Stories by Matthew Rosenberg
News
Abandoned: San Rosa shipwreck owners hard to track down - police
A shipwrecked boat on a remote East Coast beach has been ransacked as police and the harbourmaster work together to determine its fate.
Gisborne councillors tight-lipped over election plans
Gisborne can expect new faces around its council table this October for more reasons than the recent representation shake-up.
'New day for democracy': Councillors react to representation changes
The imminent cutting of rural ward councillors in Gisborne has prompted a range of reactions from elected members.
Call for action over forestry slash in Tairāwhiti
Forestry regulations should be tightened to prevent incidents such as logs clogging a river, an ex-councillor says.
Gisborne mayor touched by Auckland woman's act of kindness
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz says her week has been made after receiving a hand-written letter with $20 enclosed for flood relief efforts.
Local Government Commission axes Gisborne's rural wards
Gisborne District Council will be without rural ward councillors at its next election following a Local Government Commission hearing, missing out on its preferred option.
Not all heroes wear capes - some drive bulldozers
As heavy rain fell in northern Hawke's Bay two weeks ago, Hamish Pryde waded his bulldozer through deep water to reach the Wairoa River, where he worked till nightfall to stop a potential disaster.
Meet the East Coast woman working round the clock with flood relief
When Lillian Te Hau-Ward went for a drive to inspect the damage of her small East Coast community after recent flooding, she cried and said she did not want to go back.
Unit closure another blow for Wairoa healthcare
Wairoa's inability to attract healthcare workers has struck again with the closure of a hospital-level care unit, but the deputy mayor remains hopeful there's light at the end of the tunnel for the…
'People are pretty good in heart' - Meng Foon on race in Aotearoa
Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon reflects on two and a half years in the role, and the job he'd like next.
Gisborne housing situation 'dire', says advocate
A new report showing Gisborne leads the way in rental cost increases is no surprise to local housing advocates who have described an unworkable situation in Tairāwhiti.
'It was like the gods were angry': East Coast hit hard by flooding
Civil defence in Tolaga Bay, north of Gisborne, has described rainfall overnight as "unrelenting" as Tairāwhiti enters a state of emergency caused by severe flooding.
Gisborne council goes to hearing over representation arrangements
Gisborne District Council is one step closer to introducing Māori wards at the next election, provided it gets its way with the Local Government Commission.
Gisborne District Council settles on zero net carbon by 2030
Gisborne District Council is one step closer to its goal of reaching carbon neutrality, adopting a 2030 net-zero target at a Thursday meeting.
Former employees claim council business was toxic
A Gisborne vehicle testing station recently sold by the district council's commercial arm has come under fire from a former staff member who claims the environment was toxic and unworkable.
Hapū collective making progress with council over land return
Gisborne District Council is one step closer to returning land at Tokomaru Bay to its rightful owner, having issued a letter of intent.
Emotional send-off for drums with donations bound for Tonga
A community-driven initiative to send food and non-perishable items to Tonga has surpassed the expectations of organisers, with more items donated than could be delivered.
‘Unreasonably persistent’ Gisborne man not giving up on 10 year council battle
A Gisborne man is pressing on in his decade-long battle with the district council even though the project he originally took issue with is complete.
Filling the big hole in Wairoa's dental service
Wairoa hasn't had a dentist for two years, and a recent volunteer clinic showed the gap is causing pain, but what's behind it and can it be filled?
Tribunal win for Gisborne kiwifruit growers
Kiwifruit growers have won their battle against Gisborne District Council over new rate hikes from producing the golden variety of the fruit.
Women ejected from emergency housing a picture of failing system, say advocates
Two Gisborne women with children in their care were almost left without a roof over their head this week after their emergency accommodation provider kicked them out for entertaining guests.
Council’s commercial arm sells vehicle testing investment
Gisborne District Council's commercial arm has sold its vehicle testing station, handing the keys over to Vehicle Testing NZ.
Dental deliverance: Volunteers descend on small town to address needs of failing system
When Wairoa's last dentist left town two years ago, residents were faced with a large commute for treatment but this week 15 dentists volunteered their time to help plug the gap.
Sir Tim upbeat despite turbulent year
"If I can survive this, I can probably do another three or four terms," Invercargill mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt said in June, from the comfort of his large, open office.
Questions surround Invercargill City Council's land sale
Invercargill City Council has sold a large piece of farmland about 10km south of the city, but is remaining tight-lipped about how much it went for.