Friday, August 14, 2020 Home-Delivered $1.90, Retail $2.20
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TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 PAGE 2 PAGES COVID-19: 6-9, 11-1, 14-15, 28 SWAM TO DODGY BUILDERS • Gisborne residents urged to shop as normal MAHIA . • Report of Covid-19 case in Tokoroa AND STILL WARNING • Minister insists Level 4 ‘not in the frame’ • Cluster cases linked to English databases GOING PAGE 5 • Theory Covid never left NZ ‘implausible’ Makauri past and present mark new block opening THREE generations of in the walls and roof to the Clarke family cut the suppress noise. ribbon to officially open a Principal Judy Nicoll said new classroom block at the teachers and students Makauri School yesterday were enjoying their new — former Gisborne mayor collaborative learning space John Clarke, daughter where the purpose-built Rachael Spriggs and her environment complemented sons Mitchell (left) and modern teaching practices. Lachlan. There are nooks where children can sit and read, or Mr Clarke is a past student, use their Chromebooks. Mitchell and Lachlan are Work on the new building current students and their started in February but was mother is the architect, from delayed due to Covid-19 Architects 44, who worked restrictions. on the design of the new The children moved into classrooms. their new block at the Mr Clarke attended the beginning of term from their school from 1955 to 1962 temporary accommodation — “before the time of in the school hall. Chromebooks and Google” Makauri is one of the oldest — and recalled when the schools in Gisborne, built in school pool was filled by 1886. Being a rural school, turning on the tap to an it has a deep connection to aquifer. the land. The new modern learning “The legend of the Makauri environment for years 5 and Tree is one highly valued by 6 students is a welcome us all and shared with us addition to the school. over time with kaumatua in It is an open plan space this area,” says Mrs Nicoll. treated with acoustic panels Picture by Liam Clayton ‘Anti-racism journey’ Council embracing issue at individual, collective and systemic level by Wynsley Wrigley “I believe it is crucial we learn this at a from the past and present. a racist remark on a personal level but local government context to shine a light The council intended to look for greater harm was caused when racism GISBORNE district councillors on the issues and ensure bias doesn’t practical outcomes such as satisfaction continued unchecked by powers that yesterday formally committed to an creep in at any level.” with engagement. shaped population-based outcomes. “anti-racism journey” policy in the Mrs Stoltz said Tairawhiti Piritahi It was an important piece of work, she Unexplored and unchecked racism aftermath of the Endeavour models was the council’s framework for fostering said. could leverage into population-based controversy. Maori participation in council decision- The debate on the anti-racism “journey outcomes such as Ngati Porou being six The ”journey” will result in plans, making. was preceded by times more likely “to die before their resources, research and actions to deliver “Elements in this a presentation by time” compared to others. on the council’s commitment to tangata framework support ...it is crucial we learn this indigenous rights The bulk of racism was not overt, whenua. anti-racism through ‘at a local government context advocate Tina Ngata. extreme and unapologetic. In other major decisions, councillors encouraging respect, She had previously The bulk was subtle and interwoven voted unanimously to engage with the understanding and to shine a light on the issues asked for the “anti- into institutions and interactions “by public on the introduction of Maori participation. and ensure bias doesn’t racism journey” virtue of its ubiquity and the systemic wards during long-term plan engagement “There is still much creep in at any level policy after the nature it has with power”. scheduled for September; and supported more to be done in council’s decision If councillors felt uncomfortable they introducing single transferable voting for this area. —Mayor Rehette’ Stoltz to reinstate the needed to know unchecked racism cost the 2022 local body election. “I look forward to Endeavour models lives. That was worth investigating. The public has the right to demand a working alongside my at sites on Gladstone “That is what we are asking of you poll on the electoral system and will be colleagues to build a broader understand Road without consultation. today — to check racism, to investigate notified of that right by September 19. of racism at an institutional, societal, Ms Ngata, speaking via Zoom, said the racism. Mayor Rehette Stoltz said she was casual, intended or unconscious level.” the Endeavour controversy was not “There is no more powerful act we proud of the council for making the District council chief executive Nedine the first time racism had been raised can do to combat racism than to change anti-racism commitment that would Thatcher Swann said the anti-racism within council. There needed to be an policy. An anti-racist future is possible allow staff and elected members to work should include historical and investigation into “the thread that is and it starts with recognising it and embrace anti-racism at an individual, contextual understanding, with research running through these issues”. addressing it.” collective and systemic level. into the council’s policies and practices It was inexcusable if a councillor made CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Classifieds ... 19-20 Racing............22-23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Television ...........18 Sport ............ 24-28 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National 6-10,16-17 World............ 13-15 Literature............21 Weather .............27 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Friday, August 14, 2020 First to swim the distance by Jack Malcolm JUST 13 days into the 10th Swim the Distance event, someone has already swum from Gisborne to Mahia. Former Olympian Michelle Rennie completed the 45.5km distance yesterday in the 50-metre pool at the Olympic Pool Complex. She swam an average of 3.5km a day for the last two weeks to complete the 910 lengths. The two-month-long event encourages swimmers of all abilities to challenge themselves to swim as far as they can with the ultimate goal of completing the equivalent distance of swimming from Midway Beach to Mahia. “The event is about pushing yourself — whether you’re an Olympic athlete or someone who isn’t a particularly good swimmer,” said Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti events adviser Debbie Hutchings. “Participants don’t have to be a competent swimmer. it’s a personal journey, not a competition.” There was no start or stop point for swimmers, she said. It was about setting and achieving a goal for yourself, “whether that is 10km or 400km”. “You’re in an environment where other participants encourage each other to work towards your goal distance, whatever that is.” Rennie competed in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth games in road cycling and now owns a business that offers cardio training. She previously competed in triathlon and said swimming was her least favourite discipline, but she is recovering from a recurring hip injury that may need surgery so she cannot run, her preferred exercise. The low impact nature of swimming meant MADE IT!: Swim the Distance participant Michelle Rennie marks completing the equivalent distance of swimming from Midway she could keep up her fitness and cardio while Beach to Mahia — 45.5 kilometres — at the Olympic Pool Complex yesterday. The former Olympian was the first to achieve it in this she was recovering, she said. year’s 10th anniversary edition and was subsequently the first to ring a bell at a special area set up to acknowledge those who reach “It’s a neat challenge to motivate you to get the distance. Rennie will continue to swim but has a long way to go to match the feats of the top individuals of the past two years — into the pool.” Tess McCormick clocking up 332km last year and Lyall Evans 404km in 2018. Picture by Liam Clayton She swam 6.5km over two sessions yesterday to complete the distance, not realising she was One of her teammates, Deb Reeves, has Rennie was the first to leave her footprints in attracted a record number of over 270 so close until she was told by pool manager also likely completed the distance but she is the sand and to ring the bell to mark making it participants. Hendrik Geyer. competing out of Hawke’s Bay and hasn’t logged to Mahia. Geyer thanked the local businesses who It is her first time taking part in the event and how far she has swum this week, so Rennie is Geyer said the event was for all shapes and provided spot prizes for the challenge and she said it was great to get in the water and the first person to officially complete the 45.5km. sizes and was about giving it a go and getting principal sponsor Recreational Services. train. Following feedback from other years, a special people active and in the pool during winter. If Covid-19 restrictions continue, staff are Rennie has no personal goal for distance but backdrop of Mahia, complete with sand and a People can enter throughout the event’s considering extending the challenge so people will continue swimming to help her team, The bell, were created to acknowledge those who duration. have enough opportunity to achieve their Originals, who are top of the leaderboard so far. complete the challenge.