TE NUPEPA O TE TAIRAWHITI FRIDAY, JULY 23, 2021 HOME-DELIVERED $1.90, RETAIL $2.20 PAGE 2 PAGE 5 1000-YEAR FORESTRY COVID-19 PAGES 7, 10, 13 BRIDGE DEATH • Uproar over Maori cartoon virus figures • Vaccine forecast reduced by 170,000 BACK ON INQUEST • 15 deaths in Fiji, 124 new cases in NSW TRACK UNDER WAY • China rejects WHO’s probe proposal GAMES COUNTDOWN: Two Gisborne athletes are set for the biggest occasions of their sporting lives. Triathlete Tayler Reid and kayaker Alicia Hoskin are among the 11,000 athletes from 205 nations competing in the 2020 Olympic Games, which are officially opened in Tokyo tomorrow. Reid, fellow triathletes and men’s rugby sevens team members are pictured being welcomed to the Olympic Village. Right, Reid collects one of hundreds of pounamu pendants gifted to the Kiwi Olympians by South Island iwi Ngai Tahu. The pendants are called Te Taumata o Angitu (the pinnacle of success) and were designed by master carver Fayne Robinonson and hand-carved by a small group from West Coast hapu Ngati Waewae. They are in the form of a disc which reflects the sun, significant to Japan as land of the rising sun and Maori mythology. Other aspects of the pounamu design include the mangopare (hammer head shark) symbolising strength, and triangular indents representing taniwha teeth and featuring the phases of the moon. Reid is in action in the men’s individual triathlon on July 26 and the mixed team relay on July 31. Hoskin hits the water on August 6 for heats of the K4 500m. Picture supplied by NZ Olympic Committee ■ $14.7m funding for ‘A massive win conservation projects ■ 165 jobs over three years ■ Training opportunities for Tairawhiti’ ■ Each initiative iwi-led THE Government today announced next three years and provide fantastic developing leadership and small business our Jobs for Nature Community and Tairawhiti is to receive $14.7 million to training opportunities for those looking acumen and growing ‘boots on the Private Land Biodiversity funds going aid conservation projects and create 165 for pathways into a conservation career. ground’ skills are also major elements. towards projects to protect native species new jobs. “The Government’s $14.7 million will “One initiative includes developing a and restoring habitats. The Jobs for Nature funding would fund several projects which focus on plant nursery with traditional rongoa “It is a massive win for Te Tairawhiti, create much-needed jobs and financial waterway restoration through fencing plants and other native species unique an opportunity to deliver social and security for families here and presented and riparian planting, predator and to Te Tairawhiti, and working with local economic benefits in a post-Covid world, “exciting prospects” for conservation in pest control, re-establishment of native school kids on the importance of caring and super exciting for the future of our the region, Conservation Minister Kiri forest and indigenous species, ecological for the environment. exceptionally beautiful region,” Kiri Allan Allan said. monitoring and data collection. “Each initiative is iwi-led and said. “The projects target local communities “Others involve the creation of designed, enabling iwi to bring their Turanga Kaimahi mo te Taiao, a most affected by the economic nature corridors connecting pockets of aspirations for their whenua and people collaborative ecological regeneration consequences of Covid-19 and are native bush to encourage native bird to life while working with others in the partnership between the three Turanga designed to restore and protect a range of populations to expand into new areas,” community. iwi, has received $10.9m to create 99 jobs ecosystems, as well as safeguard heritage Ms Allan said. “Today’s announcement follows another over three years. sites with significant cultural value. “It’s great to see that reinvigorating recent funding boost for conservation “They will create 165 new jobs over the cultural traditions and practices, work in the region, with $1 million from CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 GISBORNE RUATORIA WAIROA Local News ...... 1-5 Business ............11 Classifieds .........22 Sport ............ 24-28 Births & Deaths ...4 Opinion ..............12 Television ...........23 Weather .............27 National .......... 6-10 World............ 16-17 Racing .......... 18-19 9 771170 043005 TOMORROW > 2 NEWS The Gisborne Herald • Friday, July 23, 2021 NO HURRY, NO WORRY by Jack Marshall children in those days.” These days, most members are older GISBORNE Caravan Club will celebrate folk who have free time on their hands but 70 years of good times tomorrow with a the club is looking to get some younger 70 YEARS OF GISBORNE CARAVAN CLUB: Gisborne Caravan lunch at the Emerald Hotel. members on board. Club committee members meet to discuss their 70th anniversary “It’s a milestone for our club to continue The whole point of the caravan club is celebration and future camping plans. From left are Keith Clare, Joy to be going after seven decades and spending time together and enjoying life, Ashwell, Andy Morgan, Judy Miller, vice-president Peter Miller, Jenny something worth celebrating with friends,” Mr Stewart said. Ingoe, Rex Williams, treasurer Delys Hollamby, secretary Val Stewart, Gisborne Caravan Club president Rex Asked what makes the perfect caravan, Jenny Wade and president Rex Stewart. Picture by Liam Clayton Stewart said he was open-minded. “We’ve got a lot of ex-members coming “It’s up to the individual person on from around the country.” what they require. What suits one person Gisborne is one of the oldest caravan doesn’t suit another. We like our caravan clubs in New Zealand because you can go somewhere, park up, Mr Stewart has been going through unhook and away you go in your car.” 70 years of committee meeting minutes One difficulty of being a caravan for the occasion, finding members from enthusiast on the East Coast is the decades ago and inviting them to the region’s rough roads. lunch. “Let’s put it this way. Some of the roads Over 50 people will be attending. we’ve travelled are harder on caravans Mr Stewart says they are a diverse here than the likes of Tauranga and bunch, ranging from farmers, hospital Auckland,” club vice-president Peter Miller workers and receptionists to mechanics said. and police officers. “She’s rougher on the edges here. You “People join the caravan club to travel don’t go off the tar seal.” around and enjoy the company of other Mr Stewart said caravanning was an people.” excellent hobby. Caravan life is about spending time with “It’s a lot of fun. We poke a lot of fun good people, drinking cups of tea and together. We sit around, have morning tea, walking on the beach. maybe morning tea runs into lunch and The average age of members has risen then you might have a sleep or go for a with the age of the club, but they are walk on the beach or have a swim. looking to change that. “It’s absolute luxury. There’s no hurry. “In the past there used to be 12 “We’ve been working all our lives and caravans at a rally and there could be have done long hours, so we want to relax 30 children. There was a lot put on for and enjoy ourselves.” Ryman athletes going for gold $1.75m boost secures RESIDENTS of Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village are living out their Olympic dreams of earning gold and glory. The Games are part of the world’s first 1000-year walk bridge international retirement village Olympic Games by Ryman Healthcare. The action’s already heating up, with Kiri Te LONG-RUNNING plans to build provide pedestrians with a safe link Thatcher Swann. Kanawa Village confirming a swimmer to travel a “1000-year walk bridge” over across a busy road and connect two “Funding for projects like this is to the July 30 final in Devonport, Auckland as Rakaiatane Road are back on track, landmarks which represented the key to unlocking cultural, social and one of the six fastest qualifying athletes. after new funding was secured. unique cultural and navigational economic possibilities for our region.” The village will also enter a team of six in The contract for the 1000-year walk heritage of the region. Design and consenting was the 21.6km walking relay final, and the virtual bridge design and build was signed “The vision and aspirations of completed for the bridge in 2019, but international Quiznastics (gymnastics for this week after Gisborne District Ngati Oneone and the Department of the project was put on hold when the the brain) final on August 4, which will be Council was awarded $1.75m from Conservation have been the driving Government pulled a $5.8m Provincial livestreamed on YouTube with a special guest the Lottery Significant Projects force behind this project.” Growth Fund grant because of Covid- quizmaster. Fund. The $1.75m received is a portion of 19. Ryman Healthcare communications officer Contractor Currie Construction will the amount needed to complete the Lotteries Significant Projects have Margot Boock said they were “stunned” by the complete the bridge, the final stage of bridge, and while further funding also been involved in funding. response by residents to the first instalment of the Puhi Kai Iti project. options are investigated, the council The bridge, costed at one stage at the Olympics@Ryman Games. The bridge will connect Puhi Kai Iti would proceed with a more affordable $6.9 million, was originally intended “Our residents have grabbed the Olympic /Cook Landing Site National Historic approach to the original concept. to be built in time for Tuia 250 spirit and really taken it on board and we’re Reserve with Titirangi maunga, across “The funding we’ve received will go a commemorations, in October, 2019.