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By booking your vehicle in for a Warrant of Fitness, Service or repair with Auto Super Shoppe Rangiora, you could WIN 1 of 28 great prizes this February. From paddleboards to tablets, air fryers, Barbeques, moon chairs, coffee makers, headphones and MORE!
Call Auto Super Shoppe Rangiora for a … View moreBy booking your vehicle in for a Warrant of Fitness, Service or repair with Auto Super Shoppe Rangiora, you could WIN 1 of 28 great prizes this February. From paddleboards to tablets, air fryers, Barbeques, moon chairs, coffee makers, headphones and MORE!
Call Auto Super Shoppe Rangiora for a booking today and you could go in the draw for these exciting giveaways!
0800 AUTO HELP | 3135329
Live independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and … View moreLive independently while your loved one is cared for in the same Ryman village.
A full life for Helen is one that is surrounded by family. When she first moved to the village, Helen’s husband John was being cared for elsewhere. Now that he is living at the same village, it brings Helen and her family so much happiness and reassurance.
“All the family cried when he moved in. They were so happy because it was such a beautiful thing to have him close by.”
Get New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, … View moreGet New Zealand’s cutest pets delivered to your inbox with Furry Friday.
Each Friday morning, editor Nick Barnett serves up your finest photos of your domestic friends. You’ll also receive exclusive content with pet-related stories and photos, as well as updates on the life of Riley, Nick’s own furry friend.
Hi, I have a '94 Corolla I'm looking to sell as have purchased a new car.
Just under 265,000 K's , 1.3L manual , rear brakes recently replaced, rear shocks require replacing (hence the low asking price) small rust patch on boot door as pictured. Have owned for the past 8 years. … View moreHi, I have a '94 Corolla I'm looking to sell as have purchased a new car.
Just under 265,000 K's , 1.3L manual , rear brakes recently replaced, rear shocks require replacing (hence the low asking price) small rust patch on boot door as pictured. Have owned for the past 8 years. Great wee run about. Oil + filter changed yearly.
Rego expires: 6/06/23
WOF expires: 25/05/23
Feel free to get in touch - 020 4102 9571. No time wasters please! :)
From reporter Carly Gooch:
A visit to one of Canterbury’s soaking attractions is nearly $100 for a family – so is this too much for a dip, or value for money?
The South Island could be home to the most expensive place to experience hydroslides, hot pools and swimming at the same facility… View moreFrom reporter Carly Gooch:
A visit to one of Canterbury’s soaking attractions is nearly $100 for a family – so is this too much for a dip, or value for money?
The South Island could be home to the most expensive place to experience hydroslides, hot pools and swimming at the same facility – but there’s more than meets the eye at the publicly-owned complex.
Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa, one of South Island’s popular tourist attractions, increased its admission prices in November, raising single entry prices for adults and senior citizens by $3 to $38 and $25 respectively, and prices for children by $2 to $22.
The single entry price of a family has risen from $89 to $98.
Locals and Hurunui ratepayers are entitled to half-price entry – and for internet savvy visitors, a PoolPlus member can receive a 20% discount by sharing their name and email address, bringing the cost down to $78.40 for a family.
The Hurunui District Council-owned facility, nestled in the township of Hanmer Springs, is about a 90-minute drive from Christchurch. It has a variety of hot pools, freshwater pools and two hydroslides, all included in the price.
It had held steady on entry fees for three years before upping the price in November, but while the cost may have some thinking twice about getting the togs and towel out, general manager Graeme Abbot said the pricing was “fair and reasonable”.
There had been several cost increases for running the facility over the past three years, including wage increases every year, power and pool chemicals, he said.
Abbot said the pools opened throughout the last year of Covid restrictions despite losing “a substantial amount of money”.
Closing the complex down would have affected staff and the greater Hurunui district, “and we went ahead even though we knew we were going to lose money”.
A dividend of $2 million is given back to the council annually and spent on Hurunui reserves, parks, gardens, libraries and public amenities, also supporting the local fire crew, ambulance and primary school.
Any money surplus to the $2m is used to repay debt or invest in new products, Abbot said.
Until 2019, access to the hydroslide was separate from general admission, but since combining the fees, the positive feedback had outweighed the bad, he said.
It made it a “far more affordable price” for families, simplified the pricing and cut down on queues during peak times.
There was more family interaction in the pool too, with parents joining their children on the hydroslide, he said, and even an 84-year-old took a ride on the slide.
“Would he have bought a pass? Probably not. Did he have a great experience on that slide? Absolutely.”
Abbot said people might think Hanmer’s admission was “pricey, but the true question is, did they enjoy their day and would they go back?”.
“Price is about expectation and delivery of the product. The feedback we get from customers is fantastic.”
By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury education leader is calling on government funders to focus on ‘‘needs, not rules’’.
Comcol (formerly Community College) North Canterbury is going ahead with its new ‘‘Grow’’ programme next month, while funding is still… View moreBy DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
A North Canterbury education leader is calling on government funders to focus on ‘‘needs, not rules’’.
Comcol (formerly Community College) North Canterbury is going ahead with its new ‘‘Grow’’ programme next month, while funding is still being finalised.
But general manager Kate O’Connor said the Tertiary Education Commission’s Youth Guarantee funding criteria made it difficult for organisations like hers to meet the needs in the community.
Comcol has been operating in North Canterbury for more than 30 years offering an alternative education options ‘‘for those whose needs are not being met by the mainstream school system’’.
It suspended its Youth Guarantee funded education programmes at the end of 2021 due to rising compliance costs.
‘‘We have continued to see a need in the community for somewhere for young people to go to and build their self-confidence and self-esteem to take that next step,’’ O’Connor said.
Comcol North Canterbury ran an eight-week pilot of the new Grow programme in term four last year.
The new 12-week course will start on February 7 at the Comcol Rangiora site and will be offered in each of the four terms this year.
The Grow programme will teach resilience, wellbeing, food security and sustainability.
Skills included cooking, budgeting, preparing a CV, barista training and driver’s licence courses.
It will centre on growing food and preparing it in the kitchen and there will be flexibility to support student goals, including supporting them into work experience.
It has been made possible thanks to community-based funding and O’Connor was optimistic more funding will be secured in the coming weeks.
She would like to see ‘‘Grow’’ rolled out to other Comcol sites around the South Island, if funding can be secured.
O’Connor said the course could work in with the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs (MTFJ) programme, being introduced in Waimakariri this year.
‘‘Some of our graduates may be able link with MTFJ, as this course will prepare them for the workforce.’’
While Comcol has retained its category one provider status registration with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, it would not be able to offer NCEA credits until it had sufficient resourcing.
But Comcol North Canterbury was working with Rangiora High School to offer equine studies this year, as international students returned.
Other options were also being explored with Comcol’s partners and a Koha Shed, in collaboration with Rangiora High School, was providing surplus produce to families in need.
The free mentoring Youth Service was also continuing to be offered across all of Comcol’s South Island sites.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Hi Neighbours!
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If you’re planning a dark colour, choose a Resene CoolColour to help keep the paint, stain and surface cooler.
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DO YOU HAVE A GUINEA PIG ?
if so bring it along to a PET GUINEA PIG SHOW.
this SUNDAY 22nd to 38 Rangiora Woodend Road.
Entries taken 10-10.30. $5 per animal.
Dress up theme " Summer "
Doors open 10am … View moreDO YOU HAVE A GUINEA PIG ?
if so bring it along to a PET GUINEA PIG SHOW.
this SUNDAY 22nd to 38 Rangiora Woodend Road.
Entries taken 10-10.30. $5 per animal.
Dress up theme " Summer "
Doors open 10am - 2pm. Donation entry.
Health checks - Teeth, Claw cutting, Drenching, $5 each.
Demonstration on bathing and grooming, Raffle
Animal sales. Enquiries ring Jenny 012 1457245.
Check us out on Facebook.
NORTH CANTERBURY GUINEA PIGS.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For … View morePrime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced she will resign as prime minister before February 7.
With this year's general election scheduled for Saturday, October 14, discussions surrounding the new leader of the Labour Party are in progress.
Share your thoughts below (include Not For Print if you don't wish for your comments to be published)
Transform a tired old plywood interior into a thing of beauty with Resene Colorwood.
Find out how to create your own.
By DAVID HILL Local Democracy Reporter
The Amberley Mainpower Pool has been experiencing some unexpected teething problems in its first full season of operation.
A technical fault on Christmas Eve and a high demand for season passes has caused some headaches for council staff, Hurunui … View moreBy DAVID HILL Local Democracy Reporter
The Amberley Mainpower Pool has been experiencing some unexpected teething problems in its first full season of operation.
A technical fault on Christmas Eve and a high demand for season passes has caused some headaches for council staff, Hurunui District Council pool manager Naomi Woodham says.
The new pool opened for just one month last season, but is expected to operate for a full six month season until April.
A malfunction in the plant room on Christmas Eve saw the closure of the pool over the Christmas/New Year period, while the council waited to source replacement parts.
‘‘We had technicians out as soon as we could,’’ Woodham said.
‘‘We were going to be closed anyway, so we didn’t lost time to the general public, only to our members (season pass holders).’’
Residents have taken to social media to vent their frustrations at not being able to access the pool in the early morning or evening.
But Woodham said the council had the weigh up the extra cost of employing lifeguards from 6am to 9am and 6pm to 8pm.
‘‘We felt it wasn’t worth putting on life guards just for two or three hours, so we looked at different models.
‘‘The pool doesn’t make money, it is subsidised by the ratepayer.’’
They opted for a model based on Lyttelton Pool, offering season passes for $125 (plus a $10 bond) to regular users to use the pool between 6am and 9am and 6pm to 8pm.
‘‘We thought we might get 20 to 30 people, but it went crazy with the numbers,’’ she said.
‘‘It is full in the morning, so we had to put a cap on it.’’
Season passes for the five-lane pool have been capped at under 100 for lane swimming and aqua jogging.
The season pass holders were required to go through a health and safety briefing and were given lessons on how to take the cover off the pool and place it back on.
And there must be at least two people at the pool at all times.
‘‘Our members are great. They treat it like it is their own pool and they look after each other.’’
Woodham said there have also been complaints about the chlorine levels and water temperatures.
‘‘We’ve had some complaints from parents about the chlorine being too strong in the toddlers’ pool. We test it every hour and we’ve been keeping the chlorine level low, so it’s never been unsafe.’’
She said it was hard to find a balance, as some people preferred higher temperatures, but others said it was too hot.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
Christmas demand for food parcels has reached record levels at North Canterbury’s food banks.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was impressed with the efforts of local not-for-profit organisations to support families struggling with the rising cost… View moreBy DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter
Christmas demand for food parcels has reached record levels at North Canterbury’s food banks.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he was impressed with the efforts of local not-for-profit organisations to support families struggling with the rising cost of living during the festive season.
‘‘I have many people who come into my office who don’t want to ask for help, but are in real need and these organisations are so supportive.
‘‘We have a very caring community which is very generous in its donations to organisations like Hope Community Trust and the Salvation Army which allows them to do the work they do.’’
Community Wellbeing North Canterbury’s Kaiapoi food bank gave out 60 percent more food parcels than during Christmas 2021.
The service even saw families referred to it by the Christchurch City Mission, as it struggled to meet demand.
‘‘Many people coming to our Kaiapoi Community Support service for assistance have never needed support before,’’ co-ordinator Gabi Barlow said.
Alongside the regular food parcels, a Christmas Giving Programme is run to ensure struggling families have presents to put under the tree.
‘‘Thanks to the kindness and generosity of our community, we gave out 2401 presents to families in need,’’ she said.
‘‘We could not have met the huge demand without the incredible support of our community.’’
Kaiapoi Community Support reopened on January 9 and demand for food parcels continues to be high.
A record haul from last month’s Toot for Tucker food drive, helped the food bank get through the Christmas period.
But Community Wellbeing North Canterbury was facing the same cost of living pressures, so more cash and food donations were needed, Barlow said.
Rangiora’s Hope Community Trust is coming up with innovative ways to support families struggling to buy enough food, manager Tracy Pirie said.
The trust launched a new initiative, ‘‘Top Ups’’, last week as a less intrusive way to help families in need.
‘‘Food is becoming a huge issue for a lot of families who have never needed help before,’’ Pirie said.
‘‘We set up a new Facebook page last week for ‘‘Top Ups’’ and I had two people come in last week in tears because they had no food in the house.
‘‘We’ve got to be creative in our messaging because otherwise these people won’t seek help until they’re really hurting.’’
It follows the ‘‘Operation Christmas Dinner’’ initiative, where the trust provided 40 local families with a Christmas dinner food parcel.
The trust was busy in the lead up to Christmas and opened for two days between Christmas and New Year to meet the demand.
Pirie said one person had walked 10km to get a food parcel before New Year.
Gordon lended a hand with the distribution of Operation Christmas Dinner and helped serve Christmas Day lunch run by Kaiapoi’s Reflections Community Trust.
‘‘My thanks to all those organisations which offer support to those who need it.’’
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Many high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in … View moreMany high schools report that vaping is a growing issue despite the 18+ legal smoking age and this has been associated with the proximity of schools to vaping retailers.
Recent amendments have been made to The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Act to limit nicotine in products and cease supply to those born in/after 2009. Less retailers are to be approved and product packaging made less appealing.
Until March 15, public submissions will accepted regarding these changes, especially around the location and quantity of retail stores as well as the appeal and addictiveness of smoked tobacco products.
Whether your pet likes taking an afternoon nap or leaping that gap (that’s a little too big for them), you can relax knowing they’re covered by a trusted pet insurer.
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