TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 by Mark Peters send away our tests,” said Mr Mackay. RACE AGAINST SPEED of testing for “It can take one to two days TIME: DNA scientist Covid-19 is a priority, says to get back results. Taiwawhiti John Mackay and Gisborne-based DNA scientist is a community that needs his team at Gisborne John Mackay. rapid testing. diagnostics and The quicker people infected “We will find a way to help research company with this coronavirus can that doesn’t break regulations. dnature are NEED be identified, the quicker Dnature is not registered as a developing a faster, they can be quarantined and testing lab and I understand more sensitive testing treated to prevent or reduce the need for the regulation, process to help transmission. but we’re in an extreme quicker identification “We want to take the pandemic situation. and quarantine of process from two to three “Tairawhiti needs faster people with Covid-19. hours to 20 minutes,” says Mr testing and we will find a way File picture FOR Mackay, the technical director to make that happen.” of Gisborne diagnostics and While his diagnostics and research business dnature. research business dnature is Mr Mackay is seeking not accredited to do tests, Mr funding for the development Mackay’s laboratory is the of a new method that will epicentre of New Zealand’s greatly speed up Covid-19 Covid-19 genetic identification detection, and a process that methodology and materials. SPEED can be used anywhere and Dnature has worked up the without the equipment used current gold standard tests in the dnature lab. as part of its work to improve ‘Tairawhiti needs faster The team have already test sensitivity and to pass started work on some of the this on to the other testing ideas they have for a faster labs, says Mr Mackay. testing and we will find a testing process. “For a number of reasons, CONTINUED ON PAGE 4 way to make that happen’ in Tairawhiti we have to READ IT, HEED IT: New Zealand is set to go into Covid-19 alert level 4, meaning no non-essential travel as indicated by this sign on Ormond Road near the hospital. People are instructed to stay home and education facilities are closed, as are all non-essential businesses. Essential businesses like supermarkets and pharmacies remain open. As of this morning, there have been 155 cases of Covid-19 in New Zealand, with 12 of those listed as “total recovered”. There have been nearly 418,000 cases worldwide, with just over 108,300 recovered. Picture by Liam Clayton 21950-07 Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............10 Farming..............16 Racing ................23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............11 Classifieds ... 21-22 Sport ............ 25-28 National ...6-7, 17-18 World...... 12-13, 24 Television ...........20 Weather .............27 9 771170 043005 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Wednesday, March 25, 2020 Titirangi kohanga reo move to pa on TV tonight by Matai O’Connor TE TIHI o Titirangi Kohanga Reo has been welcomed to Poho o Rawiri Marae and the move is documented in tonight’s episode of a new renovation series on Maori Television, Toko Whare Kohanga Reo. “Kohanga is a movement going into its 37th year,” said Daniel Procter, co-chair of the Kohanga Reo National Trust Board. “Many of the buildings built in the 1980s were makeshift for mokopuna at the time and some of those buildings are still being run as kohanga reo. It’s about looking at a strategy to renovate our buildings.” KOHANGA REO: Te Tihi o Titirangi Kohanga Reo have strengthened their connection to tikanga maori with the move to Te Poho Mr Procter said there was a need to o Rawiri marae in Kaiti. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell renovate kohanga buildings around the country, particularly in rural areas like Tairawhiti. He is a product of kohanga himself, “In Tairawhiti we have a strong While the kohanga was at Rutene Road who came into kohanga reo and became and lent a hand with the renovations of population of Maori but we still have it was licensed for a maximum of 15 kaiako (teachers) and kaiawhina Te Tihi o Titirangi. quite low numbers of people speaking the children. They now await a licence from (contributors). The kohanga reo is in its 31st year. It language.” the Ministry of Education to increase the “They pick up skills not only in regard started in February 1989 in the home With the language comes the tikanga. roll to 50. to raising strong nurtured children but of Toko and Rawinia Te Kani in Oxford Each kohanga is unique, rich with “This will allow us to accept more also business and governance skills. Street, Kaiti. characters, stories and history. tamariki mokopuna so that te reo maori “Look at our marae and small After over 10 years operating there, Te Poho o Rawiri marae komiti had me nga tikanga maori will be transmitted businesses happening around Tairawhiti. the kohanga moved to Rutene Road. aspirations to build language competency more widely,” said marae chairperson A lot of young mothers are doing the The kaupapa for the television series at the pa to sustain, maintain and deliver kohanga nanny Charlotte Gibson. She work and many of their skills come from came about because kohanga reo (Maori tikanga appropriately. is the daughter of Toko and Rawinia Te the experience through kohanga reo. immersion early childhood education The marae started renovations in 2015. Kani. “Our mantra is whanau first. It’s about centres) around the country want to The pa komiti also had aspirations “There were many matriarchs who strengthening whanau. We see ourselves retain numbers of children as they to have a kohanga reo at the pa. The were either a part of kohanga inception as part of the solution to empowering compete with mainstream providers. whanau of Te Tihi o Titirangi had the or continue the kaupapa who are from whanau, particularly our maori women The series focuses on communities same thoughts. this region. It’s quite personal for us towards their own aspirations.” coming together to build a future for When the renovations were completed here in Tairawhiti. We need to continue tamariki. the marae officially re-opened holding on to this taonga and not let it ■ Watch Toku Whare Kohanga Reo tonight “I think it’s not only about the in December 2018. They had the go,” Mr Procter said. language anymore but about claiming opportunity to welcome the kohanga to He said the most beautiful stories at 8.30pm on Maori Television and online at identity as Maori,” Mr Procter said. the pa. from kohanga were the Maori mothers maoritelevision.com Farmers’ Market calls time, until further notice LAST Saturday’s Farmers’ Market was the last must isolate from others. some of whom are busy working out if they them. Some vendors will not be able to continue until further notice. “The Gisborne Farmers’ Market provides a are classed as “essential businesses” and during this time for a wide variety of reasons. “Due to the recent developments around wide range of healthy locally produced food, but registering as such. We believe a number of This shutdown will be difficult for our vendors, Covid-19 and the increase to Alert Level 4, the we cannot put the community at risk with regards vendors will be able to continue to provide you many of whom rely on the income from this Gisborne Farmers’ Market committee has agreed to the spread of this disease. with your favourite Farmers’ Market products, just market. the market be cancelled until such time as we “On Saturday 21st, we operated a market via a different means. Many vendors have their “Again, please keep an eye on Facebook for can re-open safely,” a committee statement says. under a number of difficult restrictions as set out own websites or Facebook pages, so if you have market and vendor information going forward “This is the first time since its inception that by the Ministry of Health and under the guidance some favourites, look them up. We will share their and continue to support our vendors wherever the market has been cancelled. Although this will of Farmers’ Market New Zealand. With Level 4 activities on the Market page whenever possible. possible. When we come out the other side of be a disappointment to many of you, we cannot restrictions in place from Wednesday night, this “We will continue to update you via Facebook, this, we look forward to seeing you all at the in good faith continue to operate a market which would be virtually impossible to replicate. and our weekly phone calls with More FM as to market again. Thank you all for your support, and creates a gathering of people, at a time when we “We are currently working with our vendors, what our vendors are doing and how you reach take care of yourselves.” Get your Gisborne Herald home-delivered • The new normal means a change in arts information in The Guide to help you enjoy your lockdown time. • Gisborne poet Benita Kape presents a new poem for our times. • Neil Young can’t leave home so he has made a video presentation of hits sung by ireplaces around his property. TOMORROW PLUS: MUSIC GUIDE • FILM REVIEWS • GUIDE GOSSIP 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: Grant Miller/John Gillies To nd out more call 869 0620 e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz The Gisborne Herald • Wednesday, March 25, 2020 NEWS 3 No visitors to hospital GISBORNE Hospital patients will not be allowed visitors from tomorrow under Covid-19 level 4 alert lockdown conditions.