TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 ARTS & DISPELLING RECORD MONTH ENTERTAINMENT PAGES 19-22 COVID AT PORT PAGE 5 VACCINE MYTHS PAGE 3 INSIDE TODAY FLOWN THE COOP Kermit the parrot has taken off on a spontaneous adventure several times in his Gisborne life, but this time he’s flown the coop for good. A regular sight on the shoulder of bird lover Jason Davy, people- loving Kermit has headed to a farm near Auckland to live. While sad to see his gregarious mate leave, Jason is happy that Kermit has gone to a place with plenty of space to go “flyabout”. More on the adventure-seeking parrot on page 2 Picture by Paul Rickard ‘We are going to the community. We are not going to turn people away’ by Wynsley Wrigley Te Puia Springs Hospital patients manager Sandi French said the Coast will be among those immunised. Hauora Tairawhiti process was to THE region’s Covid-19 Ms Ngarimu said people who invite groups of people to complete vaccination programme will were at a distance from health a consent form and return it. “stretch outside the national services would not be distant from “Those who return the form are guidance” set by the Government the vaccination programme. contacted and given a time to be and rural residents will not be Vaccinations would start on vaccinated. disadvantaged, Hauora Tairawhiti the Coast and “inland to the “Employers will follow up to vaccine board chairwoman Kim Ngarimu west”, said Ms Ngarimu, who was make sure all their staff have the says. speaking at the launch of Toitu opportunity to be vaccinated. The vaccination of front-line Tairawhiti’s Covid vaccination iwi “After our healthcare workforce health workers started “in earnest” communications this morning. is vaccinated, our vaccination on Monday, a board spokeswoman “We are going to vaccinate the teams will concentrate on told The Gisborne Herald this community. We are not going to vulnerable people, including roll-out morning. turn people away.” the elderly, rest home residents The vaccination centre is If someone brought their nana and those with long-term health operating six days a week, “we won’t say ‘go away, come back conditions. including one late night. in a month’,” she said. “Vaccinations will be given at the Border workers, whose “We are going to the community. Vaccination Centre and for those vaccination programme started on We start on the Coast on Monday.” who can’t come to the centre in the starts February 27, and health workers Hauora Tairawhiti had also community.” have been getting immunised at extended the vaccine priority Vaccinations for vulnerable one common site, which the health programme from front-line health people are expected to start in May. board did not wish to name. workers to all health workers Hauora Tairawhiti had given But the first mobile vaccination because it was efficient to operate 779 Covid-19 vaccinations up to station starts operating at Te Puia in that manner. Wednesday, including 253 people Monday Springs Hospital on Monday. Covid-19 vaccination programme receiving their second dose. GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ..............9 Classifieds ... 25-27 The Guide ... 19-22 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............10 Television ...........23 Sport ............ 28-32 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National .. 6-8,15,18 World............ 11-14 Racing ................24 Weather .............31 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Thursday, April 15, 2021 GIS-NEY ON ICE by Mark Peters “There were adults on the ice kids about sustainability — last night — lots of adult men. how to grow and make their GLIDING, sliding, slipping They had a ball. It’s fun for all own food,” Mrs Reynolds said. and possibly the odd flip, ages.” “We need the shed so they lutz, or axel jump graced the Based at the school until can be there for extended ice skate rink at Te Wharau Sunday, the ice skating lengths of time in all weathers. School last night. adventure is fun for all and a “We’re trying some thing a Kids and adults alike have fundraiser for the school. bit different for a fundraiser.” been loving their time on the The school’s parent/ Ice skating at Te Wharau Ice Skate Tour’s artificial ice teacher group, Tautoko, is School is open to the public surface, says Te Wharau School raising money for an on-site today and tomorrow from 3pm librarian and fundraising team garden shed large enough to to 6pm, with a disco each night member Rachel Reynolds. accommodate work benches, from 6pm to 8pm. “The kids are having a ball. gardening implements and a On Saturday and Sunday, Yesterday was fully booked teaching area. the ice rink is open from by our students and Cobham “We want to build a big shed 10am to 4pm ,with a disco on School during the day and by and revamp the vegetable Saturday night from 6pm to the public last night. gardens so we can teach the 8pm. ALL AGES: From grown men to little kids, ice skating at Te Wharau School is for everyone as seen, left, in Pride Maumau’s concentration as she helps grinning sister Wynta snowplough across the rink. HAPPY AS: GRACE ON Rapihana Kawha- ICE: Maia Popata is all grins Tahuri, right, is a as he relinquishes picture of calm the plastic chair as she glides balancing-aid for a past a fallen prop-free skate. comrade on the Ice Skate Tour’s Pictures by artificial rink. Rebecca Grunwell People-loving parrot spreads his wings FROM PAGE 1 But while he will miss his chirpy help track him down. “I thought he was gone, I mean, kids as well. He’s a very social bird.” by Jack Marshall mate, Jason has not been left alone. Jason is grateful to the Payne that was the end of him.” Students drew Kermit while on his On Saturday he heads to Rotorua to family, Ian from the pet shop and A couple of hours later Te Wharau perch and some of those pictures IT was goodbye to a popular pick up an African grey parrot and he members of the community for schoolteacher Maiko Lewis-Whaanga grace the wall at Jason’s home. feathered friend this week as Kermit continues to hand-raise lorikeets. helping rescue Kermit on numerous and her son found a friendly green Jason is a self-confessed ornophile the parrot flew the Gisborne coop. Jason says the new parrot suits occasions. parrot near the museum and put a (bird lover). Normally garnering attention on him better because Kermit’s breed — He recalls one time when someone post on Facebook looking for the “Birds are my life. I’d be a sad, the shoulder of Jason Davy on his Eclectus — is a very social one, which climbed on to a Gladstone Road owner. lonely individual without them.” walks through town, the adventure- has caused him a few headaches. rooftop in an effort to help capture After returning Kermit to Jason, Having Kermit with him during loving Kermit has headed to greener “His mentality is that if I don’t take Kermit. Maiko got to take Kermit to her lockdown last year was the “difference pastures to live with a friend of him somewhere, he will take himself,” His most recent wandering turned school now and again as part of her between me being alright and going Jason’s on a five-hectare farm near Jason said. into a positive for one school. mindfulness classes. nuts”. Auckland. That gregarious nature has been “I was going over the Peel Street “They loved him, he just sat there “He’s very gentle, very intuitive “He likes being in a family an issue as Kermit has made a habit Bridge from here to town and a gust on a little perch,” Maiko said. very good at picking whether environment. He loves people,” Jason of going “flyabout”, with Jason of wind took him and blew him into “He’s such a gentle-natured parrot. people are sad or not. He’s cheered said. having to call in reinforcements to the river,” Jason said. I think Kermit enjoyed being with the up so many people I’ve lost count.” LOOKING AHEAD Vicki Coley SPORTS Sells Real Estate • Ngatapa start their premier club rugby season against OBM while YMP meet Waikohu • Waikohu and YMP face doubleheaders in premier grade netball • Thistle are on the road in Central Federation League football while United host Havelock North in the Pacifi c Premiership • All golfi ng roads lead to Te Puia Springs this FOCUS ON THE LAND weekend for the 2021 East Coast men’s open TOMORROW SATURDAY Vicki Coley Residential Sales Consultant The Gisborne Herald, 64 Gladstone Road, P.O. Box 1143, Gisborne • Phone (06) 869 0600 • Fax (Editorial) (06) 869 0643 (Advertising) (06) 869 0644 For a free no obligation appraisal call me. Editor: Jeremy Muir • Chief Reporter: Andrew Ashton • Circulation: Cara Haines • Sports: Jack Malcolm/John Gillies P 021 641 997 E [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz 32806-02 The Gisborne Herald • Thursday, April 15, 2021 NEWS 3 Still seats on the SHARING INFORMATION: Associate Minister of bus for Health (Maori Health) Peeni Henare (right) with Te Runanganui PB Cup at o Ngati Porou chair Selwyn Parata (left) and Mayor Rehette Hastings Stoltz at Te Tini o Porou this morning. Mr Henare was in course Gisborne to talk about the Covid-19 vaccine roll out.