TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2020 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 POSITIVE TALK FROM FINANCE MINISTER PAGE 3 COVID-19 VACCINE DEAL COULD BE READY EARLY 2021 PAGE 7 PAGE 13 LET’S SCAN: Matai charge MRI technologist Paul ‘WE Condron, neuroscientist Sir Richard Faull, Dr Samantha Holdsworth and Matai chief operating officer Leigh Potter celebrate the opening of a state-of-the-art MRI MUST scanner. The scanner’s advanced technology allows researchers to evaluate fibre tracks in the brain by ACT measuring the movement of the water molecules in the tissue. The fibre tracks show how different parts of the brain are connected and this technique is commonly NOW’: used to detect loss of fibre, indicating potential loss of neural function. This helps predict and ultimately prevent disease earlier in life. The scanner, pictured right being NEW NATIONAL lowered into a module at Gisborne Hospital in July, has 100,000 times the strength of Earth’s magnetic field when ramped up. Pictures by Liam Clayton LOCKDOWN IN UK Abstract now reality Advanced MRI system officially opened at Gisborne Hospital by Mark Peters and coins cannot be taken into the room. much more quickly the brain, heart, have higher rates of everything here.” Attending the opening was eminent liver and vascular system compared with Matai’s scope is not health-focused THE long-awaited opening of medical neuroscientist Sir Richard Faull from standard scanning technology. alone. imaging group Matai’s MRI (magnetic the University of Auckland’s Centre for “Other health research opportunities Dr Holdsworth plans to develop local resonance imaging) unit in Gisborne Brain Research, GEHC will open up but we can skills-based opportunities, particularly yesterday felt surreal, says Matai chief representatives, local begin to understand for youth. There are also plans to develop executive Dr Samantha Holdsworth. iwi kaumatua, Hauora When we see things normal human opportunities in bioengineering. “It’s been an abstract concept for four Tairawhiti and GEHC in a scan that aren’t development. “Innovation in those areas can lead years and now it’s happening.” representatives and ‘ “When we see things to all sorts of jobs in healthcare and Through a partnership between Matai Matai team members. normal, we can start to in a scan that aren’t bioengineering.” and GE Healthcare (GEHC), the American Programmes in predict whether someone normal we can start to Matai has already taken on two high company provided Matai with a 3-Tesla development include later in life is going to get predict whether someone school interns for the summer. magnetic resonance imaging system, a concussion research later in life is going to GEHC commercial leader Anna Shaw modular unit to house it and one of its that involves looking something. Then we can get something. Then we said they were really excited. own scientists. for early biomarkers help all our people can help all our people. “Four years ago we could see what Located on the Gisborne Hospital of brain injury, said Dr “The findings we get Samantha was trying to achieve. We could grounds, the state-of-the-art MRI machine Holdsworth. — Dr Samantha Holdsworth’ will also be applicable see why it would improve health outcomes sits in a dedicated room. “We want to start a outside our community and healthcare.” GEHC installed the MRI system wellbeing study in which but the focus is on our The module also has the technology and provided advanced hardware and we follow kids through their lives to build community.” to link with an Australia-based software. a database so we can predict and prevent Rural areas had two-and-a-half-times neuroscientist, who can dial in and see The magnetic coil in the machine is so disease early. greater incidence of brain injury compared protocols and give guidance. powerful metal items such as keys, pens “Our technology enables us to scan with other areas, said Dr Holdsworth. “We SEE EDITORIAL, PAGE 12 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Television ...........18 Racing ...............23 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Picture page ......20 Sport ............ 24-28 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW National .......... 6-10 World............ 13-17 Classifieds .. 21-22 Weather .............27 > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Tuesday, October 13, 2020 TANIWHA IN TOW: A small dinghy named Taniwha is towed back to shore by the Coastguard Gisborne boat in a rescue operation off Midway Beach yesterday. Below, the two men are reunited with the runabout, which was taking on water. Pictures by Liam Clayton Rescue after pair’s runabout breaks down THE Gisborne Lion Foundation Coastguard boat and surf lifeguards were called out yesterday afternoon when a small runabout with two men on board broke down off Midway Beach. It happened at around 1.15pm. The runabout the men had been fishing from had started to take on water. Members of the Character Roofing surf lifesaving emergency callout squad launched two IRBs. They picked up the men from their four- metre-long aluminium craft, which strong winds were pushing out into the bay. The men were transferred to the Coastguard boat when it arrived. “Both of them were OK,” a Coastguard spokesman said. The runabout was towed back to the port. ANOTHER EARLY VOTER: National Party East Coast Police said the men were spotted from candidate Tania Tapsell is one of the more than 1.1 million New Zealanders shore and looked to be in difficulty. They had a who have voted early in the General Election. “I’m excited and optimistic cellphone and called for help. about the future of Gisborne,” said Ms Tapsell. “I’m getting great support “The incident illustrates how important it is from locals who want a strong voice on the issues that matter to them. “I will to be properly prepared when putting out to fight for our health services, for jobs and decent roads.” Ms Tapsell cast her sea,” police said. “People also need to be wary General Election and referendum votes at Treble Court. Picture by Paul Rickard of complacency.” Rare butterfly gig sells for $1500 at auction by Andrew Ashton “So I thought I would try to find one that was original. It then became a hobby. A 94-YEAR-OLD butterfly gig fetched $1500 Everywhere you went, you went to different when it went under the hammer on Saturday. sales, scratching around for harness and bits For the past nearly 50 years the rare 1926 and pieces to get all the original gear.” gig has been looked after by keen horse-owner PGG Wrightson auctioned the butterfly gig and gig rider Colin Higgins from Te Karaka. at its Bell Road sale on Saturday. But after scouring the country for the The auctioned items also included two full original harness, springs and collars, Colin says nickel-plated harness sets, spring cart saddles, it is time to find the wooden-wheeled gig a new heavy draft collars, Haines and spare buggy home. collars, shoeing gear, saddles, bridles and “I’ve collected up the gear and got everything halters. original. PGG Wrightson auctioneer Peter “I’ve shown it a few times and I’ve kept it McGrannachan said the gig sold for $1500, and kept it but it’s just sitting there, stored going to a local buyer. away now. It’s time to let someone else take “There was good interest in it, Colin was over looking after it. quite happy.” “I’ve always been interested in horses,” Mr Mr Higgins had no idea how much it was Higgins said. “I’ve had horses all my life and worth. way back when we were kids there used to be “I suppose it’s like having an old car. You BACK IN THE DAY: A 1980 shot of Colin Higgins driving his 1926 gigs around and then everyone started doing don’t know what it’s worth until someone butterfly gig, which was auctioned in Gisborne on Saturday. these modern gigs with rubber tyres. shows what they are prepared to pay for it.” Picture supplied LOOKING AHEAD Get your FOCUS ON THE LAND Gisborne Herald • Gun shearer John Kirkpatrick is in home-delivered top form ahead of the shearing at the Poverty Bay A&P Show this weekend. • Trevor Brown’s price details from last week’s monthly cattle fair at the Matawhero saleyards. • The weekly AgriHQ report for the week beginning October 12. 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 nd out more call 869 0620 e-mail: [email protected] • [email protected] • [email protected] • web site: www.gisborneherald.co.nz The Gisborne Herald • Tuesday, October 13, 2020 NEWS 3 NEW ARRIVALS AT TE WHARAU SCHOOL: Four new classrooms have been delivered to and installed at Te Wharau School just in time for the new term. Two of the classrooms are because of an increase in the school roll while the other two replace two portable modular classrooms well past their use-by date. Once completed the rooms will be for Year 6 classes. “It will be a great relief to have these classrooms up and running,” Te Wharau principal Steve Berezowski said. “Over the past five years we have been really stretched for space and have had to resort to using a small space in a building we share with Ilminster Intermediate as a classroom as well as having to use our office foyer, staffroom, cloak bays and meeting room as specialist teaching areas.