Young family homeless and apart after fire engulfs their Canterbury home
Solo mother of four Bonnie Montgomery lost everything when a fire destroyed her Eyrewell home just on Saturday evening.
They were left with just the clothes on their back, and had been forced to split up. The two youngest children were staying with their mum at a Kaiapoi motel, while the older two children were staying with friends.
Being cooped up in the motel with two toddlers was not ideal, and Montgomery was desperately searching for an affordable rental in the wider Kaiapoi area, where her children were educated.
Montgomery’s sister had set up a Givealittle page to help the family get back on their feet. They had no furnishings, clothing or basic essentials. Friends had also asked for donated items, leaving Montgomery in tears at people’s kindness.
Although losing priceless jewellery gifted by her grandmother, rosary beads from her nana and printed photos of her children when they were babies had been difficult to accept, Montgomery was just thankful her family was safe.
“It could have been worse,” she said.
Rangiora after-hours clinic faces more delays
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The wait continues for a promised North Canterbury after hours healthcare facility.
Work is yet to begin on the proposed new Rangiora Medical Centre at the Rangiora Health Hub on Ashley St, which was first proposed more than five years ago.
The Waimakariri District Council granted a resource consent for the project in 2022, while the building consent is still being processed.
A council spokesperson said the application was on hold while some civil construction details are resolved by the applicants’ consultants.
‘‘We hope to be able to grant the consent in the very near future.’’
The Ministry of Health entered into an agreement with South Link Health Group in 2021 to build the after hours facility, following a petition being presented to the former Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) two years earlier.
South Link Health Group is a network of 26 medical practises, and is responsible for funding and constructing the new facility.
It will include full radiology services (ultrasound, CT and MRI scans), GP services, a pharmacy, and urgent after hours healthcare.
A spokesperson for South Link Health said in December work was expected to begin on the site in March, with the medical centre on track to open in the first half of 2025.
In the meantime, limited after hours healthcare is available at Durham Health, Rangiora, and the Amberley Medical Centre, and at local pharmacies.
Residents can ring 111 in an emergency, contact their GP to speak to a triage nurse, call Healthline 0800 611116 for free advice from a nurse, or arrange online video consultations with a doctor (for a charge).
The after hours triage service is delivered by Whakarongarou and operates in North Canterbury, with access to a St John paramedic if a face to face assessment is required.
A rural after hours service, Ka Ora Telecare, offers phone or video consultations with a doctor. Go to kaora.co.nz/app/services/sub-services/3. The Pegasus 24 Hour Surgery in Christchurch is also available.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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