Wynsley Wrigley covers local and central government policy making, and specialises in health reporting
Wynsley Wrigley lives in Gisborne and has 26 years experience reporting for the Gisborne Herald
'Gisborne Hospital is no exception': How Health NZ prepared for flu season in Tairāwhiti
FluTracking is an opt-in online system to self-report respiratory illness.
'Public health issue': Gisborne nurses join strike next week over staffing and safety concerns
Nurses nationwide will strike from 9am on Wednesday over staffing levels and wages.
'Many sleepless nights': Chair reflects on Rugby Park redevelopment journey
Player numbers increased by 47% from 2262 to 3321 between 2018 and 2024.
'Vaccine hesitancy': What is being done to boost Tairāwhiti's ongoing low vaccination rate
Tairāwhiti’s immunisation rate was 68.1%, below the national average of 79.3%.
Kiwi couple hit centenarian milestone with royal greetings
Joan turns 100 on Monday; Jack turned 100 in April 2023.
Gisborne councillor Colin Alder considers another run for mayor
Nominations for the election close at noon on August 1.
'So many treasures': Retiring museum trust chair Michael Muir looks back on successes and challenges
Michael Muir has retired after 21 years on the museum board, 12 of those as chair.
'We'll keep discussions up': Gisborne's push for regional deal
First MOUs signed with Auckland, Otago Central Lakes and Western Bay of Plenty
'Privilege to be here': Rugby legends pay tribute to Ian Kirkpatrick
The All Blacks great was honoured at a fundraiser for the Papakura and Ngatapa clubs.
'Extremely grateful': 100-year-old wharf shed's rimu timber to be reused
A Gisborne building has been demolished after moving to multiple locations over the years.
Passion still burns for the game after 40-year rugby journey
Albie Gibson was a driving force behind the rise of the Māori All Blacks
Upston says MSD can help Tairāwhiti employers find staff
MSD offers wage subsidies and training to help businesses hire staff.
Court holds forestry directors accountable for environmental compliance
The 940-hectare forest poses environmental risks due to erosion-prone terrain.
On Trec: Overcoming 'real problems' at cyclone-hammered Otoko Hill
Recovery work on State Highways 2 and 35 is expected to be finished by mid-2026.
From Makauri to Scotland: Fergus Burke in Scotland squad for tour
Several Gisborne connections in Māori ABs and Scotland team
From Gisborne Boys' High to Māori All Blacks: Jared Proffit's journey
The prop joins fellow Gisborne Boys' High old boy Isaia Walker-Leawere in the Māori side.
500% rise in mobility parking violation fine not deterring Gisborne drivers so far
The increase to a $750 fine has been followed by more drivers being penalised in Gisborne.
Gisborne not heavily impacted by winter illness so far, health data shows
Only 1% of Gisborne participants reported fever or cough by June 8.
'More room to move': Health minister on Gisborne immunisation rates
Simeon Brown acknowledged the challenge of recruiting doctors to Gisborne.
Gisborne's Hawaiki Tūranga sculpture starts to stand after asbestos cleared from site
But the exact cost to ratepayers is unknown.
'Delicate issue': Gisborne bridge remains closed, awaiting cultural elements
"It is a rather delicate moment at this point, so we’re treading a little lightly."
Children's Commissioner calls for urgent action on poverty, mental health
Dr Claire Achmad is calling for bipartisan action to end child poverty in New Zealand.
The Spring of Water: Māori-owned birthing unit reopens on East Coast after cyclone closure
The new unit, Te Puna Wai, is the only Māori-owned birthing unit.
NZ Rugby board connects with Heartland unions over King's Birthday
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson and NZR execs joined the visit to Tairāwhiti.
King’s Birthday Honours 2025: Retirement not the end of work for honoured veterinary professor
Professor Joe Mayhew received the King’s Birthday honour for equine medicine.
Gisborne doctors on strike donate $2236 to local foodbank
Gisborne doctors donated $2360 to SuperGrans Tairāwhiti during their strike.
Labour voices opposition to East Coast election boundary proposal
Labour says moving Murupara to the Rotorua electorate risks cutting community ties.
Senior doctors say US doctors crucial to Gisborne Hospital operations
Hospital relying heavily on US doctors due to Trump-era impacts according to some doctors.
'Determination and hard work': New judge hailing from Gisborne sworn in
Sacha Nepe began her legal career in Rotorua and joined Preston Matenga in 1999.
‘Extremely concerning’: Health NZ critical of Gisborne doctors' second 24-hour strike
HNZ believes the Wednesday strike goes against expectations of good faith bargaining.
Gisborne business optimistic about Budget, council welcomes road funding
The Budget offers businesses a 20% tax incentive for new productive assets.
Why Rugby Park's upgrade could bring Super Rugby to Poverty Bay
Rugby Park's redevelopment, costing $12.5m, moves into its final stage on Monday.
National opposes Napier's boundary change in East Coast submission
Submissions suggest shifting East Coast boundary to align with Gisborne District Council.
'Set off alarm bells': Measles fears as immunisation rates drop
Tairāwhiti ranked 17th out of 20 health regions for immunisation rates.
Sports dynasty: Black Ferns 7s achieve world championship treble
Kelsey Teneti helped the Black Ferns 7s win the world title in Los Angeles.
Museum loss draws concern — but it’s still a “regional gem”
Tairāwhiti Museum attracted 47,480 visitors, surpassing its target of 45,000.
'Time to stop the cuts': Gisborne hīkoi calls for health funding surge
'We need more doctors; we need more nurses.'
'The Government's just not listening': Nurses protest over staffing woes
Health workers to march in Gisborne's CBD at 11.30am Thursday; public meeting to follow.
'I felt no fear at all': WWII veteran recalls thrilling naval battles
Ken Gordon was a 17-year-old Seaman Boy on HMNZS Gambia during WWII.
Scottish village honours NZ pilot hero who saved homes in WWII
Carlyle Everiss scholars visit his grave and attend ceremonies in Scotland annually.
Honouring history: Tairāwhiti prepares for Anzac Day commemorations
Thousands expected at Anzac Day dawn service at Cenotaph on Friday.
'It's not as easy as it looks': 96-year-old's unexpected bowls journey
Stu Robb switched to bowls at 91 after stepping down from tennis.
Poverty Bay and East Coast players shining in Hawke’s Bay club rugby
'The culture is amazing': Poverty Bay and East Coast players thriving at new club.
'Severe disadvantage': Concerns over Māori ward referendum voting process
Postal ballot 'old-fashioned and not fit for purpose': Gisborne mayor.
'Loosey goosey': Mayor criticises bill on parliamentary term
'Council considers a longer term would promote longer-term thinking and decision-making.'
Anzac milestone: Tolaga Bay to 'retire' historic RSA flag
Original RSA flag, which went missing for decades, will be retired to Tolaga Bay school.
‘This destruction’: MP on forestry’s impact on flood risks
Wade-Brown supports lowering the voting age to 16
‘On the brink of collapse’: Doctors demand action on hospital vacancies
The vacancy rate for senior doctors at Gisborne Hospital is over 35%.
‘An absolute success’: Bigger and better Relay for Life raises $125k
Closing lap fills 'whole 400 metres' of track as fundraiser exceeds expectations
Dame and a game: HSOB centenary reunion a weekend to remember
All Black great Sean Fitzpatrick feels 'deep connection' to Gisborne and HSOB.
‘Disappointed’: Residents warn of representation impact in electorate proposal
About 1300 voters may move to the Napier electorate for the 2026 election vote.
Going it alone: Ultramarathon runner to do entire 24 hours of Relay For Life
The $120,000 Cancer Society target is in sight, with more than $75k raised by Thursday.
End in sight for waka bridge: Council working on final touches after ‘communication breakdown’
Three-and-a-half-month delay for 'additional touches' to be made.
Gisborne mayor supports four year terms, scrapping postal voting
Electoral reform group suggests moving back to booth voting to boost voter turnout.
‘So much generosity in Gisborne’: Two women moving to support Cancer Society
Jane Wilkie lost her 31-year-old son Matt to bowel cancer in 2022.
HSOB centenary fully booked, All Blacks triallist Peter Blair to attend
Club legend Blair is the oldest person registered for HSOB's 100th.
‘Improving but significant work ahead’: Tairawhiti’s immunisation push
Tairawhiti achieved the highest ED efficiency, with 92.2% treated in six hours.
Gisborne market leads with 32% cheaper produce than supermarkets
Gisborne's Farmers' Market celebrated its 19th birthday last weekend.
The good old days: Chance for HSOG netballers to reminisce
The call is going out for netballers to be part of the club's reunion.
Gisborne’s million-dollar apartment remediation nears completion amid delays
Patrick Willock said compliance delays had been frustrating for contractors and owners.
Historic sitting: Poverty Bay to plead case for big match
Premier club competition down to six teams as Waikohu drops to Senior 1.
‘Sport in a Changing Climate’: Gisborne symposium will feature national research
Professor Holly Thorpe and her team looked at how recent flooding events impacted youth.
‘Awesome’: Tainui team’s triumph in Māori bowls
The tournament attracted 98 teams, up from 64 in 2015, across multiple regions.
Motorcyclists exploring ‘untouched landscapes of the mighty East Cape’
Participants ranged from Timaru to Auckland, with many residents involved.
Gang patch legislation means gang insignia headstone ban
Gang insignia on headstones established before the Gangs Act 2024 was passed can stay.
Gisborne plan changes propose ‘significant urban growth’
Public engagement on the Tairāwhiti Resource Management Plan review is now open.
‘Absolutely absurd’: Gisborne residents react to beach snub
Gisborne beaches received zero nominations in all categories this year.
Medical lab staff to strike for pay parity, impacting services nationwide
Medical lab staff to strike for 24 hjours on Wednesday and Friday
From First XV to centennial: HSOB's rich rugby history in Gisborne
HSOB celebrates its centennial with events at Anzac St clubrooms from March 28-30, 2025.
Call to address ‘aggressive branding’
Brightly coloured liquor stores are “over the top” and such advertising needs to be brought under control. That was one of the points made in a submission from Nathan Cowie of Communities Against Alcohol Harm (CAAH) to Gisborne District...
Integrity, loyalty and courage honoured
Mayor Rehette Stoltz, speaking at yesterday’s Anzac Day dawn and civic service, said the ceremony was an opportunity for a region which has “gone through so much” over the past 14 months to “stop, reflect and encourage each other”. It was...
The unknown battle: More than 1000 Kiwi soldiers killed at La Basse-Ville
More than a thousand Kiwi soldiers killed at La Basse-Ville.
Manawanui commander the guest speaker at the Cenotaph
How many Gallipolis do we need to suffer? That is the poignant remark from Gisborne RSA president Trevor Jukes as he looks towards Anzac Day. Mr Jukes invites the public to attend the Anzac Day combined dawn and civic Service at the Cenotaph...
No 8 Squadron on patrol
As Anzac Day nears, Wynsley Wrigley looks into the story of No 8 General Reconnaissance (GR) Squadron operating at Darton Field (now Gisborne Airport) during World War 2. He also recounts the sad tale of RAF armourer Cliff (Molly) Morgan who was...
Quake work extension ‘disappointing’: Council
The Government’s decision to extend the deadline for owners of earthquake-prone buildings to carry out strengthening work has surprised Gisborne District Council, which was “on track” for all such work to be completed by 2027. Building...
Footpaths a nightmare for disability scooter riders
The challenge has been issued. Long-serving disability advocate and former deputy mayor Nona Aston has challenged Gisborne district councillors to ride her disability scooter on a city footpath. She told councillors some carriageways and footpaths...
District council systems frustrate trust as Grey Street project drags on
The Tai Uehā Grey Street project is behind schedule and Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust blames Gisborne District Council. The trust’s Amy Spence, speaking to the Gisborne Regional Transport Committee hearing on the Regional Land Transport Plan...
GP funding crisis: Three Rivers underfunded by more than 200 percent
The GP sector is in a crisis with practices such as Three Rivers, which serves a high-needs population, underfunded by more than 200 percent.
Making progress on freshwater management
Gisborne District Counci’s freshwater planning has been impacted by severe weather events and policy changes made by the new Government. A report to a full council meeting said staff working on the the Waiapu Catchment Plan were procuring...
Appreciation meal for ‘often unseen’ work of Gisborne Hospital staff
Hundreds of Gisborne Hospital staff were thanked for their care, skills and community devotion with an “appreciation meal” at lunchtime yesterday.