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Make the most of your Sundays with a subscription to the Sunday Star-Times. From just $51, enjoy gripping investigations, in-depth analysis, and exclusive subscriber rewards. Plus, for September only, receive a free Antipodes Supernatural … View moreLonger days and warmer weather are fast approaching!
Make the most of your Sundays with a subscription to the Sunday Star-Times. From just $51, enjoy gripping investigations, in-depth analysis, and exclusive subscriber rewards. Plus, for September only, receive a free Antipodes Supernatural SPF50+ Ceramide Silk Facial Sunscreen worth over $60.
Don't miss out on this unbeatable offer—subscribe today! *Print T&Cs apply.
Kia ora neighbours,
In our September mag, Amy Roberts from Villaleigh Plants has a list of her favourite blooms for long display. "If you want a long season, look beyond the flowers," is her advice. Here are her picks: Geranium phaeum 'Mourning Widow', Salvia leucantha, … View moreKia ora neighbours,
In our September mag, Amy Roberts from Villaleigh Plants has a list of her favourite blooms for long display. "If you want a long season, look beyond the flowers," is her advice. Here are her picks: Geranium phaeum 'Mourning Widow', Salvia leucantha, Hylotelephium 'Autumn Joy' (pictured), Eryngium pandanifolium and Alchemilla mollis.
Have you got them in your garden? In fact, we'd love to see what you've got in bloom now. Post a photo and share the joy!
Create your very own mini Jurassic Park with this easy-to-make potted dinosaur garden. Rejuvenate old dinosaur toys that have faded with Resene testpots to help them keep looking good in the harsh sunlight.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Continuing with Neighbourly's online Q&A with experts in their field, this week we are tackling online safety with Jandy Fiske from Netsafe.
Jandy Fiske has been with Netsafe for nearly 8 years. Starting on their helpline, she's now Netsafe's Community Engagement Advisor. … View moreContinuing with Neighbourly's online Q&A with experts in their field, this week we are tackling online safety with Jandy Fiske from Netsafe.
Jandy Fiske has been with Netsafe for nearly 8 years. Starting on their helpline, she's now Netsafe's Community Engagement Advisor. Jandy says: 'I'm passionate about online safety because I strongly oppose bullying and want to support those affected by it.'
Jandy is passionate about protecting vulnerable communities and is promoting online safety to ensure no one falls prey to online scams. She can answer your questions about any type of online scams, and also about online harm such as online bullying.
↓ Ask your question below now and she'll be online on Wednesday, 11th September to reply to you ↓
By Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporting
It has been the elephant in the room for months. A looming presence discussed nervously only behind closed doors.
But the possibility of council amalgamation on the West Coast- otherwise known as local government reform – has surfaced publicly … View moreBy Lois Williams, Local Democracy Reporting
It has been the elephant in the room for months. A looming presence discussed nervously only behind closed doors.
But the possibility of council amalgamation on the West Coast- otherwise known as local government reform – has surfaced publicly this week at a West Coast Regional Council meeting.
The ‘A’ word itself was delicately avoided.
But the council believes reform will be needed, if the Coast is to mount a successful bid for one of the Government’s new ‘regional deals’.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced a framework for co-funding agreements to boost regional economies, with a focus on critical infrastructure and housing.
The benefits could include access to new mining royalties, and a share of tourism levies.
But the deals will be by invitation only; provinces will have to show they are committed to a 30-year spatial plan and only five will be chosen for the first round.
Regional council adviser Freya Love told the meeting the process would be highly competitive, with government making the decision on which regions were ready to engage.
“Darryl (chief executive Darryl Lew, pictured) has described it as a beauty contest, where all the regions pitch up and say "we’re they’re ready to engage." I would align it more like the Hunger Games ... which of us is correct remains to be seen but it is not a given.”
Lew said the West Coast was better placed than many regions to show it could lift its GDP with a regional deal but would need to do some ‘corrective’ work to position itself first.
Love said for a successful bid, Coast councils would need to show consensus and pitch a coherent framework to the government.
“They talk about the quality of governance in the region and they’re looking for a unified voice.”
Buller councillor Frank Dooley said ratepayers were concerned about the sustainability of the current local government model on the West Coast.
The region, with a population of about 31,000, has three district councils, in Buller, Grey and Westland, as well as the Regional Council.
“I think we have to be proactive and signal to the government we’re ready to go and we need to progress this very quickly. We have to front-foot it.”
Council chairperson Peter Haddock said he would like the approval of councillors to raise the options for reforms that would result in savings for ratepayers, at a meeting next week of Coast mayors and chairs.
Councillor Peter Ewen said the Regional Council had first raised the idea of more collaboration between councils 12 months ago.
“We lead this; we’ve got the capacity; the District Councils are fiscally challenged at the moment, their CEO’s have changed … they’re looking after their patch and a bit fearful of where this may go.”
In the future there was going to be on regional body, and if councils did not reform themselves, the government would do it for them, Ewen said.
The West Coast was too small in numbers to be split in three, and the Regional Council now had the capability and the staff to lead discussions on reform.
Councillor Brett Cummings said there had to be a unified bid for a regional deal
“We need to drag the other councils along - kicking and squealing - if we want to be part of this. A lot of what holds us is infrastructure, bridges.”
Dooley came up with a series of recommendations.
In summary – that the Regional Council engage with the government on the regional deal process, acknowledge the concerns of ratepayers about costs, and commit to local government reform.
Councils and iwi together should come up with an acceptable model for local government for the region, Dooley recommended.
The motion was passed unanimously.
Haddock said the community wanted to see progress to reduce the burden on ratepayers
“But let’s not predetermine what that should look like … we’ll meet with mayors, chairs and iwi to agree an approach to establishing acceptable local government reform for the West Coast Region.”
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
A plane flying from Christchurch to Wellington on Sunday had smoke billowing out of the engine and upon landing, passengers had to open the emergency exit and jump out. Have you had any scary flying experiences?
We’re here to remind you about what to do when you see, or hear, an emergency services vehicle responding under lights and sirens. When seconds count, it can save lives.
We’ve had recent examples where drivers completely ignore the Police vehicle behind them. Other drivers slow right down … View moreWe’re here to remind you about what to do when you see, or hear, an emergency services vehicle responding under lights and sirens. When seconds count, it can save lives.
We’ve had recent examples where drivers completely ignore the Police vehicle behind them. Other drivers slow right down without safely pulling over, and delay Police from responding to emergency situations. Please help us by allowing our team to get to those in need, so we can save lives.
Top tips when an emergency services vehicle approaches with lights and sirens:
🚑 You are required by law to pull to the side of the road and stop as soon as it is safe to do so.
🚔 If the lights and siren of the Police vehicle continue past you, you can resume your journey.
🚒 Make sure you check the road is clear before moving on.
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coasters with mid-priced properties can expect to be paying between $400 to $500 plus GST in regional council general rates this year.
That is in addition to any targeted rates they may have to pay if their property is in one of the council’s… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coasters with mid-priced properties can expect to be paying between $400 to $500 plus GST in regional council general rates this year.
That is in addition to any targeted rates they may have to pay if their property is in one of the council’s 23 special rating areas that fund flood protection from rivers and the sea.
On Tuesday morning, The West Coast Regional Council approved a revised long-term plan (LTP) and set rates for the new financial year. The sign-off comes after a two-month delay while it waited for the new Westland valuations and the outcome of a round of special-rating-district meetings.
After initially projecting a whopping 27% increase in its total rate take to fund the work it consulted the community on for its 10-year LTP, the council reined in its requirements to a 12.6% increase in the first year.
It plans to fund the difference by borrowing to spread the cost over a longer period, in an effort to ease the pain for ratepayers.
It still aims to return a surplus in year four of the LTP.
Speaking before the meeting, the council’s risk and audit chairperson Frank Dooley said new valuations would affect individual ratepayers differently, as would the cost of proposed flood protection schemes.
“If you look at Westport, we’re looking at spending $10 million there in the near future but if you rate for that in one hit it would be horrendous, so we smooth that out by borrowing.”
According to Dooley, $1,813, 533 of the total rates take would be paid to the government as GST.
Per $100,000 in capital value, Buller ratepayers will pay $59.20; Grey ratepayers $64.75 and Westland ratepayers $52.67. There will also be an emergency management (Civil Defence) rate of $13.27, $3.59 to fund work on Tai o Poutini combined District Plan (TToP), and a uniform annual general charge of $179.32 - these are the same for all three districts.
For a property with a capital value of $300,000 that formula adds up to a bill of $407.50 plus GST for a Buller District ratepayer - an overall increase on 2023-24 of 6.51%; while a property worth $400,000 will pay $483.56 plus GST - an overall increase of 5.52%. Rates for Westport’s major flood protection scheme have been partially deferred until next year, pending the start of work on the project.
In the Grey District, the formula would see a $300,000 property paying $424.15 plus GST - an increase of 10.85%; and $505.72 plus GST for one worth $400,000 -an increase of 10.36%, plus the floodwall rate if eligible.
And in Westland, a $300,000 property will pay $387.91 plus GST - an increase of 1.34%; and $457 plus GST for a $400,000 property. The various flood protection rates in special rating districts such as Franz Josef and Whataroa are imposed in addition to that.
Dooley said the council was doing its best to keep a lid on rates and spread the cost of necessary capital works based on the inter generational equity principals.
His own property on the banks of Buller’s Orowaiti River with a CV of $675,000 would be paying $694.74 plus GST and a targeted rate for flood protection, he said.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
These items have been recalled this month. If you have one of these items at home, click on the title to see the details to ensure it is not a risk to your household.
Food recalls:
All Good Oat Milk (Possible presence of Bacillus cereus)
… View moreThese items have been recalled this month. If you have one of these items at home, click on the title to see the details to ensure it is not a risk to your household.
Food recalls:
All Good Oat Milk (Possible presence of Bacillus cereus)
Pies and sausage roll products - Good Time, Hub Gourmet and No.8 Premium brands
Value range Natural Almonds
South African shop Safari Meats - Biltong, Cabanossi, Droëwors and cured meats
Te Matuku oyster products (Risk of norovirus)
Product recalls:
Olimpia Splendid fan heaters
Euroblade Suntower Infared heater
Bobcat mower with recalled engines
Kids MGA Miniverse Make-it sets
Fisher Price baby gift set
Vehicle recalls can be found here.
We hope this message was helpful in keeping you and your family safe.
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams
West Coast Regional Councillor Allan Birchfield has been given the cold shoulder in a restructure of council committees.
The Greymouth gold-miner was deposed as council chairperson in April last year, after allegedly leaking confidential employment … View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams
West Coast Regional Councillor Allan Birchfield has been given the cold shoulder in a restructure of council committees.
The Greymouth gold-miner was deposed as council chairperson in April last year, after allegedly leaking confidential employment information to news media after a stand-off with then chief executive Heather Mabin.
He was replaced as council chairperson by his deputy, Peter Haddock, and formally censured by the council.
The council on Tuesday (September 10) approved a revamp of its committees and updated their terms of reference – but left their former chair off most of them.
He objected strongly.
“Three thousand people voted for me, I’m an elected member and you’ve excluded me from most committees.”
Councillor Brett Cummings said he was unhappy the council’s two iwi reps would be on the committee, possibly with voting rights, while an elected councillor was excluded.
Haddock reminded him that Mr Birchfield had been formally censured, limiting his right to attend some meetings.
Birchfield is still on the council’s Resource Management committee but is banished from the confidential public-excluded part of meetings.
Some previous attempts to eject him from meetings have been unsuccessful.
But under the new structure he is not a member of the newly-named Operations Committee (formerly Infrastructure and Governance); the Risks and Assurance committee; the new Corporate Services committee or the Remuneration and Employment committee.
If he wanted that revoked he or any other councillor could come back to the council and ask it to reconsider, Haddock said.
Birchfield earlier told LDR he was not worried about being excluded from most of the committees, but was determined to challenge his banishment from the Operations group.
“That committee makes all the decisions about our flood banks and infrastructure and deals with our special rating district groups - I go to all those meetings.”
As one of three Greymouth councillors representing the Regional Council on the Grey Special Rating District Joint Committee, Birchfield said he would fight his ejection.
“I challenged you at the Grey District over the right to exclude me and you said you had a legal opinion – where is it?” he asked Haddock.
The chairperson told Birchfield he was being disruptive and closed the discussion, advising him to seek his own legal opinion and come back to the council if he wanted the censure lifted.
The council approved the new committees and the meetings arrangement.
*LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Winter’s almost over, and while many of us are shaking off the chilly months spent indoors, Wendy and John from Keith Park Village have been making the most of every moment. For this couple, winter isn’t a time to hunker down – it’s the perfect season to jet off to warmer climates and … View moreWinter’s almost over, and while many of us are shaking off the chilly months spent indoors, Wendy and John from Keith Park Village have been making the most of every moment. For this couple, winter isn’t a time to hunker down – it’s the perfect season to jet off to warmer climates and explore hidden corners of the world.
Click read more for the full story.
For only $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home located in the coastal town of Cooks Beach, Coromandel.
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Today (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works … View moreToday (Wednesday) we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with Cat Rikihana who is a financial mentor, educator and financial capability practitioner at Financial Freedom Trust in the Manawatū.
Cat Rikihana (Ngai Tahu) like many financial mentors around Aotearoa, works with individuals, groups and whānau to successfully navigate financial stress and hardship. Mentors work alongside whānau to increase confidence and skills in personal money management and advocate with and for clients. Cat enjoys delivering online and face-to-face workshops which provide opportunities to normalise money conversations and encourages people to make time to consider their financial well-being.
Cat is also an independent financial well-being coach, educator and indigenous life coach at Restore Wellness Network. She is a published writer and currently in the process of writing her first non-fiction book: 'A financial self-care guide for women in Aotearoa.'
She'd love to answer any questions you may have around your budgeting and spending habits, strategies for saving, retirement planning and debt. (Don't be shy, but be mindful about what you disclose!)
↓ Share your questions now and Cat will reply to your comment below ↓
Put an empty wine bottle to good use with this feeder finished in Resene Clover that can cater for a range of garden birds.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
By local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast mayors are optimistic that some of the more stringent rules proposed for their water services might be relaxed, after a meeting in Greymouth with the government’s water regulator.
Taumata Arowai chief executive Allan Prangnell 'was… View moreBy local democracy reporter Lois Williams:
West Coast mayors are optimistic that some of the more stringent rules proposed for their water services might be relaxed, after a meeting in Greymouth with the government’s water regulator.
Taumata Arowai chief executive Allan Prangnell 'was invited to visit the region, and update councils on the government's new regulatory settings for water.
Councils around the country have 12 months from this week to file water services delivery plans with MBIE, showing how they will fix sub-standard drinking water, stormwater and wastewater systems, and how they plan to pay for them.
Buller mayor Jamie Cleine says the visit has given a glimmer of hope that some of the costliest and less achievable goals will be replaced with more pragmatic ones.
“We were looking at having to build full municipal style treatment plants for any supply with over 200 connections, but it looks as if that will change – and that could be a game changer for some of our smaller northern Buller water .”
Buller was one of 27 councils previously ordered to ramp up protozoa protection in small community water supplies by June this year.
That would have meant building treatment plants, putting ratepayers in Waimangaroa, Little Wanganui and Mokihinui in the hole for millions of dollars, Cleine said.
“The government now seems to be looking at more bespoke approach – so that might now apply to water supplies with say, 500 connections, rather than 200, which would make it more affordable."
The acceptable solution for the smaller communities might now be household filter and UV units, like the ones often used on lifestyle properties, Cleine said.
There were also signs that the government might dial back me of the stricter requirements about discharge of treated wastewater.
“At the moment the default setting (for new sewerage plants) is you can’t discharge to water no matter how well you treat it; some councils have had to buy entire dairy farms to have land to discharge to - at eye-watering costs to the ratepayers, every year, forever.”
It now seemed the government was moving towards a national standards approach, so that if councils could show treated wastewater met the standard, they would gain consent to discharge, Cleine said.
But the problem of how small councils like Buller could afford to bring its larger water systems up to scratch, still remained.
The council had to show MBIE how it planned to pay for the infrastructure it needed, either going it alone through its subsidiary company, (CCO) or combining with other councils’ CCOs in the hope of achieving economy of scale.
A Tonkin and Taylor analysis had shown there was no economic benefit to be gained by merging the water assets and loans of the three West Coast District Councils, Cleine said.
“We’ve done the work, we know what needs to be built and we know we can’t afford it. What we don’t know is what we might gain from joining forces with another district so we’ve been working with Selwyn, Tasman and Marlborough to see if there are some options there."
Grey District mayor Tania Gibson says any easing of government regulatory pressures forcing councils to spend was welcome.
Her council’s drinking water and wastewater assets are in a reasonable state, but a $50 million stormwater bill was looming for deferred maintenance and pipe renewals - with only 9000 ratepayers to foot the bill.
“We all have these phenomenal costs coming at us and though we’re in a good position compared to a lot of other councils it’s not going to be easy."
Any relaxation of government regulations forcing councils to borrow was welcome, Gibson said.
Her council had spent $45 million over ten years for a new sewage treatment plant but 2000 households still had not hooked into it.
To comply with its wastewater resource consent, the council needed everyone to separate out their stormwater from their sewers, and connect.
But drainlaying costs had soared and many people were struggling afford that, Gibson said.
“If they don’t do it by July next year, the council will have to do it for them and they’ll have to pay us back through their rates. But we’ll have to borrow to do that - and we can’t just go on borrowing.”
Connecting to the sewer on the boundary cost about $4000 10 years ago but her own most recent connection cost $12,000, the mayor said.
Westland mayor Helen Lash said her council had spent big money in the past three years, getting small community water supplies up to scratch. world std
But the challenges for her council were old pipes, the cost of a new sewage treatment plant for Hokitika.
The town’s present system pipes treated waste out to sea, and its resource consent runs out in four years.
“That’s the big one for us - it’s going to cost about $20m. We can borrow, but that’s irrelevant – it’s how do you afford to pay it back? The pressure on ratepayers is huge, and we’ve said we can’t go there.”
But said with the changes Taumata Arwai was considering, the council might be able to extend the current resource consent or modify the plan for a new plant, and the timeframe for action.
“We are going to have to wait for them to come out with their detail , and then look at how to use it for maximum gain without breaching consent or offending iwi.”
The government’s new water monitoring rules were also an issue for Westland - with its frequent weather bombs and road closures.
“The testing of the water costs an absolute fortune, and if you fail one test on the day it’s due because you can’t get down to Franz Josef because the road is out, that’s counted as non-compliance for the whole year.”
Taumata Arowai had not been aware of the road closure problem and had agreed to factor that in, by providing more flexibility with testing dates, Lash said.
“That’s given us a way forward for that – but in terms of amalgamating our water business with Grey - that won’t work for us. A joint CCO would cost more than it would save, and no larger councils want to join us."
Waiting for the government to firm up its new rules and pass legislation was frustrating, the Westland mayor said.
“Until they sort their own shit out, with all these changes we’re really in limbo. I’m not in favour of spending money if the rules are going to change. But it was really good to have a face-to-face session with Taumata Arowai – at least they’re engaging with us.”
Taumata Arowai has confirmed it discussed low-cost options to provide safe drinking water for small suppliers as an alternative to costly large scale treatment plants.
“We appreciated the invitation to meet West Coast mayors and chief executives in person,” chief executive Allan Prangnell said.
They had also talked about some “ground-breaking work” the water authority had under way on the ‘’first ever set of wastewater treatment standards in New Zealand”, Prangnell said.
© Neighbourly 2024
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