Ashley braided river strategy engagement soon
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Environment Canterbury plans to consult on its Ashley River strategy later this year.
North Canterbury zone manager Andrew Arps says the Rakahuri/Ashley River Braided River Strategy is an important piece of work.
It will be one of the first out of the blocks, along with a Rangitata River strategy, he said.
"We are working through reach by reach to see how it all works together as an over-arching plan.
"ECan is writing the strategy, but it is a multi agency, community approach, which is why the consultation process is important."
The regional council consulted on its masterplan for the Rangiora Reach, at Cones Road, Rangiora, last year, which will be incorporated into the overall strategy.
Some initiatives were already under way, including woody weeds clearance work at the Ashley River Gorge and Okuku River.
The consultation process would identify more work which was needed.
The recent experience of Cyclone Gabrielle in the North Island had highlighted the dangers of forestry "slash", Arps said.
"The forestry down here and the terrain is at a different scale, but there are things we need to look at.
"It is a different environment, but there are also risks which is why the clearance of the willows is important work.
"As has been highlighted, we are likely to see more of these events in the future so we need to be as best prepared as we can be."
But the biggest barrier was funding and the council would need more central government support to tackle the problem to prevent a repeat of what was seen in the North Island.
Braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said the strategy would provide an action plan for organisations to work together to restore ecological and riparian corridors, and to re-connect people with the river.
"Community input will be essential to shaping a strategy that helps meet the vision for the people who live, work and play along the river."
The strategy was being co-drafted with Mahaanui Kurataiao Ltd to ensure mana whenua input, Stanley said.
An initial draft strategy had been prepared to engage with local community groups which had indicated suggestions for improvement.
For more information, go to www.ecan.govt.nz...
Kalle
"Sports and travelling run in the family, and that's kind of what's led me to come to New Zealand."
"I grew up in a small town in Finland. My dad was involved with sports all his life, he was a shot putter, discus thrower, powerlifter, we traveled quite a bit when I was a kid. He never mentioned much of the rugby days. He just said he broke both of his shin bones playing rugby, so he said, ‘never play the sport, It's crazy.’
I started playing when I was 18. I played my first cap for the Finnish national team in 2014, we won the Finnish championship with my club. Rugby is not a big thing in Finland.
I moved here to play rugby in 2017. The club that wanted me to come over was Methven Rugby Club. They got me here and they were like, ‘what do you do for work? I’d just finished chef school in Finland. ‘We'll get you a job at Mount Hutt as a chef, you can do that while you play rugby with us.’ I said, ‘Perfect. Yeah, I'm in’.
I've always loved food. My mum was an amazing cook, and still is. When I was studying tourism I worked in some hotels in Finland, and I saw how the chef's worked. I just loved the kitchen vibe and I was like, Yeah, that’d be something I'd love to do.
I've had more of a culinary journey In New Zealand than in Finland. I started at Mount Hutt, after that I worked at The Dubliner in Methven. I worked as a senior pizza chef at Sal’s for maybe six months then worked as chef de partie at Cellar Door. At Eliza's Manor, I worked myself up to a junior sous chef. Then the opportunity came to work my first head chef job at Moon Under Water.
We're privileged to have a busy atmosphere, we can try new things and get a bit creative. There are no TV’s, just come here with your family or with your mates, play board games, to socialise.
I really want to drive the local food and ingredients through the menu. We don't mind spending more for quality ingredients as long as it's supporting New Zealand businesses. We just love to use local. And it's pub food, but I feel like it's elevated.
I play club rugby here for the Christchurch Football Club, the oldest club in New Zealand and I still play regularly for the Finnish national team, whenever they can fly me over to play."
- Kalle
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Family Friendly Service and Discussion
Note change of time from summer start time.
Next family-friendly monthly service - Sunday, 6 October - at the Ashley Community Church. The gathering will start at 3.30 pm with a shared afternoon tea. Remember to bring something to share!
Also remember to go before you come as there is no toilet on site.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley.
Poll: Is it okay to grocery shop in your PJs?
I'm sure you've seen it while doing your weekly shop... In fact, it may have even been you.
What do you think about people heading to the supermarket in their pyjamas?
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14.3% It's fine!
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75.1% It's questionable
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10.6% Other - I'll share below
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