Latest news with #Whakatane
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Warning that Bay of Plenty shellfish may be toxic
Cooking the shellfish does not remove the toxin, says the New Zealand Food Safety. File photo. Photo: 123rf Bay of Plenty shellfish may be poisonous and should not be eaten, according to New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) The public are advised not to collect or consume shellfish on the east coast from Whakatane to Mount Maunganui due to the presence of toxins. NZFS spokesperson Vincent Arbuckle said routine tests on shellfish showed unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning toxin, which can affect common shellfish like mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles and scallops, as well as pūpū (cat's eyes), Cook's turban. "Please do not gather and eat shellfish from this area because anyone doing so could get sick," he said. He warned that cooking the shellfish did not remove the toxin. It is believed the toxin came from an algal bloom which was spreading in the region. "This type of algae produces a dangerous toxin and when shellfish filter-feed, these toxins can accumulate in their gut and flesh. Generally, the more algae there are in the water, the more toxic the shellfish get," said Arbuckle. Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within three hours of eating, but could occur as quickly as 10 minutes after consuming the toxin. Signs of poisoning may include numbness and a prickly feeling around the mouth, face, hands, and feet, difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness and headache, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, or in severe cases paralysis, respiratory failure, or death. Pāua, crab, crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking, as toxins accumulate in the gut. If the gut is not removed, its contents could contaminate the meat during the cooking process. Finfish are not affected by this public health warning, but we advise gutting the fish and discarding the liver before cooking. NZFS said it had not received any notifications of associated illness. "NZFS is monitoring shellfish in the region and will notify the public of any changes to the situation," said Arbuckle. Anyone who became ill after eating shellfish from the coast should seek medical attention immediately and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Four from Otago in Black Sticks
Finn Ward. Photos: supplied Otago still has a solid presence in the latest Black Sticks men's squad. Hockey New Zealand yesterday announced the squad for the Oceania Cup in Darwin next month. Otago players Benji Culhane, Malachi Buschl and brothers Finn and Patrick Ward have kept their places after helping New Zealand win the Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur in June. Finn Ward made his debut at that tournament, while brother Patrick was initially there as a travelling reserve but got a chance to play as the Black Sticks thumped Pakistan 6-2 in the final. Two players will be on debut at the Oceania Cup. Matthew Ruetsch is a Swiss-born goalkeeper, and Bradley Rothwell is a defender from Whakatane. Both the newcomers played for the Mavericks in the new Premier Hockey League last year. Patrick Ward. It will be the 13th edition of the Oceania Cup with tests on September 4, 6 and 7. Usually, the three-test series determines automatic qualification for the FIH Hockey World Cup. The twist this time is that the Black Sticks have already secured a 2026 World Cup spot thanks to Australia's earlier qualification through the Pro League, meaning both teams will compete at the pinnacle event next year regardless of the outcome in Darwin. Nevertheless, it will be a valuable opportunity for world No 10 New Zealand to see how they fare against the world No 5 Australians. Black Sticks Oceania Cup squad Benji Culhane, Brad Read, Bradley Rothwell, Charlie Morrison, Dane Lett, Dom Dixon, Dylan Thomas, George Baker, Finn Ward, Isaac Houlbrooke, Joe Morrison, Malachi Buschl, Matthew Ruetsch, Patrick Ward, Sam Hiha, Sam Lane, Scott Boyde, Sean Findlay, Simon Yorston.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Teen cycling North Island to deliver letter supporting Māori wards to parliament
A 15 year old school boy is cycling his way down the North Island this school holidays to deliver a letter in support of keeping Māori wards to parliament. The Whakatane High School student is due to hit the capital on Wednesday but the PM has declined to meet him when he arrives. He has been on the road with his letter for eleven days now, but it is not his first time - delivering a petition in support of Māori wards to the steps parliament when he was 10. Jack Karetai Barret spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
RNZ News
25-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Whakatane rider Mitch Rees on his experience at Isle of Man TT
Whakatane motorcyclist Mitch Rees. Photo: Supplied / Facebook Mitch Rees says his Isle of Man TT experience was "like nothing else", but it could have been so much better for the Whakatane rider. This month Rees joined a select group of New Zealanders to have raced the iconic road course on the island in the Irish Sea. Unfortunately his first experience of the Isle of Man was hampered by the weather. Much of the two weeks was wet while strong winds forced the cancellation of the Senior Race for only the fifth time in its 114-year history. "So my first speed controlled newcomers lap was not the greatest way to begin your Isle of Man experience with rain and a wet track," Rees told RNZ. Infact most of his practice, qualifying and race session were hit by the weather with the majority either cancelled or reduced in distance. In the end Rees ran probably half the laps he would have expected to, however it was still a great experience for him. "It was awesome. It's hard to explain, it's an experience that is absolutely mind-blowing. "Everything that you think you know about riding, it is so much different. "It is very physical, you're changing direction on the motorbike at fifth and sixth gear at over 200kmh. "Absolutely thrilling but stuff that you just clench your teeth and hope you make it out the other side." New Zealand rider Bruce Anstey during the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Rees said that while riding the 60km course wasn't as terrifying as it appeared, it's when you're sitting in the pits waiting that you freak out a bit. He had since watched some video of his riding and admitted he couldn't quite believe that it was actually doing it. Despite just getting three days on dry roads Rees said "it's like nothing else". Rees finished 19th and 23rd in two of the Superstock races and was named the 2025 Isle of Man TT fastest newcomer. His third race was cancelled because of the weather. "A lot of people came up to me and told me how well I'd done but I was playing it down a bit because I was a little disappointed. "I know I'm better than where I sat at the end of it just because I know my capabilities and because everything was stacked against us." Rees stayed in Britain after the event to try and finalise arrangements for a return in 2026. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
03-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Whakatane launches three strikes rule for rubbish recyclers
Whakatane is getting a three strikes policy for rubbish recyclers, that's people who are rubbish at sorting their kerbside recycling and greenwaste bins. Anyone caught three times with contaminated bins, will lose them for three months. Whakatane District Coucil said at its worst, up to 65 percent of recycling going from Whakatane to the Material Recovery Facility in Tauranga are rogue items. Whakatane District Council solid waste manager, Nigel Clark spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
