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By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The restoration of the 100-year-old home of a remarkable pioneering photographer who documented West Coast mining life has been formally opened.
The $100,000 project undertaken by the Department of Conservation has breathed new life into the home … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The restoration of the 100-year-old home of a remarkable pioneering photographer who documented West Coast mining life has been formally opened.
The $100,000 project undertaken by the Department of Conservation has breathed new life into the home of Jos Divis who lived in the cottage from the 1920s until his death in 1967.
Members of Divis' family, including his great niece, travelled from the Czech Republic to formally cut the ribbon on Friday, March 15.
The celebration marked the culmination of a complex restoration by DOC over the past two years which brought the fragile wooden structure back from the brink - amid renewed interest in Divis' photographic legacy.
Born in 1885 in what is now the Czech Republic, he emigrated to the West Coast about 1909, first living in Blackball then following an itinerant life as a mine worker for several years before becoming a fixture of Waiuta.
There Divis worked in the large underground gold mine and documented the community in a startling record of the town which continues to lives on in his images.
As a keen amateur photographer, Divis, documented the mining workplace in often startling photography.
This often included the photographer himself posed within his photos as an early form of the 'selfie' by deploying self timer technology of the day.
Divis was widely published in the national newspapers until the late 1930s.
He also documented the demise of Waiuta as a town when the mine suddenly closed in 1951. At the time it had been the largest underground gold mine of its kind in the South Island.
Divis' remarkable legacy of thousands of photographs is still being discovered amidst a resurgence of interest in his legacy with three current exhibitions including an opening at the National Library in Wellington this week.
Simon Nathan, the maker of a recent documentary on Divis, said the historic legacy of Divis is pure gold.
"One of the things that has been fascinating is, I keep on finding Jos Divis' photographs," he said on Friday.
This included Divis' descendants recently sharing fresh material buried in a family album of his early days on the West Coast, Nathan said.
Divis' work is also contained within many hidden personal albums of families with Waiuta links.
While there is an extensive archive of Divis' work in the National Library of NZ, along with that of Waiuta families links, his commercial post card work was also beginning to come to light, Nathan said.
World Heritage Site evaluator and DOC heritage adviser Paul Mahoney said he did not believe Divis' legacy had been given enough credit yet in New Zealand.
"I don't think there's anyone else in New Zealand who has documented a work place and a community in such a way. He was away ahead of his time," Mahoney said.
Heritage NZ deputy chief executive Nic Jackson paid tribute to DOC and the Friends of Waiuta who in an unique partnership had ensured the fabric of the Waiuta Tohu Whenua site continued to be enhanced, namely through the Divis cottage restoration.
"Here at Waiuta we can say a picture paints a thousand words, with thousands of pictures taken by Jos of life on the West Coast," Jackson said.
The Waiuta township site is one of six Tohu Whenua sites on the West Coast.
While Waiuta is now a ghost town the images taken by Divis of a town which was "a hive of bustling life" was unique, Jackson said.
"Much of the town's physical life has gone but Jos brings it to life for us."
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The feel-good factor around a sumptuous meal served up professionally in the village dining room can help Ryman residents’ overall sense of wellbeing. Eating well and with pleasure will also help their health.
That is the view of Ryman’s Food Team and village Senior Lead Chefs who have been… View moreThe feel-good factor around a sumptuous meal served up professionally in the village dining room can help Ryman residents’ overall sense of wellbeing. Eating well and with pleasure will also help their health.
That is the view of Ryman’s Food Team and village Senior Lead Chefs who have been planning mouth-watering recipes and food selections that will make up autumn, winter, spring, and summer menus for 2024.
Menu Development Chef Matt Orr alongside the Chefs Panel are working tirelessly to create a menu for all seasons.
Click read more for the full article.
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Almost every urban area on the West Coast is included in a raft of speed reduction proposals - some to as low as 30kph.
Under a newly released draft regional speed management plan for the region entire villages like Blackball and Moana will have … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Almost every urban area on the West Coast is included in a raft of speed reduction proposals - some to as low as 30kph.
Under a newly released draft regional speed management plan for the region entire villages like Blackball and Moana will have their current 50kph limit reduced to 30kph.
The Greymouth CBD is already down to 30kph.
But more of its suburban streets will drop around its school zones.
The draft proposes a wider blanket application of 30kph on more streets in the wider vicinity, rather than straight outside, the Blaketown, Cobden, John Paul II/St Patricks, Grey Main, Gremouth High School and Karoro schools sites.
This is in line with every one of the West Coast's 29 school zones being changed.
Submissions on the draft West Coast Regional Speed Management Plan have opened, with the end date being April 5.
The draft plan under the West Coast Regional Transport Committee (RTC) encompasses about 1900km of local roads controlled by the three district councils.
It also nods to the State highway network administered by the NZ Transport Agency and some roads administered by the Department of Conservation.
The draft identifies high priority local roads and high priority areas across the three districts to be part of the national Speed Management Plan.
However the timing for the draft's proposals is now uncertain following the new Government signalling its intention to change the settings of the Transport Policy Statement, including the mandatory settings for speed management, and the minister of transport having the final say.
In January the RTC decided to press ahead with public submissions anyway.
RTC chairperson Peter Ewen said today the final shape of the Government's signalled new transport policy impacting the draft's proposals is still "a $64,000 question".
However the scrapping of mandatory speed reductions from 100kph to 80kph on some State highways was a fair indication.
Ewen said the changed policy landscape is likely to be a hot topic at an upcoming meeting of South Island regional transport sector group next month.
"We've got to see what happens in the next 100 days."
The draft says 1099 people responded to a regional community transport survey from October December 2022, informing the draft plan.
Nearly 90% of the respondents considered the Road to Zero policy aim for speed reductions to be important or very important.
Respondents considered Road to Zero "as the most crucial strategic direction" compared to the options in the survey of zero carbon and emissions reductions, climate change, natural hazard resilience, and economic development.
High priority roads/areas under the proposal:
- Grey District: Blackball and Moana (30), Sumner Road at Gladstone (30).
- Westland: parts of Kumara, Arahura Pa, Hokitika, Ross and Franz Josef all down to 30.
- Buller: Kohaihai Road in Karamea (60), Little Wanganui (40), Gentle Annie (60/30), Powerhouse Road at Fairfield (60), Westport Palmerston Street (30), Omau at Cape Foulwind (60), Nile/Okari near Charleston (40/60).
It also includes speed reductions from 100kph to 20kph on three Department of Conservation controlled roads in Buller.
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Stuff is on the hunt for the biggest potholes in New Zealand and the list is growing. Got a local pothole doing your head in? Share it on Stuff!
Some of the West Coast's 650 whitebait stand holders owe the West Coast Regional Council for failing to pay their consent fees.
The matter came up as the council discussed its new policy to address non-rates aged receivable debt.
Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the combined … View moreSome of the West Coast's 650 whitebait stand holders owe the West Coast Regional Council for failing to pay their consent fees.
The matter came up as the council discussed its new policy to address non-rates aged receivable debt.
Council chairperson Peter Haddock said the combined whitebait debt more than three months old owed by standholders was unacceptable.
"We've got white-baiter debtors of $40,000-plus. I would have thought if you don't pay your licence, there is no licence.
"We're not a benevolent society here," Haddock said on March 5.
At the end of January, the council had $1.55 million in outstanding debt of more than 30 days old.
Of that, whitebait stand-holders collectively owed $44,076 of unpaid fees for 90 days or more.
This is despite whitebait stands on West Coast rivers being in hot demand and lucrative for holders in good years.
Individuals can in a good season earn tens of thousands of dollars from selling the delicacy.
Many stands have are held inter-generationally, with their right to keep it a recreational activity fiercely defended in recent years.
Council charges West Coast whitebait standholders an annual resource consent monitoring fee of $201.25.
The fees are usually invoiced in July each year.
Whitebait stand consent holders must also pay an annual administration charge of $115 for each individual whitebait stand consent file held.
Councillor Brett Cummings said whitebait and also gravel take debtors should have their privileges withheld.
"If they are not paying their gravel or whitebait fees, they should be removed."
Chief executive Darryl Lew said council was legally unable to withdraw a consent on the basis of non-payment.
However, acting consents and compliance manager Chris Barnes said it could for whitebait standholders.
Councillor Peter Ewen said the overall $1.55m debt currently owed to the council affected the financial bottom line.
He wanted to know the quantum of debt written off annually as an impact on the rates strike.
"All this reflects on our rates strike at the end of the year - our bottom line," he said.
Other overdue debtors, by more than three months at the end of January, included $91,846 for 'sundry debtors,' $133,856 for 'work order' debt, and overdue gravel compliance monitoring fees of $66,735.
Cummings said the debt backlog was unsettling.
"It's scary. You wouldn't run a business like this."
Councillor Frank Dooley said the council had to be highly active about debt collecting, although its new policy adopted in November had seen $100,887 recovered in one month.
Ewen said a significant problem for the council was payment for work funded by Government departments, which took time to flow through.
He said the 'aged debt' breakdown presented to the meeting should be itemised by sector so it was transparent who owed what.
"I would like to know what the Crown's outstanding debt is."
Lew said most of the Government agency payment debt was to do with the council's infrastructure programme via Kanoa.
Following negotiations recently it was now "proactively paying us ahead of time".
"We're not effectively bankrolling these things any more.
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Can't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.
As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the … View moreCan't make your roses sing? Wanting to know when to start planting your broccoli? We are kicking off our Q&A series with Jo McCarroll in the hot seat answering questions on all things gardening from 9am Friday.
As well as being the author of Vege Patch From Scratch, Jo is also the editor of NZ Gardener magazine and has been for 15 years. She is looking forward to answering your gardening questions.
Whether you're dipping your toe in the soil or have seasoned green fingers, we welcome you to...
↓ Share your question with our gardening guru below... ↓
Today, we celebrate the heroes living right under our roofs, who uplift and empower us every day – the wives, mums, daughters, and nans.
Take a moment to say thank you to these incredible women who shape your lives with their grace and courage.
Don't forget to use NZ Compare to … View moreToday, we celebrate the heroes living right under our roofs, who uplift and empower us every day – the wives, mums, daughters, and nans.
Take a moment to say thank you to these incredible women who shape your lives with their grace and courage.
Don't forget to use NZ Compare to brighten your household bills!
Choosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.
At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home … View moreChoosing the right care centre is an important decision. To help you, we’ve put together The Ryman Care Guide to highlight the care, kindness and comfort that our care centres provide.
At Ryman villages, we offer care options customised to suit your needs. Our villages all offer rest home care, and most also offer hospital and specialist dementia care.
Our assisted living apartments are in the heart of the village and include services like housekeeping and chef-prepared meals to make life easier.
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Please follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
… View morePlease follow our top tips to reduce the risk of mail theft:
✉️ Clear your letterbox in a timely manner
✉️ Put a hold on your mail delivery if you’re going away
✉️ Provide clear delivery instructions for couriers to leave a package safely hidden or secured within your property
✉️ Install security cameras and/or security camera messaging near your letterbox or front of property
✉️ Where practical, consider click and collect over delivery
✉️ Send parcels to a work address or ensuring you're home when they arrive
✉️ Contact Police (111 for immediate issues or 105 if it is after the fact) if you see people loitering around vehicles or looking into car windows
✉️ Engage in neighbourhood groups so more people can keep an eye out for suspicious activity
These tips are being shared after a 44-year-old woman will appear in Pukekohe District Court on 28 March charged with theft.
An alleged mail thief in the Pukekohe area has hand-delivered herself into Police, following assistance from the community.
Counties Manukau South Senior Sergeant MJ Riddle says Police were aware of locals discussing a mail theft on social media. A report was made to Police at the time in January and had included enough detail including CCTV footage and a vehicle of interest. Following Police enquiries, the woman has brought herself into the Pukekohe Police Station a few days later.
“This is a great result for the community and a timely reminder to the public to continue reporting any thefts from letterboxes.”
Senior Sergeant Riddle says
“Our community should be able to receive parcels and mail without concern of interference but unfortunately there are people in our communities who take advantage of opportunities to commit thefts from mail boxes and front porches."
“We encourage anyone who has been the victim of dishonesty offending to report it as soon as possible,” she says."
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The Hokitika seawall extension project is to be pushed ahead despite the West Coast Regional Council not having any money yet to build it.
The northern extension to the 2013-built Hokitika Seawall has been in the pipeline for the past two years … View moreBy local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
The Hokitika seawall extension project is to be pushed ahead despite the West Coast Regional Council not having any money yet to build it.
The northern extension to the 2013-built Hokitika Seawall has been in the pipeline for the past two years under council's Infrastructure Resilience Group 'shovel ready' programme for the town.
The programme includes the three stage Hokitika River stopbank programme on the southern edge of Hokitika, now at its second stage and awaiting final sign off by KiwiRail.
On Wednesday, the council announced it will drive forward its goal of providing better long-term coastal protection for the Hokitika residential area along the Revell Street-north beachfront.
Council chairperson Peter Haddock said they hope council can win some of the new 'shovel ready' money, set aside in the Coalition Government deal with NZ First, to build the extension.
But a requirement for the new money is the consent application is lodged to ensure no subsequent delay to what are supposed to be 'shovel ready' projects.
Haddock warned council is contesting for an annual pool of about $100m of funding nationwide.
"The priority for the Government will be that the projects are all ready to go because in the past a lot of projects that were 'shovel ready', weren't ready."
Haddock said council has applied knowing it will need to show it has the consent in train to qualify.
"It is in one of the tranches for funding. We have put that up for the Hokitika seawall, however it will depend on priorities around the country."
The new consent application encompassed future sea protection emergency work, a retrospective emergency work provision for the current 2013 seawall, and consent for the proposed extension.
Haddock said the emergency provision would allow council to be more proactive in the face of a future extreme event.
At the same time he expected some pushback from residents in the seawall extension area who stood to lose easy beach access from their properties.
"It will be contentious."
The township, founded in 1864, has a long history of inundation with the sea flooding the CBD within living memory.
Haddock said they hoped to have a formal hearing by about September - dependent on the availability of commissioners.
Council natural hazards analyst Dr Sharon Hornblow said Hokitika's natural hazard exposure is clear as it is built "within a dynamic coastal environment".
"Erosion issues are part of a long-term balance between sediment supply and highly active coastal processes," she said.
In particular the Hokitika shoreline is in a state of "dynamic equilibrium" balancing sediment supply from the river and earthquake induced landslides, with coastal bars and erosion troughs impacted by flood flows and storms.
Hokitika's seismic location between the Alpine Fault and the offshore Cape Foulwind Fault meant vertical land movement, along with sea level rise, is a future consideration, Hornblow said.
Council had decades of coastal erosion monitoring data, with the most recent data from 2021 showing "the potential" for river and storm surge flooding.
"Future projections for the Hokitika shoreline are more frequent severe flood events, coastal storms, future sea level rise from measured temperature increases and ice melt, and further sediment transport as well as coastal erosion," Hornblow said.
Extending and completing a new sea wall presented "a proactive short to medium-term option".
Hornblow said it would potentially help mitigate the ongoing impacts of sea level rise and the increased coastal hazard exposure while council worked towards a longer-term strategy for the area.
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