TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 2-3, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.70 PAGE 7 PAGE 14 A QUIET WONG FAMILY OFFER NEW YEAR ‘SELF-INDULGENT BRATS’ IN NEW YORK ‘HEARTFELT THANKS’ PAGE 3 PAGE 7 BLOCKED OFF: Gisborne’s airport terminal was evacuated yesterday around 11.15am after a bomb threat was received. Police blocked access to the airport (main picture) and a bomb detector dog (inset) was flown in from Auckland by helicopter. Pictures by Paul Rickard Travel plans of hundreds disrupted by Sophie Rishworth A specialist police team, including a bomb AIRPORT detector dog, were flown by helicopter from YESTERDAY’S bomb threat at Gisborne Auckland. They landed at 3pm. The airport Airport has been called “incredibly was searched and finally re-opened at 4pm. disappointing” after it disrupted the travel Police said no bomb had been found. plans of hundreds. Hundreds of people were affected across 11 It happened just after 11am on the first day flights. of 2021, one of the airport’s busiest days of the Air NZ confirmed nine services into and out year. of Gisborne were delayed. BOMB More than 100 people were evacuated from The 11.15am flight from Wellington was the Gisborne terminal including passengers, preparing to land at Gisborne Airport when staff and those waiting to pick people up. it was diverted back to Wellington. Its return They had to wait almost five hours on a flight was cancelled. grass area on Aerodrome Road. A Gisborne woman on that flight spoke to Police blocked off the terminal, and car The Herald. park, with no one able to access their cars or “We circled around and headed back to sea. luggage. I jokingly said to my husband, ‘We’re heading SCARE It is understood an Air New Zealand staff back to Wellington’. member received the threat by phone. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 37092-01 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ...... 10-11 Farming .............16 Television ....W9-11 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Classifieds ... 18-22 Sport ............ 24-28 TOMORROW National ...... 6-9, 17 World............ 13-15 Racing ................23 Weather .............27 977 1175467004 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Saturday, January 2, 2021 THE GIGANTIC SMILE: The much-anticipated Kamuro effect, a new firework that hung like a bridal veil or brocade willow over the confluence of three rivers at last night’s Fire in the Sky display was not only a first for the public but the first time the show’s pyrotechnicians, Chris Hilder and son Reuben had seen it. Sponsored by Walter Findlay Ltd, the 19th Fire in the Sky attracted thousands who lined the riverbanks and bridges. Live music, food trucks and face-painting were among attractions that brought people to the site before nightfall, said Walter Findlay Ltd’s key account and communication manager, Alyx Findlay. “The whole show was awesome,” she said. “How cool is it to be able to do that after this year? There was one big, collective, gigantic smile.” Ms Findlay also wanted to thank the Gisborne District Council for its support and the clean-up crew. Picture by Paul Rickard First 2021 Tairawhiti baby number four for family HARLOW Ulph-Maitai was less than two hours old Hapu Ora midwife Kyllie McClutchie said Harlow when she met The Gisborne Herald crew. weighed 3115 grams (6lbs 13oz) when she arrived. Harlow was the first baby born in Tairawhiti for Asked what her aspirations and dreams were for 2021. her new daughter, Samantha said, “To be who she She arrived at 10.57am on January 1. Harlow was wants to be”. the fourth baby for mum Samantha Ulph —- and she wanted to get home and introduce the new family FIRST BABY: addition to everyone. Mum of four now Samantha said she arrived at the hospital around Samantha Ulph holds her new baby 9am yesterday morning, and after a two hour labour Harlow Ulph-Maitai, who was just two Harlow was born. Baby and mum were home by 2pm hour old when this picture was taken. the same day. Picture by Paul Rickard LOOKING AHEAD Get your ALL THE LATEST NEWS, INCLUDING: Gisborne Herald • Apprentice numbers in Gisborne going through the roof. home-delivered • Firewood gift to Waiapu community • Most clicked-on Gisborne Herald stories of 2020 • It’s all on for the Pa Wars • Full coverage of national and international sport TUESDAY 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 fi nd out more call 869 0620 e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz The Gisborne Herald • Saturday, January 2, 2021 NEWS 3 Audio man ‘doing what he loved’ AUDIO engineer David Peterson died of suspected heart failure in the early hours of Thursday morning at the Rhythm and Vines festival site. Police confirmed Mr Peterson died at the festival at 3am on December MOURNED: Police cordoned off the area where the 31. It was the first of two fatalities body of Fletcher Wong was found on New Year’s Eve at this year’s festival. Later that day afternoon. Picture by Liam Clayton the body of festival-goer Fletcher Wong was found. Mr Peterson worked for Auckland company Wavefront Audio. “There were no suspicious Thanks to all from bereaved family circumstances and no indication that drugs were involved,” police by Murray Robertson Gisborne since Tuesday. Otago University. said. His father Steve said the family Police have thanked Rhythm and The death has been referred to THE family of Fletcher Wong, whose wished to pass on their “heartfelt Vines management and staff, who the coroner. body was found by searchers on New thanks” to everyone who helped find provided significant support and Wavefront Audio’s Milo Kerrigan Year’s Eve after he went missing from their loved one, including police, the assistance to them during the search. posted on Facebook about the R&V, have expressed their heartfelt search and rescue people, Fletcher’s “Additionally, we would like to death, and said Mr Peterson was a thanks to all involved in finding him. friends and other volunteers. acknowledge the police staff and colleague and best mate. The 19-year-old was last seen He also extended the family’s LandSAR volunteers for their hard “Dave had injured his arm leaving the R&V site at Waiohika thanks to Victim Support who had work over the time Fletcher was two days before, requiring a few Estate at around 2am on Tuesday been working with them since Fletcher missing,” police said. stitches, and was on light duties morning. was found. “We extend our condolences to as the system technician for the His family and friends raised their “They appreciate hugely everything Fletcher’s family.” three stages we look after at R&V. concerns about his whereabouts later that the Gisborne community has Search spokesman Sergeant Greg Typically, being the hard-ass roadie that day and police inquiries began. done for them,” said Vicki Crosswell Lexmond said it was good they were that he was, he was back after a A search of nearby Gray’s Bush on from Victim Support. able to find the missing teenager and couple of hours, patched up and Wednesday found no trace of him, and “They have been shocked by return him to his family. soldiering on.” the search was scaled up on Thursday. what has happened and are working “But we were hoping for a better Mr Peterson was found by his More than 150 police, Land Search through the process of their loss. outcome, and our thoughts go out to workmates in the company van and Rescue personnel, firefighters, “They will stay in Gisborne until his family at this terrible time. unresponsive, and he failed to other volunteers, along with family and Fletcher’s body has been released to “We can only imagine how they are respond to efforts to revive him with friends joined in the search. them.” feeling.” CPR, by his colleages initially, and Searchers found Fletcher’s body About 50 people, many of them Former Gisborne Mayor and now then by St John paramedics. at around 4pm on New Year’s Eve in FLETCHER WONG Fletcher’s friends, joined the family for Race Relations Commissioner Meng “I’m very thankful that he was a drain, under some trees, alongside a gathering at a residence at Wainui Foon said the teenager’s death had here doing what he loved, that he Back Ormond Road just west of Sergeant Kevin Ford. on New Year’s Day to talk through their saddened him and his family. managed to get the MLA system Snowsill Road, not far from the ‘T’ “We will not be commenting further loss. “We pass on our condolences to going and have two nights playing intersection with State Highway 2. on the circumstances of Fletcher’s “We understand there may be other Fletcher’s family, and our heartfelt love with it, and that he was surrounded Police cordoned off the immediate death. people who have been affected by this goes to them. by his mates and crew,” Mr area around where he was found and “The matter will be referred to the tragedy and if any of them need to “We call all Chinese boys our Kerrigan said. carried out a scene examination. coroner.” talk to someone about it we ask them nephews, so Fletcher was one of our Mr Peterson had worked at nearly “A post mortem examination will Fletcher’s mother and father, to call 0800 842 846,” Vicki Crosswell nephews, and we thank the police and every Rhythm and Vines festival.