The trial runs until February 7, the end of the school holidays. The public has been invited to comment on the trial in submissions to the Gisborne District Council. By yesterday, the council had received 12 emails that commented on the trial, and while most did not support it, several of those submissions were made before the trial started, said harbourmaster Salvatore “Sonny” Ali.
“Since the alternative jumping area opened, we have not received any complaints about kids swimming in the boat ramp area.
“It may be a difference of 20 metres but it’s an important 20 metres. Now the kids know they’re not getting kicked out they’ve taken ownership of the new site. You also see more parental supervision.”
Parents now often sit in their cars and watch from the parking area, he said.
“When I started this job I was told one of my biggest hurdles was kids jumping at the boat ramp,” said Mr Ali.
“These are local kids. On a hot day they come to the closest body of water. Telling them to go away doesn’t work. It’s important to recognise these are kids. When 10 to 14-year- olds misbehave it’s a different scale from adult misbehaviour.
“Let’s trial this through the holidays and see how it goes. If we give these kids a good location, will they stay away from the ramp? This is not our final idea but it shows if we try something suitable they’ll gravitate towards it. If we invest time into this we will find a solution.”
Many passing boaties now wave and call out to the kids to perform manus, bombs and hoiho bombs and photograph them in action, a group of young jumpers told The Gisborne Herald.
The new site feels better, young jumper Royce Kaa told The Herald.
“We’re not getting growlings or kicked out any more. We have the freedom in our new area. No more fines or getting kicked out when all the kids are trying to do is have fun. It’s cool jumping off this higher spot.
“Boaties are taking photos and videos of us jumping into the water in a good way. They’re smiling and say “do a manu or a bomb’.”
The new site is safer for kids, said Frances Waititi.
“When we jumped over there where the boats come in and out they got mad at us. It’s more exciting jumping off high stuff.”
Maori wardens who keep an eye on the kids from a discreet distance rotate through three hour shifts until 8pm each day.
They were there to observe and give feedback to the council and harbourmaster, said Maori warden Liz Cairns.
The kids love the new site, she said.
“There’s been no one jumping by the ramp.
“We’re hoping in all our partnerships we can work together for a positive outcome.”
The council, Ngati Oneone, the Port and Maori wardens were working together to find a solution, said Maori warden Bub Apelu.
“Our part is to look at strategies we can put in as solutions.”
Finding solutions is not for just one group, said Mrs Cairns.
“We have to take ownership as a community — that’s the Maori wardens’ perspective.
“The other thing is, it’s good having youth for guidance and leadership,” she said as two young wardens arrived for their three-hour shift.
This is part of the Maori wardens’ succession planning, said Mrs Apelu.
“They look for good, youthful solutions.
“It’s really cool — and they make us look good.”
