Hurunui District , Amberley

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799 days ago

Residents fear proposed development could tarnish their town’s rural character

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Amberley residents fear a proposed development could tarnish the North Canterbury town’s rural character.

UWC Limited has submitted a resource consent application with the Hurunui District Council to expand The Clearing subdivision with sections as… View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Amberley residents fear a proposed development could tarnish the North Canterbury town’s rural character.

UWC Limited has submitted a resource consent application with the Hurunui District Council to expand The Clearing subdivision with sections as small as 400m2.

The subdivision, located between Amberley Beach and Carters roads, already had 123 sections established in the first two stages.

The application proposes creating a further 201 sections ranging in size from 400m2 to 1028m2, with the vast majority below 700m2.

Resident Vanessa McPherson said the proposal would put Amberley’s rural character at risk.

“It could lead to having a McDonald’s and vape shops, and people don’t want Hurunui to turn into that kind of place.”

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the proposal would introduce “higher density housing than we would have expected” and could bring 400 new residents to the town.

The Hurunui District Plan allowed for just 20% of sections to be smaller than 700m2 for residential 1A zone.

“The 700m2 rule is an arbitrary number. It’s about how the rural character and amenity of the town is reflected,” Dobbie said.

“But we know nationally this is changing, so it’s no surprise higher density housing has come out our way.

“The question will be what the public thinks.”

Other variations to the District Plan, included several sections not meeting the 15m by 15m shape factor requirement.

The proposed subdivision also did not comply with the minimum 20m road width, and the provision of a footpath on both sides of the road.

McPherson said while she supported growth, the sheer number of sections would put pressure on existing community services.

“I feel growth is inevitable, but let's grow on our terms.

“There’s so many different factors to consider. We’re getting a lot of retirees, but the Amberley Medical Centre is already bulging at the seams.”

Dobbie said the council had completed work to expand the town’s waste water capacity and work was under way to extend the town’s drinking water supplies.

“Other services such as the medical centre, schools and shops are down to other people to provide, but our view is that growth will lead to a growth in those services.”

McPherson said neighbours were expressing concerns about the development, but were unsure how to respond.

“I feel very strongly that this subdivision is taking us down a path the community doesn’t want to go down.”

Dobbie encouraged residents to have their say and to give reasons for their views to help inform the planners.

The full application can be viewed on the Hurunui District Council website.

Submissions close on Friday, September 16.

Planning commissioners will be appointed to hear the submissions.

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799 days ago

North Canterbury Wearable Arts

Jane from Oxford

Tickets now on sale at the Rangiora Town Hall for this fabulous, family event on Saturday 17 September. Get a group together for a fun night out. Lots of gorgeous and creative costumes.

800 days ago

North Canterbury rugby team win Southbridge Shield for first time in four years

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

The Southbridge Shield – the symbol of supremacy in Canterbury Country representative rugby – is back on the northern side of the Waimakariri River.

North Canterbury beat Ellesmere 13-0 at Lincoln on Saturday in the first ‘Battle of the Bridge’ match for three years.

“There were … View more
The Southbridge Shield – the symbol of supremacy in Canterbury Country representative rugby – is back on the northern side of the Waimakariri River.

North Canterbury beat Ellesmere 13-0 at Lincoln on Saturday in the first ‘Battle of the Bridge’ match for three years.

“There were some pretty happy boys in the North Canterbury team,’’ head coach Matt Keane said.

“North Canterbury last won it in 2018 then lost it in 2019 and that was the last time it was played because of Covid.

“We were primed up for it last year but then the week before they stopped club rugby and we didn’t get the chance.’’

North Canterbury’s winning team at Lincoln included several players from the champion 2018 side, notably captain Josh Maynard, lock Willie Kerr and midfield back Mike Keane – the coach’s brother.

Maynard, the veteran Saracens No 8, received the maximum three points in the player of the match poll, with young Hurunui lock Flynn Crean getting two points, and Glenmark-Cheviot’s Mike Keane one.

Kerr, a Saracens loose forward for much of his career, packed down in the second row with Crean.

“We wanted to be quite mobile around the track,’’ coach Keane said. “The way scrummaging is today we didn’t think it was important to have that big tighthead lock, and we wanted to have two really great options in the lineout and use Willy’s experience.’’

North Canterbury now also have a clutch of talented young players, with Keane noting nine newcomers made debuts this season after 16 earned their first senior spurs in 2021.

He predicted bright futures for many of them, including Crean, who could go on to higher honours once he “has another 10 to 15 kilos on”.

“He’s got a massive ticker, and he’s already hard to put down [as a ball carrier].’’

Young Ashley wing Matt Couch, who is still eligible for the Colts under-21 grade, also impressed in all four senior outings this term.

The North Canterbury squad were able to channel the disappointment of having a proposed September tour of Japan postponed into the Southbridge Shield fixture.

Keane said they made a great start with tries to prop Rawiri Karena and Mike Keane for a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.

But Ellesmere applied more pressure at the breakdown in the middle stages, earning key penalties and restricting North Canterbury’s phases.

“But we got close in the last 20 two or three times,’’ Keane said. “They held us up on the line and we had a couple of dropped balls when we thought we had them.’’

Scott Allin kicked a penalty on the stroke of fulltime to extend the winning margin to 13 points.

Keane said it was encouraging to keep Ellesmere scoreless because North Canterbury’s defence – “we like to call it our attack without the ball’’ – had been disappointing in earlier matches against a Cantabrians XV and a Waitaha Canterbury Māori side.

The victory capped a memorable rugby year for North Canterbury with Glenmark-Cheviot beating Saracens in the first all-North Canterbury Combined Country club grand final.

Keane said North Canterbury rugby was working hard to close the gap “on the big boys in town’’ from the Christchurch Metro competition.

“And Ellesmere like to treat us like the little brother, so it’s nice to get them,’’ he quipped.

The North Canterbury representative team for the Southbridge Shield win over Ellesmere:
Harry Murray, Digby Heard, Matt Jensen, Mike Keane, Matt Couch, Corrigan Harnett, Jordie Gray, Josh Maynard (capt), Dan Brooker, Andrew Hull, Willie Kerr, Flynn Crean, Josh Duckworth, Louis James, Rawiri Karena. Reserves: Ryan Clark, Zach Andrews, Hayden O’Donnell, George Fox, Ben Gold, Matt Roberts, Scott Allin.

Other results:
North Canterbury teams won four of the other five grades against Ellesmere opposition.
North Canterbury Stags 36 Ellesmere 15.
Ellesmere Colts 33 North Canterbury 28.
North Canterbury 18s 22 Ellesmere 17.
North Canterbury 16s 22 Ellesmere 19.

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800 days ago

MacBook Air ( 11-inch, 2015 )

Stevie from Rangiora

Hi I’ve reduced the price $50.00 4/09
A1 Condition
120GB
The pink cover on the front comes off.
Watch a fab YouTube video of the laptop.
youtu.be...

Price: $380

801 days ago

Clock CD radio

Chris from Rangiora

Hi all my CD has stopped working in my clock radio.. can someone please recommend anyone who can fix these items please.
Thanks all regards Chrissy

801 days ago

Luxury Cruising Virtual Information Sessions

The Luxury Cruising Co.

Join Pat from the Luxury Cruising Co this September to discover a unique collection of destinations and packages!

Sessions

Europe Session Tuesday 6th September 11am River Cruising
Land Journeys, Rail Journeys, Private Jet Tours, Small Ship Cruising, Luxury Yacht Cruising.

Canada/Alaska … View more
Join Pat from the Luxury Cruising Co this September to discover a unique collection of destinations and packages!

Sessions

Europe Session Tuesday 6th September 11am River Cruising
Land Journeys, Rail Journeys, Private Jet Tours, Small Ship Cruising, Luxury Yacht Cruising.

Canada/Alaska Session on Thursday 8th September 11am
Canadian Rockies with Alaska Cruise, Eastern Canada with New England Cruise, Rockies with Rail, Rockies with Calgary Stampede

Australia on Tuesday 13th September 11am
Kimberly Small Ship Cruising, 4WD Touring, Tasmania, Luxury Wilderness Camps, Discover a wide range of options available.

Asia Session on Thursday 15th September 11am
Discover Touring and River Cruises available in Vietnam, Cambodia, Japan and South Korea

Luxury Cruising on Tuesday 20 September at 11am
An overview of Luxury Cruising Worldwide and expedition cruising in Antarctica and the Arctic

Click here to register your interest or contact 0800 214 9925
Visit https://luxurycruising.co.nz/
Register Now

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801 days ago

IPad Air2 128GB

Stevie from Rangiora

Hi good condition
Everything works

Price: $250

804 days ago

North Canterbury careers expo goes online

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

An innovative approach is ensuring North Canterbury youth have access to careers guidance, amid Covid-19 uncertainty.

The North Canterbury Youth Futures careers expo has gone online, Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

An innovative approach is ensuring North Canterbury youth have access to careers guidance, amid Covid-19 uncertainty.

The North Canterbury Youth Futures careers expo has gone online, Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said at last week’s community and recreation meeting.

The careers expo was first held in 2019, but has since been disrupted by Covid-19, so the steering group made the decision earlier this year to go online.

The steering group comprised representatives from the council’s community team, Rangiora and Kaiapoi high schools, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development and ComCol North Canterbury.

The North Canterbury Youth Futures steering group was established in response to a growing concern young people were leaving school with no idea what career they wanted to pursue.

The expo was hosted by Rangiora High School in 2019 and 2021, and was open to all North Canterbury youth, or anyone considering a career change, will all schools in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts invited to attend.

The development of an online presence has been led by Waimakariri District Council youth development facilitator Emily Belton and Joseph Houghton, from the Ministry of Education.

To help guide the development of online tools, the steering group conducted focus groups with pupils at schools in the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts.

Responses varied depending on the age of students and whether they were rural or urban.

Some envisaged that careers may take them overseas, while recognition of the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and concerns for the environment featured strongly.

Facebook and Instagram pages were being used to promote career pathways, educational opportunities, how to write a CV and how to present transferable skills.

‘‘It’s giving young people tips about how to present what looks like an empty CV, so employers will find it interesting,’’ Sturley said.

‘‘It’s about helping young people to form a plan for their future direction.

"Next year we will look at doing both an in-person event and having an online presence.’’

Sturley said the steering group had made a soft launch this month, putting up links to resources and opportunities.

Video content of interviews with local employers, young people and mentoring would be shared over the coming weeks.

For now, the Waimakariri district did not quality for the Mayor’s Taskforce for Jobs programme, which was proving successful in the Hurunui and Kaikoura districts.

But Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said the criteria was being reviewed to widen the scope of the programme beyond the 30,000 resident population limit.

‘‘We do provide some funding and support to councils to run the programme, so it would be really good to be able to provide those opportunities in our district.

"We do have low unemployment in our district, but there’s always people who fall through the gaps.’’

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804 days ago

Expect the unexpected

Stuff

Generally Famous is Stuff's new podcast in which Simon Bridges finds out what makes his generally famous - but always interesting - guests tick.

So far, Simon's had Olympian Eric Murray and digital entrepreneur Lucy Blakiston in the hot seat. And there's … View more
Generally Famous is Stuff's new podcast in which Simon Bridges finds out what makes his generally famous - but always interesting - guests tick.

So far, Simon's had Olympian Eric Murray and digital entrepreneur Lucy Blakiston in the hot seat. And there's more exciting guests to come each Wednesday.
Listen now

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804 days ago

Good as gold!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

These folks are 'salt of the earth' and deserve a gold medal for the joy they bring to their neighbourhoods.

Their neighbours have nominated them as Nice Neighbours recently, winning them a small prize and some recognition in the local papers.

If you are lucky enough to have a … View more
These folks are 'salt of the earth' and deserve a gold medal for the joy they bring to their neighbourhoods.

Their neighbours have nominated them as Nice Neighbours recently, winning them a small prize and some recognition in the local papers.

If you are lucky enough to have a Nice Neighbour, you can nominate them on our Nice Neighbour page. We can't wait to hear all about them!

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804 days ago

ICE PLANT - Bright Pink

Dee from Rangiora

I have some Ice plants in a pot. $5 each
Also Ice Plant Cutting $5 for 2 cuttings.

Pick Up is in Rangiora.

Happy to Post (the cuttings)

Price: $5

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804 days ago

DAHLIA TUBERS - ON SALE $8

Dee from Rangiora

Dahlia tubers from my garden. Too many tubers to keep as I don't have anymore space to plant them all. Dahlia is a stunning flower that will give your garden a spectacular display with their bold colours and abundant flowers during summers. Easy care plant, too.

Pick up is Rangiora. Monday… View more
Dahlia tubers from my garden. Too many tubers to keep as I don't have anymore space to plant them all. Dahlia is a stunning flower that will give your garden a spectacular display with their bold colours and abundant flowers during summers. Easy care plant, too.

Pick up is Rangiora. Monday - Friday 10am - 4.30pm
Saturday 10am - 12.30pm

I am also happy to post them for you (wth extra charge for the track parcel bag)

Price: $8

805 days ago

Hurunui council expresses opposition to proposed biodiversity rules

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The Hurunui District Council’s District Plan could face a significant rewrite if biodiversity proposals are adopted.

The council’s submission on the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity exposure draft was retrospectively ratified … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

The Hurunui District Council’s District Plan could face a significant rewrite if biodiversity proposals are adopted.

The council’s submission on the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity exposure draft was retrospectively ratified at a council meeting on Wednesday, August 25, with councillors expressing their concerns.

Senior planner Nicola Kirby said should the NPS be adopted in its present form it would force changes to the Hurunui District Plan.

‘‘District plans can’t be inconsistent with a national level document, so there will be some significant changes and we are about to go through the process of working out what we may need to change.’’

Top of the list of concerns was the mapping of significant natural areas (SNAs) on private land, which has proved to be an ‘‘emotive topic’’ since the council first attempted to bring it into the District Plan in the 1990s.

Mayor Marie Black said she had requested Hurunui not be included in the Canterbury Mayoral Forum’s submission, as her community had ‘‘a different view’’.

Councillors voted to name an unnamed portion of road between Hilton Drive and Rosewood Drive in Amberley as Hilton Drive, in a bid to cause the least confusion.

It meant there would now be a continuous looped road, linking Carters Rd and Amberley Beach Rd, with three names.

Pound Rd runs off Carters Rd and then becomes Hilton Drive.

A new stretch of road being developed as part of the Oakfields subdivision will be a continuation of Hilton Drive, linking with Rosewood Drive.

Rosewood Drive was confirmed as a road name in June, when councillors revoked a previous decision to name the entire stretch of road from Pound Rd and linking with Amberley Beach Rd as Hilton Drive.

A right-of-way off Purchas Road at Glasnevin, south of Waipara, has been named Limeloader Lane.

The name Limeloader recognised the lime loading plant which operated on Purchas Road for several until the 1960s.

Eleven properties used the right-of-way.

Councillors voted the waive the entire consenting fees totalling $13,452.39 for the Glenmark Church’s rebuild.

Council staff had already granted a $2500 refund, the maximum allowed in the council’s policy, as well as waiving the Building Research

Association of New Zealand and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment levies.

Black said the policy allowed for discretion to go beyond the $2500 maximum for projects that benefited the community.

She acknowledged the community’s effort in raising more than $600,000.

The Glenmark Church at Waipara was severely damaged in September 2010 Canterbury earthquake.

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805 days ago

Don't forget Dad! Just one week to go Neigbours

The Team from NZ Compare

Whether he's a new dad, a super special father figure or a many times grandad, find the perfect present to spoil him with PriceMe.

Read our handy gift guide to get those last minute Father's Day shopping ideas, while PriceMe's easy to use cost comparison website will save you the … View more
Whether he's a new dad, a super special father figure or a many times grandad, find the perfect present to spoil him with PriceMe.

Read our handy gift guide to get those last minute Father's Day shopping ideas, while PriceMe's easy to use cost comparison website will save you the $$$!!

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806 days ago

Clever Cantamath competitors

The Team Reporter from The Press

Cantamath returned to Christchurch on Wednesday after being postponed two years in a row due to Covid restrictions.

The normally annual mathematics competition involves students in years 6 to 10.

The winners of this year's teams competition were:

- Year 7: 1st Cobham Intermediate, … View more
Cantamath returned to Christchurch on Wednesday after being postponed two years in a row due to Covid restrictions.

The normally annual mathematics competition involves students in years 6 to 10.

The winners of this year's teams competition were:

- Year 7: 1st Cobham Intermediate, 2nd Heaton Normal School, 3rd Middleton Grange.

- Year 8: four teams reached the golden 100 points 1st Rangi Ruru, 2nd Queenspark Primary School, 3rd Christ the King School, also to reach 100 points Cobham Intermediate.

- Year 9: 1st with 100 golden points St Andrew’s College Team 1, 2nd Burnside High School Team 3, 3rd Christ’s College Team 1.

- Year 10: 1st with 100 golden points Papanui High School Team 1 (pictured), 2nd Christ’s College Team 1, 3rd Burnside High School Team 2.

The overall winners of the Cantamath Displays Competition were Jessica Ritchie (year 8 from Christ the King School) for her dynamic model and Noah Palmer (year 7 from Beckenham Te Kura o Pūroto) for his dynamic model.

Congratulations to the winners and all those involved.

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