Xtra News Community 2

Woodville in every direction

Next stop: Woodville — but which one do you want to visit?

The Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 13 August 2009

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EVERYWHERE YOU GO: Artist Nick White put the last
panel on Woodville's global signpost on Wednesday.
— JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard.

Artist Nick White put the last panel on Woodville's global signpost yesterday.

There are 22 Woodvilles scattered around the globe, including in England, Ireland, the United States, Zimbabwe and Canada.

"Anyone using this as a navigation device could possibly run into some problems but because the Earth is round you'll probably end up getting there," Mr White said.

The Woodville World Wide project aims to create links between schools and towns sharing the name.

• Go to ThisIsWoodville.co.nz (http://www.thisiswoodville.co.nz) for more information.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2747681/Woodville-in-every-direction

Tui's Nick Rogers: The ‘Yeah, right’ stuff

Tui is the most explosive brand in New Zealand beer. Nick Rogers is the man behind the marketing. He talks to about making over Mangatainoka, courting controversy and those famous billboards.

The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Saturday, 15 August 2009

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    JOKER IN THE PACK: Nick Rogers at the Mangatainoka brewery. He had led the transformation of the site into
                 a “boy's playground” that attracts 45,000 visitors a year. — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

The worst billboard story Nick Rogers can remember is the one that went, "Here, take the beach".

Actually, because it was a Tui billboard, it went, "Here, take the beach. Yeah, right."

The moment it went up, right in the heat of the foreshore and seabed debate, his phone started going. "I got called the most racist man in New Zealand," he says. "Our stance was that it's actually for everybody. I got 180 complaints on that in about 24 hours."

The best billboard story Nick Rogers can remember is the one that went, "I past NCEA Inglish".

It's his all-time favourite, without a doubt, but the phone call that followed it was just as good, he says.

"I had some guy ring me up and say, ‘Nick, you've spelt “past” wrong’. It should be p-a-s-s-e-d. And I was like, ‘Yeah, but that's not the only thing’."

Mr Rogers has plenty of contenders for either category. "Camilla for Queen" got him into trouble when Prince Charles showed up in town — and Tui pulled it while he was on a television camera saying the opposite.

Last year's "Let's take a moment this Christmas to think about Christ" was No 1 on the Advertising Standards Authority's most hated list, with 86 complaints. (Dominion Breweries withdrew the advert).

"We were actually poking fun at the fact that no one remembers the reason," Mr Rogers says. "But I didn't quite realise that there's so many PC people in this country and oh boy, did they get excited, real fast."

Even this week, drivers through Mangatainoka were greeted by a portable Tui billboard backing the Education Ministry's call for rural schools to be shut down — ironically, of course.

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So controversy is just part of the deal for Mr Rogers. PC people, people who give him grief, people like the newspaper columnists who wrote their own mock billboard ("Tui billboards are getting funnier — Yeah, right") ... they're all grist for the mill.

"The thing with Tui is that it's never deviated away from who it is," he says. "It's never sold itself out. You get criticised that they're worn out or tired. And we go, ‘No, we're just going to keep trucking, and we're going to put a f--ing pearler up there that will shut you up’."

Nick Rogers, 38, grew up in Havelock North.

He liked drinking beer from an early age, liked Tui too ("growing up in Hawke's Bay, you didn't have any other option"). It might have been part of the reason he wasn't a model student, he says.

"Took me six years to finish secondary school. Most people it takes five. I repeated my seventh form, so I can say I've had a longer education than most."

But he got through it anyway, ignored his Dad's advice to become a builder, and headed to Otago, where he briefly changed his beer preference, lived it up, and studied for five years.

His first job was at the old Government Printing Office, but it was too Gliding On for him, so he switched to DB and has never left.

He's been on the Tui brand since 2000, conjuring up marketing campaigns and new jokes.

"I don't know if Tui's me or I'm Tui," he says. "It seems to morph into one sometimes. Definitely my personality comes through in it quite strongly."

For the first half of the decade, he was based in Auckland, but when he had children, he wanted to get closer to home.

Now he lives in Masterton, and works two days a week in Auckland and three days at Mangatainoka, the brewery's ancestral Wairarapa home. Until earlier this year, he had to catch a train to Wellington whenever he wanted to fly north.

"The Air New Zealand link out of Masterton has been a godsend, it's saved my marriage," he says.

So Mr Rogers is a hybrid of city and country. He's a provincial boy who's spent most of his working life in the city. His workmates are Mangatainoka brewery workers, but he's a marketing guru ("My philosophy is that Tui, it's not just a beer, it's a way of life," he says at one point). He wears a shirt as open as any farmer's, but his jeans and tapering leather shoes are pure city.

In the end, he says, his outlook on life is pretty simple.

"There are three types of people in this world: people who make things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who don't even know it's happened. And you always put yourself in the former.

"There's so many people that just don't want to make a difference in this world. And that's one thing that I like, or am quite proud of, I actually enjoy making things happen."

Mangatainoka is very small. Apparently it produces more beer per capita than anywhere else in the world — but that's because only about 30 people live there, Mr Rogers says.

He's been trying to transform Tui's brewery at the site since he landed, but real progress has only come in the past two years, he says.

Where industrial buildings used to crowd the brewery's famous brick tower, making for a harsh welcome to visitors, Mr Rogers has cleared acres of green lawn and built a bar, cafe, function centre and museum on site.

"My philosophy was ‘boy's playground’. Because every male in New Zealand has heard of Tui brewery or seen it on TV. What other tourism location or destination in New Zealand has that sort of marketing clout behind it?"

He even sees the odd car stop and unload a gaggle of lads who worship the tower — in the vein of a late 90s TV commercial.

Despite all the blokiness, he's also keen to widen the brewery's appeal. He's visibly pleased when an elderly couple walk through the door and says the brewery has hosted a number of weddings.

"People go ‘weddings at a brewery?’ But if they can have weddings at a winery in Martinborough, why can't they have them here?"

So far it's working. Four years ago, the brewery saw about 7,000 visitors every year. Now the figure is 45,000. They're also making serious money out of every piece of merchandise from garden gnomes to duvet covers. (And that's not to mention the huge trade they're doing in pies, tomato sauce and other food products at supermarkets around the country).

What do the locals think of all the change?

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  TUI'S COMPANY: Neighbour Jack Smith, a former brewery worker, enjoys meeting all the visitors around the town.
                          “If it shut down, it would be hellish,” he says. However, not all residents agree with him.
                                                                  — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

Across the road, Jack Smith, a 70-year-old who worked at the brewery for 31 years, says at first he wasn't sure about the new ideas, but now he's been won over.

He meets people from all around the world, jokes with the ones who can't speak English, and never has to leave his doorstep, he says.

"If it wasn't there, if it shut down, it would be hellish. I couldn't stand it."

But down the road at the Dudley Arms Tavern, owner Dave Wolland is less enamoured.

"Basically they've kicked us in the guts. They've gone out in opposition to us.

"They've brought a lot of people in, which is quite good, but they're a typical big company it's all for them and no one else."

Just more controversy, really, and Mr Rogers is used to dealing with it.

"Some people with the opportunity for tourism in the area haven't really realised it," he says about Mr Wolland's complaints.

But criticism can come from all sides. Aren't Tui's latest adverts, which are dominated by ridiculously beautiful women, pretty sexist?

"No, because we've never been degrading towards women. I don't believe we have," he says.

"I get really peeved off if they're referred to as Tui girls. They're not Tui girls, they're the Tui brewery girls. So they've actually got a reason for being."

After a horrific Invercargill car crash last month, the Dominion Post columnist Karl du Fresne wrote: "If I were on the board of Dominion Breweries, I don't think I'd feel comfortable about Tui's celebrated status among boy racers and binge drinkers."

Does Mr Rogers worry about marketing to destructive drinkers?

"It's called a freedom of choice. It's like people speeding in cars and blaming car companies," he says.

"It does hurt, I won't deny that. But we haven't forced anyone into any particular behaviour. I've got a conscience like everybody else, I suppose. I prefer to look at the positives that come out of it."

And those positives, he says, are simple.

"It's beer. It's not overly complicated. It's beer. It's great beer. And the thing about beer is that it denotes sociability, it denotes having fun with your mates. Because 95 per cent of the time when you drink beer, you're actually in a good space."

With the billboards and the ads, he says, Tui is usually just saying what everyone else wants to.

"Tui does have its fair share of complaints. We do create more publicity than any other beer brand. When the media reports come through, we're more than the whole liquor industry sometimes."

Even the billboard about rural schools is potentially out of order alcohol companies are not supposed to mention under-25s in their advertising.

Mr Rogers says cheekily that the school must have pinched the truck and done it themselves.

But it's easy enough to know which two words should come after that explanation.

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GETTING EVERYONE ON BOARD

• There are 53 billboard sites around the country.

• Half of them are on private property. Some owners, like one Taihape farmer, are paid with a pallet of beers (50 dozen) every year.

• About 4-6 new slogans are put up every month.

• Topical billboards are preferred — "Not Guilty" went up after Michael Jackson was acquitted in less than three hours.

• Local topics are another favourite — Tui has run into trouble for everything from insulting Masterton's mayor to slagging off New Zealand Rugby Union bosses in Christchurch.

• About half of the slogans now come from public suggestions. Again, their creators are paid in beer.

• The rest come from advertising agencies and Tui's marketing people. "Sometimes we just go and buy the papers and open page 3 and go ‘That's fundamentally wrong, let's pick on that’," Mr Rogers says.

• Wellington ad agencies still disagree about who came up with the campaign, which began in the mid 1990s, Mr Rogers says.

• Some parts of the country are still relatively new to the campaign — the first Tui billboard went up in Auckland in 2001, and the first South Island "Yeah, right" was put up in 2003.

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL BILLBOARDS[/size]

• "I nvr txt whl drvn" — Taken down in May out of respect for a Horowhenua family whose two daughters died in a texting-related crash.

• "Let's take a moment this Christmas to think about Christ" — Withdrawn after protests from some churches. Last year's most complained-about ad.

• "When Winston says no, he means no" — Electoral Commission warned this could have breached the Electoral Finance Act

• "Camilla for Queen" — Taken down in 2005 on the eve of a visit from Prince Charles.

NICK ROGERS' TOP BILLBOARDS HE CREATED

• We didn't need Mehrts" — a Christchurch-specific creation after one of the rugby world cups.

• "Of course it's true I saw it on CNN"

• "It's not receding, I cut it that way"

NICK ROGERS' ‘BEST EVER’

• "I past NCEA Inglish"

• "No pressure Graham" — Before an All Blacks test

• "Really keen to see your mother again"

• "Let Paul fly us there" — After Paul Holmes crashed his plane.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/features/2754093/Tuis-Nick-Rogers-The-Yeah-right-stuff

I just heard on the radio that it's snowing at Woodville and also at Eketahuna and Mount Bruce.

I guess ImTooSexy will have a white lawn at the moment.

It's bloody freezing in Masterton.

Town set for opening of $4.5m centre

A makeover for Dannevirke

Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Tuesday, 29 September 2009

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It's taken nine months longer than scheduled and cashed in at $4.5 million, but Dannevirke's new-look town centre is ready to roll.

Tararua District Council contractors have now cleared out of the town's main street, where they have been working on the major upgrade since September 2007.

In their place is a fully refurbished streetscape, complete with imported paving stones, architecturally-designed furniture, elegant balustrades and newly-planted trees.

It also boasts the underground infrastructure for super-fast broadband, and a new town clock, thanks to a $100,000 donation from lifetime Dannevirke resident Gwen Fairbrother.

But the project that took five years from concept to completion had its hairy moments, with work delayed due to weather, a major paving stone mix-up and other unexpected delays.

Some High Street retailers raised concerns during the work, claiming that access to shops had been blocked by contractors and business had suffered. Ratepayers from elsewhere in the district complained their towns were being neglected.

But Dannevirke Chamber of Commerce chairman and third-generation greengrocer Suresh Patel said the wait has been worth it.

"It's fantastic, absolutely fantastic. We are getting so many people just commenting on what a difference it's made in Dannevirke. Countless amounts of people travelling through town just can't believe it."

The feeling in town was positive, with many retailers doing last-minute renovations to their own stores in time for the grand opening this weekend, Mr Patel said.

"They're taking a bit of pride and fixing up their frontages as well — there's a lot of paint work going at the moment. The whole town is sprucing itself up. There's just a really good vibe."

Retailers hoped the new-look centre would entice travellers to stop in Dannevirke, which seemed to be happening already, he said.

A town celebration is planned for this Saturday, with the unveiling of the new town clock and blessing of a locally-carved statue of Papatuanuku at 12pm.

Clowns, dancers, bands, and spot prizes are among the activities, with special guest comedian Ginnette McDonald as Lyn of Tawa.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2912157/Town-set-for-opening-of-4-5m-centre (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/2912157/Town-set-for-opening-of-4-5m-centre)

Hurricanes to play Blues at Mangatainoka

Super 14 Rugby at the home of Yeah, Right!

By PETER LAMPP - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 09 November 2009

The Hurricanes are to play the Blues at Mangatainoka on January 23.

Yeah right!

They are; it is fair dinkum and the Tui Brewery, of course, is behind it.

A Super 14 pre-season match is being organised for Pahiatua's tiddler satellite town. Mangatainoka has a pub, a brewery, a few houses, the Pahiatua Golf Club and not much else.

The Mangatainoka Rugby Club was formed in 1886 and has been in recess since 1986, but does have a ground on which livestock graze.

So when word came through of the proposed match, it was greeted with the same response as when reading the famous Tui billboards.

Manawatu Rugby Union chairman Tony Murphy knew nothing about it, even though Mangatainoka falls within Manawatu's sphere of influence. The Bush Rugby Club operates a few kilometres south in Pahiatua.

So a call was made yesterday to Hurricanes spokesman Sam Rossiter-Stead who confirmed it was more than a send-up.

"It's for real," he said. "Tui are one of our big sponsors and we are playing the Blues there.

"They are talking about thousands of tickets and bringing in stands, temporary seating. It should be a good game."

The Hurricanes are also likely to get involved in the community around the game, being held on Wellington Anniversary weekend. Tui helped raise $60,000 last year to restore the quaint grandstand which was built in 1907, holds about 122 people and has featured in many New Zealand pictorial books.

The property is owned by the Mangatainoka Domain Board and a rugby club reunion was held there in 2005.

Tui plans to sell 6500 seats for the grassroots rugby-style occasion.

Farmers and earthmovers are to level the field, which has good natural drainage, and will build temporary grandstands.

Such pre-season matches are usually held in small provincial venues like Gisborne, Levin and Wanganui.

This is the brainchild of Tui's commercial manager and Wairarapa resident, Nick Rogers.

"We have a fantastic relationship with the Hurricanes, both as a sponsor and partner, and they always want to get involved in the wider franchise community," he said.

"So we thought, why not do something a little different this year.

"Tui is bringing the big show to the small town," Rogers states.

"The ground is currently but a paddock next to a brewery but there is some serious work to be done.

"It's literally grassroots rugby. We're taking it right back to basics.

"Why are we doing this? I ask myself the same question every day but I know it will be rewarding."

He compared it with the population of Auckland going from 1 million people to 65 million for six hours.

Tui has teamed up with local businesses to get the event off the ground.

The match is expected to draw Hurricanes fans from Wairarapa-Bush, Manawatu and Hawke's Bay.

Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, November 11 from Tui Brewery or the Tui website (www.tui.co.nz) and PGG Wrightson stores in Hurricanes territory.

General admission tickets cost $25 with kids 10 and under free. Corporate tickets will be available for $100 for an event held on the back paddock. The event includes a guest speaker at 2pm and reserved stand seating.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/3044016/Hurricanes-to-play-Blues-at-Mangatainoka (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/3044016/Hurricanes-to-play-Blues-at-Mangatainoka)

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Mangatainoka builds for its big day in the sun

GOOD SPORTS

By PETER LAMPP, DANIEL RICHARDSON and RON GURNEY - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 09 November 2009

Have you heard the Tui one about how more than 6500 rugby fans are expected when the Hurricanes play a Super 14 warm-up match at Mangatainoka Domain in mid-summer in January?

Do not scoff. In sporting terms, Mangatainoka is best known for New Zealand cricketer Mike Mason; until this. Tui Brewery intends spending thousands on the January 23 event.

Community groups will run the food stalls, the bar and clean up as fundraisers, and the army will provide security. Bands will play, the Tui Brewery girls will be there, guest speakers, temporary grandstands...

Tickets will be limited as there's room for only so many stands.

(See the above story for more information about the upcoming match).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/lampps-sports-comments/3044125/Mangatainoka-builds-for-its-big-day-in-the-sun (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/lampps-sports-comments/3044125/Mangatainoka-builds-for-its-big-day-in-the-sun)

Hurricanes in his backyard

By KATIE FARMAN - Wairarapa News | 10:54AM - Thursday, 03 December 2009

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EAGERLY WAITING: Mangatainoka farmer and rugby fan Neil Symonds
is thrilled to be hosting next January's Super 14 pre-season
game between the Hurricanes and the Blues on his farm.

Neil Symonds can't believe his luck. The rugby mad Mangatainoka farmer, who has spent the best part of 12 years traveling all around the countryside with his mates to support the Hurricanes, will only have to venture as far as his backyard next year to watch the Hurricanes take on the Auckland Blues in a Rebel Sport Super 14 pre-season game.

Symonds, or Skin as he is widely known as, owns the farm on which the Mangatainoka Rugby Football Club grounds are located. For the last few weeks the 63-year-old has been busy preparing the ground for the game on January 23, which is expected to draw crowds from all over the lower North Island.

"We've been busy transforming the paddock into a field that even those Jaffa's would be proud of," says Symonds. "We've run a seven ton roller over the ground every week so it's smooth enough to play bowls on. We've put the posts up and painted them, and now are getting ready to erect the grandstands."

The 2010 Super 14 pre-season opener is the brainchild of Tui Brewery commercial manager and Wairarapa resident Nick Rogers. He said to date 3000 of the available 6500 seated-tickets have been sold and he was confident the rest would sell before kick off, especially because the afternoon game is being billed as a festival of sport with pre match and post match entertainment.

"This is the sort of rugby the New Zealand public is seeking — they want to come for the love of their game, their team and in their area," he said. "We've a fantastic relationship with the Hurricanes, both as a sponsor and partner, and they always want to get involved in the wider franchise community. So we thought why not bring the big show to the small town. We want to show how Mangatainoka, a small town community, can bring rugby to life."

Over 125 tons of scaffolding has been ordered to build enough stands for every ticket holder with the biggest stand having capacity for 3500 punters. Rogers says the community is rallying behind the event with several businesses offering to help out including Higgins, Fitzgerald Transport and the local fire brigade among many. He also praises Symonds who is going above and beyond the call of duty to prepare the grounds.

"Skin's passion for the game is phenomenal and just brilliant to see," says Rogers. "And I think there is a little bit of ‘Skin’ in every rugby supporter in NZ and that is what is sad  — I don't think the some of the NZRFU really understand the real level of support the game has in provincial New Zealand."

Symonds, one of 11 children, was born and raised in the small northern Wairarapa town where as a kid he played halfback for the Mangatainoka RFC. However years later he was forced to withdraw from the sport with eye problems and ever since has taken a key supporters role. As a 12-year season ticket holder for the Hurricanes he is used to traveling two hours each way to attend almost all of their matches at the Cake Tin and along the way meet up with his reliable band of "farmer mates" from Eketahuna, Carterton and Bulls. He also sat next to BJ Williams in the stand at Cardiff when the All Blacks were beaten by France in the quarter finals of the 2007 World Cup.

"Look I just love rugby and I've supported the Hurricanes from day one," he says. "My most memorable game was trying to watch them play the good old Crusaders that night in the fog in Christchurch ... what an extraordinary sight."

In recent months with much sideline comment focusing on the New Zealand Rugby Union's possible decision to cull the number of teams competing in the National Provincial Cup, he hopes the game in Mangatainoka will help bring about a groundswell of grassroots support.

"Rugby's been king in my lifetime and I really want it to stay that way," he says. "We need to bring it back to grassroots again and I really hope this game will help provide that catalyst and bring a whole heap of positive spin-offs."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3122513/Hurricanes-in-his-backyard (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3122513/Hurricanes-in-his-backyard)

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I wonder if Im2Sexy4MyPants is planing to be at the game to perve at the Tui girls?  ;D

Mangatainoka Hurricanes game sells out

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 14 January 2009

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GETTING READY: Mangatainoka's Neil Symonds, left, and Tui marketing manager Nick Rogers on
the seating looking out at the field that will host the Super 14 pre-season match between the
Hurricanes and the Blues. More than 7500 people are set to attend the sold-out game (left).

LET THE BUILDING BEGIN: Construction is under way to have a Mangatainoka paddock ready
to host a pre-season Super 14 game next weekend (right).

  — MURRAY WILSON/Manawatu Standard.

If you were planning on going to the Hurricanes pre-season match against the Blues in Mangatainoka next weekend, you're out of luck.

Last night all 7690 tickets to the game, which is to be played on Neil Symonds' farm on Saturday, January 23, had sold out, nine days before the game.

The attendance figure could climb to more than 8000 because children under 10 can enter free with a paying adult.

The temporary scaffolding, more than 125 tonnes of it, was being set up this week and will seat the spectators who will witness a truly grassroots event.

Tui marketing manager Nick Rogers said it was a unique opportunity to see such a game in the Tararua village.

"It's not a huge commercial venture. Those that come, we want them to have a special time and have a story to tell," he said.

"You will not get more grassroots than in little old Mangatainoka and I think that's what the New Zealand public has been pining for a little bit."

The cost of the scaffolding was more than $100,000 and while Tui won't turn a huge profit, it won't lose money on the venture.

Having the match in Mangatainoka was a plan cooked up over a few Tuis at their forceback competition they used to run, three years ago.

It was pitched to the Hurricanes management who never threw the idea off the table.

With the help of Symonds lending his land and all parties coming together, it got off the ground.

Schools, kindergartens and community groups from around Southern Hawke's Bay, Bush, Wairarapa and Manawatu were getting on board, from running food stands to manning the bar.

Logistically it has been an exhaustive exercise bringing in toilet and shower blocks, the seating and arranging parking. "We've got ourselves a mini-Cake Tin," Symonds, a Hurricanes season ticketholder for the past 12 years, said. "We're not going too far away from the grassroots rugby."

The Hurricanes will use the toilets and showers in the old Mangatainoka Rugby Football Club stand, which was restored three years ago.

While the club, formed in 1886, has been in recess since 1986, Symonds said it was important for the community to have the stand, because it was iconic.

Punters won't be sitting in the old stand for the game next weekend because it will be obstructed by the temporary seating, but you would rather be closer to the action.

"What other grounds in the country are that close to a tryline?" Rogers asked. "It's just going to look magic."

With the population of Mangatainoka between 200 to 300, having close to 8000 people in the area at once would be like Auckland's population swelling to 64 million.

Rogers said the event was a special moment in his career. "What chance do you ever get to say, ‘I organised a Super 14 game in a paddock’?"

On the day there is a curtainraiser between Tui Invitation XV and a Mangatainoka RFC Invitation XV featuring Manawatu legends and up-and-comers. Fans will be entertained throughout the day by bands and on-field events.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/3229247/Mangatainoka-Hurricanes-game-sells-out (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/3229247/Mangatainoka-Hurricanes-game-sells-out)

It'll be yeah, right on Saturday night

By MICHAEL FORBES - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Wednesday, 20 January 2010

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TOP TOWN: Around 8000 rugby fans will be rolling in to Mangatainoka for the Super 14 preseason match between
the Hurricanes and the Blues. — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

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WORLD FAMOUS IN NZ: The Tui Brewery in the sleepy Tararua town of Mangatainoka, which will host a preseason
Super 14 match on Saturday. — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

If the advertising moguls are to be believed, then Mangatainoka is little more than pristine countryside where only the most attractive women frolic, brew beer and bathe themselves in the river.

Believe what you will, but on Saturday that image is under threat from the beer guts and bald heads who will likely be among the 8000 rugby fans rolling into town for a Super 14 preseason match between the Hurricanes and Blues.

It is the first time the Hurricanes have sold out a preseason match, it will be their largest preseason crowd and, as Tui marketing manager Nick Rogers puts it: "Those going to the game won't know what's hit them." And he is probably right.

The home of Mangatainoka RFC, which only two months ago was home to 30 sheep, has been transformed by 160 tonnes of scaffolding into a mini stadium.

"We had so many people ringing up about their tickets, thinking it was another ‘Yeah Right’ joke," Mr Rogers said. "They read the word `Stand' on their ticket and figured it meant they would have to stand on the sideline."

But after two weeks of bolting metal poles together, Mr Rogers and his team have created more than just a place to watch a ball being kicked around.

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UP THEY GO: Scaffolders Cliff Small and Robbie Waru erect the giant stands. — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

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LOOKS GOOD UP HERE: Neil “Skins” Symonds, one of the organisers, on the stands. — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

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HOPING TO BE NOTICED: Scaffolder David Anderson, from Wellington, takes a break from work to kick a ball around.
 — ROBERT KITCHIN/The Dominion Post.

Picture the 20-metre bar, food and concession stands, corporate tents, bouncy castle and the odd sausage sizzle and you get the feeling this match will have a feel-good atmosphere of rugby days past.

But 8000 people into a town of just 200 does not go, and Mr Rogers is unsure how crowds will disperse after the match.

But with a police booze bus at both ends of the town, the main road closed to regular traffic, a "hefty" police presence and 50 soldiers from Linton on security, Mr Rogers was confident the event would be trouble-free.

The locals share his confidence.

Kathy Howland, who runs the "Tui View" bed and breakfast, said all the lodging in Mangatainoka was gone three months ago when a couple paid $45 for her only room.

With nowhere else to stay in town, some might camp by the river and some might sleep in cars but everyone would find a place to go, she said.

"We had the ‘Small Town, Big Sounds Festival’ [in February] last year, which attracted about 3000 people and they all jumped on buses and got where they needed to go."

Publican Vicki Wolland said the Dudley Arms Tavern had ordered 25 kegs of beer for Saturday night.

There would even be cold Speights on tap for the Blues, she said, who will no doubt need one after spending the afternoon surrounded by 40,000 Tui bottles that they are not allowed to drink.


BIG GAME, BIG NUMBERS

• 40,000 bottles of Tui beer will be on site to keep punters happy.

• 8000 people are expected to attend.

• 600 people is the maximum the Dudley Arms Tavern (Mangatainoka's only pub) can hold afterwards.

• 450 bags of ice have been sourced for drinks and the players' ice baths (hopefully they don't get mixed up).

• 160 tonnes of scaffolding have gone into construction.

• 100 dollars for a corporate ticket.

• 50 soldiers from Linton Army Base will act as security.

• 36 toilets will be on site.

• 30 sheep used to live in the paddock, which is now a rugby stadium.

• 25 dollars for a regular ticket.

• 18 food and concession stands.

• 15 Tui girls will keep up appearances.

• 12 ball boys will patrol the paddocks adjoining the ground.

• 3 All Black legends (Colin Meads, Brian Lochore and Ian Kirkpatrick) will be there.

• 2 police checkpoints will be at opposite ends of the town.

• 1 eftpos machine will service the entire ground.

• 0 Super 14 games have ever been played in Mangatainoka.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3243255/It-ll-be-yeah-right-on-Saturday-night (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3243255/It-ll-be-yeah-right-on-Saturday-night)

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Small town pulls together for a Super time

By KATIE FARMAN - Wairarapa News | 12:41PM - Wednesday, 20 January 2010

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PADDOCK TO SPORTS FIELD: Nick Rogers at the
Mangatainoka Rugby ground, dubbed the Biscuit Tin.
Scaffolding to accommodate up to 8000 spectators
has been erected for the Hurricanes' 2010
pre-season opener on Saturday.

The scaffolding is up, the field is in great condition and the tickets are sold.

Now all the people of Mangatainoka can do is wait for the more than 8000 people expected to attend Saturday's Super 14 pre-season clash between the Hurricanes and the Blues to turn up.

The game, which sold out last Wednesday, is tipped to go down in grass roots rugby folklore. Not only because it's being played on Neil Symonds' farm located next to Tui Brewery, but because it is bringing big-time rugby back to the small town. More than 125 tonnes of temporary scaffolding has been set up to accommodate all 7690 ticket holders, However, because children under 10 can enter free with a paying adult, attendance figures are predicted to climb to more than 8000.

Hurricanes chief executive officer Greg Peters couldn't think of a better way for his team to start the new season.

"This is a fantastic way to kick off the 2010 Hurricanes season and we're thrilled with the level of support we have received for this historic fixture," he said.

"The team at Tui Brewery and the local Mangatainoka community have worked extremely hard to turn this vision into reality. I know how much the players are looking forward to the game and they will be very keen to put on a real show in front of our first ever full house for a pre-season match."

The pre-season opener is the brainchild of Tui Brewery commercial manager and Wairarapa resident Nick Rogers who is determined to help bring about a groundswell of grassroots support. He said rugby greats Sir Brian Lochore and Colin "Pinetree" Meads as well as rugby commentator Keith Quinn have been invited to speak to 1000 corporate ticket holders. Meads was also expected to kick-off the curtain raiser between a Tui Invitational XV and a Mangatainoka RFC Invitation XV, with Sir Brian tipped to be named as No 8.

In addition there will be a helicopter drop, an air show, Tui Brewery girls, plus many more surprises and entertainment.

"This is all about bringing the big show to the small town!" Mr Rogers said.

"The ground was a paddock, now it's smooth enough for those Aucklanders to play bowls on and that's what is so beautiful about the event  it's back to basics and bringing the professionals to grass roots." Mr Rogers said the game was a great sponsorship initiative between the two partners  Hurricanes and Tui while PGG Wrightson and Silver Fern Farms had also helped support the event to give it a truly grass roots flavour.

In addition 17 community groups will be pitching in for their annual fundraiser  cooking all the food, parking cars and operating the bars.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3245538/Small-town-pulls-together-for-a-Super-time (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3245538/Small-town-pulls-together-for-a-Super-time)

Hurricanes keen to hit the paddock

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 22 January 2010

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Nick Crosswell never imagined he'd pull on a Hurricanes jersey to go and play a game on a farm in Mangatainoka.

The 1.95-metre Manawatu loose forward will do that tomorrow, in the first Super 14 pre-season game against the Blues on Neil Symonds' farm.

Crosswell, 23, said he was looking forward to playing after a busy training regime.

"We've done quite a bit of training, and it'll just be good to get out there and try a few things," he said yesterday.

"I never thought I'd pull on any sort of jersey out there [Mangatainoka], so to put on a Hurricanes jersey over there is a pretty good occasion."

Crosswell will come off the bench tomorrow and will cover lock, openside and No.8 after spending most of his time for the Turbos as a blindside flanker.

"I've played a lot of six, so to play the other positions will be good."

He said the team were excited about playing at Mangatainoka because the match had a novelty factor to it.

It'll be the third time he has played for the Hurricanes, after turning out in two pre-season games last year. He has never played a competition match.

Crosswell, who went to Feilding High School, said plenty of family and friends would be watching tomorrow's game.

"There's been a lot of texts come my way the last few days."

The Blues have named 28 players and the Hurricanes will suit up 23 for tomorrow's 3pm clash, which will be played in quarters and will see lots of substitutions, plenty of points, and buckets of sweat if the weather is hot.

Manawatu first five-eighth Aaron Cruden will miss the game after a training accident, when he was poked in the eye. He hopes to be fit to meet the Brumbies in Porirua next weekend. Taranaki's Willie Ripia will start at pivot.

Manawatu's Johnny Leota will start in the midfield alongside Southlander Jason Kawau.

Joe Rokocoko will captain the Blues, with regular skipper Keven Mealamu out with injury.

Tui marketing manager Nick Rogers said Mangatainoka was ready to host its biggest sporting event.

"I think the weather's all booked in, the scaffolding's finished today, the beer's in the chiller and the tents are all up," he said yesterday.

There were no last-minute thoughts of adding extra seating to bump up the crowd.

"I'd just be asking for trouble," he said.

The game kicks off at 3pm after a curtain-raiser at 1pm between a Tui Invitation XV and a Mangatainoka RFC XV featuring some Manawatu rugby personalities, including Turbos coaches Bruce Hemara and Dave Rennie. Sir Colin Meads, Sir Brian Lochore and rugby commentator Keith Quinn will be in attendance.

• Blues: Paul Williams, Joe Rokocoko (captain), George Pisi, Benson Stanley, Rudi Wulf, Stephen Brett, Alby Mathewson, Viliame Ma'afu, Serge Lilo, Peter Saili, Andre van der Heijden, Filo Paulo, Charlie Faumuina, Tom McCartney, Tevita Mailau. Reserves: Ash Dixon, Pauliasi Manu, Michael Reid, Liaki Moli, Anthony Boric, Onosa'i Auva'a, Tom Chamberlain, Jerome Kaino, Chris Smylie, Michael Harris, Dan Kirkpatrick, Lachie Munro, Rene Ranger.

• Hurricanes: Andre Taylor, Alapati Leiua, Jason Kawau, Johnny Leota, Hosea Gear, Willie Ripia, Piri Weepu, Victor Vito, Scott Waldrom, James Broadhurst, Api Naikatini, Anthony Perenise, Ged Robinson, John Schwalger. Reserves: Tyson Keats, David Smith, Charlie Ngatai, Nick Crosswell, Daniel Ramsay, Jacob Ellison, Chris Eaton, Michael Bent.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/3253123/Hurricanes-keen-to-hit-the-paddock (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/3253123/Hurricanes-keen-to-hit-the-paddock)

Blues defeat Hurricanes in Mangatanioka rain

NZPA | 6:01PM - Saturday, 23 January 2010

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OVER THE LINE: Blues halfback Taniela Moa clinches his fist after scoring the winning
try in his side's 19-17 Super 14 pre-season win over the Hurricanes in Mangatanioka.

Poor weather and the boot of Daniel Kirkpatrick dampened the occasion for Hurricanes fans in Mangatainoka today as the Blues won a pre-season Super 14 rugby match 19-17.

Both sides scored three tries in a spectacle marred by rain and cold conditions but two conversions to former Wellington first five-eighth Kirkpatrick proved the difference after the score was locked 5-5 at halftime.

The match was an 8000-seat sellout on a farm in the small Wairarapa community which is made famous by the presence of popular beer brewery.

The players struggled to respond in kind because of the conditions although the game opened up in the dying stages when the sun poked through.

Blues winger Rene Ranger was a standout performer, always looking threatening and crossing for two tries. Their other try went to halfback Taniela Moa.

The Hurricanes scored through prop Anthony Perenise, halfback Chris Eaton and centre Charlie Ngatai while first five-eighth Willie Ripia landed one conversion.

There were no apparent major injuries in a game in which players came and went off the reserve bench.


In Mangatainoka....

• Blues: 19 — Rene Ranger 2 tries, Taniela Moa try; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 conversions.

• Hurricanes: 17 — Anthony Perenise, Chris Eaton, Charlie Ngatai tries; Willie Ripia conversion.

• Halftime: 5-5.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/3256922/Blues-defeat-Hurricanes-in-Mangatanioka-rain (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-14/3256922/Blues-defeat-Hurricanes-in-Mangatanioka-rain)

My cousin managed to get 'corporate box seats', though what that meant is anybody's guess.

Mr DT dropped his bottom lip.  Thought corporate box seats were wasted on a g.i.r.l.

hey im part of the Tararua scene too. where i sit by my Computer I look straight out my window and see Mount Holdsworth& Dundas from Levin as we back right on to the other side of the Tararua's.
born and raised under these mighty Mountains and proud of it  8)

Wet, wild and muddy kickoff to season

By TOBY ROBSON - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Monday, 25 January 2010

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DIRTY FUN: Mud wrestlers at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka (left).

MUD, GLORIOUS MUD: Tui girls pose in the mud before the pre-season Super 14 match between the Blues and Hurricanes in Mangatainoka (right).

The naked truth about the security at Mangatainoka's Super 14 match was revealed in stark fashion as a string of streakers joined in the mud bath.

Tie in impromptu mud-wrestling, Tui Girls in bare feet, driving rain and a call from the band to drink every last drop of the sponsor's product before leaving, and the 8000-strong crowd that attended Saturday's unique rugby experience left with the feeling they had been part of something special.

The pre-season match in northern Wairarapa was more reminiscent of Glastonbury music festival than a footy match, as half-naked drunken men stumbled happily in the mud, music blaring in the background.

The sponsor's product and a sea of umbrellas ensured that even driving rain and a perfectly timed southerly did not dampen spirits.

City slickers realised the worth of a good pair of gummies but the Tui Girls, of which there were many, were happy to go barefoot.

In between times a rugby match broke out, after Sir Brian Lochore followed up a bagpipe national anthem with a short punt to the Blues that turned out to be the actual kickoff.

In the next 90 minutes four male streakers strutted their stuff, one managing to bind on to a Hurricanes ruck before being carted away by security.

The podgiest of the naturalists was able to squeeze in press-ups, dance moves, a mock try and a grotesque liaison with a goalpost.

He was left to his own devices for so long he ran out of antics, while play continued at the other end of the field. Eventually a stream of fluorescent vests dawdled in and the exhausted exhibitionist gave himself up.

None of the streakers were arrested, but all were banned from the ground and received a warning.

The Hurricanes shook off the distractions to play a decent game of rugby, despite losing 19-17, and then stayed for an hour signing autographs and posing for photos in the drizzle.

Hurricanes flanker Scott Waldrom loved every minute, but admitted the facilities under Mangatainoka RFC's tiny grandstand weren't quite as good as those at Westpac Stadium.

"We waded about 200 metres through the mud to get to the changing rooms and there was no toilet, so we were hunting around the paddock at the back where they'd put one toilet in an old cowshed."

Waldrom said the players had been blown away to find such a big crowd — courtesy of a makeshift scaffold stadium — in the middle of nowhere. "I don't think we were expecting the scaffolding to be as high as it was and when everyone was packed in around you it was bloody impressive."

The Blues players got a shock, too, and made an amusing sight as they tiptoed daintily from the team bus to their dressing tent (yes, tent) in a futile effort to keep their glistening white trainers clean.

"Go the Blues!" yelled one of the witty locals. "Yeah right!" chimed in his mates.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper said he would love to see more pre-season games in the provinces. "Everyone wins. It gave a lot more hype to the game and it gave an opportunity to advertise for the sponsors. It's different, but it's good."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3257996/Wet-wild-and-muddy-kickoff-to-season (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3257996/Wet-wild-and-muddy-kickoff-to-season)

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CHEEKY: A streaker waves to the crowd at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 game in Mangatainoka.

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IMPROMPTU HAKA: Fans perform a haka at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 game in Mangatainoka.

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POLICE ESCORT: A streaker is led away by police after being followed an exhibition during the Blues v Hurricanes
pre-season Super 14 game.

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FANTASTIC PLASTIC: Fans shelter from the rain at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 game in Mangatainoka.

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THE NAKED TRUTH: A streaker dives across the tryline in Mangatainoka during the Blues v Hurricanes
pre-season Super 14 game.

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HAVING A BALL: Spectators in a playful wrestle for a ball in the dead-ball area before the Blues v Hurricanes
pre-season Super 14 game in Mangatainoka.

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THE NAKED TRUTH: A streaker bursts across the field at Mangatainoka during the
Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 game.

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SOLD OUT: An aerial shot of the specially made stadium on Neil Symonds farm in Mangatainoka for the
Blues v Hurricanes Super 14 pre-season match.

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MATCH WINNER: Blues halfbck Taniela Moa clenches his fist after scoring the winning try against the Hurricanes
in a pre-season Super 14 match in Mangatainoka.

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ROCKETMAN FLIES: Blues captain Joe Rokocoko (right) goes flying in a tackle in the Blues v Hurricanes
pre-season Super 14 match in Mangatainoka.

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SIDELINE: Hurricanes All Blacks Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu and Tamati Ellison watch the Blues v Hurricanes
pre-season Super 14 match in Mangatainoka.

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IN THE STAND: NZRU chief executive Steve Tew sits alongside Hurricanes number eight Rodney So'oialo,
 at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka.

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MAKING A STATEMENT: Fans with a Tui billboard mock-up at the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season
Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka.

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WET ONE: Raincoats were the order of the day as spectators watch Blues halfback Alby Mathewson run from
the base of a ruck during the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka.

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CUTTING LOOSE: Hurricanes winger David Smith is in the clear during the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season
Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka.

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RUDI RUNS: Blues fullback Rudi Wulf breaks a tackle during the Blues v Hurricanes pre-season
Super 14 rugby match in Mangatainoka.

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Fans pack out Mangatainoka

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 25 January 2010

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BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME: An aerial shot of the specially made stadium on
Neil Symonds' farm in Mangatainoka (right).

UP IN THE AIR: Hurricanes and Blues players contest a lineout during their Super 14 pre-season
game in Mangatainoka on Saturday (left). — JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard.

Mangatainoka could be a regular pre-season Super 14 venue following the success of Saturday's match between the Hurricanes and the Blues.

Just under 10,000 flocked to Neil Symonds' farm despite the abysmal weather to watch professional rugby played at a grassroots venue.

Tui marketing manager Nick Rogers, who masterminded the game, said the event went well, but was a huge undertaking.

"Event management is not easy, but it was golden," he said yesterday. "Everyone was so hyped up. The locals today are just absolutely abuzz."

Persistent rain didn't put off the punters who turned up in droves to watch the match, won by the Blues 19-17.

"I think the weather made the day. It showed that there are no fairweather supporters in the provinces. New Zealand people want to come out rain or shine," Mr Rogers said.

Fans were treated to Sir Brian Lochore kicking the game off, following a national anthem that was done "Toki style" with the tune played on the bagpipes.

Umbrellas, hats and coats were a must in the first half as fans battled the elements to watch players who rarely take the field outside of the main centres.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper said he was keen to see another game in Mangatainoka.

"It was good. I think professional rugby needs to come back to grassroots and engage back with the fans and there was a bit of that going on today so it's good to be here," he said.

"It's just got to fit with next year. It's going to expand again with the Super 15."

Following the match, fans were allowed on the ground to get autographs, high fives and photos with their heroes, who were happy to scribble their name or pose to put a smile on kids' faces.

Blues coach Pat Lam admitted he had to take a quick geography lesson to find out where Mangatainoka was.

"At first I was like ‘where's that?’ But I just think it's fantastic to come down here. The people have just been awesome."

Mr Lam said pre-season games were best played where they could connect with the fans.

"Certainly I think this is far better to come to the heartland and take the game out to the provinces and this is just great. I couldn't have asked for a better place to play the game. I heard the ground belongs to a farmer, so it's a great effort. We were a bit concerned, but it's a great surface."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/3258924/Fans-pack-out-Mangatainoka (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/3258924/Fans-pack-out-Mangatainoka)

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Frustrated Cruden looks on as Hurricanes slip up

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 25 January 2010

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ROLL AWAY TACKLER: Hurricanes forward Jacob
Ellison, with ball, is taken to ground during his
team's match against the Blues in Mangatainoka.
— JONATHAN CAMERON/Manawatu Standard.

Aaron Cruden admitted it was a bit frustrating being forced to watch from the sidelines when the Hurricanes lost to the Blues in their opening pre-season match on Saturday.

The Manawatu first-five was caught in a training incident during a contact session recently and lost sight in his left eye for three days before seeing a specialist to get it cleared up.

The doctor also ruled him out for two weeks, which included Saturday's game played in Mangatainoka, in front of just under 10,000 people.

"It was a bit of a bummer because all the family came over, but there'll be plenty more chances for them to see me," Cruden said, adding the eye injury had him sweating when it happened.

"I was quite worried for the first couple of days. I couldn't actually see anything and that's why I went to the specialist and that's when they gave me some eye drops."

Taranaki pivot Willie Ripia didn't show too much on Saturday to have Cruden worried that he won't get considerable game time for the Hurricanes this season.

Ripia didn't set the backline alight and was benched as Piri Weepu played the final quarter at first-five.

Conditions didn't allow for running rugby in Mangatainoka, but both teams tried their best, as the Blues inched past the home side to win 19-17.

Hurricanes discard Daniel Kirkpatrick proved the difference as he kicked two conversions, including the vital one late in the game after Blues halfback Taniela Moa crashed over close to the posts for the match-winning try.

Played in quarters, the match had few highlights in the first half due to the constant rain and the scores were locked five apiece at the split.

The second half proved to be a better spectacle. It was a relief to see both sides throw the ball around and not take the penalties on offer.

The game wasn't about the result for both coaches; it was more about testing combinations and working out who will make their starting 15s when the Super 14 proper begins next month.

Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper had fewer players at his disposal, with his All Blacks unavailable and three others, including Manawatu loose forward Brent Thompson out with injury, while the Blues used 28 men.

Thompson will be seeing a neck specialist this week and more will be known about his status after that.

Cruden's form in the Air New Zealand Cup last year effectively ended Kirkpatrick's chances of being re-selected in the Hurricanes and the Manawatu first-five said before he could take to the Super 14 paddock he needed to bulk up.

Listed on the Hurricanes website at 79kg, the 21-year-old said he was working on adding more weight to his frame.

"I came down at about 80-81kg, at the moment I'm holding at 83 so I'm pretty happy, but the target weight is about 85kg so we'll see how that goes.

"It's just about being able to take the knocks. It's going to be a bit more intense than Air New Zealand Cup, so I think it's just trying to help me recover week to week."

Cruden will get his first chance to pull on the yellow and black of the Hurricanes when they host the Brumbies in their second warm-up game in Porirua on Friday night.

He said after all the speculation surrounding his rise in the game he was nervous about Friday's match.

"I am a little bit. It's a huge honour and I just want to do the jersey proud so I try and not read too much into the hype and I just like to keep my head down and work hard but there definitely will be a few nerves out there."

• Blues: 19 (Rene Ranger 2, Taniela Moa tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick 2 conversions).

• Hurricanes: 17 (Anthony Perenise, Chris Eaton, Charlie Ngatai tries; Willie Ripia conversion).

• Halftime: 5-5.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/3258935/Frustrated-Cruden-looks-on-as-Hurricanes-slip-up (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/3258935/Frustrated-Cruden-looks-on-as-Hurricanes-slip-up)

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Editorial: Winning match on many levels

By WARWICK RASMUSSEN, Deputy Editor - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 25 January 2010

It may have been weather more suited to duckshooting in May, but that didn't detract from the success of holding a big time rugby match in small time Mangatainoka.

The success of the event can be charted on several levels.

From a marketing point of view, the team at Tui tapped into the fans' psyche by staging the match in rural New Zealand. It seemed like a case of build it and they will come. And so it was. Even in the dire weather, thousands crammed cars, 4WDs and buses along the side roads around Mangatainoka, then wandered towards the paddock.

It was something of a coup for Tui to stage the match and it did come with a hefty price tag.

They were never going to make a lot of money out of the match — although the beer sales at the ground would have helped, as would the national exposure of having the big game in the little town.

What the fixture did do, though, was generate a lot of goodwill for the company and it created an almost nostalgic feel around the game which was hard to escape. Aside from all of the corporate objectives that were ticked off, it was great to see fans keen to reconnect with the game.

In a lot of ways it was a mix of old and new — the flash Harry players getting ready in the makeshift changing rooms, for example.

It was also a reminder of where the game starts for so many children around New Zealand; a wet paddock in the middle of nowhere.

It is these kinds of special occasions that really galvanise fans to their teams. Imagine how soul-less the match would have been if it had been held in Wellington to an almost empty stadium.

Instead, everyone won (except the Hurricanes on the field).

The teams didn't have all their superstars playing and it was a shame for Manawatu fans that we didn't see Aaron Cruden in the No10 jersey, but people who went to the game will always treasure the occasion.

Once all the figures have been added up, it will be interesting to see whether organisers will look at doing it again.

They would have learned a few lessons from hosting the match and can only make it better from here.

How great would it be for the fans and the game if it became an annual fixture for the Hurricanes pre-season? Here's hoping.I've given up complaining about the summer that never arrived. It was easy to forget over the weekend that this is meant to be one of the hottest times of the year. Instead, I see it as a great bonus for our agricultural sector. Driving through the region, it is unseasonably green, which can only be good at this time of year. There can be some silver linings to the many grey clouds we've been seeing.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/3258933/Editorial-Winning-match-on-many-levels (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/opinion/3258933/Editorial-Winning-match-on-many-levels)

I wonder which of those streakers is Sexy showing off what he has got to the Tui Girls?  ;)


The brewery has got one of those Yeah, Right! signs mounted on a truck trailer which they move around and park on the side of the road in various places. Yesterday, they had it parked at the south end of Pahiatua and the sign said, Host the Rugby World Cup final at Mangatainoka Stadium...  Yeah, Right!  ;D


See if those photographs of the streakers remain without being censored. Photobucket deleted a couple of them not long after they were uploaded. So I changed the file names and uploaded them to a different account. With a bit of luck they won't notice them parked elsewhere on their servers, but you never know. If they disappear and get replaced by a little flag declaring “This image or video violated our terms of use” then you'll know they discovered them again....::)

Im a true blue Lion Red drinker as I find it goes down nicer than Tui.
Was on the Tui web last nite and will be taking my 2 sons over the PaTua track to see da Brewery for a  ;D day trip.

Are you sure it is the brewery you want to see?

Could it perhaps be that you want to oogle the Tui Girls?  ;)

Grassroots rugby at its best

By KATIE FARMAN - Wairarapa News | 11:16AM - Wednesday, 27 January 2010

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TUI TIME: From a seat in the top row, Richard Mackenzie has a
perfect view of the action. — CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post

A renaissance in grassroots rugby may be just around the corner thanks to Wairarapa resident Nick Rogers, who championed Saturday's successful Super 14 pre-season game between the Hurricanes and the Blues at Mangatainoka.

The Tui Brewery commercial manager, who organised the sold-out game, told Wairarapa News he received overwhelming positive feedback from spectators, rugby officials and players.

"The clear message from those at the game is there is a groundswell of grassroots rugby support and we could see that demand early, with the game selling out 10 days in advance," he said.

"But the good thing was, everyone talked about how great it was to go to the game with their friends, the organising of the bus, the walk to the ground, having a beer with their mates in the stands and catching up with old friends.

"It was a real social outing and emphasised the theatre of going to the game."

Mr Rogers said while it was too early to speculate on whether Mangatainoka will host a similar game in the future, he did say it will be something he will consider following discussions with Hurricanes management.

"When you have rugby greats like Sir Colin Meads addressing the crowd and championing a similar game in Te Kuiti, it does make you think doesn't it?"

Saturday's game, which saw Blues halfback Taniela Moa score a last-gasp try to beat the Hurricanes 19-17 in front of almost 10,000 spectators packing the specially-made stadium, was held on Neil Symonds' farm against an atmospheric backdrop of driving rain, impromptu mud wrestling and Tui Brewery Girls wading through the mud in their bare feet.

Helicopter rides, an air show, a string of streakers, live music and an entertaining curtain-raiser, kicked off by Sir Colin Meads, complemented the day's unique rugby experience. Rugby greats Sir Brian Lochore, Sir Colin and Ian Kirkpatrick spoke to 1000 corporate ticket holders, who sheltered from the rain huddling under umbrellas and standing under the corporate tents, about the importance of heartland rugby, while sports broadcaster Keith Quinn said he was honoured to speak at the event.

"I've been very lucky to look back on my career and think I've broadcast from places like Twickenham and Cardiff Arms Park, Pretoria and the Sydney Cricket Ground," said Quinn.

"But now I can say I've been to Skin Symonds' farm here at the Mangatainoka Domain, one of the highlights of my rugby career, I'm sure."

Following the game, Hurricanes player Charlie Ngatai, who scored one of his team's tries, mingled with fans by signing autographs and posing for photos. He said he had been overwhelmed by the level of support.

"Wow, what a cool day. I mean it's so cool for these supporters to come out here, especially the ones who often can't get to Wellington."

"The atmosphere has just been awesome and the crowd amazing."

Mr Rogers said he was thrilled with the turnout and the atmosphere at the game.

"Everyone left the game with smiles and talking positively about Mangatainoka, Tui Brewery and rugby, and for me that's the best thing I could hope to achieve," he said.

After investing some time with his family this week, Mr Rogers said he will turn his focus to next month's Small Town Big Sounds concert that will feature Evermore, Supergroove and the Beat Girls. The Small Town Big Sounds concert at Tui Brewery is on February 27.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3265871/Grassroots-rugby-at-its-best (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3265871/Grassroots-rugby-at-its-best)

After investing some time with his family this week, Mr Rogers said he will turn his focus to next month's Small Town Big Sounds concert that will feature Evermore, Supergroove and the Beat Girls. The Small Town Big Sounds concert at Tui Brewery is on February 27.

O for Oresome! but no mention of the Tui workers...

Cycleway through Tararua Ranges

By PIERS FULLER - Wairarapa News | 1:28PM - Wednesday, 07 April 2010

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Despite not being among the 13 projects to get New Zealand Cycle Trail funding, backers of a proposed cycleway through the Tararua Ranges are pedalling ahead. Representatives from the Horowhenua District Council (HDC) are coming to talk to the Eketahuna Community Board this week to gauge what interest and support that would be available on this side of the island for the Shannon-Eketahuna route.

HDC spokesperson David Clapperton says they are viewing the cycleway as a long-term objective and it is important to get the proper infrastructure in place if people are going to use such a facility.

"We've got a good council who are quite forward-thinking and we're not ones to hold back and say ‘we're not going to do it because we haven't got money’. Let's test the water first and scope it out and see what it all entails," he says.

He is optimistic that with the right support the interested parties can forge ahead and make it happen, even though it could take years.

"I keep on using the examples of the Eiffel Tower, or the Arc de Triomphe, or even the Stadium in Wellington — they all started with an idea, and at the moment this is the stage that we're at, and if we can fulfil that idea, that would be fantastic," he says.

A feasibility study would have to be comprehensive and provide enough concrete information to move ahead with a detailed plan. A study would cost around $80,000 and the HDC would seek some support from Tararua District Council and other stakeholders.

"We would have to make sure there was the level of detail that would support a reasonable costing of the project down to the infrastructure parts. You can't just do it from a piece of paper, you've got to go up there and have a look," he says.

As well as providing some stunning vistas the cycleway would also boost economic development in the two districts.

The proposed route has a working title of the "Missing Link" as it enables a safe off road cycle connection opening up options both sides of the lower North Island for cycle travellers. The proposed route utilises quiet local country roads and an access road from Shannon to the high point of the route (570 metres) and then requires a new trail of about 24km to be formed to link across from the high point down to Eketahuna. The track will be a minimum of 2.5 metres in width although it may be narrower for short bridge sections if this is required to minimise the construction costs. The surface will be formed as compacted and metalled surface.

Gretchen Bunny of Destination Wairarapa recently hosted a meeting in Greytown with a range of cycling groups looking at an overall plan for developing the activity in Wairarapa and she contacted Mr Clapperton with a view to bringing the HDC into the loop with what is going on here.

Plans for a link between Horowhenua and Wairarapa date back more than 100 years, when a Shannon to Eketahuna road was first suggested. However it has always been considered to be cost prohibitive to build a road for heavy traffic.

As recently as three years ago the idea for another road through the Tararuas was again revisited when a feasibility study was undertaken by the Horowhenua District Council. But the estimated cost of more than $68 million meant it was unaffordable.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3554107/Cycleway-through-Tararua-Ranges (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/wairarapa-news/3554107/Cycleway-through-Tararua-Ranges)

Car plunges 20m into river

By JONATHON HOWE - Manawatu Standard | 10:19AM - Saturday, 21 August 2010

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Emergency workers stand next to the barrier where a car crashed through before plunging 20 metres in to the Manawatu River.
 — FAITH SUTHERLAND/Manawatu Standard.

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Emergency workers look down the cliff where a car crashed this morning. — FAITH SUTHERLAND/Manawatu Standard.

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A man stands at the edge of the Manawatu River where a car crashed this morning. — FAITH SUTHERLAND/Manawatu Standard.

POLICE have called in divers to search for the occupants of a car that smashed through a roadside barrier and into the Manawatu Gorge this morning.

Police said they do not know how many people were in the car when it crashed at 7.35am.

The car, believed to be a Subaru, was travelling in the direction of Woodville when it crashed through the barrier at the Ashhurst end of the Manawatu Gorge and plunged 20 metres in to the river.

Police spokeswoman Kim Perks said a boat was used to get close to the submerged car, but divers have been called to investigate further.

"The car is not moving but we can't get to it," she said.

Wreckage was strewn across the road and in the water, Ms Perks said.

The car crashed in the same spot where a van that was stolen from Palmerston North went over in May this year. The 46-year-old Feilding man driving the van suffered minor injuries.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/4047319/Car-plunges-20m-into-river (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/4047319/Car-plunges-20m-into-river)

Body pulled out of river

Sunday News | 5:00AM - Sunday, 22 August 2010

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DROWNED: The Subaru was swept downstream
in the Manawatu River near Ashurst.

THE BODY of a man was last night recovered by police divers who battled swollen waters of the Manawatu River to reach a car which had plunged 20 metres into the gorge yesterday morning.

The man, who hasn't been named, was found 20m downstream from the wreckage of his Subaru.

The car, travelling east up the gorge towards Woodville suddenly veered off the road at the start of the gorge near Ashurst at 7.35am yesterday. It crossed a vehicle layby, smashed through a roadside barrier and fell 20m into the river.

From that moment there were frantic attempts to get to the driver.

Two witnesses phoned emergency services and scrambled down the bank in the first rescue bid. But by the time they reached the car, it was submerged.

Central District police spokeswoman Kim Perks said a search and rescue crew used a boat to get close to the car but the fast flowing river, swollen by days of rain, initially defeated them.

Muddy water meant visibility was poor.

Police divers were called from Wellington and arrived at the scene about 2pm but the car was empty when they searched it.

Perks said the vehicle was registered to a Wellington man.

The car was eventually dragged out by a tow truck with a steel cable.

Perks said the stretch of road where the crash occurred was relatively straight compared with the rest of the gorge but just three months ago a van crashed in exactly the same spot — that driver survived.

In March, a 49-year-old Fielding man was killed after his truck and trailer unit crashed through the barrier and down the steep bank to the river's edge.

The 6.4km long gorge road links Palmerston North with the Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/news/4047757/Body-pulled-out-of-river (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-news/news/4047757/Body-pulled-out-of-river)

Gorge crash victim named

22 Aug 2010 12:25
The man killed when his car crashed into the Manawatu Gorge near Ashhurst yesterday morning has been named as 38-year-old Darren Ellis from Upper Hutt.

Police divers found the body of Mr Ellis 20m from the submerged car, which rocketed through a barrier like a "scud missile", plunging 30m into the gorge.

Central serious crash unit Senior Constable Les Maddaford said witnesses saw the Subaru Impreza stationwagon travelling through the Manawatu Gorge about 7.35am towards Woodville.

It was going about 100km/h and crashed through the barrier before plummeting into the river.

A witness saw the vehicle leave the road at speed and within minutes the car had sunk beneath the dirty waters of the swollen river.

"He went off the cliff like a rocket and straight through the barrier," the witness said.

"A truckie coming the other way got down there with me but all we could see was an oil slick. Then a pair of shoes came floating up and an All Black cap."

Maddaford said there were no visible tyre marks on the road. The car had destroyed about 20m of barrier at the top of the cliff.

Maddaford said because of the speed, the car "had the capability of going off that drop like a scud missile".

"There are a multitude of things that could have happened. We'll have to inspect the vehicle for faults and check the driver's background for medical or personal issues."

Police divers from Wellington found the body about 6pm.

http://mobile.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.php?c_id=1&objectid=10668065

Freight train hits landslide in Manawatu Gorge

NZPA | 8:11AM - Saturday, 25 September 2010

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STOPPED: The aftermath of a freight train hitting a landslip in the Manawatu Gorge.

RAIL SERVICES through the Manawatu Gorge have been suspended after a freight train carrying milk hit a landslide early today.

The train, which was heading for Taranaki, hit a slip on the eastern side of the Manawatu Gorge about 5am, police central communications spokesman Inspector Marty Parker said.

There were no injuries and the slip was not blocking the road, he said.

OnTrack spokeswoman Jenni Austin said the milk tankers stayed upright and no milk was spilt.

"It's hit quite a massive slip in the gorge ... the first step is to move the wagons back and away so we can then begin recovering the locomotive," she said.

A crane was being brought in to move the locomotive but it was not clear how long it would take to clear the track, she said.

The line would remain closed until the track was clear.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4167759/Freight-train-hits-landslide-in-Manawatu-Gorge (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4167759/Freight-train-hits-landslide-in-Manawatu-Gorge)

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Manawatu Gorge rail slip cleanup begins

NZPA | 9:40AM - Sunday, 26 September 2010

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SLIP STOP: A freight train carrying milk to Taranaki hit a landslide in the Manawatu Gorge.
 — Photographs: WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard.

KIWIRAIL will today begin to clear a slip that derailed a freight train carrying milk through the Manawatu Gorge.

The train, which was heading for Taranaki, hit a slip on the eastern side of the gorge about 5am yesterday.

KiwiRail spokeswoman Ruth Larson said the milk wagons had been cleared and work trains had be brought in to help shift the dirt.

"The focus today is on starting to clear the slip itself. It's a fairly big job and it's quite difficult access," she said.

"Then we'll be able to focus on rerailing the locomotive."

Ms Larson said the rail line was likely to be closed for several days.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4168821/Manawatu-Gorge-rail-slip-cleanup-begins (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4168821/Manawatu-Gorge-rail-slip-cleanup-begins)

Echoes of past tragedy

Train drivers live to tell the tale

By JONATHON HOWE - Manawatu Standard | 1:00PM - Tuesday, 28 September 2010

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DEADLY CRASH: An archival shot of the 1946 train derailment
in the Manawatu Gorge in which two railway workers died.

THE TWO TRAIN DRIVERS who escaped unharmed after hitting a landslide in the Manawatu Gorge were lucky not to suffer the same fate as two 1940s rail workers, who died when their steam engine crashed at the same spot.

On Saturday, a train carrying eight milk tanker wagons derailed when it crashed into the massive slip near the Woodville end of the gorge.

Though the drivers were shaken, they fared better than engine driver Basil Craighead and fireman R Hoskins, who were killed when their 140-tonne steam engine hit a slip and crashed into the flooded Manawatu River in August 1946.

Mr Hoskins' body was found near the Ashhurst bridge 10 days later, while Mr Craighead was eventually found at the mouth of the Manawatu River at Foxton Beach.

The steam engine sank under the flood waters and reappeared when they receded four days later.

It took several days to recover the engine in pieces.

Three of the 24 wagons also fell down the 20m bank, and were winched out six days after the crash.

News of Saturday's train crash in the gorge sparked memories of the earlier tragedy for retired Feilding train driver Jimmy Oliver.

"These last guys were a very lucky pair," he said. "From what I can tell, it was literally just about on top of where the other one went down."

The wooden piles constructed at the bottom of the gorge to help recover the steam engine in 1946 could still be seen when river levels were low, he said. "But depending on where this new slip is, they'll probably be buried now."

Before Saturday, the last train to hit a slip in the gorge was a Hawera-bound milk tanker that derailed and slid 30m down the cliff in October 1998. Engineer Dave Bishop suffered only minor injuries in that crash.

Workers have begun recovering the train from Saturday's crash yesterday, but KiwiRail spokeswoman Ruth Larsen said the job could take several days to complete. Police have also asked for "rubberneckers" not to clog up the gorge as the sightseeing was causing traffic delays.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4174510/Echoes-of-past-tragedy (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4174510/Echoes-of-past-tragedy)

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Crashed train removed this weekend

By JIMMY ELLINGHAM - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 30 September 2010

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CLEANING UP: Diggers working around the crashed locomotive on the slip in the Manawatu Gorge.

THE CRASHED train locomotive in the Manawatu Gorge will be removed this weekend, but it is still unknown when the line will be reopened.

The train has been stuck on the tracks since it crashed into a massive landslide last Saturday.

The slip caused 10,000 cubic metres of dirt to cover the train line, used to transport goods in and out of Hawke's Bay.

Work to clear the slip had been slower than expected because of "stability concerns", KiwiRail spokeswoman Ruth Larsen said.

It was "too soon to speculate" when the line would re-open, as thousands of cubic metres of earth had blocked the track, but the derailed locomotive was scheduled to be removed from the site at the weekend, weather permitting.

Between five and nine freight trains run through the gorge each day.

Up to four of these carry milk from a Fonterra collection point at Oringi to South Taranaki.

The crashed train was carrying eight tanker carriages loaded with 400,000 tonnes of milk when it collided with the slip.

Due to the closed railway line, Fonterra owned trucks have been taking milk from Southern Hawke's Bay to Longburn. However, the dairy co-operative will not say who's paying for the road transport.

Other freight was either being diverted to the Wairarapa line or travelling by road.

Fortunately, both drivers from Saturday's crash escaped unharmed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4182436/Crashed-train-removed-this-weekend (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4182436/Crashed-train-removed-this-weekend)

Districts see the benefits of cycleway

By WALT DICKSON - Wairarapa News | 4:44PM - Wednesday, 27 October 2010

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A CYCLEWAY between Shannon and Eketahuna could inject $1.3 million into the local economies, according to the promoters of the proposal.

Projected potential traveller numbers overnighting on the "Missing Link" could be 16,000 per annum by 2014, each spending on average $86 per night, says David Clapperton, Horowhenua strategy and corporate services manager.

The "Missing Link" proposal was kick-started by last year's funding of cycleway projects throughout New Zealand by the National Government.

Although it was unsuccessful in winning government funding, Tararua and Horowhenua District Council have stumped up with $68,000 for a feasibility study of the proposal.

As the major stakeholder Horowhenua is contributing the bulk of the fund with Tararua putting $15,000 towards it.

Details of the project from Mr Clapperton won a unanimous vote of support for the proposed $15,000 grant.

It will be funded from the council's recreation reserve.

The decision was the next step towards council buy-in following a presentation to the Eketahuna Community Board, which had previously expressed keen interest in the cycleway.

The proposed route from Shannon covers some existing roads and tracks but would also require a new trail 14 kilometres from the high point of the Tararua Range dropping down into Eketahuna.

From town to town the distance would be about 40km including 24km of the trail through the natural environment of the Tararua Forest Park.

Both councils have recognised strategic benefit to their districts from the cycleway.

For Tararua it would connect with its "Explore the Elements" branding while linking with other significant tourist attractions such as Tui Brewery and Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Park.

The cycleway would also benefit accommodation and associated businesses.

For Horowhenua it would connect with the "Nature Coast" hinterland with links to the Foxton hub and beyond.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/wairarapa-news/4276745/Districts-see-the-benefits-of-cycleway (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/wairarapa-news/4276745/Districts-see-the-benefits-of-cycleway)

Fonterra seeks to dump for 22 years

By KIRUN CHUG - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Friday, 29 October 2010

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FONTERRA is applying for a 22-year extension to dump waste into the polluted Mangatainoka River, leading critics of the plan to question the dairy giant's commitment to cleaning up waterways.

The co-operative has applied to Horizons Regional Council for consents to discharge milk powder condensates directly into the river, which is a tributary of the contaminated Manawatu.

In August, Fonterra signed the Manawatu River Accord, an agreement to work with other groups and the community to clean up the river.

Fish & Game's Wellington regional environmental officer, Corina Jordan, questioned Fonterra's commitment to the accord.

"They were happy to sign and look like they were doing things that were politically correct, but not making any changes on the ground."

Horizons senior consents planner Phillip Hindrup said the council had raised concerns with Fonterra about the "potential water quality impacts" of its application.

The council asked Fonterra to look for alternatives, and has now given it till February to do that.

In a written statement, Fonterra's general manager of sustainable production, John Hutchings, said the company was committed to the accord goals.

"We're constantly implementing new and innovative ways to minimise our environmental impact, and sustainability is a core driver for our business."

The Resource Management Act was there to assess and manage environmental effects and the consent application relating to the Pahiatua Dairy Factory was subject to that process. Mr Hutchings said that would provide for public submissions and open hearings on the application.

At present Fonterra discharges into a stream that flows into the Mangatainoka. It is now seeking to discharge 2250 cubic metres of condensate directly into the river for a further 22 years. Its resource consent to dump into the stream expired in March last year.

Ross Gillespie's parents built his house on the Mangatainoka 55 years ago, and the property is the first one below the current outfall pipe.

"The family always swam there. I was Huckleberry Finn in that river."

The change in water quality was obvious, as sediment built up in the river and algal blooms formed, and now the river had started to stink in the summer. "It's been destroyed."

Conservation Department director-general Al Morrison has opposed Fonterra's application in a written submission, saying it could result in harm to the river, in particular to indigenous fish, fish passage and their habitats.

Proposed monitoring of the discharge would be inadequate to ensure the negative effects were properly managed, he said.

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman said Fonterra was essentially asking for a 22-year extension to do what it was already doing, instead of looking at ways to improve water quality.

The river was already heavily polluted and highly degraded, but that was not an excuse for any industry to keep polluting it further.

"Part of the Manawatu Accord was that everyone would try to achieve certain values and a vision for the river. That can only happen if we improve the current situation."

Dr Norman urged the company to consider treating the waste so some could be used to irrigate land. "It would also show a bit of leadership to the industry and to the farmers.

"If things carry on like this, nothing will change. The Manawatu and the Land and Water Forum will come to nothing."

Water and Environmental Care Association secretary Christina Paton said discharging the condensates into the river could result in fish deaths. "The river is in a bad way now, don't put any more into it."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4284130/Fonterra-seeks-to-dump-for-22-years (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/4284130/Fonterra-seeks-to-dump-for-22-years)


2 comments posted by Stuff website readers....


joseph cuthill-coutts  #1 — 11:42am, Oct 29, 2010

I cannot believe that The Clean Green New Zealand image is being tainted by this digraceful occurance.. is the clean green image just a load of cover ups..


Ian  #2 — 12:14pm, Oct 29, 2010

Fonterra should be denied this license to pollute. Continuing to pollute is not the behaviour of a socially and environmentally responsible organisation. Then again, Fonterra probably doesn't have much in the way of social or environmental credentials.

Back onto the paddock

Hurricanes ease into season with Chiefs clash

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 28 January 2011

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COUNTRY RUGGER: The bunting goes up at Mangatainoka for tomorrow's big match. — Photo: Wairarapa News.

MANAWATU first five-eighth Aaron Cruden has been named on the bench for the Hurricanes in their first pre-season game, against the Chiefs in Mangatainoka tomorrow.

Instead, Hawke's Bay pivot, Daniel Kirkpatrick, will run the cutter in a starting side that includes former All Black Rodney So'oialo at No8, rising star Charlie Ngatai at fullback and the blockbusting Julian Savea on the wing.

Cruden, the team's No1 first-five, is expected to come onto the field in the second half.

Kirkpatrick played for the Blues at Mangatainoka last year.

Turbos prop Ma'afu Fia has also been included on a 15-strong reserve bench for the Hurricanes, along with a host of other young players such as Taranaki utility back Beauden Barrett.

Fia has been training with the Hurricanes on the fringe of the wider training group.

Fifty-seven players have been named to play on Neil Symonds' farm tomorrow, but Tana Umaga's name is missing.

The former All Black captain, who played in the Super 12 – as it was known then in 1996 – hasn't been picked for the Chiefs this weekend as Ian Foster looks to manage the 37-year-old's workload.

"I think we are stripping 27 players, so you can't strip everybody. It is a chance to give people significant game time," Foster said.

The Chiefs' mentor mentioned that "all going well", Umaga would play against the Highlanders in Taupo in the Waikato-based franchise's next warm-up game.

Foster said the first game of the year, to be played in quarters, was an important one to blow out the cobwebs.

"The focus is on performance this week, clearly.

"Pre-season – it sincerely is just about testing where we are at.

"I think both teams are going to be real keen to get out there. The first pre-season game in a lot of ways is an exciting one and a nervous one ... We want to get the guys in to the first contact hit-out."

Former Manawatu lock Hayden Triggs will start at blindside flanker for the Chiefs. It is the third Super rugby side he has played for, following stints with the Hurricanes and Highlanders.

Foster said it was important to develop depth in the No6 role and Triggs fitted the bill because he is a lock who can cover the loose forward spot.

"We haven't really had that option before, so I guess it's a good chance for him to play there," Foster said. "I think it's a real learning curve for him."

Foster's loose forward concerns are also heightened because Colin Bourke is out for up to six months with a shoulder injury.

Both sides are without their All Blacks for this weekend's game as they ease their way in to contact training.

A crowd of more than 7000 is expected for the game, after tickets sold out last week.

Rain has been forecast for tomorrow, although that might suit some players, who could take a few knocks on the hard ground.

"The boys would prefer a bit of rain," Foster said.

The game is set to kick off at 3pm following a curtainraiser between the New Zealand Musicians and a Mangatainoka XV.

Manawatu Turbos halfback Aaron Smith will start for the Highlanders in their pre-season clash with the Blues at Balclutha tomorrow, while David Te Moana will also begin the game, at tighthead prop.


HOW THEY LINE UP

HURRICANES: 1. John Schwalger, 2. Laurence Corlett, 3. Michael Bent, 4. James Broadhurst, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Rodney So'oialo; 9. Tyson Keats, 10. Daniel Kirkpatrick, 11. Andre Taylor, 12. Jayden Hayward, 13. Alapati Leiua, 14. Julian Savea, 15. Charlie Ngatai. Reserves: Dane Coles, Ma'afu Fia, Jacob Ellison, Anthony Perenise, Reg Goodes, Jeremy Thrush, Bryn Evans, Victor Vito, Mike Coman, Scott Fuglistaller, Chris Eaton, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Beauden Barrett, Richard Buckman.

CHIEFS: 1. Ben May, 2. Aled de Malmanche, 3. Ben Afeaki, 4. Culum Retallick, 5. Romana Graham, 6. Hayden Triggs, 7. Tanerau Latimer, 8. Fritz Lee, 9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow; 10. Mike Delany, 11. Ahsee Tuala, 12. Dwayne Sweeney, 13. Jackson Willison, 14. Lelia Masaga, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams. Reserves: Daniel Perrin, Nathan White, Craig Clarke, Sam Cane, Alex Bradley, Phillip Burleigh, Sona Taumalolo, Brendon Leonard, Mark Selwyn, Trent Renata, Save Tokula, Simon Lemalu.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/4592161/Back-onto-the-paddock (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/rugby-union/4592161/Back-onto-the-paddock)

Hurricanes reveal hidden depths

By TOBY ROBSON in Mangatainoka - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Monday, 31 January 2011

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GO YOU GOOD THING: Hurricanes wing Julian Savea races up the
sideline with Jacob Ellison in support as the crowd at Mangatainoka
gets a closeup view of the Super 15 warmup match on Saturday.
 — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

MARK HAMMETT's reign as Hurricanes coach has started with a glimpse of new-found depth, a whiff of innovation and a win.

Most encouragingly the class of 2011 stuck at their task despite some early confusion in defence and a slick Chiefs' backline to chalk up a 35-31 result, despite the distractions of a colourful and boisterous crowd of about 7300.

If there was a standout in the Hurricanes ranks, it was lock James Broadhurst, who showed his athleticism to blast through the midfield for two fine tries, but it was mainly lesser-known players who caught the eye.

Many had come to see how Aaron Cruden would perform at first five-eighth but instead it was Taranaki five-eighth Beauden Barrett who shone in the No 10 jersey after replacing Dan Kirkpatrick after the opening quarter of the Super 15 warmup match on Saturday.

The 19-year-old spent the middle two quarters guiding the ship with aplomb, running the ball to the line and distributing well. When Cruden ran on in the third quarter he played at second-five.

"I think from Al [backs coach Alama Ieremia] and my perspective it's really important to have two first-fives who can control both sides of the field when we want to play a wide, wide game," Hammett explained.

"He [Aaron] can do that [at second-five]. While he's a bit small he's got the speed and when you have that agility and foot speed, you sometimes are as dangerous as a running midfielder."

Indeed, with Barrett and Cruden on the pitch the Hurricanes turned a 17-14 halftime deficit into a 28-17 lead going into the final quarter.

Barring injuries it's not a combination likely to be seen when the competition proper starts with Barrett in the wider training group and unable to be called up unless there are two injuries in a specialist position.

There's also the fact that a backline of All Blacks is set to return, probably starting with Ma'a Nonu against the Blues in Kerikeri this Friday.

However, it's an intriguing hint that the coaches are thinking outside a square that has traditionally seen the Hurricanes lump the playmaking duties on one player's shoulders.

"When those senior players got in those driver positions we started to play the game we wanted to play," Hammett said, referring to Cruden and halfback Tyson Keats' entry to the match in the third quarter.

The Hurricanes showed an improved ability to move the ball to space in the second half and were rewarded with three nice tries, to Broadhurst, wing Andre Taylor and centre Alapati Leiua.

That said, Wellington halfback TJ Perenara was another to impress despite playing during a difficult first half that saw the Chiefs backline sparkle under a mountain of possession.

Pleasingly the Hurricanes conceded only two first-half tries and the scrum survived a stiff examination on its line with squarely built tighthead prop Michael Bent and John Schwalger winning a points decision over Ben Afeaki and Ben May.

However, defence is sure to be a focal point this week after the Chiefs broke the line too easily with several of their five tries coming as a result of missed tackles.

The Hurricanes were also guilty of falling asleep after scoring, with the Chiefs twice scoring from their own kickoffs.

In other matches, the Crusaders lost 42-15 to the Reds in Cairns, while the Blues edged the Highlanders 31-29 in Balclutha.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/4598761/Canes-reveal-hidden-depths (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/4598761/Canes-reveal-hidden-depths)

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'Canes build depth in opener

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 31 January 2011

AMONG all the positional and personnel changes, it was interesting to watch Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett play in the five-eighths spots for the Hurricanes against the Chiefs in Mangatainoka on Saturday.

The two youngsters didn't link up as you'd imagine they could, with Barrett at 10 and Cruden at 12, but that was to be forgiven due to the nature of pre-season rugby, which included regular turnovers.

After the game, the slightly-built Cruden said he didn't know if he would take the field with No.12 on his back this season.

"I haven't really talked to the coaches about it but I'll just be happy to be playing, to be honest," the Turbos five-eighth said.

"Just the way we were playing we were trying to shift the ball wide and play with two pivots and see how it went. But unfortunately we weren't able to sort of hold on to the ball for long periods. It's still a work in progress."

Hawke's Bay first-five Daniel Kirkpatrick started the game, but played only the first quarter before Cruden and Barrett were injected into the fray.

Taranaki's Barrett spent time at fullback too, as Cruden went to first receiver for the final quarter that was noted for dropped ball and mistimed passes.

Cruden had a hand in a few line breaks and when he and Barrett were in full flight, the backline ran at breakneck speed.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said it was important to give players like Barrett a run during the pre-season to build depth for this year.

"I think from my perspective it's really important that we can have two first-fives that can control both sides of the game when we want to play a wide game and [Cruden] can do that," Hammett said.

"While he is a wee bit small, he's got the speed and when you've got that agility and that foot speed, you are sometimes as dangerous as a really big man."

Taranaki lock James Broadhurst stood out for the Hurricanes in the forward pack, scoring two tries, and was given extended game time due to a calf injury to Jeremy Thrush that kept him out of the clash.

The second-row stocks look full with a fit Jason Eaton getting through plenty of work for the Hurricanes, who opened the scoring in the first quarter through midfielder Jayden Hayward.

Outside backs Andre Taylor and Julian Savea looked dangerous for the home side, while Charlie Ngatai was safe at fullback.

The third quarter was the money period for the Hurricanes, who scored two converted tries to overturn a halftime deficit and they took control from there.

Neither side played their All Blacks, who are working their way back in to training with their respective squads, while the Chiefs used 30 players and the Hurricanes suited up 27.


THE SCORE

Hurricanes: 35 (James Broadhurst 2, Andre Taylor, Hayward, Alapati Leiua tries; Daniel Kirkpatrick, Taylor 2, Beauden Barrett 2, conversions).

Chiefs: 31 (Tim Nanai-Williams 2, Trent Renata, Ben May, Sam Cane tries; Mike Delany, Nanai-Williams conversions).

1st Quarter: 7-all.

Half-Time: 14-17.

3rd Quarter: 28-17.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/4599894/Canes-build-depth-in-opener (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/sport/4599894/Canes-build-depth-in-opener)

Fans flock to see Hurricanes

The colour and characters at Mangatainoka

By TOBY ROBSON - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Monday, 31 January 2011

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Some fans try their hand at a Tui advert. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Fans mingle with some of the Tui girls. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

IN THE SHADOWS of the famous Tui Brewery the primary motivation of the Hurricanes' now-annual pilgrimage to the backblocks isn't difficult to ascertain.

Dave Dobbyn's well-known ditty Bliss always gets a run and effectively sums up what has become a cash cow for one of Wellington rugby's most loyal sponsors.

Seventeen pallets, or 23,800 cans, of the sponsor's product — 3.2 cans for each for the 7300-strong crowd — were consumed in farmer Neil Symonds' back paddock on Saturday, but that wasn't the only reason most in attendance went home with a smile on their dial.

Aside from the ugly sight of the small number who over-indulged, well before the final whistle, this unique event had a lot more going for it in its second edition than it did in its first.

And it wasn't just that the rain mercifully stayed away.

Mangatainoka appears to have taken on a pilgrimage quality, akin to the Wellington sevens, and familiarity has bred organisation.

The event was sold out well in advance and most travelled from Wellington on a specially organised train, or from the Waikato in hired coaches.

They clearly made a day of it, rather than last year's ad-hoc decision by many to sink too many brews, too quickly.

Two blokes in the brown suits and horses' heads took the honours in a crowd of many in fancy dress and it's a safe bet that next year someone will try to outdo them.

The 3500 comfy plastic seats in the stands, a big improvement on the metal steps of a year before, and the 10 tries scored on the pitch helped too.

Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett was won over on his first visit, even finding a positive for players. "It's fantastic and what I really like about it is it puts another pressure on the players.

"If you make a mistake you are going to hear about it, someone's going to give you a hard time, and that's part of dealing with it as a professional rugby player."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/4598762/Fans-flock-to-see-Hurricanes (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/4598762/Fans-flock-to-see-Hurricanes)

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Sir Colin Meads enjoys the game. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Dylan McKee, left, from Wellington had his stag party at the game with Dan Morrah. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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A pitch invader was removed from the game. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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A fan enjoys the game and a beer. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Fans perform a haka at half-time. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Andre Taylor, left, celebrates with Jayden Hayward after scoring for the Hurricanes. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Victor Vito signs autographs after the game. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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Old teams mates Victor Vito, left, and Tana Umaga share a joke after the game. — PHIL REID/The Dominion Post.

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'Canes fans leave happy

By DANIEL RICHARDSON - Manawatu Standard | 5:00AM - Monday, 31 January 2011

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STANDING OUT: A sellout crowd of about 9000 attended the pre-season
rugby match between the Hurricanes and the Chiefs in Mangatainoka
on the weekend. — ANNA CAMPBELL/Manawatu Standard.

NICK ROGERS was a happy man on Saturday afternoon.

The Tui marketing whiz, who masterminded hosting a pre-season Super rugby game in the village of Mangatainoka, was walking around Neil Symonds' farm taking in the atmosphere following the Hurricanes' 35-31 win over the Chiefs.

Saturday marked the second time the Hurricanes had played in the place more known for its amber ale than rugby venues, but there was a difference this year, there was no rain.

Anybody who went to last year's clash would have recalled the mud and wet weather, but aside from a few gusts during the weekend, the conditions were perfect.

"I'm absolutely rapt," Mr Rogers said after the game. "Some people say it's either raining in Mangatainoka or about to rain, but the weather gods looked after us and look at the smiles on people's faces. It's great." Mr Rogers wasn't the only person to label the game a success.

Rugby legend Sir Colin Meads was in attendance and he was pleased to see rugby make it out of the big cities.

"It's unreal," he said. "It's just the greatest thing that's happened in New Zealand rugby for quite a long time."

Rugby World Cup minister Murray McCully said the event was timely with the global competition being hosted in New Zealand this year. "John Hayes, the local member of parliament, has given this quite a big billing and I've got to say it's lived up to it. It's a very good way to start the rugby World Cup year."

"The point I've made is people aren't coming to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup because we have the glitz and glamour of London or Paris."

"They're coming because we've got a genuine rugby heritage and this is what you are seeing here today."

Mr McCully ceremonially kicked off the match, which was played with the traditional errors of a pre-season game, but Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett said it was a great venue to come to with the crowd seated so close. "I shouldn't say I was surprised because I'd heard a lot about it — but it's just fantastic."

"What I really like about it is it also puts another pressure on the players."

"If you make a mistake you are going to hear about it. Someone's going to give you a hard time and that's part of dealing with it as a professional rugby player.

"It's just getting out here and getting out to rural New Zealand."


AT A GLANCE:

• 7354 official tickets sold.

• 350,000 litres of water to drench the pitch.

• 1600 cans of lemonade.

• 23,800 cans of Tui.

• Six of eight community groups sold out of food.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4599918/Winning-ways (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/4599918/Winning-ways)

Massive slip closes Manawatu Gorge

By MICHELLE COOKE - The Dominion Post with NZPA | 7:28AM - Friday, 19 August 2011

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CLEARING THE WAY: Workers begin clearing a slip that closed
the Manawatu Gorge. — WARWICK SMITH/Manawatu Standard.

THE MANAWATU GORGE is likely to be closed for a week after a slip reported to be "bigger than Ben Hur" came down last night following heavy rain.

The massive landslip blocked the Manawatu Gorge, State Highway 3, between Palmerston North and debris was still coming down, regional state highways manager David McGonigal said.

"Early indications are that the slip could take a week to clear," he said.

The Pahiatua Track and the Saddle Road could be used as alternative routes.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5472698/Massive-slip-closes-Manawatu-Gorge (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5472698/Massive-slip-closes-Manawatu-Gorge)

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Slip may close Manawatu Gorge for a week

By MICHELLE COOKE - The Dominion Post with Manawatu Standard | 11:11AM - Friday, 19 August 2011

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BLOCKED: The slip that caused the gorge closure.

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EXHAUST: Steam from the exhaust of a machine that is buried in the slip.

IT COULD BE a week before the Manawatu Gorge can reopen after a slip blocked the road last night.

The slip closed both lanes of State Highway 3 about 1km from the Ashhurst end of the gorge, just after 5pm.

New Zealand Transport Agency spokesman Anthony Frith said it could take contractors up to a week to clear the debris.

"It won't be opening in the near future. We currently have surveyors in a helicopter looking at the damage. It was a large slip."

Police believe a petrol tanker was stuck in the gorge due to the slip.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5472702/Slip-may-close-Manawatu-Gorge-for-a-week (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5472702/Slip-may-close-Manawatu-Gorge-for-a-week)

I hate driving through the gorge slow so I go through it quick as I can.
The hills are so steep I was told by a friend a geologist told him that one day the whole lot will come crashing down maybe even block the river.

Its a lottery just going through it and worse in the winter.

Meanwhile, the Pahiatua Track will get hammered to bits again by State Highway traffic.

Tararua District Council have been trying for years to persuade New Zealand Land Transport Agency to take over the road and designate it a State Highway, but NZLTA refuse to do so. Which means that every time NZLTA are unable to keep SH3 through the Manawatu Gorge open, both the Pahiatua Track and the Saddle Road get hammered by heavy vehicles and as NZLTA only pay a partial subsidy, Tararua District Council ratepayers are left with a huge percentage of the cost of repairing the damage.

I reckon Tararua District Council should put severe weight restrictions on both the Pahiatua Track and the Saddle Road, effectively blocking heavy vehicles from using them. This would result in two things....those roads would no longer be hammered to bits by heavy trucks every time SH5 through the Manawatu Gorge closes; and the resultant “squealing like stuck pigs” from the truckies would force NZLTA's hands, because things would start to become extremely political.

No wonder my rates are so high  ::)

Manawatu Gorge opening delayed

By MICHAEL FORBES - The Dominion Post | 1:54PM - Monday, 05 September 2011

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THE MANAWATU GORGE is likely to remain closed for the rest of the week as debris continues to fall from the unstable hillside.

State Highway 3 through the gorge has been closed most days since August 18 after heavy rain caused a series of slips about 1km from the Ashhurst end.

It is the longest closure since repeated slips kept the gorge closed for 70 days in 2004.

New Zealand Transport Authority regional state highways manager David McGonigal said it was necessary to keep the gorge closed to enable contractors to stabilise the hillside.

"There's still a sizeable amount of loose rock on the hillside and a number of large boulders that we need to shift before we can safely reopen the road."

The agency has commissioned a geological assessment of the hillside.

Mr McGonigal said the highway would remain closed until all remaining debris was removed and a geological assessment of the hillside had shown the hillside to be stable.

He appreciated the ongoing disruption the closure is causing to motorists.

"We share the frustrations of motorists and truckies, and we're very conscious of how this may impact on tourists that are travelling for the Rugby World Cup 2011."

"The safety of motorists comes first, so reopening the road comes down to stabilising the slope, which is proving to be a challenge with the hillside still holding a lot of loose material."

"This is the biggest slip we've had since 2004, and the team from Higgins have been working tirelessly in difficult and potentially dangerous conditions."

Mr McGonigal also thanked motorists for their ongoing patience, and the Tararua District Council for the use of the Pahiatua Track and the Saddle Road as alternative routes.

NZTA was mindful these roads were facing wear and tear from the increased use during the closure, and would work closely with council to fund and carry out repairs, he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5566569/Manawatu-Gorge-opening-delayed (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5566569/Manawatu-Gorge-opening-delayed)

Another Gorge slip overnight

Road closure extended — again

Manawatu Standard | 9:25AM - Wednesday, 07 September 2011

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VIEW FROM ABOVE: Aerial shot of Manawatu Gorge Road from a helicopter. — NZTA.

ANOTHER SLIP in the Manawatu Gorge overnight means it is likely to be closed for at least another week.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said a slip came down overnight which was large enough for the gorge to be closed until at least the middle next week, if not the end of the week.

Motorists are advised to use the Saddle Road or Pahiatua Track as alternative routes.

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VIEW FROM ABOVE: Aerial shots of Manawatu Gorge Road from a helicopter. — NZTA.

New photographs released by the New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday show the huge dents the latest slips in the Manawatu Gorge have made in the hillside.

Tonnes of dirt rained down upon State Highway 3 on August 18, and after 10 days of work to clear the slip, one lane was reopened for three days before another slip closed it again last Wednesday.

NZTA took these photographs from a helicopter yesterday morning. A geological assessment was still to be completed on the site to determine the stability of the hillside above the road.

NZTA said that when the assessment was done a better estimation could be made on when the gorge road might reopen.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5578332/Another-Gorge-slip-overnight (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5578332/Another-Gorge-slip-overnight)

It costs a lot more petrol to go over saddle rd and also those yummy mummy cheese cakes are way too expensive...

‘Temperamental’ hill delays gorge reopening

By STACEY KIRK - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 16 September 2011

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STILL SHUT: Work continued last week on clearing
the gorge road after it was closed by a big slip.
 — MURRAY WILSON/Manawatu Standard.

THE MANAWATU GORGE road will remain shut until at least next week in what is now its longest closure in seven years.

The New Zealand Transport Agency yesterday announced it would be several more days before the road would reopen, but was reluctant to be more specific because the closure could blow out even longer.

The gorge road has been closed since heavy rain caused a massive slip last month.

Significant extra traffic was expected between Wellington and Palmerston North to Napier for the Rugby World Cup match between Canada and France this weekend. Motorists were advised to add an extra 30 minutes to their trip.

NZTA Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal said the reopening of the gorge road would not be rushed if it wasn't deemed safe. "We've been working hard to get the gorge open, but the hillside has proven very temperamental. Providing safe passage for motorists is our most important concern even if it does mean trips will take a little longer."

Mr McGonigal said NZTA was focusing on securing the hillside until it was stable.

Though the NZTA was hopeful access could be restored next week, that would depend on how the hillside behaved in the coming days, he said.

"We need to do a very thorough job, and we need to do this safely, and with a slip of this magnitude, this will take time."

"The stuff that's come down is only part of the job; the biggest challenge is the material that needs to be brought down before the road is safe to reopen."

NZTA said it understood the importance of the route to the people and businesses of the region, and appreciated the patience shown by motorists and local communities over the 27 days the gorge had now been closed.

Mr McGonigal said it was important rugby fans took their time to drive safely home after the game.

"People will be returning home after dark, and while we've made extensive safety improvements to the highway network in recent years, it is still important that people drive to the conditions, keep a safe following distance and keep their speeds down," Mr McGonigal said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5636467/Temperamental-hill-delays-gorge-reopening (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5636467/Temperamental-hill-delays-gorge-reopening)

oh dear the gorge is closed til the end of the year ....

think i will write email the govt about it since they caused this inconvenience to myself and many more travellers

i bet if the Greens where the govt they would have sorted it out by now by having Barges plying the river to carry cars trucks and people ....

John Key has alot to answer to over this

How do you work that out?

A time period of two months is mentioned.

It is now early October.

Two months from early October is early December.

That is hardly the end of the year!  (http://i703.photobucket.com/albums/ww32/XtraNewsCommunity2/Animated%20emoticons/19_HammerHead.gif)

Anyway, I wonder if the NZ Land Transport Agency should consider copying what the Southern Pacific Railroad did on the crossing of the Sierra Nevada at Donner Pass in California. They had a problem with HUGE amounts of snowfall in winter, which tended to completely bury the railway line (which was and still is a major transcontinental railway route in the USA) as well as the extreme avalanche danger following big snowstorms. So the Southern Pacific Railroad built snowsheds at all the worst spots. They weren't completely enclosed tunnels, but more in the nature of elongated sheds with ventilation slots in the downhill side which the trains travelled through. The heavy snowfall simply piled up over the snowsheds and avalanches passed right over them. The railway route over Donner Pass is now owned by the Union Pacific Railroad, and they still maintain snowsheds across the Sierra Nevada.

The idea could be adapted for SH3 through the Manawatu Gorge, with rockfall sheds built through the danger spots.

We'll probably have to wait until after the 5th Nats government though, because as Sir Bob Jones has written and said on many occasions, the Nats are too stupid to adopt new ideas or adapt ideas from somewhere else.

Perhaps the GREENs could promote the idea for when the current 5th Nats government has done their dash and been consigned to the dustbin of history.

Tui Brewery in hotel stoush

By MATT STEWART - The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Saturday, 08 October 2011

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OPPORTUNITY: Tui Beer marketing manager Nick Rogers outside
the Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka. — ROBERT KITCHIN/Fairfax NZ.

A DAVID & GOLIATH BATTLE is brewing between Mangatainoka's Tui HQ and a nearby pub.

The DB-owned brewery in north Wairarapa is a core part of Tui's image, with its well-known tower often featuring in the brand's advertising.

It used to attract about 7000 visitors a year, but since a function and tourism centre opened in 2007, that figure has risen to 50,000.

Now it has applied for a tavern licence and Dave Wolland, owner of the 123-year-old Dudley Arms Tavern just a kilometre down State Highway 2 in Pahiatua, has objected, accusing the brewery of going back on its opening promise to not go into direct opposition with cafes and bars in nearby towns.

Two other neighbours have also objected.

Last year Mr Wolland also objected to a licence renewal for the centre.

He said it promoted drinking to children who had visited the nearby Pukaha wildlife sanctuary and that its "market saturation" approach to competing with smaller venues was "morally wrong".

He had seen people urinating, drinking on the street, and revellers who were so drunk they "crawled home holding a barbed wire fence".

"If that was us in the pubs, we'd get hammered," Mr Wolland said.

"The intoxication is great — there's rules for some and not for others."

Tui commercial manager Nick Rogers said Mr Wolland's claims were ridiculous.

"Fifty thousand people a year don't come to Mangatainoka to go to the Dudley Arms."

"It's such a fantastic business opportunity for them — a lot of publicans would relish being that close to a brewery which brings in 50,000 people a year."

He said the brewery had no desire to be a pub and, apart from private functions, weddings and other bigger events, was closed by late afternoon most days. It had applied for a tavern licence at the recommendation of the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Tui's application and the objections are before the Tararua District Licensing Agency and a decision is pending.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5751960/Tui-Brewery-in-hotel-stoush (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5751960/Tui-Brewery-in-hotel-stoush)

Fresh slip smashes through Manawatu Gorge

The Dominion Post | 5:41PM - Tuesday, 18 October 2011

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NOT AGAIN: A fresh slip has blocked the Manawatu Gorge after torrential rain on October 17.
 — Photo: NZTA.

A FRESH SLIP has ripped across the Manawatu Gorge, blocking an area just cleared after several weeks work.

The New Zealand Transport Agency said the slip has further blocked State Highway 3, in the same location as contractors had been working.

Torrential rainfall over the weekend further destabilised the cleared site and approximately 20,000 cubic metres of new material came down last night, said NZTA regional state highways manager David McGonigal.

The slip blocked the section of road that had been finally cleared on Friday after weeks of work due to previous slips.

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NOT AGAIN: A fresh slip has blocked the Manawatu Gorge after torrential rain on October 17.
 — Photo: NZTA.

Mr McGonigal said NZTA contractors would begin clearing the new debris as soon as it was safe to do so, and further material was expected to come down, particularly following rainfall.

It was too early to say when the road would be reopened and assessments could not be done until the conditions were safe.

"We appreciate that people are frustrated about the length of this closure, and so are we. We know how important this road is for local communities and for the region's economy, and we are working hard to get it re-opened as soon as possible."

"But before we can allow traffic to use this route we must ensure that the site is stable and the road is safe to travel. The scale of this latest slip shows that isn't yet the case."

"This is one of the longest and most frustrating closures on record — we know how disruptive it has been for motorists and local communities, and we thank them again for their patience."

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NOT AGAIN: A fresh slip has blocked the Manawatu Gorge after torrential rain on October 17.
 — Photo: NZTA.

Detours are in place which the NZTA estimates adds about 15-20 minutes to a journey.

The gorge has been closed for several months, threatening the viability of businesses reliant on through-traffic.

The Manawatu Gorge's four-month closure may be the "final blow" for businesses that rely on its traffic, the region's economic development agency says. The longest previous closure was  for 70 days in 2004.

The NZTA took over control of detours through the Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track earlier this month after receiving geological assessments which indicated the closure was likely to continue for up to two months more.

"Closures of this extent only happen around once in a decade, but when they do happen they cause real disruption. Our priority is twofold: getting the highway reopened as soon as it's safe to do so, and keeping the alternative routes well maintained and safe in the meantime."

The NZTA advises motorists that the detour routes take on average 15-20 minutes longer than SH3 through the gorge.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5808968/Fresh-slip-smashes-through-Manawatu-Gorge (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5808968/Fresh-slip-smashes-through-Manawatu-Gorge)

Shut gorge spurs parents' fears

By JESSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Tuesday, 25 October 2011

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NO GO ZONE: Standing at the roading detour are the Vink family of Woodville,
from left, Helen, Eva, 5, Noah, 9, and Daan. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

THE CLOSURE  of the Manawatu Gorge road has cost a Woodville couple time and money, and left them fearful for their children's health.

Helen and Daan Vink have forked out an extra $60 a week on petrol, and have had to drive for an hour longer every day to get to work in Palmerston North — and home — since the road was closed in August after a massive slip.

Motorists are having to use either the Saddle Road or Pahiatua Track as alternatives.

But the couple's biggest concern is for their two children, Noah and Eva, who both suffer from a serious heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This is a disease in which, at any time, at any age, a portion of a person's myocardium (the muscle of the heart) thickens. It is the leading cause of sudden cardiac death.

Both children attend Kumeroa/Hopelands School, near Woodville, but since the gorge shut Mrs Vink has been worried about whether or not she would make it in time, should something happen to her children.

"I'd dread to think whether I'd get to their school in time, or if an ambulance could get there and whether there would be enough time to get back to the hospital. Like any parent I worry for the safety of my kids and knowing it takes a lot longer to get back to them is nerve-racking."

Mrs Vink said travelling the roads each day to and from the city were frustrating.

"They're not safe roads and we're both travelling these roads every day."

I'm not a nervous driver, but trying to squeeze between trucks or school buses on some of the narrow bends sometimes makes me suck in my breath and think, ‘wow that was a close call’. "

She said cleanup in the gorge was "just a Band-Aid".

"It's going to happen again. If this was in Auckland, maybe things would be done a lot faster but being in a provincial area, you know they just think, ‘Oh you'll be right’."

"It's exceptionally frustrating. We both work fulltime but it costs money and it's not necessarily money we have. It's tough."

If the gorge was to close indefinitely, the Vinks would consider moving.

"We would have to rethink schools and our lives, but for us to leave Woodville, it would be financially challenging with a mortgage and all. We moved to Woodville for the lifestyle, but this isn't what we wanted."

New Zealand Transport Agency expects to have the gorge reopened by Christmas, but currently the area is unsafe for workers to continue the cleanup after another slip on October 17.

"We know how important this road is for local communities and for the region's economy, and we know people want to see this slip cleared as soon as possible," spokesman Andy Knackstedt said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5845956/Shut-gorge-spurs-parents-fears (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5845956/Shut-gorge-spurs-parents-fears)

Gorge walk still open despite slips on road

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Wednesday, 02 November 2011

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SIGNS were to be installed this morning pointing people to the Manawatu Gorge walk, which remains open, despite slips in the area.

Concerns were raised this week about the falling number of people using the track since a slip closed the gorge road on August 18.

State Highway 3 through the gorge has been closed for all but three of the past 74 days after heavy rain caused a series of slips.

The Department of Conservation said it had fielded calls from people who thought the track was closed because orange road cones blocked off the road before the car park.

Many people were unaware they could drive around the cones and into the car park. The cones were in place to show people where the diversion was for motorists travelling to the other side of the gorge.

Large concrete barriers blocked off most of the gorge to stop motorists from reaching the slip, but they were set up just past the car parks on the Ashhurst and Woodville ends.

The signs were to be installed by this morning at the latest.

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Trampers looking toward the Manawatu
Gorge. — Photo: R J Lythgoe.

Work on clearing the gorge slips was also set to resume today, after it was halted due to safety concerns about the unstable hillside.

No work has been done on clearing the debris since October 17.

New Zealand Transport Agency state highways manager David McGonigal said a period of settled weather had made the area safe for Higgins road crews to continue at the site. The slip site was "dynamic", so the agency had to deal with it in a safe and secure manner, he said.

The gorge road closure is the longest on record, with the previous record of 70 days set in 2004. It cost $5 million to clean up.

The closure has forced motorists to use alternative routes — either Saddle Road or the Pahiatua Track — to get between Manawatu and Tararua.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5893646/Gorge-walk-still-open-despite-slips-on-road (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5893646/Gorge-walk-still-open-despite-slips-on-road)

This slip isn't going anywhere

Manawatu Gorge slip clean-up resumes

The Dominion Post | 5:00AM - Thursday, 03 November 2011

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LANDSLIDE: Workers using heavy machinery attempt
to clear the Manawatu Gorge yesterday. The road was
blocked when 20,000 cubic metres of rubble was
brought down by rain last month. — Photo: NZTA.

SETTLED WEATHER has meant road crews have been able to return to work at the troubled Manawatu Gorge, which has been blocked by a slip since late October.

The unstable hillside had posed too much of a risk to crews since October 17, when 20,000 cubic metres of rubble was brought down by rain.

Workers using heavy machinery had stayed clear of the slip for their own safety but now that things had settled down weather-wise they could get stuck in, NZTA Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal said. "We're really keen to get the gorge open as soon as we can, and we'll be focusing on that as we plan how to tackle this dynamic slip site in a safe and secure manner."

Work behind the scenes remained "feverish" Mr McGonigal said, as NZTA worked with roading engineers, geotechnical engineers and geological specialists to confirm details of the work programme.

The NZTA will issue a further update at the end of this week.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5898259/This-slip-isn-t-going-anywhere (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/5898259/This-slip-isn-t-going-anywhere)

i was at a b/day lunch last saturday and was told by someone who lives in Palmy that it could be well into 2012 before the gorge is reopened

there is over 40000 cubic metres of soil sitting in the river and whilst the easiest solution is to keep pushing more in they are afraid that it will dam the river and create bigger problems ...

Looking at the above photograph, one really has to wonder if trying to keep SH3 through the Manawatu Gorge open is worth it.

Time perhaps to consider abandoning the Manawatu Gorge to the railway line & nature, and build a new SH3 over the top?

Perhaps NZTA could consider a new SH3 roughly following the Saddle Road route, but on a much better and faster alignment, or else on the southern side of the Saddle Road closer to the gorge itself, with the new highway deviating from the current route on the western outskirts of Woodville in the vicinity of Woodlands Road so as to protect the interests of businesses in the town? Perhaps NZTA could also consider taking over the Pahiatua Track from Tararua District Council and upgrading that to a state highway route as well, designated SH3A?
 

Gorge cleanup to cost $9m

By JESSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 10 November 2011

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HUGE TASK: Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy,
foreground, and New Zealand Transport Agency state
highways manager David McGonigal discuss the extent
of the gorge slip. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

THE MANAWATU GORGE will not reopen to traffic until next year, and the cost of work to clear the debris is expected to reach $9 million.

Since part of the Tararua Range hillside fell on to State Highway 3 on August 18, the gorge has been closed to traffic for all but three days.

On October 17, there was a second major slip and since then the gorge has been too unstable for workers to continue the cleanup.

Yesterday, Associate Transport Minister Nathan Guy was joined by Palmerston North Mayor Jono Naylor, Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie, New Zealand Transport Agency staff, several National Party candidates and district council officials to discuss what is being done for the cleanup.

So far $3.5m has been spent on the cleanup and assessment of the hillside's stability, and that figure is expected to increase to up to $9m by the time the road is reopened.

The hillside has been too unstable for contractors to use heavy machinery to clear the rubble.

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SHOCKED: Interested parties were invited to the Manawatu Gorge site yesterday to learn
about the cleanup. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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BLOCKED: The Manawatu Gorge Road blocked by the slip. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

NZTA state highways manager David McGonigal said it was unlikely the road would be open in time for Christmas.

"Until we actually start the process, it's difficult to predict [the timeline]."

"Until we get in there and get the machines up there, it's one of those things that we need to wait and see," he said.

The area of the slip on August 18 was 9,500 square metres, and after the second major slip on October 17 the area grew to 26,000 square metres.

A further 3,000 square metres of rockface has been identified as unstable and will need to be removed.

The Manawatu Standard also visited the site, which is secured by a padlocked gate to keep public out.

The magnitude of the slip is visible through the cracks in the road which lies underneath a vast amount of debris and mud.

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BROKEN: A new image showing a crack in the road beneath the slip. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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SHOCKED: Interested parties were invited to the Manawatu Gorge site yesterday to learn
about the cleanup. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

About 80,000 cubic metres of debris from the hillside has created a slide-like formation from the road down into the Manawatu River.

Mr McGonigal said the cleanup process was a challenging and complex exercise.

"We'll be coming in from the other side of the hillside and cutting a track through the bush, then the machines will come in."

"We will have a bulldozer acting as an anchor, and there will be a digger down doing the benching work and that digger will be attached to the bulldozer."

He said there had been workers on ropes assessing the slip in the past few weeks, but no machinery had been in as it was too dangerous.

Mr McGonigal said despite the slips in the gorge, it was still the most "economically reliable route".

Mr Guy, who is also the Otaki MP, said he was confident that NZTA's plan of attack was a "very good plan" and was being done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

"The difficulty in a situation like this is safety has to be paramount and there might be an opportunity down the track for contractors to work in the hours of darkness, but we would need to be assured that it was very, very safe."

Mr Guy also said an upgrade of the Saddle Road was needed, but this was to be funded through regional roading funds.

• To read a full copy of the NZTA's Manawatu Gorge Q&A document click here (http://static2.stuff.co.nz/files/Manawatu-gorge-QandA).

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5941688/Gorge-cleanup-to-cost-9m (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5941688/Gorge-cleanup-to-cost-9m)

---

National ‘twisted’ MP's gorge tunnel suggestion

By MATHEW GROCOTT - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 10 November 2011

PALMERSTON NORTH MP Iain Lees-Galloway has accused the National Party of being too busy attacking his ideas to come up with its own for the Manawatu Gorge.

At the Manawatu Standard debate on Tuesday night, National candidate Leonie Hapeta said Mr Lees-Galloway wanted to build "a billion-dollar tunnel" as an answer to closure of State Highway 3 due to slips.

On Tuesday, Mr Lees-Galloway said he had never made such a claim. He said yesterday what he had done was suggest several times options for a long-term solution for the gorge, and a tunnel had been one of these. He said he had always maintained a tunnel was likely to be too expensive and difficult to build.

He said he had been fulfilling his role as an MP "to propose a range of ideas, offer the pros and cons of each, to stimulate debate, to get people talking about what's possible". "If the National Party wants to twist my words for political debate, that's fine," he said. "You won't find a claim that I want to build a tunnel."

The Standard asked Mrs Hapeta when Mr Lees-Galloway had said he wanted to build a tunnel.

"I'd heard that from Wellington, that's what I'd heard that he'd said. It was said in Parliament in the final couple of days," she said. "Whether or not Iain actually said that I don't know."

Mrs Hapeta said she had not heard Mr Lees-Galloway himself say he wanted to build a tunnel, but she had heard National MP Tau Henare make the claim.

On October 05, Mr Lees-Galloway made a speech in Parliament about the gorge. According to Hansard records his reference to a tunnel was: "There is no easy solution to the Manawatu Gorge problem. Building a tunnel or a suspension bridge are both gold-plated options that have been considered before and passed over."

Mr Henare spoke next and was listing Labour MPs who might not return to Parliament after the election.

"Then there is Iain Lees-Galloway," he said. "He wants to put a tunnel under the Manawatu. He wants to put a tunnel there so there are no more slips. My goodness me. That is not going to get him in."

Mr Lees-Galloway wrote a blog on October 26 where he listed a tunnel as one of three options along with an upgrade to the alternative routes and a series of tunnels and/or bridges through the gorge.

On October 13 he talked to the Standard about the possibility of a viaduct around the slip site along the lines of the Otira Viaduct in Arthur's Pass, which was an "economically less important road".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5941689/National-twisted-MPs-gorge-tunnel-suggestion (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5941689/National-twisted-MPs-gorge-tunnel-suggestion)

Alternative Gorge routes become crash zones

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 11 November 2011

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LANDSLIDE: Workers using heavy machinery attempt to clear the Manawatu Gorge. The road was
blocked when 20,000 cubic metres of rubble was brought down by rain last month. — Photo: NZTA.

CRASHES on the alternative routes used by motorists while the Manawatu Gorge is closed have skyrocketed since the large slip blocked State Highway 3.

Police statistics showed 29 crashes had been reported on the Pahiatua Track and Saddle Road since August 18, when the first slip in the gorge forced its closure to traffic.

During the same period last year, there were only nine crashes — seven in the Manawatu Gorge and two on the Pahiatua Track.

The two alternative routes were now accommodating about 6000 vehicles a day, picking up much of the traffic that normally passed through the gorge.

The number of driving complaints reported to authorities had also risen sharply on the two alternative routes, but was consistent with the volume of traffic now using them, police said.

There had been 35 complaints to police, with issues including bad driver behaviour, congestion, breakdowns, road damage and stray livestock.

During the same period last year, there were only five complaints on Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track.

However, last year there were 42 complaints about driving in the gorge, where motorists routinely cut corners.

Highway Patrol manager Senior Sergeant Kris Burbery said the two alternative roads had become "pseudo state highways", so police were keeping a close eye on them.

They were also monitoring the small towns of Ashhurst and Woodville, which had seen changes in traffic volumes.

He was surprised at the high number of crashes.

"You're effectively taking all that traffic that's going through the state highway network and you're moving them over a couple of roads that are different and challenging to drive on, on a good day," Mr Burbery said.

Any frustration for drivers caused by the delays should have dispersed by now, he said.

"I would hope that people have, after such a long period of time, appreciated and understood that it's going to take a little bit longer in getting to their destination and adjusted accordingly," Mr Burbery said.

He warned the congestion was going to continue and would probably increase through Christmas and New Year, so people needed to slow down and be patient.

"It does require people to fully concentrate on their driving, travelling through there at the moment," he said.

The alternative routes were not designed for such a high volume of traffic, he said, so motorists needed to drive to the conditions and consider other road users.

CRASH STATISTICS

Crashes reported to police between August 18 and yesterday compared with the same period last year:

Pahiatua Track: 13 this year, 2 last year.

Saddle Road: 16 this year, none last year.

Crashes reported to police between August 18, 2010 and November 10, 2010: Manawatu Gorge: 7.

Crashes reported on all three roads between August 18 and yesterday: 29 this year, 9 last year.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5949079/Alternative-Gorge-routes-become-crash-zones (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/5949079/Alternative-Gorge-routes-become-crash-zones)

Bandit rolls into Manawatu Gorge

NZ Transport Agency crews have finished cutting a path through dense bush to reach the top of the Manawatu gorge slip, and are clearing bush to establish a safe working platform for the earth moving equipment due to start benching (terracing) the slip early next week.

NZTA state highways manager David McGonigal says while the heavy wind and rain in the gorge this week had not increased the slip noticeably, it had made conditions at the top of the slip difficult.,

"We're very keen to get stuck in to clearing the slip, but we are also very mindful of the safety of our contractors. They are working in difficult conditions and it's essential that we establish a safe working platform before our drivers move in to start work."

Mr McGonigal said a key piece of equipment to be used in the slip clearance was a large Allis Charmers HD16 bulldozer that has had its blade removed and works a high-strength winch. The large machine - known as 'The Bandit' - would be vital to the benching process.

"This is a huge machine with extremely good torque and can winch up to 48 tonnes.  It's been used to recover everything from swamp Kauri logs to tipped over trains.  It will be half buried in the ground, and it will anchor our heavy machinery when it's working at the top of the slip face. It's a key element in our safety controls and has already proved its worth in cutting the track to the top.

"The team also had to enlist the help of a helicopter to get larger items of essential plant and equipment up to the top of the slip (including equipment storage and portaloos). Heavy rain has made conditions at the top of the slip very difficult, so we are working hard to get a safe working platform established before drivers start benching the slip on Monday."

Meanwhile, one of the three new slow vehicle bays on the Saddle Road is now complete and construction of the other two are well underway.

Crews are continually monitoring the state of this route and making repairs as required. Speed limits of 30km/hr are in place along the alternative routes to calm traffic through difficult sections of road and a work programme is underway to complete the necessary repairs as soon as possible. This includes teams working at night. Following discussions with the NZTA, Horizons Regional Council has also advised that the stretch of Manawatu River 200 metres either side of the slip will be closed from Monday 28 November until the land above is stable. This is to protect all river users from falling debris that may be dislodged from the earthworks above.

The NZTA has also set up a dedicated Manawatu Gorge web page, which will be updated regularly with all the latest information: www.nzta.govt.nz/manawatu-gorge

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/12024874/bandit-rolls-into-manawatu-gorge/

DOC urges walkers to use gorge track

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 25 November 2011

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STILL OPEN: Department of Conservation ranger Tim Groenendijk
with DOC volunteers Alex Glass and Debby Brunskill on the
Manawatu Gorge walk. — Photo: MURRAY WILSON.

THE Department of Conservation says it needs people to keep walking the Manawatu Gorge track in order to get the funding needed to improve it.

Only 1173 people used the track in September and October, compared with 3391 people during the same period last year.

The sudden drop has been attributed to the public perception that the gorge slip, which has closed State Highway 3 to traffic since August, had also shut down the walking track.

Many people were deterred by a barrier that was erected before the car park, though the barrier could be driven around.

Two weeks ago the NZ Transport Agency put up signs informing people the car park and track were still open, but whether they would affect foot traffic was yet to be seen.

DOC spokeswoman Margaret Metcalfe encouraged people to use the walking track because it would mean DOC would be in a better position to make improvements to facilities and the track.

She said if people valued the track it could be expanded, with the possibility of a mountainbiking track or another loop track added in the future. "The more people up there the better, from our point of view," she said.

Ms Metcalfe said DOC got a lot of feedback from people about how much the track had improved.

"It's just disappointing that people are missing out," she said. "They must think it's not accessible."

Part of the track was closed for a few days but was reopened on Tuesday.

Ms Metcalfe said this may have deterred people too.

The number of people currently using the track was enough to "maintain the status quo", she said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6033617/DOC-urges-walkers-to-use-gorge-track (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6033617/DOC-urges-walkers-to-use-gorge-track)

Stretch of river a no-go

By STACEY KIRK - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 26 November 2011

(http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/RasputinDude/News%20Story%20Pix%202011/NZTA_ManawatuGorge_03Oct11.jpg) (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/img/manawatu-gorge-20111003.jpg)
LANDSLIDE: Workers using heavy machinery attempt to clear the Manawatu Gorge. The road was blocked
when 20,000 cubic metres of rubble was brought down by rain last month. — Photo: NZTA.

A SECTION of the Manawatu River will be closed to the public because of safety concerns relating to the massive slip that has closed the Manawatu Gorge for more than three months.

But kayakers training for the Coast to Coast multisport event are frustrated after being told to find another place to practise.

Horizons Regional Council has announced that a 200-metre stretch of the river, either side of the slip, will be closed indefinitely, from Monday.

Monday will also mark 100 days since State Highway 3 through the gorge was closed by a series of slips.

Motorists have been forced to use the Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track.

Manawatu Canoe Club member and Q-Kayaks officer manager Melanie Grant said the closure would be a "huge bummer" for a lot of kayakers.

"It's been affecting us because there's people who have been training for the Coast to Coast every week. It's a particular piece of river that's a little bit more demanding, and good training with the rapids."

She said the business had already been turning people away from hiring boats for that portion of the river, and kayakers would most likely have to resort to training in the Palmerston North Lagoon, or paddle from Ashhurst down river.

(http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/RasputinDude/News%20Story%20Pix%202011/NZTA_ManawatuGorge_24Nov11.jpg) (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/img/manawatu-gorge-20111124.jpg)
CLOSED: A 200 metre stretch of waterway either side of the slip is off-limits to river-users. — Photo: NZTA.

Manawatu Gorge Jet owner Mark Wickham said the slip and closure of the gorge had only had a small effect on his business because he did not normally travel through that particular part, but he would have to rethink his route for a big booking of 60 people he was taking next weekend.

Horizons harbourmaster Evan Lloyd said discussions had been held with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) and the decision to close the gorge was made to allow the agency to carry out work to stabilise the land above.

"NZTA will take precautions to warn users and stop work if anyone does enter the danger zone, but it is important that people remain vigilant and stay away from the area until further notice."

He said other parts of the catchment were suitable for recreational and commercial use.

NZTA state highways manager David McGonigal said work at the top of the landslide would start on Monday, and that could send a lot of loose debris down into the river.

"There's a lot of big rocks and we have had a lot of rain over the last couple of weeks."

"We're going to be starting with machines on Monday, and they'll be working at the top of the slip moving metal down the hillside."

A large machine — known as "The Bandit" — had been brought in to carry out the terracing process.

"This is a huge machine with extremely good torque and can winch up to 48 tonnes," Mr McGonigal said.

"It's been used to recover everything from swamp kauri logs to tipped-over trains. It will be half buried in the ground, and it will anchor our heavy machinery when it's working at the top."

He did not know how long the river would be closed.

• SH3 Manawatu Gorge (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/manawatu-gorge.html)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6040198/Stretch-of-river-a-no-go (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6040198/Stretch-of-river-a-no-go)

Lockout plan for traffic

By MATHEW GROCOTT - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 26 November 2011

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A LOCKED GATE could be placed over a Woodville road in an effort to keep motorists on the right track.

The Tararua District Council will consider on Wednesday whether to close a section of Oxford Street to through traffic.

The change would force motorists to drive through Woodville when taking the Manawatu Gorge detour over the Saddle Road. The gorge has been shut to motorists since August after a series of slips.

A report to the meeting prepared by chief executive Blair King said motorists were using the stretch of Oxford Street, between Woodland and Pinfold roads, as a shortcut.

The increase in traffic was damaging the road. The New Zealand Transport Agency has picked up the responsibility of maintaining the detour route but this did not extend to looking after the piece of Oxford Street in question.

Chicanes and additional signs were put in place in October to discourage motorists from going off the official detour route.

If a gate was placed over the road residents and those with a legitimate reason to use the route would be given access.

The council would also consider on Wednesday whether to defer the February start of a planned upgrade of Woodville's main street because of the gorge closure.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6040202/Lockout-plan-for-traffic (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6040202/Lockout-plan-for-traffic)

just imagine if there is someone under that debris .......


No end in sight for Manawatu Gorge road

LATEST: It is unlikely that State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge will reopen before the end of January – and the budget for the cleanup and associated work could hit $10 million.

The New Zealand Transport Agency revealed those details yesterday as the Manawatu Standard toured the slip site that has closed the highway for all but three days since August 18 – a total of 105 days.

Regional state highway manager David McGonigal said so far about $6m had been paid out for work on clearing the rubble and repairs to the Pahiatua Track and Saddle Rd.

About $2m of the expected $9m to $10m expenditure would go toward maintaining those alternative east-west routes.

The latest slip is still covering the road surface and Higgins contractors are now working from the top to remove the rubble.

Using a "benching" technique they will clear the site from the top down by building a series of tracks or cuttings into the hill and clearing the unstable material.

That work started this week and could have the slip site cleared by Christmas.

Mr McGonigal said the road surface and bridge structures which were covered in debris would probably be damaged, but nobody could get in there to have a look until the mess was cleaned up.

"It's too dangerous for men to be climbing around the bridges under 80,000 cubic metres of rock," he said.

"The most difficult part is the terrain we're dealing with. We're standing on top of a hillside that's 300 metres down and it's very steep as well.

"This is one of the most complex slips we've had in the gorge and certainly one of the most complex in New Zealand."

Work would also extend to 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when conditions allowed.

Meanwhile, a regional land transport committee meeting would decide next week where a proposal about east-west routes sat on the list of transport funding priorities.

Transport Agency regional transport and investment manager Delaney Myers said once that was decided, the specifics of the project would be sorted out.

"The agency is certainly of the view quite extraordinary funding arrangements could be reached," she said.

During the election campaign, Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway called for an investigation into options for the east-west roading route.

He said possible alternatives to the present road would be upgrading the Pahiatua Track or Saddle Rd, building something new through the gorge or cutting a new road over the hill.

"I don't think anybody expects a gold-plated option here but what we do expect is something that's going to be reliable, safe and provide the link to the east coast that we need in order to be effective as a distribution hub."

Manawatu MP Ian McKelvie said transport officials were doing all they could to reopen the highway, but thought a new road would not be possible right now.

"I accept it would be lovely to have a new road, but we've got to fund it as a community."

Transport minister Steven Joyce said that when the new government was sworn in it would start investigating improvements to "the resilience of the gorge route and its alternatives".

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6080986/No-end-in-sight-for-Manawatu-Gorge-road

(http://static2.stuff.co.nz/1322859693/981/6080981.jpg)

Notice how it is the Nats who are dragging the chain on coming up with a new reliable east-west highway between Manawatu and Tararua districts?

Notice too how it is the Labour MP for Palmerston North is is for doing something to fix the problem permanently, instead of dragging the chain like the Nats MPs are doing?

It's that anti-progress (unless it benefits their rich-prick mates) Nats' attitude if it involves the provinces coming to the fore yet again!

did i read somewhere that some Labour loser had come up with the idea of a multi million dollar tunnel ......

now wouldnt one of those be nice when a slip came down and trapped people in vehicles inside due to the slip closing both ends of the tunnel ....

guess if it happened the nats would get the blame for building it in thefirst place .....

you can please some people some of the time but not all people all of the time

Get with the programme.....scroll back up to the second part of Reply #60 (http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php/topic,3673.0/msg,121946.html) (on this very same page of the thread) and read how Nats wankers deliberately told lies in a vain effort to smear a Labour MP. Typical Nats tossers, eh? They wouldn't know the truth if it fell on them!

Are you too lazy to read what has already been posted in this thread? Or are you merely just blind?

Slip may have damaged gorge road

By JIMMY ELLINGHAM - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Monday, 05 December 2011

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INUNDATED: The damage done by the recent slip in Manawatu Gorge is clear to see.
 — MURRAY WILSON/Fairfax NZ.

TRANSPORT AUTHORITIES don't expect structural damage suffered by the Manawatu Gorge road will push out the route's reopening date.

NZ Transport Agency regional state highways manager David McGonigal confirmed motorists would continue to make the slow and winding journeys over Saddle Road or the Pahiatua Track at least until the end of January, while the slip blocking State Highway 3 is cleared.

It has been closed for 107 days since the first slip on August 18.

Higgins contractors were working to clear the 80,000 cubic metres of loose material blocking the road.

The cleanup and associated costs were expected to be as much as $10 million.

Safety concerns meant nobody could get near the road surface, but Mr McGonigal said it would probably be damaged.

Earlier slips hadn't harmed any of the road's supporting structures, but they were smaller than the present blockage.

Mr McGonigal said options for repairing any damage could include a temporary Bailey bridge, bringing in pre-made bridge decks or repairing cracks by pouring in concrete.

The agency could also pre-order bridge beams.

This would mean even if repairs were ongoing, motorists could still pass between the Tararua and Ruahine ranges from the end of next month.

A regional land transport committee meeting tomorrow would decide where a proposal about east-west routes sat on the list of transport funding priorities.

The transport agency is expected to announce this week that Fulton Hogan has won the contract to complete the Papatawa realignment on SH2 between Woodville and Dannevirke. The work has stalled since Hurlstone Earthmoving collapsed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6086531/Slip-may-have-damaged-gorge-road (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6086531/Slip-may-have-damaged-gorge-road)

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$5m a year for gorge inaction

By MATHEW GROCOTT - Manawatu Standard | 12:10 PM - Tuesday, 06 December 2011

NEW ZEALAND would lose $5 million for every year nothing is done about the road through the Manawatu Gorge, according to an independent report.

John Hannan of Corplogistics did the report as he felt the estimated economic costs of the slips reported in media were too low. He used figures about the cost of slips from NZ Transport Agency and the added cost to motorists of using alternative routes to come up with his figure.

The Government has promised to investigate options for increasing the resilience of the east-west route.

Mr Hannan suggested those looking at upgrading the route could use a figure of $100m — the cost of doing nothing for next 20 years — as a possible amount to spend on a solution.

"A more qualified opinion may suggest a different timeframe," he said. "Nevertheless ... a rate of $5m per year is what I have calculated the gorge under current operating conditions is costing our region."

Mr Hannan said he used figures from NZTA to estimate the cost of clearing slips over the past 10 years to be $21m, which included the $9m spent so far this year and the $5m in 2004 when the gorge road was closed for 70 days.

If the gorge remained closed until mid-February, the estimated cost to motorists in using the alternative routes would be $21.6m, the report said. The NZTA admitted last week the gorge road would likely not be open before the end of January. The cost to motorists of the closure in 2004 was $8.6m. Adding the costs together, Mr Hannan reached the figure of at least $50m over 10 years or $5m per year.

Palmerston North MP Iain Lees-Galloway had not read the study but said it sounded like "exactly the type of information" that would be needed when the Government investigated whether to fund upgrades to the three east-west roads.

"I hope that the Government will look seriously at this report and anything that NZTA might want to commission themselves so we have a good understanding of what the situation is and what the cost of doing nothing is."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6092726/5m-a-year-for-gorge-inaction (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6092726/5m-a-year-for-gorge-inaction)

Burzz...."Slip may have damaged gorge road"

...nah...nah ...I cant see any damage.. ;)

More cows than people as herds grow

By DON FARMER - Wairarapa Times-Age | 4:00PM - Tuesday, December 06, 2011

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MILKING COWS outnumber people by nearly three to one in the combined Wairarapa-Tararua district and numbers are growing at a much faster rate, latest statistics show.

A herd count by DairyNZ shows Wairarapa-Tararua has 164,720 dairy cows producing 52million kilograms of milksolids a year but, despite popular opinion, the number of dairy herds in the district has fallen in the past decade.

Ten years ago there were 608 herds being milked, but now there are 470. However herds are larger with 7500 extra head being milked now than was the case a decade ago.

That equates to a growth rate cent of 4.8 per cent, well ahead of the human population growth.

Tararua is by far the dairy capital of the combined district with 312 herds against 158 in Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa.

Masterton is a small dairy area with fewer than 20 herds but although Wairarapa has fewer herds, the ones being milked are, on average 100 cows larger, than those in Tararua.

To carry statistics a step further DairyNZ has released details of the effective hectares being dairy farmed.

Tararua totals 36,922ha and Wairarapa 24,217ha.

As far as dairying as a whole is concerned, Waikato is the kingpin area with 30 per cent of the country's 11,735 dairy herds.

The DairyNZ survey shows 4per cent of herds are 1000 cows or more, but most farmers are still milking between 300 and 500 cows.

http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/more-cows-than-people-as-herds-grow/1198680 (http://www.times-age.co.nz/news/more-cows-than-people-as-herds-grow/1198680)

Trailer goes off Track road

Road closed, detour put in place

By WARWICK RASMUSSEN - Manawatu Standard | 5:23PM - Tuesday, 06 December 2011

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CRASHED: A truck's trailer unit over the edge of the road on the Pahiatua Track.
 — Photo: KEN CARRINGTON.

A TRUCK's trailer unit has slipped over a steep bank on the Pahiatua Track temporarily shutting the road leaving the Saddle Road the only link between Manawatu and Wairarapa.

Witness Ken Carrington said the truck was heading downhill on the Pahiatua side of the ride and its refrigerated unit appeared to have slipped over the edge shortly after 4pm today.

"It's pulled the whole thing over and it's hanging down the bank."

Mr Carrington said the driver appeared shaken, but unhurt.

Police were on the scene.

Spokeswoman Kim Perks said the road had to be closed while the frozen goods on the trailer were removed. The trailer would then be lifted up and out.

She estimated the road would be reopened by 8.30pm.

Mr Carrington, a former truckie who was heading to Palmerston North at the time of the incident, said getting the unit out of the way would "probably be a major" and would disrupt traffic for some time.

The Pahiatua Track is one of two major roads used to link Manawatu and Wairarapa, with the Gorge Road closed to a major slip for the past four months.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/6095703/Trailer-goes-off-Track-road (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/6095703/Trailer-goes-off-Track-road)

Gorge ‘steps’ toward reopening

Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 10 December 2011

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LANDSLIDE: The damage done by the recent slip in Manawatu
Gorge is clear to see. — MURRAY WILSON/Fairfax NZ.

THE first "step" toward reopening the Manawatu Gorge has been completed.

Contractors have dug the first of a series of terraces in the hillside where slips have kept State Highway 3 closed since August.

The terraces, or steps, were being dug out from the top of the hillside down and would secure the site from further slips, said NZ Transport Agency state highways manager David McGonigal.

Examples of this type of benching can be seen on the other side of the river near Ballance Gorge Road.

"It's been a challenging operation getting to this point, so it's really rewarding to see the first bench completed and our plans taking shape," Mr McGonigal said.

The process of creating the steps involved bulldozers moving material across the hillside to diggers which lifted it into a chute. Material sent down the chute would be removed from the bottom once the slip-face had been stabilised.

Mr McGonigal said it was a seven days a week operation, weather permitting, although rain had caused some delays over the past few days.

"We're also continuing to look for ways to speed up the clearing process, such as dual excavation operations at the top and bottom of the slip and moving our work schedule to 24/7 as soon as it is safe to do so."

Meanwhile, Mr McGonigal said truckies deserved a big pat on the back for their safe and considerate driving on the alternative routes.

"We've had a lot of positive feedback from the public about how the vast majority of truckies have been driving with great care and consideration, in particular pulling aside to let vehicles pass them. This makes a real difference for everyone because it reduces hold-ups and makes journeys safer by reducing the need for risky passing manoeuvres.

"We know travelling on the alternative routes is no picnic for truckies, and we're really appreciative of how considerate they've been under trying circumstances," Mr McGonigal said.

The Manawatu Gorge was not likely to be reopened before the end of January and the cost of clearing the slip could reach $10 million.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6120156/Gorge-steps-toward-reopening (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6120156/Gorge-steps-toward-reopening)

The ongoing saga of the "Woodville gate"....

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Traffic gate a barrier to infuriated local residents

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Friday, 16 December 2011

WOODVILLE RESIDENTS affected by a gate installed to block a rural road have been further angered by the decision to deny them access.

Contractors began work on the gate on Oxford Road, near the intersection of Woodlands Rd, on Wednesday without any warning from the Tararua District Council to residents.

The council made the decision in response to tough trading conditions for Woodville businesses and because of increased traffic cutting through Oxford Road after a series of slips closed the Manawatu Gorge road in August.

The gate would force motorists travelling along Saddle Road — an alternative route to the gorge — to drive through Woodville.

When it made the decision, the council said motorists with a legitimate reason to go through the gate would be given access at the discretion of the council.

But yesterday it was revealed residents of the road would not necessarily qualify.

When Tararua Mayor Roly Ellis was asked whether being a resident of Oxford Road was a good enough reason to have the combination code to the gate, he responded "sadly, it's not".

Mr Ellis was against the road closure when it was decided at a council meeting at the end of last month.

He had fielded calls from disgruntled residents, but said some people were happy about the installation of the gate.

Before the gate was put in, a barrier was put up to deter motorists from using the road. Mr Ellis believed this was sufficient.

"I thought in fact the actual way it was being handled at the time was fair enough under the circumstances," he said.

Mr Ellis said people who felt they had a genuine reason to go through the gate could apply at the council. Emergency services would also be given the combination.

Resident Tony Jarman, who lives on Oxford Road just down from the gate, has to detour 7 kilometres through Woodville to go to Palmerston North, where he frequently travels for work.

He was horrified residents would not be allowed access. "That's just disgusting," he said.

Mr Jarman said the postal service had also been in touch to ask him where he wanted his mail delivered as drivers would no longer deliver to his house because of the detour.

Farmer Gayle Cresswell, who uses the road as the route between her farm and cowshed twice a day, was livid when she found out she was unlikely to gain access.

She said it would mean an extra 300km a week would have to be travelled between the farm and cowshed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6150720/Traffic-gate-a-barrier-to-infuriated-local-residents (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6150720/Traffic-gate-a-barrier-to-infuriated-local-residents)

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Woodville's locked gate to stay despite furore

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Tuesday, 20 December 2011

TARARUA DISTRICT COUNCIL is refusing to back down from a controversial Woodville road closure, despite an angry backlash from ratepayers.

The gate was installed on Oxford Rd, near the intersection of Woodlands Road, and has been secured with a combination lock since Friday.

The council made the decision in response to tough trading conditions for Woodville businesses and because of increased traffic cutting through Oxford Rd after slips closed the Manawatu Gorge road in August.

The gate forces motorists travelling along Saddle Road — an alternative route to the gorge — to drive through Woodville.

When it made the decision, the council said motorists with a legitimate reason to go through the gate would be given access at the discretion of the council.

It has since emerged that only five people have been given the combination, and all are farmers or farming contractors who have to move heavy machinery.

Mayor Roly Ellis said a closed council meeting was held over the issue but nobody changed their vote. The gate would stay, despite angry residents venting to the council.

"I spent all weekend on the phone and in front of the computer with emails and phone calls from residents," Mr Ellis said.

"When the phone stops about 10 at night, you know that people are upset."

Mr Ellis had opposed the gate and supported leaving the road blocked off with chicanes, but was outnumbered.

"There's absolutely no change, the resolution stands," he said.

He had received a petition from people in Woodville supporting the removal of the gate and had passed it on to councillors to consider, but it had no effect.

Councillor Peter Johns, who supported the installation of the gate, said the NZ Transport Agency was not prepared to fix any roads other than Saddle Road and Woodlands Road because of extra traffic resulting from the gorge road closure. This meant the cost of any damage to Oxford Road lay with the council.

The benefits to Woodville outweighed the negatives, he said.

"The majority of the businesses in Woodville are suffering tremendously and [are] on the brink of going broke," he said.

"Obviously, as part of our responsibilities we need to promote business in the district, not see the demise of existing businesses. A lot of those businesses rely on passing traffic."

Councillor Johns said the diversion cost people only a couple of minutes.

"There are times when people might be inconvenienced for the good of the district. I think it's rather sad that some people are not prepared to go out of their way for a couple of minutes to help others."

Roading liaison manager Graham Lamond said residents would not get access.

"If the resident who lives in the house down the road wants to take a shortcut over to Palmerston North, no they won't [be given the combination to the lock]," he said.

"But if they're running their farm in the immediate vicinity ... rather than putting a haybaler right through the main street of Woodville, naturally they'll have access through there on an extremely limited basis."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6166036/Woodvilles-locked-gate-to-stay-despite-furore (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6166036/Woodvilles-locked-gate-to-stay-despite-furore)

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Council reopens road after public outcry

By VICKI WATERHOUSE - Manawatu Standard | 11:27AM - Wednesday, 21 December 2011

TARARUA DISTRICT COUNCIL is bowing to public pressure and the threat of legal action and temporarily opening a gate that closed off a Woodville road, infuriating residents.

The council caused outrage among Tararua residents when it closed off Oxford Road by installing a gate near the intersection of Woodlands Rd on Friday.

The gate has forced motorists using Saddle Road, an alternative route to the gorge, to drive through Woodville. It was secured with a combination lock, which only five farmers and contractors had the code to.

The council made the decision in response to tough trading conditions for Woodville businesses and because of increased traffic cutting through Oxford Rd after slips closed the Manawatu Gorge road in August.

But today, council gave the instruction to contractors to open the gates for public thoroughfare.

It was not known what time today the gates would be opened.

Council chief executive Blair King said a special meeting would be held tomorrow for council to reconsider the resolution. He said the mayor asked for the meeting.

"They're being opened, but not removed," Mr King said.

He said the backdown came in response to "various requests the council has been receiving".

"They came to the conclusion last night that it would be prudent to hold a special meeting," he said.

"They've just asked me to implement the status quo for the interim, which is to have the gates open."

The meeting would be held at 1pm tomorrow.

The u-turn comes after one resident took legal action against the council.

Mr King said the decision to reopen the gate was made in part because of the risk that legal action would cost the community more money.

He said if an injunction was lodged, council would have to hire lawyers and that cost would fall to the ratepayers.

"The whole purpose was not to spend more money, but to try and help," Mr King said.

Oxford Road resident Tony Jarman, who has to make a 6-kilometre detour to reach the other side of the gate, said he had consulted with his barrister, Gordon Paine.

"It's just the way they've [council] done things, very sneakily, very underhand, and for a very self-serving purpose," Mr Jarman said.

"It's costing a lot of people a lot of money to gain a few people a very little bit it makes no sense."

Residents would love to take to the gate with bolt cutters, but it was unlikely to happen, because most of the people protesting were "genuine law-abiding people", he said.

"Although we say it, we'll never actually do it. You have to have that in your nature, don't you? And I certainly don't."

Mr Paine questioned whether the council's actions were legal and was preparing to send a letter on behalf of Mr Jarman.

"[It] suggests to them that they've made a terrible mistake and they really should revisit their idea."

If the council did not back down, the matter would likely end up in court, he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6172124/Council-reopens-road-after-public-outcry (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6172124/Council-reopens-road-after-public-outcry)

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Council to reconsider road closure after protests

By VICKI WATERHOUSE and JESSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 22 December 2011

A SPECIAL MEETING will be held today to discuss the controversial closure of a Woodville road as Tararua District Council grapples with community outrage and a threat of legal action.

The meeting comes amid signs of a possible council backdown.

The council raised the ire of Tararua residents when it closed off Oxford Road by installing a gate near the intersection of Woodlands Road last Friday, but yesterday it was reopened after a resident threatened legal action and a petition was signed by 60 residents.

The gate has forced motorists using Saddle Road, an alternative route to the Manawatu Gorge road, to drive through Woodville. It was secured with a combination lock to which only five farmers and contractors had the code.

The council had made the decision to close off the road in response to tough trading conditions for Woodville businesses and because of increased traffic cutting through Oxford Road after slips closed the Manawatu Gorge road in August.

Council chief executive Blair King said a meeting would be held today for the council to reconsider the road closure.

"They're [the gates] being opened, but not removed," Mr King said. They were being opened in response to "various requests the council has been receiving".

"They [councillors] came to the conclusion that it would be prudent to hold a special meeting. They've asked me to implement the status quo for the interim, which is to have the gates open."

The moves come after talk of legal action.

Mr King said the decision to reopen the gate was made in part because of the risk that legal action would cost the community more money.

He said if an injunction was lodged, council would have to hire lawyers and that cost would fall to the ratepayers.

"The whole purpose was not to spend more money, but to try and help," Mr King said.

Oxford Road resident Tony Jarman, who has to make a six kilometre detour to reach the other side of the gate, had instructed his lawyer, Gordon Paine, to write to the council.

Mr Paine questioned whether the council's actions were legal and was to send a letter on behalf of Mr Jarman.

"[It] suggests to them that they've made a terrible mistake and they really should revisit their idea."

If the council did not back down, the matter would probably end up in court, he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6177698/Council-to-reconsider-road-closure-after-protests (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6177698/Council-to-reconsider-road-closure-after-protests)

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Woodville retailers fuming over reopened gate

By JESSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Thursday, 22 December 2011

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MAD: Hotel owner Kevin O'Connor. — FAITH SUTHERLAND/Fairfax NZ.

WOODVILLE RETAILERS are livid the gate closing off a road funnelling people into the town has been reopened — with some businesses claiming they are just weeks away from having to make staffing cuts.

Since the Manawatu Gorge road was closed in August, Woodville businesses have lost thousands of dollars, with less traffic coming through the town.

After the Tararua District Council moved to shut off Oxford Road — an alternative route to bypass the town — retailers noticed a considerable increase in customers. Business owners said they were disappointed by the council's U-turn — leaving Oxford Road open for now.

John Gooding, who has owned Fish Spot takeaways for 10 years, said his business had just weeks left before he would start having to consider letting staff go.

"It's quite devastating to know [the gate is] going to be reopened again," he said.

"For a bit there we were getting customers again. It's very hard for us as we haven't reduced our staff numbers but I just don't know how much longer we can continue like this." New Central Motor Inn owner Kevin O'Connor said he was fully booked during the weekend for the first time since August — when the gorge road shut.

"It's simple; if you want Woodville to keep going, then leave the gate closed, but if you want Woodville to die then open the gate," he said."

Businesswoman Suzie Johnson has recently opened two shops in Woodville, but was still deciding whether to open the third store because the gorge closure has meant fewer customers to the town.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6177699/Woodville-retailers-fuming-over-reopened-gate (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6177699/Woodville-retailers-fuming-over-reopened-gate)

Manawatu Gorge closed until mid-year

LATEST: The Manawatu Gorge will remain closed until at least the middle of the year, the New Zealand Transport Agency announced today.

A series of landslides on August 18 last year has closed the State Highway 3 road through the gorge for all but three days.

NZTA initially thought the road could be reopened this month but, during a site visit this morning, State highways manager David McGonigal said it would not be opened until later this year.

"The sheer size and complexity of the job requires more time, and our best estimate to reopen is midway through this year."

Mr McGonigal earlier told the Manawatu Standard that crews working on the slip site had encountered increasing amounts of rock.

"It's much more difficult and time-consuming to shift rock than dirt . . .'' he said. "The silver lining is that it's shedding more light on the geological makeup of the slope, and the more solid rock that we find, the more secure it's likely to be.

"However, the rock we've uncovered so far is quite fractured, so benching the hillside remains the linchpin of keeping the slope stable in the long run.''

"The third bench is nearly done and we expect to start cutting the fourth bench next week, '' he said.

The Saddle Rd and Pahiatua Track have been used as alternate routes while the Gorge Rd is closed.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6349324/Manawatu-Gorge-closed-until-mid-year

They are also making a lot of money selling the gorge dirt

Gorge slip clearance at ‘full tilt’

By MATTHEW GROCOTT - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 14 April 2012

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IN PROGRESS: Contractors work on the Manawatu Gorge slip.

EFFORTS TO CLEAR the slip in the Manawatu Gorge are going "full tilt", the NZ Transport Agency says.

As contractors are back working around the clock on the Ashhurst side of the slip, excellent progress was being made, NZTA Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal said.

State Highway 3 through the Gorge has been closed for all but three days since August 18 due to a series of slips.

Work to clear the slip from the Ashhurst end was halted over Easter after movement was detected on the roadway. Work resumed on Tuesday.

The clearance of the slip from the Woodville side was not affected.

"With 24/7 operations back in place at the Ashhurst end of the slip, things are really going full tilt," Mr McGonigal said.

"The guys are well and truly slogging it out. They've already removed close to 250,000 cubic metres, and they'll keep going, truckload after truckload, night and day. That's what it's going to take to get this massive job done, so as long as it safe to do so, we'll keep it up."

Mr McGonigal said the Higgins crews working on the slip had received special training about night work to make sure they stayed safe.

"We're proud of our safety record to date and we intend to keep it that way. Safety remains paramount at all times on this job, both up on the slip itself and in the carting operations below."

NZTA was now looking at moving the work on the Woodville side to 24 hours a day.

The agency still planned to reopen the Gorge "mid year", he said.

The full extent of the damage to the bridges underneath the slip is still unknown. Mr McGonigal said the NZTA still needed to fully dig out material around the road and bridges before a complete assessment of any damage could be made.

"What we find when they are fully uncovered will certainly influence the re-opening date, and I will provide updates on the situation as they come to light."

Mr McGonigal said the NZTA appreciated of the community's ongoing patience and understanding throughout this historic closure.

"This slip has had an impact on everyone in the region-motorists, truckies, local residents and businesses, road crews working hard to maintain the alternate routes, and of course the guys who are up there working tirelessly to get this road re-opened."

"My sincere thanks goes out to everyone for their understanding."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6743352/Gorge-slip-clearance-at-full-tilt (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6743352/Gorge-slip-clearance-at-full-tilt)

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Gorge closure hammers Woodville

By SSICA SUTTON - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Saturday, 14 April 2012

THE PROPERTY MARKET in Woodville has taken a hammering since the closure of the Manawatu Gorge road, with real estate agents warning the Tararua town will "remain dead" until the slip that has blocked State Highway 3 is cleared.

Just six houses have been sold in Woodville since Christmas, compared with about one sale a week before a massive slip last August forced the thousands of vehicles travelling between Tararua and Manawatu each day to take longer alternative routes via the Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track.

Property Brokers real estate agent Jude Coombe said the Woodville housing market has plummeted as a result.

"There's no doubt it is having a huge impact on the little town," she said. "Unless someone is working in the town they won't be buying a house here. Houses here are extremely affordable and are great for first-time buyers and investors but they're just not coming."

Since Christmas, she said Property Brokers had sold five houses in Woodville and Professionals had sold one. Before the gorge closed she was selling about one property a week.

"It's extremely tough, not only for those trying to sell their houses but for us. We rely on commission from sales and when we're not getting any we don't have any income coming in."

Mrs Coombe and her colleague Ailsa Hemopo currently have 30 properties on the market, and she said it was unlikely many of them would sell before the gorge reopened.

"We're losing a lot of buyers from over the hill. We've heard that people are taking the wait and see approach about moving to and from the town, but many [buyers] are reconsidering because of the cost of travelling."

"It will remain dead until the gorge reopens."

Motorists are spending, on average, between 20 to 30 minutes longer driving between Manawatu and Tararua using the detours.

Real Estate Institute of New Zealand statistics reveal that from April 2011 to March 2012, 29 houses in Woodville had sold, compared to 44 the previous year.

Professionals agent Wendy Kendall said out of the five properties she had on the market, four were owned by sellers wanting to leave Woodville.

"The gorge needs to reopen," she said. "There is less interest coming from Palmerston North."

She said five years ago the market in Woodville was "buoyant".

On the other side of the hill, property in Ashhurst has been selling well, Watson Property agent Marcus Watson said.

The Saddle Road diversion had pushed thousands of drivers through the town, and Mr Watson said the gorge could be a factor in why property was selling.

"It could be that more people are coming through the town and wanting to buy there, but it's difficult to say and pinpoint exactly why."

"In comparison to other years properties have sold really well and reasonably quickly too."

He said he had been approached by buyers living in Woodville who were wanting to purchase in Palmerston North so they did not have to drive through, or around, the gorge.

"There are definitely people who are looking to purchase in the city. I have had a few buyers from there wanting to move because of the travel."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6743347/Gorge-closure-hammers-Woodville (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6743347/Gorge-closure-hammers-Woodville)

$4.5m roading fix in the works

By JANINE RANKIN - Manawatu Standard | 12 NOON - Wednesday, 25 April 2012

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THE Saddle Road or Pahiatua Track could be in line for a $4.5 million upgrade.

The proposal is a key item in the draft Regional Land Transport Programme that is out for public comment.

The closure of the Manawatu Gorge road for all but three days since August 18 because of slips has highlighted the region's vulnerability and the need to increase the capacity of the alternative routes.

The draft plan, put out by transport planning leader Horizons, is asking people whether $4.5m should be spent on those roads during the next three years.

The programme aims to refine the priority list of projects to be put forward for possible taxpayer funding.

Horizons transport manager Anne Redgrave said setting regional priorities was important to ensure limited Government money was spent on the most important projects.

"With a national focus on congestion there is a limited pool of money available for regional roads."

"Through our submissions process, we want to hear from the public whether they feel spending $4.5m on improving an alternative route is the best way to go, or whether there are other projects they would like to see benefit."

Consultation on the draft programme is the only opportunity for people to have their say on improvements to state highways.

With the closure of the Manawatu Gorge to traffic, the Saddle Road is being used as a state highway and maintained by the NZ Transport Agency.

Ms Redgrave said the draft regional programme would cost an estimated $350.5m from 2012 to 2015.

It includes the maintenance, operation and renewal of local roads and state highways, public transport services and infrastructure, walking and cycling facilities, road safety education, and transport planning.

Most of the money would come from local and regional rates, given the Government's focus on nationally significant roads and reducing congestion.

Other Palmerston North projects in the draft programme include bus service extensions and the proposed central city bus terminal.

Elsewhere in the region projects include improvements to the Foxton to Shannon diversion, State Highway 56 and State Highway 3 (Whanganui), safety improvements to SH2 between Woodville and north of Dannevirke, provision of stock effluent disposal facilities around the region, and road safety education programmes.

• Submissions close 4pm Friday, May 04, at horizons.govt.nz (http://www.horizons.govt.nz); by email at rltp@horizons.govt.nz (rltp@horizons.govt.nz); using the submission form on the back of the summary available from Horizons offices; or by mail.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6804958/4-5m-roading-fix-in-the-works (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6804958/4-5m-roading-fix-in-the-works)

$3.5m price tag for trail

By MATHEW GROCOTT - Manawatu Standard | 7:53AM - Thursday, 26 April 2012

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A CYCLE AND WALKING TRACK offering sweeping views from the top of the Tararua Ranges will cost $3.5 million to build.

But first it needs the support of the Tararua and Horowhenua District Councils who would likely be faced with the bulk of the bill for the project dubbed the Tararua Traverse.

The 86km cycleway would run from Shannon to Eketahuna and involve the building of a new hut near the midway point.

Consultant Robert Burra from Opus, who wrote the study, said the Tararua Traverse would generate an estimated $506,000 in economic activity for the surrounding area. It would cost $50,000 per year to maintain. It would also offer scenery not available on other walks in the Lower North Island. "The view from the top of the Tararuas would be unrivalled," he told a Tararua District Council meeting on Tuesday. Mr Burra estimated that 3000 would use the track per year on average, though that number could increase when the route became better known.

Tararua councillors were lukewarm in their response to the presentation, the prevailing view being that government funding would be needed if the project was to go ahead.

Tararua councillor Chris Southgate said the cost of the project, in construction and maintenance, was "significant". "Who is going to be the benefactor? From a Tararua perspective, the trail ends at the southern end of the district."

Councillor Southgate said there were limited accommodation and dining options in Eketahuna and he wondered if track users would end up spending their money in Masterton.

The report has not yet been presented to Horowhenua District Council, however Horowhenua's manager of strategic and corporate services was at the Tararua meeting.

He said not all expenditure by councils had a direct economic return.

"What's the economic benefit of sealing roads, what's the economic benefit of building a park?" The project had potential benefits for tourism and promoting exercise, he said.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6808719/3-5m-price-tag-for-trail (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/6808719/3-5m-price-tag-for-trail)


3 comments posted by Manawatu Standard (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard) website readers....


brian  #1 — 09:41am, April 26, 2012

Doing the Tongariro Crossing recently I was told by the guide that there were 200 other people behind us on the track. Please leave the Tararuas to the wild life and those who wish to make the effort to get there . Why not concentrate on windfarm tourism for those that watched the wombles of wimbledon as children.



ricjk  #2 — 09:51am, April 26, 2012

Why bother with the Tarurua side as it is horrible weather and as the the article says a boring hole in Pahiatua and Eketahuna why any lives in the Tararua district is beyond me. Maybe make it loop to Palmerston North or Masterton much better.



Chur Bro  #3 — 11:07am, April 26, 2012

Build it. Where are the Hotel/Motel Operators on this? the users are from around NZ and the World and would use the local accomadation, Facilities e.g. Lido, Local gyms, diners...their are not alot off things visitors can do in Palmy...

Well behaved crowd praised

By KATHRYN KING - Manawatu Standard | 12:00 NOON - Monday, 18 February 2013

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FLYING THE FLAG: Seven-year-old twins Ethan and
Kieran Trask show their support for the Hurricanes.
 — WARWICK SMITH/ Fairfax NZ.

PAHIATUA POLICE are praising the crowd at the annual Mangatainoka Super Rugby pre-season game after only one arrest was made at the match.

Fans came from far and wide to see the Hurricanes take on Super Rugby champions the Chiefs in Saturday's sellout game.

The Chiefs dominated the first half, but the Hurricanes came back strongly in the second, managing to almost — but not quite — take the lead, with the Chiefs winning 25-21.

With the police booze bus out both before and after the match, Pahiatua Sergeant Jymahl Glassey said the 8000-strong crowd was fairly well behaved.

Last year there were no arrests, and this year there was one.

In that instance, a man was told to leave early in the game because of his behaviour, and he did so, but later returned to the field and continued to cause problems.

And the lack of arrests didn't mean there weren't a few scuffles.

After the game, a group of about 10 to 15 people became involved in a mass fight, requiring half a dozen officers to haul the group of young men off each other. No-one was seriously injured, but one man was seen to have blood pouring from his nose after a blow to the face.

The event was generally well run and coping with 8000 people was manageable, he said.

About 25 officers worked at the game, and that filtered down to about six during the course of the night, plus additional staff working in the alcohol traffic units, he said.

Mr Glassey said the Pahiatua township was quieter after the game this year than it had been other years, but unlike previous years, they had teamed up with local publicans to stop people imbibing quite so much.

The pubs closed earlier than they needed to, about 1am.

"People had too much alcohol on board, they [publicans] sensed, along with us, that people had consumed enough and didn't need to stay open to 3am," he said.

Three drink-drivers were caught by his team, but no-one else was arrested in town that night.

He was unsure how many the alcohol traffic group caught, but believed there may have been a couple more drink-drivers caught outside of Dannevirke.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8317720/Well-behaved-crowd-praised (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8317720/Well-behaved-crowd-praised)

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Fans feel buzz at Mangatainoka

By KATHRYN KING - Wairarapa News | 12:15PM - Monday, 18 February 2013

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DRESSED UP: Some Angry Birds turned up at the game. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

THEY CAME as bumble bees, sumo wrestlers and angry birds, but Hurricanes supporters left disappointed when the home team favourites failed to beat the Chiefs.

The 8000 strong crowd at yesterday's Hurricanes vs Chiefs game in Mangatainoka saw Hurricanes fans come to life when, after a dismal start, their team rallied in the second half.

But even with the thunderous cheers of the crowd, it wasn't enough. With a final score of 25-21, the Chiefs, Super Rugby's champions of last year, held their ground.

Before the Hurricanes could even get on the field, 5-year-old Hilton McCullough, from Lower Hutt, had already stolen the hearts of the crowd.

Suffering from leukaemia, the Child Cancer ambassador draped in multiple strands of a treatment-bead-necklace helped to open the game with Sir Colin Meads.

As the little boy with a charming smile walked back from a turn about the field with two Tui girls at half time, his mother, Rebecca McEwen, said it was a near thing he even made the game, having spent the night before in hospital.

"He's not 100 per cent, today, but he's OK, he's excited but it's quite overwhelming for someone his age," she said.

While Hilton will savour his helicopter ride as the thrill of the day, for Masterton Hurricanes supporter Sarah Wing, it's the moment the Hurricanes kicked a conversion that sailed over top of a stock truck and hit a passing Chiefs supporter on the back.

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GAME ON: There was some rugby too. Hurricanes' Beauden Barrett with ball.
 — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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AWAY FROM HOME: A chiefs supporter. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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SPECIAL GUEST: Child cancer ambassador, Hilton McCullough, at half-time with Tui Girls,
Tamara Novak (left) and Charlotte Wainwright . — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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READ BUZZ: There were a few bumble bees buzzing round the crowds.
 — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

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GREAT DAY: The crowd was having a great day at the game. — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/wairarapa-news/8318435/Fans-feel-buzz-at-Mangatainoka (http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/wairarapa-news/8318435/Fans-feel-buzz-at-Mangatainoka)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67zmvNT2WzU (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67zmvNT2WzU)

from the Manawatu Standard....

Historic pub pours its last beer

By KELSEY WILKIE | 12:00 NOON - Thursday, 04 September 2014

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CLOSING TIME: Dudley Arms tavern in Mangatainoka. Owners, Dave Woolland and Vicki Spicer.
 — WARWICK SMITH/Fairfax NZ.

THE END of an era was marked as the final beer was poured at the Dudley Arms tavern.

The bar is a landmark in Mangatainoka, where it has operated as a pub since 1888.

Last month owners Dave Wolland and Vicki Spicer decided they couldn't carry on.

They bought the pub nine years ago but business slowed right down over that time, Wolland said.

When the liquor licence ran out on August 19th, they decided not to renew it. They were done.

“Things have got pretty slow in the country area,” Wolland said.

“It's basically a sign of the times.”

On a good day they were getting about 12 customers, he said.

The low price of alcohol at supermarkets and people drinking at home instead of going out were contributing factors.

Down the road Tui HQ resides, which “hasn't helped the situation”, Wolland said.

The brewery applied for a tavern licence in 2011.

At the time, Wolland accused the brewery of going back on its opening promise to not go into direct opposition with cafes and bars in nearby towns.

Tui commercial manager Nick Rogers told Fairfax in 2011 the brewery had no desire to be a pub. It had applied for a tavern licence at the recommendation of the Liquor Licensing Authority.

Wolland said competition from the brewery was too much for the “little rural pub”.

Getting burgled in May was the straw that broke them, Wolland said.

“I have mixed feelings about it,” Spicer said.

There were good times, she said.

“We had a guy drive here from Hawke's Bay just for a Dudley burger,” Wolland said.

A Dudley burger is Wolland's specialty — a burger with a three quarter pound of home-made meat patty.

“You got coleslaw underneath, patty, bacon, an egg, cheese.”

Customers from around the globe loved the burger, Wolland said.

Both said the best part was the people they met.

Not only did they come in for a beer, they came in for a coffee or for a chat.

“We saw both sides, we saw some arrogance,” Wolland said. “Met a lot of good people ... different people, from different walks of life.”

The couple laugh as they remember the characters they encountered.

“We'll have a look at it in a month's time, may open up as a cafe or something. It's time just to have a break and kick back a little bit.”

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/10459034/Historic-pub-pours-its-last-beer (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/10459034/Historic-pub-pours-its-last-beer)

correct me if i am wrong....but..is this news from the 15th of october....has there been a time warp.. is this a history lesson??

from the Wairarapa Times-Age....

Almost ready for kick-off

6:55AM - Tuesday, January 13, 2015

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ALL SET: Nick Rogers checks the scoreboard at Eketahuna.

THE ground work is almost done, the seating has been arranged and supporters' flags are flying high ahead of this month's pre-season Super Rugby clash between the Hurricanes and Crusaders in Eketahuna.

The game being held on January 31ST, at the Eketahuna Rugby Club, will see the rural township (population 440) swell with 4,000 rugby fans wearing their regional colours, says Nick Rogers, DB commercial and marketing manager.

“We've sold 80 percent of the tickets for this fantastic Super Rugby clash already which shows just how passionate Crusaders and Hurricanes fans are,” says Rogers.

“The last time these two teams met in Mangatainoka, it was all go with the Crusaders coming away with a great win. It'll be anyone's guess who takes the victory this time round but what is certain is how exciting the game will be.”

Dennis “Doc” Dougherty, president of the Eketahuna Rugby Club, which celebrated its 125th anniversary last year, has been overwhelmed but not surprised by the community support for the game.

He says a team of club members is working tirelessly to get the pitch and the surrounding grounds in top order to host some of the country's leading rugby players.

“The Christmas trees came down and the Hurricanes flags went up,” says Dougherty. “Since New Year, it's been all go and we've got a great crew of enthusiastic people making sure the place is in top order to welcome the Crusaders and Hurricanes and their legions of fans. After talking to a few people in town, I think everyone who lives in Eketahuna willbe at the game. It's brilliant for the town.”

Hurricanes CEO James Te Puni and his team are equally excited about the game.

“It's hard to believe we're nearing our first game already, but this is a match all of the Hurricanes crew are looking forward to playing and attending. It will be a great way to finish our week-long pre-season camp in Gisborne, and a good test for the players to put into practice everything they've worked hard for over the last two months.”

“We know Eketahuna will put on a good show as hosts, and the Hurricanes and the Crusaders are looking forward to responding to that with a fantastic Super Rugby display.”

This month's game follows the four previous sold-out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise in the Wairarapa-Bush region — three of which have been played at Mangatainoka and last year's game played at Memorial Park in Masterton.

Rogers, who has championed all four games to date, says their success comes down to providing Heartland rugby fans with a family-friendly and memorable day of footie in their own backyard.

Like previous years, this match has pre- and post-game entertainment as well as an array of guest speakers.

• GA tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game are still available through PGG Wrightson Stores and through Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11385597 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503414&objectid=11385597)

from the Manawatu Standard....

Manawatu Gorge slip closes State Highway 3

By MATHEW GROCOTT | 5:45PM - Friday, 09 April 2015

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CLOSED: A slip has blocked State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge.

STATE HIGHWAY 3 will be closed through the Manawatu Gorge until Friday afternoon.

A slip has blocked the road about 2km from the Ashhurst end of the gorge after more than a day of steady rain in the area.

The rock fall occurred about 1.23pm about 700m east of the where a slip closed the Gorge on and off for close to a year in 2011 and 2012.

The slip will not be cleared by contractors until the site has been assessed by an engineer on Friday morning.

“We're keen to get the slip cleared and get the road re-opened because we know how vital this link is for the region,” NZTA spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said.

“But we need to be sure the site is stable and safe before we can let our contractors get in there and get the work under way.”

“We'll let people know as soon as we have more information, and the meantime we're asking drivers to be patient and to drive carefully in these wet conditions when using the detours.”

Motorists were advised to take the Saddle Road between Ashhurst and Woodville. This would add about 30 minutes to the journey.

The Pahiatua Track was also open for drivers heading between Palmerston North and Wairarapa.

• NZTA — North Island highway info (http://www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic/current-conditions/highway-info/road/7873/north-island.html)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67672473/manawatu-gorge-slip-closes-state-highway-3 (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67672473/manawatu-gorge-slip-closes-state-highway-3)

---

from the Manawatu Standard....

Rockfall-hit State Highway 3 at Manawatu Gorge to stay closed for fortnight

By MATHEW GROCOTT | 12:58PM - Friday, 10 April 2015

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BLOCKED: A close-up of the large slip.

NZTA has today announced the road will be closed for at least a fortnight. The rock fall on Thursday was initially expected to close State Highway 3 for at least 24 hours.

Agency spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said an engineer had assessed the area around the slip on Friday morning and found the slip had left the cliff above it unstable.

Contractors would need to be brought in to abseil down the cliff and use airbags to release the unstable material from the cliff face.

Knackstedt said the amount of debris that came down in the slip on Thursday was not large, and could be cleared in a matter of hours.

However the unstable state of the rocks above the slip site meant the road could not be re-opened to motorists for safety reasons.

Knackstedt said NZTA apologised for the inconvenience this would cause but the agency's number one priority must be to ensure the safety of motorists using the highway.

The Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track were both open as alternate routes for the 8,000 or so vehicles that use the Manawatu Gorge each day.

Landslides kept the gorge closed for more than a month in 2011, costing the region more than $2 million.

Related earlier news story:

 • Rain, rockfall closes Manawatu Gorge (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67680928/rain-rockfall-closes-manawatu-gorge.html)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67686457/rockfallhit-state-highway-3-at-manawatu-gorge-to-stay-closed-for-fortnight (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/67686457/rockfallhit-state-highway-3-at-manawatu-gorge-to-stay-closed-for-fortnight)

from the Manawatu Standard....

Here we go again: Slip shuts gorge for fortnight

By KATHRYN KING | 11:00AM - Saturday, 11 April 2015

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Thursday’s slip, about 2km into the Gorge from the Ashhurst end, will not be cleared until loose material
on the cliff is removed. — David Unwin/Fairfax NZ.

A SLIP has closed the Manawatu Gorge to motorists for at least two weeks, reigniting debate about the security of Manawatu's main route to the east.

The slip itself is small, but the hill above it is too unstable for contractors to get in to clear it. Until the loose material is removed from the hill by abseilers State Highway 3 cannot be reopened.

Until it reopens, traffic will be forced to use alternative routes through the Saddle Road and the Pahiatua Track.

The Saddle Road is still undergoing construction as a result of an August 2011 slip that disrupted traffic for close to a year, and the Tararua District Council has advised caution.

Palmerston North mayor Grant Smith said the council needed to lobby the Government for more help to improve the resilience of the Manawatu Gorge.

“It's good that NZTA have improved the Saddle Road, but I still don't think that road will be able to cope with extra traffic for weeks on end.”

“It does seem like a Band-Aid on a weeping sore.”

The slip is about 2km into the Gorge from the Ashhurst end and about 700m east of the site of the 2011 slip.

An engineer assessed the hillside above the slip on Friday, NZTA spokesman Andrew Knackstedt said.

(http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo92/RasputinDude/News%20Story%20Pix%202015/20150411_1428711473304sr_zps8awcw41k.jpg) (http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/4/a/z/s/e/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.14azn6.png/1428711473303.jpg)
The slip itself is small, but the hill above it is too unstable for contractors to get in to clear it.
 — David Unwin/Fairfax NZ.

There was loose material on the cliff face that was in danger of falling onto the road.

As this was a hazard to traffic, and to anyone working to clear the slip, Thursday's slip would not be cleared until the loose material on the cliff was removed.

It would require airbags to be inserted into the hill and inflated by contractors who had abseiled down the hill from above.

NZTA regional performance manager Mark Owen said the area where the slip occurred was one of seven places that had been identified in a 2012 geological report as being a medium-high risk of rockfall.

Safety measures, including installing netting, on those areas were planned to be installed within the next financial year, at a cost of $1.7 million, as part of ongoing maintenance of the route.

Safety was their number one priority, he said.

Thursday's slip came down just 30 minutes after Palmerston North city council candidate Bruno Petrenas launched a campaign to have the Manawatu Gorge recognised as a Road of National Significance.

The former national president of the NZ Automobile Association said NZTA should upgrade the vital link to ensure slips were kept to a minimum.

Petrenas said the economic infrastructure of Palmerston North and Manawatu was badly affected when the biggest slip in New Zealand history closed the Gorge in 2011 and that should never happen again.

“Even in one of our best summers on record, the Gorge has been reduced to one lane in parts due to slips, which shows how vulnerable it can be for through traffic,” he said.

“Therefore the NZ Transport Agency must reinforce what's been done already so we don't have a repeat of what happened three years ago.”

Petrenas said the Saddle Road route should be classified as a State Highway, and he challenged local MPs to support the call.

“If the Government can upgrade 10 bridges in Northland at the cost of millions of dollars, then it can show the same level of regional commitment and care for Manawatu and Tararua,” Petrenas said.

Palmerston North City Council road planning team leader David Lane said the council was comfortable with NZTA's recognition of the gorge as a nationally significant route.

At 8,000 vehicles a day, it did not have the congestion problems that would warrant the Roads of National Significance classification.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/67697394/HERE-WE-GO-AGAIN-Slip-shuts-gorge-for-fortnight (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/67697394/HERE-WE-GO-AGAIN-Slip-shuts-gorge-for-fortnight)

"“If the Government can upgrade 10 bridges in Northland at the cost of millions of dollars, then it can show the same level of regional commitment and care for Manawatu and Tararua,” Petrenas said."

....I didn't even know there had been a by election down there😳.........😜

.....mmmm...maybe bring it to the attention of the MP for that electorate.....

...or give Winnie a call.....he (and Little) got 10 bridges in Northland just by turning up😜

from the Manawatu Standard....

Jobs on the line at Tui Brewery

Up to 24 of the 37 people employed at iconic
Mangatainoka Tui brewery could be impacted.

By JONO GALUSZKA | 1:39PM - Wednesday, 05 August 2015

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Tui Brewery in Tararua may be downsizing. Up to 24 jobs may be affected, and a smaller brewery
may be installed. — Photo: Mike Watkins/Fairfax NZ.

A BIG SHAKE-UP is on the cards for one of New Zealand's most iconic breweries, with the jobs of nearly two-thirds of the people employed at at Tui Brewery up for review.

Owner DB announced on Wednesday that they had entered into a consultation process which would see big changes take place at the Mangatainoka icon.

In a statement, a DB spokeswoman said a smaller capacity brewery would be installed and up to 24 jobs — both full-time and part-time — would be affected if the proposal went ahead.

The brewery currently employes 37 people.

The changes would “enhance the current Tui HQ experience,” and were aimed at generating tourism in the area.

“No final decisions have been made and DB is committed to the Mangatainoka community and to the wider region.”

Any changes to jobs would not take effect until May 2016.

The spokeswoman said DB was committed to the region, proved by a recent decision to get Fletcher Building to undertake earthquake strengthening on the Tui Tower.

The total new spending could total up to $5 million.

The brewery, opened by Henry Wagstaff in 1889, has long been a Tararua attraction.

The seven-storey tower was built in 1931, but the builders initially forgot to install a lift and stairs.

Tui has been owned by DB since 1969, and became well-known around New Zealand after the humorous “Yeah Right!” advertising campaign.

• Tui (http://www.tui.co.nz)

http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/70845660/jobs-on-the-line-at-tui-brewery (http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/70845660/jobs-on-the-line-at-tui-brewery)

I hear there are about 1000 kiwifruit jobs on offer, great when everything works out ;D

There are no Kiwifruit orchards in Tararua District.

So I guess you will be ecstatic that 24 additional Tararua folks will be claiming the dole.

Perhaps you could volunteer to pay a higher tax rate to cover the cost of those 24 additional lots of dole payments every week?

kj...."There are no Kiwifruit orchards in Tararua District."

...are there any roads from Tararua to Bay of Plenty ::)...I hear digs is on offer...

from the Wairarapa Times-Age....

Rugby: Eketahuna hosts stars

8:56AM - Wednesday, November 11, 2015

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Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, left, and Avan Lee, Hurricanes CEO, at the Eketahuna rugby grounds.

THE small township of Eketahuna will see two of Super Rugby's greatest foes — the Hurricanes and the Blues — do battle when it hosts a pre-season game for the second year running early next year.

After the outstanding success of this year's sold-out game between the Hurricanes and Crusaders, club president Dennis “Doc” Dougherty says he's grateful event organisers from Tui Brewery have placed faith in Eketahuna holding the game again. He and his clubmates are looking forward to putting on another memorable event for rugby fans.

“This year's game was a wonderful day out thanks largely to the positive response we received from the whole community who got in behind to support the day. There's no doubt we will have the same level of support next year,” he says.

Dougherty says having leading players from both Super Rugby franchises take to the Eketahuna field, particularly after the All Blacks success at the Rugby World Cup, can only benefit the game at a grass roots level.

“Giving our kids the opportunity to see these top guys playing in their own backyard is priceless and I am confident will help boost our club's player numbers and help motivate many young players to remain in the sport, including those who play at a premier level.”

Both franchises have announced their squads for 2016 with the Hurricanes looking to build on the success from 2015. Their coach Chris Boyd says he is excited about taking his squad to Eketahuna.

“It's an enjoyable occasion and will be a great chance for our full squad to come together for their first match of the year,” he said. “All of the players will be pushing hard to stake their claim for the season, so there will certainly be some fantastic Super Rugby on show for the locals.”

It will also be the first time Hurricanes new chief executive officer Avan Lee has been sideline at the Tui Brewery-organised pre-season game. He is looking forward to observing what has become a unique grassroots experience for fans and for the players.

“Grassroots rugby in New Zealand is vital to the success of professional rugby, so it's pleasing to be able to give something back,” he said. “I've heard a lot of good things about this event and can't wait to be a part of it for the first time.”

The Blues squad is built strongly around six senior players with All Blacks experience, captain Jerome Kaino, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua, Patrick Tuipulotu, James Parsons and George Moala while several players are also 21 or under.

Of particular note for Hurricanes fans will be former captain Tana Umaga having one of his first outings as Blues head coach.

Nick Rogers, commercial manager for DB, says February's game will continue a grand tradition of bringing the big game to the small town. Rogers and his team have previously organised five sold-out pre-season games involving the Hurricanes franchise — three of which have been played at Mangatainoka, next to Tui Brewery, the 2014 game at Memorial Park in Masterton and this year's game at Eketahuna.

“Tui has always championed bringing the big game of Super Rugby back to provincial New Zealand and we are stoked that Eketahuna can host it again in 2016 following the amazing success of this year's event which was a sell-out and involved the entire community,” Rogers said.

• Tickets for the Super Rugby pre-season game go on sale on today (Wednesday), and are available through PGG Wrightson Stores
  and at Tui HQ, SH2, Mangatainoka. Prices are $40 for general admission and $130 per person for corporate tickets.

• Also available ONLINE (http://www.tui.co.nz/competitions-and-events/super-rugby) from Tui Brewery.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503412&objectid=11543730 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wairarapa-times-age/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503412&objectid=11543730)

from the Manawatu Standard....

Thirteen alternative routes to the Manawatū Gorge discussed

By MIRI SCHROETER | 7:51PM - Monday, 25 September 2017

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The 13 alternative route options are available for public viewing and comment on
the NZTA website. — Map: NZ Transport Agency.

THIRTEEN ALTERNATIVE ROUTES to the Manawatū Gorge have been laid out for the public to discuss.

The NZ Transport Agency put forward the options for an alternative road to State Highway 3 through the gorge at a meeting at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre on Monday.

The gorge has been closed since April after several slips crashed down and blocked the road.

The agency then announced in July the gorge would be closed indefinitely over fears more material would fall, prompting increased pressure from the public to get a new route sorted as soon as possible.

Now, the agency is giving the public a say by laying out possible routes online.

All of the alternative options can be seen on an online map (https://nztransportagency.mysocialpinpoint.com/manawatu-gorge-bypass-options#) and digital pins can be placed to leave comments on different parts of the potential routes.

(https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg) (https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/k/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg)
The NZ Transport Agency has released 13 options for permanent alternative routes to
State Highway 3 through the Manawatū Gorge, which has been closed since April 24th.
 — Photo: David Unwin/Fairfax NZ.

Options include building a stronger route through the gorge through to building a tunnel. The options range from 6km to 19km in length.

Agency regional transport systems manager Ross I'Anson said it was an important step toward finding the best performing option for an alternative route between Manawatū and Hawke's Bay.

“We know how keen people have been to see these options, and we've worked hard with our local partners to get to this point as quickly as possible.”

“Receiving feedback from local people and from stakeholders is a vital part of the ongoing process to find a solution for this route.”

I'Anson initially tried to shut down questions from the 150-strong crowd, asking instead people approach staff one on one after his presentation.

He was forced to backtrack in the face of outcry from the crowd, who wanted public question and answer time.

(https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/g/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg) (https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/g/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg)
NZ Transport Agency regional transport systems manager Ross I'Anson.
 — Photo: David Unwin/Fairfax NZ.

Questions then flowed about the likely completion date of the alternative route and when people would be approached about land sales.

I'Anson said there was no definite completion date yet as the route had not been decided, but said the aim was to have it completed within three to four years.

Ashhurst resident Linda Shannon was concerned she would have to sell land to the Government if one of the four alternative options that ran through her section was chosen.

She lives on State Highway 3 and said she wanted an indication of when she was likely to have to give up the land.

I'Anson said it was unclear at this stage.

A shortlist would be made once feedback was received, which would be presented to the public in October, he said.

(https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg) (https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/l/v/x/i/f/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1lvxoe.png/1506322266852.jpg)
The Manawatū Gorge was closed indefinitely in June. — Photo: David Unwin/Fairfax NZ.

The agency plans to have an alternative route chosen by December.

The Saddle Road and Pahiatua Track are the current alternative routes to the gorge, but they are windy, narrow and take longer to traverse than the Manawatū Gorge did.

GHD Advisory has been contracted to develop a detailed business case for an alternative route to the Manawatū Gorge.

The contractor is helping evaluate the costs, benefits and viability of various options.

Another meeting will be held at Woodville Sports Stadium, 6pm on Tuesday.

Open days, on October 11th and 12th at the Palmerston North Conference and Function Centre and the Woodville Sports Stadium, will also give people a chance to provide feedback on the options.


Related to this topic:

 • Motorists glad damaging potholes gone from gorge alternative route (https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/96948485)

 • Contractor announced to help find alternative route to Manawatu Gorge (https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/96398263)

 • Manawatu candidates front up with Manawatu Gorge plans (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/96287936)

 • Difficult to please everyone with Ashhurst bypass options (https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/96215381)

 • Mayors back contractors' plan to reopen Manawatu Gorge in two years (https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/96151509)

https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/97228094 (https://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/97228094)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjF07S1BUYg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjF07S1BUYg)