The latest Rocket Lab electron mission launch from Mahia has been set.

Named “Owl The Way Up”, the window to take off from Launch Complex 1 was set from 3am to 4.15am on Saturday.

The customer is Synspective, a Japanese Synthetic Aperture Radar constellation operator that produces satellites designed to deliver imagery able to detect millimetre-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space.

The launch is Rocket Lab’s 16th this year and 58th overall.

Rocket Lab said in a statement that back-up opportunities for another launch window were available throughout December and January if it needed to stand the mission down for any reason.

The company will not attempt to retrieve Electron’s first stage during the mission.

NZTA SH2 south closure changes, roads open to two lanes for holidays

New dates have now been confirmed for overnight maintenance on State Highway 2 between Ohinepaaka Stream and Waihua River Bridges.

The road will close for three nights – January 20, 21 and 22 - between 8pm and 5am.

An NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) spokesman said the work was due to take place this week but was postponed due to the forecast rain.

“During next month’s closure, crews will resurface the abutment [approach] connecting Ohinepaaka Stream Bridge and the road. This follows recent work to rebuild the road surface,” he said.

“At the same time, crews will be carrying out work to the deck of the Waihua River Bridge.”

The spokesman said the bridge was structurally sound and work next month would focus on making repairs to the deck of the bridge.

Once the bridge work was complete, the temporary speed limit of 30km/h would likely be lifted.

“The three-night closure is needed because the area is narrow and the asphalt machinery is too large to allow for a single lane of traffic.”

Otoko Hill on State Highway 2 north is now back to two lanes for the Christmas holiday period.

Work has been continuing at Otoko Hill since Cyclone Gabrielle on several sites, replacing culverts, repairing roads and improving drainage.

NZTA said while work will continue in the new year, the work sites will be back to two lanes over the holiday period.

A temporary lower speed limit will still in place.

“To minimise disruption for travellers over the holiday period, there will be no active work sites around the region from now until January 6,” an NZTA spokesman said.

“However there will be traffic management in place, including reduced speeds or one-lane sections with traffic lights at several sites around the region including Kopuaroa, Mangahauini Gabions, D9/Gudgeons, Kemps Hill and Makatote (Makarika) Valley.”

Prohibited fire season downgraded to restricted after rain

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has lifted a prohibited fire season off a significant part of Tairāwhiti after heavy rain this week.

The Kōpūtūtea area in Tairāwhiti was moved back to a restricted fire season as of 4pm Friday, until further notice.

The zone covers Gisborne city and the surrounding areas of Ormond, Pātūtahi, Ngātapa, Manutūkē, Muriwai and out to Makarori.

A restricted fire season means people lighting open-air fires must have a permit authorised by Fire and Emergency.

The area was first moved into a restricted fire season on November 13, before moving to a prohibited fire season on December 7.

Declaring the fire season change, district manager Peter Clark said the area has experienced a week of heavy rain.

“This has significantly reduced the fire danger in the area, and we are expecting more rain over the weekend,” he said.

“People considering burning open-air fires should go to www.checkitsalright.nz to check the conditions and find fire safety advice. They can also apply for a fire permit from there."

Clark said although recent rainfall has brought some relief, it was important to remember it was summer.

“Rain can give a false sense of security, but it doesn’t take long for grass and scrub to dry out under the summer sun,” he said.

“We’re urging everyone to remain vigilant and continue practising fire safety.”

Tairāwhiti schools and businesses get behind sustainable travel for Wednesday challenge

Gisborne schools and employees of local businesses have come away with thousands in cash and voucher prizes for their efforts to shift to sustainable modes of travel.

Te Wero Ia Wenerei, the Wednesday Challenge, is an initiative designed to reduce carbon emissions, protect the environment and improve the health and wellbeing of participants by encouraging a shift away from single-occupancy cars for transport to and from work or school.

The challenge is supported by the Tairāwhiti Environment Centre, Trust Tairāwhiti, Gisborne District Council, the Tairāwhiti Localities Plan and Maru Whakatipua.

Te Wharau School won $2500 from Mercury for taking first place in the Mode Shift category.

They started the school year with 44% of students travelling to kura using sustainable modes of travel and increased it to an average of 60% over the rest of the year.

Gisborne Central School was the Wednesday Challenge Spirit Award runner-up, winning a 55″ TV for its work setting up walking school buses and participation rate in a school gate “activation”.

Cobham School won $500 for the number of points it got on the school leaderboard, while Ilminster Intermediate School was awarded $500 for having one of the greatest mode shifts.

Several employees of participating local businesses were awarded vouchers in recognition of their consistent participation.