Ilam, Christchurch

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman’s Walk in Wednesdays

Ryman villages across the country are open every Wednesday in November.

646 days ago

Lost Cat

Manaia from Ilam

Kia ora koutou, I live on Hounslow St and my cat has gone missing. I think he wandered a bit too far and got lost. He's just over a year old and he's quite small for a cat. He's black and white and wears a blue collar if he still has it on. He's also kind of timid so I'm … View moreKia ora koutou, I live on Hounslow St and my cat has gone missing. I think he wandered a bit too far and got lost. He's just over a year old and he's quite small for a cat. He's black and white and wears a blue collar if he still has it on. He's also kind of timid so I'm not sure if he'll come up to you but he's very food motivated so if you see him try feed him and contact me. I miss him so much, his name is Bmo and he is microchipped and desexed. Please check your sheds, garages or even under your house, he loves to go under ours. You can contact me on 022 652 2192 thank you so much !!

652 days ago

Water use falls in Christchurch as residents fear new charges

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

Christchurch residents are using less water as the threat of being chargedhits home.

The city council says water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges for using too much were introduced, saving millions of litres.

The council introduced an excess water … View more
From reporter Tina Law:

Christchurch residents are using less water as the threat of being chargedhits home.

The city council says water use has decreased by more than 10% since charges for using too much were introduced, saving millions of litres.

The council introduced an excess water charge in October after making the decision to push ahead with the scheme in 2021.

The first bills are due to be sent out later this month, but people have already been reducing how much they use.


According to figures supplied by the council, the average daily water use per household has consistently dropped each month since April, compared to the same period the previous year.


Last month, residents used on average 645 litres of water, compared to 767 litres in January 2022, a 16% decrease.

May saw the biggest monthly year-to-year drop so far, of 26%.

Under the new rules, people will be charged a fixed rate of $1.35 for every 1000 litres they use over the 700-litre limit, which is the equivalent of 100 toilet flushes.

Bills will not be sent out for $25 or less, so people will have to use more than 900 litres each day over 90 days to receive a bill. Once a bill goes above $25, the person will be charged for all usage above 700 litres.

It is not yet known how many people will get a bill, but the average charge is likely to be $83 and the maximum about $400.


A council spokesperson said it was great to see the reduction in water use across the district.

“Millions of litres of water have been saved since we started a campaign to encourage residents to check and reduce their water use.”

Some of the savings are due to residents finding and fixing leaks on their properties.

“Some of these leaks were resulting in hundreds of thousands of litres of water being wasted each week.”

The council hopes water use will continue to decrease over the coming months.


However, some residents have labelled the charge as unfair, especially since almost a quarter (25,295) of Christchurch households will not be charged because they share a meter with their neighbours.


Mayor Phil Mauger has publicly labelled the charge “unfair”.

During an interview with Newstalk ZB last week, Mauger questioned the need for water charging now that many leaks had been fixed, including his own. He found he was using 3000 litres a day due to a leak.

Mauger, who in 2021 voted against the introduction of charging for excess water use, said he thought the matter should be referred to the annual plan and the public consulted again.

Cr Sam MacDonald has also expressed support for this to happen.

But Cr Sara Templeton said the charges were consulted on twice, with the proposal tweaked in between to make it more fair.

“Re-consulting continuously until you get the result you want seems a waste of council time and ratepayers' money.”


She said 20% of properties use 50% of the city’s water supply, meaning they were effectively subsidised by the 80% who use less water.

“It is simply not fair that a small unit in Linwood using little water subsidises a large, lush lawn in Fendalton.”

Templeton said the charge had proven that people did not reduce their water use or check for leaks without financial incentive.


“Without the reduction in use we will have to spend more money as a city drilling more bores and putting in more pump stations to keep up with use, putting rates up further.”

K
645 days ago

Rengarenga (native lily)

Kelly from Bryndwr

New season rengarenga, a hardy native lily. Tolerates a wide range of of environments and thrives in shade or semi-sun. White flowers around Dec-Jan.

Pickup in Bryndwr. Price is per plant, 30 available at time of listing. Payment by cash or bank transfer

Price: $6

J
649 days ago

ANZ Upper Riccarton branch closing

Jeanette from Upper Riccarton

Today when visiting the local Upper Riccarton ANZ branch at 322 Riccarton Road, I was disappointed to be informed that the branch will close permanently 24th March 2023.

645 days ago

Have you got the shed of your dreams?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken … View more
Dear neighbours,

Last year, Jane Horne and partner Simon Bartholomew's Mondrian-inspired cube took the title of Resene Shed of the Year. Now, we're on the hunt for this years winner! Send us photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever storage spaces, cute chicken coops and potty potting sheds to win amazing prizes worth more than $2000. The Resene Shed of the Year 2023 winners will be announced in the April issue of NZ Gardener.

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646 days ago

Window Cleaning

Heather from Sills and Frills Window Washing

Feeling a little overwhelmed by your growing To-Do list?
Sills and Frills Window Washing is here to help!
Free up some ME time and outsource your window cleaning. Enquire or book by calling or texting Heather on 022 187 1055 emailing me heather@sillsandfrills.co.nz or by leaving a message below.

648 days ago

Can you help support Cyclone Gabrielle affected communities?

Stuff

Cyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. … View moreCyclone Gabrielle has had a devastating impact on hundreds of thousands of Kiwis. As the long clean up begins and support becomes more and more needed, Stuff is calling for readers to support the Red Cross and Mayoral Relief Funds in areas where a local state of emergency has been declared. We'd love your support. You can donate here. Donate now

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648 days ago

Have you got a great recipe for taro?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ … View more
Dear neighbours,

Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive taro recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by Feb 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the April issue of NZ Gardener.

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K
648 days ago

Akeake, green

Kelly from Bryndwr

Dodonaea viscosa, native bushy tree. Hardy to a variety of conditions. Can be used for hedging or adding colour to the garden.

Price is per plant, 25 available at time of listing. Pick up is in Bryndwr

Price: $8

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648 days ago

Stained chair

The Team from Resene ColorShop Hornby

It’s easy to transform a plain wicker chair into something special with Resene Colorwood natural wood stain.

Find out how to transform your furniture with our easy advice.

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649 days ago

Your home, your safe haven

Kevin Hickman Retirement Village

Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.

That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.

Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no… View more
Your home is your sanctuary where you can relax, rejuvenate, and entertain family and friends.

That’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens. We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.

Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our top priority, no matter what the weather. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies.

We all hope we never have to experience a natural disaster or other emergency. But if it happens, we’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.

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649 days ago

Garage sale Estate realization Reminder

Wing from Avonhead

Hi Everyone
This Garage sale is from 9.00am till 2.00pm this Saturday >
Some large items still to be disposed of-beds. dining suite, office desks TV a really good upright piano,
vintage Singer sewing machine, fridges and washing machine, plus all kitchen ware and crockery .
Come along … View more
Hi Everyone
This Garage sale is from 9.00am till 2.00pm this Saturday >
Some large items still to be disposed of-beds. dining suite, office desks TV a really good upright piano,
vintage Singer sewing machine, fridges and washing machine, plus all kitchen ware and crockery .
Come along and all items are open to offers!!!
See you on Saturday morning at 11 Karnak Crescent Avonhead.

Negotiable

652 days ago

Horses return to Port Hills track for first time in 20 years

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Carly Gooch and videopgrapher Alden Williams:

Riding horses is part of Pete Hurst’s heritage.

His father rode to Canterbury’s Motukarara races, and his grandfather took his horses to war – now he’s making it his mission to ensure horses are able to trot on the tracks … View more
From reporter Carly Gooch and videopgrapher Alden Williams:

Riding horses is part of Pete Hurst’s heritage.

His father rode to Canterbury’s Motukarara races, and his grandfather took his horses to war – now he’s making it his mission to ensure horses are able to trot on the tracks they’re entitled to.

Nearly a dozen riders took to Kennedys Bush Track in Christchurch on Friday morning, clip-clopping from Halswell Quarry to the Summit Rd to celebrate new horse gates allowing them through for the first time in years.

The trail had been “locked up” for about 20 years, Hurst said, but after advocates put pressure on the Christchurch City Council, it installed 1m-wide horse gates that will let riders through, but not vehicles.

He said generations before him had access to ride between Christchurch and Akaroa, “so we want to restore that – this is a step on the right direction”.


The main goal was to be able to ride the historic track to Akaroa and bring horses “back to the high country”.

He expected to succeed.

Many of the tracks Hurst wants horses to have access to are “paper roads” owned by the council in trust for the public.


He said bikes, trampers, horses and vehicles should be capable of accessing the roads, but locked gates often prohibited this.

“They should be for everybody, they shouldn’t keep you off it. We’re just opening up what we’re entitled to at Kennedys Bush.

“These days, bikes are well catered for, not so much horses.”


Hurst said he had done a lot of work over the last five years to ensure access to tracks on public conservation land, including on Mt Thomas and Mt Richardson, and he was close to opening several others.

Riding is in Hurst’s bones – his grandfather took horses to Palestine and Gallipoli in the war.

His grandfather was “a great horseman”.

“It broke his heart when he had to dispose of his horse when he came back from Palestine.”

The trek on Kennedys Bush Track was an easy one for the horses, Hurst said.

“They just shot up here, none have a sweat on them. They’re all a good bunch of people and a good bunch of horses.”

A city council spokesperson said the track was never specifically closed to horses, but the fact much of it was unfenced and did not follow the legal road alignment meant vehicle gates were kept locked, “thereby limiting horse access”.


At the end of Friday’s ride, Hurst and his group of riders settled in for a barbecue and drinks where they “talk about horses”.

Horses were part of our heritage, he said.

“If they run out of fossil fuels, we might be back on our horses.”

650 days ago

Make Me Yours!

Karen Ellis - Ray White Real Estate

JUST LISTED!
3🛏 | 1 🛁 | 2 🚗
60 Sturrocks Road, Redwood

With our owners now residing in their new residence this wonderful family home now presents a wonderful opportunity for an astute buyer to seize.

Our owners' minds are made up and they are intent on a Sold sign so act now… View more
JUST LISTED!
3🛏 | 1 🛁 | 2 🚗
60 Sturrocks Road, Redwood

With our owners now residing in their new residence this wonderful family home now presents a wonderful opportunity for an astute buyer to seize.

Our owners' minds are made up and they are intent on a Sold sign so act now before someone else snaps up this desirable property.

Deadline Sale: All offers must be received by 3:00pm Wednesday 8 March 2023 (unless sold prior)

650 days ago

Small biz owner? We're right behind you!

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage… View moreIt's been a tough few weeks for our communities, including our small businesses. To help small businesses keep connected with their neighbours, we’re offering Neighbourly Premium Business Listings FREE for three months. You’ll feature in the local business directory, plus be able to engage with neighbours to ask for help, share new operating hours, move damaged stock, or simply give thanks for recent support. T&Cs apply. Get Premium now

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