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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A potential shakeup of the makeup of a Canterbury council's elected representatives could help balance ‘‘the rural and town divide’’.
The Hurunui District Council is weighing up whether to increase the number south ward councillors - which … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A potential shakeup of the makeup of a Canterbury council's elected representatives could help balance ‘‘the rural and town divide’’.
The Hurunui District Council is weighing up whether to increase the number south ward councillors - which includes for the town of Amberley - or to create a community board to support the growing population.
Amberley District Residents’ Association chairperson Roy Myers said he supported increasing the number of elected representatives in Hurunui’s south ward as Amberley had more diverse needs compared to other smaller communities.
It would also help bridge ‘‘the rural and town divide’’, he said.
‘‘If you look at the smaller communities, their interests are much more directly focused on their own needs in a community of maybe a few hundred people," he said.
Currently, Hurunui District Council is made up of 10 councillors - four each for the west and south wards, and two for the east ward.
The west ward includes the towns of Hanmer Springs, Waiau, Culverden, Hawarden and Waikari, while the east ward includes Cheviot, Greta Valley and Waipara.
The south ward includes Amberley, Amberley Beach, Leithfield and Leithfield Beach.
‘‘In Amberley, the population has more or less doubled over the last 10 years and a lot of them are newcomers," Myers said.
‘‘Over time their expectations for local services might increase, but at the moment if you look at what is provided, we don’t have much services.’’
He said Amberley’s town centre lacked a community space, other than the Tin Shed at the Amberley Domain, while a proposed cycleway linking Amberley and Amberley Beach had yet to eventuate.
Myers said the challenge was getting people engaged in local politics.
In the 2022 local government elections, eight candidates stood for the four seats in the south ward, but the voter turnout was around 40 percent.
‘‘I think a lot of people feel quite distanced from the council,’’ he said.
A working party is conducting a representation review and is due to make a recommendation to next month’s council meeting.
It will be consulted on in April, alongside the 2024-34 long-term plan consultation, Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said.
The council was exploring a range of options, including retaining the status quo.
There was one community board for Hanmer Springs, while community and ward committees represented the various ‘‘communities of interest’’ throughout the district, he said.
Dobbie said the main difference between the committees and community board members was the latter were elected and remunerated.
Community committees were given a similar delegation to a community board, with major decisions made by the elected council.
Mayor Marie Black said the priority was ensuring ‘‘communities of interest’’ were represented.
The south ward’s population is about 5680, with just under half living in the Amberley township, while the district-wide population is 13,800, based on Stats NZ 2023 population estimates.
The decision was made last year not the to establish a Māori ward, after consultation with Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservationists say Canterbury’s coastline has been neglected for too long and it's time for a "complete overhaul" of the regional council's plan to protect the marine environment.
Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura, an organisation … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Conservationists say Canterbury’s coastline has been neglected for too long and it's time for a "complete overhaul" of the regional council's plan to protect the marine environment.
Te Korowai o Te Tai ō Marokura, an organisation that protects Kaikōura’s marine environment and fisheries, has been advocating for an updated environmental plan for some time.
Secretary Gina Solomon said the council’s focus on freshwater has seen it ‘‘neglect’’ the marine environment.
‘‘It needs a complete overhaul and I don’t think Canterbury is doing much in the biosecurity or invasive species space.’’
Her comments come after Environment Canterbury voted last week to look into what was needed to review the Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan.
The plan was adopted in 2005 and aims to promote the sustainable management of the Canterbury coast.
Councillor Genevieve Robinson, who put forward the motion to review the plan, said it no longer reflected the direction or intent of the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement, which guides local authorities on managing the coastal environment.
Kaikōura Zone Committee chairperson Ted Howard, a conservationist with 30 years experience in commercial fishing, said a review was long overdue.
‘‘It has been on and off the books for a while and it has been delayed three times since I’ve been involved.’’
Greenpeace Aotearoa oceans campaigner Ellie Hooper said regional coastal plans played an important part in protecting the health of ocean systems.
New Zealand’s coastlines faced risks from pollution, sedimentation and ‘‘destructive fishing’’.
‘‘In New Zealand and around the world, we are in an ocean crisis with species being pushed to the brink due to human activities.’’
Polling by Greenpeace showed New Zealanders were concerned about the impacts fishing on the ocean.
She said commercial fishing was endangering Hector’s dolphins, seabirds, fur seals and corals.
‘‘You’ve got the direct impacts of fishing, things that are caught in the process that aren’t the target, and then you’ve got the impacts of commercial fishing taking so much fish out of the water that creatures like fur seals are unable to feed themselves.
‘‘It is abhorrent.’’
Department of Conservation (DOC) marine species manager Malene Felsing said regional coastal plans are important tools for managing the coastal and marine environment, and DOC would be happy to help with any review process.
DOC has created a management plan to reduce the threats to Hector’s and Māui dolphins.
Fisheries New Zealand fisheries management director Emma Taylor said marine mammals and seabirds were ‘‘precious taonga to New Zealand’’.
The agency worked closely with local councils, DOC, the fishing industry, iwi, and local communities to look after the country’s coastlines.
The South Island Hector’s Dolphin Bycatch Reduction Plan has been developed and outlines regulatory and voluntary measures designed to reduce the Hectors’ dolphin bycatch towards zero.
Measures include restrictions on fishing, with about 17,650sqkm of South Island coastline closed to set netting.
About 6988sqkm of trawl measures are also in place, Taylor said.
‘‘This includes the Canterbury coastline, which has a set-netting ban out to at least four nautical miles, and up to 19 nautical miles at Pegasus Bay.’’
Robinson’s motion called for the ban to be extended to six nautical miles, or just over 11km from the coastline.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Make your own portable gardening tool organiser in your favourite Resene colour.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Hunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to … View moreHunger for Colour is back for 2024! Bring two cans of food into your local Resene ColorShop and swap them for one Resene testpot (60-80ml). Resene will donate all food to The Salvation Army foodbanks.
We accept all cans of food in good condition and suitable for humans to eat. If you prefer to bring in canned pet food, we can accept that also and will donate it to the SPCA and local community animal shelters.
By adding a little more colour to your life you can also help those in need.
All free pick up in Oxford phone Bill on 0274250998
Rangiora Scottish Country Dancing starts back on Monday 26th February 2024, 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Anglican Church Hall, Church Street, Rangiora.
A 6 week introductory / beginners class begins on Monday 4th March 2024 - 7.30 - 8.30pm.
Cost: 6 lessons for only $30.
No partner required.
No … View moreRangiora Scottish Country Dancing starts back on Monday 26th February 2024, 7.30 - 9.30pm at the Anglican Church Hall, Church Street, Rangiora.
A 6 week introductory / beginners class begins on Monday 4th March 2024 - 7.30 - 8.30pm.
Cost: 6 lessons for only $30.
No partner required.
No special equipment - just soft soled shoes and a water bottle.
Tutor: Sharon Plank
Contact: Olive 027 252 6791 or
Gail 0212984712 for more information.
Feeling the Summer heat? Don't let your power bill skyrocket along with the temperatures!
Check out these 10 simple tips to keep cool and save money on your power bills this season.
The Christchurch Art Show is back at Te Pae Convention Centre March 8 – 10!
Expect amazing artwork of all types, artist demonstrations, and award- winning artists at New Zealand’s largest art show. The Christchurch Art Show’s new VIP Preview event opens 8 March 5pm, the ever-popular … View moreThe Christchurch Art Show is back at Te Pae Convention Centre March 8 – 10!
Expect amazing artwork of all types, artist demonstrations, and award- winning artists at New Zealand’s largest art show. The Christchurch Art Show’s new VIP Preview event opens 8 March 5pm, the ever-popular opening night follows this at 7:30pm. Both are pre- sale catered events and opening night will sell out!
Show Days are: Sat 9th March 10am-8pm and Sun 10th March 10am - 5pm.
Come and view thousands of original quality artworks, meet the artists and view live art demonstrations. Make it a day out and enjoy The Christchurch Art Show!
Buy Christchurch Tickets (New) – ART SHOW TICKETING
Peter is helping us out with something that nearly everyone can relate to – dealing with the unsorted photos taking up space on your phone or languishing in boxes in your home.
“Without fail, when I give a talk about getting organised, I’m always asked how to deal with photos,” says … View morePeter is helping us out with something that nearly everyone can relate to – dealing with the unsorted photos taking up space on your phone or languishing in boxes in your home.
“Without fail, when I give a talk about getting organised, I’m always asked how to deal with photos,” says Peter.
Boxes of unsorted photos can feel overwhelming to organise so they often get left for many years to clutter up our houses. In addition to this, most of us have smartphones that make it easy to take photos anywhere, so pretty soon our digital photo life becomes cluttered too.
Click read more for the full article.
For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.
Make this property … View moreFor only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home in Pegasus, Christchurch worth almost $1 million.
Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting for its new owner.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it!
Don’t miss out! Get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
There have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.
- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- … View moreThere have been hundreds of wonderful entries in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero from across the country! If you haven't nominated a special local business yet, do it today.
- Got a great mechanic? Nominate them today.
- A barista who makes you smile? Nominate them today.
- A reassuring pharmacy team? Nominate them today.
Make a small business' day today by nominating them as your Prospa Local Business Hero - and you could make their whole year (our national winner picks up an incredible $10,000 prize package!)
Scottish Country Dance Club starts again 26 February at 7.30pm in the Anglican Church Hall, Church St., Rangiora.
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