Breakfast briefing Applications open Shark spotted Blaze battled Wrappers wanted

Local Hero finalists

Kiwibank has named its Bay of Plenty finalists in the running for the 2021 Kiwibank New Zealand Local Hero of the Year award— Te Pou

Toko o te Tau. They are Adam Mclean, Chrissi Clement, Courtney Mclaughlan Bignell, Hazel Hape, Liam Benfell, Luke Grey, Marlena Martin, Robert Tuahuru Edwards, and Spady Te Pou. The Local Hero Medallists are now in the running for the national awards.

Applications for the new quick turnaround grants for local arts activities are now open. The mini grants, run by Creative Bay of Plenty and TECT, are designed to help support ideas, celebrations and events that deliver a new arts, culture, or heritage benefit to the community. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, are capped at $2000, and decisions will be made within a fortnight of submission.

Slip lane now open

The Te Ngae Rd slip lane into Sala St is now open for use ahead of schedule. The new Sala St slip lane has been sealed and is also open. Both slips lanes will be temporarily closed outside of peak hours to allow minor completion works. Heavy vehicles will need to a detour via Te Ngae Rd and Fenton St during the closures.

Roundabout in place

A temporary roundabout remains in place at the State Highway 30 and Tarawera Rd intersection while contractors continue working in the area. A 30km/h temporary speed limit remains in place.

A real estate photographer got more than he bargained for when his drone spotted a large shark near the shores of Pukehina Beach in the Eastern Bay of Plenty this week. Ruan Visser from Boundless Vision captured the photo which can be seen on the Rotoruadailypost website.

Fire crews were called to battle a blaze in Whakata¯ne overnight on Wednesday. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said they were notified of a house fire at a vacant house on Hotene St at 11.30pm. Two crews were sent to the scene and extinguished the fire.

Hospice Rotorua is looking for volunteers for fundraisers this month including people to man barbecues and gift wrappers at amitre10 Christmas event on Wednesday, gift wrappers for two hour shifts at Farmers on December 19 to 24 and for two-hour shifts at Trees of Remembrance from December 19 to 22. Email volunteers@rotoruahospice. co.nz.

Car seat clinic

The last Car Seat Clinic for the year is being held tomorrow from 10am in the Fenton St Countdown carpark.