A large number of mourners have gathered at Rakautatahi Marae at Takapau over the past few days to pay tribute to, and remember, JB Heperi Smith, who passed away last Friday.
A member of the Ngati Kahunugunu Iwi Board, senior cultural adviser to the former Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, and a senior manager in the recently formed Te Whatu Ora and Te Aka Whai Ora, Mr Smith had also trained as a butcher and a teacher.
He also worked closely with the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council, and mayor Alex Walker said she was heartbroken by the news of his passing.
She said JB was a leader and an icon of Tamatea – Central Hawke’s Bay.
His funeral service will be held tomorrow at Rakautatahi Marae from 11am.
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Waka Kotahi contractors will be undertaking essential maintenance work on the Pahiatua Track this week.
The Agency says there will be daytime closures between 9am and 4pm each day this week, with STOP/GO’s in place two hours either side of those times.
Motorists are advised to use the Saddle Road.
There will also be disruption for traffic heading through Woodville over the next two weeks.
SH2 will be closed between Vogel Street and Station Street between 7am and 6pm for resealing work, with detours in place.
Meanwhile the Central Hawke’s Bay District Council says rural Tourere Road will be closed during the day from today to allow further investigations into the structural integrity of the land beneath the road.
Tomorrow, the Patangata Bridge will be closed for repairs between the hours of 9.30am and 2.30pm.
The Council says the bridge will be lifted and braced back into its original position.
Damage came during February’s Cyclone Gabrielle, meaning vehicles over 3.5 tonnes can’t currently use the bridge.
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A Boil Water Notice is in place for the Dannevirke Water Supply.
The Tararua District Council issued the notice on Friday.
E.coli was detected in the supply following routine sampling.
Residents are advised to boil water before drinking, making ice, food preparation, brushing teeth; and preparing infant/toddler formula.
Three consecutive days of clear tests are required before the notice can be lifted.
Potable drinking water is available from a tanker located in the Hub carpark.
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Another Central Hawke’s Bay District Council ‘Community Conversation’ is being held tonight.
The venue is the Wallingford Hall from 6pm to 7.30pm.
Another is being held at the Tikokino Hall tomorrow night.
Chats in Waipawa and Porangahau at the weekend have been postponed to this coming Saturday and Sunday.
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Weekend rugby results :
Premier Grade :
-Colliers CHB Prems 40 vs MAC 28
-Aotea 24 vs Taradale 46
Town/Country :
-Otane 28 vs Porangahau 10
-Central 29 vs Waipawa 24
Colts :
-Onga-Tiko 30 vs Clive 31
Womens :
-Central 5 vs NTOB 93
