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Your home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for … View moreYour home is your sanctuary, and that’s why Ryman villages are designed to be safe havens.
We’ve prepared for adverse events, so you don’t have to.
Your safety and your family’s peace of mind are our priority. Every Ryman village has staff available 24/7 and backup generators for emergencies. If something happens, you’re in safe hands.
We’ll take care of everything and make sure that you have what you need.
If you or a loved one are over 70, Ryman has a range of options from emergency accommodation through to townhouses or apartments available to purchase.
Internet is something we need these days for work, study, keeping in touch with loved ones or just to watch a movie! It's another bill to manage right?!
With the cost of living rising, we want to know how much your broadband bill is setting you back each month?
Every month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ … View moreEvery month, NZ Gardener runs a series of tested reader recipes using a seasonal crop. We are still on the hunt for amazing and inventive jerusalem artichoke recipes! Send your best ones to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz by March 26, 2023. Every published recipe wins a copy of the May issue of NZ Gardener.
We're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as … View moreWe're all mostly familiar with Kate Sheppard's role in the women's suffrage movement (and her face on the $10 note) and you've likely heard of the bold, Jean Batten. But who else should not be forgotten? Tell us why!
Let's celebrate Women's History month as well as International Women's Day (this Wednesday) by sharing some of the lesser-known, inspiring women who've played a part in New Zealand's history.
Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column of the local paper - write NFP if you wish your comments to be excluded.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "moderate flood" in the Wanganui River was today running through farms near Harihari, just two days after the West Coast Regional Council received a strong warning from locals at a stormy on-site meeting.
The river pushed through a … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A "moderate flood" in the Wanganui River was today running through farms near Harihari, just two days after the West Coast Regional Council received a strong warning from locals at a stormy on-site meeting.
The river pushed through a hole in the stopbank on the north side, on the edge of the leasehold farm of Bernard Walkington at Evans Creek.
Walkington estimated about 100ha of his farm was affected this morning.
The river was also flowing through the farm of his downstream neighbour, dairy farmer and West Coast Regional councillor Andy Campbell, whose land adjoins Lake Ianthe.
Walkington said it was only a moderate event after heavy rain yesterday, but the effect on his farm was "really bad".
The regional council does not measure the Wanganui River but the headwaters of the Whataroa River, about 35km south, received 79mm in the 24 hours until 10.30am today.
Walkington said he feared the worst once the floodwaters had receded, expecting to see a trail of silt, gravel and crushed fences.
It came about because the regional council had "failed them" on fixing the stopbank damaged by flooding at Waitangi Weekend.
By this morning the hole in the stopbank looked to have widened from about 90m to between 200 and 300m, he said.
"The engineer came down on February 6 and stated that job was top priority and needed to be fixed immediately. Four weeks later and it's still sitting there," Walkington said.
"Someone from council needs to be accountable for the loss of land and income. Someone obviously has said 'no, we're not fixing it'."
From what he could see today, quite a bit of the river's main channel was flowing across the lower part of his farm and into the Campbell property.
While facing a substantial loss to his milk cheque, the property owner and the Campbells would really be "hit in the pocket" to restore the pasture.
Walkington said there appeared to have been substantial loss to pasture, fence and stockwater lines on his farm, with shingle and other debris washed through.
It would have to be managed carefully with over 800 head of stock on the farm.
"No use crying over spilt milk now but it is a bit of a devastating event for us and our neighbours."
He had heard that council engineering staff were on their way to Hari Hari this morning.
While it had stopped raining it was "fingers crossed" the headwaters were not receiving more rain.
Campbell was meeting with council staff when approached for comment this morning.
Acting chairperson Peter Haddock said he was "really disappointed" at what had now happened.
He understood from Campbell the river had run through but his property but may not have scoured.
Haddock said the council had ordered emergency repairs on the south bank since Tuesday and had a contractor engaged to fix the north bank.
Wanganui River rating district member Mary Molloy said the overnight event was "entirely predictable".
A month of unprecedented low flows since the Waitangi Weekend flood meant it was only a matter of time, she said.
"It could've happened any time in that month period. It is very irresponsible of the regional council -- for whatever reason."
Molloy slated it back to the council, which had "stopped our rating scheme from working properly".
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Sorrento double towel rail 600mm, brand new in box never been used, was brought for my home but did not fit.
Original price of product stated in photo.
Pick up main road Hope or will deliver at a convenient time but locally only, also happy to post or courier at your own cost
This is also listed on… View moreSorrento double towel rail 600mm, brand new in box never been used, was brought for my home but did not fit.
Original price of product stated in photo.
Pick up main road Hope or will deliver at a convenient time but locally only, also happy to post or courier at your own cost
This is also listed on fb.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
An application has been lodged to divert the Waiho (Waiau) River at Franz Josef as part of the stalled $12.5 million north bank flood protection scheme.
The West Coast Regional Council is applying to itself for the temporary diversion of the river from below the State Highway 6 bridge to the glacial moraine, where the Waiho and Tatare riverbeds converge.
“The proposed diversion is to allow gravel extraction, and stopbank construction ... in dry riverbed and to prevent any potential scour of temporary works during the construction phase,” consultant Davis Ogilvie says on behalf of the council.
The applications relate to two separate flood protection works under the stage one north bank scheme: the Franz Josef stopbank and the Tatare River stopbank.
The application notes that the Waiho riverbed has been aggrading at 18cm a year in recent decades.
Flood protection improvement was deemed a priority following the 2016 flood causing after it caused $30m of damage. In March 2019 the state highway bridge was swept away following 400mm of rain was also a factor.
“A $24m package was approved by the Government in July 2020, as part of the Covid-19 economic stimulus package. The work included $18m for rock embankments on the north and south banks, and $3.8m to raise the level of the highway bridge.”
The regional council let a contract to Greymouth contractor MBD for the north bank work nearly a year ago.
The proposed river diversion is from the bridge down past the township and beyond the Westland District Council's wastewater treatment plant.
Temporary diversion of water for up to two years within the bed of the Waiho River is also sought.
The main project is currently stalled after the regional council failed to get affected party approval from the Scenic Circle Hotel Group.
In the latest application the three affected parties identified are the Department of Conservation (DOC), Fish and Game, and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio.
DOC had already responded it had no concerns apart from the unprotected bank on the south side of the river below Canavans Knob.
DOC said the unprotected bank below Canavans had been “a real safety issue” for property and life in a number of recent floods.
“If the river is trained away from the north — then the probability of it being more likely to impact this bank is increased.”
The department said it would like to see armouring put in place and the Canavans stopbank upgraded significantly to mitigate the risk prior to the river diversion/training.
“This isn't so much a conservation concern as a community and Civil Defence issue,” DOC said.
Davis Ogilvie notes consent for the north bank scheme was independently lodged on March 3 last year and was currently on hold.
Likewise, an application for gravel extraction associated with the stopbanks construction had been independently lodged last month but was also on hold.
Consent to disturb the bed and banks of the Waiho River to the Tatare stopbank was granted in October 2022 along with a discharge consent for incidental sediment into the Waiho River from the Tatare stopbank construction.
Land use consent had already been sought to raise all existing flood protection banks on the north side by 2m, along with consent to extract gravel from the dry riverbed for raising the existing stopbanks and extending them.
From local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A total of 534 public submissions were received for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP), a combined district plan for the West Coast.
TTPP project manager Jo Armstrong updated the committee last week, noting that about 20 late submissions … View moreFrom local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
A total of 534 public submissions were received for the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan (TTPP), a combined district plan for the West Coast.
TTPP project manager Jo Armstrong updated the committee last week, noting that about 20 late submissions which had been accepted by the chairperson.
So far 427 submissions had been summarised, with hearings to be held later in the year.
With over 100 submissions yet to
be summarised some delay was expected in completing the
submissions summary for the committee due to the availability of
the principal planner, who was
affected by the Hawke's Bay cyclone damage.
"I think there is a likelihood in light of having lost (time with) our
principal planner due to Cyclone Gabrielle that we will not have a summary by March 30."
Former West Coast Regional Council planning and science manager Rachel Vaughan had been engaged in the meantime.
Armstrong said the submissions yet to be summarised covered a broad spectrum of the plan, and some represented large organisations or groups.
Natural hazard rules and maps attracted nearly 100 submissions while there had been 185 rezoning requests — mainly related to the intersection of rural zones and other areas.
This was "not unexpected at all" given the amount of land rezoned under the proposed plan.
Armstrong suggested prehearing meetings with those submitters
would be a way of managing that workload.
She said there was also a lot of support for the plan.
Sites and areas of significance to Maori drew more than 55 submissions, and historic heritage 25.
It's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?
Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the … View moreIt's time to make their day in return! There's been hundreds of incredible nominations in this year's Prospa Local Business Hero Awards already - but have we got yours?
Give your favourite local business owner the recognition they deserve by nominating them in the 2023 Prospa Local Business Hero Awards including a incredible package worth $10,000. Just share a few words about why they make your community a better place to live.
Your favourite local will thank you!
With universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other … View moreWith universities starting up last week, so brings first-time flatters trying their hand at cooking for the first time. In 2020, 27% of a household’s weekly budget was spent on takeaways so it’s no wonder that cooking is becoming a bit of a lost art.
Alongside sewing and knitting, what other vital skills do you think are at risk of being lost?
Share your thoughts below for the We Say You Say column in the local paper - write NFP if you want your comments excluded.
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