Waimakariri mayor seeks second term
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Dan Gordon is seeking a second term as Waimakariri mayor.
He confirmed this week he intends standing for the role again in the October local body elections.
Gordon said there were many issues to focus on over the coming years, including the ongoing impact of Covid-19, managing development and growth in Waimakariri, the Government’s reform programme, especially Three Waters, and managing climate change and its effects on the Waimakariri district.
‘‘This requires steady, knowledgeable leadership, and experienced council management to ensure the best outcomes for our community,’’ he said.
Gordon said he enjoyed working closely with the local Waimakariri community, representing it, and being an advocate for its views at local, regional and national level, and would continue to be a strong advocate, along with the council, for after-hours care at the Rangiora Health Hub, and the reopening and retention of services at Oxford Hospital.
‘‘Access to quality healthcare is important to our communities.”
A vibrant business community was also key in a growing district such as Waimakariri, he said.
‘‘The council, together with its economic development agency Enterprise North Canterbury (ENC), continues to be a strong advocate for attracting and retaining business.”
Gordon said he would continue to focus on delivering the objectives of the Waimakariri District Council's long-term plan, creating a balance between prudent and realistic costs for ratepayers, and the need to continue to maintain infrastructure to provide the best services to grow the district.
‘‘The community is at the centre of everything we do at the council.”
Canterbury kura expansion finally begins
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
There is a sense of relief at Waimakariri’s only Māori immersion school, as work on its expansion finally begins.
Te Kura o Tuahiwi, which sits between Kaiapoi and Rangiora, is set to receive six new classrooms and a new hall to support its growing school roll.
Board of trustees chairperson Charlie Agi said the build has taken years of planning.
Work had been due to get under way last December, but was put on hold while the Ministry of Education reviewed 352 building projects.
‘‘It has come a long way,’’ Agi said.
‘‘To see the work of past members of the board have put in to get to this point, it is amazing. It is awesome.
‘‘The board has shown some resilience to keep pushing.’’
Ministry of Education spokeswoman Sandra Orr said the new classrooms include four for roll growth and the replacement of two classrooms.
The classrooms are being manufactured offsite and will be open for the beginning of term two next year, with the hall due to open in term four.
Principal Dot Singh said the delays have been frustrating, but she is excited for her tamariki to have new classrooms.
‘‘When I came in (two years ago) we were doing the planning and then we were told they were changing the plans, and then it was going ahead - and then it stopped,’’ Singh said.
She said she then wrote a two-page letter to the ministry and to Education Minister Erica Stanford to emphasis the school’s special character.
The school is the only kura between Christchurch and Kaikōura ‘‘to meet the needs of whānau who want immersion and bilingual education’’.
The kura has a roll of 179 pupils, with another 22 already pre-enrolled for this term and the beginning of next year.
The hall is designed to hold 250 people, meaning the kura will finally be able to hold full school assemblies, prizegivings and indoor sports.
‘‘Our tamariki love basketball,’’ Singh said.
The kura regularly supports the marae across the road by hosting people on site before they are welcomed on to the marae.
‘‘When the Māori Queen visited last month, they all assembled here before they went over to the marae.’’
Having the hall will provide the option of hosting visitors indoors, and allowing sports to continue in the winter and when it is raining, she said.
Singh said the extra space will also allow the kura to offer a Te Puna Reo group (pre-school) for 4-year-olds to help them to prepare for school.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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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77.3% Yes
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21.8% No
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0.9% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
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