New Hurunui councillor living the good life
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Tom Davies is living the good life in Hanmer Springs.
He is one of two new Hurunui district councillors in the west ward who were elected unopposed.
The other new councillor is Dave Hislop, of Medbury Farm, joining sitting councillors Karen Armstrong and Ross Barnes.
Davies said he was approached by local residents to offer ‘‘a voice for Hanmer Springs’’, after sitting councillor Mary Holloway announced her retirement.
‘‘I’m really excited because the people of Hanmer contacted me sometime back. They had done their homework and were prepared to back me.’’
Originally from south England, Davies and his wife, Lorna, (both pictured) migrated to Christchurch in 2005.
They soon fell in love with Hanmer Springs and purchased a holiday home six years ago.
After their visits increased from monthly to weekly, the couple decided to settle permanently during lockdown in 2020.
He said high speed internet had made the move possible.
Davies offers online lessons to Chinese teachers on modern ways of teaching maths. He also teaches part-time at Hanmer Springs School.
He was keen to develop the district’s mountain bike network, promote public transport and upgrade community facilities, including Queen Mary Hospital.
‘‘I would like to have some iconic trails. We are starting to develop a mountain bike network in Hanmer, so there are opportunities to link it with Amberley and Kaikōura.’’
Public transport could be as simple as community cars, a service already offered in Hanmer Springs.
Davies' son Joe was elected to Environment Canterbury in the Christchurch northeast ward.
Hislop was looking forward to his new role.
‘‘I have a reputation for wanting things to be done yesterday, so my mates tell me I will get frustrated. But that’s why they’ve talked me into it.’’
Hislop and his wife Brenda run Medbury Farm with six staff, milking 1230 cows.
He said a big focus for him was people, so he was keen to learn more about the council’s ‘‘Welcoming Communities’’ initiative.
The Hurunui district was a ‘‘hidden paradise’’ and with labour shortages there was an opportunity to attract people to come and work in the area.
Armstrong was only elected in a by-election last year, so was relieved she did not have to campaign for re-election.
‘‘It takes time to get your head around the requirements of the role, so I felt I needed to come back and do a full term.’’
Based in Waikari, she has a background in business and being active in the community.
‘‘I don’t have any specific goals or agenda. It’s about what presents itself and what the community wants and responding to central government policies.’’
Barnes was pleased to be back for a second term.
‘‘It takes three years to get your head around it all. I think the main highlight has been representing my community and the people around the council table, all doing their best to spend ratepayers’ money on the things they want.’’
He said councillors could make a difference by listening to their community and working together with other councillors.
‘‘If you’ve got a good argument, it will get through, if the others can see the sense in it.’’
■ Mary Holloway, Chris Hughey, Michael Malthus, Alice Stielow and Richard Tapper were also elected unopposed to the Hanmer Springs Community Board.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
$50 garden centre vouchers!
Our winners this week have won $50 to spend at a local garden centre.
Congratulations to:
Cassie Arauzo from Cockle Bay
Elizabeth Williams from Hillcrest
Luke Shamy from Hornby
Mitchell Hopping from Wallacetown
Get in touch with our helpdesk team here if you're on this list! If you're not a winner, check back next week just in case.
Family Friendly Service and Discussion
Note change of time from summer start time.
Next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 6 October - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Also remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
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