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By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Reducing speeds rather than installing wire barriers is the best way to reduce fatalities, says a former Christchurch City councillor.
Mike Stevens, who served two terms on the Christchurch City Council, has been meeting landowners and businesses along … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
Reducing speeds rather than installing wire barriers is the best way to reduce fatalities, says a former Christchurch City councillor.
Mike Stevens, who served two terms on the Christchurch City Council, has been meeting landowners and businesses along State Highway 1 between Cam River, Kaiapoi, and Saltwater Creek, north of Ashley River, to hear their concerns.
"People feel like they’re not being listened to and they don’t know what to do," he said.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is proposing to install wire barriers, known as cheese graters, on the centreline.
But at a meeting with Waka Kotahi director of regional relationships, James Caygill, last month, residents realised that under the agency’s guidelines, wire barriers were not required when the speed limit was under 70kph.
Stevens advocated setting a speed limit of 60kph from Cam River, south of Pine Acres intersection, and Woodend, and then from Woodend to Ashley River.
The present speed limit was 80kph.
"There will be complaints, but I would rather see lives saved in what is one of the most dangerous intersections in New Zealand."
He also advocated stopping traffic from turning right at the Pine Acres intersection.
As a former break-down service operator, Stevens said the Pine Acres intersection was "the most profitable intersection in Canterbury".
These days Stevens passes between his property at Saltwater Creek and Christchurch along SH1 each day.
"Whatever they’ve done here has not improved it," he said while parked up in the layby just north of Pine Acres.
The layby was where truck drivers stopped to take a rest or to change drivers.
Stevens said the proposed Woodend Bypass would solve many of these problems, when it opened.
A SH1 business, which did not wish to be named, told Local Democracy Reporting they agreed with Stevens’ sentiments.
A Waka Kotahi spokesperson said a letter had been sent to all residents and businesses on SH1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River at the end of last year inviting them to contact the agency if they had any concerns.
"We have received a lot of comments about our current design for safety improvements along SH1 between Saltwater Creek and Cam River.
"We are continuing to talk with our partners, undertake further investigations and consider the comments received as we work further on the design.
"We will be keeping the community informed as we progress."
Residents and businesses can still contact safetynorthcanterbury@nzta.govt.nz to share their concerns.
Use some Resene paint and a little imagination to revamp your outdoor room.
Follow this handy advice to get started.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
A North Canterbury principal says school attendance targets are unrealistic in the present environment.
With a general election looming, politicians have been promising to fix declining school attendance rates.
But Rangiora High School principal … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
A North Canterbury principal says school attendance targets are unrealistic in the present environment.
With a general election looming, politicians have been promising to fix declining school attendance rates.
But Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney said the biggest barriers to school attendance targets were the Ministry of Education’s "inability" to negotiate a pay settlement with teachers and the mandatory seven-day Covid-19 stand down.
The Ministry of Education’s target is for all students to achieve 90% regular attendance at school.
That equated to just one day absent a fortnight, or six or seven days in a school term.
"Yes, non-attendance is a problem, but it is not because students aren’t attending school, it is because we are coming out of
Covid where hardly anybody in any industry is hitting 90% attendance," he said.
"It is a little rich for the Minister of Education to write letters to school principals asking them to get on board with attendance when the biggest factor impacting attendance at the moment is the Government’s inability to sign a contract with teachers."
While there was a lot of talk about non-attendance, Kearney said there was a lack of funding to enable schools to tackle the issue.
Rangiora High School recently employed an attendance officer from school funds to reach out to students in the 70-80% attendance category.
Rangiora New Life School principal Stephen Walters said the Ministry of Education should be putting more emphasis on student achievement rather than looking at attendance on its own.
"We looked at our data and attendance in term one was higher than last year, but it is still behind 2019.
"But the interesting thing is even though attendance is lagging, academic performance has been sustained and even improved slightly in some areas."
He said the Covid experience had led to a change in attituded towards wellbeing.
"I think Covid has taught us, if you are unwell stay home until you are well."
Walters said his school moved to "a hybrid learning style" 10 years ago, embracing online learning alongside learning in the classroom.
It allowed students to continue learning and engage with teachers when absent from school.
The results indicated it was working, he said.
Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart said attendance improved significantly in term one this year at 61.9%, compared to 43.7% for term one last year.
"Pre Covid-19 attendance in term one 2019 was 71.7% regular attendance, so we still have improvements to make, but the data so far is trending in the right direction."
Comment has been sought from the Ministry of Education and Education Minister Jan Tinetti's office.
In 2018, a NZ company trialled the four-day week and claimed a 20% increase in productivity, encouraging them to make the change permanent. A four-day work week means employees are paid for 40 hours but only work 32 of those. Should this be rolled out across the country where possible? Give us your… View moreIn 2018, a NZ company trialled the four-day week and claimed a 20% increase in productivity, encouraging them to make the change permanent. A four-day work week means employees are paid for 40 hours but only work 32 of those. Should this be rolled out across the country where possible? Give us your vote and share any thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
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Elemental AKL returns this July & August with 30+ curated events that celebrate the best Arts, Eats and Beats of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
For 17 days, Auckland will come alive with incredible concerts from international headliners, table talk with top chefs over curated dining … View moreElemental AKL returns this July & August with 30+ curated events that celebrate the best Arts, Eats and Beats of Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
For 17 days, Auckland will come alive with incredible concerts from international headliners, table talk with top chefs over curated dining experiences, immersive and interactive art installations, side-splitting live theatre, glittering city lights and more.
Learn more at aucklandnz.com/elemental
Dear neighbours, every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of reader recipes using a seasonal crop. This month, we're on the hunt for shell-out bean recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by May 29, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the July issue of NZ Gardener.
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand new, fully-furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand new, fully-furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
Situated a short three-minute drive from the shores of Lake Taupō, make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours for only $15! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
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We’ve always been there to tell your story, Mainland. Now we’re online too. Get fierce independent journalism with uncompromising South Island commentary, sports, business, environment, games and more. Subscribe to The Press online for less than a dollar a day.
Neighbours - we have something very special to tell you about...
Stuff's inaugural Love Your Local Awards, presented by Pure South, celebrate our most loved hospitality people and places. Nominate your most-loved local people and places, and then vote for your favourite amongst the … View moreNeighbours - we have something very special to tell you about...
Stuff's inaugural Love Your Local Awards, presented by Pure South, celebrate our most loved hospitality people and places. Nominate your most-loved local people and places, and then vote for your favourite amongst the finalists, to determine our regional winners.
You're invited to nominate your:
- Most Loved Food Truck or takeaway
- Most Loved Roadside Stall
- Most Loved Barista
- Most Loved Bartender or Publican
- Most Loved Front of House/Service Person or Team
- Most Loved New Business (open less than 12 months)
Your vote will put your 'Most Loved' up for the national title in each category as determined by our incredible judging panel including New Zealand chef Peter Gordon, Eat New Zealand CEO and owner of permaculture property The Food Farm Angela Clifford, and Stuff food editor Emily Brookes.
Iam downsizing mine record collection , wnat to get with of around 600 plus , still sorting , if you intrested you gotta buy the lot ,
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