YEAR IN REVIEW
Contaminated water, a ban on gym posers and tighter rules for gravesite memorials left a sour taste in September.
At the start of the month, schoolboy rugby made headlines for all the wrong reasons when a match devolved into an all-out brawl between players and spectators.
Police were called in to investigate after reports up to 50 people were involved in the altercation, which was sparked by a tackle, at an under-15s match between Feilding High School and Levin’s Waiopehu College.
A boy who had been watching the game, who was the son of a staff member, suffered a broken leg in the ruckus. An eyewitness told the Manawatu Standard punches were thrown between players after the boy was injured, with spectators running in from the sidelines.
In the wake of Havelock North’s water contamination, a Tararua town had its own water suppy woes.
Pahiatua’s water tested positive for E coli, leading to a boil-water notice that remained in place for a week, vexing residents and business owners.
Charlie’s Bakery and Cafe owner Ange King-morrell said it was frustrating watching each day pass because money was going down the drain.
She said the Tararua District Council had acted promptly and communicated well with residents and businesses owners over the matter, but water quality was to become a hot topic in the district during the local body elections.
Meanwhile, the region’s environmental blue print, the much maligned One Plan, was being taken back to the Environment Court.
Fish and Game, and the Environmental Defence Society, took legal action against Horizons Regional Council for its alleged failure to enforce the plan, particularly when dealing with resource consent applications for intensive farming and dairy conversions.
Horizons chairman Bruce Gordon said everyone affected by the One Plan would have to put plans on hold until they could be sure what the outcome of the proceedings would be.
‘‘Dairy farmers, in particular, are under severe pressure and the extra uncertainty going forward is going to be devastating.’’
A multi-million dollar rehabilitation facility for injured wildlife edged closer to reality after a $2 million funding boost.
The Wildbase Recovery project was granted the sum from the Central Energy Trust. The 2900 squaremetre complex will be used to care for birds and other wildlife recovering after treatment at Massey University’s Wildbase Hospital.
The year-long construction project is expected to begin early this year.
Also in the works were bold plans to rejuvenate Airport Drive as a key visitor entrance to Palmerston North.
Palmerston North Airport launched plans for Ruapehu Business Park, including a small shopping centre, hostel and motel accommodation, and a range of other businesses associated with airport activities or likely to benefit from the location.
Palmerston North bodybuilders were left perplexed about flexing when a popular gym banned posing.
The hard-line stance of Cityfitness left Charmaine Johnson and friend Nathalie Van Weers stunned, but the gym defended the ban, saying the practice made other users uncomfortable.
The nationwide ban came after one bodybuilder was seen posing in his undies. Cityfitness had already banned selfies and grunting. Grieving families were horrified a rule change could jeopardise their gravesite memorials, which helped them cope with the death of loved ones.
Palmerston North City Council officials had received a dozen complaints over ‘‘funny colours’’, decorations and glitter adorning graves at Kelvin Grove Cemetery, prompting a move to fast-track a review of the length of time graves can be adorned with such items.
The call outraged Palmerston North man Paora Te Oka, whose stillborn son is buried at the cemetery. His family often spent time at the cemetery, particularly on birthdays and at Christmas, when they took presents and decorations.
Manawatu SANDS support coordinator Gaylene Vivian said the bylaw was ‘‘insensitive’’ to families who had lost a child and wanted to decorate their graves.
Despite the backlash, mayor Grant Smith said he was standing by the call for tighter regulations. The rules were too loose and were causing problems, he said.