64 days ago

ECan pulls rep review reversal

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:

Environment Canterbury pulling a U-turn on its representation review has been hailed a victory for rural voice by Ashburton’s mayor.

The constituency boundaries outside of Christchurch will remain unchanged for the upcoming elections in 2025, but it has been recommended a full review take place before the 2028 elections.

Mayor Neil Brown had presented a submission on behalf of the district arguing ECan’s proposed changes would not provide effective representation for Ashburton District or the rural communities of Canterbury.

He was happy to see the proposed changes scrapped.

“We presented alternatives for the Ashburton District to consider if ECan didn’t stick with the status quo, but we are happy with the status quo.”

The representation review sparked a discussion of a breakaway from ECan, with the councils south of Christchurch coming under some form of unitary or southern regional council.

Those arguments had merit Brown said, acknowledging in his view ECan was “Christchurch City centric”.

“It would be nice to have something else that suits people from the Rakaia River, or even the Selwyn River, south.

“The city is different to the rural and provincial area so separating out that governance would be helpful.”

The initial proposal was to combine the Ashburton District with the current South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, to form a larger Mid-South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi constituency, leaving the Selwyn District as a standalone constituency.

It would have had only two councillors covering the area south of the Rakaia River – half of ECan’s total land area.

The proposal was initially supported 9-7 in July.

After hearing the submissions last week, the vote was to retain the status quo, passing 13-3 according to the unconfirmed minutes.

Christchurch Central/Ōhoko Greg Byrnes, Christchurch North East/Ōrei Joe Davies and Christchurch South/Ōwhanga Paul Dietsche were listed as voting against it, and it’s understood Christchurch Central/Ōhoko’s Genevieve Robinson had also voted against the motion.

The decision to change the Christchurch ward boundaries passed 8-4 with abstentions from Mid Canterbury/Ōpākihi’s Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell, South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi’s Nick Ward, and North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke’s Claire McKay.

The councillors also passed a recommendation to the incoming council, following the 2025 local body elections, to undertake a comprehensive representation review to apply for the 2028 elections.

There were 217 submissions received on the initial proposal - 96 of those from Mid-South Canterbury (46 from the Ashburton District compared to 101 from Christchurch City and 52 from the Selwyn District).

The council will adopt the final proposal in October.

After adoption, it would be open to appeals and if any were received the final decision would go to the Local Government Commission.

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More messages from your neighbours
7 hours ago

Only the Sharpest Minds Will Get This Riddle… Are You One of Them?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

I twinkle and glow, guiding paths in the snow.
I’m not the sun, moon, or star in the sky,
yet on rooftops and trees, you’ll see me up high.
What am I?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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1 day ago

Poll: Are quality products on the decline?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Gift-giving looks a lot different these days when you can pick up super-cheap goods made overseas. But do they last?

Do you have any old items like appliances, electronics or clothing that have stood the test of time? Share below!

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Are quality products on the decline?
  • 91.8% Yes
    91.8% Complete
  • 7.3% No
    7.3% Complete
  • 0.9% Other - I'll share below
    0.9% Complete
928 votes
18 hours ago

Kmart duvet recall

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Kmart will be recalling a number of their Anko duvet sets.

What you need to know:
- The recall is involving Christmas-themed duvets: Mrs & Mrs Claus Reversible Queen Size Bed Quilt Cover Set and Christmas Elf Reversible Single Bed Quilt Cover Set
- A recall of the products began in Australia following health concerns from several families.
- One woman said she thought she was having a heart attack after using one of the products which smelt of diesel.
- One customer said she’d purchased the quilt covers and said they smelled like gas. Another mum said hers did not have that smell but claimed her son developed a rash that only went away when he stopped using the product.
- The product is no longer available for purchase on the Kmart website.

Regardless of whether you have experienced an issue, customers who have purchased this item may return the product to store for a refund.

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