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Give a dull brown table a fresh light look using a modern chalk paint style effect.
Find out how to refresh your table with this handy advice.
We've seen the devastation of flood waters, yet the Government backed down on plans to protect wetlands (which help soak up heavy rain) after they received complaints by property developers.
Are you confident we're making the right decisions to protect us from future disasters? … View moreWe've seen the devastation of flood waters, yet the Government backed down on plans to protect wetlands (which help soak up heavy rain) after they received complaints by property developers.
Are you confident we're making the right decisions to protect us from future disasters? Let's discuss!
Share your thoughts in the comments below - add NFP if you don't want these shared in the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
The affordability of everyday items just keeps increasing!
If it’s not the petrol prices, it’s the cost of food, insurance or rates and let’s not get started on mortgage interest costs!
Home loan interest rates don't stay the same for long these days and it’s causing many … View moreThe affordability of everyday items just keeps increasing!
If it’s not the petrol prices, it’s the cost of food, insurance or rates and let’s not get started on mortgage interest costs!
Home loan interest rates don't stay the same for long these days and it’s causing many households to feel stressed out. Could you be saving thousands of dollars a year? If you don't check, you don't know.
Get a FREE mortgage health check through Money Compare and find out. If you could save money, why wouldn’t you right?!
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Faster broadband is being distributed to more rural North Canterbury communities, but black spots remain.
A Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) spokesperson said the group had been contracted to build 56 cell sites across Canterbury, with 42 cell sites now … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Faster broadband is being distributed to more rural North Canterbury communities, but black spots remain.
A Rural Connectivity Group (RCG) spokesperson said the group had been contracted to build 56 cell sites across Canterbury, with 42 cell sites now live and another 14 planned for this year.
She said 12 rural North Canterbury communities have been connected as part of phase two of the government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI2).
But gaps remained at Oxford, Glentui and Clarkville.
A further five Hurunui communities - Marble Point, Molesworth Station, Poplars Station in the Lewis Pass, Poplars Ridge and Port Robinson - were expected to be connected with cell sites this year as part of an RBI2 expansion programme, if the funding can be secured from Crown Infrastructure Partners.
Seven cell sites have been connected in Hurunui communities over the last three years including Domett, Inland Road, Lyford, Lyford South, Mt Grey, Pyramid Valley and Teviotdale.
In Kaikōura new cell sites were providing coverage to Mangamaunu Beach and the highway as well as the rural area west of the township.
New connections at Okuku, The Pines Beach and Eyrewell were live last year in the Waimakariri district.
‘‘This is a significant investment under the government’s RBI2 and Mobile Black Spot Fund programme in Canterbury providing 4G wireless broadband and 4G voice, data and text services from Spark, Vodafone and 2degrees,’’ the RCG spokesperson said.
‘‘These cell sites will provide connectivity to around 4280 rural households and businesses, improve connectivity on the roads and connectivity at popular visitor destinations.’’
Amuri.Net was connecting ultrafast fibre broadband to residents in the Ohoka/Mandeville area under an initiative announced last year by Digital Economy and Communications Minister David Clark, during a visit to the district.
In December the government announced it was on track to see 99.8% of New Zealanders receiving improved broadband speeds by the end of this year.
In the Lifting Connectivity in Aotearoa report, the Government stated its long-term goal was for every rural and remote New Zealander to be connected to high speed broadband by 2032.
More than $2.5 billion has been invested in improving digital connectivity to date from government and private sector contributions.
Federated Farmers telecommunications spokesperson Richard McIntyre said the report was ‘‘ambitious, but admirable’’.
‘‘The report lifts the discussion from having to justify whether something should be done to one of ‘let’s get on and do it’.
‘‘While it’s going to take a lot more investment on top of the money already announced, we applaud the commitments made to longer term rural connectivity solutions.’’
A Spark spokesperson said the company was continuing to work closely with the RCG on the planned projects.
‘‘Spark upgraded one of the two Kaikōura sites prior to Christmas with 5G technology and we will be continuing with 5G expansions on the existing Spark sites in the area over the coming months.’’
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Dear neighbours,
Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken … View moreDear neighbours,
Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of NZ Gardener.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
North Canterbury’s Mayors have extended an invitation to the Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty to return to the region to learn more about the issues it faces.
The mayors were responding to the announcement by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who… View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
North Canterbury’s Mayors have extended an invitation to the Local Government Minister Kieran McAnulty to return to the region to learn more about the issues it faces.
The mayors were responding to the announcement by Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, who put the brakes on some of the government’s reform programme.
This included asking McAnulty to report back on how to refine the Three Waters reforms.
McAnulty visited all three North Canterbury districts during his time as Associate Local Government Minister.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she would ‘‘always welcome’’ McAnulty back to have "a look and feel of our district and the services we need", such as roading and Three Waters.
"He comes from a small district like our own, so he does have an understanding of rural issues, we hope it transfers into his thinking and decision making."
She acknowledged the need to focus on the cost of living, but she was keen to see more detail of the government’s ‘‘re-focusing’’ of its priorities.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said he would ‘‘wait and see’’ what comes of Hipkins’ announcement.
"It looks like he is saying and doing the right things, but I would like to know more - a lot more.
"I am grateful for the pause, but too often we have had this and then they have powered ahead and done what they wanted to do."
Mackle said he would welcome McAnulty back to learn more about the district’s challenges.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon put out a joint statement with Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD) chairperson Helen Worboys, re-enforcing their organisation’s position.
"All councils want the best outcomes for Three Waters in Aotearoa New Zealand, and we welcome the renewed opportunity for the Government to work with local councils on that solution."
The two mayors said C4LD had put together a "common sense" proposal which would deliver on the Government's objectives, while preserving the local voice and respecting property rights.
"We are confident that there's a way through this issue that every Kiwi would support, and we're keen to work in partnership with Government to get there."
Comment was also sought from Ngāi Tahu.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air
Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. … View moreCyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. We'd love your support. You can donate here.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ … View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.
It’s easy to transform a plain wicker chair into something special with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain.
Find out how to transform your furniture with our easy advice.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
How to ensure a local voice is retained is at the forefront of council deliberations, as the Hurunui District Council considers its submissions on the government’s reform agenda.
Centralisation appeared to be a common theme in the Resource Management … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
How to ensure a local voice is retained is at the forefront of council deliberations, as the Hurunui District Council considers its submissions on the government’s reform agenda.
Centralisation appeared to be a common theme in the Resource Management Act (RMA) reform, Three Waters bills and the draft future of local government report, Hurunui mayor Marie Black says.
"There seems to be a trend to centralise everywhere, which would remove the local voice," Black said.
"We have a history of voicing our opinion in the Hurunui, but you can be swayed by the numbers."
Chief executive Hamish Dobbie said an unanswered question with the proposed Three Waters, four entity model, was how Hurunui would be represented.
"Will we get to sit in the room, because that seems unlikely, and then how will our voice be heard if we are not in the room."
The same concern was echoed when the council considered the other reforms.
The government introduced two bills last year, the Natural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill, to replace the RMA.
A third, Climate Adaptation Bill, was due to be introduced later this year.
Among the proposed changes were regional plans to replace district plans.
Black said the district plan process provided an opportunity for local people to be engaged in the process.
But there was no guarantee there would be the same level of engagement at a regional level.
"Historical knowledge will be lost because it will be a much broader framework, so how can ordinary people be influential?"
Black and Dobbie welcomed the requirement for territorial authorities to have a statement of community outcomes, but they had some reservations.
"It means we can create a statement with a Hurunui lens, but that can easily be disregarded at a regional level," Black said.
Dobbie said the intent of replacing district plans with a regional plan was to speed up the process.
"I think the select committee will hear a variety of ideas from around the country and they need to listen to what local government has to say.
"We have been at the coalface delivering this for years."
Among the proposals in the draft future of local government report were scenarios for the future structure of local government.
These included moving to a unitary authority model with local community boards to ensure some local representation.
A population of no less than 70,000 was thought to be necessary to be sustainable.
With the hint of amalgamation in the air, Dobbie suggested Waimakariri consider "merging into us", rather than the other way around.
"I don’t know what amalgamation can really deliver, because if you take the local out then it is just government."
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ on Air
Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no … View moreYour home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.
That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no matter what the weather. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies.
We all hope we never have to experience a natural disaster or other emergency. But if it happens, we’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Reducing drug harm is the focus of a series of community forums in the Hurunui district next week.
Drug harm reduction advocate Pat Buckley (pictured) is being hosted by the Hurunui District Council, Together Hurunui and Hurunui Youth from February 22 … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Reducing drug harm is the focus of a series of community forums in the Hurunui district next week.
Drug harm reduction advocate Pat Buckley (pictured) is being hosted by the Hurunui District Council, Together Hurunui and Hurunui Youth from February 22 to 24.
Together Hurunui facilitator Natalie Paterson said Buckley would be speaking at two public forums and visiting local schools .
He will also visit the Hurunui District Council’s Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs programme and Comcol North Canterbury in Rangiora.
‘‘We are looking forward to having him in the district,’’ Paterson said.
‘‘Last year Together Hurunui had a meeting around drug harm, where a couple shared their story around addiction and recovery.
‘‘The recommendation from police was that there needs to be some community education around the harm drug use does.’’
The Hurunui district was not immune to drug addiction and the associated impact of drug harm, she said.
‘‘It is a real area of concern, as there are few services available in the Hurunui where people can seek support.
‘‘Families and young people are struggling and we would like to see some more resources.’’
Vaping was also a growing concern in the community, she said.
Buckley will be speaking about drug use trends, dangers and where to access support.
There will also be tips on how to start a conversation with teenagers and adults about drugs and the signs to look for.
Public forums will be held at The Hogget in Gladstone St, Hawarden, on Wednesday, February 22, and at the Cheviot Trust Hotel in Hall St on Friday, February 24.
Both forums will be held from 7pm to 9pm.
Support and resources will be available at the venues on where people can seek help.
Together Hurunui and Hurunui Youth will be teaming up again to host Nigel Latta in April to talk about mental health.
Together Hurunui is a network of social services operating in the Hurunui district and comes under the umbrella of the Hurunui District Council.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Looking for a trailer that is hiding on your property and is well past its use-by date. I needed to
cart water around the paddocks. So an unregistered old Dunga would be perfect. I will happily remove it from your property!
URGENT, WANTED, used supermarket bags. THRIVE OP SHOP, in the Gables arcade urgently need used supermarket bags PLEASE. Thankyou in advance for your support.
It's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage… View moreIt's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage with neighbours to ask for help, share new operating hours, move damaged stock, or simply give thanks for recent support. T&Cs apply.
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