TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 8-9, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.70 AIRPORT TE HAU TANGATA INSIDE TODAY DESIGN A WINNER BRINGING TOGETHER 10 DEPARTMENTS PAGE 3 TO TACKLE FAMILY VIOLENCE PAGE 7 ACHIEVERS: EIT graduates, led by valedictorian Brian Walters, in their graduation parade yesterday. Mr Walters has graduated with a Bachelor of Teaching (primary) degree.The 89 graduates walked from Heipipi Endeavour Park to the War Memorial Theatre for EIT Tairawhiti’s official graduation ceremony. They were from across 35 programmes and included eight Masters students and four post graduate awards.“There was seating for 450 people so family, friends and staff all celebrated with our students their very personal achievements,” said EIT Tairawhiti and regional centres executive director Tracey Tangihaere. Last year’s graduation had to be cancelled because of Covid-19, and students from then were invited to attend yesterday’s ceremony. A musical Interlude was performed by Abigail Ogilvy. More pictures in Monday’s paper. Picture by Liam Clayton by Sophie Rishworth own life. It has been almost 18 months since the A POLICEMAN turned private investigator 27-year-old mother of one was last seen alive has been in contact with the family of Tolaga walking on Tolaga Bay beach near the wharf ‘OBVIOUS Bay woman Jamie Kaiwai since she went between 8pm and 9pm on Friday, October 11. missing in 2019. Her car was found abandoned at Tolaga Bay The investigator offered his advice at no Wharf but Jamie’s body has never been found. charge because he believed Jamie’s cousin Jonique has been persistent in her belief foul Jonique Oli-Alainu’uese had uncovered “obvious play was involved in Jamie’s disappearance. She flaws” in the way police investigated the case, has also managed to find out things the police and handled some of the evidence. did not. FLAWS’ “The police would do well to concede that,” She wants Jamie’s case removed from said the investigator, who did not want to be Tairawhiti police and re-investigated. The named because of contracts he is working on. investigation was, “riddled with mistakes and He has been in touch with Jonique for more carelessness”, she said. Private investigator backs up than a year. “From day one police have not treated it as From early on in Jamie’s disappearance plea from Jamie Kaiwai’s cousin Tairawhiti police believed she had taken her CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 06 867 2049 | 0800 653 800 It’s cheque out time www.gdc.govt.nz [email protected] From 28 May 2021, Gisborne District Council will no longer accept cheques as a method @Gisborne DC of payment. See our website for online services or contact us for support and other GDC Fix app payment options. 39432-02 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Opinion ..............10 Classifieds ... 21-23 Television ....W9-11 Births & Deaths ...4 World............ 11-13 Business ...... 25-26 Sport ............ 28-32 TOMORROW National ........ 6-7, 9 Farming ........ 16-17 Racing ................27 Weather .............31 977 1175467004 2 NEWSENVIRONMENTAL YOUTHThe Gisborne Herald • Saturday, May 8, 2021 by Jack Marshall A GISBORNE Boys’ High School student’s aspirations of a career working with animals have been enhanced through his experience of the BLAKE Inspire programme. Merin-Michael David-Tomoana was selected in the first 2021 intake of the programme aimed at inspiring environmental leadership in young people. Merin-Michael was one of 35 students from around New Zealand who came together in the Waikato to work alongside scientists, environmental experts and a diverse range of leaders, and learn about topical environmental issues and how to tackle them. Of particular interest to Merin-Michael was marine conservation, specifically protection of New Zealand waters. In the past the New Zealand government told the United Nations 30 percent of the country’s waters were in reserves, he said. However, in 2019, environmentalists won a battle to say that was not true and it was now accepted that there is only about 0.5 percent of New Zealand’s waters in “no take” reserves. This compared with 30 percent of land. Over the week-long BLAKE Inspire programme, students got to know each other and network, and develop their matauranga Maori (Maori knowledge), which is strongly connected to conservation. “It has a lot to do with the concepts of Maori being able to live with the environment instead of using the environment,” Merin-Michael said. INSPIRED: Gisborne Boys’ High Student Students teamed with National Institute Merin-Michael David-Tomoana was one of of Water and Atmospheric Research (Niwa) 35 students to take part in the BLAKE Inspire scientists for a marine ecology session, with programme which encourages environmental a focus on sedimentation and its effects on leadership in young people. Right, Merin- marine ecosystems, and the importance of Michael and other students head into the water shellfish beds. with kayaks at Raglan Harbour to check water The highlight of his trip was visiting quality and learn about limestone landscapes. the Waitomo Caves and seeing the famous Pictures supplied glowworms and impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Merin-Michael encourages all local students At the end of the programme, Merin-Michael interested in the environment to apply for the was awarded $500 to help him continue his BLAKE Inspire programme next year. plan to create fresh produce gardens within his “Meeting like-minded individuals who are iwi and for the surrounding community. passionate about the same kaupapa really Merin-Michael has two years to go at school leads to inspiring solutions”. but already has his sights set on a career Fellow Boys’ High student Elyas McGuire is working with animals. in the second intake of the programme to be “I’m looking to be a zoologist or a vet. That’s held in Auckland in October. the primary goal at the moment. I’ve been around animals my whole life.” ■ BLAKE Inspire is part of the Sir Peter Blake Trust, Boys’ High head of careers Maria Jefferson which was established in 2004 to continue the says Merin-Michael is an excellent student. environmental leadership legacy of yachting great “He’s self-motivated, driven to succeed but and environmentalist Sir Peter Blake, who was shot very modest. He’s young, passionate and has a and killed by pirates while monitoring the impacts of great whanau. He’s a pleasure to work with.” deforestation on the Amazon River in December 2001. ‘Still annoyed’ after NZ Post apology A MAN whose mail was not delivered in the Gisborne staff member “might be referred to the The Hawke’s Bay man told The Herald he was as birthday presents for grandchildren, and he and period leading up to a Gisborne postal worker police”. “still annoyed” after receiving the apology. his wife would not do that again. being accused of taking or tampering with mail A NZ Post spokesman, in apologising to the Mail could contain items of a private or sensitive As well, mail sent to Gisborne by family says NZ Post should have gone to the police Hawke’s Bay resident said: “We would like to nature such as passports and legal documents, members in Tauranga and Paraparaumu had not immediately. assure you that we take delivering what people he said. been received. The Hawke’s Bay resident says four separate care about very seriously and are extremely NZ Post was “tardy and lazy”. NZ Post senior media adviser Sarah Jarvis said items of his mail were not received by Gisborne disappointed that on this occasion, the trust In relation to NZ Post’s earlier statement that the number of mail items taken in Gisborne was relatives. we place in our employees was not met — nor the staff member matter “might be referred to the still uncertain. He contacted The Gisborne Herald to say he was importantly, your expectations. police”, he said it was the prerogative of the police, “Staff are still working with affected customers not happy about how NZ Post staff reacted when “We can advise you that the employee no longer not NZ Post, to decide whether to prosecute. who have made contact with us.” he rang about his missing mail. works for New Zealand Post and we have referred Four items posted to Gisborne family members Complaints concerning missing mail can be But his major issue was that NZ Post had this matter to the police who will investigate and since last May had not been received, he said. made to NZ Post’s Customer Care Centre via its originally publicly stated the matter relating to the make the decision whether to prosecute.” He had “written off” about $200 sent to Gisborne website www.nzpost.co.nz or phone 0800-501-501. LOOKING AHEAD Get your ALL THE LATEST NEWS, INCLUDING: Gisborne Herald • Photographs from Friday’s EIT Tairawhiti home-delivered graduation parade • Police roll out environmentally friendly booze bus • Moratorium on new power connections at Mahia to continue • Coverage of Super Rugby final — Chiefs v Crusaders • Reports on Gisborne Thistle and United home games MONDAY The Gisborne Herald, 64 Gladstone Road, P.O. Box 1143, Gisborne • Phone (06) 869 0600 • Fax (Editorial) (06) 869 0643 (Advertising) (06) 869 0644 Editor: Jeremy Muir • Chief Reporter: Andrew Ashton • Circulation: Cara Haines • Sports: Jack Malcolm/John Gillies To fi nd out more call 869 0620 e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz The Gisborne Herald • Saturday, May 8, 2021 NEWS 3 Terminal design pleases judges by Mark Peters GISBORNE Airport was among architectural projects from this region recognised last night in the Te Kahui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Local Awards.