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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council has lost its gender balance.
Three years ago Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon hailed the gender balance, when he was joined by five men and five women around the council table after the October 2019 election.
But when the mayor … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council has lost its gender balance.
Three years ago Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon hailed the gender balance, when he was joined by five men and five women around the council table after the October 2019 election.
But when the mayor was sworn in for his second term last Thursday, October 27, he was joined by eight men and just two women.
The change of personnel follows the retirement of Kirstyn Barnett and Wendy Doody, while Sandra Stewart lost her seat in the election on October 8.
The trio have been replaced by three men - Jason Goldsworthy, Tim Fulton and Brent Cairns.
At 29, Goldsworthy, of Rangiora, is now the youngest councillor around the table.
He is fresh from a term on the Rangiora-Ashley Community Board.
The new councillor admits it will be tough juggling his new role around a young family, working at Rangiora New World and his volunteering.
‘‘It is particularly difficult for people in my demographic to get involved in local politics, juggling a mortgage, children and a career.
‘‘I will be having an interesting chat with my manager over the next few weeks.’’
Outside of work, Goldsworthy is married to Amber, has a 1-year-old daughter Manawa, is a firefighter with the Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade and a St John youth leader.
Tim Fulton was born and bred in the Oxford area and is a familiar face as a rural journalist.
‘‘I am representing a large rural ward and my goals will be focusing on land and water management and making sure we are preserving our natural assets.’’
He plans to ‘‘sit, look and listen’’ in the coming weeks as he becomes familiar with his new role.
‘‘I’m pleased I ran and it was great to get a result, but now is the time to establish those relationships.’’
Kaiapoi resident Cairns was elected to council after serving on the Kaiapoi-Woodend Community Board.
He is a familiar face in the community with his volunteer work, including playing an integral role in establishing the Kaiapoi Food Forest.
‘‘I look at the community groups that I am already involved with, so my time with the council over the next three years will be all about creating safer, connected communities and making this district a great place to live.’’
Cairns expects his new role will be a fast learning curve.
‘‘I am a joiner by trade, so I am a very practical person.
‘‘I will see an end goal and then I break it down and work out what I need to do.’’
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amalgamation and funding loom large as North Canterbury’s three councils consider local government reform proposals.
An independent panel, chaired by former Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer, has come up with 29 draft … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Amalgamation and funding loom large as North Canterbury’s three councils consider local government reform proposals.
An independent panel, chaired by former Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jim Palmer, has come up with 29 draft recommendations and a number of questions .
Among the proposals are scenarios for the future structure of local government, including moving to a unitary authority model, with local community boards to ensure some local representation.
A population of no less than 70,000 would be necessary to be sustainable, the report says, meaning under this scenario the Waimakariri District Council could survive, but Hurunui and Kaikōura would not.
Other scenarios included local councils and mayors continuing to operate under either a regional council and mayor, or a combined authority with an elected mayor and representatives from the local councils.
Kaikōura mayor Craig Mackle said the scenario had an all too familiar ring to it.
‘‘I can’t help but see a very similar situation to after the [2016] earthquake when they said that we were history.
‘‘But we proved them wrong and now we are in a better position than we have ever been.
‘‘We have done it with a lot of work and a lot less money than the officials said we needed to spend.’’
Hurunui mayor Marie Black said it ‘‘would be a very sad day’’ if local representation was lost.
‘‘Having a sense of belonging and a place of belonging is important to people, but when you marginalise people because they don’t have the numbers, they can lose that.’’
The panel was set up 18 months ago by Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta.
Suggested changes include allowing 16-year-olds to vote, Mana Whenua appointees potentially sitting alongside elected Māori ward councillors, moving all councils to the Single Transferable Vote system, four-year terms and more money for councillors.
The report also addresses ‘‘unfunded mandates’’, where central government passes on responsibilities to local government such as liquor licensing and building regulations without the necessary funding.
Black said there were no surprises in the report’s core principles, but ‘‘the devil will be in the detail’’.
‘‘I support local government as the best place to serve local communities, but when there is no funding to train staff or implement new regulations, it places the burden on ratepayers.
‘‘If we can pressure government to provide the funding, then we can strengthen local democracy.’’
She supports Mana Whenua representation, but it ‘‘needs to be authentic’’ to the local community.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon said several recommendations were ‘‘worthy of further investigation’’.
‘‘It would have been nice to see more of a focus on why the recommendations are important and how they will enhance local decision making.’’
Waimakariri District Council acting chief executive Jeff Millward said he welcomed the attention given to ‘‘unfunded mandates’’ and Mana Whenua representation.
The council considered the question of a Māori ward in last year’s representation review, but found no appetite for change.
‘‘We think we have a good relationship with Ngāi Tūāhuriri and it seems to work well,’’ Millward said.
Palmer said local government would be strengthened by being able to take a te ao Māori approach to local issues.
But decisions around the number of appointees should be left up to councils, rather than legislation.
‘‘We think it’s a more nuanced conversation than just ‘one person, one vote’.’’
Submissions on the draft report close on February 28, with the final report due to be delivered to the minister by June next year.
■ Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
There's a fine line between being helpful and minding your own business.
Hi, we're not in area that currently gets deliveries (I've been checking on and off for 5 years - it's still not happened). I'm looking for somewhere we could get a weekly delivery done too.
Ohoka Gas used to accept them but is no longer able too. Is there anywhere else in … View moreHi, we're not in area that currently gets deliveries (I've been checking on and off for 5 years - it's still not happened). I'm looking for somewhere we could get a weekly delivery done too.
Ohoka Gas used to accept them but is no longer able too. Is there anywhere else in the area that would get the delivery? we can get it picked up asap on the Monday morning.
Scape, Christchurch's public arts festival, kicks off this Saturday. It's free to view and aims to revolutionise the city's open spaces.
ScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of … View moreScreenSouth in Christchurch went all out to mark Breast Cancer Awareness month this October and highlight the BreastScreen Aotearoa national breast screening programme.
A pink-themed morning tea and fancy dress event was topped off with the Art Your Bra competition, shining a light on some of the team's creative talents.
The cleverly designed bras - which were given names like Treasure Your Chest, Candleabra, and Spooky Boobs - transformed the Papanui Rd office into a gallery of stunning bra art.
Jennie Corrin’s Succulent Breasts - a creation using straw cups, real succulent plants and a hint of Halloween - took out the top 3-D prize, while Jayne Swainson's Iridescent Intimates - an intricately hand drawn and coloured design - won the 2-D category.
Corrin, who works in the call centre team, talks with women to let them know about the free national breast screening programme, help them to enrol in the programme and arrange a mammogram appointment time.
Swainson works with general practice teams across Christchurch to help them invite eligible women to book their three-yearly cervical screen.
More than 650 women die of breast cancer in Aotearoa each year.
“Our team want to raise awareness about the most common cancer for women in Aotearoa” ScreenSouth general manager Louise McCarthy said.
“We especially want to highlight that every year over 400 wāhine Māori are diagnosed with breast cancer and early detection through screening
mammograms offers the best protection”.
Women aged 45 to 69 years can call 0800 270 200 or visit timetoscreen.nz/breast-screening to book a mammogram.
ScreenSouth, based in Waitaha/Canterbury, is contracted by Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand for the provision of breast screening services in the Te Waipounamu/South Island region, cervical screening regional coordination in the Waitaha/Canterbury and South Canterbury regions and bowel screening outreach in Waitaha.
Photo: Peter Meecham/Stuff
Second hand condition, know longer required was used as a backup. Side rales also included
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury (ECan) plans to make a section of the Ashley Rakahuri River more accessible.
A draft masterplan has been developed for the Rangiora Reach riverside area following feedback from the community.
Key stakeholders including Ngāi … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Environment Canterbury (ECan) plans to make a section of the Ashley Rakahuri River more accessible.
A draft masterplan has been developed for the Rangiora Reach riverside area following feedback from the community.
Key stakeholders including Ngāi Tūāhuriri, the Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group and the Waimakariri District Council have all contributed.
‘‘The draft masterplan has been developed to revive an area of the Ashley River/Rakahuri and to balance recreation, biodiversity and flood protection,’’ ECan’s braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said.
‘‘We understand how much the community values this area, so we are working with them to make sure their voice is heard.
‘‘Over the last two years, we’ve been working with Waimakariri District Council, mana whenua, the community, and landscape architects to understand what values are most important to those who live near to, and connect with, the awa.’’
Population growth has led to new forms of recreation being developed, placing pressure on the river and its ecology, he said.
The masterplan covers the area from Dunlops Rd to Beatties Rd on the north bank near Ashley, and Merton Rd to Smarts Rd on the south bank near Rangiora.
‘‘There were some non-negotiables, like ensuring the flood protection of the area was maintained, but we’ve done our best to incorporate community suggestions into the masterplan,’’ Stanley said.
‘‘The masterplan shows how we’re proposing to shape the Rangiora Reach area through landscape design, to revive the area and balance recreation, biodiversity and flood protection.’’
Feedback from the community included designing a Cones Rd area car park to improve access and increase amenities such as rubbish bins and toilets.
Improved trail network maps, shared trail signage and other directional panels have been included, along with different grades of greystone chip to show different uses for trails across the network.
Specific 4WD access on the northern side of the river has been identified.
The masterplan balances planting and flood management, by using native planting which will fold over in a flood and not hinder flow capacity.
ECan staff are also looking at ways the river can be widened without compromising flood and erosion protection.
Options include targeted extraction of vegetated berm and potential retreat of forestry blocks from the river's edge after harvesting.
Feedback on the draft masterplan is open until Monday, October 31.
Go to haveyoursay.ecan.govt.nz/rangiora-reach and fill in an online survey or visit the Waimakariri District Council service centre or the Rangiora Library.
*Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.
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By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The views of Waimakariri’s older folk are being sought.
The Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group is about to conduct a survey of the district’s older residents to find out what is important to them.
Chairperson Joanne Gumbrell says a brochure … View moreBy David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
The views of Waimakariri’s older folk are being sought.
The Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group is about to conduct a survey of the district’s older residents to find out what is important to them.
Chairperson Joanne Gumbrell says a brochure has been prepared which will be available at local libraries.
The survey will help the advisory group when advocating with the Waimakariri District Council, police and providers such as Age Concern.
‘‘We are going out to groups to ask them what they are requiring for older people,’’ she said.
‘‘People can fill out the brochure in groups, with their neighbours or by themselves.’’
The age-friendly advisory group was established three years ago to implement the council’s age-friendly community plan.
The council recently gave the group its blessing to continue to advocate on behalf of the district’s older residents.
Gumbrell said the group’s membership was being reviewed, with new members coming on board.
A new council appointee to the group will be announced soon, following the retirement of Wendy Doody.
A new chairperson would be elected soon, with Gumbrell stepping down at the end of the year.
The group was now being supported by community development facilitator Martin Pugh, following the retirement of Madeleine Burdon, who was instrumental in developing the age-friendly community plan.
Gumbrell said the district’s older residents were facing several issues including housing, health and social connection, digital inclusion, transport and photo identification.
The group initiated the establishment of an Abbeyfield Waimakariri charitable trust and was now waiting on the council to identify a potential site to build an Abbeyfield House.
‘‘If we can establish an Abbeyfield House it will help with addressing all of those sorts of things including housing, health and social connection,’’ she said.
Digital inclusion was a major issue, with the move to electronic banking.
Older people were often caught out with a lack of photo identification after they stopped driving or passports ran out.
One option was to apply for a KiwiAccess Card.
Gumbrell said the group had an important role in advising the council on how to best meet the needs of the district’s ageing population.
A population update in June last year found more than 50% of the district’s residents were aged over 50 years, while population projections suggest by 2048 about 30% of Waimakariri residents will be aged 65 years and over.
*Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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