News in brief

Hira Hop donation for hospice

Members of the Nelson North Country Club presented $500 to Nelson Tasman Hospice earlier this month from proceeds of the Hira Hop in January. The Hira Hop was the brainchild of country club’s former bar manager Deidre Prattley, who lost her life last year after a battle with cancer. Mark Anderson (Hank), her partner of 14 years, was at hospice last week with committee member Kevin Bannan to present the proceeds. Hank and Kevin arrived at hospice in Diedre’s 1956 Chevrolet bel air with her photo proudly displayed on the dashboard. A hospice spokesperson says with a funding shortfall of over $3.5m this year, donations like this are the reason they can provide care and support free of charge for the rapidly growing number of patients, families and whānau who need it.  

Wet wipes cause sewage overflow

A blockage in a sewer pipe in Oxford St near Washbourn Gardens in Richmond led to untreated sewage flowing into the stormwater system on Monday. The blockage was caused by someone flushing wet wipes down a toilet. The stormwater system flows into the Waimea Estuary at Beach Rd, which means as a precaution, shellfish should not be collected from the estuary for the next 28 days and people should also avoid contact with the water in the area. Warning signs are in place and water testing will be undertaken.

Nelson sold winning Lotto tickets

A duo of second division Lotto ticket buyers from two Nelson stores are more than $23,000 richer following last Saturday night’s live Lotto draw. The winning tickets were sold at Whitcoulls Nelson and New World Nelson City. Lotto New Zealand says anyone who purchased their ticket from these stores should check their ticket in-store in a jiffy, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto app. They were two of 13 winners to share in more than $300k.

School holiday show at Memorial Hall

A much-loved tale for Kiwi kids is making an appearance at the Motueka Memorial Hall in the school holidays, on 16 April at 2.30pm. ‘Land of the Long, Long Drive’ features iconic New Zealand creatures and landscapes, and fresh waiata by New Zealand singer-songwriter Benny Tipene. The show jumps into life with beautiful costumes from Gridley by Victoria, Costumier for the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Tickets ($25 for adults, $5 for children 5+) can be purchased from Motueka Floral Studio (cash only) or at the hall on the afternoon of the show (eftpos available).