Hawke’s Bay Trails has asked the public to keep away as work commences this week on the cycle trail from Brookfields to Awatoto.
“Our contractors and heavy machinery are onsite busy working towards a reopening in April,” Hawke’s Bay Trails said in a post on social media.
The trail has been officially closed since Cyclone Gabrielle due to damage.
Unison celebrates 100 years
Unison will celebrate 100 years of powering Hawke’s Bay on June 19, and is inviting contributions from the community to collectively tell the story of its journey in the region.
It was established as the Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board in 1924.
Unison is inviting current and former staff, and all those who have been a part of its journey to share stories, photos and items that can be showcased as part of an interactive exhibition at the Faraday Museum in Napier from June through August.
Evolving from a small local lines company to a group of specialist electricity companies located all over the world, Unison continues to innovate and grow all whilst powering its regions of Hawke’s Bay, Taupō and Rotorua.
Unison Group Chief Executive Jaun Park said it was essential to honour and acknowledge the people who have been a part of the journey.
“This is not just Unison’s history, this is the shared history of our region.”
Unison has set up a special Facebook group named “Celebrating 100 Years of Unison (Hawke’s Bay Electric Power Board)” where everyone can share their memories, or you can make contact via email or post. For more details visit www.unison.co.nz/100-years.
Help for cyclone-impacted homeowners
A weekly payment for homeowners displaced by Cyclone Gabrielle last February is being expanded to cover more people.
The Government announced on Thursday that a weekly payment, called Temporary Accommodation Assistance, would be made available to more people.
The updated criteria means the following people now qualify for the payment: People whose homes are uninhabitable but did not receive a red or yellow placard from their council; People whose lack of insurance cover was for reasons outside of their control; People whose choice of temporary accommodation was not previously eligible under the criteria.
People can apply or re-apply from April 1 by contacting MSD on 0800 559 009, although there is no hotline for the service.
Kaweka Hospital’s huge expansion to open mid-2025
The major expansion of Kaweka Hospital in Hastings is on track to be completed and opened by mid-2025.
The first stage of the private hospital, known as the surgical facility, was opened in mid-2022 on Canning Rd across the road from Hawke’s Bay Hospital.
The private hospital’s second stage - a three-storey building which is under construction - is more than three times larger than the first stage.
When completed, the new building will feature 31 patient rooms, a cardiac catheterisation lab and full-service imaging, and a consultation and oncology treatment centre with state-of-the-art MRI and CT scanning technology and specialist oncology treatment.
Other facilities include a pharmacy, café, a procedure suite, a training and administration suite, and specialist clinician consult spaces.
The private hospital will be serviced by over 200 surgical and non-surgical specialists, technicians, nurses, support and administration staff.
The hospital’s surgical facility has now cared for over 4000 patients. The entire hospital project will cost over $150 million when finished.
The number of fire callouts to the beachfront in Awatoto, Napier, has sharply reduced after crews cleared debris.
A post by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council on social media said about 3000 tonnes or 100 truckloads of wood was cleared over four weeks from the southern part of Marine Parade from Awatoto to Te Awa.
The effort was a collaboration between the Silt Recovery Taskforce, Napier City Council, the Department of Conservation and Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz).
“The wood was stacked and then controlled fires were lit with crews working some 24-hour shifts to manage the burning,” the post said.
The post said Fenz had already seen a big difference in callouts along the beach with only two call outs so far this year after a spate of risky beach fires in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle last year.
Art Deco Trust seeking volunteers
The Art Deco Trust is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to become guides, greeters, and ambassadors for Art Deco-related events and services in Napier.
No prior qualifications are necessary, and the Art Deco Trust will provide all training.
Those who are interested can also attend one of the upcoming volunteer open days at 7 Tennyson Street in Napier.
These events will be held on Saturday, March 23, from 9-12pm and on Monday, March 25, at the same time.
The Art Deco Trust is calling out for volunteers. Photo / Paul Taylor
Youth Council selected
Seventeen young people have been selected to represent Hastings’ younger generation on this year’s Hastings Youth Council, with six of them returning from last year.
Lindisfarne College student Chris Proctor, now in his second year on the council, was elected chair at a meeting last week.
“I joined Youth Council to give rangatahi a voice at the table, so it’s a tremendous honour to now have the opportunity to give back to my community in this way,” he said.
Hastings councillor and youth advisor Wendy Schollum said this year was pivotal for the youth council.
“With a tailored focus on political education, our young leaders will gain deep insights into the mechanics of local government, enhancing their capacity to contribute meaningfully to our community’s future.”
Hastings district councillor and youth advisor Wendy Schollum (front left) with this year’s Hastings Youth Council. Photo / Hastings District Council
