775 days ago

Climate and fresh water focus for regional councillors

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Climate change and fresh water regulations loom as priorities for North Canterbury’s regional councillors.

Incumbent Environment Canterbury councillors Claire McKay and Grant Edge were re-elected in the North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke Constituency in Saturday’s election.

Both said working on the new integrated plan, which needed to be operative in 2024, would be the major issue of the next council term.

The new plan will integrate the government’s National Policy Statement on freshwater with the regional policy statement, the coastal environmental plan and the Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.

‘‘It’s critical that we involve the community in that discussion and partner with Ngāi Tahu as Mana Whenua,’’ McKay said.

She said a priority would be having discussions with councils around how to mitigate and adapt to climate change.

‘‘We’ve got to start talking now.

‘‘We can’t wait for something to happen and then in 10 years time think that we should have done something sooner.

‘‘We’ve got to have some alignment around who is going to pay and where we can live and work.’’

She said the recent flood events had shown the need to think about farming close to rivers and water ways.

Edge said climate change was top of the agenda and ‘‘how communities deal with storm events and flooding’’ in the future.

Urban development and transport were other priorities, particularly with planning related to meeting emissions targets.

‘‘For me one of the big issues will be taking a closer look at solutions for catchments around rivers and land use activity.

‘‘I think we can be a bit smarter about how we deal with those issues.’’

The 16 ECan councillors will be sworn in at the inaugural meeting on October 27, when the chairperson and deputy chairperson will be elected.

Two Ngāi Tahu councillors will be among those councillors, following the passing of the Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Bill in Parliament in August.

Edge said the inclusion of the Ngāi Tahu councillors with full voting rights was ‘‘a maturing of democracy’’ and a recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

The Ngāi Tahu appointees are Iaean Cranwell (Kāti Irakehu, Kāti Kurī, Kāti Makō) and Tutehounuku ‘‘Nuk’’ Korako (Ngāi Tūāhuriri, Ngāti Wheke).

Cranwell has previously served as a government appointed ECan councillor and in the last term was a Tumu Taiao Mana Whenua expert.

Korako is a former National List MP.

■ Environment Canterbury North Canterbury/Ōpukepuke Constituency (two vacancies):
Claire McKay 12,232.
Grant Edge 10,524.
Shaun Lissington 8427.
Rachel Vaughan 8284.

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

More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

Image
Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.5% Yes
    82.5% Complete
  • 14.8% No
    14.8% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
1694 votes
3 days ago

Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.

John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!

As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!

John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.

Share your question below now ⬇️

Image
13 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

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.

Image