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Know the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?
Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
There's been hundreds of … View moreKnow the friendliest barista around? Does your mechanic always go the extra mile? Got a lawn-mowing legend? Hairdresser hero?
Give your favourite local business the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
There's been hundreds of incredible entries already but don't forget to nominate your local this week. The recognition will make their day (and they're in with a chance to win a $10,000 package!).
Share a few words about your favourite local now.
Your home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for … View moreYour home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies. If something happens, you’re in safe hands.
We’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.
If you or a loved one are over 70, Ryman has a range of options from emergency accommodation through to townhouses or apartments available to purchase.
I don't seem to be able to make a comment on the broadband poll.
My husband had a very pertinent question.
For how long does the lower price plan last? The reason I ask is because it has always been a short term contract and then you have to pay full price again usually at 12 months. … View moreI don't seem to be able to make a comment on the broadband poll.
My husband had a very pertinent question.
For how long does the lower price plan last? The reason I ask is because it has always been a short term contract and then you have to pay full price again usually at 12 months. Considering the amount of use it gets ie: news, email, movies, youtube etc. you really need a consistently low price as pensioners are on the minimum wage and our pay increase was just below the cost of inflation.
Why is the Government trying to rush new RMA legislation through before the election? What’s happened to democracy? It’s sad that unelected people will have a say on new planning proposals without the right of appeal. Why aren’t people kicking up a fuss about it? Are we so complacent that all… View moreWhy is the Government trying to rush new RMA legislation through before the election? What’s happened to democracy? It’s sad that unelected people will have a say on new planning proposals without the right of appeal. Why aren’t people kicking up a fuss about it? Are we so complacent that all we want to is sit at home and watch the telly? Wake up NZ
Internet is something we need these days for work, study, keeping in touch with loved ones or just to watch a movie! It's another bill to manage right?!
With the cost of living rising, we want to know how much your broadband bill is setting you back each month?
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ … View moreEvery month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ Gardener.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney is hailing a return to ‘‘normality’’.
After three years of Covid-19 disruption, schools are able to get back to doing the things they used to do - like field trips, school camps, sports, school … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Rangiora High School principal Bruce Kearney is hailing a return to ‘‘normality’’.
After three years of Covid-19 disruption, schools are able to get back to doing the things they used to do - like field trips, school camps, sports, school assemblies and parent-teacher interviews.
‘‘We are re-focusing away from wellbeing and getting back into teaching and learning,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘For three years we were focused on whether teachers were well enough to come to school and whether students were well enough to learn.
‘‘We were literally sitting in school and thinking, ‘crikey, are we going to be able to open tomorrow’.’’
The ever present threat of staff and student illness and government interventions now seemed to be in the past, he said.
Participation numbers in sport was high and Rangiora Pasefika students had joined forces with Kaiapoi High School to compete in Polyfest.
Rangiora High School now had 50 international students from seven countries, with its international programme back in full swing.
‘‘I’m not saying Covid has gone, but we are changing the way we deal with it,’’ Kearney said.
‘‘And we are seeing the change with our young people.
‘‘They are far more optimistic, which is important because they have so much going on in their lives like social media and facing climate change.
‘‘If you ask the kids what they want, it is sports tournaments, school balls and stage competitions like ShowQuest and the Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival.’’
All of these things are back in 2023, while a school production was also planned.
For the vast majority of young people, school was the only time they got to experience those things, Kearney said.
The school was also busy conducting a review of its teaching and learning and its large open learning space, the Rakahuri building.
Kearney said a report was due to come out at the end of the term.
A second review was being conducted of the school farm, with a stocktake of the farm being completed this term.
The stocktake would help to inform some recommendations of what the farm could become in the future.
Kearney said the farm had shearing sheds which were not being used for shearing, so it opened up the possibility of offering a shearing course.
Alternatively, the school may decide not to have animals on the farm.
‘‘We are facing some pressure as residential housing is starting to close in on us and people buying properties on our fence line may not want to go to sleep at night to the noise of farm animals.
"But I will not be the principal who sells the farm.’’
Can anybody who has lost a loved one in the UK ,where they able to watch the funeral ?Talking to somebody in the UK did not think they streamed funerals.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s councillors have vented their frustration at the speed of implementing new smoking and vaping legislation.
Councillors agreed to make a submission on proposals for the new smoked tobacco regulatory regime at Tuesday’s (March 7) council… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s councillors have vented their frustration at the speed of implementing new smoking and vaping legislation.
Councillors agreed to make a submission on proposals for the new smoked tobacco regulatory regime at Tuesday’s (March 7) council meeting.
But expressed frustration at the timeframe for submissions, which prevented the council from consulting with the community.
Councils have until March 15 to submit on proposals for implementing the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act, which came into force in January.
The legislation is set to make sweeping changes, including reducing the number of retail stores selling tobacco from 6000 to 600 nationwide.
This would mean reducing from 30 to seven tobacco retailers in Waimakariri’s urban areas, with a handful of other retailers in ‘‘rural areas’’.
But the legislation did not restrict the number of outlets selling vape products.
Several councillors expressed concern about how this would impact on small businesses, already struggling in the present economic climate.
Deputy mayor Neville Atkinson expressed his dismay at a policy ‘‘picking six winners and losers’’.
He suggested the retailers able to sell cigarettes would reap the benefits, while others would struggle.
But he noted the long term impact of banning smoking in pubs had been positive.
‘‘When they stopped smoking in hotels they said they were all going to close, but how many hotels have we got now?’’
Councillor Tim Fulton said councillors ‘‘owe it to our kids’’ to make a submission.
He suggested a ‘‘sinking lid policy’’ on tobacco retailers, similar to reducing gaming machines, would be fairer than a mandatory reduction in retailers.
Councillor Philip Redmond said it was ‘‘a waste of time’’ reducing the number of tobacco retailers.
‘‘You either have it or you don’t.
‘‘It is like drink driving, it has taken a long time for people to finally get the message.’’
Councillor Niki Mealings said smokefree legislation had been in the pipeline for decades.
‘‘If your business is dependent on selling cigarettes to survive, then you need to relook at your business model because you’ve had 23 years to prepare for this.’’
But she was concerned about the lack of regulation around vaping and particularly the targeting of young people who had no history of smoking tobacco.
‘‘Social service agencies are asking what are councils doing about vape shops and the answer is nothing because we don’t have the tools, so we need to do something about it.’’
She noted the legislation did have clauses to make vape products less attractive.
Redmond said vaping was the ‘‘elephant in the room’’, as it needed to be restricted and regulated.
‘‘The government needs to protect our youth because it has already become trendy.’’
Atkinson said while the government had made it illegal to sell vape to under-18s, ‘‘who is enforcing it?’’
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
We're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as … View moreWe're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as International Women's Day (this Wednesday) by sharing some of the lesser-known, inspiring women who've played a part in New Zealand's history.
Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column of the local paper - write NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded.
Refresh your outdoor spaces with Resene Lumbersider and Resene Walk-on with these easy ideas.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Spraying is a ‘‘necessary’’ form of weed control, council staff say.
Targeted spraying is necessary to support braided rivers and to protect water ways and roadsides from invasive species, the staff said.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) river … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Spraying is a ‘‘necessary’’ form of weed control, council staff say.
Targeted spraying is necessary to support braided rivers and to protect water ways and roadsides from invasive species, the staff said.
Environment Canterbury (ECan) river engineer Sam Kidner and Waimakariri District Council water environment advisor Angela Burton provided updates on their respective council’s spraying programmes at Monday’s Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting.
Kidner said targeted spraying of weeds helped Canterbury’s braided rivers to perform their natural functions, which improved flood protection.
ECan used glyphosate and herbicides to target weeds such as ivy, hops, lupins, gorse, broom and willows.
‘‘Lupins are less of a problem than gorse and broom or willows.
‘‘It is a matter of scale,’’ Kidner said.
‘‘If it is starting to push water in different directions then we need to respond.’’
A build-up of willows on an island, could prevent the river from braiding and, when in flood, it could divert water to riverbanks, causing erosion.
Responding to a question from the floor, Kidner says ECan has conducted trials using bulldozers as an alternative, but found it was not cost-effective and the bulldozers were not able to access all areas.
Kidner says by clearing the ‘‘fairways’’ in rivers, council staff could then manage weeds through spot spraying to allow native species to thrive.
Birds had returned to nest in areas where ECan had successfully completed spraying programmes, he said.
Sometimes flooding could clean up the rivers, but it was difficult to predict when floods would occur.
ECan also sprayed river berms and stopbanks to stop weeds getting out of control.
But he says the council is facing a constant battle.
‘‘Unfortunately not everyone does biosecurity checks on their vehicles, so we could get the rivers looking pristine, but seeds can be spread by vehicles and by other means, so it is still going to be an ongoing problem.’’
Burton says the Waimakariri District Council conducted spraying for roadside maintenance, planting maintenance and around waterways, drainage and water races.
But ‘‘non-chemical methods’’ were preferred, especially for drains.
Property owners could apply to have their street frontage added to the ‘‘no spray register’’.
‘‘Landowners are actively encouraged to not use spray on the land near gutters, but unfortunately it is not something we can enforce.’’
Burton included a report prepared by the Canterbury Waterway Rehabilitation Experiment (CAREX), a University of Canterbury initiative, in her presentation.
The report considered the ecological consequences of using glyphosate to control aquatic weeds in lowland waterways near Rangiora.
It found the ‘‘species richness of invertebrates and fish are not affected by the use of glyphosate’’ in the water ways, but Burton acknowledges it is not a large enough sample size.
As glyphosate spraying has been used for a number of years, any species found in the sample waterways would have some resistance, meaning the study may need to be compared with waterways without a history of spraying before drawing any conclusions.
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