Swannanoa - Ohoka news is brought to you by the team at Northern Outlook
Recent posts
Thank you for using Neighbourly
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A school production is planned at West Eyreton School, near Oxford, but whether it goes ahead depends on the construction of a new classroom block.
For now the school hall is home to two classes, while they await new teaching spaces.
‘‘Wehave our… View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
A school production is planned at West Eyreton School, near Oxford, but whether it goes ahead depends on the construction of a new classroom block.
For now the school hall is home to two classes, while they await new teaching spaces.
‘‘Wehave our school production planned for term three, but it can only go ahead if we have use of the hall,’’ principal Lisa Duff said.
‘‘So we would like to have the new classrooms by then.’’
Work got under way last month on a new classroom block and the construction company, Molior Building, has indicated it will be a six month project.
The new building will replace the old Cebus Block, which was demolished last year.
‘‘The original Cebus Block was due for modernisation, but it was identified as being unsuitable for purpose,’’ Duff said.
The new building will provide ‘‘a fit-for-purpose learning space’’ for year 3 and 4 pupils, while complementing the historic buildings onsite, she said.
Two classes will occupy a shared space, with an open veranda and lots of breakout spaces for learning.
As the school was waiting for work to begin on the new classroom block, an 80-year-old tree which had some significance for the school had to be removed.
Thanks to the support of Oxford Cartage and Bennetts Sawmill, near Oxford, some slabs from the tree will return to the school in the form of some outdoor furniture, Duff said.
‘‘We really appreciate and value the contributions our wider West Eyreton School community make to our school and the full circle approach to the tree removal will be a valuable learning experience for all our children.’’
The Molior Building has already renovated the school’s main classroom block, meaning the school was set for the future.
The school new year has seen 20 new enrolments to begin the year with 186 pupils.
Duff expected to end the year with about 200 pupils, as the school continues to enjoy steady growth.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
Firewood. 70% Pine & 30% poplar. (4mtres) Can stack in wood shed for a extra $30.
Price is for around Rangiora, outside Rangiora there is a $25.00 delivery charge.
Ph/Text 022 095 6381 John
Off set vice large, made in the UK, very hard 2 come by.
Ph/Text 022 095 6381 John
Description Brand New
Farmertec ms660 powerhead .This is a aftermarket stihl ms660 with hyway parts and genuine parts fitted Comes with a high output oiler .Perfect for 30" + bars . 56mm bore = 98.5cc up from 91cc.
New Hyway parts New 56mm pop up piston New duel port magnum … View moreDescription Brand New
Farmertec ms660 powerhead .This is a aftermarket stihl ms660 with hyway parts and genuine parts fitted Comes with a high output oiler .Perfect for 30" + bars . 56mm bore = 98.5cc up from 91cc.
New Hyway parts New 56mm pop up piston New duel port magnum muffler
Genuine stihl ms660 parts walbro carb pin bearing genuine decom valve genuine starter pully genuine bar adjuster
farmertec HD sprocket cover
The chainsaw runs and idles as it should with excellent compression . Powerhead only. (does not come with bar and chain)
All parts are compatible with stihl ms660
Optional Extras are a Stihl 20inch Bar, Stihl 20inch chisel chain along with two hard hats with one of the hard hats has ear muff.
These item's can be discussed with whoever buys the chainsaw.
From reporter Carly Gooch:
Motorists have been driving South Island’s only motorway with a designated carpool lane for more than two years – but no fines have been issued to drivers breaking the rules.
That’s because travelling on the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) motorway’s T2… View moreFrom reporter Carly Gooch:
Motorists have been driving South Island’s only motorway with a designated carpool lane for more than two years – but no fines have been issued to drivers breaking the rules.
That’s because travelling on the Christchurch Northern Corridor (CNC) motorway’s T2 lane has no infringement attached to it – yet.
“At this stage we are not doing any enforcement on the CNC T2 lane”, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency regional relationships director James Caygill said.
The T2 lane, also known as a transit or carpool lane, was implemented just weeks after the new motorway opened in December 2020, and is from the end of the motorway on State Highway 1 south of Woodend to the Cranford St roundabout.
Only vehicles with at least one passenger and motorcyclists are entitled to use the T2 lane (the right-hand lane on the southbound side of the northern corridor) between 6am and 9am on weekdays. Outside those hours, the lane can be used by anyone.
Caygill said Waka Kotahi currently had no cameras in place to enforce the lanes.
“We are working towards getting this technology in place.”
He said in the coming months, research would be carried out on the T2 lane and Waka Kotahi would “let the public know ... how the T2 lanes work and a heads-up on enforcement so people will not be surprised”.
Monitoring showed some drivers were not sticking to the T2 rules, “but when you consider both lanes, the majority of drivers are doing the right thing and obeying the law”, he said.
“Last week there were 1154 vehicles on average in the T2 lane over the three-hour period it was operational (6am to 9pm each weekday). There were 1741 vehicles on average in the other lane over the same time period. Each lane on the motorway should be able to carry about 1000 vehicles per hour without significant congestion.”
At this stage, there was no “significant travel time advantage” in either lane.
“It is also likely that there would be little travel time advantage if the lanes were being enforced.”
Transit lanes, commonplace around the world and in the North Island, will only become more familiar to more South Island travellers.
T2 lanes will also be used on the upgraded Brougham St, SH76 (Sydenham/Addington/Waltham) project currently under way.
These restricted traffic lanes will most likely be active during peak times between 7am to 9am, and 3pm to 6pm for the exclusive use of buses, motorcyclists, and cars with a driver and one or more passenger.
The T2 lanes will run from Spencer St to near Brisbane St eastbound and from east of Colombo St to past Selwyn St westbound. However, the road will be set up so these lanes can be extended if and when needed.
If you need more forms or accessibility formats, visit www.census.govt.nz, or call 0800 236 787 for help.
Room to Heal in Rangiora - Offers first time clients a special discount for a Therapeutic Massage. Offer will last for two weeks 28th February - 14th March 2023
Its not just a massage its an experience you will never forget.
Relax, Unwind & Revive
Appointments Available...
1 hour - … View moreRoom to Heal in Rangiora - Offers first time clients a special discount for a Therapeutic Massage. Offer will last for two weeks 28th February - 14th March 2023
Its not just a massage its an experience you will never forget.
Relax, Unwind & Revive
Appointments Available...
1 hour - back, shoulders, neck, head, arms & hand massage.
Indulge in the pleasure of - A hot towel and beautiful massage wax to delight the senses.
please contact 0273 621 601
Love and Light Rae
There's some real goodies on Neighbourly Market in our FREE section, and we want to see even more!
If you've got some things getting dusty in the garage that could use a new home, list them on Neighbourly as free in the next 48 hours and you'll go in to win one of 5 x $50 … View moreThere's some real goodies on Neighbourly Market in our FREE section, and we want to see even more!
If you've got some things getting dusty in the garage that could use a new home, list them on Neighbourly as free in the next 48 hours and you'll go in to win one of 5 x $50 Prezzy® cards!
To Johny leech for the fridge/freezer for our swap a book library in kainga open from tomorrow.if full please don't leave any books.😆
Does anyone else find it frustrating that Neighbourly acts so Gestapo- like and won't let you answer a post that comes up on Neighbourly??
Sometimes people just don't always understand how to post on neighbourly and they don't open it up to everyone. Especially when offering an… View moreDoes anyone else find it frustrating that Neighbourly acts so Gestapo- like and won't let you answer a post that comes up on Neighbourly??
Sometimes people just don't always understand how to post on neighbourly and they don't open it up to everyone. Especially when offering an item for sale.
Twice lately I have wanted to buy something from this forum and it came back that they are not in my neighbourhood so I can't contact them. I phoned one person and they did want to sell it to me, but I had to look them up in the phone book and call them. Not everyone is listed in the phone book, though.
If we're being neighbourly, and let's face it, we really do need our neighbours these days, why is Stuff so limiting and domineering. You used to be able to message someone who had something you wanted to buy or discuss with them, but now you can't get in touch at all.
I put it to Stuff and Neighbourly that you aren't being neighbourly at all!! Why can't you add a feature that one could get in touch with a person who isn't from your neighbourhood or why can't we all be neighbours with a restriction available when you only want it in your area.
You now can't even answer a post now.
THIS ISN'T BEING NEIGHBOURLY
New Zealand's small businesses have had another tough few weeks. We're calling on you, wherever you are across the country, to recognise a local business making a difference in your community.
We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery … View moreNew Zealand's small businesses have had another tough few weeks. We're calling on you, wherever you are across the country, to recognise a local business making a difference in your community.
We all love a cheeky grin and a wave from our local grocer, or a toot from the delivery driver, or a coffee order that’s ready before we arrive. These are the business owners who remind us we're home.
Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero awards.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
Disc golf is one step closer to becoming a reality in Kaiapoi.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board has given its seal of approval to the establishment of a nine-hole disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain.
The decision followed community … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
Disc golf is one step closer to becoming a reality in Kaiapoi.
The Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board has given its seal of approval to the establishment of a nine-hole disc golf course in the Kaiapoi Domain.
The decision followed community consultation.
Chairperson Jackie Watson said the board was ‘‘thrilled’’ to give its support after an ‘‘overwhelmingly positive’’ response from the community.
Waimakariri District Council community and recreation general manager Chris Brown said it was now up to the group behind the project to raise the necessary funds.
‘‘Once they get this they will be able to install the equipment.’’
Disc golf is similar to traditional golf, with the aim of getting a frisbee, instead of a golf ball, into a series of baskets in the fewest number of throws.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Meet a family with four boys (almost) that's up for adventure - and they don't mind roughing it in the process.
1 year old mobile phone in mint condition, cared for by the one and only me. Comes with case, toughened glass protector on screen and charge cable and adapter. 5 G ready.
Fabulous cameras, S Pen.
Excellent phone. Reason for selling - Upgraded
Listing elsewhere so If you want this really great … View more1 year old mobile phone in mint condition, cared for by the one and only me. Comes with case, toughened glass protector on screen and charge cable and adapter. 5 G ready.
Fabulous cameras, S Pen.
Excellent phone. Reason for selling - Upgraded
Listing elsewhere so If you want this really great phone get in touch really quick.
By local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri district could become a dark sky community.
Oxford Area School Observatory volunteer Raul Elias-Drago told the Canterbury Astronomical Society's Stardate South Island 2023 camp at Staveley in Mid-Canterbury last weekend, the … View moreBy local democracy reporter David Hill:
The Waimakariri district could become a dark sky community.
Oxford Area School Observatory volunteer Raul Elias-Drago told the Canterbury Astronomical Society's Stardate South Island 2023 camp at Staveley in Mid-Canterbury last weekend, the observatory committee is exploring the possibility of creating an Oxford dark sky community.
After hearing a presentation about the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve, Elias-Drago now wondered if the committee should think wider, across the whole Waimakariri district or even North Canterbury.
‘‘The Wairarapa example has been very important for us to learn, as it shows we can have a Waimakariri district where not every part of the district is exactly the same or subject to the same rules.’’
He said the committee was keen to develop the accreditation for Oxford, and the Oxford area, and believed it was important to draw people in - not only for the astronomy.
‘‘By bringing people to the observatory, we hope they will come again and it will benefit the businesses in the area.’’
But the Wairarapa Dark Sky model was appealing.
The Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve gained accreditation from the International Dark Sky Association in December, after a five-year journey.
The reserve encompassed two districts, including the South Wairarapa and Carterton District Councils.
It comprised a core area to the south, which consisted of the Aorangi Forest Park, administered by the Department of Conservation.
The main towns to the north made up the ‘‘periphery’’, which were not subject to the same standards and lighting restrictions, but were still part of the reserve.
Protecting the dark sky had benefits of bringing in astro-tourism, protecting human health and animal welfare, and training the astronomers and astronauts of tomorrow, Elias-Drago said.
Retired Canterbury University academic Professor John Hearnshaw has launched a petition calling for national legislation to limit light pollution and promote dark skies, with the ultimate goal of New Zealand becoming a dark sky nation.
Science student and Canterbury Astronomical Society member Sasha Crawford said wildlife needed the stars to navigate.
‘‘A lot of birds use the stars to migrate, so not being able to see them can be catastrophic, as the circadian rhythm doesn't activate so they can't perform their natural functions and John Hearnshaw talks about it in his book [on dark skies].’’
Science communicator Hartina Mogosanu, who was involved in establishing the Wairarapa reserve, said it was time to ‘‘normalise’’ the conversation around dark skies.
An exhibition was held in Carterton over the summer to help people to understand what a dark sky reserve means.
She said thousands of people turned out and asked lots of questions, including whether police were going to arrive to turn out their lights.
‘‘But they don't have to do anything, the work has been done already.
‘‘People were a bit surprised as they thought everything was going to change, so it emphasises the need for good science communication.’’
Mogosanu said the two Wairarapa councils, Waka Kotahi NZTransport Agency and the Department of Conservation had all played key roles in making the changes necessary to gain dark sky accreditation.
*Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
© Neighbourly 2024
Loading…
