Trafalgar Europe on sale
Experience the real Europe & Britain in 2019 with Trafalgar.
From the hulking fjords in Norway that look as though they’ve been ripped straight from a J.R.R. Tolkien novel, to the quaint neighbourhoods of Spain where sangria flows as freely as the native tongue, Europe is a continent of many wonderful contrasts. See history come to life before your very eyes as you traverse the varied landscapes, marvel at the icons and find your happy place with a collection of real Trafalgar experiences that you can’t find on any other tour.
With 116 handcrafted itineraries and 220 cities, leave the guidebooks at home and let us show you the Real Europe and Britain.
Good people. Good times. Good everything. The Good Life.
Plus save up to 10%* when you book and pay in full before 31Jan 2019.
For more information visit your local travel agent, visit trafalgar.com or call 0800 484 333
*T&Cs apply. Refer to trafalgar.com/en-nz/destinations/europe or your travel agent for full offer details.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Amberley’s new coastal defence delayed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Efforts to protect a Canterbury beach community from the sea have been delayed a month, as resource conditions are met.
Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie last month said work to build a $750,000 coastal bund to protect the Amberley Beach village would be completed before Christmas.
But with the festive season fast approaching, the start date has been postponed until January.
Council staff, the Amberley Beach Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Community Association and contractor Ready Mix Concrete are working to meet consent conditions from Environment Canterbury.
Once work begins, it will take about a month to complete, Mr Dobbie said.
‘‘Given the amount of time the work will take, it was felt it was better to delay the project rather than start the work and then stop work for two weeks over Christmas.’’
A bund is a type of embankment which protects against the sea.
While the residents’ association looks forward to the work being completed, committee member John Manson rejected suggestions the rising sea level was the problem.
His biggest fear was the increased risk of severe storms leading to six to seven metre waves, due to climate change.
‘‘There is a sense of urgency because we have had a three to four year calm period.
‘‘The last series of major storms we experienced was during 2020-21.’’
The new bund will be larger than the existing embankment and will be built into the sand to make it more resilient in a storm, Manson said.
It is being built up to a culvert at a lagoon to the north of the village.
But the residents’ association would like it built a further 180m to the north to prevent stormy seas causing the lagoon to overflow, which has been allowed in the consent.
Councillor Vanessa McPherson said she is hopeful the council will look at extending the bund, once initial work is completed.
‘‘This is one of the most proactive communities I have been involved with and you can see it with what the residents are achieving.
‘‘It is such a beautiful place. I love this beach. It has got its own personality. It is wild and it is emotional.’’
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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