Water, trains, and trees top wish list

Wairarapa needs better trains, lots of water storage, improved work skills and more trees if it’s going to realise its path to prosperity, according to a farreaching report.

The Wairarapa Economic Development Strategy and Action Plan was launched at Masterton’s Hood Aerodrome last night.

Though it included no specific pitches for money from the Government’s Provincial Growth Fund, it set the groundwork for the region to secure some.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones was at the launch and said that the strategy was ‘‘a good first step’’.

‘‘We’ve been waiting for a bit of leadership and this document really lays that out,’’ he said.

Created by the region’s three councils, the strategy targeted three key industries to help lift the prosperity of the region overall; value-added food and beverage, knowledge intensive sectors and tourism.

Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott, of the National Party, was impressed with some of the challenges laid out in the strategy, particularly for water storage.

‘‘They’ve [councils] paid for it and now they have got to put their money where their mouth is and do what the document suggests they do.’’

For transport, the report talked about increasing commuter capacity, getting better locomotives on the rail service to Wellington, and re-establishing a passenger air link into Masterton.

For tourism, the strategy suggested a focus on enticing week-day visitors, promoting a Five Town Cycle Trail and pushing food and beverage tourism. The young woman who died in a crash near Gisborne on the weekend is being remembered as vivacious, selfless, loving and humble.

Erica Jones, 26, of Gisborne, was the sole occupant of her car. She died after her vehicle and a logging truck collided on State Highway 35 near Gisborne, just before 8.30am on November 10.

Police are continuing to investigate the crash, with Detective Brent Griffiths saying police and Victim Support were continuing to support her wha¯ nau.

A death notice in the Gisborne Herald said Jones was pregnant at the time of her death.

Family spokesman Matai Rangi Smith said Jones hailed from the humble settlement of Manutuke, about 13 kilometres south of Gisborne.

‘‘She came from a hardworking wha¯ nau and so her work ethic stems from that. She always gave any kaupapa she was involved in her everything to ensure everything ran smoothly and would always go that extra mile too,’’ Smith said.

‘‘Then there was Erica the performer. She had the ability to lead a haka wahine [women’s haka] with passion and vigour as well as lead action song or poi with her strong dulcet tones, leaving everyone mesmerised and spellbound. We are all still reeling at the loss of our Manutuke songbird which has now been silenced forever more.’’

Taira¯ whiti Museum director Eloise Wallace said the Taira¯whiti community was still in ‘‘absolute shock’’.

‘‘We’ve worked with Erica on different projects, not as a member of staff but she’s been one of

‘‘. . . she was a hard worker, enormously professional, compassionate . Eloise Wallace

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