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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to protect Oxford’s night sky are gaining momentum.
The Oxford Area School Observatory has met with local stakeholders and now plans to submit an application for dark sky park status with the International Dark-Sky Association.
The ultimate … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to protect Oxford’s night sky are gaining momentum.
The Oxford Area School Observatory has met with local stakeholders and now plans to submit an application for dark sky park status with the International Dark-Sky Association.
The ultimate goal was to become a dark sky reserve, volunteer Raul Elias-Drago said.
He said gaining dark sky park status for the 11,350-hectare Oxford Forest Conservation Area was a good first step.
"There’s no power, no light fittings, so it is very easy to gain accreditation and the Department of Conservation is supportive.
"We can use that to generate momentum and then continue the conversation with the council and local businesses, generate some funds and come back to addressing the lighting in the township."
A dark sky reserve would include the conservation area as the core and the township as the periphery.
Oxford-Ohoka Community Board chairperson Thomas Robson said the board was supportive of the project.
"It is something that has been talked about for a while and there has always been a desire to do it and hopefully it will bring people to the town.
"The observatory is such a great facility and the more well-known it becomes, the more volunteers and support it will generate."
Robson said there would be some challenges in getting a dark sky reserve application together, but he believed the initiative would have broad community support.
"The majority of us moved to Oxford to enjoy the rural lifestyle and part of that is the night sky.
"In the long term it will be a good thing for the community and it is nice to have proposals like this coming to the board which are good news stories."
Elias-Drago gave a presentation to the community board last week before meeting with stakeholders in the Oxford Town Hall.
Stakeholders included local businesses, sports clubs, schools, Oxford Gallery, the Oxford A&P Association, the Department of Conservation, Waimakariri District Council staff and Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC).
"It was a full house and we also had members of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand and the International Dark-Sky Association zoom in, in support."
Elias-Drago said there were questions around lighting.
He said good lighting policies could reduce light pollution, improve melatonin levels in humans and improve animal welfare.
"It is not about living in the dark. I want people to have a better life. It is about better living through better lighting."
A study commissioned by ENC suggested a dark sky reserve could generate $5.4 million in additional spending in the town and create up to 24 jobs.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Bylaws are ‘‘toothless’’ without enforcement, a Waimakariri district councillor says.
Al Blackie, a retired dentist and volunteer maritime safety officer, has vented his frustrations at boat users who he says are exceeding the 5-knot speed… View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Bylaws are ‘‘toothless’’ without enforcement, a Waimakariri district councillor says.
Al Blackie, a retired dentist and volunteer maritime safety officer, has vented his frustrations at boat users who he says are exceeding the 5-knot speed limit on the Kaiapoi River, in violation of a local bylaw.
He said he recently photographed a jet ski doing repeated passes at speed.
“To be fair she slowed down when she got to the marina, and turned around, but she was beating it by the time she got to the coastguard building.
“We are between a rock and hard place because it is a navigation issue, which is Environment Canterbury’s responsibility, and it takes 45 minutes to an hour for them to get here and get a boat on the water, and by then they’re gone.
“One of these days there is going to be carnage.”
Local rowing clubs trained on the river from young children to adults, and it also had an impact on the Kaiapoi River Queen, Blackie said.
The problem was the council had no way of enforcing its bylaws, he said.
Signs were put up to warn of speed limits, but these were often removed, vandalised or used for target practice.
He wanted councils to be given the ability to issue fines.
Blackie said the council faced similar issues when trying to enforce the Pegasus Bay Bylaw.
The Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group faced challenges from cats, dogs and vehicles, as well as rats and black-backed gulls, as it sought to protect native birds
“Often it is locals, and their fellow locals, who can be quick to moan about it, but they don’t report it,” Blackie said.
“It is going to take the good locals dobbing in the bad locals to get to the bottom of this.”
June is upon us, so it's well and truly time to hunker down for the colder temperatures. For some across Aotearoa, this just means a second duvet on the bed. And for others, it's defrosting your car windscreen daily and bringing out the heaters.
What do you do to prepare for winter? … View moreJune is upon us, so it's well and truly time to hunker down for the colder temperatures. For some across Aotearoa, this just means a second duvet on the bed. And for others, it's defrosting your car windscreen daily and bringing out the heaters.
What do you do to prepare for winter? Share your tips for staying warm and dry, and for making the most of the chillier season.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.
7.30pm on Thursday 22 June at the Rangiora Museum, 29 Good Street, Bob Gumbrell, a local retired veterinarian will speak on WHY WE HAVE VETERINARIANS AND WHO HAVE THEY BEEN? All welcome, donations appreciated from non members and supper will be served. This will be an interesting community event in… View more7.30pm on Thursday 22 June at the Rangiora Museum, 29 Good Street, Bob Gumbrell, a local retired veterinarian will speak on WHY WE HAVE VETERINARIANS AND WHO HAVE THEY BEEN? All welcome, donations appreciated from non members and supper will be served. This will be an interesting community event in our cosy museum.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Recruiting young people into emergency services is back on the agenda for two North Canterbury councils.
The Hurunui District Council is bringing back its Youth in Emergency Services camp in July, while the Waimakariri District Council is looking to … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Recruiting young people into emergency services is back on the agenda for two North Canterbury councils.
The Hurunui District Council is bringing back its Youth in Emergency Services camp in July, while the Waimakariri District Council is looking to replace its successful cadet programme with a Youth in Emergency Management course.
Youth in Emergency Services (YES) was a national programme to introduce young people to volunteering in emergency services, until funding ran out five years ago.
The programme is being re-introduced in the Hurunui district thanks to the efforts of the Hurunui Youth Council
‘‘I was informed about the YES camp concept last year when I took the lead on the emergency services portfolio,’’ youth council deputy chairperson and Amuri Area School year 13 student Sam Bush said.
‘‘I decided it was something worth looking into and, through our youth council processes, it was voted on to proceed and planning began.’’
The youth council has joined forces with police, Civil Defence, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR), St John and the Red Cross.
Funding has come from the Ministry of Youth Development, the Rāta Foundation and Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM).
The YES camp will run during the July school holidays, from July 10 to 14, at the Hanmer Forest Residential Camp and is open to young people aged 16 to 19-years.
‘‘The camp is a good pathway for youth who are interested in becoming a volunteer or are looking at one of the emergency services as their future career,’’ Bush said.
‘‘It will provide them with an opportunity to experience some of what is involved with these organisations.’’
After running the YES programme for several years in collaboration with the Hurunui and Selwyn District Councils, the Waimakariri District Council’s CDEM team developed its own cadet programme.
But the programme became difficult to sustain during Covid-19, Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said.
‘‘It was an initiative that we were very proud to have developed, however, the past couple of years have provided a difficult environment in which to operate the programme.’’
Council staff reviewed it last year and decided they could not continue it in its present form.
‘‘After engaging with the cadets, their families and key staff, it was decided the best option would be to replace the CDEM cadet programme with a sustainable long-term programme for Youth in Emergency Management,’’ Gordon said.
The new initiative would run for eight weeks, instead of being run for the duration of the school year, with the potential to offer it up to four times a year.
The focus would be on Civil Defence training.
■ To apply for the Hurunui District Council’s YES Camp, go to hurunui.govt.nz/yescamp2023.
Hey Neighbours, don't let rising living costs and surging insurance premiums in 2023 leave you uninsured! Renewing your policies without first checking if the price has increased, could lead to bigger bills. Let's avoid that!
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Explore alternative insurance providers now. Money Compare consolidates all major insurers and their key features in one place, making searching for new providers easy. They offer fantastic deals like one month of FREE car insurance, PLUS a helpful team to assist you in reviewing your health and life insurance coverage, to ensure you're on the best policy. Take charge of your insurance today by reviewing your policies!
Lottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and… View moreLottery closing soon! Buy your tickets today for a chance to win this brand new, fully furnished home in stunning Taupō.
Worth over $1 million and built to perfection by Jennian homes, this brand new home features three bedrooms, two bathrooms and boasts a stylish open-plan kitchen, living and dining area for year-round entertainment and comfort.
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Sam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident … View moreSam was disengaged and struggling to find meaning in his daily routine of attending school, doing chores, and playing video games. Then, he was invited to join a Graeme Dingle Foundation programme, which introduced him to the outdoors.
After the wilderness adventure, Sam became more confident and self-assured, and his teachers noticed a positive change in his sociability and willingness to ask questions in class.
He developed a "give-it-a-go" attitude. Inspired by his newfound passion for the outdoors, Sam plans to join the New Zealand Defence Force after finishing school.
Support young people like Sam by donating today.
6 or 7 wooden pallets in varying sizes to give away. Pick up from Rangiora
We're looking to move some of our pittosporum hedging plants to make room for next season's stock. Usually $7.50 each - now $6 each for a limited time. 100cm tall and bushy.
I have 8 acres of long term grazing available by the Christchurch Airport. $200 per week. Phone Sue on 021 722 497
Have a bit of fun playing around with verdigris paint effects with Resene paints and add classical highlights to your summer garden.
Follow our easy advice to get started getting creative at your place.
By David Hill, local Ddemocracy reporter
A Rangiora school has answered a call to help migrants learn English.
Rangiora Borough School has donated old reading books to support an initiate run by the Global Locals of Waimakariri (Glow) to teach English to new migrants.
Waimakariri District … View moreBy David Hill, local Ddemocracy reporter
A Rangiora school has answered a call to help migrants learn English.
Rangiora Borough School has donated old reading books to support an initiate run by the Global Locals of Waimakariri (Glow) to teach English to new migrants.
Waimakariri District Council community development facilitator Carolyn Boswell said there was a growing demand for English language classes following the opening up of the border.
‘‘"It is pretty exciting, in the last year we’ve gone from one class on a Saturday morning to three classes catering to a different range of abilities.
"It highlights the fact we are getting more and more people from overseas and there is now a lot of diversity in our district."
She said the initiative came out of a recent Race Unity Day art competition involving the local schools, which was run by local Iranian migrants, Glow (formerly the Migrants and Newcomers Network) and the council community team.
The network runs free English language classes and was looking for resources to start up a new beginners English language class.
Rangiora Borough School pupils participated in the art competition and principal Shane Buckner offered some old reading books.
"Our involvement with the Race Unity Day highlighted the fact we can support local in these endeavours," Buckner said.
"We have excess stock through culling of our resources and we would love to see the books used locally.’’
He put the call out to other schools in the local Puketeraki Kahui Ako (Rangiora community of learning) to support the initiative.
St Joseph’s Catholic School (Rangiora) and Kaiapoi Borough School have since responded and offered some reading books.
English language and conversational English classes are run on Saturday mornings at the Rangiora Town Hall during school term time.
To find out more contact Carolyn on 027-2933407 or email carolyn.boswell.wmk.govt.nz
Welcome to Waimakariri
Waimakariri has the chance to step up its efforts to welcome migrants.
The Waimakariri District Council has been accepted into the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Welcoming Communities programme.
Community team manager Tessa Sturley said the council would receive funding to employ a half-time facilitator over a three year period to boost the council’s efforts to support migrants.
‘‘There has been fantastic work done to date to support the migrant community, such as supporting the business sector and advising employers on how they can support their migrant workforce.
"This funding will allow us to build on that and to continue to support our growing migrant community."
The council established a migrant facilitator portfolio within the community team in 2016 in response to the growing number of migrants, particularly in the dairy sector and assisting in the earthquake rebuild.
The community team helped to establish the Migrants and Newcomers Network, now known as Glow (Global Locals of Waimakariri), which ran several initiatives including English language classes.
Since then the booming hospitality sector and the growing retirement village sector have been "significant employers of migrant staff", Sturley said.
Often the families of migrant workers had limited English making it difficult to find work or integrate into the community.
Neighbouring councils, including Hurunui and Selwyn were already part of the Welcoming Communities programme.
Sturley said the council hoped to get up to date information on the number of migrants living in the district, following the recently completed census.
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