Widespread rainfall continues to fall with and is expected to be heaviest in northern Hawke’s Bay.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group met with Regional Council staff this morning to review overnight activity. While rain has been more consistent in northern areas of Hawke’s Bay, it is currently falling at a level which does not alarm authorities.

The message from HBCDEM Group’s Controller Ian Macdonald is for Hawke’s Bay people to consider what they plan to do over the coming Easter weekend.

“We don’t recommend camping or caravan-ing this weekend particularly around waterways and only the hardiest of hunters will be heading out there. Our recommendation for travellers is to check that roads are open, allow plenty of time and watch for slips on the region’s roads.”

“Everything is becoming super-saturated while this slow-moving low pressure weather system remains,” said Mr Macdonald.

Roads in particular to watch are:

• Wairoa – local roads, check for closures
• Napier- Wairoa road: State Highway 2, at Devil’s Elbow
• Wairoa to Gisborne road, State Highway 2, in the Wharerata Ranges, north of Morere
• Bay of Plenty to Gisborne road, State Highway 2, in the Waioeka Gorge between Gisborne and Opotiki
• Napier – Taupo road: State Highway 5

The coastal swell in Hawke Bay is not expected to pose a significant threat to low-lying seaside communities, but the swell will remain through Easter weekend and coastal water will carry a lot of debris and stay cloudy for days to come.

HBCDEM Group cautions people to consider the roads they plan to use, checking the NZTA and AA Roadwatch website, and look at the latest MetService forecast.

HBCDEM Group continues to monitor the situation.

NZTA: www.nzta.govt.nz
AA Roadwatch: www.aa.co.nz
MetService: www.metservice.co.nz

ENDS

1,000 workers at six Affco freezing works in the North Island are indefinitely locked out from their plants.

This includes the Affco freezing works in Wairoa, one of the most impoverished communities in the country.

On Tuesday 12th March, Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) called a public hui for all people in Wairoa affected by Affco’s Wairoa meat works lockout.

The hui led by NKII Chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana, was attended by over 200 people who filled Takitimu Marae to capacity.

Whānau vented their frustration and concern about the lockout and the affect it’s had on their family’s wellbeing. Some shared stories of family stress in their relationships with no income in the house and no food on the table. Others shared their concerns for their children’s health and wellbeing.

“Ngāti Kahungunu is standing beside its whānau”, said Ngahiwi. “We plan to give immediate support in Wairoa for our people. We call Kahungunu whānau everywhere to provide support in any way you can”.

PHASE ONE

Establish a ‘Resource Centre’.

The Resource Centre will be a place for the wider Kahungunu community to send their contributions of food, goods and services. Volunteer help is also required to provide meals and support to our affected whānau.

Plans are underway for the Resource Centre to be set up next to the Wairoa Taiwhenua Office on Marine Parade, Wairoa. The Resource Centre will be opened by Minister of Maori Affairs, Dr Pita Sharples on Monday 19th March 2012 11.00am.

PHASE TWO

Our Communications Strategy

To inform our iwi and wider community of the issues at hand:

1. We will write to Affco informing them of the lockdown effect on the families of workers involved and invite them to review their status;

2. We will ask offshore buyers to not purchase any product associated with ‘Affco’;

3. We will ask other iwi to support our Wairoa whānau in any way they can;

4. We will ask Maori Farmers to not send their livestock to ‘Affco’ meat works;

5. We will write to all Wairoa businesses to support our whānau affected by the lockout;

6. We will ask our local MPs to support our whānau;

7. We will provide ongoing information to all iwi networks, all local/national media networks, Iwi Radio, Facebook & other social networks;

“In the 1980’s and 1990’s many Kahungunu whānau were affected by the sudden closure of the Hawkes Bay Farmers Meat Company at Whakatu and Weddel Tomoana Freezing Works in Hastings. Extensive research on ex workers health revealed devastating statistics.

“Loss of employment led to no money in the house for food, heat, medical expenses and day to day living. The ripple effect on workers and their families has included poverty, mental illness, low esteem, violence, family break up and suicide.

“We don’t want the Affco freezing works lockout to become a nightmare like the Whakatu/Tomoana experience. It took whānau 20 years to recover from that experience and we can’t allow this to happen to our families again”.

Mr Tomoana said, “Talleys is the major shareholder in Affco and Ngāti Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated has had a good working relationship with them in the past. We hope to share with them our concerns for our whānau and the whole Wairoa community and a speedy return to work”.

ENDS

All contributions gratefully received

Contact: Wairoa Taiwhenua – Pita Robinson

Phone: 06 838-4746

You are invited to participate in discussions with the Minister.

PROGRAMME – MINISTER’S VISIT TO WAIROA MONDAY, 19 MARCH 2012

For any further information contact the following:

Benita Cairns, 0274 977 281

Pita Walker-Robinson, Wairoa Taiwhenua, 06 838 4746

Wairoa District Council Mayor Les Probert, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Chairman Fenton Wilson and MP Chris Tremain worked together with Hawkes Bay District Health Board and Ministry of Health staff to secure the additional subsidy, which was announced by Health Minister, Hon. Tony Ryall, today.

Mayor Probert said the confirmation of the extra money was welcome news, and it would now be up to council to decide how it would slot into the budget.

“Our options have expanded as to how the scheme will be paid for, and we recognise that we have a heavy responsibility to ensure it is worked into the budget in a way which benefits both the Mahia residents and the wider district.”

“The additional funding primarily allows us to ensure that further increases in an escalating market place do not increase costs to residents, and may even bring about a cost reduction,” he said.

Surveys of individual properties to determine the incorporation of existing infrastructure are almost complete, and ground work on the scheme is expected to commence soon.

Press Release via Wairoa District Council

The petition sought to overturn a decision made by councillors last year to delay a poll until the 2013 elections, and instead have a poll as soon as possible. It was validated to a minimum of 281 signatures, which was over the 5 percent threshold required by the Local Electoral Act 2001 to overturn the decision.

The poll will be held on Saturday, 19 May 2012 by postal vote using the first past the post electoral system. The outcome of the poll will be binding for the next two triennial general elections of the Wairoa District Council.

The electoral roll to be used for the poll can be inspected during normal business hours between Friday, 2 March 2012 and Friday, 30 March 2012 at the following locations:

• Wairoa District Council Administration Offices, Queen Street
• Wairoa Public Library, Marine Parade

Enrolment for inclusion on the residential electoral roll is conducted through the Electoral Enrolment Centre. Applications for enrolment should be made by:

• Completing an enrolment form available at Post Shops
• Calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56)
• Accessing the Electoral Enrolment Centre website on www.elections.org.nz

Enrolment for inclusion on the non-resident ratepayers electoral roll is conducted through the electoral office of the Wairoa District Council. Applications for enrolment should be made on the prescribed form available from Council offices or www.wairoadc.govt.nz.

You are invited to meet Champion for Children Norm Hewitt and discuss your ideas to help protect vulnerable children.

• Thursday 23 February, 2012
• Wairoa Community Centre
• 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

A green paper is a way of testing ideas, giving people and communities the chance to have their say before the Government makes decisions. The Green Paper for Vulnerable Children was released for public discussion in late July and people have until 28 February 2012 to make submissions.

Norm Hewitt says “The Green Paper is inspiring. It’s about time someone drew a line in the sand and said ‘it’s up to us’ because the Government does not have all the answers. We need to have that conversation nationwide and I am very excited and honoured to be part of it.”

Have your say to help protect vulnerable children from abuse. Attend the community meeting on

Thursday 23 February or go to: www.saysomething.org.nz

Learning and applying useful horticulture skills is the aim of National Certificate in Horticulture (Introductory) Level 2 programme.

The learning revolves around horticultural projects, including community gardens, planting trees and shrubs, vegetable production, propagation of native tress and shrubs.

Learn how to sow, grow and harvest!

• Where: EIT Building Corner Paul and Queen Street
• Starts: 13th February 2012; 20 weeks full time.
• When: Daily- Monday to Thursday 9.00am – 2:30pm.

(No prior qualifications needed, no fees to pay)

Learn about:

• Handling & Maintaining Horticulture Machinery
• Health and Safety in the Workplace
• Factors that Influence Plant Growth
• Plant and Care for plants
• Pests and Diseases, Weeds
• Plant Propagation
• Soils and Fertilisers
• Composting
• Maintaining Gardens

You may choose to apply this learning to your own home garden, lifestyle block, community project or gain employment in the horticulture industry, such as with a nursery or floriculture property, orchards or vegetable production.

Talk to Raewyn at the Wairoa EIT Centre or phone 838 6942

Picnic In The Park – RNZAF 75th Anniversary Tour

To celebrate its 75th Anniversary the Central Band of the RNZAF will tour across the centre of the North Island performing concerts for school children and the general public.

Audiences in Wanganui, Palmerston North, Dannevirke, Waipukurau, Napier and Wairoa will experience the unique sound and sight of this 60 piece military band. The final concert in conjunction with Wairoa District Council is a free outdoor event aimed at families and the local community.

In 1937 the Central Band of the RNZAF first paraded for the Coronation of King George the 6th, then shortly after for the opening of the Wellington Railway Station. It has performed to thousands of people over the years including as a full time band during World War two when it toured Australia and the Pacific Islands. The band continues to play an important role in Wellington at State ceremonies and military services and occasions, including the formal Opening of Parliament.

PICNIC IN THE PARK will be an opportunity for the whole community to bring their picnics along and enjoy a concert which will be packed with “something for everyone”. It will be a spectacular occasion with bagpipes, vocalists, brass, saxophones, woodwind and drummers. The music performed will range from classics and traditional to jazz and modern hits, from Bach to Glenn Miller!

The Central Band of the RNZAF is delighted to give the people of Wairoa a free outdoor concert.

The concert will also pay a tribute to those who have served in the military. “The tradition of a military band can evoke memories and remembrances for past servicemen and women, and their families” said the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Director of Music, Squadron Leader Owen Clarke.

• What: Picnic in the Park – RNZAF 75th Anniversary Tour
• Where: War Memorial Park, Hunter-Brown Street, Wairoa
• When: 5:30pm – 7pm Saturday 18th February 2012
• Tickets: FREE CONCERT

Press Release via Wairoa District Council

MAHIA BOATING & FISHING CLUB, MAHIA BEACH

TEAM COMPETITIONS

$10 Registration Per Team (minimum of 6 per team including at least 2 youth under the age of 14)

• Beach Volleyball
• Kayaking
• Ki-O-Rahi
• Tug of War
• Duathlon (run/swim)

FAMILY RIDES

• Gold Coin Donation
• Biscuit Rides
• Motorbike Rides
• The Great Water Slide
• Waka Ama

BBQ & Cold Refreshments

… and more …

YOUTH WORKSHOPS – 12-1pm

Supporting youth achievement come and see the cool skills our young people have to share with you all.

Hangi lunch (pre-orders available)

For more information contact Ali Maru on 0276664560 or 838-3821

Sky Sports have brought the first screening of the Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge 2011 forward from Saturday to tomorrow – Friday 9 December.

Make a date with your TV . . . . here is the latest schedule:

• Friday 9/12/2011 20:30:00 SKY Sport 2
• Monday 12/12/2011 07:00:00 SKY Sport 2
• Thursday 15/12/2011 19:30:00 SKY Sport 1
• Friday 16/12/2011 20:30:00 SKY Sport 3
• Tuesday 20/12/2011 15:30:00 SKY Sport 1
• Tuesday 20/12/2011 22:30:00 SKY Sport 1

The Genesis Energy Lake to Lighthouse Challenge is an multi-day adventure race. The event starts at Lake Waikaremoana in the Urewera National Park, located in Northern Hawkes Bay on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island.

Competitors traverse 185 kms of stunning native bush tracks, back country roads, farmland and rivers on foot, mountain bike, road cycle and by kayak, to finish at the coastal town of Wairoa.

The key feature of the event is the 46km Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk Track, which is the running stage for the first day. Genesis Energy Chief Executive, Albert Brantley said the company is proud to have been the event‟s principal sponsor since its inception in 2008.