Poppa's pulled pork

Charles Upham Retirement Village

As the weather cools and cosy evenings become the norm, there’s nothing better than cranking up the heat and treating yourself to heartwarming comfort food. If you're craving a winter recipe that'll warm you from the inside out, look no further than Brent's irresistible slow-cooked pulled pork. Its smoky, aromatic scent often wafts from Brent’s apartment at Ryman’s Kevin Hickman Village, tempting taste buds and stirring appetites. With its tender meat and velvety sauce, this dish is every bit as delicious as it sounds – you’ll be reaching for seconds, thirds, and maybe even fourths!

Click read more for the full recipe.

Poll: Should we move to four-year council terms?

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

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.

Should we move to four-year council terms?

• Yes
• No
• I'm not sure/something else (share your thoughts in the comments)

Vote View Results

• 62.9% Yes
  62.9% Complete
• 37.1% No
  37.1% Complete
• 0% I'm not sure/something else (share your thoughts in the comments)
  0% Complete

35 votes

Make your family aware: Scam posing as officers returns

The Team from New Zealand Police

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.