Latest news with #Mikaere
1News
6 days ago
- 1News
'Plague of hoons': Bikers 'tearing up' parks frustrate neighbours
A 'plague of hoons' on motorbikes riding illegally in Tauranga parks has neighbours fed up and worried about people's safety after near misses. Buddy Mikaere lives in Gate Pā and said the bikes had been ridden in Kōpūrererua Valley most days since the start of the year. The entrances to the wetland were clearly marked 'No Motorbikes', but these signs were ignored, he said. He was 'really worried' about walkers and cyclists through the valley because he'd seen them forced off the tracks by motorbikes. 'There is a plague of hoons on motorbikes tearing up the grass verges and doing wheelies on the gravel paths, spraying gravel everywhere, forcing people off the tracks.' ADVERTISEMENT A recent incident involved a woman pushing a pram, he said. Mikaere said his attempts to speak to the motorcyclists about their behaviour were met with a 'f*** you' before they drove off. 'Off they go waving their finger in the air.' Noise from the bikes echoed through the neighbourhood and bikes had been driven on to the Gate Pā Historic Reserve, which had totara tree memorial groves for Tauranga's war dead, the historian said. 'You can hear them tearing around.' The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including a fire at an Auckland chapel, new plan for international students, and a first time Wimbledon winner. (Source: 1News) Mikaere believed it was the same people all the time because he'd seen three bikers, none with licence plates or helmets. ADVERTISEMENT He also had concerns that plants were being damaged and for the 'burgeoning bird life'. The 300ha Kōpūrererua Valley is one of Australasia's largest urban wetlands. Mikaere ran a bait trail in the valley with his Rotary Club that was serviced fortnightly, so he often saw the damage. 'You can see where the bikes have been, doing wheelies on the paths and digging up all the gravel and stuff like that.' Mikaere had contacted the Tauranga City Council about the motorbike riders but he said he hadn't gone to the police because the bikes had no plates. He would like the see the motorbikes taken off the riders. Motorbikes have dug up grass and gravel paths at the reserve on Tom Muir Drive in Gate Pā (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) ADVERTISEMENT 'Loud and dangerous' Jeremy Weaver lives across from the reserve on Tom Muir Drive where riders entered the valley. 'The motorbikes are just loud and dangerous. They just go as fast as they possibly can and make as much noise as they can. 'They're farm bikes blatting around, making it unpleasant for anyone else that wants to use the area.' He shared concerns for the safety of people using the reserves. The bikes were not roadworthy; one had no muffler or lights and was being driven at any time of the night, Weaver said. It could be 11pm, 1am or 6am. ADVERTISEMENT Around a month ago a 6am rider also fired what Weaver suspected was a shotgun, possibly shooting game birds, he said. Weaver wanted the council to install staggered barriers to prevent the bikes getting into the parks. He also wanted more 'No Motorbikes' signs, for the riders to be fined and, if that did not work, then confiscation of the bikes. Tauranga City Council signage discouraging motorbikes is in place at most parks in the city (Source: Local Democracy Reporting) Council community services general manager Barbara Dempsey said motorbike use and vandalism were ongoing challenges across the reserves, including Kōpūrererua Valley. The council received a report in June of a ute and dirt bike driving through Gate Pā Reserve, but no other recent complaints, she said. The council was unable to enforce moving vehicle violations, so dangerous, inconsiderate, or damaging motorbike riding behaviour was a matter for the police, Dempsey said. ADVERTISEMENT 'Motorbike use across our reserve network is not explicitly prohibited under Tauranga City Council bylaws, although there are restrictions for vehicle use in the Reserves Act.' There were infringement options under the Reserves Act, but the council was unable to issue them, she said. Kōpūrererua Valley was intended for pedestrian and cycle use, Dempsey said. There were 'No Motorbikes' signs at Kōpūrererua Valley and across the reserves to discourage motorbike access, she said. The council was also looking at different barrier design options for park entrances to help prevent motorbikes from entering. 'Finding solutions that reduce motorbike use without blocking access for legitimate users can be difficult.' Barriers that stopped motorbikes could also make it harder for cyclists, people with prams, wheelchair users and mobility scooters, she said. If people saw someone riding a motorbike in a reserve, they should contact the police by calling 111, Dempsey said. ADVERTISEMENT The Western Bay of Plenty's road policing manager, Senior Sergeant Wayne Hunter, said police received reports and were aware of dirt bikes being ridden in Gate Pā Reserve and Kōpūrererua Valley. The council set the bylaws about whether the riding was illegal, but when there was a threat to the public or damage occurred it became a police matter, he said. 'Police can seize vehicles if they are being operated in a dangerous manner.' If people saw unsafe driving or someone was in immediate danger, they should call 111, Hunter said. Non-emergencies could also be reported by calling 105. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
NZ Herald
25-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Emotions high as Tauranga, Mount RSAs mark Anzac Day with dawn services
A mixture of veterans, service members, cadets and civilians lined the streets, with the crowd stretching on to the bank of Hopukiore Reserve. Former Warrant Officer Darryn Douglas, now riding with the Patriots motorcycle group of past and present service members, said the day was a chance to reflect on those who died for our country. Sentinel guard commander Dusty Roper, of the Western Bay Cadet Unit, was attending his fifth Anzac Day service and had looked forward to leading his group on to the cenotaph grounds. 'We have been practising, practising the drill movers, and practising the sequence and getting everything down.' At the Tauranga RSA, emotions ran high on a bittersweet day as the branch prepared to merge with the Mount RSA in February. 'It is a sad day,' Tauranga city councillor Marten Rozeboom said. Former president and Royal New Zealand Army Captain Fred Milligan enlisted in 1955 and fondly remembered his time there. He recalled an officer leaving a driver in his charge who had become 'irritating', when he was a lance corporal. 'He asked, 'What can I do'? So I told him, 'go away and paint The Last Post',' Milligan said. The man in his charge disappeared for some time before eventually reappearing. Milligan said it turned out the man had painted all the posts near a live training area. When he joined the army, it was a class of 30 people. 'Now, there are seven of us left.' Milligan has witnessed Anzac Days in Australia and New Zealand and placed a wreath at a service in Southport, Queensland. 'I couldn't believe it. The crowd they got there in Southport was just unbelievable.' The 'evocative' Pāpāmoa dawn service was initially set up to relieve pressure on the dawn service at Hopukiore and has grown larger yearly. It marked the third anniversary at Pāpāmoa, organiser Buddy Mikaere said. The dawn service included students from Pāpāmoa College and involved the local Turkish community. Anzac Day is special for Mikaere because his family has been involved in nearly every major conflict for more than 100 years. It featured a significant Māori component with the benediction in te reo, accompanying two waitai. After the dawn service, Mikaere said the Pāpāmoa fire brigade hosted breakfast. The Last Post and the placing of the wreaths were among the highlights of this year's dawn service, hosted by the Western Bay of Plenty Regional Council, District Mayor James Denyer said. 'It is important to remember the service and huge sacrifices made on our behalf.' Anzac Day also allows the mayor to see representatives from all sections of his community come forward to place their wreaths. 'It also gives us a chance to reflect on the suffering that wars create and learn the lessons of the past.' Denyer attended the dawn service in Katikati and the civic service in Te Puke. This Anzac Day marked Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale's first in office, but the occasion has long been a chance for him to reflect and share memories with his family who served. 'It's a chance to remember and honour those who have served and continue to serve our country in theatres of global conflict.' Drysdale welcomed the crowd to the civic memorial service at the cenotaph in Memorial Park. 'On this day, we remember the event of 25 April 1915. The troops landed and cost the lives of many young soldiers and deeply impacted the families and communities they left behind.' Tauranga made a significant contribution in both world wars, general manager of community services Barbara Dempsey said. More than 500 men from Tauranga volunteered during World War I when the city had a population of fewer than 3000 at that time, she explained. Guest speaker Sub-Lieutenant Alex Eichelbaum, Royal New Zealand Navy, wished 100-year-old John Clark a happy birthday at the civic service. 'John enlisted in the Royal Navy just before his 17th birthday in 1942, becoming a telegraphist on the heavy cruiser HMS Suffolk until 1945.' 'He discharged as leading signalman in April 1946.' Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell said it was a 'very moving day' and a chance to reflect on those who made modern New Zealand possible. At the Waihī Beach RSA, club manager Mel Gearon said a crowd of over 1000 people turned up to the dawn service. Gearon said it was important to remember and honour the Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. 'The sacrifices they made should not be forgotten.'
