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NZ Herald
10-08-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Trailblazing shearer Margaret Gould died from burns, Coroner warns of risks to elderly living alone
He said her death in the early hours of the following day, on December 11 last year, was the result of a tragic accident, and a stark reminder of the heightened risk facing the elderly, especially those who lived alone. Fire and Emergency New Zealand data showed that around 55% of fire deaths in New Zealand over the past five years were of people aged 65 or over, and many of those people were living alone. Tenant raced to her aid Gould lived in the rear residence of a property she owned in the Marlborough township of Renwick, near Blenheim. The property had another home in front, which she rented out. It was the afternoon of December 10 last year when her tenant's young son heard a 'beeping sound' coming from Gould's house. The home had smoke alarms in the hallway and lounge which were activated at the time of the fire, an investigation found. The tenant ran over and saw black smoke coming from Gould's kitchen. She went inside and found her slumped over the coal range with her body and clothing on fire. The opinion of a fire investigator was that while Gould had been cooking and stoking the fire, she either received radiant heat long enough that her clothing ignited, or her clothes had come into contact with the open flame from the fire. Specialist investigator Scott Randall said it was also possible that Gould's clothing had been set alight by an ember falling from the range. The neighbour had noticed a log sticking out of the firebox, which was open. She extinguished the fire, doused Gould in water, and waited until an ambulance arrived. Emergency medical help was given at the scene before Gould was flown to Hutt Hospital, where she died from severe burns to much of her body in the early hours of the following day. Pathologist Mark Tullett identified 46% full-thickness burns to her entire body which were 'extremely severe and life threatening'. Family member 'concerned' Coroner Wilton said Gould had visited her doctor four months before her death for a sprain injury to her arm and shoulder from lifting a heavy pot of water. The pain was limiting her function, and she was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon. The GP practice also advised that a family member had called concerned about Gould's welfare. Home help was discussed, but she voiced her concerns about that. 'Ms Gould was independent and did not like people in her home,' Coroner Wilton said. He made no recommendations, but endorsed a list of fire safety messages and advice aimed at raising fire safety awareness in the homes of all New Zealanders, and particularly older New Zealanders. Fire and Emergency NZ encouraged family members and others who visited older people's homes to check for general fire safety. Fire safety checks should include making a workable escape plan, checking for fire risks associated with cooking and heating and checking for working smoke alarms. Fire and Emergency NZ also offered to undertake free home fire safety visits to those who required it. Coroner Wilton 'strongly encouraged' all New Zealanders, and particularly those older, to make use of the 'free and excellent' fire prevention service. 'Celebrity shearer' well known in Marlborough Gould, a former 'celebrity shearer', was born Margaret Hebberd on December 29, 1930, and died weeks short of her 94th birthday. She was remembered in death notices with love, laughter and for the stories and wisdom she shared. Marlborough freelance journalist Jo Grigg, whose profile on Gould featured in rural online magazine CountryWide not long before her death, described her as possibly one of the first female blade shearers in New Zealand. Margaret Gould (nee Hebberd) (left), and her sister Jean Hebberd shearing at Sydney Airport 1962. Photo / Jo Grigg CountryWide Media Grigg wrote that Gould was one of nine siblings raised on the family farm at Onahau Bay in Marlborough's Queen Charlotte Sound. When her father, Joseph Hebbard, died in 1942, Margaret was 13. She and her brothers and sisters had no choice but to shear the flock themselves. 'It was the war and there were no shearers around.' She could blade-shear up to 102 sheep a day, Grigg wrote. Her sisters, Jean and Gwen, also became competent blade shearers. Grigg wrote that Margaret and Jean, who became well known in Marlborough, went on to compete at the Golden Shears (blade class) at the inaugural competition in 1961, and were invited to shear at events in Australia, making them perhaps the first female 'celebrity shearers'. Once, they were asked by the David Jones department store to do a shearing demonstration on a stage at the top of the Sydney store, where the sheep were sent up in the lift, Grigg wrote. The sisters were also asked to shear sheep on floats at gala days and at garden parties. Margaret Hebberd, as she was then, scored her first paid job shearing on a farm near Ward, South Marlborough, the day she turned 15. She married in 1971 and, in the 1980s, moved to Renwick. Tracy Neal is a Nelson-based Open Justice reporter at NZME. She was previously RNZ's regional reporter in Nelson-Marlborough and has covered general news, including court and local government for the Nelson Mail.
NZ Herald
08-08-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Mount Maunganui house fire: Community rallies after Arataki family lose home
'The house was well ablaze on arrival, and the fire was extinguished just after 10.30pm. A specialist fire investigator attended. The fire started in the garage, then spread to the house.' The spokesperson said the cause was electrical. Whānau, the Arataki Primary school community and others have rallied to support the family. A whānau member started a Givealittle page, with almost $6500 raised by Friday morning. Hiini said the children attended the school, and the youngest had a 'very rare' neurological disorder called Angelman Syndrome. It causes delayed development, problems with speech and balance, and sometimes, seizures. Belongings destroyed included specialised items essential for the youngest child's daily comfort and wellbeing, including supportive seating, feeding equipment and sensory aids, she said. Hiini said the parents met with her on Tuesday and were struggling to come to terms with their 'devastating loss'. 'They're still in shock and trying to process what has happened. They had no contents insurance.' The children's mother said she and her partner were 'exhausted and hadn't slept' since the blaze. Hiini said the father had described to her how the tragedy unfolded. He was watching TV alone and heard a 'loud popping noise' and discovered there was fire in the garage. He rushed to wake his partner and the children and got them safely out of the house. The father then grabbed a fire extinguisher but the fire was 'too fierce'. 'He then ran outside to get a hose, but the fire quickly spread to the house and soon engulfed it.' The mother called 111. A relative came and picked up the children, who were only wearing their pyjamas, and the shocked couple 'watched helplessly' as their home and belongings went up in flames. Hiini said the family were staying with a whānau member and a family friend, but on Thursday, they received an offer of a new rental property. The family expected to pick up the keys over the weekend, she said. 'It's heartbreaking that one of our whānau has suffered such a devastating loss. Our wonderful Arataki community and others have rallied to provide incredible support to help them get back on their feet.' Hiini said the school hall was a drop-off point for donations of good-quality items on Monday and Tuesday next week. Hiini said she would ensure the whanau received items in good condition. Donations had met their immediate clothing needs. She said cash donations would help the family buy some bigger items such as beds, bedroom, dining and lounge furniture, and kitchen appliances such as a fridge/freezer. The family had hired a storage shed for larger donated items until they could be moved to their new rental, Hiini said. 'Thank you to all those who have supported this whānau, who need lots of support. Our community is amazing.' Fire safety advice A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said a fire could be 'unsurvivable within just three minutes'. 'That's why it's so important to get early warning of fire from your smoke alarms. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in all bedrooms, hallways, and living areas – including caravans and in sleepouts.' The spokesperson said when smoke alarms go off, 'get out and stay out'. 'Make sure your family has a three-step escape plan, which includes working smoke alarms, knowing the best and alternative ways out and having a safe meeting place. Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.
NZ Herald
30-07-2025
- Climate
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty firefighters join battle against Manitoba wildfires
There are also two local forestry firefighters, one each from Timberlands Limited and the Forest Protection Service, and the two specialist fire team members. Fire and Emergency New Zealand deputy national commander Brendan Nally. Photo / Supplied Fire and Emergency NZ deputy national commander Brendan Nally said since arriving, the taskforce and specialist team were helping manage several fires alongside a small number of Manitoba Wildfire Service personnel. Manitoba is experiencing one of its worst fire seasons in years, with more than 1.2 million hectares burned so far. He said New Zealand now had 50 personnel aiding the wildfire response in Lake Cross, helping stop fires from spreading in the 'very remote' and physically challenging terrain. Much of the Kiwi crews' work involved digging up hotspots and creating firebreaks, which was 'tough, physical, arduous work' in the middle of the northern hemisphere summer. The 43-strong New Zealand taskforce of mainly volunteer firefighters who are helping control wildfires in Canada's Manitoba province. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ According to a Canadian National Wildland Fire Service report, the fires were the result of reduced snowpack levels, 'warmer-than-average' temperatures, low soil moisture and elevated drought conditions. Nally said the description 'arduous firefighters' was apt. 'Our Kiwi teams are working 14-day rotations, 12-hour shifts, with three days' break to rest and recuperate, before doing it all again. 'They're miles from anywhere, camping and sleeping in tents, and having pre-prepared basic rations and plenty of hot meals helicoptered to them.' Nally said they were mainly using hand tools. 'Each Kiwi firefighter's backpack contains their firefighting tools, including a shovel, a spade, a fire retardant, and a heavy 'grubber' type tool to dig, akin to using a hoe in people's gardens.' Nally said they also had a personal GPS locator in case they became separated from their crew. One of the wildfires in Manitoba province in Canada. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ He said the scale of wildfires in Canada and Alaska in the US, and the land destroyed, was 'enormous'. 'It's hard for people in New Zealand to get their heads around the scale of these fires and how tough and dangerous the conditions are.' Nally said the latest Canadian wildland service report revealed that 6.4 million hectares across five provinces had been lost. 'That's close to half the North Island, and multiple fires are still burning across Canada and in Alaska.' Alaska's wildfires have destroyed more than 1.2 million hectares this year. Nally said the taskforce and specialist team's experiences in Canada would provide 'invaluable' skills and knowledge that could be used to respond to wildfire emergencies in New Zealand. 'I'm always grateful for the high calibre of people who put their hands up to deploy overseas. I'm immensely proud of them. 'To be honest, there were so many people keen to be part of this taskforce, we had to beat them off with a stick.' He said it was likely that more Fire and Emergency personnel would be sent to Canada once the taskforce and specialist team's deployments ended. Sandra Conchie is a senior journalist at the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post who has been a journalist for 24 years. She mainly covers police, court and other justice stories, as well as general news. She has been a Canon Media Awards regional/community reporter of the year.
NZ Herald
15-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Large fire at under-demolition Wattie's building in Hastings
Smoke can be seen billowing in the area. A large fire has broken out at an old Wattie's-owned industrial building in Hastings. Smoke could be seen billowing in the area about 1.45pm. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokeswoman said the building, on Coventry Rd, was under demolition at the time. She said a plastic tank and cladding was
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
New Zealand to send firefighters to help with wildfires in Manitoba, Canada
Canada's wildfires, which have already forced evacuations of more than 26,000 people, continued their stubborn spread. Photo: AFP New Zealand is sending a small specialist team of firefighters to Canada to help with severe wildfires ripping through its Manitoba province. The fires have prompted thousands of evacuations this season, with more than 20,000 people forced from their homes. At the request of Canada's Forest Fire Centre, a seven-person crew from Fire and Emergency New Zealand will fly to Canada on Wednesday. The team will help manage fire crews on the ground and oversee safety and logistics. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said a larger firefighting task force was also likely to be sent later this week. "The scale of these fires is hard to imagine, with just one of the fires having burnt 300,000 hectares. That is almost two Stewart Islands," she said. "I want to thank these firefighters who are offering their support to our Canadian counterparts at this time. Their efforts will make a real difference to the communities in Canada." New Zealand has sent more than 300 personnel to North American wildfires since the establishment of Fire and Emergency New Zealand in 2017. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
