Napier Port CEO Todd Dawson, KiwiRail CEO Peter Reidy, and Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) CEO Jerry Shearman at the launch on Thursday. Photo / John Cowpland
Napier Port launches new service
Napier Port has launched Viewpoint Supply Chain to help customers across the North Island “find a solution” for moving cargo between distribution centres and ports.
It is in response to supply chain disruptions in recent years and the port says the service will help importers, exporters and freight forwarders.
A launch event was held at the port on Thursday.
Hawke’s Bay East Coast Regional Excavator Operator Competition
The annual excavator competition returns to Napier’s Marine Parade from 8am on Saturday, October 7.
Watch 14 competitors and teams compete in challenges with the aim of crowning the best excavator operator in the East Coast region.
This year sees the return of the Barrel Shovelling Competition. Teams of three compete from 12.30pm, with the winner going on to the final at the end of the day competition.
The overall winner of the day’s competitions will represent the region at the national event at the 2024 Central District Field Days.
The completion will take place between the National Aquarium of NZ and the Spirit of Napier.
Minor crash and debris near train tracks
Two cars collided on Napier’s train tracks on Friday morning, prompting emergency services to issue a warning to train control.
Police were notified of the crash at the intersection on Jull St and Thackeray St about 11.20am on Friday.
Both vehicles were quickly taken off the tracks but there were reports that there is still some minor debris on the tracks.
Police confirmed the drivers of the vehicles may have had minor injuries and train control had been advised about the debris.
Hastings to Napier rail services resumed in September, with Kiwirail advising people to exercise caution and look both ways around train tracks.
Havelock North crash damages power pole
Power was briefly knocked out to surrounding homes after a crash on Napier Rd, Havelock North on Thursday night.
Emergency services were called to a crash involving a car which damaged a power pole on Napier Rd about 11.15pm on Thursday.
No-one was trapped or injured.
Power providers were required to fix the damage.
Inmate recovering in hospital
An inmate who was allegedly seriously assaulted by other prisoners in a high-security wing of Hawke’s Bay Prison on September 22 has improved in hospital, and is now in a stable condition.
The man, aged in his 40s, was rushed to hospital and was in Hawke’s Bay Hospital’s ICU for about a week after the alleged attack. As at Tuesday, he was in a stable condition in a ward.
Three men have been charged over the incident with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Beastly sounds from Bay Cities’ Symphonic
Bay Cities’ Symphonic Band together with the Hastings Music Society will showcase their newly purchased vibraphone for a special concert showcasing music about magical beasts this weekend.
With storytelling narrated by well-known local Ian Hunt, ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ will include dancing garden gnomes, marching trolls, mythical flying piasas, dragons, Bigfoot, the last of the unicorns and more.
It will also be the first performance with the band’s new Yamaha vibraphone - a purchase made possible through funding from the Firstlight Foundation and sponsorship from MusicWorks Hastings.
Dressing up for the concert is encouraged, with organisers saying it is the perfect activity for the last day of the school holidays.
There will also be prizes for the best outfits. The concert starts at 2pm on Sunday October 8 at St Matthews Church in Hastings. Tickets are $5 at the door and it’s free for children aged under 12.
Napier named age friendly by World Health Organisation
Napier is the sixth city in New Zealand to be named a member of the World Health Organisation’s Global Network for Age Friendly Cities and Communities.
It’s a growing movement to make sure cities are working to better meet the needs of older residents, and Napier has been included because of its Positive Ageing Strategy in 2020.
The strategy includes seven priority-based areas, which align with the WHO’s model, including, community spirit, being informed, and involved, being safe, getting around, health and well being, housing and things to do.
Napier Mayor Kirsten Wise said in just a few years Napier’s population of over-65-year old’s would outnumber children for the first time.
”Older people have so much wisdom and experience to offer our whānau and communities and we need to foster that,” Wise said.
Other New Zealand cities named are Hamilton, New Plymouth, Gore, Auckland and Nelson.
National Party claims candidates, volunteers abused by gang members on campaign
The National Party claims some of its candidates and volunteers have been abused by gang members on the campaign trail, including instances in Hawke’s Bay.
The party claims the anti-National rhetoric has been stirred up by former senior public servant and lifetime Mongrel Mob member Harry Tam, who has been holding voting education workshops across the country.
One incident allegedly involves Auckland Central candidate Mahesh Muralidhar who said a senior Head Hunters member filmed him and his wife in a restaurant and shared it with followers, with an “abusive and intimidating message”.
The most serious of the allegations is a National candidate who says they were forced to move house after a threat from a gang - National says it won’t release any further information to protect that person and their family.
The party also claims death threats were made to a volunteer in Auckland, another was attacked by a dog, and over the weekend several volunteers were abused and followed by gang members in Hawke’s Bay.
Fountain glows pink for Breast Cancer
Napier’s Tom Parker fountain will be glowing pink until October 9 in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The Marine Parade icon is part of a global illumination campaign to shine a spotlight on the importance of detecting breast cancer early.
Every year around 140 women are diagnosed with breast cancer across the Hawke’s Bay region.
The campaign runs throughout the whole month and ends with Breast Cancer Foundation NZ’s annual Pink Ribbon street appeal on October 27 and 28. Volunteers will be out in force throughout the country collecting donations for breast cancer research, education, and patient support.
The Foundation said it was still seeking local volunteers to collect for the Pink Ribbon street appeal. More information on this and other ways to get involved with Breast Cancer Awareness Month can be found at breastcancerfoundation.org.nz/bcam
New bronze sponsor for Health Research Foundation Hawke’s Bay
Health Research Foundation – Hawke’s Bay has a new sponsor in the form of wealth management firm Forsyth Barr.
Both parties said the sponsorship would significantly help provide better access to health services in the region.
“The Foundation has done wonderful work that has directly benefited the health of the Hawke’s Bay community. As such, we are proud to become a sponsor and help them further the great work they do,” Forsyth Barr Napier manager Craig Lane said.
The Foundation has recently revitalised its identity, resulting in a new name, logo, and website, with the purpose of better reflecting what it stands for.
“A holistic, pro-active view on health has become a far more normalised concept now, compared to 50 years ago,” said Laura Martin, chief marketing officer for the Foundation.
“Projects can span the physical, mental, or socio-economic dynamics; they truly look at what the biggest health challenges are in our community and fund those projects that combine a strong local relevance with the prospect of tangible results and a maximum impact for people in Hawke’s Bay.”
Sponsorship through ‘corporate partnerships’ is a new feature introduced by the Health Research Foundation – Hawke’s Bay. It offers businesses the opportunity to continuously support the Foundation.