Walking and talking in Rangiora
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Waimakariri residents are being encouraged to read stories while on the move.
A new storywalk was launched at Northbrook Reserve in Rangiora on Friday, June 24, and Waimakariri district libraries staff hope it will be the first of many.
Library staff joined forces with greenspace staff to create temporary storyboards which have been strategically placed around the reserve walkway.
The idea came out of the Covid-19 lockdown as library staff explored new ways of connecting with people, Waimakariri District Libraries community connections co-ordinator Anna Paterson said.
Storywalks have been created in other parts of New Zealand, including the Gore, Hastings, and Napier districts.
"We thought with Covid and people getting out and going for walks and enjoying their local parks, this was a good way of connecting with people.
"We want people to have a love for books and reading and this is a way of doing that when the library is closed. And not everybody wants to do it online."
Each storyboard was like a different page, telling a story and linking to the local environment, Paterson said.
The story The Little Kiwi’s Matariki by Nikki Slade Robinson was chosen for the first storywalk to tie in with Matariki, with permission obtained from the author.
People can also learn about the birdlife and plants, which are found in the Northbrook Reserve and about the history of site on the storyboards.
The temporary storywalk has been set up for a two month trial and if it is successful library staff hope to be able to roll out permanent story walks at different parks around the district.
"It would be lovely to see this in every park in the Waimakariri," Paterson said.
"If the boards are still in an OK condition at the end of the trial we may be able to take them to Kaiapoi and share them a little bit more.
"Temporary boards is a very affordable option at this point, but more permanent boards would require some funding from the council."
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said he would support expanding the initiative and lookEd forward to a funding proposal coming from council staff.
"I think it’s a great initiative from our greenspace and our libraries teams and with the timing of Matariki, it’s a lovely integration.
"It’s great for the kids to learn as they walk around the reserve and I’m learning too."
Rangiora-Ashley Community Board chairperson Jim Gerard joined Gordon on a walk around the new story walk on Friday and said the board was "all behind the beautification of open spaces" in Rangiora.
The cost of creating, installing and later removal of the storyboards is around $1500 and is covered by existing greenspace and library budgets.
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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0% Yes
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0% No
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0% Other - I'll share below
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Canterbury’s Woodend Bypass route confirmed
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The route of the proposed Woodend Bypass in Canterbury has been confirmed - and it might look familiar to locals.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) says it has decided the stick with the route which was first designated nine years ago.
Engineers reviewed the route after the Government gave them the green light in July to push ahead with plans.
The 9km stretch of road will provide an extension to the Christchurch northern corridor, otherwise known as the Belfast to Pegasus Motorway.
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey has advocated for the project for several years and said he is thrilled at the latest announcements.
‘‘Many residents across the Waimakariri and further afield will be in no doubt about my passion for this project.
‘‘For far too long now, elderly residents of Woodend have missed medical appointments as they refuse to cross the main road due to safety concerns, and school children have run the gauntlet of getting to and from school.
‘‘Business owners have also suffered because customers refuse to stop on the main road due to traffic.’’
Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson said it will be welcome news for local residents.
‘‘It has been a long time coming and the council has always been supportive of this project, so we are delighted that it is moving forward at the pace it is.’’
Last week, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to build an overpass to replace the Pegasus roundabout and provide better access for Pegasus, Ravenswood and Woodend residents.
He said NZTA will release a request for tender for detailed design and construction supervision this week.
The first stage of early works will likely begin in early 2026 with preparation for road widening to four lanes between Lineside Rd and Cam River, while the main physical works are expected to begin later in 2026.
An NZTA spokesperson said it is too soon for concept drawings to show what the Pegasus interchange will look like.
‘‘We’ll be able to share these as the designs progress during this next phase.’’
Details of how environmental challenges, such as two shingle pit lakes which have been created over the last decade, will be overcome have yet to be released.
Final costs have yet to be determined, but it is believed it will cost hundreds of millions of dollars.
The Woodend Bypass is one of the Government's first five roads of national significance.
The Government is considering roads of national significance to be partially funded by a toll.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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