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I have a job for a young person coming in the next week or so for someone to help me install a boundary wire for a Gardena robotic lawn mower. My knees can't cope with the bending down so i need a young person to lay out the wire and peg it down . No heavy work or electrical connection … View moreI have a job for a young person coming in the next week or so for someone to help me install a boundary wire for a Gardena robotic lawn mower. My knees can't cope with the bending down so i need a young person to lay out the wire and peg it down . No heavy work or electrical connection required. I will fully supervise the job just need those young bones to help .Probably 3 to 5 hours work i will pay $100.00 cash regardless of time spent This is a one off job ,and once we start will complete it on the day, day to be subject to heat and rain and mutual consent in Oxford if your interested please text me on 027 5204264 or message me cheers BILL
My free Christmas gift to anyone wanting a one off eastern styled pottery village for your nativity scene. Call on 02108437041
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
A community effort is bringing the wellbeing of residents to the fore.
The Waiora Links Community Trust was launched at a lunch at the Woodend Community Centre last week, thanks to the support of the Waimakariri District Council and local community … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
A community effort is bringing the wellbeing of residents to the fore.
The Waiora Links Community Trust was launched at a lunch at the Woodend Community Centre last week, thanks to the support of the Waimakariri District Council and local community organisations.
The trust aimed to support community wellbeing in the growing Woodend, Ravenswood, Pegasus and Waikuku communities by running free events to help residents to connect.
Chairperson Ronel Stephens said the idea came out of the monthly community cuppa she started at Pegasus five years ago.
A regular 'community cuppa' has been started in Ravenswood and she hoped similar social events will start up in Woodend and Waikuku soon.
‘‘The cuppas have brought out the social needs," she said.
‘‘We want to create other events and we don’t know what they will look like, but they will have a social connection.’’
She said it could be public forums on current issues, get-togethers or, for those who are socially isolated, organising outings or playing board games.
While Stephens provided baking, Rangiora’s Hope Community Trust provided crockery, cutlery and fruit platters, New World Ravenswood sponsored the ham and salads, and Satisfy Food Rescue provided food.
Local caterer Jenny Dodd cooked the lunch and the table arrangements came from local gardens.
Stephens said the idea for the name Waiora Links came from former Waimakariri mayor David Ayers, as the Waiora Stream links with other water ways in the area.
Mayor Dan Gordon congratulated the volunteers for putting it all together.
‘‘It is fantastic. It is a great initiative and it will bring community together. I have known about it from the outset and anything which helps to strengthen community is something I will support.’’
Waimakariri MP and Opposition Mental Health Spokesperson Matt Doocey was invited to launch the new trust.
‘‘Waimakariri is a great place to live, work and play, and it comes down to the people who make the place.
"It is quite exciting that people want to live here, but we don’t necessarily know the people living in your street, so by bringing people together and allowing them to connect helps to improve mental health outcomes and also improves physical health.’’
■ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Share a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t … View moreShare a festive photo of your furry friend and you could be in to win a $100 Prezzy® card. Because the smell of the Christmas tree and the ripping open of presents isn’t only exciting for us. But for them too.
All pets are welcome - Santa paws, claws, beaks, and squeaks. And if you don’t have a pet, that’s fine; we’d love to see your festive snaps too.
Ends 21 December 2022
Vice off set heavy duty, made in the the UK & in excellent condition. These off set vices are very hard to come by & once you have one you will wonder why it took so long for you to own one.
Ph/Text John 022 095 6381
Cash paid. Prefer the stuff that is 1.25m high (or higher) with gates. Need some asap and there is nothing in any local shops that suits my need. If you have some in good condition you are no longer using and want some cash this weekend, flick me a text on 020 406 41485. I dont need an energiser… View moreCash paid. Prefer the stuff that is 1.25m high (or higher) with gates. Need some asap and there is nothing in any local shops that suits my need. If you have some in good condition you are no longer using and want some cash this weekend, flick me a text on 020 406 41485. I dont need an energiser just the poultry netting. Must be electric not non electric.
I am ideally wanting to purchase 2 x 25 m (or close to) lengths. Not really after 50 m as I already have one and its often too long when strip grazing and trying to move it quickly
020 406 41485 cash paid on the spot. Will pay a reasonable market price. If i don't have any responses by he end of the weekend I will probably order some online. I was hoping to get it set up this weekend so if you have some you dont need, and would rather have cash in your hand to spend over christmas, please get in touch.
Perfect condition and comfortable. Perfect condition. Apricot colour Ph 021 172 6309
Hi guys. Doing a spring/summer clean. Free to a good home still in good Nick just needs a bit of a clean/dust. Pick up rangiora.
By David Hill, local democracy reporter
North Canterbury’s Mayors say they will continue to oppose Three Waters reform in its present format, despite the passing of the Water Services Entities Bill.
The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have been actively opposed to the proposed … View moreBy David Hill, local democracy reporter
North Canterbury’s Mayors say they will continue to oppose Three Waters reform in its present format, despite the passing of the Water Services Entities Bill.
The Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura councils have been actively opposed to the proposed reform and are members of the lobby group Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD).
Meanwhile, Ngāi Tahu said it looked forward to working with local councils.
Waimakariri mayor and C4LD deputy chairperson Dan Gordon believed it was not too late to change the government’s mind.
He noted Labour had passed the bill on December 8 without the support of any other party in Parliament.
‘‘It is disappointing to see the Labour Party pushing ahead with such unpopular policy and they’re forcing this through alone.
‘‘Everyone agrees there needs to be investment over several decades to upgrade New Zealand’s freshwater, stormwater and waste-water infrastructure and that requires maximum political consensus to deliver policy stability.’’
Gordon said he was disappointed the government had not engaged more closely with councils.
He felt the C4LD alternative of councils working together as regional water authorities with access to central government support could have gained bi-partisan.
‘‘It is mind-boggling this myth that billions of dollars are going to be borrowed for water infrastructure and that this cost will not be felt by the end user.’’
Gordon said C4LD would hold National and Act to their public promise to repeal and replace the legislation, should they be elected next year.
Hurunui mayor and Canterbury Mayoral Forum deputy chairperson Marie Black said it was an ‘‘unsettling time’’ for council staff, who were having to operate business as usual, while change was looming.
‘‘We understand the reasons why there is a need for change and the new regulations.
‘‘We all expect to have good quality water from Kaitaia to Bluff, but that could have been achieved with (the water regulator) Taumata Arowai.
‘‘But at every level there is still a concern. We know where we are heading, but we don’t know the impacts.’’
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said his council would continue to oppose the reforms in their present form.
‘‘We have to be realistic that Government is aggressively pushing its reform programme through before next year’s election and it is very clear to me the Government is not listening to councils.’’
Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kaiwhakahaere Lisa Tumahai acknowledged the process had been "long and sometimes contentious".
‘‘Fundamentally we all want the same things, which is safe, sustainable water services delivered fairly, while protecting the environment and allowing for development.’’
Under the legislation, four water entities would be created around the country to manage freshwater, stormwater and waste-water.
Entity D covered Ngāi Tahu’s takiwā, which encompassed most of the South Island, and would be co-governed 22 councils and Ngāi Tahu.
■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work is finally under way on Oxford Area School’s rebuild, more than four years after funding was first announced.
Excitement is building now the board of trustees has approved the detailed design of a new administration, library and science block … View moreFrom local democracy reporter David Hill:
Work is finally under way on Oxford Area School’s rebuild, more than four years after funding was first announced.
Excitement is building now the board of trustees has approved the detailed design of a new administration, library and science block and a new arts, drama and music block for the North Canterbury school.
As fences went up late last month, principal Mike Hart and the senior leadership team were busy moving out of the old administration building, ahead of planned demolition.
“The students are getting really excited. They’ve seen the 3-D renders of the new build and they’re saying ‘it looks really flash and modern’."
The site is set to be cleared by the end of January, before the new build begins.
Hart anticipated a 2024 opening for the new block.
While the $10 million funding announcement in September 2018 caught Hart completely by surprise, he admitted it had been a slow process to get to the building phase.
“It has ended up being more [than $10m] because of the increase in costs.
“It is funded through the ministry and at this point there is no additional funds required from the school.”
The T-shaped building will house offices, a library and community space, and specialist science, food technology and hospitality teaching spaces.
The school will continue with its space theme, in naming the new building Te Waka O Tamarēreti, which encapsulated significant constellations in the night sky including Orion and the Southern Cross.
“We already have the Orion constellation named in our school so we want to see how can get all of those constellations included in our new building,” Hart said.
The reception area will have LED lighting in the ceiling to represent constellations, while the walls will feature a purapura whetu (stars) pattern.
The middle school (years 4 to 8), which opened in 2017, was named Aotahi (Orion), with the different learning hubs named for the different stars.
Once the new block is complete, attention will turn to demolishing the old science block and building a new arts, music and drama block.
A courtyard will be left between the Te Waka O Tamarēreti block and the school’s observatory, which will make the observatory more of a central focus for the school.
“When we have open days we need to take groups over to the observatory, because they can’t see it, so this will make it more visible,” Hart said.
“It is still a strong and significant building within our school and it aligns really strongly with our connection to the night sky.”
The school has received professional development funding from the Ministry of Education and planned to engage Wellington science educators Haritina Mogosanu and Sam Leske next year to help integrate astronomy more into the curriculum, in a joint initiative with View Hill School.
The pair visited the school in September 2018, the same week the $10 million funding was announced, to offer a learning programme for Mars Week with Nasa scientists.
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