Police Pre-Christmas Warning

File Photo

Police would like to remind people not to send gift-cards, vouchers and money through the mail, in the lead-up to Christmas.

“We’re starting to head into what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for items being posted, and unfortunately we do see more instances of mail theft,” Police Investigation Support Unit Constable Cheyenne Welsh says.

“These kinds of presents are usually sent in cards and letters – which aren’t tracked, unlike larger parcels.”NZ Post encourages Kiwis to check its Web site before they send something to see if it is prohibited.

If a parcel is stolen after NZ Post completes delivery of the item, the theft becomes a Police matter and people will need to report the theft to the Police.

The Police advise to get packages delivered to a place where someone will be home to receive them, or to a work address if you are an essential worker.

If you do have deliveries made to your home, make sure you're going to be home to sign for them, or have a secure location where they can be left.

Make sure your delivery instructions are clear and ask for packages not to be placed at your front door, or on top of an apartment building post box.

If you're not going to be home when the parcel is delivered, arrange to collect your parcel from the depot, or have the parcel redirected to the address of someone you trust.

Be smart when disposing of packaging, so passers-by can’t see if you've been buying expensive items.

Report any suspicious behaviour to Police. For example; if you see a car following a courier van, or an unexpected visitor knocks on your door asking for someone you don't know.

If you see any suspicious activity, such as people loitering around vehicles or looking into car windows, please contact Police immediately by phoning 111.

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Tasman District Council Planning Consent Delays

 

The Tasman District Council has announced that it is having delays in processing applications for Planning Consents.

The Council advised that due to a combination of high demand for services and staff shortages, the Council’s  consents team have had to set some realistic timeframes in order to assist planning for their customers.

The Council states that “along with other teams across the country, our consenting services have been affected by a shortage of experienced planners. Over 1,000 consent applications have been lodged since the start of 2021, which has presented significant challenges to our expected timeframes.”

In the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday period historically the Council sees an increase in applications and duty planner requests being made to the Council as many of their customers seek information and consents before they head into the Christmas break. 

The Council said “we are already entering the busy pre-Christmas holiday time of year with an existing backlog of applications and duty planner queries. With the current staffing constraints, we will not be able to meet all the demand prior to the Christmas break.”

“For anyone who lodged a consent application or requested duty planning advice after 22 November 2021, it has been logged and assigned to a planner and will be responded to in the order they were received. However, it is unlikely that these will be processed until at least 17 January 2022. Our pre-application service will also not be available over this period.”

The Council stated that the situation is below the level of service they want to deliver and they know that the service is below what the Tasman community deserves but Council believes it is important to provide clarity and as much transparency as possible about their current timeframes so people can plan for and understand the potential delays. 

The Council said “we are working hard to manage the matters within our control to reduce the impacts to our customers and we ask for your patience at this time.”

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Covid update: 75% of eligible Māori population now fully immunised; 103 community cases; 61 people in hospital, 3 in ICU - 12 December 2021

Covid-19 Réponse Minister Chris Hipkins

 

The press release from the Ministry of Health has the following information as of 12 December 2021.

There were 15,910 total vaccine doses administered yesterday, including 2,698 first doses; 8,446 second doses; 216 third primary doses and 4,550 boosters. To date, 94% of eligible people in New Zealand have had their first dose and 89% are fully vaccinated.

More than 91% of the eligible population who are now fully vaccinated have downloaded a ‘My Vaccine Pass’.

Nelson-Tasman update

The vaccination rates for Nelson-Marlborough DHB: First doses (94%); second doses (88%)

Cases of Covid-19 in hospital for Nelson-Marlborough DHB one.

Wastewater detections there were no unexpected results to report.

There is one case to report today in Nelson-Tasman, and the case is linked to other cases.

This case has yet to be included in the formal reporting to the Ministry of Health and will be added to our tally tomorrow.

Anyone in the region with any symptoms that could be COVID-19 is urged to get a test, even if they are vaccinated.

Locations of interest are regularly added to the Ministry’s website, so we ask people living in Nelson-Tasman to check these daily.

Check www.nmdhb.govt.nz for where you can obtain a Covid-19 test.

Covid pop-up testing centres and others are mentioned below:

Testing is free for people with COVID-19 symptoms in the Nelson Marlborough region. If you are unsure of whether you should get a test, call Healthline for advice: 0800 358 5453.

***Pop-up testing centres are not for members of the public who wish to book a COVID-19 test for travel purposes. If you need a COVID-19 test for travel purposes, you need to book this through your GP.***

Here are your options for testing:

Community Based Testing Centre (CBAC):

Nelson: Saxton Field parking area, Suffolk Road, Stoke:

• Monday: 9am to 6pm

Richmond: Richmond Showgrounds, 359 Lower Queen St:

• Monday: 9am to 6pm

Motueka: Motueka Recreation Centre, Old Wharf Rd

• Monday: 10am to 3pm

At your regular GP clinic (your family doctor): 

Appointments are needed, but there is no charge for testing. Phone ahead first if you are planning to visit your doctor and request a test.

All GP practices in the Nelson Marlborough region are offering COVID-19 testing except for Tima Health in Nelson and Havelock Medical Centre. You can view a full list of GPs offering COVID-19 testing and their opening hours on HealthPoint.

Please note: during times when there is a confirmed case in our region, you might be redirected to a CBAC (Community Based Testing Centre) instead

After-hours clinics:

Nelson Medical & Injury Centre:

• 98 Waimea Rd
• 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week
• Ph: 03 546 8881

Urgent Care Centre, Blenheim:

• Wairau Hospital (near ED), Hospital Rd
• 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week
• Ph: 03 520 6377

After-hours centre information for Golden Bay, Motueka and Murchison is available inline at www.nmdhb.govt.nz

Pigeon Post News

Verstappen snatches pole from Hamilton in thrilling Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying

 

Max Verstappen won qualifying for first place in 2021 Formula 1 World Championship racing early this morning NZ time

After 21 races, it all comes down to this – a one-race shoot-out between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton for the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship early this morning. 

They’ve had their ups. They’ve had their downs. Both on equal points but Max Verstappen grabbing thrilling first position in practice for Championship race early this morning.

Max Verstappen took a crushing pole position – with the help of a tow from Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez – to seize the advantage over rival Lewis Hamilton for the title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The Dutchman clocked a brilliant 1m22.109s on his first run to take a 10th pole position of the season, with Hamilton 0.371s off the pace to end up second with Lando Norris a surprise third place.

Max Verstappen

Red Bull sent Perez out on track first in Q3, ahead of Verstappen, with the Mexican towing Verstappen down the long straight before bailing out of the way before Turn 9 and sacrificing his own lap.

Verstappen made the most of the boost to slot into provisional pole, with Hamilton locking up at the hairpin and ending up nearly half a second adrift.

Mercedes sent their cars out first for the second run, but with Hamilton ahead of Bottas as they turned down the opportunity to try a tow. Hamilton improved, but he was behind in all three sectors and instead will start on the dirty side of the front row alongside his title rival in P2.

However, like his team mate Bottas, Hamilton will start on the more durable medium tyre that should allow him to run deeper into the race before stopping. The Red Bulls, however, will start on the soft tyres, Verstappen moving to that rubber after he flat-spotted his medium tyres in Q2.

Perez will start fourth, ahead of a very quick Carlos Sainz, who appeared to have made big gains after a difficult Friday, with Bottas down in sixth in his final Grand Prix for Mercedes ahead of a move to Alfa Romeo.

Pigeon Post News

GOLDEN BAY - Minority of 'Offensive, Selfish, & Abusive' Market goers refused to comply with new orange alert level

 

Tākaka Village Market

 

Tākaka Village Market

Last Saturday was the first day the Tākaka Village Market operated under the country's new traffic light system.

A minority of market goers would not comply with the new orange alert traffic light system and were offensive, selfish and abusive to stall holders, the public and to the manager.

The operator of the market, Golden Bay Councillor Grant Knowles, has put the Golden Bay Community on notice that if they don't comply with the rules that are set down for the market, then the market will have to close.

This all comes after last Saturday's market when market goers abused stall holders, many visitors selfishly flouting the rules, one market goer swearing at a 15-year-old stall worker when she asked them to sanitize their hands.

Would you want your children selling goods at the market with this disgusting and abusive behaviour happening?

Grant himself was sworn at when asking people to consume their takeaway food and drink away from the market.

Everyone selling food or coffee asked people as they gave them their takeaway package to please consume it away from the market, as it could cause the market to lose the privilege of operating. 

Another patron wore a Star of David in protest at the rules and as a protest against “segregation”, in reference to the badge Jewish people were forced to wear under Germany’s Nazi regime from 1939 to 1945.Some didn't wear masks, while others abused stallholders especially when they were asked to take their takeaway food outside the market to eat.

Grant said "I am most disgusted in the person who came wearing a yellow star of David. This is extremely offensive. You and your revolting behaviour are not welcome here."He continued "he's very disappointed at the way a minority of members of the Golden Bay community (most of whom he knows) abused the requirements with which the market must now safely operate."

Grant has tried his utmost, to accommodate all sections of the Golden Bay community, after interpreting the rules, to make the market as safe and easy for the traders to operate and for the people of the Golden Bay community to buy their produce and enjoy the village market. 

Grant Knowles has done his utmost to accommodate all sections of the Golden Bay Community

The police turned up as there had been a complaint and this could have had the market closed and Grant holding a $15,000 fine.

Grant stated that "the actions of a few could cause the livelihoods of up to 50 people to be lost this summer and I’m sure I don’t have to explain what that would mean for many families here in the bay."

Most people in the bay community " would like to continue to hold the village market, however if this selfish behaviour continues, I will be forced to close it for the safety of the community. There can never be any excuses for this behaviour." 

Grant would like to continue with the market this weekend. He said to the community, "be Kind, Wear your mask, Social distancing at 1m, Sanitising hands, Signing in, No food and drink to be consumed at the market (the Village Green is just 20m away to have drink and food) and we can continue to run the Village Market." 

All the stallholders would like to continue with the market coming up to the summer season so lets hope the bay community can give a positive response this weekend and the following weeks.

Tākaka Village Market

Pigeon Post News

Hamilton beats Verstappen in controversy-filled first ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

 

Hamilton wins

Title rivals draw equal on points

Lewis Hamilton won a controversial debut Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Valtteri Bottas amid two red-flag stoppages. The result means the two championship protagonists go to the Abu Dhabi finale level on points.

Celebrations for Hamilton

Hamilton led Bottas and Verstappen – who shrugged off his qualifying crash – at the start but on Lap 10, Mick Schumacher spun and hit the Turn 23 barriers. The Safety Car soon turned into a red flag, crucially giving Verstappen a free stop in the pits, while the Mercedes had stopped under yellows.

The Lap 15 standing start saw Hamilton lead, but Verstappen went wide and off-track at the first chicane, cutting back across Hamilton, who dropped to P3 behind Alpine’s Esteban Ocon (who also enjoyed a red flag tyre change and the subsequent advantage). However, there were two separate incidents behind in which Sergio Perez was collected by Charles Leclerc and Nikita Mazepin collided with George Russell – so another red flag was called.

A cacophony of bargaining calls by the Red Bull and Mercedes pitwalls followed but the Lap 17 restart would see Ocon start ahead of Hamilton then Verstappen in P3. In that restart, the Dutchman made a terrific move using his brand-new medium compounds down the inside of the opening chicane for the lead while Hamilton found himself impeded by Ocon, who like Verstappen missed the Turn 2 apex, passing the Alpine a lap later.

Three Virtual Safety Car periods followed from Lap 28 to Lap 36 after which Hamilton was in DRS range of Verstappen. The Mercedes driver attempted a move on Lap 36 on the main straight but the Dutchman braked too late for comfort, running wide at Turn 2 and retaining the lead. He was instructed to give P1 back and on Lap 37 the Red Bull driver slowed – only for Hamilton to get caught off guard and clip the rear of his rival, taking front-right wing damage.

Hamilton faced the toughest of opponents in Verstappen on Sunday

Cue more calls to race control from Red Bull and Mercedes. Meanwhile Hamilton closed in and looked to get past the Red Bull on Lap 42 but Verstappen pushed him wide and continued on. This time, the stewards stepped in and put a five-second time penalty on the championship leader.

Hamilton came across Verstappen at the final corner on Lap 43 and pushed him wide at Turn 27, taking the lead and putting in fastest laps to boot for an eventual winning margin of 10s over his rival – equalling the championship points tally.

Ocon, who had benefitted from a stop during the first red flag, missed out on a podium by just a tenth of a second having lost P3 right on the line at the chequered flag. That put the Alpine driver fourth ahead of Daniel Ricciardo of McLaren, who started 11th but enjoyed a rapid start and a red-flag pit stop for P5.

In sixth was Pierre Gasly, who lost places at the start but made them back in the second race restart for AlphaTauri – keeping the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in P7 and P8 respectively.

Antonio Giovinazzi started 10th but ended up ninth ahead of Lando Norris, who started on softs but pitted during the first Safety Car to end the race on hard tyres.

Abu Dhabi hosts the season finale, and with Hamilton having taken 26 points to Verstappen's 18 here, the championship protagonists are now equal on 369.5 points.

Hamilton

Verstappen after the race

Pigeon Post News

Ministry of Health have plans in place for Holidaymakers

Golden Bay

If covid-19 hits holiday makers in Tasman or Nelson the Ministry of Health and the DHB have undertaken significant preparation and planning work to manage localized outbreaks that may occur according to a Ministry of Health spokesperson.

The holidays are fast coming up and the influx of holidaymakers into our region is going to flow fast. There are parts of Tasman and Nelson that have low vaccination rates so if Covid-19 is brought into these areas or if it is caught here it is likely to spread to visitors and residents.

As we move away from the elimination strategy, particularly during the summer holidays when a significant number of people are traveling throughout the country, the preparation by the Ministry of Health is essential.  

Aucklanders from December 15th will be able to leave their region for any reason providing they can show their vaccine pass, or evidence of a negative Covid-19 test done no more than 72 hours before crossing the boundary.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson has advised “if a person tests positive for COVID-19 on holiday, away from their normal place of residence, the immediate health and welfare needs of the individuals (s) will be assessed.”

“Their personal safety, wellbeing and public health assessment will determine whether they are considered ‘safe’ to stay put, return home or if alternative accommodation is required.”

Alternative accommodation in the region has been organised and if alternative accommodation is required, an appropriate option will be  identified by the local COVID Care Coordination Hub.

Golden Bay

For privacy reasons, the Ministry is not releasing information on the privately-owned facilities that are being considered, or have been contracted to provide alternative accommodation. Where necessary, a person may be transferred to a managed isolation facility.

The Ministry of health spokesperson went on to say “it’s also important to note that the COVID-19 Protection Framework is designed to respond to localized outbreaks and manage risk to particular regions, as well as providing a number of protective measures to minimize the spread of COVID-19 including testing and vaccination requirements.”

Ministry of Health spokesperson

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