Have a say on Canterbury’s future
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Now is an important time to have a say about Canterbury’s future, says Environment Canterbury councillor Grant Edge.
The North Canterbury councillor is encouraging Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura residents to share their views as the regional council begins a review of the Canterbury Regional Policy Statement (RPS).
The RPS is expected to be notified by December next year, and Environment Canterbury is seeking public feedback.
It will ultimately form part of an Integrated Plan for Canterbury, being merged with the Coastal Environment Plan and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.
"The whole integrated planning process is quite exciting," Edge says.
"And it is coming about at a time of new legislation with the RMA (Resource Management Act) reforms."
Merging the three plans into one would simplify the process and "give people more certainty for land use", he said.
The RPS set the framework for local councils when preparing District Plans.
Under the proposed RMA reform legislation, District Plans may soon be replaced by Regional Plans, making it important local voices were heard, he says.
"We seem to duplicate things a lot, so I’m hoping in the end it will lead to the regional council, district councils and the government working more closely together.
"With climate change impacts and adaptation, a new way of funding is needed within the regional space, because it will become unaffordable through rates alone.
"So the best way is having government around the table and listening, with local people contributing."
The Greater Christchurch Partnership provides an example of how this could work, with local and central government, and treaty partners sitting around the table and negotiating to find a consensus.
Edge praised the Hurunui District Council for "forward thinking" in developing a coastal adaptation plan in partnership with the Amberley Beach community.
It is believed to be the first of its kind in the country.
"We recently had the hottest day on average, two days in a row, for the planet," he said.
"Eventually we are going to get to the point where we are going to have to act quickly."
The RPS engagement is focusing on six topics including water, land, climate change, air, the coast and the built environment.
Environment Canterbury developed its first RPS in the 1990s and it was last reviewed in 2013.
"I encourage people to really get involved in tackling these environmental issues," Edge said.
"Because once these things are formed, it will shape the way we act and protect our environment for years to come."
Feedback closes on August 27 and can be made at ecan.govt.nz/ourfuture or call 0800 326636.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Family Friendly Service and Discussion
Note change of time from summer start time.
Next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 6 October - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Also remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
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