Hundreds of Tairawhiti residents have signed up for the upcoming Citizens’ Assembly process focused on answering “What is a fair approach to managing land use transition in Tairawhiti?”
With 250-300 expressions of interest expected by the October 14 deadline, Te Weu Tairāwhiti project coordinator Harley Dibble says it shows the strong community interest in the challenges associated with land-use transition in the region.
“It’s great to see the uptake. With land-use transition such a critically important issue for the region the citizens' assembly process will provide a strong community voice to inform upcoming council decisions and to support regional advocacy,” Dibble said in a statement.
“The willingness of community leaders, stakeholders and agencies to offer their insights to the assembly has also been heartening.”
Te Weu Tairāwhiti wants to see more people sign up, specifically younger residents aged 16 to 24.
Anyone interested can find out more and sign up at teweu.nz
Representatives from the district council, Ministry for Primary Industries, Eastland Wood Council, Federated Farmers, Tairāwhiti Whenua Trust, Mana Taiao Tairāwhiti, community catchment and biodiversity groups are all signing up to present and take part in panel discussions.
Around 35 to 40 Tairāwhiti residents will be selected through a random lottery system to reflect the community’s diversity.
The assembly process will take place over three day-long sessions and two online sessions.
The group will also have access to a wide range of external experts.
“We have some excellent presenters already locked in, but there’s also flex in the programme to allow assembly members to request additional presentations to inform the process — with the assembly making its final recommendations at the end of November,” Dibble said.
Heartfelt blessing of Matawai’s new fire truck
Matawai residents have taken part in a heartfelt blessing of their new fire appliance.
Alongside the Matawai brigade’s 12 volunteers, community members were invited to place their hand upon their new truck and take a reflective walk around the vehicle.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) community readiness and recovery senior adviser Antony Ruru led the blessing.
He told the gathering: “Truck 847 starts its own story here and it’s important to get the thoughts and emotions of the community out beforehand.”
The 2005 pump rescue tender fire truck has replaced the community’s 36-year-old fire appliance.
Matawai chief fire officer Hamish Carmichael welcomed the power and comfort of the newer machine.
Volunteers attend up to 30 callouts a year and the crew travels long distances, including into the Waioeka Gorge.
“We need to have a reliable robust appliance,” Carmichael said. “While the number of fire-related incidents have lessened, we’re still attending medical incidents, motor vehicle accidents, severe weather events and other requests for help.”
Fenz Tairāwhiti group manager Rob Karaitiana, who attended the blessing, said truck 847 used to be at an Auckland fire station.
It was refitted with heavy-tread tyres appropriate to Matawai’s rural roads and is now one of four pump rescue tenders across Tairāwhiti’s 15 stations.
In addition to firefighting equipment, 847 carries specially formulated foam concentrate to make its onboard 1800 litres of water more effective, and extra equipment for motor vehicle accidents and vehicle extrication.
“When volunteers attend an incident out here, they can’t get away with one or two in a van. Out here they need the whole crew,” Karaitiana said.
“The machines are well used and so it’s important to get crews the best gear and best machine possible.”
Five of Matawai’s 12 volunteers can drive the new truck.
The volunteers have a diverse range of backgrounds. They include farmers, an electrician, dairy milker, postal worker and an upholsterer.
After the blessing, Carmichael opened the doors of the new truck so children could get inside and take a look. “It’s prepping for the next generation of volunteers.”
Camping permit reminder
Gisborne’s traditional summer camping starts at Labour Weekend and permits can be applied for at the district council.
Council liveable communities acting director Kerry Hudson, says after a couple of years of disrupted access to some camping sites, most sites are open once again for camping from Saturday, October 26.
“Unfortunately, Doneraille Park remains closed because of cyclone damage.
“Pouawa Beach (southern section only) and Turihaua Point are both closed until December 1.”
“This is because NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi is carrying out works in these areas, so sites won’t be available until December.”
Campers at Waihau Beach — Loisels are reminded to be aware of the road conditions on Waihau Beach Rd and all campers are encouraged to stay up to date with MetService weather warnings for the area.
Hudson says the most important thing to remember is to apply for a permit before you go camping.
“You can get your permit on council’s website. We do encourage campers to make a contribution to the costs of keeping these camping areas open and they can do this when applying for a permit.”
He reminds campers that they need to take all rubbish and recycling with them when they leave, as there is no rubbish collection from any of the seasonal camping areas.
“Remember open fires are also not allowed, gas is required for cooking.”
“People also need to remember they can’t mark out spaces with tarpaulins and any infringements will be issued for non-compliance. We recommend that people don’t leave their campsites or caravans unattended.”
Seasonal camping closes on April 30, 2025.
Gisborne Civic Brass produces ‘the package deal’
An 800-km round trip for the Gisborne Civic Brass Band was worth the effort as it returned home victorious from the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Band Association regional contest in Thames.
GCBB picked up a win, a second and two third-place prizes in the competition.
The band performed four pieces in the D Grade under musical director Chris Reynolds.
“Gisborne Civic Brass are proud to have been present and accounted for at this year’s contest,” Reynolds said.
“It was a well-deserved result all of Tairāwhiti can be pleased with.”
The band was first in the Band Solo event with a rendition of Clear Skies by Eric Ball. It was judged on its ability to accompany a solo player, in GCBB’s case guest soloist and cornet player Bryce Gordon. It won the Helen & Reg Frew Cup.
GCBB was second-equal in the Entertainment section with its performance of Road to Run by Paul Lovatt-Cooper.
The band’s adaptability and endurance were tested in the Major Work event where it played Hinemoa — Gareth Wood’s interpretation of the famous legend.
Lasting around 12 minutes, it gave a true sense of the dedication required to play at these events, Reynolds said.
GCBB picked up another third place in the Slow or Sacred event, playing Kenneth Downie’s In Perfect Peace.
A lot of work went into getting the band to the contest with 29 members travelling to attend.
“I’m pretty certain that this contest will be talked about for a while yet,” Reynolds said. “We asked for, and certainly got, the package deal.”
It was the culmination of months of preparation.
“We enjoyed the build-up, the dramas of last-minute contingencies, the hype of the day and the contentment of sharing in the silverware.”
The event was run by the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Brass Band Association and hosted by Kerepehi Brass Band. Eight bands competed in the D Grade and Open Grade.