Latest news with #Hastings
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- General
- RNZ News
Wave of house fires overnight
A close-up of the Fire and Emergency NZ logo. Photo: Marika Khabazi / RNZ Three people have been taken to hospital after a fire broke out at a home in St Clair, Dunedin, overnight. Fire and Emergency was called to Allandale Road just before 3am on Saturday. When teams arrived the house was fully alight, with 26 crew and eight trucks fighting the fire at its peak. They remain at the scene. The three people taken to hospital had minor injuries. Crews were also at the scene of a house fire in Mahora, Hastings, overnight. Fire and Emergency was called to that blaze just before 2am, crews from Napier also attending. One person was treated for an injury at the scene and an investigator will head there later on Saturday. An investigator will also be heading to the scene of a house fire in Levin. Fire and Emergency was alerted to the blaze at 4.15am. It was now out and there were no reports of injuries. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Irish Daily Mirror
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gavin Hastings: Scots Irish Lions combo one of highlights of special Aviva night
Lions legend Gavin Hastings is relishing the prospect of a Scots Irish collaboration at the Aviva Stadium. Connacht and Ireland's Bundee Aki will join with Sione Tuipulotu of Glasgow Warriors and Scotland in the Lions midfield for the clash with Argentina tonight. "I think a lot of people are looking forward to seeing that one," grinned Hastings, a three-time Lions tourist who made six Test appearances for the team and captained the squad on the 1993 tour in New Zealand that was won 2-1 by the All Blacks. "There's not going to be very many holes in that combination, obviously. But it'll be interesting to see how it goes, they're two very experienced and talented guys. "I think it's going to be a pretty stiff challenge for the Lions but, listen, you've got to play your first game somewhere, so you may as well be in front of your home supporters. There's no doubt it'll be a great game. I think they're very, very keen to get us off to a winning start. "I expect that the Lions to just be very, very competitive. That's what we want. Some people suggest that it might be sort of easy against Australia on the tour, but there's no way they're going to roll over. "So I think the Lions have got to work very, very hard for everything they're going to potentially achieve. Andy's a very experienced coach, and I'm sure he knows how to get the best out of them. And that's what it's all about." Hastings will be at the game after spending yesterday afternoon in the baking heat in Mullingar, where British and Irish Lions official charity partners LooseHeadz and Wooden Spoon hosted a successful Guinness World Record attempt to break the record for 'The Longest Game' of rugby for both men and women. It started on Wednesday and the men participating played for over 36 hours to raise over £100,000 to help tackle mental health. The previous world record was 24 hours, five minutes and 15 seconds. "There was never any question of me running around," the Scotland legend laughed. "I'm just here lending my support for a couple of hours. That's much better! "They were slightly on a go-slow given the heat. It's a great cause. Many people in Ireland wouldn't be as familiar with Wooden Spoon, they're a rugby charity, helping kids with difficulties and all the challenges that kids have and they're making their mark in Ireland as well. "The other charity here is Looseheadz. One in four people are affected with mental health and we all know of rugby people that have faced difficulties. "One of my great adversaries, John Carter, one of the great Kiwi guys, was probably one of the very first to say that he had struggled with mental health during his career. "It's great that people are talking about it. I'm chairman of the Lions Trust and we support a number of different charities, among them Looseheadz and Wooden Spoon. "These guys have put this longest game of rugby on and good on them. I think they've already raised well over £200,000, and they want to get to a quarter of a million if possible. Amazing." There is a JustGiving donation page for The Longest Game here: and the LooseHeadz charity can be found here
RNZ News
a day ago
- RNZ News
Person in a serious condition after possible stabbing, police say
(File photo) Photo: 123RF One person is in hospital after reports of a stabbing in Hastings. Emergency services were called to 'disorder' at a property on Folkestone Drive in the suburb of Flaxmere, about 9am on Friday. One person with possible stab wounds was taken to hospital in a serious condition, while another at the scene was taken into custody. Police said initial enquiries indicate they are known to each other and there is no risk to the public. A police spokesperson said there would be an increased police presence in the area during the investigation. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
a day ago
- General
- RNZ News
Ngā Pou o Heretaunga return to Hastings Civic Square after restoration
Pou o Heretaunga have returned to Civic Square after undergoing restoration. Photo: Supplied Ngā Pou o Heretaunga have returned to Civic Square in Hastings. Project manager Te Uira Tōmoana, who is working on behalf of Ngā Marae o Heretaunga Charitable Trust, said the pou are more than carvings. "They are living expressions of whakapapa, mana and whanaungatanga. Their return to the square brings a renewed sense of presence and strength," Tōmoana said. "This kaupapa has been led with aroha and deep care by our carvers, whānau and marae," Tōmoana said. Carved by tohunga whakairo and owned by their respective marae within the district of Hastings, 18 of the pou were unveiled in 2013 . Since then, they have stood as cultural markers of identity, whakapapa and unity in the heart of Hastings city. A 19th pou was gifted by the Queen of Rarotonga, Pā Ariki, in 2017 and represents the strong connection between Ngāti Kahungunu and the Takitumu region of Rarotonga. In February of this year, each pou was taken back to its marae to undergo inspection and any necessary maintenance. This is the first full collective check and restoration since their installation. One pou remains offsite for additional work. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst. Photo: SUPPLIED Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the council was proud to support the rededication and acknowledged the ongoing guardianship of the pou by mana whenua. "We are privileged to have them returned to the heart of our city," she said. The pou are complemented by new landscaping and maintenance of Civic Square, including the replacement of the 50-year-old pavers, which had become a safety risk. The project cost just under $1 million. Artist collective Iwi Toi Kahungunu developed the tile design, which reflects "unity in Hastings' diversity" and includes a special pattern that pays tribute to the WWI and WWII memorials in the square. The pou were to be rededicated at a dawn ceremony on Friday morning. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Irish Post
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Northern Irish hotelier ‘honoured' to be on King's birthday honours list
THE managing director of a Northern Irish hotel group was awarded an MBE in the King's birthday honours list. James McGinn, who has worked with Hastings Hotels for 29 years, has been recognised for his 'services to tourism and hospitality'. Prior to being appointed managing director of the group in 2022, Mr McGinn led their Europa Hotel for two decades. The hotel is one of Belfast's most famous properties - where former US President Bill and his wife, the former US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, have stayed three times, most recently in 2023. The hotel also became a base for local and overseas journalists during the Troubles – hosting the like sof Trevor McDonald, Kate Adie, John Sergeant and Richard Ford as they reported on the conflict from the front line. Hastings Hotels MD James McGinn 'It's an honour to have received this recognition,' McGinn said this week, as King Charles' honours list was revealed. 'Tourism and hospitality are in my blood, and I'm thankful for the career I have built at Hastings Hotels for the last 29 years and for the opportunities provided to me by the Hastings family,' he added. 'I would also like to thank my colleagues across the group, because without them, this recognition wouldn't be possible.' Having graduated in 1988 from Queen's University Belfast, Mr McGinn moved to London for work before returning to Omagh in 1990 to work as Food and Beverage Manager in his family's business, the Woodlander. He graduated with an MSc in Hotel and International Tourism Management from the University of Ulster in 1994 and then moved to the US. He worked the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC before returning to Northern Ireland in 1996, where he started his career with Hastings Hotels at the Europa Hotel. Founded almost sixty years ago by Sir William Hastings, Hastings Hotels is Northern Ireland's largest independently owned luxury hotel group. As well as the Europa, the group's other properties include the Culloden Estate and Spa, the Grand Central Hotel and the Stormont Hotel in Belfast as well as Ballygally Castle in Antrim and The Everglades Hotel in Derry. See More: Birthday Honours, Hastings Hotels, James McGinn, King Charles
