Rocket Lab’s 50th rocket launch from the Mahia Peninsula was a booming success.
Scheduled for late Tuesday and launched early Wednesday, the mission entitled Changes In Latitudes, Changes In Attitudes saw one satellite launched into orbit for a confidential commercial customer.
The overnight mission was launched less than ten 10 weeks after the mission’s launch contract signing, making it one of Rocket Lab’s fastest turnarounds yet from contract to launch.
The mission was Rocket Lab’s 12th Electron launch this year, continuing to beat the company’s previous record of 10 annual launches achieved in 2023.
Overall, this was the company’s 54th mission – as four launches have been completed in the United States at Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2.
Electron remains the world’s third most frequently launched rocket annually by vehicle type, and the US’ second most frequently launched rocket annually.
Rocket Lab, which has its headquarters in the US and boasts a large base in Auckland, is currently developing an even bigger rocket, the 43m-tall Neutron rocket.
That rocket won’t be used in New Zealand and a brand new launch pad is being built for it in the US (Launch Complex 3).
House badly smoke damaged after bedroom fire
All people inside a Gisborne home during a bedroom fire got out safely with the help of a smoke alarm early Tuesday.
Firefighters attended a house fire in Townley St, Te Hapara, about 5am.
Gisborne senior station officer Peter Carroll said the occupants at the property had heard a smoke alarm sounding and found a fire in one of the bedrooms.
All people got out of the house and called 111. The fire crew used two hoses to control and extinguish the fire.
The house was not structurally damaged but had extensive smoke damage throughout. The cause was unknown as of Tuesday.
No arrest yet in Gisborne homicide investigation
There have been no arrests yet in the homicide investigation into the death of Wayne Tamahori Dewes in Gisborne.
The 67-year-old was taken to Gisborne Hospital with severe injuries about 4.20am on October 28.
Initial police inquiries indicated his injuries were sustained at a residential address on Tolerton Ave.
A police spokesman confirmed investigations were ongoing as of Wednesday and there had been no arrests at this time.
Man faces weapon and robbery charges after police chase
A man was arrested and faced several charges after a police pursuit of a stolen car in Gisborne during which a police vehicle was allegedly rammed.
Danny Kirk, Tairāwhiti area commander, said police spotted a vehicle driving erratically and through a red light at the intersection of Childers Rd and Peel St about 3.45am on Monday.
Police turned on their lights and sirens to signal the driver to stop, but they continued and police initiated a pursuit.
Spikes were successfully deployed at the intersection of Pacific St and Awapuni Rd and a low-speed pursuit continued around Gisborne before the vehicle eventually came to a stop outside Gisborne Hospital about 4am.
The man was taken into custody with the assistance of a police dog unit, and weapons including a hammer, and screwdriver were seized from the vehicle.
The offender allegedly rammed a police vehicle during the pursuit, causing moderate damage to the vehicle. There were no injuries.
Before the incident, the vehicle was stolen from a member of the public after the offender allegedly presented a hammer and threatened the victim.
“This was a rapidly evolving event which was well managed by responding staff,” Kirk said in a police statement.
“Thanks to the effective plan put into place the offender was swiftly arrested before potential further damage or harm could be caused.”
A 25-year-old man was due to appear before the Gisborne District Court on Monday on charges of failing to stop, reckless driving, intentional damage, possessing an offensive weapon, and aggravated robbery.