St Albans, Christchurch

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1481 days ago

Local Politcal Politics

Robert from Bryndwr

As a postgraduate political science degree candidate, I am sometimes quite disappointed with the internal politics and outcomes of local political Party groups. In part, over the years, due to critical academic study and writing schedules and also due to the internal issues within some localised … View moreAs a postgraduate political science degree candidate, I am sometimes quite disappointed with the internal politics and outcomes of local political Party groups. In part, over the years, due to critical academic study and writing schedules and also due to the internal issues within some localised political groups, I now tend to avoid them.

A couple of years ago I was considering doing a post graduate Dissertation about these groups, their composition, longevity and effectiveness. There may well now be a Ph.D. thesis in it for some much younger candidate.

I refer mostly to those local electorate branches or committees that represent various Parliamentary Parties though local government groups can sometimes suffer the same problems. With some exceptions, they can often tend to fail or, effectively, become inactive or non-existent. shortly after their formation.

Since my own participation started in 2006, with one of the three major Parties, I have seen a few of the various Parties' local electorate committees founder on the basis of their idealistic naivety and personal power ambitions involving themselves as committee members.

A very few local political groups are fortunate to have people serving on committee who do have the necessary leadership and management skills enough to anticipate and circumvent the internal problems. Many of the committee members enter the local electorate committees and see it as a path for personally campaigning for selection to their Party's list.

They can also hope they can be selected as contenders an election year candidate for Parliament. They can tend to forget their local members who might only want to socially and politically participate in their Party's community activities and social events. Some recent years ago, in one Party's Parliamentary candidate selection process, the Chair person selectively eliminated all other perceived and contending persons from the selection meeting date and time mailing list. The intention was so that they, as the Chairperson, were the only possible choice for members to nominate.
 Issues like Party members being selectively deleted from their electorate committee mailing or emailing lists, being selectively and, even punitively, uninvited to local Party social events or meetings. Members game enough to want to actively participate find they are not permitted to participate or even vote at meetings.

Other issues are that their committee members have quite naive expectations about what would attract or encourage members to want to attend monthly meetings because those meetings are often just about committee membership machinations but with no social or entertainment content.

Over several years, I have been at several meetings where their 'committee' decided that, because the members weren't now coming to the monthly meetings, they naively decided to close down their monthly meetings. The committee, usually by then, comprising only about three people, would simply call themselves the "Executive Committee' and discuss their local Party business between themselves on the phone excluding all other members while still representing themselves as a branch or committee of their particular Party.

With the recent Elections, a particular Party's local members were selectively uninvited to their Party's election party celebrations or commiserations event where the results were being broadcast on TV.
 
The politics of their internal power behaviors are the very reasons why their local Committee and monthly meetings can fail. Too much personal, power laden, interpersonal behaviors and ambitions will fail their group. Not enough altruism and caring for the social needs of others in their groups is the problem.

Some, fortunately only a few, have substituted those politics as almost a born-again card-carrying Pentecostal religion in their lives.

Notwithstanding the above issues, it IS DEFINITELY worthwhile joining a local political Party branch or group. You can then actively participate in the formation of NZ political policy and legislation even in helping to send it to the Parliamentary Bills or Select Committee level. Your local MP for your preferred Party will tell you where their local political party branches meet.
The social life, on its own, can be enormous fun and wonderful friends can be formed there.

I hope it helps.... Robert.
zl2rob at xtra.co.nz

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1481 days ago

**GARAGE SALE**🏠

Karen from Redwood

REMINDER: **** Garage Sale ****
17 Riverwood Blvd, Redwood
From 8am
Come and grab a bargain.... Kids toys, clothes, general household items, fridge, bookcase, heater, coffee table, steam mop, rug, desk chair

Negotiable

1481 days ago

Help us save lives every day New Zealand Flying Doctors Trust

Canterbury Air Rescue Trust

With over 1,000 missions a year in our www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz... '|flying intensive care unit|’, we need your help to raise $175,000 for our sickest and most vulnerable patients.

The www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz... |New Zealand Flying Doctors| are only partly government funded, and it is … View more
With over 1,000 missions a year in our www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz... '|flying intensive care unit|’, we need your help to raise $175,000 for our sickest and most vulnerable patients.

The www.nzflyingdoctors.co.nz... |New Zealand Flying Doctors| are only partly government funded, and it is only with the kindness and generosity of the community that we can continue to deliver this life-saving service. With mission numbers increasing each year, the need is greater than ever before.

Today we are asking you to support missions for neonatal and paediatric patients - with over 70 missions a year for children under 15 years of age, we are focused on getting each and every one of them the right medical care.

Your contribution will help save the lives of New Zealand children!
DONATE NOW

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1482 days ago

Got a job or two you just can't get to? Let me help!

Stephen from Master Multi-Tasker - Christchurch Handyman Services

Hey Neighbours,

Happy Friday! I've really been enjoying getting out and meeting some of you since launching my new business Master Multi-Tasker a couple of weeks ago. I'm really passionate about this community and have spent most of my life in and around the area so it's a privilege… View more
Hey Neighbours,

Happy Friday! I've really been enjoying getting out and meeting some of you since launching my new business Master Multi-Tasker a couple of weeks ago. I'm really passionate about this community and have spent most of my life in and around the area so it's a privilege to be able to start my business here.

It's been a busy few weeks - this week has been all about shelving, including including this custom adjustable garage set up and these top quality timber shelves for a client’s motor-home pantry

If you’re looking for custom shelving, let me help! I can come up with, create and install a concept that fits exactly what you need

Also available for a wide range of small jobs around your home and garden. As a Qualified Tradesman with 40+ years of experience, there's not much I can't do!

Text or call me on 027 4086 199

- Steve from Master Multi-Tasker

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1482 days ago

PICTURE FRAMES for sale.

Derek and Maureen from Redwood

We have around 50 assorted picture frames for sale. Various sizes.
Larger ones sold singly and the smaller ones in lots of three.. Prices negotiable. Please private message me if interested.

Negotiable

1482 days ago

Reach Out 🤝 Look Out 👀 Help Out 💖

The Team from Neighbourhood Support New Zealand

To find your nearest Neighbourhood Support or to get in touch about setting up a new one, go to:

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1483 days ago
1482 days ago

Recycle a school desk

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lichfield Street

Make homework fun by transforming an old school desk into a bright and appealing workstation using your children’s favourite Resene colours.

Make the most of this weekend with this easy step by step project idea from Resene. Find out how to create your own.

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1482 days ago

WIN $10,000 with MTF Finance Northlands in Papanui*

Simon from

*Take out a loan with MTF Finance before 1 March 2021 and you'll go in the draw to win $10,000 cash**

** competition T&Cs and lending criteria apply. Visit mtf.co.nz/win for details

1483 days ago

Melbourne Cup 2020: Bishopdale punter now a millionaire thanks to $30 bet

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

A lucky Melbourne Cup punter has more than a million reasons to never forget the 2020 edition of the race after winning the biggest prize ever paid out by the New Zealand TAB on the race.

The bet, placed at the Bishopdale TAB outlet in Christchurch, returned $1.16 million for a $120 outlay.

TAB … View more
A lucky Melbourne Cup punter has more than a million reasons to never forget the 2020 edition of the race after winning the biggest prize ever paid out by the New Zealand TAB on the race.

The bet, placed at the Bishopdale TAB outlet in Christchurch, returned $1.16 million for a $120 outlay.

TAB executive chair Dean McKenzie said the winning bet was the largest paid out by the TAB in recent memory.

“The retired man from Bishopdale in Christchurch placed a combination of First4 bets totalling $120. One of those combinations for $30 returned $1,168,185,” McKenzie said.

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1484 days ago

Local food heroes celebrated at Canterbury hospo awards

Jake Kenny Reporter from Community News

Whether you're into fine dining, fast food, beer and wine or eating sustainably, Christchurch has the place for you.

The city’s reputation as a hospitality hub is steadily growing as new food spots crop up while established spots continue to prosper.

The latest batch of outstanding … View more
Whether you're into fine dining, fast food, beer and wine or eating sustainably, Christchurch has the place for you.

The city’s reputation as a hospitality hub is steadily growing as new food spots crop up while established spots continue to prosper.

The latest batch of outstanding hospitality venues were recognised at the Canterbury Hospitality Awards on Monday evening.

Popular wine bar Cellar Door was named supreme establishment of the year; barbecue joint Smokey T's claimed the people’s choice award; Child Sister won the outstanding café award and OGB won best bar for the fourth year running.

The Vagabond Chefs won the community award for their efforts following the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown. They contributed regular donations of resources and food to Christchurch City Mission and KidsCan to help those most in need.

In the individual categories, Inati eatery chef Simon Levy took out outstanding chef of the year, Charles Guillotine Gillet of The Last Word claimed bartender of the year, whilst barista of the year went to Fumihiko Takai of Espresso Studio by Fushoken, in Riverside Market.

Click the 'Read more' link below for the full list of winners.

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1484 days ago

Neighbourly 101: Information for service providers

Neighbourly.co.nz

Got a side hustle going on? If you’re a babysitter, gardener, tutor or any casual service provider, it’s easy to reach local customers in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is set up a Neighbourly business profile!

Having this feature puts you a cut above the rest, with your business … View more
Got a side hustle going on? If you’re a babysitter, gardener, tutor or any casual service provider, it’s easy to reach local customers in your neighbourhood. All you have to do is set up a Neighbourly business profile!

Having this feature puts you a cut above the rest, with your business easy to find for Neighbours in our Business Directory. To get yourself business ready, follow these steps below:

- Head to our business directory by clicking ‘Businesses’ button at the top of your noticeboard.
- Click ‘Become Premium Business' (you can find this at the categories section).
- Have a browse! You can read all of our info and make a decision on whether your service will be more suited to a Premium Business Profile or a free profile.
- Follow all the steps in the sign-up process and you’re good to go.

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1484 days ago

Local Theatre Ferrymead Heritage Park Night Market

Bernie from Shirley

Heathcote Studios Theatrical Society Live Performances
7th November 2020

See attached PDF

Mayhem in the tearoom 7.11.2020.pdf Download View

1485 days ago

Sharing Success

Principal Immigration Adviser from Zealand Immigration

Congratulations to all our clients who got their visa approved in the last month. October had been a busy month here at Zealand with our team working hard to ensure successful outcome for our clients.

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1485 days ago

Find savings with SuperGold

SuperGold

Did you know, with a SuperGold card, you can stretch your money further every day?

Businesses across the country offer cardholders thousands of savings and special offers on fuel, food, health costs and more.

To find out what’s available, visit our website. Or, you can download and check … View more
Did you know, with a SuperGold card, you can stretch your money further every day?

Businesses across the country offer cardholders thousands of savings and special offers on fuel, food, health costs and more.

To find out what’s available, visit our website. Or, you can download and check the SuperGold app on your smartphone or tablet.

Find golden opportunities to save today, with SuperGold.
Find out more

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