TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 KAITI HILL CRAWL FOR CANCER PAGE 2 LOOKING BACK AT OUR ELECTORATE PAGE 5 ‘I’LL JUST GIVE YA A BIG FAT KISS’ WHERE THERE’S A WOOL, THERE’S A WEIGH: Gizzy Shrek goes to the “hairdresser” on Saturday morning at the Poverty Bay Spring Show and a special competition has been created for people to guess the weight of her fleece for cash prizes. Rob Faulkner is pictured with the woolly girl after she was found on Wairakaia Station last month. Gizzy Shrek is to be shorn with hand blades by legendary shearer Peter Casserly. STORY ON PAGE 3 Picture by Liam Clayton PAGE 14 by Andrew Ashton volumes remained flat year- that obtaining finance is not on-year in Gisborne, the an easy process and banks are GISBORNE house prices only region nationally not to taking up to four or five weeks last month hit an all-time increase from the same time for an appointment.” high median of $560,000 and last year. A total of 39 sales were realtors warn even higher However, listings increased completed last month — the RECORD prices are on the way if they 18.5 percent from the same same as September last year. cannot get more stock. time last year, with 64 new The top sale was $1 million Latest data from the Real properties listed in September. for 85 Hamilton Drive — a four- Estate Institute data shows “This is hopefully the first bedroom house in Sponge Bay. the median price here was sign of improved stock levels Contrary to a rumour $176,000 higher than in after a couple years of low regarding the purchase, September of last year and by listings and inventory. Gisborne real estate agent far the the highest increase in “Asking prices have held Shelley Donaldson said the New Zealand. strong from August 2020 and property was bought by a HOUSE “Gisborne saw median house increased 7.8 percent, likely due couple returning home, who prices increase 45.8 percent to the continued strong levels had previously lived in Wainui from the same time last year to of demand and low supply. for 30 years. With a lack of a new record high of $560,000,” A large portion of buyers are quality houses on the market REINZ regional director Neville locals upgrading their current they “were rapt to secure a Falconer said. properties or ex-pats returning near new home in the friendly The previous record was to the region. Sponge Bay estate”. $480,750 in July 2020. “Demand from first- The bottom sale was The next highest region time buyers has been high, $250,000 for 20B Queens Road, PRICES percentage-wise was West particularly in the lower price Elgin — a one-bedroom, 90sqm Coast (35.1 percent), followed bands, which has in turn “tiny house”, with a rateable September median of $560k by Taranaki (21.3 percent). pushed these prices up. value of just $138,000. Mr Falconer said sales “Anecdotally, we are hearing CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 eit.ac.nz EIT Careers Expo 0800 22 55 348 | Come and discover what’s on he Hub Café at EIT offer at EIT Tairāwhiti in 2021. FREE hursday, 29 October EVENT 4pm - 5.30pm 34817-01 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Farming .............16 Racing ................23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Television ...........19 Sport ............ 24-28 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National..6-10, 17-18 World............ 13-15 Classifieds ... 20-22 Weather .............27 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Wednesday, October 14, 2020 SLOW AND STEADY WINS THE RACE: Daryl Gowers crawled up Titirangi (Kaiti Hill) over the weekend to mark the halfway point of his 1000-climbs goal to raise funds for Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society. It is a busy path at the moment as more than 2000 people have signed up for the annual Titirangi Mt Everest GOWER POWER Challenge, which started on September 28 and goes to November 15. Picture by Liam Clayton 500th climb a crawl for Titirangi conquerer by Sophie Rishworth “It still took the skin off my knees but it was Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti’s event and “If people are in a position to donate they good to have the support.” recreation adviser Debbie Hutchings said can through the online platform or buy an event IF you have ever wondered how long it would Among those who cheered him on were they were well on their way to nearing, or T-shirt. These are $15 each or you can get two take to crawl up Titirangi/Kaiti Hill, Daryl Gowers Daryl’s sister Kim Gowers, who came through surpassing, the highest number of registrations for $20 from our office on Level 1 at 74 Grey can tell you. from Tauranga, and a mate’s six-year-old son, ever — 2377 people last year. Street. On Saturday morning it took Daryl 90 minutes Connor Harrison, who crawled most of the hill “It isn’t too late to register and you can do “One hundred percent of sales go to to climb Gisborne’s highest peak on his hands with him. so right to the very end of the challenge,” said Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society.” and knees. Daryl’s first climb was on May 30. He hopes Debbie. A daily tally is available on the Sport And once again he was doing it for Gisborne to have completed the 1000 climbs by the same “It is very important to realise it is a personal Gisborne Tairawhiti website to see the top- East Coast Cancer Society. date in 2021. journey. Whether you make it 10 times or ranking individuals and the top teams of the Daryl has been a prolific fundraiser for the Back on his feet today, Daryl joined hundreds 100 times, it is completely over to you as an 2020 challenge. Cancer Society for more than three years. of others who are also walking up Kaiti Hill individual. Leading the individuals (as of this morning) His latest fundraiser — climbing Titirangi as part of the annual Titirangi Mt Everest “Most people find they are motivated by were Martin Tatare (25,610 metres), Ma’ata 1000 times — reached its halfway point on Challenge. those around them and end up doing far more Ha’unga (15,990) and Standford Hapi (15,600). Saturday. Sixty-eight climbs of Titirangi is the than they ever thought they could. The top three teams were Pole ki he moui To mark the occasion, he decided to crawl equivalent of the 8848 metres to Everest’s “Daryl did his crawl because he is a massive lelei (1520 climbs), Huringa Pai Whanau 2020 the 500th. summit. contributor and fundraiser for the Cancer (755.75) and Ruatoria (718.5). Prepared with knee pads and gloves, Daryl More than 2000 people have registered for Society, and this Mt Everest Challenge is all The two platforms to donate are — said it was “a little hard”. this year’s challenge. about supporting bowel cancer. bit.ly/33V17cB or bit.ly/3iWpY47 Supply level biggest challenge on housing market FROM PAGE 1 first-home buyers. section and house availability “The biggest challenge is the getting a lot of media coverage “Interest rates falling below and providing much-needed level of stock. We need more at the moment. Bayleys Gisborne franchise 2 percent are only fuelling options — for those both locally houses. It’s an easy thing to say “A lot of that is driven by the owner Simon Bousfield said the demand. Stock is not keeping up, and moving back — to access but not such an easy thing to lack of supply and that people increase in median sale price which is reflective in increased housing. fix.” haven’t got options of where to year on year was no surprise. prices. “The need for some criteria Mr Snee said he would like to go.” “We are experiencing “Economic activity is to loosen to allow these see the Government take action Mr Snee said people were continued increased demand incredibly strong. Gisborne is developments to move ahead is after the election to ease supply telling realtors that although locally and nationally. consistently ranking in the top essential for Gisborne.” issues. the market price was good, once “Buyers include those three regions across the country Property Brokers regional “They are trying to address a house sold there was nowhere moving to the region for work, on various economic scorecards. manager Joe Snee said there the issues. It’s just a matter of to go to because there were not investors, families upsizing and “All of this points towards the had been a lot more sales at the ensuring they do what they say enough houses on the market. downsizing, ex-pats moving back need for further development to higher end of the market than they will do. ‘So it’s quite a self-fulfilling or investing to move back, and take place, creating residential usual. “For me, the industry itself is cycle.” Get your Gisborne Herald • The Shows Must Go On . cast member of the concert of musical theatre showstoppers, home-delivered Akina Edmonds, explains why. • Indie-folk-noir punk-alt-pop-country — Reb Fountain tells the Guide about the multiple genres her music fl ows through. • Brazilbeat prepare to drop their new single tomorrow and rock Smash Palace on Saturday with the Mardi Gras-themed event Glitter Masquerade. TOMORROW PLUS: MUSIC GUIDE • FILM REVIEWS • GUIDE GOSSIP The Gisborne Herald, 64 Gladstone Road, P.O.