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This week, we're celebrating love in all its forms, with some of our residents celebrating by sharing cherished memories, including their wedding dresses and the beautiful stories behind them.
An array of wedding dresses, ranging from the modern to the traditional, were on display along … View moreThis week, we're celebrating love in all its forms, with some of our residents celebrating by sharing cherished memories, including their wedding dresses and the beautiful stories behind them.
An array of wedding dresses, ranging from the modern to the traditional, were on display along with dozens of amazing wedding photos dating back to the 1800s in a nod to Valentine’s Day.
“With it being Valentine’s Day this week, we wanted something that would be inclusive of all the residents, those who are still lucky enough to have their partners but also those sharing happy memories of those that they have lost.”
Click read more for the full story.
The Pet Life.
It’s the life you share with your pet, and the life they share with you. We believe the pet life’s a life worth protecting.
Which is why we are dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier and happier lives every day.
We’re proudly born and bred in New Zealand, and … View moreThe Pet Life.
It’s the life you share with your pet, and the life they share with you. We believe the pet life’s a life worth protecting.
Which is why we are dedicated to helping pets live longer, healthier and happier lives every day.
We’re proudly born and bred in New Zealand, and are equally proud to partner with the NZ Veterinary Association and Pet Refuge. Just two ways we’re there to support the Pet Life community.
Protect the Pet Life.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Engineers are surveying the new channel cut by the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef Glacier, but there are no plans to try to re-train the river back to its normal course.
About 95% of the main flow of the river starting flowing north through the… View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Engineers are surveying the new channel cut by the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef Glacier, but there are no plans to try to re-train the river back to its normal course.
About 95% of the main flow of the river starting flowing north through the Tatare Stream after heavy rain on January 18 to 20.
The river began shifting towards the neighbouring Tatare in mid-2023, forcing the council to abandon plans for a series of bunds (embankments) along the lower Waiho, below the Franz Josef town sewerage ponds.
While there is now concern about the river being up against the northern bank in front of the sewerage ponds, the southern bank stopbanks on the usually vulnerable Waiho Flat side of the river, have been left high and dry.
West Coast Regional Council engineering staff are now surveying those stopbanks before carrying out interim maintenance, and is also awaiting the results of a new Lidar survey of the riverbed, which uses light to create 3-D images of a landscape, to understand the new direction of the river's main channel.
A South Westland resident claimed last week a large bulldozer was being moved towards Franz Josef, probably in an effort to change the course of the river.
Responding, council chief executive Daryl Lew said the council was simply "mobilising" its resources in the area as it weighed options to deal with the situation.
Chairperson Peter Haddock said the bulldozer seen last week was nothing to do with the regional council or any plans to divert the Waiho River.
Haddock said he was aware a private landowner at Waiho Flat had contracted a large bulldozer to undertake work to protect their land, but it had nothing to do with the council.
"To my knowledge the bulldozer is not being engaged by council," he said.
However, the council was getting organised for the medium term maintenance of the existing stopbanks on the south side "to hold the line" while the riverbed was dry.
It hoped to get the green light from Government funding agency Kanoa to use some of the reserved $8.77 million granted under the original co-funded $24m Waiho protection scheme for that work, he said.
The south bank repairs were ahead of the longer term plan to abandon the Waiho Flat to the river by pulling down the banks, starting in about 10 years' time.
Haddock said options for possibly diverting the river channel would need to go to the community first before any decisions were made.
"Unless there's a distinct emergency, that needs to go to the rating district first."
The risk to the sewerage ponds on the north bank remained a matter for the Westland District Council to assess, he said.
While Westland had now said it wanted to add protection below the sewerage ponds, that would only be an interim solution and would also need to go to the rating district, "if it's deemed the ponds are at risk".
"The rating district has to decide if it has an appetite."
Haddock said the regional council continued to monitor the Waiho flowing via the Tatare Stream and the gorge.
If it continued to escalate, then any protection solutions from below the end of the sewerage ponds were likely to be beyond the rating district and council's capacity and would require Government intervention, he said.
* LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ on Air
Experiencing broadband troubles? Our recent neighbourly poll reveals the top two issues: unstable connections and pricey bills!
Don't worry! Check out our latest article for expert tips to solve these issues.
PLUS, use Broadband Compare to compare NZ's best broadband deals & … View moreExperiencing broadband troubles? Our recent neighbourly poll reveals the top two issues: unstable connections and pricey bills!
Don't worry! Check out our latest article for expert tips to solve these issues.
PLUS, use Broadband Compare to compare NZ's best broadband deals & save up to $300/year. Enjoy smoother internet while keeping cash for treats!
Classical crossover singer Rebecca Nelson told a captivated Cambridge audience how the town holds a special place in her heart for several reasons.
Rebecca’s performance was one of three shows lined up to entertain residents and soon-to-be residents of Ryman Healthcare’s Patrick Hogan … View moreClassical crossover singer Rebecca Nelson told a captivated Cambridge audience how the town holds a special place in her heart for several reasons.
Rebecca’s performance was one of three shows lined up to entertain residents and soon-to-be residents of Ryman Healthcare’s Patrick Hogan Village in Cambridge, Hilda Ross Village down the road in Hamilton and James Wattie Village in Havelock North.
Describing her connection to Ryman, she says: “It feels like coming home and performing for friends and family.”
Click read for the full story.
This Valentine’s Day, why not snuggle up with your loved one for a movie night in?
We've curated the ultimate list of the latest romantic flicks and binge-worthy shows to make your evening extra special.
Plus, don't forget to compare broadband options on Broadband Compare for the… View moreThis Valentine’s Day, why not snuggle up with your loved one for a movie night in?
We've curated the ultimate list of the latest romantic flicks and binge-worthy shows to make your evening extra special.
Plus, don't forget to compare broadband options on Broadband Compare for the best streaming deals!
It's back for a fifth year! Recognise the best local businesses in your neighbourhood by nominating them in the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.
Whether it's a bakery team who occasionally sneak you an extra sweet treat, a supermarket employee that's helped carry your bags… View moreIt's back for a fifth year! Recognise the best local businesses in your neighbourhood by nominating them in the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero Awards.
Whether it's a bakery team who occasionally sneak you an extra sweet treat, a supermarket employee that's helped carry your bags to the car or a bookshop that goes out of its way to find the best read just for you. Prospa Local Business Hero helps you show some love to the small businesses with the biggest hearts.
Plus your nomination could help a small business win over $10,000 worth of prizes!
Be a local hero yourself; give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
Happy Chinese Lunar New Year from the team at NZ Compare!
May your year be as powerful and fortunate as the mighty dragon!
Don't forget to enter our Year of the Dragon contest to WIN 1 of 3 X $50 gift cards.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Ratepayers are being kept in the dark over whether the West Coast Regional Council will ping them with a large rates increase this year.
The council is expected to release its consultation document for its 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP) in March, … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Ratepayers are being kept in the dark over whether the West Coast Regional Council will ping them with a large rates increase this year.
The council is expected to release its consultation document for its 2024-34 long-term plan (LTP) in March, which will outline the rates plan for 2024-25.
However, it won't say what increase it's looking at.
The council has been meeting behind closed doors since March 2023 in a series of eight workshops for the LTP.
The Ombudsman last year called for councils to open workshops by default after an investigation found the public was being shut out of some meetings without valid reason.
The council's finalised plan will include projected annual rates for the life of the plan.
In 2023, the council passed a 16.4% rates increase, although a Civil Defence levy doubled for all ratepayers at the time. Ratepayers living in special rating districts, like the Greymouth Floodwall area, were also hit with large increases above ordinary rates.
At the time, Risk and Assurance Committee chairperson Frank Dooley, an accountant, was the sole voice of dissent.
He said the rates hike needed to be much higher after years of relatively low increases and a deficit in council resources.
But Dooley declined this week to say what the projected rates increase might be in 2024-25.
He said the council was due to have another LTP workshop late this month, following which the public consultation document release in March would be settled.
This was pending the outcome of a compulsory audit of the LTP document.
Dooley said council had filed its draft LTP for audit by January 8.
"Council met that deadline. We're waiting on the audit process to go through."
Dooley said there may be a delay in the LTP draft going out for consultation depending on the need for any amendments. If that were the case, then the draft would need to go back to the auditor - although no amendments were foreseen at this stage.
Police are investigating the “senseless” and “sickening” vandalism of a restored backcountry hut on the West Coast, which was smashed up and daubed with swastikas.
Kirwans Hut, near Reefton, is only accessible via a 20km journey along an advanced level tramping track and had been … View morePolice are investigating the “senseless” and “sickening” vandalism of a restored backcountry hut on the West Coast, which was smashed up and daubed with swastikas.
Kirwans Hut, near Reefton, is only accessible via a 20km journey along an advanced level tramping track and had been restored last year by volunteers.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) reported the vandalism to police after being alerted to it by a hut visitor in January.
Paint that had been stored on site was used to paint swastikas on the roof, external walls, water tank and toilet. The toilet was also broken, guttering smashed, the boardwalk broken and a “general mess” was made inside.
DOC Western South Island operations director Mark Davies said the damage was senseless, sickening and extremely disappointing for DOC, the Backcountry Trust, which upgraded the hut, and trampers using the facility.
“The Backcountry Trust reroofed Kirwans last year as one of their Jobs for Nature projects. Four people did the work over four days with around 200 hours of labour in total. I know the team was particularly proud of how well the hut came up through their efforts,” Davies said.
“Kirwans is a popular hut and used a lot over summer. Our DOC team put in a great deal of effort in the lead-up to Christmas to ensure it was accessible.”
Not only will repairing the damage be costly, but it will take rangers away from other essential work as they clear it up, he added.
Kirwans Hut sits on a 40km advanced tramping loop in Victoria Forest Park, which takes an estimated two to three days to complete.
The DOC website states: “The walk up to Kirwans Hut is one of New Zealand's classic overnight tramps... There are some incredible historic relics to be seen in this area including the Kirwans Reward mine, an aerial ropeway and the Lord Brassey stamper battery. The well-formed track up to the hut was originally hand crafted by miners.”
Reacting to pictures of the damage posted on social media, one Reefton local commented: “I am freaking furious at this stupidity! ... If you have any info please pass it on this is not OK and should not be tolerated.”
Police asked anyone with any information about the vandalism to call them on 105 or go online to 105.police.govt.nz and cite case file number: 240116/7979.
Kirwans Hut remained open and all facilities were usable.
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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Delays caused by KiwiRail are "a risk" to quickly advancing a flood protection wall for Hokitika, a council meeting has heard.
The flood resilience work is part of a staged project to protect the Hokitika residential area and the CBD … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Delays caused by KiwiRail are "a risk" to quickly advancing a flood protection wall for Hokitika, a council meeting has heard.
The flood resilience work is part of a staged project to protect the Hokitika residential area and the CBD under way since early 2023.
The first stage of work on the bank of the Hokitika River, behind Westland Milk Products, has already been completed.
The council hopes to have the next stage from the Hokitika River Bridge, along Gibson Quay and the Hokitika Industrial Railway, to Westland Milk Products completed by mid-year.
The project has been deemed "urgent" after the river was just a few millimetres from overtopping the old bank at Westland Milk Products in late 2022. This would have been catastrophic for the region's dairy industry and Hokitika's single biggest employer, as well as residents in the surrounding area.
Council infrastructure programme manager Scott Hoare said they had been liaising with KiwiRail over a level crossing impact assessment for some time.
"There is a risk of further delays to the resource consent for Stage 1b due to delays in receiving feedback from KiwiRail," Hoare told the West Coast Regional Council's Infrastructure Governance Committee on January 29.
Council consultant Davis Ogilvie had responded to the additional queries from KiwiRail, and the level crossing assessment had been provided, "however resolving these issues will likely further delay the start construction".
Hoare said the two level crossings, which give access to the Hokitika Riverbed, were "a low risk category".
"However, KiwiRail are still problematic to deal with in terms of their timely response," he said.
Offers to assist KiwiRail to make less work for them had not advanced.
"It's still becoming quite problematic with them … we're working alongside their corridor, however, in terms of affected party approval, there may be other options," Hoare said.
Infrastructure Governance Committee chairperson Frank Dooley said the delay was "pretty disappointing" and "bureaucracy gone mad".
"KiwiRail is a Crown-owned entity, you'd expect their processes to be better than that," Dooley said.
Councillor Peter Haddock asked if council could still proceed on the basis it already had the consent of all other parties "or do we really need KiwiRail?"
Hoare said the council had the option of changing the consent process to a limited notification.
However, it appeared KiwiRail were still working things through internally, "albeit it's very slow".
Council chief executive Darryl Lew said they could give KiwiRail the rest of this week to respond.
"If they don't we will proceed to limited notification. If they come back with written approval, that's when the limited notification goes away."
Councillor Peter Ewen noted a similar issue with KiwiRail in 2022 when council needed to advance the business case for Westport flood protection: "There was no response".
Councillor Peter Haddock said the crux of the matter was the people of Hokitika "are vulnerable and at risk".
Councillor Andy Campbell noted the new stop bank would benefit them: "We're actually helping them protect their infrastructure for nothing."
In a response, KiwiRail executive general manager property Anna Allen did not directly respond to assertations made at the council table.
However the state rail operator "has worked closely" with the regional council and its consultants on this issue, Allen said.
"Details of the application were received in August last year, and Kiwi Rail requested additional information in September," she said.
KiwiRail then met the consultants for council in October and sought more information afterwards.
"That was provided just after Christmas, and KiwiRail is now reviewing that material. We expect to finish that review shortly."
Allen said KiwiRail wanted to help progress things as quickly as possible but needed "to properly assess" the impact on its rail asset "to ensure it continues to comply with our standards and codes".
* LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Get ready for a refreshing summer with our 6 rejuvenating wellness tips!
Whether you're hitting the trails, diving into the waves, or simply chilling at home, these tips are perfect for making the most of your break!
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