Tairāwhiti news in brief: First log ship of the year, beach warnings lift, debris back

The Alaska will load around 30,000 tonnes of timber in Gisborne before leaving to load further cargo in Napier on Sunday. Photo / Murray Robertson

The first of many log ships to call into Eastland Port to load cargo for 2025 will be tied up alongside the wharf until Sunday.

The Alaska arrived and docked on New Year’s Day.

“She will take about the 30,000-tonne mark from here and then sail on down to Napier to load further cargo on Sunday,” a shipping agent said.

The cruise ship Silver Muse arrives in Tūranganui–a-Kiwa/Poverty Bay on Friday morning.

“She is bringing 521 passengers, and carries 407 crew and will go to anchor in the Bay.”

The usual array of on-shore excursions have been organised for the passengers coming ashore.

“Tendering conditions for them look good at this stage,” the agent said.

The last cruise ship visit of 2024 was thwarted when the Westerdam had to pass Gisborne on December 30 because of sea conditions.

The Norwegian Sun makes her maiden cruise visit to Gisborne on Monday.

The further build-up of driftwood debris on Gisborne's city beaches that will require yet another cleanup operation by contractors. Photo / Murray Robertson

Beach health warning ends in Gisborne

Health warning signs at Gisborne’s city beaches are scheduled to be taken down, paving the way for the resumption of water activities.

The signs have been up for the customary five days after the emergency raw sewage discharge valves were shut after heavy rain on Boxing Day.

The council did not have to reopen the valves as a result of the rain on New Year’s Eve.

According to Land Air Water Aotearoa, six swim sites of those monitored in Tairāwhiti are unsuitable for swimming.

These are Anaura Bay North Lagoon, Turanganui River at Gladstone Rd Bridge, Waimata River Anzac Park and Waiotu Stream at Waiotu Rd Bridge due to E. coli levels not meeting national guidelines, and Hamanatua Stream at Okitu Bridge and Uawa River at SH35 Bridge due to enterococci levels not meeting the national guidelines.

Eight swim sites of those monitored in Tairāwhiti have cautions in place.

These include Hangaroa River at Doneraille Park, Mangahauini River at Tokomaru Bay, Urukokamuka Stream, Waipaoa River at Kanakanaia and Wharekahika River upstream of Wharf Bridge due to slightly elevated E. coli levels, Rere Falls and the Rere rockslide top due to physical safety risks and poor water quality, and Turihaua Bridge at D/S SH35 Bridge due to slightly elevated enterococci bacteria levels.

Gisborne District Council contractors have indicated they would return after the festive season to finish off the cleanup of beach debris started before Christmas. Photo / Murray Robertson

Driftwood piles up on Gisborne beaches again

A lot more driftwood debris has come ashore on the city beaches as a result of the rain the district has had in the past 10 days.

Council contractors have indicated they would return after the festive season to finish off the cleanup that was all but completed before Christmas at beaches.

The work before Christmas included clearing large woody debris at Makorori Beach and the Waipaoa River mouth, plus cleaning at Wainui Hamanatua Stream and Waipiro Bay.

Since then, a lot more new debris has appeared during heavy rain and thunderstorms in the region under a MetService Heavy Rain Warning in the two days following Christmas, plus yellow rain and thunderstorm watches over the New Year period.

A MetService post on social media predicted that Tolaga Bay would be “the pick for holiday weather” this Friday, with sunshine, northwest breezes and a high of 26C.

MetService added that there was a chance of an afternoon shower in the area.