TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 COVID 19 • Checkpoints with a difference during Level 3 • GDC answering the call for welfare • No pay cut but possible freeze for council staff • Worrying link between suicide, unemployment • Increased demand has Youthline struggling • Mortgage lending restrictions to be lifted WHINERAY, LOCHORE AND NOW KIRKPATRICK: ian Kirkpatrick has been • US job losses pass the appointed New Zealand Rugby Union patron. He follows the late Sir Wilson Whineray and Sir Brian Lochore in the role. Kirkpatrick played 39 tests for his 30 million mark country, including this one against Wales at Eden Park in 1969. Kirkpatrick picture above by Paul Rickard, test picture from NZ Herald files SEE PAGES 2-6, 8-15, 21-22, 24 ‘A HUGE NZ appointments for Coast chairman, CEO THE country’s smallest union had double reason for celebration following the online New Zealand Rugby Union AGM. Ngati Porou East Coast chairman Bailey Mackey was elected to the NZRU board HONOUR’ while NPEC chief executive Cushla Tangaere-Manuel was appointed to the New Zealand Maori Rugby board. Pango Productions founder and former Following in footsteps of East Coast player Mackey headed off Auckland Rugby Union director Kate Daly for the contestable position. other greats as NZRU patron Story to follow. by Ben O’Brien-Leaf Wilson Whineray was appointed in 2003. 666, who was inducted into the World Grant Allen’s friendship with Kirkpatrick Following Sir Wilson’s death in 2012, Sir Rugby Hall of Fame in 2003, meets every dates back to them playing in the same FOR more than half a century, he has Brian became patron. criteria.” third-grade side for Ngatapa in 1963. been held in the highest esteem in rugby “It’s a huge honour to follow BJ Lochore Poverty Bay Rugby Football Union “He and his family have been an circles worldwide. and Wilson Whineray as patron of the president and life member Dick Glover integral part of the club since its And with a unanimous vote of 92 from union because it’s about flying the flag spoke of the significant contribution inception,” said Allen. “Ian doesn’t get the country’s 26 provinces, All Black great for the game, strong traditions and being made to the game by Kirkpatrick, who upset with people. He’s an inspiration to Ian Kirkpatrick MBE was yesterday proud of what we’ve done,” Kirkpatrick represented Poverty Bay and Poverty Bay- the young guys in our community just by named patron of the New Zealand Rugby told The Gisborne Herald. East Coast, won the Ranfurly Shield with being supportive and positive.” Union — a position the 73-year-old “We all had the opportunity to play for Canterbury and was the only player to Sandy and Cath Kirkpatrick brought up Gisborne farmer described as “a huge our country and pull that jersey on, to be captain the South Island and North Island their five children — the late John, David, honour”. part of something that lasts and can now teams. Margaret, Ian and Colin — at the family Kirkpatrick, known to many as “Kirky”, continue in the role of patron.” “He’s offered a huge amount to both NZ homestead Ararangi. follows the late Sir Brian Lochore as NZRU chairman Brent Impey endorsed rugby and the Hurricanes (Super Rugby Ian attended Patutahi primary school patron — the figurehead for the union. Kirkpatrick’s appointment. franchise) as an adviser,” said Glover. and Kings College from 1960 to 1964, was Sir Brian died last August and the “The patron must be very distinguished, “On and off the field he’s been a very a member of Kings first 15 from 1962 to position had been vacant since then. recognised as a true leader and represent compelling person through his loyalty, 1964 and led the side in his last year. Patron was originally filled by the game’s highest values,” he said. character and ethics.” successive governors-general until Sir “Ian Kirkpatrick, All Black number Poverty Bay and Ngatapa life member CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ..............9 Classifieds .........17 Television ...........20 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............10 Literature ...........18 Sport ............ 21-24 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National ....... 6-8,15 World............ 11-14 Racing ................19 Weather .............23 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Friday, May 1, 2020 IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE... But there was no sign The RNZAF operates two of the spokeswoman said. of Superman in the sky above aircraft in passenger and freight “It will be flying around the North Gisborne yesterday. roles. The 757 replaced a Boeing Island including at the following Gisborne Herald photographer 727 in 2003. airports —Gisborne, Hamilton Paul Rickard instead took this shot The planes provide strategic and Wellington. Flying skills are of a Royal New Zealand Air Force airlift capability to carry personnel perishable and a failure to maintain Boeing 757 photo-bombed by a and equipment in support of New core flying currencies increases the feathered friend. Zealand Defence Force operations risk to flight operations. It is the second time in two and deployments overseas. They “The RNZAF, and the NZDF as a weeks the plane has come to the also carry VIPs on ministerial and whole, must maintain operational district on a training mission. trade missions overseas. readiness to carry out the tasks The crew, from No. 40 Squadron, “The aircraft’s flight is part of required of it by the Government, practised their approach, overfly essential pilot and crew training including search and rescue and and circuits above Gisborne Airport for Royal New Zealand Air Force humanitarian and disaster relief, as from around 11am. personnel and we will be continuing well as contributing to the All IT’S NOT ME: The Man of Steel was not The plane did not land but caught to do a variety of training over of Government response to seen in the sky above Gisborne yesterday the attention of a lot of people. the coming weeks,” an NZDF Covid-19.” but it was a super day in the region. SCRAGGY SIGNS OFF AMATEUR cartoonist Tony Scragg made sure the last of his lockdown series of illustrations was a special one. Scraggy posted a drawing a day over the Alert Level 4 period which ended when the country went into Level 3 on Tuesday. His final one was of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who he said was doing “an amazing job”. PM Ardern appears in a Wonder Woman costume with “Dictionary Leader refer Jacinda Ardern” written underneath. On his Facebook page, Scraggy also asked people to note the “amazing women in your life” in the comments. Here are two of his final drawings — the PM and Director General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfied. Cheers Scraggy. A player who would stand out in any era Get your FROM PAGE 1 He led the All Blacks to six wins in 10 to games were simple and straight up. Gisborne Herald tests. “I thought of something important in He and Robbie Kirkpatrick (nee Kirkpatrick’s athleticism, fitness, the upcoming match — what, as a player, home-delivered Williams) were married here in 1973, and strength, toughness, skills and rugby I’d have wanted to hear at that stage. had three daughters —Amanda, Sarah sense would stand out in any era. “The thing is to hit the spot, not for too and Victoria. He is regarded as one of the greatest long, and then leave it with them. Kirkpatrick played 289 first-class loose forwards of all time — a hard but “I still pinch myself that I got to do games, scored 115 tries and never left the fair and clean player. what I did in the game,” said Kirkpatrick. field of play for injury during a career In his mentoring role with the Colin “As an All Black you’ve got to keep that started in 1966 and ended in 1979. Cooper-coached Hurricanes from 2005 in mind that you’re representing every Between 1967 and 1977 he scored to 2010, Kirkpatrick stayed in touch other rugby player in the country. 50 tries in 113 appearances for New with the game and that generation of “That’s special and that’s the Zealand, including 16 in 39 test matches. players, travelling to Super Rugby games motivation.” The All Blacks won 88 of those 113 throughout New Zealand, Australia and Kirkpatrick’s appointment was made at games, 25 of the tests and 34 of 43 games South Africa. an historic 128th NZRU annual meeting under his captaincy. His messages to players in the lead-up — the first time it was held online. To nd out more call 869 0620 The Gisborne Herald • Friday, May 1, 2020 NEWS 3 Council considers wage freeze for staff by Aaron van Delden THERE is no plan for pay cuts at Gisborne District Council, chief executive Nedine Thatcher Swann says. The council’s pay scale going into the Covid-19 crisis was lower than the industry standard, but it ON DUTY: Contractor Barry Hoe aboard reflected what the organisation could afford to pay his ride-on mower yesterday, making a its 300 full-time equivalent workers, Ms Thatcher start on the city’s flourishing lawns. Swann said. Picture by Paul Rickard However, a pay freeze for council staff was one of the cost-saving options presented to district councillors last week as they considered ways to lessen next year’s rates rise. A report to councillors notes the 2020/21 rates take could be reduced by $150,000 if staff salaries Playing catch-up on those lawns are not adjusted for inflation.