Average rates rise in Selwyn 5.9%
The Selwyn District Council has adopted its Annual Plan for the next 12 months, with an average rates increase across the district of 5.9%.
The Annual Plan was adopted by councillors on Wednesday and confirms what services and projects the council intends to deliver in the new financial year, what they will cost and how they will be funded.
In a statement, the council said a focus on savings without compromising services and facilities used by the community helped keep the rates rises below the rate of inflation.
The council planned to spend just over $177 million, with a focus on water, transport and community facilities. It had also committed to investing $184.5m in infrastructure to deliver on the needs for Selwyn’s growth, which is expected to continue. The investment includes $27.9m in water supply projects, $55.8m in wastewater projects and $56.2m in transportation projects.
“We’ve checked in with our community and confirmed that we’re on the right track with the projects that matter most to them during this time when all of us are feeling the pressure of rising cost," mayor Sam Broughton said.
A total of 113 submission were received during the engagement period, and 17 submitters presented in public hearings.
Actual rate changes will vary for individual households depending on the mix of targeted rates households pay, and services provided.
Visit selwyn.govt.nz/annualplan for more information.
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Poll: Should employees be able to work from home?
At the post-Cabinet press conference, the National Party asserted they want public sector staff to return to the office. This has opened a conversation about other sectors in New Zealand who have adopted working from home (WFH).
Where possible, do you think employees should be able to work from home? Vote below and share your thoughts in the comments.
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70.1% Yes
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26.8% No
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3.1% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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