Hurunui District , Amberley

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in November.

155 days ago

‘Granny flat’ change comes with risks

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Proposed 'granny flat' legislation could help address housing demand in North Canterbury, but officials want safeguards against flooding and liquefaction risks.

The Hurunui District Council has questioned whether small homes are practical in … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Proposed 'granny flat' legislation could help address housing demand in North Canterbury, but officials want safeguards against flooding and liquefaction risks.

The Hurunui District Council has questioned whether small homes are practical in the windy region, while the Waimakariri District Council says the policy appears to be consistent with its proposed District Plan.

The Government is seeking feedback on a proposal to force councils to allow buildings of up to 60m2 in certain areas, without requiring a consent.

The proposal was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Housing Minister Chris Bishop last week.

It will amend the Building Act and the resource consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60m2, provided they met the building code.

Hurunui District Council building and property manager Kerry Walsh said given the majority of the district is above the high wind zone, the maximum allowed in the proposal, ‘‘granny flats’’ may not even be permitted.

The Hurunui District includes the growing town of Amberley and tourist hotspot, Hanmer Springs.

If granny flats were allowed, he said it could "double the number of houses connected to the council’s systems".

The council needed to consider a number of questions when offering feedback including: will there be enough checks and balances, and will local infrastructure have sufficient capacity to support the proposal.

Waimakariri District Council planning, regulation and environment general manager Kelly LaValley said the proposal has the potential to address housing demand in the area, which includes Rangiora.

‘‘It aligns with our District Plan that allows granny flats to be established without a resource consent, provided conditions are met.

‘‘It is also good to see that the proposal considers impacts to stormwater, servicing, and infrastructure funding.’’

But there needed to be safeguards included to mitigate the risks from liquefaction and flooding.

There will need to be a clearly defined method of determining if the granny flats comply with the Building Code.

The Kaikōura District Council has also been contacted for comment.
Consultation is open until August 12, with final policy decisions to be made later in 2024. They are expected to be in place by mid-2025.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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155 days ago

Knee high leather boots

Pauline from Rangiora

9cm heel dark Grey colour full leather only worn a few times size 40 9 -9.5 good for a wider calve inside half zip happy for you to try on before buy excellent condition PM or text 0212095513 originally purchase price $199

Price: $75

155 days ago

Residents ‘dig’ Ryman’s Trees for Fees initiative

Charles Upham Retirement Village

With 500 trees now newly-planted on a slope in a Whitford farm paddock, Ryman Healthcare is well on the way to fulfilling its promise of a more sustainable invoicing process.

For every resident who switches from paper to email invoicing, Ryman has pledged to plant a tree, and has partnered with … View more
With 500 trees now newly-planted on a slope in a Whitford farm paddock, Ryman Healthcare is well on the way to fulfilling its promise of a more sustainable invoicing process.

For every resident who switches from paper to email invoicing, Ryman has pledged to plant a tree, and has partnered with Trees for Survival Charitable Trust to achieve this goal.

Click read more for the full story.

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155 days ago

The Easiest & Most Effective Anti - Aging Treatment You can GET

Rae from Room To Heal

Hello Neighbours

My Microdermabrasion crystals are my go to once a week.

Its benefits include: softens fine lines and wrinkles, helps to smooth coarsely textured skin, decreases the appearance of scarring, decreases pore size, and reduces superficial hyper-pigmentation, also known as age … View more
Hello Neighbours

My Microdermabrasion crystals are my go to once a week.

Its benefits include: softens fine lines and wrinkles, helps to smooth coarsely textured skin, decreases the appearance of scarring, decreases pore size, and reduces superficial hyper-pigmentation, also known as age spots. Microdermabrasion also makes it easier for high quality skin care products to penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin and help build collagen, which gives skin its youthful appearance.


The surface skin cell turnover will be enhanced and skin will feel visibly fresher. Age spots and fine lines are reduced, pores are unclogged, acne is diminished, collagen is stimulated and a more uniform tone is evident. Essentially it is a controlled way to shed skin of impurities and dead layers of skin. It can be used to successfully treat concerns such as dull, weathered skin, uneven or blotchy pigmentation, freckles, black heads, sun damage and fine lines.

Add the Microdermabrasion crystals to your own lotions, creams/cleansers etc and you will create your own microdermabrasion treatment. Use your hands to rub the cream into your face, pushing the crystals against your skin so that they grab and remove the dead cells of the stratum corneum (top layer of skin). Rinse then moisturise. Please remember to use on backs of hands, arms, chest, legs etc just work it all over your body for a silky smooth sensation!

If your skin needs a lift then purchase here: www.immersioncosmetics.co.nz...

Pickup Available at Room to Heal

Room to Heal in Rangiora
Reiki Practitioner
Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Bioptron Medical Light Therapist
Love and Light
Rae

Price: $12.95

162 days ago

Do you volunteer or know someone who does?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's NZ Volunteer Week (16-22 June) and we know there are real good sorts in your community.

Often these kind acts and regular volunteering efforts go unnoticed but let's put a stop to that.

Let us know below who is making a difference in your neighbourhood so we can all … View more
It's NZ Volunteer Week (16-22 June) and we know there are real good sorts in your community.

Often these kind acts and regular volunteering efforts go unnoticed but let's put a stop to that.

Let us know below who is making a difference in your neighbourhood so we can all appreciate them for the great work that they do!

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158 days ago

Kate

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"I was in Cambodia for work. It was a very hot night, and I literally swept my hand down my body and said out loud, ‘Oh, it's so hot!’ And I felt this lump, It felt like half the size of a golf ball. I thought, I'm not going to be too worried about it, but I emailed my doctor and… View more"I was in Cambodia for work. It was a very hot night, and I literally swept my hand down my body and said out loud, ‘Oh, it's so hot!’ And I felt this lump, It felt like half the size of a golf ball. I thought, I'm not going to be too worried about it, but I emailed my doctor and made an appointment.

They've said all along you're very lucky you caught it early.

I guess there's some people who go through this sort of thing who are not information seekers. But I'm like, ‘tell me everything!’. My oncologist, at our first meeting, said, ‘our job is to take your body to the very edge to kill the cancer. We take you to the edge, knowing that once we stop, the systems that we are affecting will recover.’ So it is scary stuff.

I just asked questions all the time. I'm a pretty cynical person, but I'm so impressed with the quality of care. I was told when I was first diagnosed, you're in the best city in New Zealand for breast cancer care. When you go in for your chemo you are given a nurse for the day, and she looks after you. They're super resilient these women I mean, obviously they have to be.

When I was heading into chemotherapy, I think the vision I had was that it would be a very quiet, somber place. Oh, no! It's like, hi!, hi! Hi! it's bustly, people are laughing. I actually come away from my chemotherapy sessions feeling quite uplifted because the talk's very lively, and there's just this feeling of caring and concern.

I'm at the pointy end of the treatment now, and although I'm only having treatment every three weeks, the drugs that I'm having now are very heavy duty. I'm just holding my head above water with work.

I continue to turn up with full makeup, I'll put earrings on. And my eyebrows, which I draw on fastidiously every morning and sometimes I end up with like Groucho Marx and sometimes I end up looking like Twiggy. It just depends on my mood. People say to me, oh, gosh, she's looking so well. That helps me too because it's a bit of normality in a very abnormal situation.

Perspective is really important. Getting your head out of what might happen, and bringing yourself back to the present is really important. Counseling helps, right? Breast Cancer Foundation and the Cancer Society both fund counselling.

At the beginning, I was trying to be upbeat about it all the time. I'm not now. I acknowledge when I have down days, those are the days when my sister rushes around and gives me a foot massage.

Actually, for the last week, I felt really afraid of dying. Most of the time, I'm not, because I have faith. So it’s just like, I’ve got this job to do this year, which is an absolute shit job. But it will come to an end.

Boy, have I developed as a person and I'll continue to develop right to the end of this journey, whatever that looks like. Because it just forever changes you. Physically and mentally and emotionally. Spiritually. I've got people praying for me all over the world, and I believe that has made a difference."

- Kate

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org...

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156 days ago

Some tickets still available, with one week to go!

Mark from Rangiora

“ Just home from Strictly Sex Factor (on Ice) and Murder in Little Grimley. What an awesome fun evening. Well done to the cast and company.”

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156 days ago

New Lottery, New Home

Heart Foundation Lotteries

For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the charming coastal town of Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be … View more
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the charming coastal town of Mangawhai, worth almost $1.4 million dollars.

Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be loved by its new owner.

Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental, or you can simply sell it!

Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

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164 days ago

used super market bags

Arthur from Rangiora

URGENT. Wanted used supermarket bags are needed in the CITY MISSION op shop. We are in the Gables Arcade at the council carpark end. THANK YOU.

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158 days ago

Health workers needed in rural areas

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Recruiting medical professions into rural areas remains a challenge, says a North Canterbury mayor.

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand has made good progress in recruiting staff, but Hurunui mayor Marie Black says rural areas are … View more
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

Recruiting medical professions into rural areas remains a challenge, says a North Canterbury mayor.

Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand has made good progress in recruiting staff, but Hurunui mayor Marie Black says rural areas are missing out.

Training more health professionals is a priority in Budget 2024, with $22 million set aside for doctor training.

‘‘That will take us from an intake of 589 this year to an intake of 614 from next year,’’ Reti said.

‘‘We are also progressing a cost benefit analysis for a proposed third medical school through Waikato University, which will focus on primary and rural care.’’

While overseas-trained medical professionals make a valuable contribution, Reti said training young New Zealanders was more sustainable in the long term.

‘‘Health workforce shortages are a problem in every country around the world.

‘‘That is why it is so important we invest in training doctors and other health professionals here in New Zealand.’’

In the year to December 2023, Health NZ recruited more than 200 full-time equivalent senior doctors, 2500 nurses, nearly 100 midwives, and more than 230 scientific and technical staff.

There were still shortages in mental health, critical care and midwifery, Reti said.

While it was reassuring to know progress has been made in recruitment, Black said there was little evidence of it in ‘‘primary health provision in country areas’’.

The Hurunui district has been doing its bit to encourage health students to consider working in rural areas, she said.

Third year Otago Medical School students have been visiting the district each August for several years.

The initiative has been running for 10 years, with the students visiting medical centres, St John, District Nurses, police, the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and a local preschool.

‘‘If we can grow our own people that is the best solution,’’ Black said.
Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he was pleased the Government was addressing workforce shortages.

A new medical centre was being planned in Rangiora to offer urgent and after hours medical care, but it would need more medical professionals, he said.

‘‘I am pleased with the Government’s announcement that funding will be allocated to ensure we are training more doctors and health care professionals here in New Zealand.

‘‘This will help to alleviate doctor shortages particularly in the regions and rural communities.’’

The Kaikōura district faced similar challenges, and its over 65 population was expected to increase to one-third over the next 30 years.

Takahanga Marae has hosted tertiary health students from around Aotearoa in recent years for a three-day Noho Marae visit.

The initiative was a partnership between Te Tai o Marokura, a Maori health and social service provider in Kaikōura, and Hauora Taiwhenua/Rural Health Network’s careers programme.

■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

158 days ago

Spice up your winter

Charles Upham Retirement Village

When it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?

From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of… View more
When it’s cold outside, there's nothing quite like being inside the cosy warmth of a kitchen infused with the aroma of spices. But did you know that beyond their aromatic allure, these spices harbour a treasure trove of health benefits?

From the fiery kick of chilli to the sweet warmth of cinnamon, each spice brings not only flavour but also a host of nutrients and healing properties to our winter dishes. So, whether you're sipping on mulled wine, indulging in gingerbread, or savouring a hearty stew, every bite promises to not just please your palate but also contribute to your overall wellbeing.

Click read more for the full story.

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158 days ago

What is Reiki Energy Healing?

Rae from Room To Heal

Hello Neighbours

The word “Reiki” means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy.

Reiki is a type of energy healing. Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury … View more
Hello Neighbours

The word “Reiki” means “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” It comes from the Japanese words “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life energy.

Reiki is a type of energy healing. Energy can stagnate in the body where there has been physical injury or even emotional pain. In time, these energy blocks can cause illness.

Energy healing aims to help the flow of energy and remove blocks in a similar way to acupuncture or acupressure. Being a Reiki Practitioner (who has undergone formal training in this healing art) I believe that improving the flow of energy around the body can enable relaxation, relieve pain, speed healing, and reduce other symptoms of illness. Reiki is a form of complementary and alternative medicine, being open to receiving life force energy is a must.


Invest in Yourself: Take a small retreat from your busy life to relax & enjoy a peaceful, gentle, healing session with me. Improve your physical emotional mental & spiritual well being. Reduce anxiety, stress & tension.

Book a Reiki Session with Me, and I will help you on your HEALING journey.

Room to Heal in Rangiora
Reiki Practitioner
Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Bioptron Medical Light Therapist

Sensing Souls
Clairvoyant/Medium/Psychic Available

Love and Light
Rae

Click on the Read More link for more information.

158 days ago

Berry trellis

The Team from Resene ColorShop Rangiora

Give your berries room to grow and plenty of airflow with this helpful trellis finished in Resene Kwila Timber Stain. Keeping the canes off the ground means berries stay healthy and are easy to reach when ready to pick.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.

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158 days ago

Amberley’s growing pains: Is a bypass needed?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

Could Amberley be the next North Canterbury town to build a bypass?

While the Woodend Bypass looks set to finally be built after decades of planning, residents have suggested a heavy vehicle bypass should be included in the Hurunui District Council’s south ward spatial plan.

State Highway 1… View more
Could Amberley be the next North Canterbury town to build a bypass?

While the Woodend Bypass looks set to finally be built after decades of planning, residents have suggested a heavy vehicle bypass should be included in the Hurunui District Council’s south ward spatial plan.

State Highway 1 cuts through the towns of Woodend and Amberley, north of Christchurch.

The council received 41 submissions during its recent consultation, with several suggesting solutions to address safety concerns on Carters Rd, as the town continues to grow.

One submitter called on the council to ‘‘push the Government to start planning’’ a bypass and to ‘‘start drawing some lines on a map to show options of where this could be located’’.

Another submitter wanted a pedestrian overbridge on Carters Rd and suggested the council seek out ‘‘philanthropic investors’’.

With housing growth planned for east Amberley, a second primary school was proposed to alleviate safety concerns for children crossing Carters Rd to get to Amberley School.

There were mixed views on whether the council should apply to Environment Canterbury for public transport provision.

Several submitters supported the idea, while some wanted the beach communities included and others questioned whether it was necessary.

South Ward Committee chairperson Jo Hassall said there have been a variety of views expressed on the subject of a bypass.

“I know a couple of people have said ‘why isn’t it on the table?’

“But others have said ‘why would you, because it would take traffic away from the businesses’.”

Hassall said she was unsure a bus service would be financially viable.
“It would need to be available when people need it, otherwise it wouldn’t be viable.

“There is already a community bus service which is available and it is great for older people who don’t drive.”

She said people moved to places like Leithfield and the beach communities for the lifestyle and they were used to driving themselves to Rangiora and Christchurch, with many commuting to work.

In a report to last week’s South Ward Committee meeting, the council’s planning team leader, Nicola Kirby, said staff had liaised with NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi , which advised an Amberley bypass was ‘‘not a current priority’’.

But a resource consent was granted earlier this year for a truck stop at the Grays Rd/State Highway 1 intersection.

‘‘If this development occurs it may have implications for heavy vehicle movements which will need to be further considered,’’ she said.

The council had proposed zoning land next to Grays Rd in west Amberley for industrial use.

But residents raised concerns about the noise, outlook and the impact on property values.

Staff were now considering land between Lawcocks and Grays roads, to the west of the Kowai River north branch, Kirby said.

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159 days ago

Brand New Sandals

Elisabeth from Rangiora

Beige, size 10. Pick up Rangiora.

Price: $15

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