‘Hell yeah’ response to investing more in Tairawhiti’s state highways

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Most voters in this week's Gisborne Herald webpoll think the Government needs to do more to future-proof Tairāwhiti's state highways.

The web poll question came about after torrential rain inflicted serious damage on the East Coast's infrastructure in the past month.

The question was, “Do you think central government needs to step up investment to help make state highways in the Tairāwhiti region more secure in heavy rain events?” to which 85 percent (314 votes) answered ‘yes', 13n percent (46 votes) “no”, and 2 percent (eight votes) “don't know”.

A total of 368 people voted.

“Hell yeah,” said one voter, reflecting the overall energy of the “yes” voters.

“Of course it's a no-brainer,” said a “yes” voter.

“Imagine voting ‘no' on this,” said another.

One voter thought it was ridiculous to even ask the question: “Do you think there is one sane person who lives in Tairāwhiti who would say ‘no' to this question?”

One voter was blunt in their assessment of the quality of highways in the region.

“As a frequent traveller around New Zealand I can vouch that the state highways all around the Gisborne district are the worst in the country. Even the Far North where locals think they're bad are not when compared to Gisborne. You always know you are getting closer to home as you get bounced and bumped around on our roads. They are truly a disgrace.”

The “no” voters featured a fair few true believers in rail.

“They need to reinstate the railway line,” said one.

“Need the Railway back!!!” said another.

They will have welcomed Gisborne District Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council putting up $30,000 each for a new business case for rail, even though a BERL feasibility report in 2019 had already shown the line was viable.