Christchurch council votes 11-6 to implement excess water use charge
Christchurch residents will be charged for excess water use from July, though no fines will be issued for the first year as people get used to the scheme.
The charge was one of many points discussed by the Christchurch City Council on Monday as it ratified and voted on final amendments to the city's 10-year budget, known formally as the long-term plan.
The council also decided not to decommission Wharenui Pool (though funding past 2022 remains unclear), and voted to give the Arts Centre a $5.5 million grant, keep the Riccarton bus lounge open, and retain the mobile library for now.
Although the council intended to start the excess water use charge next month, Cr Sara Templeton said no fines would be dished out the first year, to allow people to get used to the change.
Read more, including who will be affected by the new charge, here.
Poll: Should we ditch daylight saving? 🕰️
First introduced in New Zealand in 1927 with the passing of the Summer Time Act, it's what we know as 'Daylight Saving' and this year it ends on the first Sunday in April.
While we do get to sleep in this time around, some people would like to scrap the clock tinkering for good.
And why? Some evidence suggests the time changes are bad for our health as they mess with sleep patterns leading to short-term fatigue and affecting mood. Meanwhile the hour change is frustrating for farmers and a nightmare for getting the littlies to sleep. But what's your take?
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40.5% Yes - get rid of the clock changes
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57.6% No, I enjoy it
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Alan and Hazel Kerr share Senior New Zealander of the Year Award 2026
Dr Alan and Hazel Kerr describe themselves as ‘just ordinary old Kiwis’, despite being named as the 2026 Ryman Healthcare Senior New Zealanders of the Year Te Mātāpuputu o te Tau.
The amazing couple prompted a standing ovation at a star-studded Auckland event which recognised their tireless efforts, with Alan travelling to and from Gaza and the West Bank 40 times to help children over 20 years, and Hazel travelling 20 times.
Click read more to find out more.
Hit and Run car accident
Hi does anyone know of a faded blue flat deck ute which drove down breezes road Sat 28th Feb and clipped my car on the right rear and sped off going down breezes road then turned into cuthberts road at 1.13pm the ute would have damage on the left hand front guard and bumper, he was seen on our CCTV, cheers.
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