Pigeon Post News

Friday, December 22, 2023

Concern is growing over Christmas Mince Pies with metal in them

Christmas Mince Pies Recalled

Christmas Mince Pies recalled due to metal concerns

New Zealand Food Safety is supporting Woolworths in its recall of its Summer Berry Mince Pies due to the possible presence of fine metal.

"The concern with this product is that some fine wire may have got into these mince pies due to a manufacturing problem," says New Zealand Food Safety deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle. "Two consumer complaints have been received but fortunately no injuries have occurred."

This recall affects 2 batches of mince pies sold at Woolworths, Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice stores nationwide:

Summer Berry Mince Pies 360g with a 12/06/2024 best-before date and

Summer Berry Mince Pies 360g with a 13/06/2024 best-before date.

Carefully check the best-before date as not all batches are affected. For the latest information about batch details, and photographs of the affected product, visit New Zealand Food Safety’s recall page. If you have bought any of these mince pies, they should not be eaten, and can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund.

If you have consumed any of this product and are concerned for your health, contact your health professional, or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free advice.

The batches under recall have already been removed from store shelves and have not been exported.

"As is our usual practice, New Zealand Food Safety will be working with Woolworths to understand how the contamination occurred and prevent its recurrence," Mr Arbuckle said.

The vast majority of food sold in New Zealand is safe, but sometimes problems can occur. Help keep yourself and your family safe by subscribing to our recall alerts. Information on how to subscribe is on the New Zealand Food Safety food recall page.

Ministry of Primary Industries.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Effective today - Forest Track Closures - MOTUROA/Rabbit Island

Tasman District Council

MOTUROA/RABBIT ISLAND FOREST TRACK CLOSURES

Effective Friday, December 22, 2023. Today

Moturoa/Rabbit Island, a cherished recreational haven in Tasman, stands as one of our region's most favoured destinations, boasting natural features, pristine beaches, and well-trodden trails. As stewards of this beloved space, we prioritise the protection of our forests and the safety of all its users, in collaboration with our forestry partners at PF Olsen.

In adherence to this commitment, effective Friday, December 22, 2023, we are implementing precautionary measures to mitigate fire risks associated with the prevailing El Nino weather pattern and the potential for extended periods of warm, dry weather. While we anticipate welcoming rain during the Christmas period to alleviate fire risks, we remain vigilant.

To enhance safety, we have taken the following steps:

Closure of Internal Forest Tracks:

Bird Road
Tawa Road
Cooper Road

(See attached photo for reference - marked in pink)
Additionally, Barnicoat Road, although normally closed to the public, is included in the closures to reinforce safety protocols.
Areas Remaining Open:

Public recreation areas, including Rough Island, the Great Taste Trail, Conifer Park, Mapua Road, Faulkners Track, and the beach, will remain open for public use.

As the situation may evolve with changing weather patterns, we commit to providing regular updates to keep you informed. We urge all visitors to adhere to marked trails, follow posted directions and safety signs, and promptly report any signs of fire by calling 111.

While Moturoa/Rabbit Island undergoes these temporary track closures, our vigilance extends to other significant forestry areas at Kingsland and Tunnicliff, which, at present, remain open to the public.

Your cooperation is crucial in ensuring the safety of our community and preserving the natural beauty of Moturoa/Rabbit Island. We appreciate your understanding and vigilance during this period.

Our barbecues now fully gas operated and bonfires on the beach are not allowed, so the only smoke visible should be from your burning steak or sausage!

Tasman District Council Communications.

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Thursday, December 21, 2023

Christmas Weather News Release

MetService Christmas Weather

Christmas: Warm and muggy weather

21/12/2023

Covering period of Thu 21 - Mon 25 December

The weather around Aotearoa New Zealand has been generally settled and warm these last few days, but MetService has been keeping a close eye on the moisture spreading across the country this weekend which brings the potential for rain to many places, maybe even into Christmas Day.

High pressure and warm, humid air drifting across the country has meant temperatures around Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and Central Otago have been up around the high-twenties with some spots exceeding 30°C. This warmth looks to continue through the weekend and into next week but riding alongside the heat will be the potential for rain.

Friday brings the risk of showers popping up in the west and south of the South Island but it’s Saturday when the more widespread rain begins to move onto the country. This northwest flow of rain continues into Sunday and there’s even potential for a few heavy showers in the mix, mainly across the North Island.

Current models signal that some of the weekend’s moisture will hang around on Christmas Day. However, it looks to be more broken up than the rain of the weekend, and for many parts of the country there is a chance of passing showers on the 25th and a couple heavier showers could pop up. With the weather coming in from the northwest, it does look like eastern areas of both the North and South Island have the largest chance of a dry Christmas Day.

MetService meteorologist Lewis Ferris warns: “Those hoping to have a day at the beach on the 25th will need to keep a close eye on the forecast over the weekend and it’s recommended to have a wet weather plan in case those showers do happen to turn up at your place.”

Those with rain in their Christmas Day forecast currently, shouldn’t give up all hope as there is some wiggle room around the distribution and timing of wet weather. Even if a bit of rain turns up, the temperature looks to be on the warmer side of average and if the cloud breaks, the sunshine will dry things off quickly, but you’ll notice the high humidity.

Looking further ahead, the week between Christmas and New Year looks to remain warm but with a mix of rainy days and more settled ones.

MetService Communications

Pigeon Post News, Richmond.

Ministry for Primary Industries - CHRISTMAS FOOD PRODUCT RECALL

CHRISTMAS FOOD PRODUCT RECALL

Woolworths brand Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies (360g)

Woolworths brand Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies

21 December 2023:

Woolworths New Zealand Ltd are recalling specific batches of its Woolworths brand Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies as the product may contain foreign matter (metal).

Product identification

Product type:

Fruit Mince Pies

Name of product (size):

Woolworths brand Shortcrust Summer Berry Mince Pies (360g)

Date marking:

BB 12/06/2024 and BB 13/06/2024

Package size and description:

The product is sold in a 360g cardboard box which contains 6 pies.

Distribution:

The product is sold at Woolworths, Countdown, SuperValue and FreshChoice supermarkets throughout New Zealand. The product is not exported.

Notes:

This recall does not affect any other Woolworths brand products.

Consumer advice

Customers are asked to check the best before date on the product packaging.

Affected product should not be consumed. There have been no reports of associated injury, however if you have consumed any of this product and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.

Customers should return the product to their retailer for a full refund.

If you have questions, contact Woolworths New Zealand Ltd:

Phone: 0800 40 40 40

Address: 80 Favona Road, Mangere, Manukau.

FOOD RECALLS AND COMPLAINTS

Ministry for Primary Industries

PIGEON POST NEWS, RICHMOND.

Repairs complete at Dellows Bluff.

SH6 Dellows Bluff rockfall, July 2022. Photo NZTA

NZTA/Waka Kotahi - All ticked off and ready to go. Repairs complete at State Highway 6 Dellows Bluff.

Underslip and rockfall repairs are now finished at State Highway 6 Dellows Bluff, south of Murchison.

Contractors have been on site since 2022, fixing an underslip and mitigating rockfall dangers. Substantive repairs are now finished, and the highway is restored to two lanes, operating 24/7 through the area.

Setting steel work at underslip site, SH6 Dellows Bluff. Photo NZTA.

Rob Service, System Manager Top of the South, says a major rockfall in July 2022 had a big impact, closing the road at the time, and required significant effort to fix.

“We had to make the road safe, with shipping containers brought in to protect traffic while the cliff face was stabilised. This involved scaling and rock blasting, the use of drill rigs, and installation of hundreds of rock bolts into the cliff face.”

Mr Service says the nearby underslip, which was triggered by heavy rain in February last year, also required complex engineering and construction to fix.

“Contractors installed around 850 metres of steel piles and 563 metres of horizontal anchors while working to restore and stabilise this part of the road. 58 vertical piles were put in place to build a 60-metre retaining wall. New drainage was also installed to help stabilise underground areas.”

“A lot of work has had to go into fixing this site. We appreciate it has taken a while to complete. But it hasn’t been a simple job, and it was important contractors took the time needed to get design and construction right.”

“I want to thank the community and road users for their patience and understanding while this project has been underway. The result is a road that will be much more resilient and resistant to future bad weather events,” Mr Service says.

Meanwhile, the protective container wall and a temporary speed limit of 70 km/h will remain in place at the rockface until a permanent rock fence is built. The entire site will continue to be monitored to ensure it is stable and functional.

Aerial shot. SH6 Dellows Bluff rock fall and underslip repair sites. photo NZTA.

State Highway 6 rock fall and underslip repairs – facts and figures:

Underslip Site:

Vertical steel piles totalling 850 meters in length were installed.
Horizontal anchors measuring 563 meters were implemented.
Approximately 18,000 litres of grout were used around the anchors for stabilisation.

Rockfall Site: