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Forestry worker killed near Tokoroa
At 5.20am this morning Tokoroa Police and emergency services were called to Tram road, in the Kinleith forestry area of Tokoroa, where it was reported a work place fatality accident had occurred.
A 45 year old local Tokoroa man was killed as a result of being hit by a large log.
He died at the scene. Next of kin have been advised.
Occupational Safety and Health are on site and have the lead in the enquiry.
Investigation to close highway
Police investigating the serious assault at Lichfield, Tokoroa area examining the scene on SH 1.
This will affect traffic in the area. There will be a stop/go in force on SH1 as well as a diversion via Vospers Rd and Kinloch Rd, Lichfield.
This will last until about 2 pm this afternoon. Motorists should avoid the area if possible.
Photo: file / cameron avery
Fatal crash near Tokoroa
State Highway One near Tokoroa is now open after a fatal crash.
Police confirmed one person died as a result of injuries.
Serious crash investigators are investigating.
Police say the next of kin is being advised and the name of the deceased will be released soon.
Top class dirt riders head for Tokoroa
Many of the nation’s elite off-road motorcycle racers head to Tar Hill, just south of Tokoroa, this Saturday for the second round of three in the series and they know that the two men who dominated at the series opener last month won’t be there to stand in their way.
Former national enduro champion Jason Davis, of Whangamata, celebrated victory on the course at Ohakuri that day, surviving an exhausting battle with Auckland’s Chris Power, a duel that lasted right to the finish.
But both Davis and Power have since been struck down with injuries, turning the focus sharply now on to the man who was third at Ohakuri, Tauranga’s Reece Burgess.
But Burgess won’t have it easy, either, because Auckland’s Callan May, Masterton’s Reuben Vermeer and Marton’s former national cross-country champion Cam Smith will also fancy their chances on Saturday.
Carterton’s Luke Fisher won the senior intermediate grade at round one and he will be keen on Saturday to stretch out his points advantage over Ryan Scherer, of Putaruru, and Duncan McLaren, of Bennydale.
Top among the junior riders at round one and worth watching out for this weekend were Auckland’s Jake Wightman, Oparau’s James Scott and Havelock North’s Ben Hislop.
The series offers something for everyone, according to organiser Sean Clarke, of Tokoroa.
"The series is in its sixth year and has proved to be popular with a whole range of riders and families," said Clarke.
"The weekend starts on Saturday with the cross-country races. Starting at 9.30am is the racing for the junior riders, aged between seven and 15 years. Riders aged 7-11 have a three-kilometre course set out for them, and the riders aged 12 to 15 will race on a 10km course.
"These two races run at the same time and last for 90 minutes."
The senior racing gets underway at midday.
"The main senior race starts at 12 noon and this features a 17-kilometre loop in the forest and is suitable for anyone over the age of 15 ... as long as they have a reliable dirt bike and appropriate riding gear," said Clarke, a former International Six Days Enduro medal winner and multi-time former national enduro champion.
Clarke said the course at Tar Hill is "quite open and flowing".
Activity continues the next day, too, with a trail ride planned for the same venue on Sunday.
The third and final round, set for June 15, takes rider back to Ohakuri.
The series is sponsored by Michelin, Bel Ray, Axo, Renthal, Troy Lee Designs, DRC, Zeta, Kiwi Rider magazine, Sixsixone, TCX boots, Yoshimura and Suomy helmets.
Highway closed after truck crash
Diversions are in place after a truck crash near Atiamuri.
The crash involving a hay truck happened on SH30 just after 12pm.
As a result of this crash a section of SH30 will be closed for the next 2-3 hours.
Police say there are separate road diversions inplace for North and Southbound traffic due to the secondary nature of the diversion roads.
"Southbound traffic is being diverted from SH30 onto Ohakuri Road. Northbound traffic is being diverted from SH30 onto Ongoroto Road."
Motorists are advised to avoid non-essential travel in the region of the crash.
The sole driver of the truck was not injured in the crash.
Photo: Cameron Avery
House searched in relation to Tairoa homicide
Police have confirmed that a search warrant was carried out today at a semi-rural property west of Rotorua.
It was one of a number of warrants that have been carried out since the fatal shooting of George Taiaroa on 19 March.
A man in his 70s was arrested during today's operation and has been charged with a firearms offence, but that particular arrest was unrelated to the homicide investigation.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said: "It is important that we continue to protect the integrity of this investigation and not be drawn by speculation into making premature comments. We will not therefore be making any specific comments in relation to today's search or any of the previous search warrants."
The investigation into the death of George Taiaroa is ongoing and the team remains positive and motivated. No-one has been arrested for his murder to date.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Public help track killers Jeep
Police investigating the death of George Taiaroa remain positive and motivated as new public information continues to assist them in tracking a Jeep Cherokee of interest to the inquiry.
Tomorrow (Tuesday, 9 April) it will be three weeks since 67-year-old family man George Taiaroa was shot and killed as he operated a stop-go sign on Tram Road, Atiamuri.
A blue Jeep Cherokee, was seen alongside George when he was shot and that same vehicle was sighted by numerous people as it drove at speed, and erratically, along Tirohanga Road and up through Pureora Forest. Previously its last known location was by the Department of Conservation Office on Barryville Road. Police now believe that the vehicle in question has continued west to south-west from there.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said; "We are really heartened by the ongoing support we are receiving from the community. This investigation is a great example of how snippets of seemingly innocuous information from people quite far removed from our scene can help move us forward. As we continue to piece it all together we now believe that the Jeep continued to travel west to south-west and we are particularly keen to hear from people in and around the areas of Benneydale, the Taranaki and Taumarunui.
"We want people in those areas to cast their minds back to the 19th of March and the days that followed, and contact us if they can recall anything that might assist us, no matter how insignificant it might be. Community information is incredibly valuable. It has already provided us with a number of positive lines of enquiry and I believe there is more information out there which will help to complete the picture."
A team of between 30 and 50 officers are involved in the investigation depending on what enquiries are required on any given day.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Good response to George Taiaroa homicide TV appeal
Approximately a dozen phone calls were received by police investigating the fatal shooting of George Taiaroa following an appeal on Police Ten-7 last night.
Police are now following through on the information provided.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said: "It shows there is still more information out there that could assist the investigation. We've been pleased with the steady stream of information provided by the public to the team; every piece of new information allows us to progress this investigation."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Fatal shooting case to feature on Police Ten-7
The fatal shooting of George Taiaroa in Atiamuri two weeks ago will feature on Police Ten-7 this week.
George was killed as he operated a stop-go sign on the single lane Tram Road bridge on the afternoon of Tuesday, 19 March.
Police, who are yet to establish a motive for the shooting, have since been appealing for sightings of a vehicle believed to be a dark coloured Jeep Cherokee.
A team from the TV2 crime show visited the scene of the shooting earlier this week and Detective Inspector Tim Anderson walked Police Ten-7 presenter Graham Bell through the events of that day to film an appeal.
Graham Bell said: "This crime is very much a mystery. I'm confident there are people out there who can help and there are still more sightings and information that will assist the police."
The programme is scheduled to air at 7.30pm on TV2 tomorrow night (Thursday, 4 April).
In the meantime anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Waikato DHB invests $1.9m on Tokoroa Hospital
Waikato District Health (DHB) Board today approved an investment up to $1.9m at Tokoroa Hospital to accommodate primary care providers and relocate the DHB’s blood collection service.
"This project brings together a number of primary and secondary providers in one location and will provide opportunities for working more closely together," said chief executive Craig Climo.
The proposal will be an investment and landlord/tenancy arrangement to support the service integration strategy that the board has had for some years at Tokoroa and Taumarunui hospitals.
The proposal sees two wards currently not in use - wards 3 and 4 - leased to primary health and non-Government organisations as long-term tenants.
Midlands Health Network’s three GP practices will lease ward 3, using their model of Integrated Family Health Centres.
There is good interest from other health and social service providers in occupying and using Ward 4 space, including the fourth GP practice supported by National Maori Coalition; podiatry, and providers from the MÄori and Pacific communities. The hospital’s physiotherapy service will also move into Ward 4.
There has also been interest from some independent midwives in the district.
The DHB’s blood collection service and amalgamated community pharmacies will move from the town centre into the hospital.
This will be the first step in the building and refitting stage. Other changes in Ward 4 involve tidying up the existing rooms and decorating them.
Also getting underway will be changes to the internal layout in Ward 3 to suit the Midlands Health Network’s GP practice requirements.
"Because these are areas not used at present, apart from Physiotherapy, we hope to keep construction impacts on the wider hospital to a minimum. However, people will see and hear construction work going on. It is a positive sign for Tokoroa. Things are happening to update and improve their health services," Mr Climo said.
Much of the work will be complete and the facility ready for use by October this year.
"There is still a lot of work to do to pin down the detail, but this approval by the board is a great start. It means the work can get underway," he said.
Chief operating officer Jan Adams said there was potential for other services to locate to the hospital site.
"There was a real keenness from the community when we started asking for interest," she said.
Board member Dr Clyde Wade, who for many years was clinical unit leader for rural services, said the decision was a great step for Tokoroa. "It is the right thing to do for the town."
The decision is subject to ministerial approval.
Tokoroa Hospital sits on just over 11ha of land in the town and opened in August 1969.
Tokoroa hospital recieves $1.9million boost
Waikato District Health (DHB) Board today approved an investment up to $1.9m at Tokoroa Hospital to accommodate primary care providers and relocate the DHB’s blood collection service.
"This project brings together a number of primary and secondary providers in one location and will provide opportunities for working more closely together," said chief executive Craig Climo.
The proposal will be an investment and landlord/tenancy arrangement to support the service integration strategy that the board has had for some years at Tokoroa and Taumarunui hospitals.
The proposal sees two wards currently not in use - wards 3 and 4 - leased to primary health and non-Government organisations as long-term tenants.
Midlands Health Network’s three GP practices will lease ward 3, using their model of Integrated Family Health Centres.
There is good interest from other health and social service providers in occupying and using Ward 4 space, including the fourth GP practice supported by National Hauora Coalition; podiatry, and providers from the MÄori and Pacific communities. The hospital’s physiotherapy service will also move into Ward 4.
There has also been interest from some independent midwives in the district.
The DHB’s blood collection service and amalgamated community pharmacies will move from the town centre into the hospital.
This will be the first step in the building and refitting stage. Other changes in Ward 4 involve tidying up the existing rooms and decorating them.
Also getting underway will be changes to the internal layout in Ward 3 to suit the Midlands Health Network’s GP practice requirements.
"Because these are areas not used at present, apart from Physiotherapy, we hope to keep construction impacts on the wider hospital to a minimum. However, people will see and hear construction work going on. It is a positive sign for Tokoroa. Things are happening to update and improve their health services," Mr Climo said.
Much of the work will be complete and the facility ready for use by October this year.
"There is still a lot of work to do to pin down the detail, but this approval by the board is a great start. It means the work can get underway," he said.
Chief operating officer Jan Adams said there was potential for other services to locate to the hospital site.
"There was a real keenness from the community when we started asking for interest," she said.
Board member Dr Clyde Wade, who for many years was clinical unit leader for rural services, said the decision was a great step for Tokoroa. "It is the right thing to do for the town."
The decision is subject to ministerial approval. A governance group is in place to oversee the transition to integrated services.
Tokoroa Hospital sits on just over 11ha of land in the town and opened in August 1969.
New leads into Taiaroa murder
Police are assessing information provided by motorists who were surveyed at road checks yesterday, exactly one week since the fatal shooting of George Taiaroa on Tram Road, Atiamuri.
Over 1,000 vehicles passed through five checkpoints set up to cover the potential routes that a blue Jeep Cherokee of interest to the Police may have taken. The road checks ran from 2pm until approximately 6.30pm aimed at capturing regular road users who may have been in the area last Tuesday afternoon.
Detective Inspector Tim Anderson said: "A number of motorists offered information they thought might assist us. I can't comment in any detail about the information and it's too early to say where any of it will take us, but the fact that we identified more potential witnesses made it a very worthwhile exercise. It also convinces us that there is still information to be found, so I can't stress enough the importance of telling us what you know, no matter how small or irrelevant it may seem."
Of particular note, a motorist at one of the checkpoints was identified as someone who had been at the Tram Road scene immediately after the shooting but had not previously spoken to Police.
"If you were witness to anything that might be relevant or have any information that can help us, please don't wait for us to try and find you, come and speak to us," said DI Anderson.
The public appeal has also brought forward the driver of a car which came nose to nose with a tractor on the Tram Road bridge in the 30 minutes prior to the shooting. Each snippet of information provided to the team helps to piece together events on that day.
Although yesterday's operation was focused on the road network police are keen to remind the public of the off-road capability of the 4WD that is at the centre of the investigation.
"We have a long weekend approaching and fine weather is expected to bring a lot of people to the area," said DI Anderson. "I appeal to anyone camping, tramping, hunting, biking or enjoying any other outdoor activities in the area to keep an eye out for any that might assist us, whether that's a vehicle or something else that seems suspicious or out of place."
Police are still yet to establish a motive for the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the investigation team directly on 0800 Kingswood (0800 546 479). Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Police seeking witnesses of shooting
Police are seeking witnesses of the shooting that killed Road Worker George Taiaroa.
Police were back at the scene of the shooting today hoping to find clues to help solve the case, Police are advising 'holiday makers' this Easter to keep an eye out for the missing blue Jeep Cherokee that they believe could be concealed in the forestry tracks in the Central North Island.
Police are trying to get information from the public on where the blue Jeep Cherokee may of gone after the shooting.
Police have confirmed that the blue Jeep Cherokee was last seen on Link Rd near Pureora Forest, last Tuesday night.
Today police set up checkpoints at one at Mangakino and at Tram Rd.
They believe the vehicle traveled along Tirohanga Rd towards Kihikihi, Bennydale, Mangakino and possibly further South.
Coming up to Easter weekend police are asking holiday makers to keep an eye out for the blue Jeep Cherokee.
Crime manager Detective Inspector Tim Anderson stated, "George Taiaroa was a family man. He was a father and a grandfather, and if this was your family you would want information out there given to police."
Parents of wandering toddler found
The parents of a toddler found cold and upset wandering around the Waikato town of Tokoroa have been tracked down.
The boy, thought to be about two-years-old, was first seen by a member of the public in the Carrington Crescent area about 9.30pm on Wednesday.
The boy, thought to be about two-years-old, was first seen by a member of the public in the Carrington Crescent area about 9.30pm on Wednesday.
The same person saw the boy again about 11pm and contacted police.
The boy was cold, upset and seemed disorientated when he was collected by police. He was being looked after by Child, Youth and Family.
Police said on Thursday morning that the boy's parents have been found.
Maori students to represent Warriors at youth summit
Four high-achieving Maori secondary school students have been confirmed as the first Vodafone Warriors representatives at the annual All Stars Indigenous Youth Summit being held in Brisbane from February 5-10.
The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has organised the event to recognise outstanding achievement and application to education, culture and the community by selecting a total of 64 young Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australian) and New Zealand Maori students from all 16 NRL clubs.
The summit is held in conjunction with the annual All Stars match, which will be played at Suncorp Stadium for the first time on February 9.
Two of the pupils chosen as the Vodafone Warriors’ representatives - Matiu Love-Henry (17) from Taupo and Dane Clark (16) from Tokoroa - travelled to Auckland to meet staff and players and were also shown around the club’s facilities at Mount Smart Stadium on Thursday.
The two girls selected - Savannah Matua (16) from Manukau City and Nikita McGruer (15) from Tauranga - visited the club of the Vodafone Warriors on Friday.
As well as being chosen for the summit, the promising Love-Henry has recently been signed as a development player by the Vodafone Warriors.
Tribal (iwi affiliations) for McGruer, who attends Te Wharekura o Mauao in Tauranga, are Ngati Porou/Ngati Haua while Matua, a student at Te Kura Maori o Nga Tapuwae in Auckland, is Ngati Whatua/Te Atiawa.
Clark (Tokoroa High School) is Tainui/Ngati Porou and Love-Heny, who attends Taupo’s Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Whakarewa i Te Reo Ki Tuwharetoa, is Ngati Tuwharetoa/Ngati Awa.
All Stars team captains Johnathan Thurston and Benji Marshall and their team-mates will teach life-skills to the 64 students when they gather in Brisbane next month.
The event is part of the 2013 All Stars Week and will see students arrive in Brisbane on Tuesday, February 5, for mentoring and life skills workshops with both the Indigenous All Stars and NRL All Stars team members.
Activities will include physical challenges, career-advice training and job interview sessions, as well as attending the All Stars Community Festival and DEEWR Learn Earn Legend! Jobs Expo (February 8). They will also play a role in the pre-match entertainment at Suncorp Stadium before the All Stars game.
Students from Melbourne and New Zealand will take part in the summit for the first time, with others travelling from areas as remote as Weipa in the Gulf of Carpentaria and Mount Isa in north-west Queensland.
"This year’s group consist of students from extremely diverse walks of life," said NRL General Manager for Community, Culture and Diversity Trish Crews.
"For the first time we have been able to invite participants from every club and we extend a special welcome to our attendees from across the Tasman.
"We have students who have grown up in highly populated suburbs including Punchbowl (NSW), Caboolture (QLD) and Reservoir (VIC), spending the week with students from areas as remote as Charter Towers and towns and communities with populations of no more than 8000 people.
"There is a great opportunity for the group to learn from our Indigenous All Stars who have only just completed their own Indigenous Players Camp on the weekend prior as well as the NRL All Stars, coaches, mentors and their own peers."
Free books hit the road for the ultimate tiki-tour
Thousands of books by New Zealand and international authors are about to begin an epic journey toward unknown final destinations which might be anywhere around the globe.
The books will be freely distributed around dozens of towns and cities throughout New Zealand - each book with a label inviting the public to take it, read it, then pass it on.
The books, more than 4,000 in all, are part of the "Travelling Books" project, an initiative by Literacy Aotearoa and New Zealand Post designed to foster a love of reading, and of sharing books which bring people enjoyment.
Now in its second year, the Travelling Books project is being launched tonight (Wednesday 31 October) at Government House in Auckland by the Governor-General, Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae and Lady Janine Mateparae.
Once launched, the books will begin their journeys by being left in public locations in the following centres:
Invercargill Gore Queenstown
Oamaru Timaru Dunedin
Ashburton Christchurch Greymouth
Westport Blenheim Nelson Wellington Lower Hutt Porirua Upper Hutt Featherston Masterton
Paraparaumu Feilding Levin Dannevirke Palmerston North Whanganui New Plymouth Napier Gisborne
Wairoa Turangi Taupo Te Kuiti Tokoroa Rotorua Hamilton Tauranga Thames
Pukekohe Manukau Waiheke Island Waitakere North Shore Auckland Central Dargaville Whangarei Kaitaia
The free books - nearly 100 different titles - include works by household names such as John Grisham and Margaret Mahy; alongside works by beloved authors like Albert Wendt and Joy Cowley; and less well-known treasures by a range of local and international authors.
"The Travelling Books project is born of the understanding that sharing the pleasure of reading books with others is hugely rewarding," says Literacy Aotearoa CEO, Bronwyn Yates.
"The initiative aims to spread the joy of reading, by sharing fiction and non-fiction titles, making the exciting worlds of children’s, young adult and adult books readily available to New Zealanders everywhere.
"If it also helps to raise people’s awareness that adult literacy need is a major national issue, which prevents a great many New Zealanders from enjoying this pleasure, then that’s even better," Bronwyn Yates added.
New Zealand Post has a strong tradition of promoting reading and, as sponsor of both the New Zealand Post Book Awards and the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards, was a natural partner for Literacy Aotearoa on this project.
New Zealand Post’s head of sponsorship Nicola Airey says the Travelling Books project is a fun and innovative way to promote reading amongst New Zealanders, by making books available to those who otherwise may not be able to access them.
"The simple act of passing on a book you’ve enjoyed to someone else reinforces the joys of sharing and recommending books to others," Nicola Airey said.
Travelling Book spotters can recognise the new releases by a distinctive sticker on the cover. Inside they will find instructions on how to pass the books on once they’ve finished. They can hand them on to a friend or colleague or, even better, leave them in a safe dry, public space, where they can be found anew by passers-by, who can take them home and discover for themselves the pleasure of reading freely shared books.
The books will be sent on their journey around the country by the 45 member providers of Literacy Aotearoa, who will work with local PostShops to liberate them into their communities. Literacy Aotearoa has developed a system to monitor these migratory volumes: each book has a unique code inside the front cover; anyone who picks it up and reads it, is invited to log on to the Literacy Aotearoa website and record its location.
Everyone who reports a book sighting goes into a monthly draw to win a $50 gift voucher.
The books were purchased from Huia Publishers, Random House, Gecko Press and Scholastic - who offered generous discounts to help support the Travelling Books project.
For more information see: www.literacy.org.nz
Man arrested for robbery and kidnap
The owners of Amber Dairy on Bridge Street were robbed at gunpoint on Saturday night (13 October) as they locked up the shop.
Yesterday police arrested a 24-year-old local man. He has since been charged with aggravated robbery and kidnapping and will appear at Tokoroa District Court this morning.
As the case is before the court there will be no further comment.
Paki up for Homai Te Pakipaki Grand Final
The biggest night on Maori Television takes place this Friday with the live Grand Final of HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI.
Ten aspiring singers will take the stage at Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre on Friday, October 12 at 8.30pm to compete for the mana of being the series six winner - and a $10,000 cash prize.
Hosted by Matai Smith and Pikiteora Mura-Hita, the Grand Final of the grassroots karaoke show is guaranteed to be a great night out.
In addition to the 10 finalists, entertainers including reggae band 1814, rising vocal star Grace Ikenasio and Urban Beat founder Tui Manuel will be performing throughout the evening.
Other guests include last year’s Grand Final winner Chad Chambers, former Silver Fern and CODE host Jenny-May Coffin, and Maori Television’s very own Julian Wilcox and Te Arahi Maipi.
Paki wardens Jason Fa’afoi and Brent Mio will be on patrol during the evening - so watch out - anything could happen.
Once the finalists have performed, it will once again fall to the text-voting audience to decide who will take home the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI 2012 title.
The following 10 singers have been confirmed to sing for whanau, iwi and regional pride in the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI Grand Final extravaganza:
PAKI 1 Tarryn Wallace - Waitara, Te Atiawa
PAKI 2 Whata Brown - Gisborne, Rongowhakaata, Kahungunu
PAKI 3 Cam Galbraith - Dairy Flat, Auckland, Ngai Te Rangi
PAKI 4 Brittany Teokotai - Tokoroa, Ngati Wai, Whatua
PAKI 5 Geoffrey Pari - Gisborne, Ngai Tuhoe
PAKI 6 Abbie Leigh - Tokoroa
PAKI 7 Trishamarie Kaiawe - Papakura, Ngapuhi, Tainui
PAKI 8 Hukanui Brown - Gisborne, Rongowhakaata
PAKI 9 Hoki Kepa - Lower Hutt, Arawa, Tuhoe, Ngati Awa
PAKI 10 Diane Tibble - Rotorua, Tuhoe, Ngati Porou
Tune in to the HOMAI TE PAKIPAKI Grand Final on Maori Television at 8.30pm on October 12.
Text your vote to 368, (text the word paki, leave one space then add the paki number) or come along to be part of the action at the Logan Campbell Centre, 217 Greenlane Rd West, Epsom, Auckland. Be sure to arrive early to be seated by 7.30pm. Entry is by gold coin koha which will go to the charity, St John.
Ironman effort from Husaberg ace!
One bike, one man, six hours – that’s an awful lot to ask for.
But that was exactly the plan for Tauranga’s Reece Burgess (Husaberg FE450), who not only won the ironman section of the big Six-Hour Dirt Bike Challenge on Saturday, but also threatened early on to steal away with the marathon event outright.
Te Awamutu’s Mark Penny and Queenstown’s Scotty Columb combined on a 450cc bike to eventually win the race, but they had a fight on their hands as Burgess led the way throughout the opening few laps, forcing an incredible pace.
Burgess (Husaberg FE450) had the lead soon after the shotgun blast sounded to signal the start, just after 9am on Saturday morning, and he quickly set a blistering pace on the undulating course, set out on forestry land midway between Taupo and Tokoroa.
“For the first couple of laps I had a bit of fun learning the course but I went hard while I knew I could. I rode conservatively after that to save energy. I knew I could afford to do that because I’d built up a gap on most of the field,” said the 33-year-old Burgess.
“I had figured on doing eight laps, but it was nine for me in the end. I just settled into a routine and cruised at the finish.”
Burgess eventually settled for fourth overall, easily good enough for him to win the ironman class title, ahead of Taupo’s Brad Groombridge, who came home seventh overall.
Race co-winner Columb, a motocross professional who works as a tour guide for Off-Road Adventures in Queenstown when he’s not racing, praised Burgess afterwards.
“I want to give credit to Reece Burgess. He was racing it as an ironman and he led for quite a while. He’s definitely going to have ‘monkey butt’ this week.”
Runners-up were the two-rider team of Auckland’s Chris Power and Palmerston North’s Adam Reeves, while third outright was the KTM pairing of Mike Skinner and Freddie Milford-Cottam, this combo with a particularly interesting tale of their own to tell.
In the event build-up, the pair had chosen to co-ride Milford-Cottam’s KTM XCW200, but that plan fell apart when Milford-Cottam became the victim of a burglary, his bike and the KTM 400 belonging to his father disappearing in the theft just a week before the big race.
But then fate played a hand.
“The police busted the house of a well known receiver of stolen goods, looking for a stolen Apple iPad that, unfortunately for the thieves, had a GPS tracker programme installed in it and so the police knew where to look,” Milford-Cottam explained. “The police had a look around the house and found the stolen bikes underneath a tarpaulin behind the building.
“We got the bike back on Monday and we rode it like we stole it today,” he laughed.
In all, KTM proved to be the most popular brand of all the manufacturer entries – of the bikes on the start line, 43 were KTM, 15 were Yamaha, 14 were Suzuki, 12 were Honda, five were Aprilia, five were Kawasaki, four were Husqvarna, three were Husaberg and one was a Gas Gas.
Only five teams or individuals completed nine laps in the six hours, with some combinations managing just three or four of the 32-kilometre laps.
No connection fees Ultrafast Fibre Broadband
Local fibre company, Ultrafast Fibre Ltd, is reminding homeowners in the eight centres where it is constructing its ultrafast broadband network that the company does not charge a residential connection fee.
“There has been some confusion across all markets about residential connection fees and we wanted to clear up any misconceptions about Ultrafast Fibre charges.
“Ultrafast Fibre will build a fibre connection from the fibre network, at a property’s boundary, to the customer’s house and up to 10 metres inside the house to reach the termination point. There will be no charge for this – full stop.”
“There has been a lot of talk about non standard connection charges. With our build all residential connections are classed as standard, so no non-standard charges will apply.
“This is a benefit for the retailers offering services off our network and a savings they can choose to pass along to end consumers,” explains Maxine Elliott, CEO of Ultrafast Fibre Ltd.
Ultrafast Fibre is laying fibre in eight centres across the Central North Island, including: Hamilton, Tauranga, Wanganui, New Plymouth, Cambridge, Te Awamutu, Tokoroa and Hawera.
The first residential connections have begun in both Hamilton and Tauranga and will begin in the other six centres by 1 January.
Homeowners living in one of these eight centres can enter their address into a tool on the Ultrafast Fibre website – www.ultrafastfibre.co.nz – to find out when the local fibre network will pass their home, enabling them to receive ultrafast broadband services from their preferred retailer.
Search resumes for pig hunter
The man who lives and hunts alone, was not reported overdue, but staff at the Waipapa Dam on the Waikato River called Police on Tuesday when they noticed that his ute had been parked at the Dam since 10am Monday. They also saw an unaccompanied pig dog running around the ute on Monday afternoon.
It is known that the man is a regular hunter in the area of pine forest on the eastern side of the Waikato River. He is said to be well organised, well equipped and an experienced hunter who only normally goes on a day hunt.
Up to 45 people were involved in the search yesterday, assisted by two LandSAR Dogs, a Police Dog, the Youthtown Rescue helicopter and the Waikato River Harbourmaster. The search will continue today in a similar area as yesterday with further investigation of some clues found.
Yesterday a second dog belonging to the man was found on the western side of the Waikato River a little way upstream of the Dam. Three dogs are still unaccounted for. The two dogs that have been found were wearing tracking collars, and it is thought the others are also wearing them, but this has not helped find them.
A search base has been set up near the Waipapa Dam and the search will be managed from there again today. There is no cell phone coverage in that area.
If anybody has any information which might help this search please call the Tokoroa Police Station 07 885 0100.
Police appeal following serious assault
The Tokoroa police are seeking assistance from the public in relation to a serious assault that occurred in Tokoroa overnight.
A married couple aged in their 70s arrived home to their Weka Place address to find three men damaging a fence that separates their property from an alleyway.
The elderly man asked the group to stop and was verbally abused by them.
One then produced a full can of alcohol and threw it at the male striking him on the back of the head.
The force of the blow caused the victim to fall to the ground stunned. He managed to get to his feet again with the intention of retreating inside his address to contact the Police.
The man's wife came to his aid and as she did the same offender walked onto their property and punched the woman in the face, knocking her to the ground unconscious.
The offending group then ran up Weka Place toward Aotea Crescent.
Neighbours who heard the commotion rushed to the elderly couple's aid and ambulance staff attended and transported the couple to the Tokoroa hospital for treatment.
The Police using a dog tracked the group through several streets and alleyways but lost the trail some distance from the scene.
The offenders were described as three male Maoris, aged between 18 and 20 years, two could be described at fat while the other was skinny. All were wearing dark clothing.
Tokoroa Police Senior Sergeant Graeme Hill said: "This is a cowardly and despicable attack on two elderly people minding their own business at home. I urge anyone with any information that can assist in the apprehension of these offenders to contact us."
Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Tokoroa Police on 07 885 0100. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
150 arrested in Bay of Plenty drug operation
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| A cannabis plant Photo File |
One hundred and fifty people have been arrested across the Bay of Plenty after a two month District wide Police operation targeting the cultivation of cannabis, and the distribution and manufacture of illicit drugs, such as methamphetamine.
The Bay of Plenty Police District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Tim Anderson, says the operation has been running since early February in two key phases, with the first phase in February focused on the location and destruction of outdoor cannabis growing operations.
Detective Inspector Anderson says the second phase was undertaken over 13 days in early March, with the execution of 183 search warrants, resulting in 150 people being arrested on a total of 291 charges.
"This has been a significant operation for the Bay of Plenty Police District, which has prevented a huge amount of drug harm in our communities.
"The majority of the search warrants undertaken were targeting drug dealing properties in local neighbourhoods.
"Regardless of the level of drug operation or offending, these are organised criminals who are essentially earning a living from the manufacture, cultivation and distribution of illicit drugs.
"The consequences of drugs are harmful and the negative impacts go far beyond the individual user and often translate into other areas of crime such as burglary, stolen cars, serious violence and intimidation.
There are also significant social and financial costs to society, including the downstream health problems which our hospitals have to deal with.
"This is not activity that we want in our local communities. If you think suspicious drug activity is happening in your neighbourhood, please contact Police. You can also provide information anonymously via the independent Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
"To assist us policing drug crime, we rely on information from members of the public. Please help us keep your community safe."
Detective Inspector Anderson says two methamphetamine clandestine laboratories were located in Tauranga during the operation, along with several sophisticated indoor cannabis growing operations across the District.
He says Police also seized 36 firearms.
"While we are pleased that these firearms are now out of local communities, we continue to be concerned about the number of firearms that Police inevitably locate associated with illegal drug operations.
"This has been a significant operation with some significant results. I am extremely proud of the huge effort from the Police team on this operation, and this focus will continue over the coming weeks and months."
The key results from the Bay of Plenty drug operation are:
• 12,500 cannabis plants seized and destroyed in February in the Western Bay of Plenty and Eastern Bay of Plenty, approximately 10,000 cannabis plants sprayed and eradicated in March, and 9,500 cannabis plants were located in Tokoroa – a total of 32,000 plants destroyed
• Search warrants were undertaken in Te Puke, Papamoa, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, Greerton, Rotorua, Kaingaroa, Murupara, Rotoma, Whakatane, Opotiki, Kawerau, Taupo, Tokoroa, Putaruru and Mangakino.
• 60 people were arrested in Rotorua, 34 in the Taupo Police Area, 32 in Western Bay of Plenty and 24 in Eastern Bay of Plenty.
• 36 firearms were seized, including 699 rounds of ammunition.
• Quantities of methamphetamine, cannabis and cannabis oil were recovered
• 2 methamphetamine clandestine laboratories were located in Western Bay of Plenty.
• Stolen property, including electronics and vehicles to the value of more than $115,000 were recovered
• $39,000 in cash was recovered
• Those arrested face a range of charges, including 79 charges of supplying drugs, 62 charges of drug cultivation, 14 of illegal possession of firearms, three on property related charges, 11 charges of manufacture and 65 charges of drug possession.
• 14 Police staff were involved in the first phase of the operation, with 30 staff involved in the second phase. Armed Offenders Squad members provided support on search warrants undertaken in Rotorua, Whakatane, Opotiki, Tauranga and Tokoroa.-
Lani Hepi - lani@theboplive.com