Hawke’s Bay news in brief: Boat recovered, EIT CEO, water news

Hawke's Bay Regional Council and Works Group recovered the boat. Photo / HBRC

Boat recovered

A boat that ended up on the beach near Bayview was recovered by the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and a Works Group crew early on Wednesday morning. The boat, secured to the beach by its owners, was recovered by a digger. The boat had ended up on shore on Sunday after onlookers said it appeared to have run out of fuel, and although the anchor was deployed, it dragged, and with the onshore wind, ended up on the beach. Four people managed to escape and swim to shore. The recovery of the boat, including the digger, was paid for by the owner.

EIT’s new CEO

A pōwhiri on EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale marked the start of new chief executive Lucy Laitinen’s leadership as the institute begins a new era as an independent polytechnic. Laitinen grew up in Kererū before her family moved to Ruatoria and then Tokomaru Bay. She says those places and the people had shaped who she is and her world view. Laitinen has leadership experience across international development, social services, local government and regional economic development.

Crash hospitalises one

A driver was taken to hospital after a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday that closed a Hastings road. Police were called to the crash at the intersection of York Rd and Maraekakaho Rd around 1.05pm. A person in a serious condition was transported to Hawke’s Bay Hospital.

Water head appointed

Chris O’Reilly has been appointed to lead the establishment of Hawke’s Bay’s new jointly owned water services organisation, marking another major milestone in the region’s water reform journey. O’Reilly is considered a seasoned chief executive and company director, with more than 25 years of senior leadership experience across complex, regulated and asset-intensive environments. Central Hawke’s Bay District Council said he had led major organisational setups, transformations and turnarounds, including founding and scaling a nationally recognised software as a service company.

Water restrictions

Hastings District Council current water restrictions are at Level 3. This means there is a sprinkler ban. Hand-held hoses can be used on alternate days between 6am and 8am, and 7pm and 9pm only.