Alternative education supports North Canterbury youth
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Tucked away on a four hectare block between Kaiapoi and Rangiora is a new alternative education programme for students who struggle to fit into the mainstream.
The Noaia Charitable Trust, based at Tuahiwi, took over the North Canterbury alternative education programme from Rangiora High School in term one.
It now takes in up to 16 students aged 13 to 16 years from Kaiapoi and Rangiora High Schools, Oxford, Amuri and Cheviot area schools, Hurunui College and Rangiora New Life School.
Programme manager Jackie Freeman said the small numbers makes it easier to cater to the students’ individual learning needs, including supporting them to earn NCEA credits.
‘‘We do an individual learning plan for each of our young people.
‘‘There is a misconception only naughty kids access alternative education, but there is a range of reasons why young people come here.’’
Most of the students are neurodiverse or kinesthetic learners (learning through physical activity), and often both, she said.
‘‘We are able to identify when the kids are getting frustrated or struggling with their work as soon as it happens, due to having smaller numbers.
‘‘We can see the bubble before it turns into a geyser.’’
Students can attend the Ruataniwha programme anywhere from one term or up to three years.
The programme can support students to transition back to school or into work or further study options.
‘‘We can be what we need to be for each of the individuals.’’
Mrs Freeman said the funding allowed her to employ one full-time and two part-time tutors and she looked for particular skill-sets.
This included a background of working with children through trauma, or working in youth justice or pastoral care roles.
Transport is provided to get the students to school on time, with breakfast provided thanks to the Sanitarium Breakfast Club.
Lunches are also provided, with fresh vegetables from a big, one acre garden.
‘‘One of our tutors is an amazing cook, so the students are so spoilt,’’ Freeman said.
The Noaia Charitable Trust was established five years ago by local Whānau and offers learning which is underpinned by kaupapa Māori philosophy.
It also offers the E Tū Rangatira training programme with up to 16 places for rangitahi Māori aged 16 to 24 years.
Those students can complete a New Zealand Certificate in building or agriculture and are supported into employment or further training.
The 4-hectare property has sheep and cows, with students involved in farm work and in practical work around the property, such as landscaping and building a laneway and stockyards as part of their learning.
Rangiora High School announced last year it was withdrawing from being a provider of alternative education services.
The school has developed its own programme to support year 9 and 10 students, which is funded by the board of trustees.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Should we move to four-year council terms?
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
North Canterbury’s three mayors are backing calls for a four-year council term.
Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has established an electoral reform group to consider changes to increase voter participation and implement four-year terms.
It will be led by Nelson mayor Nick Smith, a former government minister.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said his council supported moving from a three to a four-year term.
‘‘It is not the biggest priority, but it would certainly make a difference.
‘‘It has been long advocated for and the Future for Local Government Review panel recommended it.’’
He said elections were costly and by holding them less often, councils would have more time to implement their work programmes.
Long-term plans would also likely be moved to four-yearly, instead of every three years, which would take the pressure of council staff, he said.
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said she also supported four-year terms.
‘‘I never really agreed with it for a long time, but now I see the value, because it is costly to have elections and I think the volume of work and outcomes over a four-year term would be greater.’’
She said councillor remuneration would need to be considered, as four years would be a major commitment for councillors juggling other employment.
‘‘I first came in as a councillor working part-time for Plunket and I was able to juggle work around meetings.
‘‘But you’ve got to be able to do that, so it places some pressures on councillors.’’
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said four-year terms were needed for central Government, but he also supported local government making the change.
LGNZ president Sam Broughton said a four-year term would ‘‘double the amount of usable time’’ for councils.
He said the first year after an election was spent getting systems in place and for new councillors learning their roles, while the second year was spent working work on long-term plans.
‘‘And then the following January you start thinking about the next election.’’
Broughton said indications were the Government was considering having a referendum on four-year terms, which would likely include changing central government terms as well.
‘‘It is unusual around the world to have a three-year term.
‘‘Most countries have a four-year or even a five-year term.’’
The electoral reform group will focus on increasing voter turnout, transitioning to four-year terms, considering the ways people can vote, who should administer local elections and how they are best run.
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said the Government was preparing a Bill on four-year terms, but a final decision would be subject to a binding referendum.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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62.9% Yes
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37.1% No
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0% I'm not sure/something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
Make your family aware: Scam posing as officers returns
A phone scam is re-emerging with cold calling swindlers claiming to be Police officers.
New Zealand Police are advising the public to be vigilant, after a handful of reports have been made in recent days. Unfortunately, at least two elderly Aucklanders have been conned out of tens of thousands of dollars.
Waitematā CIB’s Detective Senior Sergeant Ryan Bunting says scammers are cold calling, mainly on landlines, and claim to be a Police officer.“They will also provide a fake ID or badge number to make their call seem legitimate,” he says.“This person will carry on and provide a reason for their call: either they are investigating fake bank notes, or that your credit card has been cloned.
“As part of this scam, they will ask you to withdraw money from a nearby bank to be collected or ask you to provide further financial or banking information to aid their investigation.”
Be aware: this is a scam call.
Police are investigating two reports this week, in south Auckland and the North Shore, where two people have fallen victim to the scam. “Both victims withdrew cash from a bank and handed this over to someone who arrived at their door to collect it under the fake cover story,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says.“These victims have had their good-will and trust trodden on by these scammers.”
Investigation staff have ensured there is support available for the victims. Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says: “Scammers have no ethics whatsoever and will take any opportunity to try and con you.“These scams take many forms, and the offenders trick people under a variety of guises or storylines.”
There are occasions where legitimate Police officers will contact people as part of their duties, he says.
Police are asking the community to be aware and take the opportunity to spread the word amongst friends and family members. “We are particularly keen to ensure elder family members are aware of what is happening,” Detective Senior Sergeant Bunting says. “If anyone receives a call of this nature, hang up.
“If you have had the unfortunate position of being a victim to this scam and have not reported this, we encourage you to report this to Police.”
Please remember:
- Police will never call to ask you for bank details, pin numbers or passwords
- Police do not offer prize money
- Police will not ask you to go to a bank to withdraw money
- If you receive a call out of the blue of a similar nature: challenge the caller to identify themselves, ask for their details.
- Hang up, contact 105 to verify the ID and request the officer to contact you
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Flood funding boost for Canterbury rivers
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Central Government funding to assist with flood resilience has been welcomed by Environment Canterbury.
The regional council has received cash from the new regional infrastructure fund as part of Budget 2024.
Environment Canterbury acting chairperson Craig Pauling said the new co-funding arrangement ‘‘is a great start’’.
‘‘Co-investment is something we’ve been pushing for a long time, along with the rest of Te Uru Kahika – Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa.
‘‘Flooding is the country’s most common natural hazard, and urgent action is needed to ensure our communities are resilient"
The country’s regional councils have been advocating for central Government support for river resilience projects for several years.
It led to the 'Before the Deluge' report, which was released just before Cyclone Gabrielle struck parts of the North Island last year.
Pauling said Environment Canterbury identified seven priorities for the region, which were put forward in the report.
‘‘We will continue to work with the Government to progress projects to help safeguard lives, property and vital infrastructure across Waitaha, as well as help us with overall river resilience including biodiversity and biosecurity outcomes.
‘‘I am looking forward to keeping the conversations with the Government going and getting these initial pieces of work started.’’
Included in the initial funding round will be upgrades to critical and aged flood management infrastructure across the region to make it more resilient to the changing climate.
Further work on the Rangitata flood resilient programme and projects in South Canterbury will also be funded.
The Government is still working through the amount of support which will be offered to each project.
River resilience was a major focus in the consultation for Environment Canterbury's latest long-term plan.
About three-quarters of submitters supported the council increasing its spending on flood protection, and pest and weed control.
The council is proposing to invest $25 million a year, over the next 10 years, to boost flood protection.
It also plans to introduce a district-wide rate for river resilience in Selwyn, and is considering similar options for the Ashley Rakahuri River and rivers in South Canterbury.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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