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Star gazers are peering into Oxford’s dark sky. Local Democracy Reporter DAVID HILL visits the group to speak about their quest for dark sky park status.
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A group of volunteers are looking to the stars in a bid to gain dark sky park status for a conservation area in North Canterbury.
… View moreStar gazers are peering into Oxford’s dark sky. Local Democracy Reporter DAVID HILL visits the group to speak about their quest for dark sky park status.
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A group of volunteers are looking to the stars in a bid to gain dark sky park status for a conservation area in North Canterbury.
The newly formed Oxford Dark Sky Group is close to submitting an application with the International Dark-Sky Association.
To complete the application, volunteers travel to the Oxford Forest Conservation Area to measure the dark sky.
My daughter, Sasha, and I met volunteers Raul Elias-Drago and Susi Schulze at the Oxford Area School Observatory at 11.30pm on a recent Friday, before heading out to the conservation area.
We take our first readings on the dark sky reader after stepping out of the car at the Coopers Creek car park.
As Elias-Drago explained, we need readings of magnitude 21.2 or higher to support the application.
Stellar magnitude is what astronomers use to measure the brightness of star or object in space. The brighter the object, the lower magnitude.
The Sun has an apparent magnitude of -27, while Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is -1.46. Venus at its brightest is -5 and the International Space Station can reach a magnitude of -6.
Most people can see up to magnitude 6 with the naked eye on a clear night.
A magnitude of 21.2 is optimum for stargazing, as the sky is dark enough to see distant objects and get a clear view of the centre of the Milky Way through a telescope.
Our first set of readings were around 21.16 to 21.18.
Undeterred we drove further into the conservation area to take readings at different locations.
It was a partially cloudy night, but as we ventured further and the sky got darker our readings were consistently well over 21.2 and as high as 21.48.
On clear nights, Elias-Drago said he picked up readings as high as 21.66 and 21.76.
A $500 grant from the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board allowed the group to buy a dark sky reader.
The newly formed Oxford Dark Sky Group has 22 member organisations, including schools, community groups, sports club, the Oxford Promotions Action Committee (representing local businesses), the Department of Conservation and the Waimakariri District Council.
Elias-Drago said the ultimate goal is to become a dark sky reserve.
The first step is to obtain dark sky park status for the 11,350 hectare conservation area.
‘‘We can use that to generate momentum and then continue the conversation with the council and local businesses, generate some funds and come back to addressing the lighting in the township.’’
A dark sky reserve would include the conservation area as the core and the township and surrounding area as the periphery.
Elias-Drago said there were questions around lighting in the town and changes to the Waimakariri District Plan would need to be considered.
He said good lighting policies could reduce light pollution, improve melatonin levels in humans and improve animal welfare.
A study commissioned by Enterprise North Canterbury, the council’s economic development arm, earlier this year suggested a dark sky reserve could generate $5.4 million in additional spending in the town, and create up to 24 jobs.
After taking measurements in the conservation area, we took a set of readings at the observatory to compare.
Even with a street light outside the observatory and a partially cloudy sky, those readings were only just below 21.2.
The Oxford Dark Sky Group has received an award in the inaugural Waimakariri Zone Committee's environmental awards. (The Waimakariri Zone Committee is a joint committee of Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council.)
■Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rural healthcare needs urgent attention from the incoming Government, says Hurunui mayor Marie Black.
A shortage of GPs and health workers in the Hurunui district is a growing concern, she said.
The National Party campaigned on a promise to establish… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Rural healthcare needs urgent attention from the incoming Government, says Hurunui mayor Marie Black.
A shortage of GPs and health workers in the Hurunui district is a growing concern, she said.
The National Party campaigned on a promise to establish a third medical school with a rural focus at Waikato University.
Recruiting GPs, nurses and support workers to work in rural communities has been a major challenge in recent years.
Black, who previously worked as a Plunket health worker in the region, said the demographics of the Hurunui district provided both challenges and opportunities.
There was no public transport in the district, while an ageing population meant more than 25% of the population was expected to be over 65 by 2051.
Young people had to sit driving tests in Rangiora, which meant travelling to medical appointments could be a challenge for young and old.
More retirement villages were being proposed for Amberley to support the ageing population, which meant retaining and attracting GPs, nurses and support workers was vital, she said.
Black suggested medical students could be bonded to work in rural communities after they graduate, with part or all of their student loan wiped.
‘‘They used to do that with teachers, so perhaps we could look at that with medical students.
‘‘We will keep a watching brief as the new government is formed. It will be interesting to see where it lands.’’
She said living and working in the Hurunui also provided opportunities with the rural lifestyle.
There was a desire to give back and look for community-led solutions, she said.
An example of this was the Hawarden-Waikari Community Vehicle Trust, which provided transport to medical appointments.
Of the district's five health centres, four were community owned and ratepayer funded.
Black hosted a group of third year Otago Medical School students in August to give them a rural perspective on healthcare.
‘‘It was surprising how little they knew about living in a rural area.’’
The initiative has been running for 10 years, with the students visiting medical centres, St John, the North Canterbury Rural Support Trust and a local preschool.
The Kaikōura district faced similar challenges, with its over 65 population also expected to increase to 25% over the next 30 years.
Takahanga Marae hosted 13 tertiary health students from around Aotearoa in June on 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.
Lisa Kahu, of Te Tai o Marokura, said the initiative had been running for several years to encourage young doctors, nurses and dentists to work in rural communities.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
National MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been … View moreNational MP Shane Reti shared pre-election that he's wanting to review the Health Star Rating used on NZ grocery products. This rating is voluntary and uses a scale of 0.5 to five stars to rank packaged food on its nutrient profile. Have these ratings had an affect on what you've been buying?
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Ryman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by … View moreRyman Healthcare has again been recognised as a top provider at the 2023 Aged Advisor ‘People Choice Awards’.
This year Ryman was selected as a finalist for Best Provider Nationwide, and Diana Isaac took home Best Large Retirement Village / Lifestyle Village.
The awards, run by agedadvisor.co.nz are based on almost 11,300 reviews and ratings for more than 890 facilities. Over 1600 of those in-depth reviews went towards this year’s awards.
Ryman took home the top prize in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. As a finalist this year Aged Advisor voters recognise Ryman’s continued growth and efforts within the aged care sector.
Click to read more.
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Did you know that our pets can suffer the same illnesses as humans if they do not make regular contact with the Earth. Your beloved pets need Earthing too!
Earthing is one of the most natural and safest things you can do if your pet struggles with chronic pain, immune disorders, anxious behaviour,… View moreDid you know that our pets can suffer the same illnesses as humans if they do not make regular contact with the Earth. Your beloved pets need Earthing too!
Earthing is one of the most natural and safest things you can do if your pet struggles with chronic pain, immune disorders, anxious behaviour, or inflammatory diseases.
Lying down on our earthing mat promotes instant relief to your pet.
Daily Earthing either in nature or on our indoor earthing pet mat can result in progressive and sustained improvements in sleep, stress, pain, and disease recovery.
Size: 90 x 68 cm Soft 100% conductive perforated carbon leatherette that is eco-friendly and easy to clean. Simply wipe them down with any non-corrosive cleaner and allow them to air dry.
Give your furry friends the gift of grounding with our Earthing indoor pet mats. They deserve to be connected to the Earth's energy just as much as we do.
Purchase your mat here: Pickup is available from Rangiora
www.immersioncosmetics.co.nz...
Dear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. … View moreDear neighbours, surely it's not too soon to think of this most wonderful time of the year. In fact, we're looking for recipes for your favourite Christmas dishes, whether it's your mum's pavlova, grilled tiger prawns or a colourful summer salad, to feature in the magazine. Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by October 29, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the December issue of NZ Gardener.
We’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, … View moreWe’re looking for the nicest neighbours in town, and Pam Driver of Burswood has shared her lovely neighbours, David and Lara Hurst, saying they “are just wonderful”.
This year, Pam had a missing cat, which was quite out of character. Driver let the Hursts know, and they joined the search, successfully locating him in the gap between the ceiling and roof of their neighbour’s house.
Pam said “They rescued him and brought him home to me... complete with some scratches! I hate to think what would have happened had he not been found”.
Pam nominated the Hursts to let them know she is thankful for them: “It’s so good to know I have such caring neighbours who have my back. Thank you neighbours!”
Nominate someone in your hood, and your special neighbour could feature on Stuff and Neighbourly as an inspiration to us all (plus there are prizes to be won!).
Genuine Ferguson Discs hard to find a set in this great condition. Check out my other listings as having clear out of farm implements.
Viewing welcome
In great working order. Been shed stored since last used. Time for a clear out check out my other listings viewing welcome
Comes with lots of extra drill points. Been shed stored no longer used time to free up barn viewing welcome .
Don’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel's beautiful Whitianga worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and … View moreDon’t miss out! For only $15 a ticket, you could be in to win this Jennian home in the Coromandel's beautiful Whitianga worth over $1 million. Featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, two outdoor decks and an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area, this home is waiting to be lived in and loved by its new owners.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, rent it or even sell it – it could be all yours! Be in to win by purchasing your tickets today.
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