater plan by the end of...

Piles go down for Bailey bridge replacing cyclone-damaged Hikuwai No.1

The first physical signs of the Bailey bridge to replace the cyclone-damaged Hikuwai No. 1 Bridge on State Highway 35 north of Gisborne are springing up, with piling work beginning this week. A 300-tonne bright orange crane is not a common sight on...

An evening with mental health advocate Sir John Kirwan

Sir John Kirwan is winging his way back to Gisborne in his role as a mental health advocate. Just eight months ago the knight, known to many as JK, was in Gisborne as the Westpac ambassador to discuss mental wellbeing. Since then, the region has...

Wairoa winner at North Island dog trials

Wairoa’s David Scragg took out the zig zag hunt title yesterday at the North Island championships being staged on Lochinvar Station near Taupo. He and his dog Chook scored 96 points in their qualifying run, and 97.5 in the final runoff for event...

Sub-tropical forays keep winter at bay

April’s weather was a battle between north and south, but ended near enough to a draw with no outright winner. There were 13 days of wind from the northern sector, while the south launched a matching 13 days of weather. Four days of easterlies...

Snip and chip: call to desex, microchip and register cats

Animal advocacy groups are calling on Gisborne District Council to require mandatory microchipping and desexing of cats in the hope it will stop feline numbers from ballooning. Companion Animals NZ (CANZ) and Forest & Bird last week presented to...

RSA thanks Poppy Day supporters

Gisborne RSA members are feeling “very humble” after a successful Poppy Day collection. Executive manager David Sly said Poppy Day raised just over $21,000, which was slightly down on the previous year. “We are very grateful.” Mr Sly...

Trial for man facing historical indecency charges

A man accused of alleged indecencies against his niece when she was a girl in the 1980s, refused to enter pleas when the charges were put to him at the start of a jury trial yesterday. Instead, he answered, “I uphold my claim of right to the court...

Loos closed for quake strengthening

The Peel Street toilets are closed from today so the building can be earthquake strengthened. Gisborne District Council liveable communities director Michele Frey said some car parks outside China Palace would be unavailable tomorrow and Friday...

Trust Tairāwhiti likely to put some of sale money to cyclone recovery work

Money from the $260m sale of the region’s lines network could be used to aid the region’s cyclone recovery efforts, Trust Tairāwhiti says. The Overseas Investment Office (OIO) approved the sale of Eastland Network in March. Funds were split...

GDC cites benefits of LGNZ connection

Gisborne District Council is not following Auckland Council in withdrawing from Local Government NZ. Controversial Auckland mayor Wayne Brown has withdrawn Auckland from LGNZ, but no such concerns are held by Gisborne District Council. Gisborne’s...

GBHS working to align new NCEA curriculum with career pathways

Curriculum changes to NCEA were the driver behind an event at Gisborne Boys’ High School this week, to connect local employers and teachers. The korero was part of a strategic pou, or support, for engagement with community, whānau and iwi that...

Wairoa vet grateful for support after attack by ‘out and out ratbag’

Wairoa man Dennis Andrews, who was attacked by an intruder in his home last week, is thanking the public for their support and enjoying a new phone he’s been given to replace one that was stolen. A photo of his late wife Ann was salvaged from his...

Crews complete construction of Bailey bridge

A Downer crew of six men took 61 hours to complete the 49m Bailey bridge across the Waikare River. They started last Wednesday on the bridge proper, but work began early in April preparing the ground around the site. Two piers had to be constructed...

Major changes to Gisborne Herald to secure sustainable future

The Gisborne Herald will become a five-day-a-week publication from next week, with no Monday edition, and will no longer be printed locally. These and other changes are being made to reduce costs and secure a sustainable future for The Gisborne...