Message from Sandra Hazlehurst to stay safe
Wear a mask during while buying groceries, exercising or receiving healthcare, and practice social distancing.
These are just few of many messages conveyed by the Hastings District Council after New Zealand suddenly plunged into Alert Level 4 at 11.59pm on Tuesday night.
The council’s essential services were still operating during lock-down, but other restrictions and closures were in place in line with Ministry of Health guidelines.
Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said council was well-prepared for any shift in alert levels, and ready to respond to keep people safe.
“Although it’s disappointing to be back in this situation again, all of our teams are working hard to keep essential services operating and help our community get through this,” she said.
All council facilities were shut, including public toilets, public drinking water fountains and chlorine-removed taps.
Kerbside waste collections were still running as normal, but the transfer stations and rural recycling stations were closed, except for essential workers.
All playgrounds were closed, but parks and reserves remained open for people to walk and exercise in, but they were asked to follow the advice to wear masks, stay two metres apart, remain at home if they feel unwell, and not take part in any activities that could result in injury requiring emergency help.
Council’s Lyndon Road customer service centre was closed to the public, but the team will be responding to enquiries.
The Animal Control Centre was also closed to the public and officers, only responding to call-outs where there was a “threat to public safety or livestock”.
“The best thing we can all do right now is stick to the health advice which is keeping us safe.
“Once again, we need to look out for each other, be kind and keep to the government guidelines to stay safe and do what we can together so we can get back to normal as soon as possible,” Hazlehurst said.
The Hawke’s Bay Regional Council said the GoBay bus services had moved to a Saturday timetable, with the addition of the regular routes.
Council said GoBay services would be available for essential service workers, and for communities to access supermarkets, pharmacies and health facilities in accordance with Government directions.
Face coverings were mandatory on all public transport services, with council asking travellers to bring their own mask and put it on before boarding.
Fares would remain in place across the region, but cash handling will be removed.
*For any further information please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions on the council website www.hastingsdc.govt.nz... or call customer service on 871 5000.
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Facebook Marketplace Scams
Police are urging members of the public to be aware of Facebook Marketplace scams, in particular tiny home, shipping container and portable cabin home scams targeting Hawke’s Bay and the Eastern Police District.
Multiple people have seen the different listings and either paid deposits or the full price into various bank accounts.
Once the victim transfers money, the scammer deletes the listing, all the messages and blocks them.
In one case a victim has lost $10,000, with further victims losing in the thousands.
In many of these cases the offenders are based overseas and our ability to recover the funds transferred is limited.
“We are urging members of the community to think twice before transferring money for items on Facebook and other social media platforms.” says Senior Constable Gillon.
Anyone who has been affected by this scam is encouraged to contact Police online or via 105.
Senior Constable Gillon says if you decide to purchase off social media, we encourage you to take precautions to protect yourself.
𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
💸 Insist on meeting to conduct transactions and examine the item before completing the transaction.
💸 Meet in a public place and take a friend. DO NOT go into someone’s house or allow them into yours.
💸 DO NOT deposit money into another person’s account before you have received the item.
💸 Learning more about the person you are buying from or selling to.
💸 You can tap on a person's profile on the product listing page to see if you have any friends in common, their marketplace activity, and any ratings they may have received.
💸 Ensure friends and family, especially anyone vulnerable, understand what to do to protect themselves.
💸 Be the person to provide that ongoing support and advice.
💸 Trust your instincts – if it’s too good to be true or sounds like a scam, it probably is.
If you believe you are or have been a victim of fraud, contact Police at www.police.govt.nz..., or call Police on 105 and report the matter. If you have handed over your bank details, contact your bank and immediately suspend your account.
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