TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 MYRTLE RUST IT’S OUR FOUND IN KAITI TURN TO SHINE NZ FIRST FAILS PAGE 2 FEATURE INSIDE TODAY PAGE 6 TO GAG SFO It starts here Ngai Tawhiri and Gisborne District Council representatives this morning attended a blessing and sod-turning event to mark the start of the $46m redevelopment of the Olympic Pool complex. Pictured are, from left, Tamati Kerekere, Kelly Kiwha, Charlie Pera, Morehu Pewhairangi, Mayor Rehette Stoltz, Greg Meade, Kiri Allan, Waka Taylor and Stan Pardoe. SEE STORY PAGE 3 Picture by Paul Rickard Allan ahead in Labour poll National candidate says result hard to take seriously A LABOUR-commissioned poll says the Greens on 4.4 percent, New Zealand seriously a poll paid for by Labour Party housing and methamphetamine issues Kiri Allan leads National’s Tania Tapsell First on 4.2 percent, another (unspecified) activists. which had got worse under Labour. by 40.5 percent to 35 percent as Labour party on 6.9 percent and undecideds on “That Labour are attempting this tactic “I’ve had really positive feedback from attempts to turn East Coast red for the 6.9 percent. is an admission that their campaign is locals about National’s economic recovery first time since the 2002 election. In the electorate poll where falling back as we have seen in the wider plan, particularly our plan to cut taxes. The East Coast Survey, conducted by respondents were asked which candidate national trend. According to the poll, List MP Kiri Auckland-based public opinion research were they most likely to vote for, “This does not reflect what I’m hearing Allan enjoys strong support among company Community Engagement Green candidate Meredith Akuhata- on the ground which is great frustration female voters, 45 percent compared to 29 between September 22 and 24, shows Brown polled at 4.9 percent, “another that all Labour has delivered is percent for Ms Tapsell. Labour would take out the party vote in (unspecified) party” polled 9.6 percent announcing how much taxpayers’ money The national candidate won male East Coast by a larger margin of 46.9 and undecideds were 9.9 percent. they will spend on pet projects.” voters by 42 percent to 36 percent. percent to National’s 28.6 percent with Ms Tapsell said it was hard to take Ms Tapsell said East Coast had huge CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 Jobs for our kids | Keep our DHB local | Fix our roads | Cut your taxes Back our farmers and growers | Tackle meth harm Tania Tapsell for East Coast Authorised by Tania Tapsell, 66 Town Point Road, Maketu. 33909-01 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Racing ................17 Classifieds ... 22-23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Television ...........18 Sport ............ 24-28 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National .......... 6-10 World............ 13-14 Farming .............19 Weather .............27 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Wednesday, September 30, 2020 Killer disease found on ramarama in Kaiti MYRTLE rust has arrived in Gisborne City, with the recent discovery of the disease on ramarama hedges at two properties in Kaiti. “The trees are not smothered by the disease, but it is present,” Gisborne District Council principal scientist Dr Murry Cave said. “Ever since myrtle rust was detected in New Zealand in 2017, we have been monitoring and responding to public queries. “From increasing reports in Tairawhiti it now appears to be widespread, which is very disappointing, with wild plants infected on the East Cape. “We will investigate if there is any present in the Motu Scenic Reserve.” Dr Cave said it was inevitable that the disease would reach Tairawhiti, as it was believed microscopic spores had blown over from Australia or New Caledonia and it had spread DISEASED: Myrtle rust has appeared on rapidly across the North Island ramarama bushes in Kaiti and there are some and parts of the South Island. KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN: Myrtle rust is in the Gisborne region. Report any reports of it on the East Cape. GDC is asking The disease affects familiar anyone who sees it to report it. Picture supplied and much loved New Zealand sightings of it to the GDC or DoC. Picture supplied plants in the myrtle family. New Zealand has a variety of eradication to understanding will spread spores. At the very early stages into wounds on the plant and native plants that belong to this and controlling the disease. They can treat affected plants symptoms are invisible to the may cause leaves and shoots to family including pohutukawa, “Members of the public who with commercially available naked eye. become misshapen or disfigured manuka, kanuka, rata, swamp believe they have spotted an products, although they will Even in the later stages of and die off. maire and ramarama. infestation can contact the local need long-term treatment. infection myrtle rust can be The disease can cause Other plants in the DoC office or the council,” Dr “The disease poses a very difficult to detect, as some deformed leaves, heavy leaf loss Myrtaceae family include the Cave said significant threat to wild and symptoms can look similar to from branches, damaged fruits, introduced fruit species feijoa “Once established on a some agricultural species,” Dr insect or other types of damage. canopy dieback, stunted plant and guava and commercially host tree or shrub, it destroys Cave said. The first visible symptoms growth, and eventually may grown species such as new growth and soft tissues, When a plant becomes are powdery, bright yellow or lead to plant death. eucalyptus. eventually killing the plant. So infected with myrtle rust, the orange-yellow pustules that To report any myrtle rust Because myrtle rust is now it’s not to be dismissed lightly.” disease affects the young, soft, develop on leaves, tips and sightings contact GDC on 06 widespread, since July 2019 Home gardeners are advised actively growing leaves, shoot stems. 867 2049 or the Gisborne DoC the emphasis has shifted from not to remove plants, as that tips and young stems. The pustules can progress office on 06 869 0460 Fire at auto wreckers’ yard by Murray Robertson the fire knocked back in about 20 minutes. “Fortunately we were able to stop it FIREFIGHTERS were called to East causing any significant damage to the Coast Auto Wreckers in Stanley Road workshop,” SSO Hindmarsh said. yesterday afternoon after a fire started in The cause of the fire remains under a storage area next to the yard’s workshop. investigation. Fire and Emergency NZ sent three “The yard owner told us he had no idea appliances to the incident at around how it might have started.” 4.30pm. Stanley Road was closed off to traffic “The stored materials, mainly car parts until about 5.30pm. Detours were put in and used tyres, were well alight when we place through the industrial subdivision. arrived,” said Senior Station Officer Ed There was a strong smell of fumes Hindmarsh. noticeable some distance towards the “There was a lot of dense black smoke central city for some time after the fire generated, mainly from the burning was put out. rubber, that drifted with the wind towards “The smoke that was generated the central city.” dissipated quite quickly once we got water The three fire crews who attended had on to the fire,” said SSO Hindmarsh. CALLOUT: Firefighters tackle yesterday’s blaze at a wreckers’ yard in Stanley Road. Picture supplied Get your Gisborne Herald • About to perform solo show Every Brilliant Thing as part of the Tairawhiti Arts Festival, home-delivered actor Anapela Polata’ivao talks about the play that has been described as a life- affi rming production. • Get your school uniform on, AC/DC tribute act NZ/DC are heading back to Gisborne for the band’s fi rst live show since lockdown. Guitarist Dan Cosgrove (Angus Young) explains why he and his bandmates are frothing at the mouth. • Fancy a One Night Stand with laughs? Evolution Theatre has just the ticket. 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: 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 • Wednesday, September 30, 2020 NEWS 3 Site blessed and first sod turned THE redevelopment of the Gisborne “The months spent by mana Olympic Pool complex began this whenua in mutual negotiation with the morning with a site blessing and sod- council on the pool redevelopment turning ceremony on site. have added value to the relationship,” The major $45 million project has said Thelma Karaitiana of Ngai Tawhiri. been planned for many years, with $40 “Ngai Tawhiri acknowledges the million of the cost coming by way of a courteous and enduring efforts of the Government grant. pool redevelopment project team.” Work will start next month and The project was deemed to be the first phase will be building the “shovel ready” and was funded complex’s new changing block. through the Government’s Provincial “It’s almost too good to believe Growth Fund. that ground has finally been broken “We offered a persuasive case for and work is starting,” said Gisborne investment,” Ms Thatcher Swann said. District Council chief executive Nedine “The council had also been through Thatcher Swann. an extensive consultation process “The community is grateful to with the community and had an central Government for its generous agreed concept plan ready to go.