Josh Wharehinga

I would like to acknowledge all of the whanau who successfully organised and ran the Kapa Haka events over the last week; the Turanganui Schools Maori Cultural Festival and the Karaitiana Tamararo Kapa Haka event. Wonderful events enjoyed by many. Tamararo was especially picturesque in the sun at Te Poho o Rawiri marae. I’d also ...

It’s been great to have weekend sports back up and running in our country with no restrictions. I look overseas and see that many places have a complete ban on gatherings, their regional sports or have to continue social distancing; and I feel grateful that we get to do our normal. This week in council ...

I want to congratulate our most recent appointments to the Queens Honours list, Sir Derek Lardelli and Taka Mackey MNZM. Two solid and long serving pou in our community, the acknowledgement is well deserved. A special acknowledgement also to Arish Naresh MNZM, even though you don’t live here anymore, you left your mark on Gisborne. ...

By the time you’re reading this, the Prime Minister will have announced whether we are staying in Level 4 or not. Whatever the decision is I really want to applaud our regional household efforts. I remember before lockdown there used to be numerous groups of our Inner Kaiti rangatahi that would walk past my house ...

In the first instance I offer my deepest sympathies to the family of our country’s first COVID-19 related death. Our East Coast thoughts and prayers are with you on the West Coast at this time. As we begin this first week of national self-isolation I want to acknowledge our essential service workers. From our Civil ...

I had a great time at the Band School’s end of year show yesterday. Listening to music performed by the students from the 70’s, it was great hearing our kids perform songs by Deep Purple, Queen, Joan Jett and The Steve Miller Band to name a few. Congratulations to Ricky Boyd from The Band School ...

It is my privilege to write the first Council Column for the new council term. My family and I spent Labour weekend cleaning up our section, and in the quiet it gave me time to reflect on the election campaign. The election campaign period was one of the best I have had the privilege of ...

This past week has seen a lot of change in council, with Meng’s departure and the mayoralty being officially taken up by Cr Stoltz in the interim and my appointment as Deputy Mayor. I’m absolutely humbled by the appointment. I have always loved our piece of paradise. I have lived here my entire life and ...