Saturday, December 19, 2020 FIRST PILE DOWN LOST GLORY: Tokomaru Bay Residents Are Determined to Restore the Township’S Wharf
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TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI SATURDAY-SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19-20, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.70 PAGE 4 ADVENTURE PAGE 8 VIRUS TOURISM CLUSTER SAFETY SURGE IN SYDNEY THAT RINGS A BELL RISKS PAGE 11 FALSE ALARM: Following an apparent bomb threat made against the hospital yesterday afternoon, police closed in on a person and vehicle “of interest” near Okitu Beach’s popular surf spot, Pines. (Inset above) A police car parked by a barrier at a Gisborne Hospital access road while the hospital was shut down temporarily and the Emergency Department cordoned off, as police inquiries continued into an alleged bomb threat. (Inset below) The search led to the “vehicle of interest” and the occupant was approached by members of the Armed Offenders Squad. Main picture by Rebecca Grunwell; inset pictures by Liam Clayton HOSPITAL ON ALERT ‘Total misunderstanding’ about perceived bomb threat GISBORNE Hospital was put on alert and that vehicle was located in the Pines other people and speculating, created the The Emergency Department was and the roadside entrances to it closed carpark at Okitu at Wainui.” impression of a bomb threat. cordoned off, and anyone coming in was early yesterday afternoon after a report A large number of police vehicles and “But our inquiries with the man made screened. that an apparent bomb threat had been staff went to that location. it clear that was not the case. “We did this to keep everyone in made against the hospital. A man aged in his early 30s was taken “It turned out to be a total the hospital safe until the matter was Police were notified at around into custody in the carpark and taken to misunderstanding, and a resolved,” said TDH chief executive Jim 1.15pm. the police station for questioning. misinterpretation of a conversation, and Green. “We received information that “It turned out the man knew nothing no charges will be laid against him. Police set up a cordon as a precaution indicated a potential threat, that about a threat being made,” Det Sgt “We are satisfied that there was no and the hospital was later reopened. apparently involved a bomb threat, Beattie said. bomb threat made,” Det Sgt Beattie said. “The hospital security team and police had been made to the hospital,” said “We received the information through The hospital was shut down for about did a really good job in shutting the Detective Sergeant Wayne Beattie. an anonymous source and the threat an hour until the matter was resolved, hospital down,” Mr Green said. “We immediately began looking for a appeared to be credible.” and people were checked as they were “It was important to keep everyone person of interest in a vehicle of interest, Det Sgt Beattie said people talking to entering the hospital complex. safe.” GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Opinion ..............10 Farming ....... 17-19 Classifieds ... 24-27 Births & Deaths ...4 World............ 11-13 Television ....W9-11 Sport ............ 28-32 TOMORROW National ....... 6-9,14 Business ...... 15-16 Racing ................23 Weather .............31 977 1175467004 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Saturday, December 19, 2020 FIRST PILE DOWN LOST GLORY: Tokomaru Bay residents are determined to restore the township’s wharf. Picture by Liam Clayton by Wynsley Wrigley priority of the trust, at $3.2 million. The entire project, which includes TOKOMARU Bay resident Gordon restoring heritage buildings and Halley says it has taken six or building walkways is costed at at seven years, but restoration of the $7m. township’s historic wharf has finally The trust has raised $120,000 started. from such efforts as selling Installing the first of four new calendars and holding charity piles started on Thursday. This auctions and concerts. is to replace rotting piles under The 2021 calendar goes on sale the wharf at the Waima end of today and the fundraising concert Tokomaru Bay. and auction will be at Te Puka One will definitely be in before Tavern on December 29. Christmas, he said. But the trust needs the support Mr Halley has noticed a big of large funders, said Mr Halley. increase in the number of Kiwis He said the trust was grateful for visiting the area. the wonderful support provided on “It’s been a noticeable trend over the wharf restoration from Gisborne a long period of time, not just post- Engineering, Pultron Composites Covid.” and Agri-Tech Solutions. He estimates the number of pre- The Tokomaru Bay wharf Christmas visitors was probably was built in the early 1900s and three times as high as the same extended in 1911 to provide period last year. berthage for coastal ships servicing Tokomaru Bay Heritage Trust the freezing works and the wider has high hopes the project, once Tokomaru Bay district. completed, will attract more The expansion of the Gisborne visitors to the area. port sounded the death knell for One estimate puts the cost coastal trade through the Tokomaru of restoring the bridge, the first Bay wharf and it closed in 1965. Toko the place for fishin’ and singin’ TOKOMARU Bay will be the music the karaoke machine. winners in the Nga Tohu Haututanga boat, or $15 for those under 12, and $10 and fishing centre of the Coast after Participants will include holidaymakers Auaha Toi — Making A Difference awards. per rod on the beach. Christmas. from Gisborne and a good representation Another loyal supporter is regular Fish caught are auctioned each day A fundraising concert and auction for of locals. Tokomaru Bay visitor and pilot Matt Todd after the weigh-in. the Tokomaru Bay Wharf restoration The auction is the serious part of the who will auction a flight. Te Puka Hunting and Fishing Club will project will be at Te Puka Tavern on fundraising campaign. Beach and boat fishers can register for hold a prizegiving at the tavern from 7pm December 29 and the revellers are Artists who regularly support the the Hapuka Hunt at Te Puka Tavern on after the second day of competition. expected to include participants from auction include Angela and Miriam December 28 between 4pm and 7pm, or on Day one also sees a sandcastle the first day of the Te Puka Hunting and Busby, sisters Erica Holding and Robbie the two days of the competition (December competition between 10am and 2pm. The Fishing Club’s 2020 Hapuka Hunt. Kirkpatrick, and ceramic artist Baye 29 and 30) between 6.30am and 10am. prizegiving for this will be after the fish The music event has been described as Riddell. The Hapuka Hunt will have various auction on that day. an impromptu fun night for the family Riddell, a Tokomaru Bay resident, categories. January 3 and 4 are the reserve dates where anyone can sing, with or without only weeks ago was named as one of the The costs are $50 per angler from a in the event of bad weather. LOOKING AHEAD Get your ALL THE LATEST NEWS, INCLUDING: Gisborne Herald • Injured log truck driver thanks rescuers home-delivered • Check, clean, dry advice for freshwater users • Tolaga Bay Area School deputy principal accepted into world social equity programme • Matapuna Training Centre graduation • Coverage of Doleman Cup fi nal — GHBS vs OBR • Full coverage of national and international sport 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 nd out more call 869 0620 e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz The Gisborne Herald • Saturday, December 19, 2020 NEWS 3 Chopper crash pilot due back THE pilot of the Robinson In that case the helicopter’s 44 helicopter that crashed at main rotor blade struck Mahia on Wednesday morning electricity supply wires and may be back in Gisborne some then landed in a clearing. The time today. pilot was uninjured The 43-year-old man suffered “In the Mahia crash the neck and back injuries in the helicopter’s skid struck wires crash that happened while he and the aircraft contacted was carrying out spray work on the ground heavily,” a CAA a farm property. spokesman said. He underwent surgery “We are investigating both on Wednesday afternoon in accidents with the co-operation Waikato Hospital to repair of the two operators involved. damage to his back. “Any aircraft flying at His latest condition report low levels is at risk of a was again stable. wire strike and agricultural “He’s doing well and he told aircraft, whether fixed wing me yesterday he hopes to be or helicopter, are especially home in Gisborne today,” said susceptible due to the nature Eastland Heli Services owner of the work they do,” the Ray Worters. spokesman said. Steps were taken yesterday “Wire strikes are preventable, to recover the badly damaged but only with a well-planned helicopter from the hilly safety programme to identify country where it came down. hazards and put mitigations in The crash sparked one of two place.” investigations the Civil Aviation With Worksafe NZ, Federated LAST DAYS: Gary Howse in front of the shop, and bar, and flat that he built over 25 years of selling Authority (CAA) has going Farmers, and ACC, the CAA refreshments at Ormond. into two separate wire strike developed an information sheet Picture by Liam Clayton accidents that involve Robinson providing basic guidance on R44 helicopters conducting how to manage wire hazards. agricultural spray operations. https://www.aviation.govt. The other crash happened on nz/assets/safety/Wire-strike- Tuesday morning near Te Anga, information-sheet.pdf No more 4am starts west of Te Kuiti.