Reminder from Tasman District Council Vaccinations and Testing —October 25th

Vaccinations are available this Labour Weekend Holiday at the following sites;

Māpua Health Centre (around the back): Monday 25 October from 10am to 4.30pm.

- Nelson: 16 Paru Paru Road.Monday: 9am to 5.30pm.

- Richmond: 253 Queen Street.Monday: 9am to 6pm.

Testing is available at:

Nelson CBAC: Saxton Field parking area, Suffolk Rd, Stoke

Open 10am to 6pm on Monday.

https://www.nmdhb.govt.nz/nmdhb-news-and-notices/where-to-get-your-covid-19-vaccine-on-labour-weekend/

Formula 1 Max Verstappen Brilliantly Wins in Austin Texas

Honda Red Bull hybrid racing car Max Verstappen

He may have lost the lead at the start, but Max Verstappen never had any intention of losing the win in Austin – even with title rival Lewis Hamilton breathing down his neck for the closing laps. The Dutchman withstood the pressure in style and duly extended his championship lead. It was a drive worthy of the Driver of the Day award which he won.

Max Verstappen won a spectacular duel with title rival Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 United States Grand Prix, with Red Bull, Honda, gaining ground on Mercedes thanks to Perez’s podium finish third – and the championship leader Max Verstappen extending his lead to 12 points.

From second on the grid Hamilton enjoyed a stellar start off the line as the lights went out in Austin, and despite Verstappen squeezing him as far as possible down the inside to the run-up to Turn 1, the Briton gained P1 from the Dutchman to lead going into the race. Perez, starting third, followed and began to lose hundredths, then tenths, to the leaders.

Max Verstappen - Dutch winner

Red Bull championship hopeful Verstappen opened the pit window on Lap 11, pitting from medium tyres to hards, while Mercedes’ reigning champion Hamilton followed in on Lap 14 only to emerge second behind the under-cutting Red Bull driver. But there was another pit stop to come under the scorching Texas sun.

The second set of stops came when Verstappen came in on Lap 29 for another set of hards, his team mate Perez following – while Hamilton once again stayed out longer, holding a fragile 16-second lead over Verstappen. “We are racing for the win,” he was told by Team Principal Toto Wolff.

“Leave me to it, bro!” came Hamilton’s response. With an 11.5s lead, he pitted on Lap 37, stopped on his marks and was back out in second on new hard tyres – 8.8s behind Verstappen this time, for a chase to the chequered flag.

“It’s all about the last three laps,” Hamilton was told. And indeed, it was, as the gap to Verstappen didn’t start tumbling until Lap 41 of 56 when the leader encountered backmarkers. With five laps remaining, just 1.7s split the front two, and Hamilton was able to us DRS on Verstappen on the very last lap. But the Dutchman found just enough pace on his worn, hard compound tyres, and took victory – by 1.3s – with what team boss Christian Horner called a "classy" display. Perez Verstappen’s team mate took the final podium spot.

A dramatic win by Verstappon in Red Bull hybrid with his tyres ripped to bits but trying out great new technology  and batteries for our new electric cars to save the planet.

"We lost out in the start so we had to try and do something else, but the tyre wear is quite high around this track so we did go aggressive and I was not sure it was going to work, but yes, the last few laps were fun. A bit sideways through the high-speed corners but super happy, of course, to hang on.”

"They’ve [the fans] been incredible and it’s amazing first of all to be here, and second to see so many of you around the track. Hopefully we can do this for many years to come." – Max Verstappen, Red Bull.

Sergio Perez may have had a rapturous welcome here but there's more in store as his home race, the Mexican Grand Prix follows – with Red Bull having gained their 200th podium and their 73rd Grand Prix win at Austin Texas thanks to Max Verstappen. The Dutchman leads Lewis Hamilton by 12 points in the drivers' championship heading to Mexico City.

From left Luis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez.

The Nelson Market Open and Very Busy

Nelson Market October 23rd 2021

Nita Knight the Managing Director said “the Nelson Market is open today Saturday for Labour Day weekend but not Sunday”. All the stallholders were pleased to be open, some were overwhelmed with joy to have the public back again after such a long time.

There were crowds at the Market and surprising was the number of visitors to Nelson, probably here for Labour Weekend doing their shopping for Christmas. Visitors I spoke to were from Queenstown and Christchurch so a number of people have come a long way to see the Market and have a holiday up here for the long weekend.

Apparently, if the market goes well it could be open for weeks to come but the problem now is there is one case of Covid-19 in Blenheim which may affect alert levels. The public were very well behaved at the Market, all wearing their masks and scanning in.

There were special conditions in place for the Market, including a set entrance and exit from Trafalgar Street with the rest of the perimeter enclosed with a fence.

Definitely the public supported the Market. The most busy places were the vegetable stalls and the Wairepo Peonie Stand with customers lining up to be served.

Nelson Market Veg. stall busy

Nelson Market Busy

Nelson Market Wairepo Peonies Busy

Covid-19 in Blenheim

The Ministry of Health confirmed, on Saturday morning, that a weak positive case of Covid-19 was discovered in Blenheim on late Friday. No announcement has been made by the Ministry about any change in alert levels for the top of the South.

Certainly, this will show that the South Island is vulnerable just as the North Island and that people in the top of the South need to get vaccinated so that we can try as hard as possible to reach 90 per cent. We have to try hard so we have the best chance to shift alert levels that we now live with.

The current public health assessment is that the risk appears low given the individual’s likely late stage of infection.

So far, initial case interviews have identified a small number of close contacts, who have been contacted and are currently isolating with tests arranged.

Interviews are also being undertaken to determine any locations of interest. People living in the Blenheim township are asked to monitor the Ministry of Health’s locations of interest page, which is regularly updated.

We are also asking Blenheim residents with symptoms – no matter how mild – to please get tested, even if they are vaccinated.

Investigations into the source of the infection are underway. However, initial case interviews suggest the case is linked to the Te Awamutu cluster.

Fishing - Nelson October 21- Dolphins & Blue Cod

Barracuda mind the teeth

What a beautiful Richmond morning, just a little cloud, thinking of the Coast Guard, the weather was going to be good and life jackets were on. The water was so calm at the Nelson boat ramp, but there was a bit of anticipation for Captain Stevan while the new boat was slowly backed into the crystal clear water of the Nelson Harbour. Captain was on board to take control once René had gently driven the boat and trailer into the water. Would René stop and not sink the New Electric Car in the water? No, he backed into the water perfectly and was able to unhook the boat from the trailer without getting wet and slowly Captain Stevan slid the boat into the water, cruised slowly along to the side of the wharf while René parked the new car.

They were off slowly cruising out of the beautiful harbour through the Boulder Bank out into Tasman Bay, the sea was calm.

Started fishing out from the Boulder Bank, time went by then a few nibbles, twang does one rod, in it comes just a baby Shark, back it goes.

Wait, wait, wait, the twang again two rods go, another baby Shark and a Barracuda large jaw and teeth. Back goes the shark, the Barracuda (it’s an oily fish with lots of large bones but can be grilled, fried or smoked) let it go. Wait, wait.

They shifted further down the coast and more catches, baby Sharks, undersized Snappers, then some Spiny Dogfish a firm, white flesh fish that is moist and boneless, (probably the Northern Spiny Dogfish that are around the Cook Strait, the North Island coast, and the Chatham Islands, not the closely related species that are found in colder waters off the south and east coasts of the South Island at depths of 250 to 200 metres.)

As time went on more catches of undersized Snapper, then a pod of Korero / Dolphins, (the short-beaked common dolphins have buff-yellow patches on their sides and a tall dorsal fin) went flying by (see below.)Then a shoal of Blue Cod / Raawaru, things went mad, rods going left and right, quite a few were caught but only three to size. (They are a bottom-dwelling fish, mostly caught in pots.) It was a wonder any were caught at all, but Captain and René had to leave gliding back gently through Nelson Harbour thinking of the day they had.

Copyright  Pigeon Post News

Reimagining Richmond South: Council to enable 2,000 new homes

A new project to help meet growing housing demand in Richmond has been approved by Council today, and local communities are set to play an important role in shaping the potential development.

Tasman District Council Planner Jeremy Butler is leading the Richmond South Structure Plan work and he is looking forward to learning more from locals about their vision for the area before any detailed planning begins.

“Locally, we need to provide for new buildings at scale within greenfield developments because, even with greater intensification within existing residential areas, we will not have enough dwellings to house everyone who wants to live here," said Butler.

“Richmond South was previously indicated as a potential urban growth area through the Nelson-Tasman Future Development Strategy 2019 (FDS 2019) and there is current strong interest in development. This area is likely to appeal to families due to nearby schools and work opportunities.

Butler said with the continuing high growth rates in the area, and no slowing in the demand on the horizon, the Council has a responsibility to look ahead.  With only a few years of serviced land available for development it is appropriate to start this process now.

“With today’s decision by Council for the Reimagining Richmond South project engagement to go ahead, we have an opportunity to work with the current landowners, neighbouring communities, and potential future residents to shape the Richmond South area and provide around 2,000 new homes.

“We will do this through the creation of a structure plan. This will be a detailed guide for how Richmond South should develop, looking at things like housing design and density, areas for business activity, how people will get around, where’s best for reserves and other spaces for people to come together, as well as the natural environment and valued cultural heritage.

“We will engage with local iwi and work closely with stakeholders to ensure the plan is well-informed. The vision for the area and design of the aspects that make up the structure plan will reflect community aspirations.

"Next week, any affected landowners will receive an invitation to be part of this structure plan project. We will also run open sessions with the wider interested public to ensure that the Richmond South of the future is a great place to live, work, and spend time,” said Mr Butler.

Butler recognised that the Richmond South land has productivity values but spoke to the critical shortage of developable greenfield land around Richmond and said this area is considered the best option for providing houses in a reasonable timeframe.

Tasman District is experiencing high rates of urban growth and housing shortages. The year to May 2021 saw a record 633 building consents issued for new dwellings.

However, house prices continue to increase and Councillors acknowledged the urgent housing pressures before approving the Reimagining Richmond South project.

The project covers the area from the current southern boundary of Richmond, southwards to between White Road and Ranzau Road, and into the foothills of the Barnicoat Range.

Tasman District Council Environmental Policy Manager Barry Johnson said the Richmond South structure plan and subsequent plan change is part of a wider Council programme of work to enable the provision of housing for our growing population.

“Alongside the Richmond South project, we will also be going through the process to enable more housing in areas in Brightwater, Māpua, and Motueka that were identified in the FDS 2019, and additional areas in Murchison and Wakefield.

Changing these areas to make it easier to create locations with higher densities will enable the best use of land already earmarked for housing and contribute to reducing the demand on additional productive land for houses.

“The plan change process for these areas will include full consultation with the current landowners and neighbouring communities,” said Johnson.

Tasman District Council is also working on the Nelson Tasman 2021-2051 Future Development Strategy that will set out where and how residential and business growth within Nelson and Tasman regions will occur over the next 30 years.

This project is in its third phase and has been accepting feedback and ideas on areas that may be suitable for future residential, business, and industrial land.

Feedback on suitable development land can be shared through the council website form before 26 October.

Longer-term, Johnson said his team are continuing work to replace Council’s current resource management plans with a new plan named Aorere ki uta, Aorere ki tai - Tasman Environment Plan.

“Our team has made good progress on the Tasman Environment Plan following input from locals who shared their experiences and views on the district’s issues and opportunities during our community engagement last year.

“We’ve been defining and investigating issues and options, gathering relevant technical information, and working with landowners on mapping that supports the plan. We will be back talking to our communities again next year about our draft options for how we grow as a district while caring for our environment,” 

What is a structure plan?

Structure planning is a type of spatial planning that takes a big picture view of an area and how it can best develop to meet the needs of communities while taking into account any constraints on the land. This requires research and technical assessments, as well as a need to understand desired community outcomes. This type of place-making is widely recognised to be preferable to ad hoc development. 

c Pigeon Post News

Quarterly benefit numbers show more people in work

Hon Carmel Sepuloni

Social Development and Employment

Benefit figures released today show a year on year fall of 9,807 people receiving a Main Benefit in the September Quarter. 

“The Government is working hard to tackle COVID-19 and it is clear our strong response to the initial outbreak has created a resilient labour market which is providing opportunities for people to move into work,” Carmel Sepuloni said.

“It has been a tough couple of months as our nation responds to the Delta outbreak, but today’s figures are encouraging. 

“One of the highlights is the record number of people who moved off a Main Benefit and into work for a September Quarter. The highest since records began in 1996, building on the trend we saw in MSD’s March and June reporting.

“The quarter also saw a record number of Māori find work with 9,753 moving off a benefit and into work. This is almost 3,000 higher than the previous record September Quarter in 2002.

“Another highlight is that a third of people who found work, had been receiving a Benefit for more than a year, showing the Government’s investment in front-line work focused case management is working.

“We are not out of the woods and we are keeping a close watch on the Delta outbreak.  We will respond with targeted interventions when we see needs arise,” Carmel Sepuloni said. 

c Pigeon Post News