Latest from Gisborne

Councillor calls meeting frequency into question

Concerns have been raised by a Gisborne district councillor about a perceived lack of scheduled meetings for the year ahead. On Thursday, councillors adopted their schedule for 2024 which proposed a six-weekly meeting cycle. The report prepared for...

House building at a 10-year high but challenges could derail progress

The number of houses being built here is at a 10-year high but the region’s population is growing faster than government predictions, a new report shows. The region’s fourth housing stocktake report, compiled by Sense Partners for Manaaki...

Double dux delight at GGHS

Gisborne city high schools have named their top academic students. For Girls’ High the awarding of the dux honour came with a double difference, as twins Samara and Alani McLeod shared the title. Their results were so similar the school was unable...

Rates hike of 11.4 percent on cards for Gisborne residents

Ratepayers here are in the gun for a potential $350-a-year rates increase, as Gisborne District Council considers an 11.4 percent hike. The strategic framework for the 2024-2027 Three Year Plan, including council’s priorities, was adopted at last...

Another great night at the speedway

Superb racing in the saloons and incident-packed competition in the Youth Ministocks 100 were highlights of another excellent Gisborne Speedway Club show on Saturday night. The 60-plus drivers in the youth ministocks gave it everything, and raced...

Learn from past to lead future

Hamish McKay is probably best known as one of the nation’s top sports journalists but he’s a real country lad at heart. The award-winning journo is the keynote speaker at the East Coast Farming Expo Property Brokers Evening Muster and event...

Total clearance at last sale for 2023

The final sheep sale of the year at the Matawhero Saleyards yesterday saw a total clearance of the 1300 store lambs sent for sale. Prices remained steady for the larger lambs, but there were a lot of small lambs, and there was limited demand for...

The colourful life of Luke Marks

Luke Marks is a self-confessed entrepreneur and his colourful home reflects an equally colourful life. Loren Sirl talks to Luke, who has been a global surfer, actor, skateboard inventor, tomato grower and vegetarian chef. The friendly barista behind...

‘We’ve got polished umpires now’

What do cricket’s Luan Kloppers, Brett Sorrenson and Ryan Majstrovic have in common? The answer is that regional umpires coordinator Kloppers, Northern Districts pathway manager Sorrenson and Poverty Bay committee member Majstrovic could not be...

Paddlers make a splash

Poverty Bay Kayak Club paddlers made a big splash at their first regatta of the summer season, near Rotorua this month. Tikitapu 1 is an annual event that draws top New Zealand paddlers from a wide area. Tairāwhiti athletes won gold medals in...

Savea claims top prize at awards

A month after claiming World Rugby's biggest prize, All Black Ardie Savea has claimed the Player of the Year at Thursday's New Zealand Rugby Awards. It is the second time Savea has received the top honour, while he was also named the All Blacks...

December 30 cut-off to report land damaged by Gabrielle

The community has until December 30 to notify the district council of any residential land severely affected by Cyclone Gabrielle that is not already known to the council. Council sustainable futures director Joanna Noble said a cut-off date was...

Clearing ‘high risk’ debris from Hikuwai River

An estimated 5852m3 of wood debris near the cyclone-destroyed Pauariki Bridge on the Hikuwai River 20km south of Tokomaru Bay is classified as high risk, says the Gisborne District Council. “Local contractor Parata Ltd is extracting the wood using...

Celebrating sweet end to a ‘crappy year’

by Katherine Klouwens, LeaderBrand As the bad weather never seems to end, everyone is over the rain, and we are in major need of some sunshine, and good food that makes you happy and improves your long-term mental health. So, why not eat yourself...

Scholars paving the way at Rua Bioscience

In line with its commitment to development and educational empowerment in te Tairāwhiti, Rua Bioscience has announced the recipients of the 2023 He Ara Atawhai – He kakano Undergraduate Scholarships. The scholarships, integral to the Ru...

Wharf fundraising calendars on sale in time for Christmas

The Tokomaru Bay Heritage Trust is once again raising money for its long-term efforts to restore the historic wharf. For the ninth year in a row, volunteers are selling calendars as the trust endeavours to raise more than $5 million. Volunteer John...