The stretch of road around the Waikura slip site will remain single-lane and under stop/go traffic management.
Over the coming months, local contractors will be working on benching the roadside and constructing the “hex-loc” wall, a modular retaining wall.
This involves laying interlocking modular hexagonal blocks that will form a strong retaining structure.
“This staged approach ensures the long‑term repair is built on a stable foundation and provides a durable, permanent solution for the Waikura underslip," NZTA said in a statement.
“It’s been a disruptive time with the overnight closures and the ongoing work.
“We appreciate the support we’ve had from communities and other people using the road over time and we’re looking forward to the next phase of the work, including the construction of the wall.”
Gisborne Lotto win
A Lotto Second Division winning ticket sold in Gisborne has netted one player $23,573.
The winning ticket from last Saturday’s draw was sold at Pak’nSave Gisborne.
It was one of 14 winning Second Division tickets sold across the country, with others sold at Wellsford, Auckland, Napier, Manawatū, Palmerston North, Masterton, Lower Hutt, Havelock and Christchurch.
Changes to plant variety rights
Changes to the Plant Variety Rights Act aim to provide confidence and certainty for plant breeders and importers, according to the Government.
Plant variety rights (PVR) are intellectual property rights, like a patent, which grant plant breeders and developers the exclusive right to commercialise the spores, seeds or cuttings of new varieties they develop for a certain amount of time.
The changes, announced by Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay last Friday, include increasing the maximum term by five years for existing and new rights and making enforcement available during provisional protection.
“Strengthening the Plant Variety Rights Act 2022 gives New Zealand the intellectual property settings it needs to compete internationally, protect our investment and grow export returns,” Brewer said in a statement.
“Breeding and importing new varieties can be a long, expensive and uncertain process. Breeders and importers take a significant risk, and we need to ensure they are supported in this process.”
Dana Kirkpatrick said changes to the rights will make a difference on the East Coast.
“In our region, where farming and horticulture are such a big part of the economy, access to stronger, more resilient and higher-yielding plant varieties directly benefit productivity and income.”
She said updated rules would better protect the time and investment that went into developing new plant varieties.
“That matters here because the East Coast is so often having to battle against severe weather conditions like drought, high winds and rain, and land constraints. Having access to improved grass species or new fruit varieties that can handle those conditions is critical.”
