Stories by Matthew Rosenberg
News
'Demoralising, heartbreaking': Gisborne nurse describes difficult working conditions
Staff are putting their own wellbeing on the backburner to cope with demand.
Gisborne council proposes beach dog ban to protect at-risk penguins
A popular Tairāwhiti beach will no longer be accessible to dog walkers as the district council looks to protect nesting kororā.
An awa in trouble: Gisborne’s Waimatā River ‘not a quick fix’
A popular Gisborne river that becomes a "liquid slurry of mud" in bad weather is increasingly unusable for recreationalists and wildlife alike, waka ama groups say.
Group raising $800k to maintain KiwiRail line for historic train
A Gisborne train group needs to raise the money for repairs to a KiwiRail line so its fabled steam locomotive can continue its usual route.
Gisborne surf club at 'panic stations' over woody debris
The clearance of woody debris from popular Tairāwhiti beaches will continue this summer following a district council meeting on Thursday afternoon.
Mystery surrounds how long rail bridge was unsafe
A Gisborne rail bridge cannot be used by the city's iconic vintage steam train, but for how long it has been unsafe remains a mystery.
Elusive owner of abandoned boat San Rosa did time for drug offence
The owner of an abandoned boat who has successfully evaded police for the past six months previously spent time in prison for cultivating cannabis to sell.
Kiwifruit rating saga continues: Growers off to Court of Appeal
Golden kiwifruit growers have been granted the right to appeal a High Court decision that will increase their rates for growing the product in Tairāwhiti.
Gisborne mayor supports four-year terms, increased pay
Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz has shown early support for a number of proposed reforms that aim to shake up how local government is done in New Zealand.
Abandoned San Rosa shipwreck finally removed from East Coast beach
An abandoned boat that proved a thorn in the side of both Gisborne District Council and the police has finally been removed from a remote East Coast beach - six months after it washed ashore.
Gisborne falling behind in water fluoridation
Gisborne's water is some of the least adequately fluoridated in the country, recent research has uncovered.
Gisborne bus drivers among country's lowest paid bus drivers: Campaign to lift bus driver rates
Gisborne bus drivers are some of the lowest paid in the country according to a union pushing for pay equity across the industry.
Gisborne council criticised for interaction with homeless man caught on camera
Gisborne District Council is being criticised for its handling of a homeless community member after a video circulated on social media showing an employee in an altercation with the man.
Former pig mask-wearing cop makes council, breaches campaign rules
A former police officer who wore a pig mask while on duty has made it on to Gisborne District Council after waiting nearly a week for confirmation.
'There'll be a lot of upset people': Land closed at popular Gisborne surf spot
A section of foreshore next to a popular Gisborne beach will be closed indefinitely to vehicles after four-wheel drivers "desecrated" it.
Stoltz re-elected Gisborne mayor in dominant victory
Rehette Stoltz has secured a second term as mayor of Gisborne with an emphatic win, more than 4000 votes clear of her nearest rival.
Wairoa Mayor Craig Little pleased to win ‘horrible’ campaign
Craig Little has secured a fourth term as mayor of Wairoa with a resounding victory, clocking up twice as many votes as the second place candidate.
Tairāwhiti mayoral candidates endorse Māori wards
Mayoral candidates in Gisborne and Wairoa have shown overwhelming support for Māori wards, but there are differences in opinion on other key election topics.
Gisborne council candidate wore pig mask while on duty as police officer
A Gisborne council candidate basing part of his campaign on the fact he was a police officer underwent disciplinary action for wearing a pig mask while on duty.
New Zealand climber shares story of horror 80ft Yosemite fall
A Kiwi student who broke nearly every bone in her body after a nightmare rock climbing fall in California last month has made it home to New Zealand.
What happened to City Watch? Leaked report reveals Gisborne group's demise
Accusations of foul language, intimidating behaviour and conspiring to record a conversation spelt the end of a council-run group designed to be the eyes and ears of the city, a leaked report shows.
'Archaic' rule disadvantages election hopefuls: Gisborne councillor
An incumbent district councillor in Gisborne believes election rules disadvantage newcomers from securing a seat at the table.
Wairoa mayoral candidate questions council's handling of electoral process
A Wairoa mayoral candidate engaged in an employment dispute with the district council he once worked for has again found himself in a difficult spot, this time over election hoardings.
'I own it man': Council candidates stand by controversial posts
A Gisborne mayoral candidate is standing by a controversial picture on social media which shows him standing in a hazmat suit with a swastika on the front.
'Democracy is alive': Candidate events kick off in Tairāwhiti
Tairāwhiti got its first taste of the options for this year's local body elections last night as nominees took the opportunity to introduce themselves at a "meet the candidates" event.