TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 $20,000 ECO-WARRIOR COVID-19 PAGES 4, 6-11, 15, 18 HOOKED APPALLED BY • Returning Kiwis ease teacher shortage WITHOUT • NZ’s alert levels out of date: experts RUBBISH DUMPERS • NZ lagging behind in vaccine rollout A LINE IN • Sir Tom in hospital with Covid-19 THE WATER PAGE 3 PAGE 5 FIRST DAY FOR A-JAY: Doreen Paul hugs her son A-Jay Paul-Enoka before he starts his first day at Kaiti School this morning. A-Jay is continuing a whanau tradition of attending Kaiti School and his mum said she was very proud of him. Kaiti was among the schools that started their 2021 year today. Many more start tomorrow. STORY ON PAGE 2 Picture by Rebecca Grunwell by Alice Angeloni and has manifested in some quite marae, who live up the Coast and disturbing campaigns I know have in areas that have very particular SIGNATURES collected in impacted a lot of communities . .” considerations that are important opposition to Maori wards will It comes as Gisborne councillors for us when we’re making decisions have “no effect” following the say they are “awestruck” while for the entire Gisborne district. Lifting Government’s move to dump polling others are not surprised by the The Local Electorate Maori provisions, says East Coast MP Kiri central government’s move to Wards and Maori Constituencies Allan. introduce legislation upholding Amendment Bill will be introduced Ms Allan, who previously labelled council decisions on Maori wards. in Parliament next week. the provision “discriminatory”, said “If you’re to take all of this All provisions for binding polls on the move to enact legislation under heightened rhetoric out of the Maori wards would be repealed. barrier urgency announced yesterday would debate, what we’re actually trying to “That means no polls will be held rectify an “unjust and a significant do, and what we want to see across once the legislation is enacted.” barrier” to councillors establishing the board in decision-making, is Plans to progress the bill under Maori wards. adequate voices around the table urgency meant it would be enacted “We’re not trying to impose how making decisions for communities by the end of this month, meaning local communities run their affairs. that are impacted,” Ms Allan said. the decisions of nine councils to to Maori All we’re doing is removing a grossly Similarly to rural and city wards, establish Maori wards for the 2022 inequitable provision that wasn’t Maori wards brought a different local government elections could not applicable to any other forms of perspective and knowledge base to be overturned by local voters, she wards,” she said. the table, particularly in Gisborne. said. “This was just a fundamentally “We’ve got Maori communities wards flawed provision that was put in who are very centred around their CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 READY SET ENROL NOW! GO! SPORT & EXERCISE 0800 22 55 348 | eit.ac.nz | 34817-12 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Kids page ..........19 Racing ...............23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Television ...........20 Sport ............ 24-28 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National .... 6-10, 18 World............ 13-17 Classifieds ... 21-22 Weather .............27 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Tuesday, February 2, 2021 WONDER WOMEN Waikanae trio Georgie Pitkethley (main picture), Briana Irving (inset top) and Christy Tate in winning action at the Eastern Regional Surf Life Saving Championships at Mount Maunganui over the weekend. Pitkethley won the open women’s board race just after placing second in the under-19 women’s board race. Irving dominated the beach events, winning the open and u19 women’s beach sprints and u19 beach flags. Tate won the u19 women’s ski. Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae were fifth club overall (Mount Maunganui were first) while Dawson Building Midway were 11th and Riversun Wainui 12th. STORY ON PAGE 25 Pictures by Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services SCHOOL’S IN Milestone day for Kaiti newbies by Jack Marshall “Swimming is up this term, which will her family back on the school grounds. “Kaiako have been asked to prepare a be refreshing in the hot weather and, of “I’m just so proud of him at his first day. Covid emergency programme and have it “HAVE you got your bag?: course, the Weet-Bix Tryathlon is on in He’s going to be great.” ready if we move to lockdown. “Brushed your teeth?” February.” As for advice for new students, Principal “We will certainly be ready to roll out a “Make sure you wear shoes!” Asked if she had any words of wisdom Potaka-Ayton was not sure any five-year- programme of learning for our students if These were likely comments from for parents with children going to school old would want advice from an adult. there was another lockdown.” parents around Gisborne this morning as for the first time, Mrs Potaka-Ayton was “I am sure they have this whole school While there may be more work and fresh-faced students got ready for the first confident parents knew what they were thing sorted. They have their uniform, stress involved planning for a possible day of their school lives. doing. their morning tea, their sun hat, their togs outbreak. Mrs Potaka-Ayton was Most schools around the region start “If anything, give yourself a big awhi and they know where their class is. pragmatic. their 2021 school year tomorrow but (hug) for this wonderful milestone that “Have fun, take some breaks from “We are very lucky to live in Aotearoa among those opening a day earlier was your child has reached in their lives. learning throughout the day and save where we can come to school and enjoy the Kaiti School. “I am sure all parents will be so proud some energy for the afternoon.” freedom that we have in our country while Principal Billie-Jean Potaka-Ayton said of their little five-year-olds on their first On a more serious note, the need to Covid rages around the world. everyone was excited to get the first term day.” prepare for an outbreak of Covid-19 has “This year our focus is on balance of 2021 under way. One of those parents is mum Doreen increased teachers’ workloads, said Mrs and being present in the moment — “All kaiako (teachers) spent last Paul, who was happy for son A-Jay Paul- Potaka-Ayton. approaching problems and issues with week preparing their physical learning Enoka to be at Kaiti School where much of The community case in Northland last kindness and a positive mindset, rather environments and the classroom her family had gone. week was a reminder that a lockdown than dwelling on negative thoughts and programme for term one. It was great to have another member of may be around the corner. worrying about things beyond our control.” LOOKING AHEAD Get your FOCUS ON THE LAND Gisborne Herald • A Wairoa farm expo later this home-delivered month will feature Elle Perriam and her Will to Live message. • Nominations open for vacant positions on the Silver Fern Farms board. • The weekly AgriHQ report for the week beginning February 1. THE GUIDE TOMORROW THURSDAY 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 • Tuesday, February 2, 2021 NEWS 3 Death in crash north of Matawai by Murray Robertson A MOTORCYCLIST died on Sunday when the machine he was riding went out of control on a sharp bend on State Highway 2 north of Matawai. Bike and rider collided with a roadside barrier. The emergency services were called to the crash at around midday on Sunday. LUCKY DIP: Enterprise Motor Group general manager Leon Lewis presents Napier’s Bruce Moroney with the “It happened on the Matawai side of Traffords Hill,” said $20,000 Lucky Angler draw prize at the annual Bay Bonanza fishing competition at the Gisborne Tatapouri Hamish Carmichael, the FENZ officer in charge (OIC) in Sports Fishing Club. For the first time anyone can remember, no boats were able to get out on the water Matawai. because of the bad weather. Picture by Paul Rickard “The male bike rider had been travelling towards Gisborne with a group of other riders when it happened. “It was a single vehicle crash.” OIC Carmichael said the other motorcyclists in the group, and passing motorists, including a nurse, stopped to help Disappointment for Bay anglers the man, but he could not be revived and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Police and St John ambulance also responded. by Andrew Ashton another day. just live to fight another day.” “We closed the road at the crash scene until we were “The weather just didn’t play ball, the A total of 139 boats had registered for relieved by a crew from roading contractors Downer,” OIC FOR possibly the first time ever, southerly came through and we have to the event with 489 anglers due to take Carmichael said. rotten weekend weather put paid to the be mindful of safety. Although there are part. The highway was fully reopened at around 4pm as police annual Bay Bonanza fishing competition, bigger boats that could have handled it, All prizes were raffled off, including immediately began a serious crash inquiry.