From effective HB jobs programme, to important cyclone recovery progress for Hastings and Whirinaki, to upcoming forum with Simon Upton, to good news for cyclists, here are some notable items you might have missed.
HB job programme that works
1203 people in Hawke’s Bay have moved off a main benefit and into work in the three months to 1 March, some young people benefitting from MSD’s Land Based Training programme.
This programme works with 18 to 24-year-old job-seekers to identify what they need to get them ready for the workplace. That might be help to obtain their driver’s licence or health and safety certificates, as well as mentorship and pastoral care.
A recent example is Dionte Hartley, who landed a Hastings packhouse role at Kiwi Crunch operating the robotics control box. “Life has been a lot brighter since I’ve started working five days a week as I’m now able to support my family without struggle,” Dionte says. “The best thing is the resources they give us, at the same time as giving us a job and allowing us to work on ourselves.”
Tim Bloor, Land Based Training Hawke’s Bay Area Manager, says other support provided through the programme includes budgeting advice, free gym memberships and help with their CVs and literacy and numeracy skills.
Ross Howard at Kiwi Crunch says participants start as seasonal workers at the Ōmahu Road packhouse during the peak period. “It also gives them a track record to move on to other employment with a bit of work history behind that.”
Kudos to all involved.
Another connection restored
Cyclone recovery has taken another step forward with completion of the Kererū Gorge culvert rebuild.
Flood damage from the cyclone resulted in the loss of about 50 metres of Kererū Road, the loss of the culvert drainage, and erosion of the stream to around eight metres below its previous level, making the gully about 18 metres deep.
The culvert that previously provided access over Whanaukini Stream has been replaced with a much larger permanent structure. Designed and built by Stantec and Fulton Hogan Civil, the 15-metre-wide large arch culvert has been designed to raise the road, allowing for any future flood waters to pass underneath. With culvert installed, the road was rebuilt on top.
Councillor Marcus Buddo said the reopening of Kererū Gorge was a huge moment for the community. “The last two years have been incredibly tough out here. The long detours via Salisbury Road have added hours to daily routines, impacting families, local businesses, and the school community. This reopening means Kererū can move forward from the damage of Cyclone Gabrielle, reconnected and resilient.”
Greenlight for Whirinaki flood mitigation project
And another recovery project moves ahead.
The HB Regional Council (HBRC) confirmed that funding has been secured and an alternative alignment design identified for the Whirinaki flood mitigation project, which also means the community’s post-cyclone Category 2C properties are a step closer to moving to Category 1 status.
Over the past six months, HBRC has explored options to reduce the project’s costs, which had escalated to more than $34 million from the original $11 million budget.
The original stopbank alignment that followed the Whirinaki Drain required a new culvert to be built under the State Highway as well as significant road raising to tie the road into the stopbanks, resulting in the cost blow-out. With a refined design, the total cost of the project has been reduced to approximately $23 million, with the new funding (including $9 million from the Government) bridging the gap from the original budget.
Work that had been on hold until the cost and funding issues were resolved will now recommence at pace, including the design of the flood mitigation measures and associated drainage improvements.
HBRC Councillor Martin Williams terms the project “mission critical”, commenting:
“The Pan Pac Pulpmill, which is one of the region’s biggest employers, was severely impacted by Cyclone Gabrielle. With ever rising electricity costs as well as insurance costs and a highly volatile export market, I doubt the mill would survive another cyclone without this stopbank project, which can now proceed with secure funding. Simply put, this project falls into the is in the ‘too important to fail’ category.”
Parliamentary Commissioner Simon Upton to speak in Napier
The Ahuriri Tributaries Catchment Group invites you to an evening with Simon Upton, Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, on Tuesday 29 April.
Catchment Group Chair Robert Pattullo comments: “We have invited the Commissioner to Hawke’s Bay to speak on the vital role of communities, Mana Whenua, and catchment groups in land use, climate resilience, and environmental adaptation.
“The evening will conclude with plenty of time for a Q&A session, providing a unique opportunity for you to share your experiences, insights, and challenges directly with the Commissioner.
Date: Tuesday 29 April
Time: Doors open 5.30pm, event 6.00pm – 7.30pm
Venue: MTG Hawke’s Bay, Century Theatre, Napier
Numbers are limited, so please RSVP to: [email protected].
Good news for cyclists
From Monday 14 April, bike racks will be back on public transport buses across the region.
In November last year, a technical notice from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi prompted a full review of the use of bike racks on buses.
As a precaution, bus operators implemented a complete ban on the use of bike racks across all bus types while potential safety concerns were investigated.
Following a thorough assessment, and with the appropriate technical resolution now in place, the decision has been made to reinstate bike racks on buses. Passengers will once again be able to bring their bikes on board, helping support active transport and multi-modal travel options.
