After strapping her daughter into a booster seat and putting a half-drunk bottle of wine in the centre console, Holly Pattison set off in her car to Napier.
Worry and speculation about the future use of New Zealand's largest livestock station are rising following the sudden resignation of its long-term manager.
The defence has chosen not to call any witnesses, nor will Julia DeLuney give evidence, in the trial in which she is accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory.
Slash and sediment polluted an important stream in Waihī for over a year and despite six inspections, and two abatement notices, a logging company refused to change its behaviour and continued to cause environmental damage.
The eldest daughter of the Erebus' captain says she's grateful to Christchurch for offering to host a memorial, but still believes the national memorial should be in Auckland.
Forecasters say more bad weather could bring significant rain to the waterlogged top of the South Island towards the end of this month and into August.