Gisborne news digest: Fire restrictions lift, Wearable Arts Awards, Waioweka spelling

Fire restrictions over Gisborne have been lifted after heavy rain. Photo / File

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has lifted a restricted fire season for Gisborne city and the Poverty Bay basin, returning to an open fire season in those areas.

Community Risk Manager Trudi Hicklin said the decision to withdraw from a restricted fire season followed recent weather.

“All the rain the district has had means we are comfortable to do so.”

The restriction put in place before Christmas only applied to the area in and around Gisborne city.

Hospice Tairāwhiti Wearable Arts Fashion Awards

Hospice Tairāwhiti has made a call for entries to its inaugural Wearable Arts Fashion Awards in March.

“Unleash your creativity over this summer and be part of something extraordinary in Gisborne,” Hospice Tairāwhiti said in a statement on its website.

“We’re calling on students, adults, creatives, makers, dreamers, and first-timers to enter the Wearable Arts Fashion Awards at the Hospice Tairāwhiti Long Lunch on 28th March 2026.”

The show will take place during the hospice long lunch fundraiser at The Vines.

The contest is open to all ages, and will feature three themed categories - “Festival World” for all ages, “Extravaganza” for 13 to 18 year olds and “Circus Circus” for 5 to 12 year olds.

Two tickets to WOW World of WearableArt in Wellington is the prize for the all ages category, while Bernina vouchers are the prizes for the other two.

There will also be a People’s Choice award with a hamper of goodies as the prize.

Every creation must incorporate recycled textiles and fittings as much as possible.

Entry forms are available on the Hospice Tairāwhiti website.

Tickets can be booked by emailing hospice@hospicetairawhiti.org.nz.

Waioweka spelling change

Gisborne Herald readers will have noticed that the spelling of Waioweka used in our stories has changed recently.

The paper previously used the Waioeka spelling to be consistent with signage and common local use.

The New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa is New Zealand’s place-naming authority and makes place names official.

As part of the Whakatōhea Claims Settlement Act 2024, the former geographic names for Waioeka and Waioeka Gorge were altered to Waioweka and Waioweka Gorge.

In recognition of the official name, the Gisborne Herald style guide has been updated and all stories will use the Waioweka spelling going forward.