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As there is so much to see in the Botanic Gardens you might like to consider taking a tour. There are a number of different options for tours.
Running until the end of April. Check out the link in 'Read More' for full details.
World Creativity and Innovation Day provides people with a reason to try to solve old problems in new ways, with the potential of finding better and more effective methods to accomplish our goals!
The 2023 General Election is to be held on Saturday 14th October 2023 - that's less than 6 months until you make your vote!
In the lead up to the election, what issues are you most wanting to hear from parties and their candidates about?
Type NFP if you want your comments excluded from … View moreThe 2023 General Election is to be held on Saturday 14th October 2023 - that's less than 6 months until you make your vote!
In the lead up to the election, what issues are you most wanting to hear from parties and their candidates about?
Type NFP if you want your comments excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
It’s your last chance to win this brand-new,, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an … View moreIt’s your last chance to win this brand-new,, fully-furnished home located just north of Auckland in the stunning beachside town of Mangawhai.
Valued at over $1.4 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand-new home features three-bedrooms, two-bathrooms and boasts an open-plan kitchen, living and dining area.
Make this property your permanent residence, a holiday home, a rental or even sell it. Tickets only $15 – get in quick and purchase more tickets today.
From reporter Nadine Roberts:
It’s a slice of Kiwi childhood, with a helping of rough and tumble adventure where cotton wool is banished.
But Little River Campground on Banks Peninsula may be about to have its last marshmallow toast on the unfenced campfire, after a complaint to WorkSafe … View moreFrom reporter Nadine Roberts:
It’s a slice of Kiwi childhood, with a helping of rough and tumble adventure where cotton wool is banished.
But Little River Campground on Banks Peninsula may be about to have its last marshmallow toast on the unfenced campfire, after a complaint to WorkSafe left owners Marcus Puentener and Megan Gainsford afraid of the liability they face in order to be safety compliant.
An unknown complainant reported safety concerns after a woman dislocated her leg on the slippery slide in February.
The complainant also said the boardwalks through the native forest were rotten, a trampoline was dangerous and an outdoor power cord to a glitter globe above a campfire was not safe when it rained.
Puentener said the accident in February was unfortunate and was created because the polythene sheet was in two sections. One sheet blew up, causing the woman to get caught, he said. He immediately closed the slide down and was working on how to make it safer.
It was just the second serious accident since the couple took over the campground – the other was after a woman jumped off a trampoline and injured her leg on slippery grass.
Although WorkSafe had been supportive and helpful so far, Puentener said the complaint had forced the couple to re-evaluate the future of the campground.
A WorkSafe spokesperson confirmed they had been contacted about a “number of concerns” relating to the campground but said it could continue operating while addressing health and safety concerns.
“The concerns raised are easily resolvable with attention, which will both keep children safe and provide that reassurance to parents and caregivers,” the spokesperson said.
However, Puentener said if they had to upgrade the boardwalk through five hectares of native bush they would have to find hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. With Puentener as the only employee, large scale changes were not financially viable.
Now the couple are weighing up what they can do in order to reopen in October, but Puentener admits to feeling disheartened and unsure of the way forward after a difficult year when numbers through the gate have not been what he hoped.
Options include closing off the native area or putting it under the guidance of a trust. Both would see the demise of the slippery slide, giant swing and boardwalk.
The couple are also considering upping the price for campers or offering a membership scheme. Their least favourite option is closing, but it’s something they will seriously consider when the campground closes for the season on April 24.
In the meantime a social media campaign has heated up, with members of the public considering setting up a Givealitte page to help save the campground.
Others are offering to do a working bee.
The outpouring of support has been welcomed by Puentener.
“It’s humbling to know that people do have a connection with the place.”
The comparison you've been waiting for! Are you team Apple or team Samsung?!
Both companies have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to technology and it can get pretty heated. It's always best to check before you invest - so compare the pro's and con's of … View moreThe comparison you've been waiting for! Are you team Apple or team Samsung?!
Both companies have their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to technology and it can get pretty heated. It's always best to check before you invest - so compare the pro's and con's of Samsung and Apple now with this easy guide.
Telecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage … View moreTelecommunications are an integral part of our lives, so when things go wrong it can be frustrating. Do you prefer to keep tight lipped, or are you willing to speak up?
The Telecommunications Dispute Resolution service, or TDR for short, is here to help. It’s ok to complain and we encourage you to speak up and raise issues early.
For phone and internet disputes, talk to your provider first and give them a chance to sort it. If it remains unresolved or if you need some extra help, you can talk to TDR – your free and independent complaint service.
To get in touch or find out more, visit www.tdr.org.nz or freephone 0508 98 98 98.
Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry made of short, unrhymed lines that evoke natural imagery. Haiku can come in a variety of different formats of short verses, though the most common is a three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable pattern. Have a go and share your Haiku in the comments below!
Just for April we're offering a very special discount on our Premium Business Listings! Usually $399*, you can grab a Premium Listing for just $199* for the whole year.
Here's five great things a Premium Listing will get you:
- up to 40,000 neighbours living around your business to … View moreJust for April we're offering a very special discount on our Premium Business Listings! Usually $399*, you can grab a Premium Listing for just $199* for the whole year.
Here's five great things a Premium Listing will get you:
- up to 40,000 neighbours living around your business to connect
- message scheduling (set and forget!)
- improved SEO (improve your online footprint!)
- fortnightly tips and tricks from the Neighbourly team to ensure your Premium Listing works for you
- support from the Neighbourly team whenever you need it
*GST additional
Autumn Market Day - This Saturday 15 April
Christchurch South Community Gardens
188 Strickland Street, Sydenham 10am - 1pm
Lots of lovely baking, preserves & produce
Put your name down for our free pickle basket prize - win a bench top kitchen waste bin + preserves
Looking forward … View moreAutumn Market Day - This Saturday 15 April
Christchurch South Community Gardens
188 Strickland Street, Sydenham 10am - 1pm
Lots of lovely baking, preserves & produce
Put your name down for our free pickle basket prize - win a bench top kitchen waste bin + preserves
Looking forward to seeing you on the day
Contact : info@cscommunitygardens.net.nz
CDANZ estimates that around 250,000 dogs are chained up for their entire lives in Aotearoa. Animal welfare inspectors from the SPCA can do little for them and only in the most extreme cases can dogs be seized, and owners prosecuted, due to the resources involved. Do we need to have better welfare … View moreCDANZ estimates that around 250,000 dogs are chained up for their entire lives in Aotearoa. Animal welfare inspectors from the SPCA can do little for them and only in the most extreme cases can dogs be seized, and owners prosecuted, due to the resources involved. Do we need to have better welfare rules for dogs?
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
Check out our podcast, where we were joined by PIPS Manager Megan, who talked about the issues young families face and how PIPS can support them.
PIPS are providing free, non-judgmental, client-focused practical and emotional support during pregnancy and early parenting. To find out more … View moreCheck out our podcast, where we were joined by PIPS Manager Megan, who talked about the issues young families face and how PIPS can support them.
PIPS are providing free, non-judgmental, client-focused practical and emotional support during pregnancy and early parenting. To find out more click on the 'Read More' for links to the podcast and their website.
From reporter Tina Law:
One of Christchurch's most popular libraries is at risk of being rebuilt as a “substandard facility” that will fail to meet the needs of its community, some city leaders fear.
There is a $2.5 million shortfall to rebuild South Library in Beckenham and with no … View moreFrom reporter Tina Law:
One of Christchurch's most popular libraries is at risk of being rebuilt as a “substandard facility” that will fail to meet the needs of its community, some city leaders fear.
There is a $2.5 million shortfall to rebuild South Library in Beckenham and with no extra money currently in the Christchurch City Council’s budget, councillors and community board members are worried the project will be scaled back.
They are urging the public to make a submission to the council’s draft annual plan, before submissions close at 11.59pm on Monday, to ensure more money is put in the budget.
Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote Community Board chairperson Callum Ward told the council at its meeting last week that the board was “gravely concerned” about the project.
“Unless we adjust the budget now to meet the actual needs of the facility, the scope of this project will be eroded to the point where we will deliver a substandard facility that will fail to meet the needs of the community.”
Ward said the library, which was also a service centre, was one of the most well-used in the city and had a higher book turnover than Tūranga, the central library.
Read the full story here.
From reporter Steven Walton:
Controversial enlarged speed bumps are being recommended for a Christchurch roundabout to stop cars crashing with cyclists.
Christchurch City Council staff are recommending a raft of safety tweaks for the roundabout at the bottom of the Port Hills, which connects … View moreFrom reporter Steven Walton:
Controversial enlarged speed bumps are being recommended for a Christchurch roundabout to stop cars crashing with cyclists.
Christchurch City Council staff are recommending a raft of safety tweaks for the roundabout at the bottom of the Port Hills, which connects Dyers Pass Rd, Colombo St, Cashmere Rd and Centaurus Rd.
The Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote community board will decide at a meeting next week whether to go ahead with the staff recommendations.
During public consultation, the majority of people who lived near the roundabout did not support the changes or did not indicate their preference. Some feared it could worsen congestion.
One aspect of the tweaks was adding raised safety platforms at each roundabout entrance.
Similar platforms were previously added at a Lincoln Rd intersection and have faced criticism from some city councillors and mayor Phil Mauger.
Councillor Aaron Keown previously claimed the council does not have a mandate to install the platforms.
Another raised platform on Opawa Rd had not drawn any criticism.
In the case of this roundabout, council staff say a raised platform would reduce entry speed and therefore improve safety.
Staff said if people were hit by a car travelling at 50kph their chances of survival are 20%, but their survival chances would shoot up to 90% if the car’s speed was only 30kph.
Between 2012 and 2021, 27 crashes had occurred at the roundabout, with 10 of them resulting in serious injuries.
In all the instances of serious injuries, the crashes involved a cyclist, motorbike or scooter.
Council staff said about 2200 cars and 65 cyclists used the roundabout during the morning rush. About 2400 cars and 90 cyclists used it at peak time in the evening.
Other tweaks proposed by council staff were narrower entry lanes to the roundabout, wider pedestrian islands, and improved pedestrian crossing locations.
Council staff received a mixed reception when they consulted the public about the work.
Out of a total of 426 submissions, 197 did not indicate whether they supported the changes, 86 were in favour, and 143 were against.
About 150 submitters suggested that solving safety issues at the intersection would require traffic lights.
Council staff say this would not help safety and could cost $2.5 million, whereas the recommended tweaks would only cost $450,000.
The tweaks would be paid by the Government, thanks to a $40m cash injection for roading projects that was first promised in 2017.
Council staff noted that “the majority of submitters who live within the vicinity of the roundabout ... either did not support the changes or did not give a clear indication”.
The area’s community board will meet at 4pm on Thursday, April 13 to decide whether to go ahead with the proposed tweaks.
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