Latest from Gisborne Herald

Chardonnay grapes first off the blocks

The annual grape harvest will be in full swing in the next few days and while the yields are said to be “very light”, the quality of the grapes being picked so far has been “generally excellent”, says Gisborne Winegrowers chairman and GisVin...

Summit ‘pivotal’ to future strategy

Tackling social and economic issues are top of the agenda today at New Zealand’s first regional political summit which is bringing together senior government ministers, iwi, business, the district council and community leaders. Just over a year...

Tairāwhiti man’s extradition case heading back to court

by Soumya Bhamidipati Australia is making another legal bid to get a Tairāwhiti man extradited for a decade-old crime he did not know he was suspected of. The Court of Appeal on Wednesday gave permission for the Crown, acting on behalf of The...

Man injured in crash on Tatapouri Hill

A man was taken to Gisborne Hospital on Wednesday night after the small SUV he was driving crashed into the roadside debris barrier on the blind corner at the top of Tatapouri Hill on State Highway 35. The crash happened at around 8pm. “He had...

Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel's maiden speech postponed

New Ikaroa-Rāwhiti Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel did not give her maiden speech in Parliament last night as originally scheduled. The House has adjourned in honour of Green Party MP Efeso Collins who died suddenly on Wednesday. Mr Collins gave...

Saving the whakapapa: stories shared of environmental work

by Zita Campbell Where to from here” was the sentiment at Te Poho o Rawiri Marae on Tuesday among presentations made as part of Tiēki Taiao, an environmental day, in Tairāwhiti. The gathering of iwi, hapū and community-led conservationists...

Communities reconnected by temporary bridge at Te Reinga

After nearly two years of disruption and isolation, the Ruakituri, Erepeti and Te Reinga communities were reconnected this week with the opening of the temporary bridge. The smiles were wide as local residents from either side of the bridge gathered...

Creative Communities funding round under way

Gisborne District Council’s Creative Communities scheme is looking for community events to get behind. Every year the council opens two rounds of funding for projects with arts-based outcomes — the first in February and again in August. The...

Chained up and forgotten: effort to change animal welfare laws

For years animal welfare groups across New Zealand have fought to change an ineffective law. If their efforts are successful, it will mean the end of life chaining of dogs. “We’re living in a first-world country, with fourth-world welfare when...

Faster, Higher, Stronger — Together

One thing you can be certain of at Gisborne Girls’ High School’s annual athletics sports — there is no shortage of colour. Every year the students wear their “house” colours with pride as they run, jump, throw . . . and pose for the...

Fears for their safety after motorbike theft

by Kate Green, RNZ A German traveller’s motorbike was stolen, stripped then blatantly ridden up and down a street in front of him and his son in the town of Nuhaka earlier this week. The bike was found at a nearby house — believed to be...

Suspicious car fire in Stout Street

Firefighters were called to a property at the western end of Stout Street in the early hours of yesterday after a car caught fire under suspicious circumstances. The call came in just after 4am. “The car was well alight when we arrived and was...

School pool heating initiative to add value, resilience

Trust Tairāwhiti has approved $3.5 million in funding for a significant project that combines pool heating and renewable solar energy generation alongside battery storage at four schools on the East Coast. The project covers Te Waha o Rerekohu Are...

Window for third launch in two weeks

Just days after launching its latest mission from Mahia, space company Rocket Lab says it will be back in action on March 10, as it aims to complete more than 20 launches this year. Its 45th Electron rocket launch will be a dedicated mission for...

‘Very blunt’ reality for transport committee

Recovery work on the cyclone ravaged State Highways 2 and 35 is “ongoing”, but long-term funding has not been secured. That was the self-described “very blunt” response of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi director of regional relations...

Drought possible as dry weather looks to continue

Current weather trends indicate an autumn drought is a real possibility for the Gisborne region. The latest satellite monitoring shows the current El Nino is starting to weaken. As it does so, the dry weather and winds delivering pain to the...

Good numbers at Farming Expo

The two-day East Coast Farming Expo at the Wairoa Racecourse got off to a great start yesterday with around 400 people through the Expo site during the day. Aimed at sheep and beef farmers it’s providing an opportunity for them to reconnect and...

East Cost Farm Enviro Awards

The 2024 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards finalists have been announced and three of the seven finalists are from Gisborne. A special awards presentation night will be held at The Vines at Bushmere Estate at Matawhero on March 6. The...