Over 7 tonnes of South Taranaki’s electronic waste has been diverted from landfill in the last (2019/20) financial year, about the same weight as an adult African Elephant or Tyrannosaurus rex, says South Taranaki District Council (STDC) Environment and Sustainability Manager, Rebecca Martin. “STDC set up an E-Waste (Electronic Waste) Recycling Subsidy in early 2019 in an effort... Continue Reading →
Guns, meth and cash seized in Waverley
Police executed a search warrant at an address in Waverley yesterday morning with the assistance of Armed Offenders Squad staff. As a result of the warrant two firearms, ammunition, methamphetamine, cash and a large number of cannabis plants were located. A 36-year-old man was arrested and charged with unlawfully possess firearm, unlawfully possess ammunition, possess methamphetamine, possess... Continue Reading →
Lightning strike damage prompts urgent Hawera power shutdown
Power has now been restored to 122 customers in central Hawera following an urgent power shutdown early this afternoon. The outage, which began at 1pm and lasted about two hours, was required at short notice following the lightning strike yesterday morning on Powerco’s electricity network. Powerco Network Operations manager Karen Frew said the outage allowed... Continue Reading →
Conservation Board Welcomes Seabed Mining Case Victory
The Taranaki-Whanganui Conservation Board (TWCB) has welcomed its latest victory in a long-running court battle to prevent seabed mining off the Taranaki coast. The TWCB has been working with iwi, seafood and other environmental organisations to prevent Trans Tasman Resources from mining 66 square kilometres of South Taranaki Bight seabed for iron ore. In a... Continue Reading →
Big Jump in use of eBooks and eAudio in South Taranaki
Just one week after closing their doors due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the South Taranaki District Council (STDC) LibraryPlus have seen a 26% increase in the use of eBooks and eAudio. STDC Libraries and Cultural Services Manager Cath Sheard says, “I’ve always known we’re a district of readers and this confirms that nothing gets between... Continue Reading →
“Cash, vehicle restrained by Asset Recovery Unit in New Plymouth”
A Police Asset Recovery Unit investigation into the proceeds from illicit drugs in the Taranaki area has resulted in the restraint of property last week worth about $90,000. In September 2019, Police working on an operation targeting the sale and supply of methamphetamine executed search warrants at four properties in Taranaki. Around 94g of methamphetamine,... Continue Reading →
South Taranaki District Council cans programs, but all facilities remain open
Following Thursday night’s government announcement, and in line with a regional approach, from Monday 23 March, the South Taranaki District Council will be cancelling all Council run programmes at TSB Hub, Hawera Aquatic Centre and LibraryPlus Centres (e.g. swimming programmes, school holiday programmes, library programmes, TSB Hub indoor sports programmes etc) In a social media... Continue Reading →
Ammonia spill leaks into nearby rivers, killing large number of fish
Following questions by South Taranaki Digest, Media spokesperson for Silver Fern Farms has released the following statement. We believe the ammonia entered the stream during the emergency and fish have died. We are deeply disappointed this has happened given our commitment to our environment and the stream restoration work we had carried out on the... Continue Reading →
Chemical spill in Hawera, Residents advised to stay in closed doors
Police are currently assisting Fire and Emergency New Zealand at a chemical spill on Tawhiti Road, Hawera. Police were called around 4.20pm. Cordons are in place extending to around 1km from the site of the spill. Members of the public in the vicinity are advised to stay indoors and close their windows. They should also... Continue Reading →
Driver flees from police after failing to stop in Hawera
A Police media spokesperson has confirmed that after attempting to stop a vehicle last night on A'court Street in Hawera at around midnight, the occupant fled, leading to further enquires being made today. Multiple units were seen chasing the sedan north on South Road in Hawera before it turned on to Kauri Crescent at high... Continue Reading →