Latest from Gisborne

Exorcising the ghost of 1929 sharemarket crash — part one

INVESTMENT VIEWS Brent Sheather What’s the biggest worry when investing in shares? For many people it’s the fear of losing the lot in some huge crash, like what happened in the 1930s. That scenario is routinely dismissed by most experts as being...

The utility of neutrality

Gwynne Dyer Neutrality used to be a European thing, but it is now in steep decline. If it were an animal, we’d have to declare it an endangered species. For hundreds of years Europe was the “cockpit of war”, but if a country got sick of the...

Still a dry month despite wet end

Five days has made all the difference to what was shaping up to be a near-record dry month for Gisborne. Up to February 24, the Gisborne Airport gauge recorded just 0.6 millimitres but a wet end to the month pushed the total to 32.7mm. However, it...

Great response to Environment Awards

Around 150 people will gather next Wednesday night at the Vines Restaurant at Bushmere Estate for the East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Organisers are delighted with the response to ticket sales, which have closed. “It’s been a great...

What’s the rush? asks MP

Ikaroa-Rāwhiti MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel is yet to give her maiden speech in Parliament, but she spoke out this week against two high profile government policies. These are the disestablishment of the Māori Health Authority and the repeal of the...

Wairoa teen top novice at Masterton

by Doug Laing Wairoa College student Ashlin Swann claimed bragging rights for the growing number of female shearers competing at the Golden Shears by winning the novice final in Masterton on Thursday. It was a family affair for the 15-year-old, who...

Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti researchers uncover historical treasures in Wellington archives

Invaluable insights into the lives of their ancestors were revealed to a group of Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti researchers during a recent journey of exploration to Wellington. Led by Raewyn Nikora, the team of marae researchers “embarked on a significant...

Duck numbers ‘pretty healthy’ despite cyclone

Eastern Fish and Game dealt with up to 2000 mallard and grey ducks during their banding and population monitoring programme in Tairāwhiti over summer. The observations from that process were that waterfowl populations in this region were...

Let’s prepare for peace, not war

Bob Hughes Re: Have to pull our weight, on joining AUKUS. I challenge Dennis Pennefather’s quote from Roman times. While “If you want peace, prepare for war” had its place way back then, it is no longer relevant in the 21st century. Military...

Just keep swimming

Around 100 Year 4 to 6 students took part in the meet and the top performers will go on to represent the school at the primary inter-school champs on March 20 at the same venue. The overall Mangapapa champions were Elayna Ang (girls) and Nikau Leach...

Uncertainty remains over Wairoa rebuild

One year after Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Wairoa, questions remain over the full impact it has had on the township. A Wairoa District Council finance, assurance and risk committee meeting last week discussed an update on its recovery plan. “We...

‘Another tool to stop gangs’

Government legislation designed to crack down on gangs has been welcomed by Wairoa Mayor Craig Little. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has announced that as part of the National and Act coalition agreement the Government will “introduce...

Te Arai swing bridge repairs to start soon

For the past four months children at Manutūkē have had to walk along the state highway to get to school after a swing bridge was damaged in a storm. However, specialist repairs on the bridge are to be done soon. Gisborne District Council Journeys...

More to this Leap Year yarn than meets the eye

Following the story in The Gisborne Herald on Wednesday about a nonagenarian’s Leap Year marriage proposal, further digging hints at a wider story and, perhaps, the twinkle of an Irish eye. Isaiah McSaveney — a well-known sheep farmer of...

It’s all about the children on Sunday

A Children’s Day event is back after being cancelled last year because of Cyclone Gabrielle. Sunday is Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki Children’s Day — a chance for all tamariki/mokopuna to enjoy a day full of fun activities. “This kaupapa is about...

Leap Day brings self-service fuel issues

Self-service fuel stations across the country, including outlets in this district, yesterday reported outages at the petrol pumps due to the date — February 29. Allied Petroleum, Gull, Z, Waitomo and other fuel stops around New Zealand reported...