Poll: Should Waimakariri contribute to Christchurch's new stadium?
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri’s council boss is not amused with a belated request to contribute to the running costs of Christchurch’s new stadium.
Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger has formally written to his Waimakariri and Selwyn counterparts and to Environment Canterbury chairperson Peter Scott asking the three councils if they would be willing to contribute to the operating costs of Te Kaha, Christchurch Stadium.
Waimakariri District Council chief executive Jeff Millward said the council would consider the matter in the coming weeks, but any contribution would be subject to full consultation with ratepayers.
‘‘From the designs, it looks like a fantastic facility, but we were never consulted and we haven’t been included in coming up with the design features.’’
It was unclear whether ratepayers would be asked for a fixed charge, or whether it would be based on distance or on capital value.
‘‘We can’t go out to the community until we understand what that looks like,’’ Millward said.
He acknowledged Waimakariri ratepayers contributed to the Canterbury Museum, but that was subject to Government legislation, so any stadium contribution would likely be voluntary.
In the letter, Mauger acknowledged the Christchurch City Council had decided to build the stadium and would fund its construction.
But he stressed the stadium would provide benefits to the wider region.
A 2019 report suggested Te Kaha’s operating costs were likely to exceed its income by $4.2 million a year, which would cost Christchurch ratepayers an average of $144 a year without outside support.
The $683 million Te Kaha project will have a seating capacity of 30,000 for sports events and is due to be completed in 2026.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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24.5% Yes
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75.5% No
A reminder this hunting season
As thousands of hunters are making their plans for autumn – the Roar – recreational firearms groups are urging hunters to always be 100% sure of their targets.
Te Tari Pureke - Firearms Safety Authority NZ, which chairs the Recreational Firearms Users Group, has begun a public information campaign reminding hunters everywhere of Rule #4 of the Firearms Safety Code: to identify their target beyond all doubt.
Director Communities and Corporate, Mike McIlraith, says there is an estimated 50,000-60,000 New Zealanders involved in big game animal hunting each year, and the Roar is the key event for many hunters each year.
“The Roar is a fantastic time of year for hunters to get out into the hills after a trophy animal but hunting safely and making sure everyone gets home in one piece, still must be the most important goal of every trip,” says Mike McIlraith.
“The consequences of not fully identifying your target beyond all doubt can be catastrophic. Our message to hunters is a really simple one: If you are not sure, then don’t shoot.”
Mike McIlraith says while hunting fatalities are thankfully rare, research has shown that misidentification of the target is the largest firearms related risk to New Zealand deer hunters, and 80% of the time this involves members of the same hunting group.
The Authority says hunters should not feel pressured to take a shot: “Instead, hunters should take the time to analyse their target, wait and see if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how many points does its antlers have? Identifying your target means never firing at sound, shape, colour or movement alone.”
Mike McIlraith says good hunters will slow down, and run through some simple mental checks:
- Can I see the whole animal, or could this be another hunter?
- Where are my hunting companions – could this be them or someone else?
- How much of the animal can you see, if it is a hind or stag, how old is the animal, how - many points does its antlers have?
“Taking a little extra time to identify your target and check the firing zone is the key to safer hunting. No meat or no trophy is better than no mate,” he says.
Poll: Does a savoury scone require cheese on top, or folded inside?
Help settle the great kiwi debate ... cheese on top, or folded inside?
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76.5% Inside!
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23.5% On top!
Don't overthink this riddle...
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