Spatial plan out for consultation
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Housing options and public transport are key issues in the draft Greater Christchurch Spatial Plan.
Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon says the draft plan seeks to resolve historical issues around kāinga nohoanga development and to unlock investment opportunities.
Consultation on the draft plan is open until July 23 and provides a blueprint for how population and business growth will be accommodated in Greater Christchurch into the future.
"Focusing future development in and around specific areas means we can plan strategically for growth so there’s good public transport, quality high-density housing, and plenty of green spaces to enjoy," Gordon said.
He said the draft plan sought to unlock investment opportunities in the Rangiora and Rolleston town centres, the Christchurch city centre, Papanui, Riccarton and Hornby.
It has been developed by the Whakawhanake Kāinga Komiti (Urban Growth Partnership for Greater Christchurch), and was built on the Huihui Mai - let’s come together engagement earlier this year which received more than 7000 responses.
Housing Minister Megan Woods said the Huihui Mai survey provided some clear signals on ways to meet the needs of present and future generations, and to address challenges of population growth, housing affordability and climate change.
"The Komiti received a strong direction from residents on how to tackle some of the big issues facing the city region, such as improving public transport, building in the right places, strengthening climate resilience and restoring the natural environment."
For mana whenua, the plan identified kāinga nohoanga development within traditional reserve sites, including Māori Reserve 873, and urban areas as a development priority.
It also committed to not utilising Māori land for infrastructure purposes.
Mana whenua governor Gail Gordon said the commitments were a positive step forward in the relationship with the councils.
There was also recognition of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and rangatiratanga in the plan.
The Greater Christchurch Partnership was a collaboration between the Waimakariri and Selwyn District Councils, Christchurch City Council, Environment Canterbury, Mana whenua, Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and government ministers.
For more information visit www.greaterchristchurch.org.nz...
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
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.
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