Eastland Port has announced the line-up of talented athletes who will receive a $1000 water sports sponsorship.
The sponsorship was put in place to support high-performance athletes with travel expenses, training or equipment in the pursuit of their aspirations.
Eastland Port chief executive Andrew Gaddum said they were impressed by the number of applications they received this year.
“These five individuals stood out as exceptional athletes who are not only excelling in their sports but also serve as positive role models on and off the water.”
The recipients are:
Sophie Petro (surf lifesaving) – Sophie was selected for the Junior Black Fins team to represent New Zealand at the Lifesaving World Championships in 2024.
“The funds will assist me in swim training and buying a new ski paddle to ensure I’m training with the correct equipment to improve my level of fitness,” she said.
Jaxon Pardoe (surfing) – Jaxon has been surfing at a competitive level locally for the past three years and nationally for the past two. He has received outstanding results at both levels.
His funding will be used to help contribute to a new high-performance board in the season to come.
Keri Mankelow-Ngatoro (waka ama) – Mankelow-Ngatoro is ranked No 2 in the waka ama national Under-23 women’s division.
She has competed in the sport at a high level, with outstanding results including two gold medals for her age group.
Funding will aid her goal of travelling to Tahiti to compete.
Seven Mapu (surf lifesaving) – Mapu made the Junior Black Fins team in his first year competing in surf lifesaving, winning both of his beach sprints at the nationals and placing second in both events when he represented New Zealand in South Africa.
His sponsorship will help with travel costs to the Gold Coast for the Australian Surf Life Saving Nationals at the start of 2025.
Jacqueline Kennedy (kayaking/surf lifesaving) – Kennedy has been doing surf lifesaving since she was a nipper, which has led her to be picked for the Surf Life Saving New Zealand Junior High Performance squad.
Her love for the sport introduced her to kayaking in which she quickly excelled, She was selected twice for the Asia Pacific Cup and the International Canoe Federation junior world champs.
She will use the funding to help get her to the Asia Pacific Cup in Japan.
“We are super proud to back these athletes who are not only representing Tairāwhiti but also our country,” Gaddum said.
“We are looking forward to seeing them excel in their sport and achieve their goals whether it’s at a national or international level.”
Rain watch for Gisborne could upgrade to warning
The abrupt break in Gisborne’s relatively dry spell is not set to go away quickly with a 33-hour rain watch in place.
MetService issued the yellow rain watch over the Wairoa District and Tairāwhiti on Tuesday morning, putting it in place from 9am Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday.
A statement said people should expect periods of heavy rain in amounts that may approach warning criteria.
There was a moderate chance of the watch being upgraded to a warning.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said there was still some wet weather expected on Thursday as well, beyond what the watch covered.
“Maybe not quite as much rain as [Tuesday and Wednesday], but still a wet day, still cloudy with showers.
“On Friday we may still see some showers drifting in but it is less likely.”
Makgabutlane said the cloud was not likely to let up even as the rain gradually diminished.
Brisk southerly and southwesterly winds on Tuesday would continue into Wednesday for Tairāwhiti.
“Into Thursday, there will still be a southerly but less strong,” Makgabutlane said.
“By Friday, we see those winds turning more northerly and northwesterly, hence the rain easing up quite a bit on Friday.”
A maximum temperature of 18C was expected in Gisborne’s city centre for Wednesday, followed by 21C for Thursday the back to a near-average December temperature on Friday with about 25C forecast.
MPI gives shellfish rules reminder for Gisborne recreational fishers
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has reminded Gisborne’s recreational fishers to school up on all fishing rules, particularly for gathering shellfish.
A statement from MPI said the East Coast was one of the country’s summer hot spots, attracting plenty of holidaying fishers.
According to Gisborne and Whakatāne district manager Jordan Cooper, some popular shellfish have had catch limit changes over the past year and differ from other regions.
“For example, if gathering kina – the daily limit per person is 50 up until the Cape Runaway boundary," Cooper said.
“The daily limit for pāua is five, with a minimum size of 125mm, and you can take three spiny red crayfish per person on the East Coast, or a maximum of six crayfish if gathering a combination of spiny red and packhorse crayfish.”
The rules for measuring crayfish also changed earlier this year.
“Fishers must measure the width of the tail for a packhorse crayfish - the same as you do with spiny red crayfish.”
The minimum legal size of the tail width is 84mm for male and 90mm for female packhorse rock lobster.
For spiny red, the tail width is 54mm for males and 60mm for females.
Cooper advised anyone unaware of the fishing rules for this area or any other area to download the free New Zealand Fishing Rules mobile app.
“If you’re unsure, drop into one of our offices or ask a fishery officer if you see one out and about. Our fishery officers will be along the coasts inspecting people’s catch throughout summer.”