Man missing
in Tararua
Police are asking for anybody with information on a 72-year-old tramper who has gone missing in the Tararua Forest Park to come forward. The man went missing between Waiopehu and Gable End Ridge. He is believed to have been an experienced tramper who went for a hike at 5am on Monday morning. He was reported missing at 4pm after failing to return from his hike. Police Search and Rescue, LandSAR, Royal New Zealand Air Force 3 Squadron, and Carterton’s Amalgamated Helicopters are all assisting with the search. An RNZAF NH90 helicopter was dispatched on Tuesday to help search the area. Yesterday, LandSAR were deployed along with a police dog to conduct further land searches in the morning. Police Search and Rescue staff from Horowhenua, Wellington, and Palmerston North searched the area on Tuesday, and additional teams were being called in from Wellington, Whanganui, and Taihape. Anybody hiking between Waiopehu and Gable End Ridge on Monday February 26 between 5am and the afternoon, or anybody with information that may assist police in locating him, is asked to contact Police at 105 and quote P057910138.
Prohibited
fire reminder
A reminder that Wairarapa remains in a prohibited fire season, which includes a ban on fireworks and sky lanterns. A spokesperson for Carterton Fire Brigade said that even though the region has experienced a little bit of rain, this has not reduced the risk of large fires developing as it’s quickly evaporated or absorbed, and encouraged extreme care to be taken with any activity that could cause “even a small spark”.
Power outages
Powerco has a planned outage today in Masterton to replace poles and crossarms. The outage will affect 64 properties on Waiorongo, Homewood, and Kaiwhata roads between 8.30am and 4pm. There’s another planned outage scheduled tomorrow in Masterton that will affect 15 properties on Kaiwhata and Homewood roads for additional works to replace poles and crossarms. There is also a planned outage today in Carterton, which will affect 122 properties on Costley St, Clifton Ave, Lincoln Rd, Hughan Pl, and Chisholm Pl. These works are to install a new transformer and will take place between 9.15am and 3.15pm.
