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.
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Roading funding shortfall leads to Hurunui annual plan rethink
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Some rates relief could be in store for Hurunui ratepayers next year as the council reconsiders its roading priorities.
The Hurunui District Council forecast an average 14.49% rates hike for the 2025-26 financial year in the 2024-34 long-term plan.
But after receiving a significantly reduced subsidy from Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said staff are having another look at the roading programme.
‘‘In our long-term plan consultation, our residents signalled they wanted us to invest in our roads, so now it is about figuring out what is a wise investment with the funding we have.’’
He said the council will need to reconsider what it can afford to fund, based on the lower-than-expected subsidy.
The Hurunui council receives a 52% subsidy from NZTA on approved projects, with ratepayers paying the balance.
The council has met with NZTA since raising concerns about the funding it received in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme.
It had sought a 184% increase, but NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said this was ‘‘unaffordable’’.
Dobbie said ratepayers were already paying two-thirds of the district’s roading budget as a number of projects were not funded by NZTA.
Options for a revised roading programme will be presented to the council to consider ahead of next year’s annual plan.
Dobbie did not expect rates to rise any more than the 14.49% signalled and will likely be less.
Funding has been reduced for low cost, low risk projects, which cost less than $2 million, so these will need to be reconsidered, he said.
‘‘It means the Government doesn’t value that type of work, so we need to consider how we value it.
‘‘The Government values the sealed road networks, so how do we allocate ratepayer money to those aspects of our network versus our unsealed roads.’’
Dobbie said Hurunui, a large rural community with around 13,000 residents, had about 900km of unsealed roads and 600km of sealed roads.
The council estimated it needs about $3 million a year to maintain and upgrade its ageing network of 286 bridges.
‘‘I think we have an understanding of what the issues are, but I wouldn’t say we are any closer to finding a solution,’’ Dobbie said.
He said he understood NZTA is restricted by Government funding.
‘‘This Government claims to be about infrastructure, so hopefully they can find a way to help us with intergenerational (or debt) funding and help us to pay it back.
‘‘We will pay our share.’’
Transport Minister Simeon Brown and NZTA have been contacted for comment.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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