Hawke’s Bay’s news in brief: Donation of 10k native plants, $69k to East Coast Rural Support Trust | T-10 NEWS

10,000 native plants gifted to Hawke’s Bay, $69k donated to Rural Support

The Rural Support Trust received a donation of 10,000 plants on Monday from Restore Native in Waikato. Working with the Hawke’s Bay A&P Society they distributed the plants to schools, marae and regions impacted by the cyclone.

Rural Support and the A&P Society are working in partnership after the Society rallied together with sponsors of the Napier Port Hawke’s Bay Primary Sector Awards to make a donation of $69,000 to East Coast Rural Support Trust.

Adam Thompson, founder of Restore Native, said he wanted to help make a difference in Hawke’s Bay. “It could happen to any of us at any time”, he said. Thompson made contact with Rural Support’s national office and pledged his donation.

Jonathan Bell of East Coast Rural Support Trust, said, “We are incredibly grateful for this generosity and all the goodwill in our community”.

Hawke’s Bay A&P Society, general manager, Elisha Milmine said they were delighted to be in a position to make this donation to East Coast Rural Support Trust and this donation would enable the Trust to “continue supporting all rural communities affected by recent adverse experiences”.

Milmine said the new partnership enhances Hawke’s Bay A&P Society’s mission of supporting the primary sector.

Rural Support Trusts have local, rural people who know from experience that pressures can mount up. Their networks and training can help with all kinds of situations, and help people get through challenges. They are available on 0800 787 254.

Forest & Bird hosts Tukituki election candidates

The Hastings and Havelock North Forest & Bird branch is hosting a candidate forum ahead of the October 14 general election.

Hear from the candidates standing in the Tukituki electorate about their parties’ policies on climate change and the environment.

Each candidate will be given an opportunity to present their policies and this will be followed by question and answer time.

Forest & Bird members and non-members are welcome on Thursday from 7.30pm at St Marks Hall on the corner of Queen St East and Park Rd North in Hastings.

Flaxmere home gutted by a fire on Monday morning

Firefighters were called just after 8am to the blaze on Ardrossan Ave, Hastings.

Hastings Fire Station senior station officer Mike Peachey said the residents who lived at the home were out when the fire started, and no-one was injured.

A neighbouring unit was not damaged by the fire, but people living inside that home were evacuated due to the smoke.

A cause has not yet been determined for the blaze.

Firefighters had the fire out in about an hour and two fire trucks attended.

There has been a concerning number of building fires in Hawke’s Bay including 28 recorded in the month to August 28.

Fast makes furious: Police frustrated with dirt bike riders

Police are appealing to the public for any footage of dirt bike riders driving dangerously around Hawke’s Bay.

They say staff are continuing to receive complaints of dirt bike riders, including multiple calls over the weekend about bikes being driven on footpaths and supermarket carparks in Napier.

Police say they are making enquiries to identify and find people involved in this incident and anyone who can help is encouraged to contact them.

Police say a few riders are giving the rest a bad reputation.

“They are the ones driving at speed through parks, tearing up fields, riding in an anti-social manner and not wearing helmets which not only puts themselves at risk of serious harm, but also members of the community enjoying those public spaces,” police said in a release on Monday.

Police said their message is clear: “If you ride your dirt or off-road bike where you shouldn’t and/or in an anti-social manner, you can expect that we will do everything in our power to firstly identify you and then take appropriate enforcement action which could include seizure/impounding of the bike.”

It is illegal to ride a dirt bike on the road unless it is roadworthy with a current warrant and registration.

Anyone with information about the identity of the riders involved or addresses where the dirt bikes are kept can e-mail police: HBDirtbikes@police.govt.nz or call 105.

Internship opportunity for Māori in food and agriculture tech industries

Applications have opened for a new global STEM internship programme which places Māori leaders into international food and agriculture tech businesses.

Te Ara Pōtiki will have 3-month placements for up to 15 promising applicants over the next three years, beginning with an inaugural cohort in the first half of 2024.

Arama Kukutai (Ngati Tipa, Maniapoto, Te Aupouri), CEO of leading indoor agriculture company Plenty and co-founder and partner of Finistere Ventures, Dean Tilyard, founder of the Sprout Accelerator and partner at Finistere Ventures Aotearoa and Francene Wineti (Te Ātihaunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Tuwharetoa, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa) established Te Ara Pōtiki.

“Te Ara Pōtiki recognises the significant impact that globally aware and connected Māori leaders in STEM can have on Māori economic and community development and is about creating unique relationships and experiences for them in our network in the US and beyond,” Kukutai said.

Applications for the first intake are open and will close on 3 November 2023. The programme will draw on private donations and has also received MBIE support through the Expanding the Impact of Vision Mātauranga initiative.