Author: MIL OSI Publisher

Posted on

Graduation a dream come true for Bachelor of Teaching student | EIT Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti

Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti

2 mins ago

Sara Hallgarth is graduating with a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) from the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga.

For many years a lack of confidence stopped Sara Hallgarth from following her dream to be a teacher, but tomorrow (Friday, 4 August) she will graduate with a Bachelor of Teaching (Primary) from the Tairāwhiti Campus of EIT | Te Pūkenga.

Born and bred in Gisborne, Sara, 39, is a mother of two young girls who has studied a range of subjects from driving training to te reo in the past. But it was always teaching where her heart lay.

“I’ve always wanted to do it, but never really had the confidence. So yeah, as soon as the kids got older and things were getting easier for us, I knew that it was time.”

“It was tough juggling because my husband, William, and I own a business, Peak Construction Gisborne, so it was hard to juggle life and things, but I feel like the lecturers there were so supportive, and they only ever wanted us to succeed. So having their support all the time was great.”

The highlight of the degree for Sara was the practical component which sees students spend two days per week getting practical training at local schools.

“It was fantastic. I was with experienced teachers throughout my training, so every teacher that I had as a mentor teacher had 20 plus years of experience so I was really lucky..”

The three years of study have not been without its challenges with Sara referring to her and her classmates as “the COVID graduates”.

Sara, who finished her degree in November last year, is now teaching at Mangapapa School in Gisborne, where she did her last practicum and where she also went to school as a young girl.

“I have come full circle and my girls also attended Mangapapa. I have great connections here. My nieces and nephews and family have gone through the school, so I just felt really connected. ”

She says that the degree at EIT | Te Pūkenga prepared her for the rigours of being a teacher of young primary school students.

“I think EIT really prepared us for that shock of reality, because the paperwork side does correlate to what we’re doing now. We have our expectations and EIT had their expectations and they are similar to being a teacher, even though we moaned about it a lot, that we had so much to do. But that’s the reality of being a teacher.”

Sara says she is keen to study further but is now focused on getting her registration as a teacher.

Before that she has the not so small matter of graduation, an event her family, including her daughters, Emily, 13 and Rosie, 11, will be attending.

Emma McFadyen, a lecturer in Primary Education at EIT | Te Pūkenga Tairāwhiti, says: “Sara is one teacher from a cohort of twelve who will be graduating this year. It will be a moment of sheer joy for the teaching team and partnership schools as we watch this cohort cross the stage at graduation. Each individual has their own story, involving highs and lows, to get to this point in their journey, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”

Posted on

Govt welcomes Hawke’s Bay Councils agreement on cost-sharing

Source: New Zealand Government

The Government is welcoming region-wide support in Hawke’s Bay for the agreement on the costs of buying out Category 3 residential properties.

All five councils in the region have voted to accept the Crown’s package of support. The agreement could be worth up to $556 million subject to community consultation.

“I know it has been a trying time for many residents and I am very pleased that we can now give the people of Hawke’s Bay certainty,” Grant Robertson said.

For the buyout, the Government will support Councils to purchase homes by contributing half the net cost. The net cost is the agreed buyout value less any insurance proceeds received, plus legal and transactional costs.

“The Government has also committed to contributing $203.5 million for flood protection projects to enhance the resilience of the Hawke’s Bay region to give some certainty for owners pf properties assessed as category 2. This includes $70 million for a flood protection scheme in Wairoa.

“The sharing of these costs reflects our approach to the recovery being led by local councils, supported by central government,” Grant Robertson said.

“Alongside that agreement the Government is making further significant investment in roading improvements and the building of new transport infrastructure.

“As the councils have outlined, a further $260 million will go into these transport projects, including funding the estimated cost of the Redclyffe Bridge replacement, the Puketapu, Matapiro and Aropauanui Bridge works in Hastings, critical roading projects for Central Hawkes Bay and Te Reinga Bridge works in Wairoa.

“All through this process the Government has been supporting a locally-led solution as this is what local government wanted. I am pleased we have reached agreement today on this important next step.

“As I said on Monday, negotiations with Auckland and Tairāwhiti on cost sharing arrangements are progressing well, and we hope to have an agreement for those regions shortly,” Grant Robertson said.

Posted on

Witnesses sought following hit and run, Upper Hutt

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are asking for witnesses to come forward after the death of a pedestrian in a hit-and-run incident earlier this week.

About 7am on Tuesday 1 August, a pedestrian was struck by a southbound vehicle on Eastern Hutt Road, Lower Hutt.

The pedestrian died at the scene.

The driver of the vehicle failed to stop following the crash, and left the scene, continuing south.

Police’s investigation into the incident continues, and the vehicle involved in the incident has now been recovered.

Our enquiries are now focussed on locating the driver of the vehicle.

We’d like to speak to anyone that saw a Red 2002 Toyota Corolla hatchback, registration AYM387 travelling in the Upper Hutt area around that time.

Specifically we are focused on the area between Z Trentham Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt, and outside Pomare Rail Station on Eastern Hutt Road, Lower Hutt, between the hours of 6.50am and 7.05am.

We would also like to hear from anyone who may have dashcam or CCTV footage that may show this vehicle.

If you have information about this vehicle or its driver that morning, please also get in touch.

If you can help, please call 105 and quote file 230801/2095, or make a report online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 using “Update Report”.

You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Posted on

3 August 2023 Te Mātāwai supported housing development opened today From this week, customers have started to move into Te Mātāwai in central Auckland. Te Mātāwai was also officially opened today and is the largest, single site housing development Kāinga Ora has completed in Auckland for many years.

Source: New Zealand Government Kainga Ora

The 200 public housing customers that will live within Te Mātāwai, along with 50 Kāinga Ora customers living next door, will get access to around-the-clock, on-site support services. They will also have access to shared communal spaces that will provide opportunities to connect with neighbours, helping to foster a sense of community and belonging.

“The public housing homes at Te Mātāwai will provide a stable home to people from many different walks of life, creating a diverse and mixed community,’’ says Kāinga Ora Regional Director Central and East Auckland, John Tubberty.

Outdoor shared space at Te Mātāwai

“It is also a place where a number of people who require a higher level of support to be able to live well, can get a warm, dry and safe place to call home and access to support, when they need it, to help improve their wellbeing.’’

Te Mātāwai will also have 76 homes available for rent for the wider rental market happening as part of a one-off mixed tenure pilot to help create a more diverse and mixed community. Initially the Temporary Accommodation Service (TAS) will also lease 21 of these homes to provide housing for those impacted by the Auckland floods.

“What is also extra special is that the first customers moving into Te Mātāwai this week used to live in the old building at Greys Avenue. These customers have chosen to return and it’s great to be able to welcome them back”.

“We also recently invited neighbours to have a look around Te Mātāwai and more than 100 locals came along. We received some very positive feedback on the thoughtful design, support services and community spaces. Neighbours were also united in their support for this innovative approach to housing and wellbeing”, Mr Tubberty said.

“With customers now moving in, our focus is on getting settled in and making this a great place to live for everyone”.

More information about Te Mātāwai

  • At the Te Mātāwai complex, there are 3 tower blocks of between 9 and 13 storeys high.
  • At the beginning of the project Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei also gifted an overarching narrative for the site which was used as a base to design the building and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei designers also worked alongside the construction design team to input into the design ensuring the design followed Te Aranga design and bought the narrative alive. Read more about the narrative.
  • Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei also recently gifted the name of the complex  – Te Mātāwai and gifted the names for the three tower blocks that make up Te Mātāwai – Waitapu, Waiora and Wainui. Read about the dawn blessing for Te Mātāwai
  • All 276 homes are built to Homestar 7 standard, meaning they will be warmer, healthier and more energy efficient for customers and their whanau.
  • About 60% of the units are also either accessible or universally designed and have been recognised with Lifemark ratings of 3 or 4.
  • As well as the common accessibility features such as level access, wide doors and shower rooms, a number of the units have additional features such as benches that are able to be raised and lowered, side opening ovens and lower shelving to allow people in wheelchairs to live independently.
Posted on

Police seek witnesses to crash, Pakowhai Road, Hastings

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Police are asking for witnesses to come forward following a crash on Pakowhai Road, Hastings, this afternoon.

A blue Mitsubishi Mirage was travelling south near Frederick Street about 2.55pm when it left the road and crashed into a fence.

Police are looking to establish the circumstances of the crash, and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed it, or saw the vehicle travelling on Pakowhai Road shortly beforehand.

We’d also like to hear from anyone who might have dashcam or CCTV footage of the incident.

If you can help, please call 105 and quote event number P055548699.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Posted on

Auckland Council makes it easier to access flood data

Source: Auckland Council

Understanding the flood risk for your property has become simpler thanks to a new online tool launched by Auckland Council. The Flood Viewer is a free application that breaks down complex, technical flood risk data into an easy-to-understand format and sits alongside practical advice on how to prepare for floods.

Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters Head of Planning, Nick Vigar says a key step in being ready for severe storms is improving people’s preparedness for floods and awareness of flood risks.

“If Aucklanders know they live in a flood hazard area, they can plan to manage stormwater on their property, and know what to do before, during, and after a flood.”

Flood Viewer is easily accessible on your smartphone, tablet or desktop from the Auckland Council website. Aucklanders will be able to explore a searchable map showing flood plains, flood prone areas, overland flow paths, and coastal inundation areas. Flood maps will be continually updated, and Aucklanders can check the viewer regularly to remain up to date with the information about their properties.

“We’re providing people with information, but also suggesting ways to make their properties and families more resilient in a flood, such as moving vehicles and animals out of low-lying areas and making improvements to their property to reduce flood risk. As wFloodviewe learn to live with more frequent extreme weather and flooding, we need to build resilience into our homes and communities.”

“We see people using this tool not only to understand the flood risk where they live now, but also as part of making informed decisions when looking at somewhere new to buy or rent. Previously, access to flood risk information was only available by purchasing a Land Information Memorandum (LIM report), or through the GeoMaps tool (available on desktop only).

“Tāmaki Makaurau experienced unprecedented flooding in 2023, and we can expect more frequent events like these in the future. Auckland Council has made increasing community resilience to floods a priority, and part of this is giving people the tools to make smart decisions to prepare themselves and their homes.”

Auckland Council is prioritising flood readiness, and from today is seeking Aucklanders’ views on Making Space for Water, a proposed series of stormwater improvements including increased maintenance, community, and site-specific solutions to manage flood risks. If approved, the programme would include a significant investment in stormwater infrastructure in our city. In the meantime, council is accelerating work areas like flood modelling, enabling the development of Flood Viewer.

As part of the consultation throughout August, the council also wants to hear feedback from Aucklanders to develop the Tāmaki Makaurau Recovery Plan. This will provide an opportunity for Aucklanders to share their experiences of the extreme weather earlier this year and communicate their needs and aspirations for recovery in general.

The Have Your Say consultation period started today and will include community drop-in sessions and online information sessions. Aucklanders have until 31 August to share their views. Visit www.akhaveyoursay.nz/stormrecovery for more information.

Auckland Council is also currently consulting on the Auckland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group Plan, visit https://akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/cdem-group-plan for details.

Posted on

Wandering stock in Tairāwhiti a safety concern

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi and New Zealand Police are reminding East Coast stock owners to keep an eye on their livestock to avoid someone getting killed or seriously injured due to wandering animals.

The severe weather of the past few months has caused significant damage to infrastructure throughout the East Coast, including fencing on farmland bordering state highways.

Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay / Tairāwhiti System Manager Martin Colditz says our contractors have recently been called out to an increasing number of instances of animals alongside our state highways in Tairāwhiti, particularly on State Highway 35. These callouts utilise contractor resources usually reserved for road maintenance.

“It has been an incredibly trying, stressful few months for our communities up and down the coast, and we know people are doing their best to juggle lots of competing priorities. We also realise many stock owners have already taken steps to protect their animals and to protect road users and we do appreciate these efforts.”

Eastern District Road Policing Manager Inspector Angela Hallett says Police are regularly advised of wandering stock, and with each incident there is the potential for serious injury.

She says Police treat incidents of wandering stock seriously, and it is major safety issue for road users.

“Our Emergency Communications Centres work closely with partner agencies such as the Waka Kotahi Transport Operations Centre to ensure the appropriate agencies are advised and any cases attended and dealt with appropriately.”

“Wandering stock on our highways presents a risk to life, so please report them as soon as you can, either by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS, or 111 where there is an immediate risk to safety,” says Mr Colditz.

“Contractors working on SH35 will be a familiar sight for some time to come, while work continues to improve the road and plans are put in place for the longer-term resilience of the highway. It’s really important land owners do what they can to ensure the safety of all road users, local communities and our roadworkers,” says Mr Colditz.

For more, see our video Loose farm animals on the road is an emergency(external link) on Facebook.

Posted on

SH1 Desert Road remains closed – snowy conditions

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency advises that the north-south route through the Central Plateau is compromised due to heavy snow and ice today and some vehicle crashes.

SH1 Desert Road is currently closed and is likely to remain closed for the rest of the day and possibly overnight if snow and icy conditions remain.

SH47 and SH46 are also closed.

Waka Kotahi contractors are under the pump, working hard to remove a truck which crashed on SH47 as well as clear earlier crashes in the area and keep the route around the western side of the Tongariro National Park open, while also clearing snow and ice from the Desert Road.

The detour route for SH1 between Waiouru and Tūrangi northbound, is to use SH49, SH4 and SH41 and the same route in reverse for southbound traffic.

Road users should avoid non-essential travel through this area, or consider using alternative routes. If you must travel, be aware that winter driving conditions exist on the detour route and be ready for icy and windy conditions.

It is important to check the journey planner before you leave as the situation may change:
journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic(external link).

Posted on

Te Aka Whai Ora and Pae Ora Act reforms on track to deliver real change for Māori

Source: New Zealand Government

Associate Minister of Health Peeni Henare has welcomed the report into the progress of Te Aka Whai Ora, published today.

“The Minister of Health and I wanted to better understand the early progress Te Aka Whai Ora made against Ministerial and Cabinet expectations,” Peeni Henare said.

“This is a standard monitoring method, particularly when a new agency is involved, so we can ensure New Zealanders are being best served by the public health system.

“The report identifies a number of important milestones to recognise, as well as areas for improvement.  I thank the Hauora Māori Advisory Committee for undertaking this report at such a key time in the health system reform process.

“The Government established Te Aka Whai Ora under the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Act 2022 to strengthen Māori leadership in the health system and initiate a serious change in the health system’s performance for Māori. Te Aka Whai Ora has made some good progress in challenging circumstances.

“The uncomfortable fact is that the current deeply entrenched disparities for Māori in the health system are decades in the making and will take more than a year to fix.

”I don’t think anyone doubts that there are significant underlying equity issues continuing to prevent Māori from accessing quality health care, especially in rural areas, which is why Te Aka Whai Ora will ensure Māori have a strong, independent voice at the provider level,” Peeni Henare said.

A key delivery for Te Aka Whai Ora has been establishing 15 Iwi Māori Partnership Boards to provide key insights, direction and advice to government agencies on the provision of health services to Māori communities.

“I have supported the establishment of Te Aka Whai Ora mai rāno (from the beginning) as it was the right thing to do, then and now,” Peeni Henare said. 

“I am encouraging the Board and Chief Executive to focus on ways to improve how the health system serves Māori. The Committee’s report is a helpful way to confirm those priority areas.

“I would also note that Te Aka Whai Ora played a critical role in the development of the recently released Pae Tū –Hauora Māori Strategy.

“I’m pleased that the report recognised the support Te Aka Whai Ora provided local communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle in Te Tai Rāwhiti and flooding in Tāmaki Makaurau.

“I have sought and received assurance from the Board Chair that Te Aka Whai Ora will continue to demonstrate progress to retain the confidence of the health sector, the Government, and most of all, whānau right across the motu who depend on the health system.

 “I’ll be excited to see Te Aka Whai Ora’s positive impact on health outcomes for Māori as I continue to visit and learn from providers around Aotearoa New Zealand,” Peeni Henare said.

Hauora Māori Advisory Committee report

Posted on

Appeal for information following sightings of Tom Phillips

Source: New Zealand Police (District News)

Attributable to Inspector Will Loughrin, Waikato Police:

Yesterday, Police received reports of multiple sightings of missing man Tom Phillips across the Waikato area.

A 2003 bronze-coloured Toyota Hilux flat-deck ute (pictured), which we believe was driven by Tom Phillips, was seen in the Pokuru area near Te Awamutu, around 12.30pm.

There was also a reported sighting of Tom later in the afternoon at Bunnings in Te Rapa, at 4pm.

The same ute was again seen in Kawhia around 6:45pm yesterday evening and believed to be driven by Tom.

Tom was involved in an altercation involving another vehicle.

Police were contacted, and responded immediately to the Kawhia area attempting to locate this vehicle, but unfortunately it was not found

Tom and his three children, Jayda (10), Maverick (8), and Ember (7), have been missing since December 2021.

Since then, Police have continued work to locate them, as our primary focus is the welfare of the three children.

We’ve received numerous pieces of information from the public, which we have followed up on over the past 18 months.

The sightings of Tom yesterday are the first confirmed sightings of him since February 2021.

This is incredibly encouraging, and we are imploring the public to please come forward with what you know.

We believe there will be people in the community helping Tom and the children, and we are urging those people to do the right thing and please come forward.

There are family who are desperately missing them, and Police want to ensure their welfare.

We’re asking anyone who may have seen the Toyota ute, anywhere in the Waikato area, over the last few days to please come forward to Police via 111 and let us know.

Please quote file number 211218/5611.

ENDS

Issued by the Police Media Centre