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The Auckland inner-city suburb of Kingsland has been named one of the world’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods in the annual survey from Time Out.
The UK media outlet received thousands of contributions from around the world and compiled the top 51 alongside local writers and editors. Kingsland … View moreThe Auckland inner-city suburb of Kingsland has been named one of the world’s ‘coolest’ neighbourhoods in the annual survey from Time Out.
The UK media outlet received thousands of contributions from around the world and compiled the top 51 alongside local writers and editors. Kingsland came in 43rd and was praised for its quirky shops and eclectic food scene.
Read more here.
But is it really the best ‘burb in the country? Tell us what your top pick is and why in the comments below.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s a 30-year plan, not a next-few-years plan.
That was the message as the outgoing Ashburton District Council adopted the Ashburton Airport Development Plan at the final meeting of its term last week.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
It’s a 30-year plan, not a next-few-years plan.
That was the message as the outgoing Ashburton District Council adopted the Ashburton Airport Development Plan at the final meeting of its term last week.
Chief executive Hamish Riach said creating the plan was about establishing a general direction for the future of the site.
“The idea of the 30-year plan is to create a framework for the development of the airport over the next number of decades”.
That framework in the plan aims to make the airport more financially independent, support its viability, and ensure it is safely and sustainably managed for the next 30 years.
Mayor Neil Brown said it is a 30-year plan to be used as a guide and “if it needs updating, we will update it as required”.
The consultation process raised concerns that the existing grass runways are already operating near capacity and will not cope with the forecast increase in flights proposed in the plan.
The council recently put in place a tracking system to monitor landings and from the data available estimates the current annual usage to be about 7500 to 8000 movements.
The plan states that “this level of usage can put stress on the grass runways, requiring steps to be taken to manage wear and tear. This could be expected to worsen if the airport grows”.
Sealing the runways is an option but it is not defined in the 30-year-plan, instead, it will be considered in any long-term plan process when the need arises.
“It will be dependent on the rate of development,” Riach said.
“There may be a development within the framework of this plan at a future point that would mean there needs to be an alteration to the runway but no one could predict when that would be.”
Safety was a key issue raised during the consultation, mainly focused on the potential increased air traffic.
A majority of the concerns had centred on the potential lease of land for a large-scale flying school operated by NZ Air Academy.
The council decided the NZ Air Academy proposal is a separate but related matter and deferred any decisions on the proposal until the development plan had been adopted.
Any proposal from the flight school will be presented to the council for consideration.
The plan confirmed the proposed location of the recreational, commercial, and hangar home precincts.
Any hangar home precinct, where people could live at the airport, will be explored, and it will require a District Plan Change process.
It also provides for the Ashburton Aviation Museum expansion plans.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Through Ryman’s bespoke model of dementia care, myRyman Life, our villages aim to challenge perspectives on dementia and to create inclusive communities where staff receive cutting-edge training, families can feel reassured, and residents can thrive.
At Ryman villages our focus is on … View moreThrough Ryman’s bespoke model of dementia care, myRyman Life, our villages aim to challenge perspectives on dementia and to create inclusive communities where staff receive cutting-edge training, families can feel reassured, and residents can thrive.
At Ryman villages our focus is on experience-based care rather than processes, enabling residents to live in the moment and to feel kindness, love and security.
Most of all, Ryman residents living with dementia are supported to continue doing the things that bring them joy so they can live fulfilled lives.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown says waning voter turnout shows people aren’t engaged with local politics.
Voting in the Ashburton District dropped under 50% and Brown has joined national calls for the election process to be looked at.
“The … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown says waning voter turnout shows people aren’t engaged with local politics.
Voting in the Ashburton District dropped under 50% and Brown has joined national calls for the election process to be looked at.
“The voting system needs to be looked and the system to be looked at is probably online voting,” Brown said.
“It appears to be that’s the only one we can move to. Perhaps a combination of both [online and postal], but it definitely needs looking into to get participation up.”
The silent majority got bigger as voter turnout across the country was down to a record low 36%, though it is expected to increase marginally once all votes have been counted.
Ashburton’s preliminary results had just 49.03% of voter returns – 11,337 of the 23,115 eligible votes – which was down on the 55.05% in 2019.
“People just aren’t engaged.
“I’ve talked to people who haven’t voted and asked why, and they said it’s because they don’t know the people, and they don’t want to get to know them.”
The lack of engagement isn’t just at election time.
“It is a problem the council grapples with all the time, working out how we get people more involved”.
Now, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) is calling for an independent review, a move Brown agreed with.
“We need to have a look at how we get voters engaged in the electoral system,” he said.
LGNZ want to work with central government to review how elections were delivered and to consider factors such as the practicality of postal voting and accessing ballot boxes in more remote parts of the country.
“We want to see a short, sharp, and independent review that should feed into the Future for Local Government Review as well as the review of Parliamentary Electoral Law,” LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said.
Canterbury comparison:
District: 2022 - 2019
Kaikoura: 61.82% - 61.37%
Mackenzie: 53.98% - 60.51%
Waimate: 49.96% - 52.04%
Timaru: 49.22% - 55.01%
Ashburton: 49.03% - 55.05%
Waimakariri: 44.39% - 46.39%
Hurunui: 43.38% - 57.18%
Christchurch: 43.31% - 41.10%
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Neil Brown is back in the big chair and says its straight back down to business.
Brown won the Ashburton mayoralty race by a whopping 8521 votes from his only opponent Jeff Swindley to be back at the helm and “straight back into it”.
With … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Neil Brown is back in the big chair and says its straight back down to business.
Brown won the Ashburton mayoralty race by a whopping 8521 votes from his only opponent Jeff Swindley to be back at the helm and “straight back into it”.
With four councillors retiring at the end of the term, Brown said there was always going to be at least four new faces at the table.
With all of the incumbents being re-elected, Brown said it was a sign of confidence from the community in the council direction.
It also means there is continuity at the table.
“There is no need to stall so we can just keep progressing at the rate we have been going for the betterment of the whole community,” Brown said.
Of the four new councillors, one already has two-terms under his belt.
Russell Ellis infamously was unable to stand in the last election after a technical error on his nomination form and is “absolutely rapt” to be back on the council.
“I was really passionate about this role so there was some big disappointment in 2019," he said.
He said he had unfinished business that he missed out on being a part of over the last three years but can’t wait to get back into what will be his full-time employment.
“They do things a bit differently now than they did three years ago but I don’t have to find my feet as much,” Ellis said.
Ellis was the fifth highest polling candidate in the Ashburton ward but had an over 900 vote margin on fellow former councillor Thelma Bell.
Carolyn Cameron finished on top in the Ashburton ward to ensure a second term, with fellow incumbent Leen Braam polling third.
Tony Todd, and Phill Hooper are the new councillors in the Ashburton ward.
Todd may be a first term councillor at 75 years old but he said he saw that as a good thing.
“It doesn’t hurt to have older wise heads around the table,” Todd said.
Hooper would continue as a breakfast radio host on Hokonui Ashburton during the three-year term and wanted to bring “a fresh set of eyes and ideas” to the council table.
The incumbents in the Western Ward, Liz McMillan and Rodger Letham, were comfortably re-elected with Dame Lynda Topp missing out.
Topp said she was always a long shot to be “the first lesbian on the Ashburton council” and the people had spoken but she wasn’t too worried about the result, and it was unlikely to be the last the council would hear of her.
“You can do just as much from the outside as you can from the inside,” Topp said.
Out in the Eastern Ward, Lynette Lovett is back for a third term with newly elected Councillor Richard Wilson who takes the place vacated by his retired four-term councillor father, Stuart Wilson.
Wilson said while he is his father’s son, he is not his father.
“I am my own person with my own set of skills and experiences,” he said.
Wilson was looking forward to the taking on the challenges facing the district and while he would need to learn the ropes he “isn’t going to shy away from making my voice heard”.
The new Ashburton District Council will be sworn in on October 27.
Methven Community Board:
Richie Owen was the top polling candidate for the Methven Community Board where six candidates vied for five seats.
Owen returns for a second term and is joined by fellow incumbent and former Ashburton District Councillor, Kelvin Holmes.
Allan Lock, Megan Fitzgerald, and Robin Jenkinson are all first-term members completing the five-member board at this stage.
Adam Preston is the odd candidate out with 311 votes, but just five votes behind Jenkinson.
That margin could change when the special votes are factored in for the final results which will be announced by Thursday.
The new board members will be sworn in at the same ceremony as the new Ashburton District Council on October 27 before electing a chairperson and deputy chaiperson at the inaugural board meeting on October 31.
Now’s a great time to get your painting, staining and wallpapering jobs underway.
Get 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers and sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products!
Discounts off the normal retail price at your local Resene owned ColorShop and … View moreNow’s a great time to get your painting, staining and wallpapering jobs underway.
Get 25% off Resene premium paints, wood stains, primers and sealers, wallpaper, decorating accessories and cleaning products!
Discounts off the normal retail price at your local Resene owned ColorShop and participating reseller until 31 October 2022. Paint offers are also available at Mitre 10 MEGA and selected Mitre 10 stores. Excludes WallPrint, decals, Crown, trade and industrial products, PaintWise levy and account sales.
Visit your local Resene ColorShop or reseller and enjoy these great savings.
Mark the entrance to your special spot in the garden with Resene Lumbersider. Find out how to create your own.
Dear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for nasturtium recipes and also basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 16, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition… View moreDear neighbours,
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are now on the hunt for nasturtium recipes and also basil recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Oct 16, 2022. Every published recipe wins a copy of our special edition Vegetable Growing Made Easy.
Satiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.
Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point, the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated … View moreSatiate your news hunger with Two Minutes of Stuff, a bite-sized snack of the top stories and key issues of the day.
Two minutes is all you'll need to get up to speed on today's talking point, the biggest news of the day and stories you don't want to miss. A fully-curated experience, with items hand-picked by Stuff staff, sent each weekday evening. Sign up for free here.
Foodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling all batches and all dates of its six Pams brand berry products.
New Zealand has seen a surge of cases of Hepatitis A this year and 12 of those infected (including seven hospitalised) have been linked with the consumption of frozen berries.
The recall of … View moreFoodstuffs Own Brands Ltd is recalling all batches and all dates of its six Pams brand berry products.
New Zealand has seen a surge of cases of Hepatitis A this year and 12 of those infected (including seven hospitalised) have been linked with the consumption of frozen berries.
The recall of Pams products is a precaution due to this possible link of Hepatitis A associated with berries sourced from Serbia.
Here's what you need to know:
- All batches and all dates of Pams Mixed Berries, Two Berry Mix, Smoothie Berry Mix, and Raspberries have been recalled and removed from supermarkets.
- The Pams products are sold at New World, PAK’nSAVE and Four Square stores nationwide.
- Hepatitis A is a contagious virus which spreads easily. Learn more here.
- Due to the possibility that other brands of berries may be infected, New Zealand Food Safety continues to advise those eating frozen berries to wash hands before and after preparing the berries, briefly boil them before eating and ensure cooking temperatures exceed 85 degree Celsius for 1 minute.
If you have consumed any of these products and have any concerns about your health, seek medical advice.
Broil King Imperial bargain. Brand new and costs 5,500 shop bought. It is UNUSED. Partly assembled. Genuine reasons for sale, hence not fully assembled.
This is a top of the range bbq described as 'new level.'
Stainless steel grids and backlit control nobs. Oven lights and pull out … View moreBroil King Imperial bargain. Brand new and costs 5,500 shop bought. It is UNUSED. Partly assembled. Genuine reasons for sale, hence not fully assembled.
This is a top of the range bbq described as 'new level.'
Stainless steel grids and backlit control nobs. Oven lights and pull out drawers. It has a rotisserie a side burner. It and has 6 burners. The smaller burner unit is ideal for smaller feeds. It has a new cover that comes with the sale.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councillors feel blindsided by a “flawed process” where the Department of Conservation denied a Wildlife Act Authority Application for the Ashton Beach enhancement project.
The plans were to construct a motorbike park on the donga (a … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Councillors feel blindsided by a “flawed process” where the Department of Conservation denied a Wildlife Act Authority Application for the Ashton Beach enhancement project.
The plans were to construct a motorbike park on the donga (a steep-sided gully) area of an unused part of the Ashburton District Council’s Ocean Farm at the beach, and create a protected wildlife area around it.
DOC declined the application.
Lizard expert, Dr Mandy Tocher, independently reviewed the decision and said she “doesn’t understand why it was declined”.
“I was surprised, so was the DOC technical advisor, and the other herpetologist involved in the process,” Tocher said.
“This was a sound plan.
“[Council] has been the victim of a flawed process.”
Doc’s decision outlined that the proposal didn’t provide an adequate level of protection for lizards and a likely loss of lizards overall, Arowhenua didn’t support it, and it was inconsistent with the purpose of the Wildlife Act 1953.
Councillors shared their disappointment at the decision, with councillor Stuart Wilson describing the report as “disgraceful reading”.
Tocher stated that in her opinion, DOC staff may have failed to provide Arowhenua with accurate information and she felt the council had gone above and beyond to present a “well and truly adequate” proposal.
“Some strange information has been put in front of the decision maker, Duncan Toogood, who resigned the very next day,” she said.
In response to DOC’s decision, the council was presented with options to submit a revised application, appeal the decision, or accept the decision bringing an end to the project.
Instead, the council resolved to take its concerns over the handling of the application directly to the Conservation Minister, Hon Poto Williams, as well as conservation spokespersons from other parties, and Rangitata MP Jo Luxton.
They will also be seeking a sit down with DOC and Arowhenua to work through the issues that resulted in the decision, to see if it is worth resurrecting the project or starting from scratch elsewhere.
To date, the project has cost $17,420 +GST and the initial estimated total project cost was $55,000.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
The Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, … View moreThe Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.
From 26 September, purchase a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, find our promo ad, and follow the link to submit a photo of your pet online. If your pet is selected, they’ll feature in our promotional adverts across all Stuff newspapers for a day, plus you will receive $50 worth of Wishbone pet food so you can spoil them rotten. For more information on the prizes and to view the T&Cs, click here!
The team at Stunday Star-Times
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Rakaia community wanted to know if candidates would turn up for them if elected.
That question was posed at the Rakaia Community Association’s meet the candidates session where only three of the six invited candidates turned up to answer … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The Rakaia community wanted to know if candidates would turn up for them if elected.
That question was posed at the Rakaia Community Association’s meet the candidates session where only three of the six invited candidates turned up to answer it.
“It was a little disappointing that all the candidates couldn’t turn up,” association chairman Neil Pluck said.
Incumbent mayor Neil Brown, councillor Lynette Lovett, and newcomer Richard Wilson attended.
Eastern Ward candidates Rob Mackle and Keith Townshend were both unable to attend for personnel reasons, while mayoral candidate Jeff Swindley declined as he was holding his own self-titled “job interview sessions” in Ashburton.
Pluck was disappointed Swindley “didn’t bother when it was a good opportunity for the people of Rakaia to see him and ask him the same curly questions the other candidates were asked”.
Swindley was contacted for comment.
The trio that did turn up faced a grilling over some local issues and what they will do to avoid Rakaia “being the forgotten corner of the district”.
Lovett and Wilson spoke of making themselves available to be advocates for their communities, the Eastern Ward, and the district as a whole.
“You won’t need to worry about me forgetting about Rakaia just because I live in Hinds,” Wilson said.
Lovett, seeking a third term, said she actively tries to attend community meetings to hear concerns and issues to take back to the council.
Brown said he aims to lead the council as a team with all the councillors “united and working together on one page for the prosperity of the district”.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Dear neighbours, in the October issue of NZ Gardener, you'll see the five finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year competition. They've all done amazing things for their communities. You can read about their wonderful work here, and then vote for your favourite.
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