Swannanoa - Ohoka, Swannanoa

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Wondering about something in your neighbourhood?

Whether it's a new building going up or a strange noise you keep hearing, ask your neighbours here.

771 days ago

We want to extend a warm welcome!

Beachgrove

With expansion on the horizon at Beachgrove, we want to extend a warm welcome to join us for a fun-filled family afternoon.

Whether you are already part of the Beachgrove community or live outside of the area, this is a great opportunity to hear directly from the developer about the exciting … View more
With expansion on the horizon at Beachgrove, we want to extend a warm welcome to join us for a fun-filled family afternoon.

Whether you are already part of the Beachgrove community or live outside of the area, this is a great opportunity to hear directly from the developer about the exciting future ahead for the community.

Screening will be our new development video, an overview of what is to come and free activities for children of all ages.

Activities – Mega Circus Slide, children’s face painting and balloon art, live music, food and drink, watch the NEW Beachgrove video and new exclusive section release!

Location - Beachgrove Sales Office, 302 Beach Road, Kaiapoi (behind Active Explores)
Join us

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774 days ago

Trees fit for a king, queen

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The Waimakariri District Council will plant trees this Saturday to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III.

Tree planting will take place in each of the main towns across the district: Oxford, Rangiora, … View more
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:

The Waimakariri District Council will plant trees this Saturday to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II and the ascension of King Charles III.

Tree planting will take place in each of the main towns across the district: Oxford, Rangiora, Woodend and Kaiapoi.

Mayor Dan Gordon said the plantings would provide an opportunity for the whole district to come together and pay their respects.

‘‘We received many queries and requests from people as to how we were going to commemorate the passing of the Queen and the ascension of the King.

‘‘We have decided not to hold a formal memorial, but instead to undertake a tree planting for both.

‘‘The Queen was an avid lover of the outdoors and the King is a very passionate advocate of the environment, so we felt it fitting to plant a tree in their honour.

Gordon said English oak trees had been chosen, which would provide a place for future generations to pay their respects.

Victoria Park in Rangiora was chosen as one location.

The park was named after the Queen’s great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

In 2005 Queen Elizabeth II surpassed Queen Victoria as the longest reigning British Monarch in history.

Other locations included the Kaiapoi Domain, Woodend Recreation Reserve and Pearson Park in Oxford.

Gordon said the tree plantings were open to the public to attend.

‘‘We will be joined by the chairs of the four community boards in each location, where we will jointly plant the trees and unveil commemorative plaques.

"We welcome everyone to come along and join us on this special occasion.’’

■ Plantings for Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III on Saturday, October 1:

- 9.30am, Pearson Park, Oxford.

- 12pm, Victoria Park, Rangiora.

- 2pm, Woodend Recreation Ground.

- 3.30pm, Kaiapoi Domain.

* Public interest journalism funded through NZ on Air.

772 days ago

Barbecue Broil King

Alan from Eyrewell Forest

Broil King Imperial bargain. Brand new and costs 5,500 shop bought. It is UNUSED. Partly assembled. Genuine reasons for sale, hence not fully assembled.
This is a top of the range bbq described as 'new level.'
Stainless steel grids and backlit control nobs. Oven lights and pull out … View more
Broil King Imperial bargain. Brand new and costs 5,500 shop bought. It is UNUSED. Partly assembled. Genuine reasons for sale, hence not fully assembled.
This is a top of the range bbq described as 'new level.'
Stainless steel grids and backlit control nobs. Oven lights and pull out drawers. It has a rotisserie a side burner. It and has 6 burners. The smaller burner unit is ideal for smaller feeds. It has a new cover that comes with the sale.

Price: $4,500

772 days ago

Wasgij puzzles

Angela from Rangiora

I have 8 wasgij puzzles to sell, $10 each. Pick up rangiora $10 each

Price: $10

772 days ago

Spotlight on farmland

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A new policy to protect farmland could put the brakes on new urban developments in North Canterbury.

The new National Policy Statement on highly productive land, announced by the Government on Sunday, September 18, with immediate effect, requires … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A new policy to protect farmland could put the brakes on new urban developments in North Canterbury.

The new National Policy Statement on highly productive land, announced by the Government on Sunday, September 18, with immediate effect, requires developers to demonstrate land they wish to develop does not contain ‘‘highly productive soil’’.

Councils have three years to develop soil maps for their districts.

Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said the intention of the new NPS was good, ‘‘but the execution will be a little more problematic’’.

‘‘It’s a good thing that this is in place because it means this land can continue to produce food instead of houses.

‘‘We have to take account of the NPS now, but the mapping is not in place, so there will be a whole process to work through.

‘‘But I think the rush to develop land might be over as the developer will now need to show that the land is not highly productive.’’

Waimakariri District Council development planning manager Matt Bacon said his team was still trying to ‘‘work through the implications’’ of the new NPS and what it meant for the District Plan review.

The proposed District Plan, notified last year, had rural residential options in the eastern part of the district, with minimum four hectare blocks outside the main towns.

Farmland was protected in the western part of the district with the rural zone comprising a 20ha limit.

‘‘There are still some questions around productive land in rural lifestyle areas, but it still has to be 4ha minimum, so it can still be used for productive use,’’ Bacon said.

Kaikōura District Council strategy, policy and planning manager Matt Hoggard said the council was still reviewing what the NPS would mean for the district.

But he welcomed the NPS’s intentions.

‘‘Until our land is mapped by the [Canterbury] regional council we can’t be sure how it will effect us.

‘‘Our initial impression is that the NPS’s effects may be useful for the district, although we are not anticipating an extensive impact in our region.’’

The NPS used Landcare Research’s five soil categories, with the first three considered ‘‘highly productive’’.

Highly productive land would need to be identified in regional policy statements and district plans.

The NPS restricted rezoning of highly productive land into urban, but an exemption could apply to tier one and two councils if the land was needed ‘‘to give effect to the National Policy Statement on Urban Development’’.

The Waimakariri district is tier one.

The NPS also discouraged rezoning highly productive land as rural lifestyle.

* Public interest journalism funded through NZ on Air.

773 days ago

Family Friendly Service and Discussion

Jeneane Hobby from Ashley Community Church Incorporated

Paul and Lesley Askin hold their next family-friendly monthly service Sunday, 6 November, at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to dress warmly, and go… View more
Paul and Lesley Askin hold their next family-friendly monthly service Sunday, 6 November, at the Ashley Community Church from 4.30 pm. Bring a plate of finger food for a shared meal afterwards.
Enquiries to Paul or Lesley, Ph 021 140 2074
39 Canterbury St, Ashley. Remember to dress warmly, and go before you come as there are no toilet facilities.

773 days ago

A huge privilege

Garry from Rangiora

Very privileged today to be asked to restore a broken roller blind in Rangiora's oldest house. This lovely heritage home was built by Samuel Ayers nearly 150 years ago. We were able to retain the old blind fabric with all of its character and accessories from the old era. Truely a pleasure to … View moreVery privileged today to be asked to restore a broken roller blind in Rangiora's oldest house. This lovely heritage home was built by Samuel Ayers nearly 150 years ago. We were able to retain the old blind fabric with all of its character and accessories from the old era. Truely a pleasure to be involved with this project.

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773 days ago

ComCol North Canterbury to deliver course

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

North Canterbury’s community college is looking to make a return next month after an uncertain 12 months.

ComCol suspended its Youth Guarantee education programmes at the end of last year due to rising compliance costs.

A new eight-week pilot … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

North Canterbury’s community college is looking to make a return next month after an uncertain 12 months.

ComCol suspended its Youth Guarantee education programmes at the end of last year due to rising compliance costs.

A new eight-week pilot educational programme, Grow, is set to be launched by ComCol North Canterbury for term four.

Manager Kate O’Connor said the programme would teach in resilience, wellbeing, food security and sustainability.

Skills included cooking, budgeting and preparing a CV.

She said it would centre on growing food and preparing it in the kitchen.

But there would be flexibility to support students’ goals, including supporting them into work experience.

The pilot course would be funded from ComCol’s reserve funds and O’Connor was also seeking support from the community.

‘‘We felt the need was there in the community, so we are doing it on our own back.

‘‘And we are looking to the community to be involved in our project.

‘‘If people have an abundance of fruit and vegetables that we can come and harvest and help turn that excess produce into a usable product to go into our koha shed, we would love to hear from you.’’

ComCol already has established relationships with Rangiora High School, Salvation Army Rangiora and Satisfy Food Rescue.

Should the pilot be successful, O’Connor said ComCol would reapply to the Ministry of Social Development for Youth Guarantee funding.

She hoped to roll Grow out as a 12-week course across all the ComCol sites next year.

ComCol has been offering an alternative education option in North Canterbury for more than 30 years.

‘‘Schools in our region do a great job of educating a significant number of our young people, but for those whose needs are not met by the existing school system an alternative is required.’’

ComCol has continued to offer its free mentoring Youth Service across all of its South Island site.

The Rangiora site continues to support programmes for Rangiora and Kaiapoi high schools and Te Kura (home school) students.

■ Anyone who is interested in the Grow programme can contact ComCol North Canterbury on (03) 3135874 or email info@comcol.ac.nz.

■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.

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773 days ago

Attention all pet owners! Win your spot on the 2023 Cutest Pet Calendar.

Sunday Star Times

The Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.

From 26 September, … View more
The Cutest Pet Competition is back by popular demand! Show off your furry friend this October to see if you’ve got the cutest pet in the country. This year’s competition is sponsored by Wishbone, giving you the chance to win your share of $10,000 worth of pet food.

From 26 September, purchase a copy of your local Stuff newspaper, find our promo ad, and follow the link to submit a photo of your pet online. If your pet is selected, they’ll feature in our promotional adverts across all Stuff newspapers for a day, plus you will receive $50 worth of Wishbone pet food so you can spoil them rotten. For more information on the prizes and to view the T&Cs, click here!

The team at Stunday Star-Times
Know more

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776 days ago

Cat poo

Bibby from Rangiora

Has any got any suggestions how I can stop my cat pooing on a rug?
She has a got litter box and cat door but she stills poos on the rug.
One good thing it is firm but still it's annoying .

774 days ago

Who is your favourite gardening superhero?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Dear neighbours, in the October issue of NZ Gardener, you'll see the five finalists for our 2022 Ryman Healthcare Gardener of the Year competition. They've all done amazing things for their communities. You can read about their wonderful work here, and then vote for your favourite.

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775 days ago

STRETCH & RELEASE CLASS

Lorna Jean from Key2fit @ NKG

The best way to help your body move better is to mobilise it with gentle stretch and release. Join me for a complimentary demonstration class on Oct 19th at Belfast Community Network Sheldon Park. Introductory Offer for 6 Session Pack.
Places are limited so text or call Coach LJ at 021 0535546
View more
The best way to help your body move better is to mobilise it with gentle stretch and release. Join me for a complimentary demonstration class on Oct 19th at Belfast Community Network Sheldon Park. Introductory Offer for 6 Session Pack.
Places are limited so text or call Coach LJ at 021 0535546
All abilities are welcome!

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775 days ago

New Kaiapoi supermarket owners back food bank appeal

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

The new owners of New World Kaiapoi will match the first $2500 in donations to the Kaiapoi Food Bank Appeal.

Gareth and Laura Caldwell became owner-operators of the New World supermarket in Kaiapoi two months ago, and said they wanted to support the community.

“We recognise how challenging … View more
The new owners of New World Kaiapoi will match the first $2500 in donations to the Kaiapoi Food Bank Appeal.

Gareth and Laura Caldwell became owner-operators of the New World supermarket in Kaiapoi two months ago, and said they wanted to support the community.

“We recognise how challenging the cost of living is for people right now. When Laura and I heard that requests for food parcels at the Kaiapoi Food Bank had more than doubled in the last year, we were very keen to lend our support to their fundraising appeal," Gareth Caldwell said.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust manager Deirdre Ryan said the Caldwells' support could not have come at a better time.

"Parents are doing their very best to care for their children, but they can’t make ends meet.

"They’re being squeezed by the cost of food, fuel, rent, electricity and lack of affordable housing."

Cost of living increases also meant funds to buy food for the food bank were not going as far as they used to.

"Demand for food parcels always rises in the lead-up to Christmas, but it’s so high already," Ryan said.

"I’m really concerned about how we’re going to keep up. That’s why I created this fundraising appeal."

"Every dollar donated to our Appeal becomes $2 when it’s matched by New World Kaiapoi, meaning twice the number of children in our community will be saved from hunger."

Before taking ownership of New World Kaiapoi, the Caldwells owned and operated Raeward Fresh in Richmond, near Nelson.

"New World Kaiapoi is a community-based store, in the heart of a wonderful, tight-knit community ... that really appealed to us and was a big part of our decision to move here," Laura Caldwell said.

Donations to the Kaiapoi Food Bank Appeal can be made online at www.wellbeingnc.org.nz...

Any amount donated will be matched by New World Kaiapoi until the appeal raises $2500.

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777 days ago

A 1920s Scow set to ply the Kaiapoi River

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi could soon have a second iconic boat on its waters.
A newly formed trust, fronted by Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson, has purchased a 1920s scow which will soon be returned to Kaiapoi to be restored.

The Alwin G Heritage Trust made … View more
From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Kaiapoi could soon have a second iconic boat on its waters.
A newly formed trust, fronted by Waimakariri deputy mayor Neville Atkinson, has purchased a 1920s scow which will soon be returned to Kaiapoi to be restored.

The Alwin G Heritage Trust made a deputation this week to the Kaiapoi-Tuahiwi Community Board about its plans for the scow, known as Success.

‘‘I didn’t think I would ever get back involved with an old ship, but I would have to say I’m pretty excited about where this could go for Kaiapoi and the district as a whole, and for maritime history,’’ Atkinson said.

While the Success has not operated at Kaiapoi before, it was similar to other vessels which operated in the port town in the past and the boat had a local connection.

‘‘It used to have sister ships which came in and out of Kaiapoi in the 1930s,’’ Atkinson said.

Launched at the Port of Auckland in 1925, the 66-foot long scow was originally known as Alwin G.

In the 1930s, Success was based at Whitianga transporting telephone poles, silver birch and glass sand and it sailed around the North Island for a number of years as a coastal trader.

It is thought the scow was renamed Success when it was owned by Jack Hall, grandfather of Kaiapoi resident Tony Hall, and was based at Warkworth.

‘‘Tony contacted me and said his family is very interested in what we are doing,’’ Atkinson said.

In 1963, Success moved south to Wellington where it operated as a motorised refuge barge, transporting a variety of cargo.

Success joined with another scow, Portland, which regularly visited Kaiapoi, to rescue survivors from the Wahine disaster in 1968.

The scow suffered an engine fire and sank in 1995, but it was salvaged and transported to Nelson where it was restored and returned to the water.

The Success was still afloat on its moorings in 2008 at Elaine Bay, in the Marlborough Sounds, where it operated as a muscle barge.

Today the Success sits above the slipway at Nelson.

‘‘They are due to do some work on the slipway, so we’ve got to get her out and back to Kaiapoi soon,’’ Atkinson said.

He says the trust is negotiating with the Waimakariri District Council and hopes to secure a lease or license to occupy former red zone land next to the Coastguard building on the north bank of the Kaiapoi River.

The trust is raising funds for the project and plans to build a temporary building to house the scow during its restoration.

The scow’s four litre, six cylinder Gardiner diesel engine has been restored in the North Island and will make its way to Kaiapoi soon.

Atkinson said the ultimate goal would be to get the scow on the water carrying passengers.

‘‘The trust has a completely open mind about how that will happen, but the intention is to share it with the community, whether that be public viewings and tours in the shed or out on the water.’’

■ Public interest journalism is funded by New Zealand on Air.

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776 days ago

Double Bed for sale

Michelle from Rangiora

Double bed from a clean home. No stains, always protected with a mattress protector. It has been the spare bed, and has a matching base and mattress. Need to sell as downsizing.

Price: $150

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