Rocket launch, ShakeOut exercise, $500k Lotto win in Gisborne – news digest

Rocket Lab has been preparing its Māhia complex for the launch of another Electron rocket, scheduled to head into space at a yet-to-be-confirmed time on Saturday.

Rocket Lab’s 12th launch of 2024 looms

Rocket Lab will launch another of its Electron rockets from the launch site on Onenui Station at Māhia on Saturday.

Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes will launch from the site for what the company describes as “a confidential commercial customer”.

The mission will be Rocket Lab’s 12th launch this year.

It increases the company’s record annual number of Electron launches since orbital launch services began in 2018.

As of Friday, no time had been made available for the launch, which will be broadcast live at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream

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Tairāwhiti leads way for ShakeOut exercise

Tairāwhiti has extended its lead at the top of the regional leaderboard for participation in the ShakeOut tsunami and earthquake hīkoi on October 24.

As of Friday, 23% of the Tairāwhiti/Gisborne population had signed up to “drop, cover and hold” at 9.30am next Thursday.

The next best region is West Coast at 18%, followed by the Bay of Plenty on 12%.

In Tairāwhiti, more than 12,300 participants had signed up across 67 businesses, 57 schools and 294 households.

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Gisborne Lotto player hits $500k prize

A Gisborne Lotto player struck a big win in splitting Lotto’s First Division prize for $500,000 with a player from Auckland on Wednesday night.

The First Division winning Lotto tickets for the October 16 draw were sold at Lytton West Post & Lotto in Gisborne and on MyLotto to a player from Auckland.

Anyone who bought their ticket from either of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App.

Powerball was not struck and rolled over to Saturday night when the jackpot will be $26 million.

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Liquor ban for festival surrounds

Police have successfully applied for a liquor ban to be imposed during the Longline Classic Music Festival at Labour Weekend.

The police request was granted by Gisborne district councillors without debate.

The temporary alcohol ban is to protect the Midway Beach area and environs surrounding the Soundshell during the event on October 26 and 27.

The ban covers the area bounded by Awapuni Rd, Pacific St, Centennial Marine Drive, Beacon St, Salisbury Rd and Midway Beach.

It applies from 8am on Saturday, October 26, to 8am on Sunday, October 27.

Police made the request because liquor bans applied to previous events at the Soundshell reduced instances where members of the public were subjected to incidents involving threats and disorder from intoxicated people.

The maximum infringement fine for the breach of the alcohol ban is $250.

Council staff believe the ban will provide an additional tool to assist the police in dealing with alcohol-related disorder issues and minimising alcohol-related harm.