NOTICEBOARD / EVENTS DIARY

After a tense couple of months, Targa organizer Peter Martin is as relieved as anyone to see New Zealand has weathered the Covid-19 pandemic in better shape than most countries. It means the Targa Hawke’s Bay event, due to start on Saturday 4 July, can go ahead with minimal changes under Level 1 conditions.

It will certainly be easier to manage as originally envisaged, without some of the additional measures that would have been required under higher alert levels. But preparation for those contingencies had to be planned for and involved a lot of work.

“Special thanks has to be given to the regional councils, which have all worked together with us to provide the necessary changes required to hold the event,” Peter says.

“From what would seem to be a simple date change, the protocols in place meant that we needed to adjust the pre-event lead-in process, including the resident consultation and community liaison, social distancing documentation and tracing, through to drivers’ briefings and prize-giving functions. These matters have consumed our time during the lockdown period.”

He says the local community is certainly looking forward to hosting this event and the visitors it brings to the region. Peter says preparations continue in the lead-up but roads are ready for a wonderful event.

“We again wish to thank all the volunteers who assist with the event and our event partners for sticking with us through tough times.”

Entry numbers are down a little but that was to be expected due to the uncertainty caused by the lockdown and its flow-on effects.

“However, we are ready to keep the Targa spirit strong and are committed to supporting regional communities throughout Hawke’s Bay,” Peter says.

The organizers and competitors will surely be keen to see spectators out on the stages and at the service areas. We have included maps here to help make that possible and more information about the event is available on the Targa New Zealand website.