GNS Science says that minor activity has become re-established at White Island over the last 24 hours. The Volcano Alert Level remains at Level 1 and Aviation Colour Code has been raised to Yellow.

Emergency services are at the scene of a truck crash on Awaiti South Road near Otakiri.

Reports are that the crash is between a rubbish truck and a ute, there is one person reportedly trapped.

Both lanes of Awaiti South Road are blocked.

Police, fire, and ambulance are at the scene.

The status of the person trapped is unknown at this stage.

More soon.

The crash is at the intersection of Awaiti South Road and Mccutchan Road

The Whakatāne Aquatic Centre will be closed to the public on Thursday, 25 July to allow contractors to
carry out scheduled building and plant maintenance at the facility.

Whakatāne District Council Manager Aquatics and Recreation, Sarah Clarke, says the maintenance closure is inconvenient but necessary. “We’re aware the closure falls during the school holidays, but it is timed so that there will be no disruption to the Learn to Swim and Aquacise programmes,” she says. “Nationally, many aquatic centres close for one or two weeks each year to carry out essential maintenance and improvements. We’ve managed to keep ours to a one-day closure, so hopefully, the community will recognise that the disruption involved will be relatively minor.”

The closure does not mean a day off for the Whakatāne Aquatic Centre staff, however. “We’ll be making the most of the downtime by organising an all-day training programme," Ms Clarke says. “There are few opportunities for pool staff to carry out training sessions together, so this is also an ideal team-building opportunity for us.”

Normal hours will resume on Friday, 26 July, with the pool open from 6 am to 8 pm. Ms Clarke also reminds the community of the pool’s Family Fun Days, which now run every Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. The Aquatic Centre offers a special pool and hydroslide rate for Family Fun Days, with children paying $5.00 (normally $6.70) and adults $7.00 ($8.50).

“Our Family Fun Day on 28 July will be a great way for families to wrap up the school holidays together. We’ll have our inflatable playground in action throughout the day and families can also enjoy our toddler pools, water features, spa pools and hydroslide,” she says.

Isaac Calmer who escaped custody from the Whakatane Police Station this afternoon has now been recaptured by Whakatane Police at his home address

Party President Pem Bird (Ngati Manawa, Ngai Tahu) will not be standing for re-election at the Maori Party's Hui-a-Tau to be held in Whakatane next weekend. The term of office for party president is three years.

"I was elected as president in 2010, at the party's AGM at Omahu Marae in Hastings. The last three years have been a time of great challenge for the party as we sought to battle hard for gains for our people while acutely aware of the impact that the global financial crisis was taking on our people.

"While it is always easy to stand from the side-lines and criticise, our MPs have valiantly stood up for our people, doing everything in their power to support and strengthen our whānau in their capacity to do for themselves.

"I am so proud of the enormous gains crystallised in this year's budget - epitomised by a not-insignificant investment of $1088.6million of tangible achievements.

The Maori Party in parliament has done the hard yards - walking the tightrope of challenging injustice while at the same time concentrating on progress for whānau, hapū and iwi".

"I share in the faith and confidence in our future, as demonstrated by our co-leaders' decisions to retire at the 2014 General Election, and highlighted yesterday by Dr Sharples' announcement to step-down from the Co-leadership role.

"We truly believe in the resilience and the amazing potential of our movement to lead us into tomorrow. My decision to not seek re-election represents my decision to allow the waka to travel forward with new energy at the helm.

"It has been a tremendous privilege to play the part I have in helping the waka move forward, and in the spirit of succession planning and optimism for our future, I look forward to supporting the incoming President in taking up the mantle in the weeks ahead".

The Whakatāne Museum Research Centre has confirmed that it is storing the artwork ‘Urewera Mural’, by
noted New Zealand artist Colin McCahon.

A triptych, the painting was commissioned by the then-Urewera National Park Board in 1975 and was displayed at the park headquarters and Visitor Centre at Waikaremoana. Responsibility for the care and management of the painting transferred to the Department of Conservation in 1987. In 1997, The Urewera Mural was removed by activists. After its recovery and conservation, it went back on display at Waikaremoana before being placed on long-term loan with the Auckland Art Gallery.

Whakatāne District Council Museum and Arts Team Leader, Hamish Pettengell, says that at the request of Ngai Tūhoe and DoC, who wanted the artwork “moved closer to home”, the Urewera Mural has been relocated to the Whakatāne Museum Research Centre.

“As is standard practice, we contracted the services of a specialist conservator to condition report the artwork on arrival at the museum.  It is now re-housed in its crate and in a part of the building that is constantly monitored for any changes in temperature or humidity,” Mr Pettengell says.

The Museum will care for the Urewera Mural until such time as its future location is decided.

Small but shallow tremors  are continuing to rock the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

GNS science  say a total of 9 minor earthquakes have been registered today within the Eastern Bay of Plenty since 8am this morning.

A spokesperson says the small tremors range between 2 and 2.8 magnitude, mostly west of Whakatane.

A reader from Kawerau says they are getting 'scary'.

"We have been feeling them all day and it's quite scary thinking  is there a big earthquake  on the way."

If you’d like to know about healthy eating for you and your family, or why it’s important to monitor sore throats, then visit the public health information stand at the Horizon Energy Library.

Te Kōputu’s Library Services Supervisor, Kim Johnston, says the brochures are a practical addition to the Library’s health information. “The stand is positioned near the Library’s health information books, and will extend the information available to users,” she says.

The free brochures have up-to-date, New Zealand-based information which is relevant to everyone in our community.

Toi Te Ora Health Information Advisor, Lorraine Howarth says they are pleased to have the opportunity to provide the information through the Library. “It’s one of the most accessible and highly visited facilities in our community, so we’re grateful to have that level of prominence for our information.”

The health information stand will be regularly maintained by Toi Te Ora. Anyone looking for additional information may like to visit Toi Te Ora – Public Health Service’s website, where they can access the full range of public health information brochures atwww.ttophs.govt.nz.

Voting has closed on whether Ngāi Tūhoe will accept a treaty settlement with the Crown, but protests from disaffected hapu are continuing.

Last week a group from Maungapohatu mounted a protest in Murupara, and on Sunday Ngāti Haka Patuheuheu occupied the main road at Waiohau, which it says was built illegally on Māori land.

Spokesperson Robert Pouwhare says there will be a further protest in Opotiki on Friday, and hapū are also planning to take a stand at parliament as the settlement goes through the legislative process.

He says Ngāti Haka Patuheuheu withdrew from Te Kotahi ā Tūhoe four years ago because it did not trust the negotiators to act in its interests.

Mr Pouwhare says Ngāti Haka Patuheuheu won’t give up, and it will give its younger generations the knowledge to keep up the fight.

-waateanews.com

A four-year-old girl is in a serious condition in Whakatane Hospital following a serious road incident this afternoon.

The incident happened at approximately 2.20pm when a vehicle reversed from an alleyway on Pohutukawa Avenue, Ohope and struck two girls on the footpath.

Both children were taken to Whakatane Hospital where the 4-year-old local girl is in a serious condition and the 7-year-old girl from Rotorua is described as stable. The girls are known to each other but aren't siblings.

The driver of the vehicle, a 43-year-old local man, has been charged with two counts of drink-driving causing injury and will appear before Whakatane District Court on Tuesday.

An investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing.

As the matter is now before the courts there will be no further comment.

Photo / File / Cameron Avery

Homai Te Pakipaki, New Zealand’s original talent show, has had a makeover.

The live karaoke competition premieres for its seventh season on Maori Television on Friday, at 8.30pm with a bigger grand prize, a new format and new hosts.

Former Mai FM breakfast host and Te Teko old boy Brent Mio teams up with Pikiteora Mura-Hita - the 2008 Homai Te Paki Paki Grand Final winner as they take over the reins from award-winning presenter Matai Smith to host the show.

"They are big shoes to fill", says Mio, "but I am looking forward to the challenge".

The new format, hour-long show will feature five Paki (contestants) who’ve made it through the audition process to take the stage and compete to win the $1000 prize and a 2Degrees Paki phone package.

Those who receive the most text-votes, making it through the heats and semi-finals to the Grand Final in October, will compete for a whopping $20,000 in prize money and a Mobile Phone Package from the show’s major sponsor 2Degrees.

Producer Piripi Menary hopes to see a lot of new talent come through to the Maori Television studio and lay down the challenge on the Homai stage for top honours.

"It is a show about the people for the people and we want to give them a platform…but we’re keeping it real and grassroots."

The live shows starts from Friday with registration for contestants over 16-years-old at 3pm at the Newmarket studios in Auckland.

Library and Exhibition Centre – every Sunday this month.

The ‘Red Freds’ will be delivering Sunday Sound Bites, with live renditions of a wide variety of Kiwi music, each Sunday between 11.00am and midday, until the end of the month. This talented, local ensemble will perform in the Horizon Energy Library or (weather permitting) the Little Orchard Activity Room and Atrium, providing their own unique take on classic NZ tunes.

Entry is free and space is limited, so interested members of the public are advised to arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.

Library team members have also assembled their favourite New Zealand music CDs and will be providing soft background music in the Little Orchard spaces throughout the month. Call in and check-out the eclectic mix of tunes from yesteryear and today.

The realignment project will provide a straighter, wider and safer road by removing the Taneatua Rail Overbridge, upgrading the existing detour around the over bridge (which has been in use since the over bridge closed in 2011) and widening the SH2/Taneatua Road intersection to improve sight distances at the intersection.

NZTA Bay of Plenty State Highway Manager Brett Gliddon, says that good weather will help workers complete the remaining earthworks, seal the new intersection and section of state highway, and finish the work by tying it in with the existing local road.

Mr Gliddon says creating a safer road has been a key focus of the project and progress has been excellent since construction started in November last year.

“The crew working on site are doing a great job and all is running to plan thanks to a great team and good weather. They’ve successfully removed the 85 year old rail over-bridge, installed a 2.4 metre culvert, sealed parts of the new road, and started shaping the new intersection and newly realigned state highway”.

State Highway 2 is an important local connector and regional freight route and this project is vital for maintaining security of this route and for the safety of travellers using it. Safety will be improved on the intersection by removing the curves, adding road width and increasing sight distances.

“We want to thank motorists and the local community for their patience during construction. The finish line is in sight, and all going to plan, the new road will be open in July”.

treat.

White Island volcano has remained at a persistent low level of activity, including volcanic tremor and

degassing, for the past month.  

The Government is placing special nurses into DHBs to be dedicated nurse coordinators guiding cancer patients through their treatment and follow up care, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.

The total fire ban which has been in force in the Whakatane and Opotiki Districts since 29 January will be lifted, as from Tuesday 23 April 2013.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Neal Yeates says that following significant rainfalls across the area in recent days, a total fire ban is no longer needed.

“The public are reminded though that the Opotiki District Council Rural Fire District has an all-year restricted fire season, which means that anyone wishing to light a fire in the open air must first obtain a permit from the Opotiki District Council,” Mr Yeates says.

“The Whakatane District Council Rural Fire Authority will also be extending its restricted fire season through until 31 May 2013, so again, anyone wanting to light a fire in the open air between now and the end of May must first obtain a permit from the Whakatane District Council.”

Any enquiries should be made to the relevant Council – Opotiki District Council, tel. 07 315 3030; Whakatane District Council, tel. 07 306 0500.

Photo: Cameron Avery

Former Whakatane lawyer Chris Moore will take over as president of the New Zealand Law Society today.

Mr Moore will succeed Jonathan Temm as President at the Law Society Council meeting in Wellington.

Mr Moore says there are several key areas which he intends to focus on during his term.

"The maintenance of New Zealand’s hard-earned reputation for access to justice is at the top of my list. This position can only be maintained while it is underpinned by a strong legal profession, well-functioning courts administration and a high quality judiciary as well as a viable legal aid system," he says.

Mr Moore graduated with an LLB from Otago University and practised for a short time in Auckland before moving to Whakatane, becoming a partner in the law firm now known as Hamertons Lawyers Ltd.

He returned to Auckland to join Russell McVeagh, where he was a partner for 10 years. From 1999 to earlier this year Mr Moore was a partner at Auckland law firm Meredith Connell. At the start of April 2013 he moved to a partnership with national property firm Greenwood Roche Chisnall.

Mr Moore has been closely involved with the Law Society, and has been a member of the Law Society Council since 2003, becoming Vice-President (Auckland) in 2012.

He chaired the Property Law Section from 2003 until this year and was President of the Law Society’s Auckland branch from 2009 until March 2013.

Mr Moore is married with three adult children. He enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as running, swimming, tennis and snowboarding.

Sheehan will perform tunes from her new album, Chasing the Light. 

"From beautiful piano ballads to upbeat pop and catchy soulful beats, right through to summery reggae vibes and uptempo dance numbers, there is something for everyone." She says. 

Maree will perform on the 20th April at the Commercial Hotel in Whakatane. 

Door sales only $10.00 

Emergency services were  called to the Waimana Gorge this morning after a car was found in the Waimana River.

Emergency services from Whakatane, Waimana and Taneatua were called to SH2  just after 9.30am.

A blue  Subaru WRX was located  fully submerged in the water.

Further inquiries discovered the vehicle crashed at 3am this morning when it had failed to take a corner on Waimana Road, ploughed through the bridge abutment, and down  ten metres down a bank and into the river.

Late Sunday afternoon,  Rotorua Police were advised of two hunters overdue in the northern Te Urewera National Park.

The pair, a father and son from the South Waikato had been dropped by helicopter into the Matawhero Stream [about 15 kilometres east of Galatea] on Thursday, and were to be picked up at 2.00 pm on Sunday.

When the helicopter arrived to pick them up they were not at their camp.  During the afternoon the helicopter operator returned several times to the area, but by dark they were still missing.

Rotorua Police Search & Rescue arranged several search teams of Police and LandSAR volunteers to begin a search the following morning.

Efforts to get back into the area on Monday morning were hampered by fog, rain, and low cloud, but the weather improved by late morning and a helicopter was able to drop the first of the search teams at the lost parties camp, and conduct an aerial search.

At around midday the lost hunters were located in the Te Inepa Stream.  This was about 5 kilometres from their camp and in a different watershed.

They had got lost on the second day of their trip and so had been lost for three days.  The had no food or shelter, but had made a fire to keep warm.  Both were hungry and weak, and very happy to see their rescuers!

In addition to lighting a fire, which assisted those searching for them, the pair had also left large arrows and an SOS sign made out of rocks in the riverbed.

They had a very well equipped campsite, and lots of good gear and food, but unfortunately had very little with them when they got lost.

Police were very happy to locate the pair when they did given the severe weather warnings in place for later in the week.  Given their weak state when found it is likely that if they had still been lost when the bad weather hit it could well have proved fatal for them.

This is a salutary lesson to those using the outdoors to always follow the outdoor safety code.

Outdoor Safety:

•       Plan your trip.
•       Tell someone where you are going and when you will return so they know when to raise the alarm.
•       Be aware of the weather.
•       Know your limits.
•       Take sufficient supplies.  (This includes food, clothing to cover all eventualities, and a means of communication.)

A recent incident which saw a dog killed and a rider injured has highlighted the fact that some motorcyclists have been using the Warren Cole Walkway and the reserves adjoining it as an off-road shortcut between Landing Road and the town centre. Motorcycles are banned in those areas and there is signage at main entry points confirming that their use is not permitted.

WDC Parks Technical Advisor Fiona Hennessey says there have been a number of reports of an unregistered ‘mini-bike’ being ridden at speed along the riverbank reserves. “This is a difficult situation to control, because there are many possible entry points and the people involved are obviously ignoring the signs and the reactions of the people they are annoying with their antics.

“Whenever we receive a complaint, one of our security contractors is asked to follow it up, but unfortunately, by the time they arrive, the people causing the problem have usually left the scene.”

She says that to take action against those responsible, the Council needs to be able to identify them. “We would ask walkway users and nearby residents who encounter motorcycles on the riverbank reserve to notify us immediately, and also to take note of the motorcycle registration number, if there is one. If it is unregistered, a cellphone photo of the rider and motorcycle would certainly help us and the Police to track these people down.”

Where dangerous practices are observed, Ms Hennessey asks that a formal complaint be made to both Council and the Police. “We are very keen to see this activity stop, but that won’t happen without the community’s help.”

Starting at midday on Friday, 19 April, a series of one-hour, fortnightly sessions will be held in the Little Orchard Activity Room and Atrium. Local solicitors David Sparks and Sheryl Overington will cover a range of legal topics, including wills and power of attorney arrangements; consumer law and your rights; employment law; Māori land succession; and the New Zealand Constitution.

Any detailed or ongoing advice required by participants will then be provided through Baywide Community Law’s offices in Whakatāne, Kawerau or Ōpōtiki, or via clinics run in Matatā and Waimana.

Te Kōputu staff are looking to expand the concept through partnerships with other community organisations, with a focus on neighbourhood awareness and advice and advocacy services.

The Tauranga based TrustPower TECT rescue helicopter was called to the Waioeka Gorge south of Opotiki where a 38 year old Whakatane man had twisted his knee while out hunting.

One of his hunting companions walked out this morning to raise the alarm. They had spent the night in a temporary bivoac as the injured man could not walk the ragged terrain back to the Manganuku Hut. 

The rescue helicopter landed at the track end near S.H. 2 to pick up the injured hunters companion to then locate the injured man. 

Once located a St John paramedic was lowered down to the injured man and the patient and paramedic where winched into the helicopter using the Port of Tauranga rescue winch. The patient was flown out to a waiting ambulance and then taken to Whakatane hospital for treatment.

Sheehan will perform tunes from her new album, Chasing the Light. 

"From beautiful piano ballads to upbeat pop and catchy soulful beats, right through to summery reggae vibes and uptempo dance numbers, there is something for everyone." She says. 

Maree will perform on the 20th April at the Commercial Hotel in Whakatane. 

Door sales only $10.00 

-Lani Hepi 

The Tauranga based TrustPower TECT Rescue helicopter was called to the East cape settlement of Hawai yesterday afternoon after a 58 year old local man was unwell with a serious medical condition. 

 Opotiki St John ambulance paramedics attended to the man initially and were concerned for his health so called for the helicopter to transport him to Tauranga hospital. 

His condition improved to moderate.

Photo / Cameron Avery 

The Tauranga based TrustPower TECT Rescue helicopter was called to Te Kaha lastnight after a  34year-old local man was suffering chest pain.

He was transported from the Te Kaha medical centre to Whakatane for further treatment, is condition was moderate.   Pilot Liam Brettkelly says. 

The flight was carried out using Night Vision equipment.

The Tauranga based TrustPower TECT Rescue helicopter was called to Te Kaha today after a van rolled.

The crash occured south of Te Kaha.

A 62 year old local man received head, chest, back and shoulder injuries in the crash, he was flown to Tauranga hospital in a serious condition.

Three other occupants in the van received moderate injuries and were treated at the Te Kaha medical centre.

New Zealand Daylight Saving will end next Sunday, 7 April 2013, when 3.00am becomes 2.00am.

People may find it convenient to put their clocks back by one hour before going to bed on Saturday 6 April.

As well as changing clocks, the end of daylight saving is an opportune time for people to check their household emergency plans and survival items and home smoke alarms.

The daylight saving period runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April. This year daylight saving will recommence on 29 September.

The Whakatane District Council will be carrying out their annual Tsunami alarm testing at 10am. 

The comments from Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy re-confirming the government’s commitment to

supporting large scale irrigation projects are exactly what drought-stricken farmers needed to hear, Federated Farmers national president Bruce Wills says.

“It is great to see Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy publically reiterating the Government’s commitment to investing up to $400 million to encourage third-party capital investment in regional water storage projects to better insure farmers against droughts such as the one currently ravaging the North Island,” Wills says.

“We need these schemes because no matter how many on-farm water dams farmers build, they will never have enough capacity to see us through droughts like this one.

“It is not just farmers who will feel the effects of the prolonged dry season. The entire New Zealand economy is set to take a $2 billion hit, which will affect everyone, from all walks of life, everywhere in the country.

“Minister Guy has hit the nail on the head when he says improved water storage capacity would be good for the economy and the environment.

“Imagine the good which could be done if, through the better water allocation which water storage projects would allow, we could boost exports by $4 billion a year by 2026.

“More wealth coming into this country means more jobs and higher wages for all New Zealanders and farmers who are doing well financially have more money available to spend on environmental protection.

“Federated Farmers is delighted with these continued signals that the Government continues to see this issue as a matter of national importance,” Wills concluded.