Tourism Eastland Society Incorporated has wound up and has left a lasting gift to the community by establishing a legacy fund with the Sunrise Foundation.
Former Tairāwhiti tourism operators president Chris Savage said this marked the end of an era and the beginning of new opportunities.
“A special legacy fund within the Sunrise Foundation provides greater advantages for tourism,” Savage said.
“The Foundation’s long-term investment strategy ensures that the tourism community can continue to benefit for years to come.”
The Society’s surplus funds have launched the tourism legacy fund.
“So that begins to generate interest, creating an ongoing resource for promoting tourism initiatives and supporting future industry leaders,” she said.
“The Society’s constitution was followed under legal advice with our decision to make the transfer of funds to Sunrise.”
The sum involved has not been disclosed.
Tourism Eastland also announced the winner of its 2024 tourism scholarship, Lytton High School student Rapiiata Paul.
“The scholarship will go towards Rapiiata’s future studies at the NZ School of Tourism in Hamilton. Funding has also been set aside for the scholarship in November 2025,” Savage said.
“The annual scholarship will continue through the Sunrise Foundation Board.
“We congratulate Rapiiata on the scholarship and wish her all the best with her studies in Hamilton.”
Paul starts her studies in Hamilton in early January.
“I was honestly so grateful to receive it,” the 17-year-old student said.
“I eventually hope to get a position in hotel management.”
Savage also thanked the current board for their time given throughout the winding up of Tourism Eastland.
“Especially Penny Shaw, a life member, who has been involved since the inception of the society and all the tourism operators for their support over the years,” Savage said.
“It’s been a challenging time for everyone, especially with Covid-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle, but we’re proud to leave a lasting legacy for regional tourism through the Sunrise Foundation.”
Savage said as Tourism Eastland Society winds down, its transition to the Sunrise Foundation ensures support for tourism growth and development in the region for future generations.
New heat highs signal approaching summer
Gisborne looks set to be in for a warm one with the mercury tipped to reach 29C on Thursday.
That would make it the region’s warmest day since last summer.
MetService has forecast highs of 28C, 31C and 29C for Napier, Hastings and Gisborne respectively.
“That’s well above average for this time of year – but we’re of course knocking on the door of summer,” MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.
Makgabutlane told NZ Herald the heat was coming with a ridge of high pressure meeting a northwesterly air flow – drawing warm, moist air over New Zealand.
Marine heatwave conditions occurring in seas to the east of New Zealand have the potential to expand and cause further hot summery weather.
The temperature drops back to a forecast high of 22C on Friday.
SH2 south closures next month
A stretch of State Highway 2 south of Wairoa will be closed for three nights next month.
The road, between Ohinepaaka Stream and Waihua River Bridges, will close overnight on Monday, December 16, until Wednesday, December 18, from 8pm to 5am each night.
NZTA/Waka Kotahi said there is no viable detour. Emergency service vehicles will be assisted through the closure.
During the closure, crews will resurface the abutment (approach) connecting the Ohinepaaka Stream Bridge and the road. This follows recent work to rebuild the road surface.
At the same time, crews will be carrying out work to the deck of the Waihua River Bridge.
“We appreciate the closure will be frustrating, however, we wish to thank all road users for their support during this time,” an NZTA spokesman said.
“While we make the bridges, and the stretch of SH2 between them, more resilient, safer and ultimately more efficient for all road users.”
New Kiwis take citizenship oath in Tairāwhiti
The latest batch of new Kiwis took the Oath of Allegiance with Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz on Tuesday in a citizenship ceremony in the council chambers.
“Thanks for choosing Tairāwhiti as your home,” the mayor said.
In no particular order in the photograph, are:
- Luca Nicholas Alexander of Australia.
- Ana Graca Mendes Alexander of Portugal.
- Vicente Alejandro Araya Silva and Nicole Scarlet Silva Osses of Chile.
- Nikolay Belokolodov of Russia.
- Stephanie Helga Brew, Marcus Norman Brunner and Christine Brunner of Germany.
- Danna Leah Pinas Ching of Philippines.
- Maria Elisa Frozino Del Gaudio Geronazzo and Fabio Geronazzo of Brazil.
- Raphael Valderrama Heria of Philippines.
- Dominic Lee Jubb of the United Kingdom.
- Malia Pasileia He Vaha Mataele of Tonga.
- Uwe Mehnert and Nicole Zemitzsch of Germany.
- Thomas Mostes of Italy.
- Nikita of India.
- Melissa Sue Quimpo, Nathan Benedict Quimpo and Kayla Cleo Quimpo of South Africa.
- Nona Bora Shackleton of the United Kingdom.
- Nishant Mathew Surathu of India.
- Frank Tupouniua and Vakaola Tonga Tupouniua of Tonga.
- Lloyd van Zyl, Sindy van Zyl, Mitchell van Zyl and Matthew van Zyl of South Africa.
Luxury regular cruise visitor Le Soleal stops by Gisborne
Ultra-luxury cruise ship Le Soleal maintained the success rate of the cruise ship season in Gisborne on Tuesday.
Its arrival made for the sixth successful cruise visit this season so far.
The boutique ship, with 97 passengers on board, docked later in the morning after visiting White Island.
The ship sailed again for Napier at 9pm on Tuesday.
The passengers on board were engaged in a range of excursions ashore while she was here.
Le Soleal has been a regular visitor to Eastland Port in previous cruise ship seasons.
