On Wednesday 27th August, Waikato District Council will be closing Wainui Rd bridge overnight to install a new high voltage power cable duct.
The bridge will need to be closed between 9pm and 5am, but there will be staged openings to let traffic through for a few minutes every hour on the hour during this time.
If needed, emergency services will be allowed through at any time, although you should be aware that it will take a few minutes to clear equipment off the bridge.
In local sport the Whaingaroa Whai Wahine team had a close match in the Waikato Rugby League Championship final but were beaten 18-22 on Sunday in Huntly. This is the Wahine’s second final in the space of 2 years.
News in from the Va’a World Championship event in Brazil over the weekend; there’s been a string of podium finishes for Aotearoa New Zealand with Kaitawhiti Kereopa’s J19 Tane team bringing home a bronze medal.
After 1 hour, 50 minutes of racing Kai’s team were only 5 seconds behind the winners Brazil with Tahiti (picking up the silver) a mere 2 seconds behind.
After the medal ceremony Brazil also challenged Kai’s team to a game of soccer on the beach but we don’t have any results for that.
- Brazil – 1:50:15.1
- Tahiti – 1:52:58.8 (+2:43.7)
- New Zealand – 1:56:02.7 (+5:47.6)
- Canada – 2:01:46.3 (+11:32.2)
- USA – 2:01:50.4 (+11:35.3)
- Chile – 2:12:11.2 (+21:56.1)
Seabed miner Trans-Tasman Resources is insisting its Fast-track bid is watertight – despite the panel chair calling the company’s approach “cynical” and unhelpful.
Convener Jennifer Caldwell says TTR has dragged its feet by refusing to provide requested information, meaning no decision can be made until March.
The Australian company wants to dredge 50 million tonnes of seabed off Pātea every year for 20 years, dumping most of the sediment back into the ocean.
Iwi leaders say the project disrespects tikanga, threatens the moana, and shows disdain for tangata whenua. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer says it proves TTR cannot be trusted.
Despite TTR claiming opponents are “emotional” and “without evidence,” critics point to years of successful court challenges, Supreme Court rulings, and ongoing environmental concerns.