Toxins detected in Hawke Bay shellfish
A shellfish biotoxin alert has been published by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for Hawke Bay.
Routine testing found shellfish samples collected from Pania Reef contained Paralytic Shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in excess of the safe limit of 0.8mg/kg set by MPI.
The warning covers the area between the Mohaka River mouth to the top of Cape Kidnappers.
In a statement, MPI said that they continue to monitor toxin levels, with stricter monitoring programmes for commercially harvested shellfish.
"Any changes will be communicated accordingly... There are no commercial shellfish farms in the affected region."
Here's what you need to know:
- The public are advised not to eat Mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin), and all other bivalve shellfish.
- Pāua, crab and crayfish may still be eaten if the gut has been completely removed prior to cooking.
- Symptoms of poisoning typically appear 10 minutes to three hours after ingestion and can include numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, and extremities (hands and feet), difficulty swallowing or breathing, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea paralysis and respiratory failure, and in severe cases, death.
Members of the public who have become ill after ingesting the affected shellfish should get in touch with Healthline (0800 61 11 16) or seek medical attention immediately. Keep any shellfish leftover for testing.
Find out more about the alert by heading to the Ministry for Primary Industries website.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.
When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?
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82.5% Yes
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14.8% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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