Thank you for using Neighbourly
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Dianne Rawlinson is the latest councillor to announce her time at the council table will come to an end in October.
Her announcement means there will be at least three new faces on the next 10-strong Ashburton District Council, after Stuart Wilson and… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Dianne Rawlinson is the latest councillor to announce her time at the council table will come to an end in October.
Her announcement means there will be at least three new faces on the next 10-strong Ashburton District Council, after Stuart Wilson and Angus McKay previously announced they would not be standing again.
Rawlinson said after a lot of consideration and self-debate she made the decision to not stand for re-election and informed her fellow councillors of the decision on Sunday.
“This has been a big decision for me, as I have really enjoyed almost six years of life as a councillor,” Rawlinson said.
“However there is quite a bucket list waiting for me to delve into and I don’t wish to wait another three years for this.”
With Wilson, McKay, and now Rawlinson stepping aside there are three empty chairs to fill at the table meaning at least three new people will sit on the next council.
One of those could be a returning face, with former two-term councillor Russell Ellis submitting his nomination – with time to spare.
Ellis infamously missed out on standing for a seat on the council in the last election after a technicality in his nomination form was found after nominations had closed ruling him out of the running.
The only other incumbent councillor yet to determine if they will stand is John Falloon.
Mayor Neil Brown is running for a second term, and to date there has been no speculation of him having an opponent.
In the western Ward, deputy mayor Liz McMillan and Rodger Letham have their nominations in.
Ellis is the only nomination in the Ashburton Ward, with Leen Braam and Caroline Cameron indicating they will be standing again.
In the Eastern ward, Lynette Lovett has stated she will be re-standing.
There have been no nominations for the five vacancies on the Methven Community Board.
Tim Silva is the only nomination so far for the six places on the Braided Rivers Community Trust.
Could your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up… View moreCould your local dance group use a $5,000 cash injection?
Whether it’s pre-schoolers or seniors, Scottish dancing or salsa, kapa haka or Kathak, breakdance or ballet – if you’re encouraging people of all ages and abilities to keep moving through dance, we have three Love to Dance grants up for grabs.
Receive one of three $5,000 grants to spend on equipment, transport, costumes or anything you need to support your community’s love of dance.
Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52.
Subscribe at mags4gifts.co.nz/antipodes Terms and Conditions apply.
It’s easy to give an old fence and trellis a new lease of life with Resene Waterborne Woodsman.
Find out how to create your own.
It’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
… View moreIt’s that time again neighbours - we need your help! Look at all this creativity hiding behind front doors. We now need YOU to vote for your favourite Upcycling Award finalist. The four designs with the most votes will each receive a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
Find out a little more about each entry here. Voting closes 5pm Thursday 4 August.
Thanks for voting; your clever neighbours thank you!
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
Hey Neighbours!
Australian Open and Stuff newspaper are giving you and a friend the chance to kick off grand slam season in Melbourne next year with an epic prize valued at over $8,000! Simply follow the link below and enter your details to be in to win.
Competition closes on Friday 12 … View moreHey Neighbours!
Australian Open and Stuff newspaper are giving you and a friend the chance to kick off grand slam season in Melbourne next year with an epic prize valued at over $8,000! Simply follow the link below and enter your details to be in to win.
Competition closes on Friday 12 August 2022. Terms and conditions apply.
Enjoy an Antipodes skincare duo (RRP$50) when you purchase a three-month subscription to the Sunday Star-Times for just $52.
Subscribe at mags4gifts.co.nz antipodes Terms and conditions apply.
Spark have recently announced a price increase of $3 - $5 a month for new and existing broadband customers and other providers seem likely to follow suit.
Information collated by our research team has found that tens of thousands of Kiwis are still missing out on hundreds of dollars of savings … View moreSpark have recently announced a price increase of $3 - $5 a month for new and existing broadband customers and other providers seem likely to follow suit.
Information collated by our research team has found that tens of thousands of Kiwis are still missing out on hundreds of dollars of savings each year on their broadband bill, because they are failing to shop around for cheaper broadband plans.
We estimate that over 500,000 households would be able to pay less for their broadband each month but many consumers are unaware of the fact that they could be making these savings and people often don’t know where to start when looking for a change in broadband plan or provider.
This is where NZ Compare can help. Our websites are simple to use and if you need more help, our friendly, Auckland based, customer support centre can advise on the most suitable broadband plan for your needs and help talk you through the switch. With unlimited fibre broadband plans available for less than $60 a month why would you pay more?
Find out more at NZ Compare or call the team on 0508 226672
CORRECTION: This post has been amended to clarify that the price of fibre and copper broadband internet services will increase, and that the increase is between $3 and $5 a month, not only $5 a month on fibre broadband plans as previously posted. (Amended at 10.31am, June 23, 2022)
Transform an old wooden easel with Resene paint into a statement piece for a glam office or homework desk!
Find out how to create your own.
I am looking to purchase a garden (rose) arch, please if you have one that you no longer use, I would love to give it a new home.
I forgot to post phone number. Contact Jean on 0274335966.
Queen bed, 3way fridge ,Hot water, Gas hob and oven ,TV RSE 12volt with sky card slot and built-in DVD . Microwave, Stereo, 12volt lighting, fixed pedestal table, on board water tank, grey waste tank, provision for connecting to water main. Full length awning with roll out roof.NEW roof currently … View moreQueen bed, 3way fridge ,Hot water, Gas hob and oven ,TV RSE 12volt with sky card slot and built-in DVD . Microwave, Stereo, 12volt lighting, fixed pedestal table, on board water tank, grey waste tank, provision for connecting to water main. Full length awning with roll out roof.NEW roof currently being made. Electric brakes, car unit provided.Made in Australia. Ph 0274335966.
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Universal fluoridation is not on the cards yet in the Ashburton District, but is certainly bubbling on the horizon.
A law change last year has given the authority to instruct councils whether or not to fluoridate their water to the director-general of… View moreFrom local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Universal fluoridation is not on the cards yet in the Ashburton District, but is certainly bubbling on the horizon.
A law change last year has given the authority to instruct councils whether or not to fluoridate their water to the director-general of health, currently Dr Ashley Bloomfield.
Ashburton District Council infrastructure services group manager Neil McCann said so far the district was not on the fluoride radar.
“Not at this stage but we may be considered again toward end of the calendar year,” he said.
“Council was advised in June this year that we were not included in a list of 14 territorial authorities that were being considered to receive a direction to fluoridate some supplies under their control.”
Ashburton stopped fluoridation across all its supplies in 2002, which was reconsidered in 2007 but not reintroduced, and Methven is currently the only drinking water supply that is fluoridated in the district.
But mandatory fluoridation is in the pipeline.
Universal chlorination of council drinking water supplies will come in from November under Taumata Arowai, the national water services regulator, but Ashburton supplies are already chlorinated.
Fluoridation is not a water quality issue but a health concern so, after the Health (Fluoridation of Drinking Water) Amendment Act came into force in December 2021 the decision was taken off councils and given to the director-general of health.
It is understood 14 councils throughout the country have been selected to begin working on fluoridating their water supplies, and others are sure to follow.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the director-general of health had not yet issued any local authorities with directions to fluoridate, but it was likely they would commence issuing directions this year.
"Implementation of community water fluoridation will likely take a staged approach. If directions are issued, timeframes for compliance will be based on the individual circumstances of each supply."
Other than Methven, McCann said no other council supplies have the infrastructure to fluoridate the supply and as they are awaiting Government direction there is no provisions to do so either.
“We haven’t made specific budget provision for fluoridation, however, we are considering space requirements for fluoridation equipment as part of future planning,” McCann said.
It’s a similar case in Selwyn.
Water services asset manager Murray England said the Selwyn district had no supplies with fluoride and none of its schemes were currently able to be fluoridated, nor was there any budget for installing the necessary equipment.
Fibre is here so come in to see the team of Chorus experts for a chat over a cup of coffee or tea when they're at Somerset Grocer on Wednesday the 27th of July from 3pm till 5pm.
If you’ve got questions about installation, improving your current internet connection or livening up … View moreFibre is here so come in to see the team of Chorus experts for a chat over a cup of coffee or tea when they're at Somerset Grocer on Wednesday the 27th of July from 3pm till 5pm.
If you’ve got questions about installation, improving your current internet connection or livening up equipment they've already installed, they can help.
A fibre broadband service will provide you with a fast connection that you can rely on.
The great news is it’s still free to get fibre installed for most homes.
For more information visit: www.chorus.co.nz/get-connected or call 0800 222 644
© Neighbourly 2025
Loading…