News in brief January 28, 2023

Reports of an ‘aggressive youth’ saw police attending Martinborough Pool on Thursday afternoon. Police said a person that had previously been trespassed from the pool became agitated when he could not enter the premises. However, he left while the complainant was on the phone with the police. A spokesperson said there was no indication of an assault.

A possible bout of thunder, lightning, and heavy rain is on the horizon in the coming days. Substantial rainfall is expected around the eastern hills and Tararua Range, and a heavy rainfall warning is currently in place until 9pm tomorrow. Metservice said a moderate risk of thunderstorms exists for areas on the east coast of the North Island from the Coromandel to the Tararua District until midday today. The risk of thunderstorms in Wairarapa is considered less likely but remains a possibility until midnight tomorrow. “Any thunderstorms that occur are expected to bring heavy rain with maximum intensities of mostly 15-25mm per hour,” Metservice said.

Waka Kotahi NZTA has advised motorists of upcoming roadworks on multiple sections of Wairarapa State Highways next week. The transport agency said Masterton’s Chapel St would be closed for resurfacing at the north end tomorrow and Monday nights and at the south end Tuesday to Thursday nights from 8pm-6am. It said detours would be in place for light vehicles via Dixon St and heavy vehicles via Ngaumutawa Rd. There will also be stop-go traffic controls in place on SH2 in Featherston and Greytown tomorrow night from 7pm-5.30am, and on SH53 between Daniell and Donald Streets tomorrow to Tuesday night from 7pm-6am and also at various locations between Featherston and Martinborough from tomorrow to Thursday night from 7pm-5.30am.

Repeated use of a restaurant’s toilets saw police attending a Masterton establishment yesterday. Police officers responded to a report of trespass on Queen St at 10.45am. “It’s not clear why exactly this necessitated a call to police, as the caller advised the person was not threatening in any way,” a police spokesperson said.