Fendalton Gazette: September 6, 2017

Fendalton - Ilam 

YouR N E w S Y ouR B u S i NESS Y ouR PEo P l E 


SEPTEMBER 2017 

Memorial Ave nears completion 

Artist's impression 

A 

wet winter has not delayed work on the $195 

million Christchurch Southern Motorway – Stage 

2 project, with more than 300,000 cubic metres of 

earth moved, two new local roads built and the 

first of eight bridges almost complete. 

Principal Project Manager Geoff Griffiths says people can 

expect to see more changes over the coming months as work 

ramps up. 

“Recently, two 180-tonne cranes put the final four 

‘Super-T Beams’ that make up the Main South Road Bridge 

into place,” Mr Griffiths says. 

The bridge designers were inspired by the vertical power 

of the Southern Alps and the curves of the braided rivers, 

unique to the Canterbury Plains. Their inspiration also 

came from the speed and adventure of travel. Recogising the 

unique airport location, the finely tuned structure refers to 

both the manufacture and movement of aircraft. The project 

aims to capture the unique moment of arrival and departure 

from the city of Christchurch. 

This area of Canterbury has always been a place that 

BY j ENafoR R olliNS 

people passed through, whether starting on their OE, going 

to serve their country or traveling to gather kai on the banks 

of the Avon River. 

These two arches symbolise meetings and travel, they 

represent the coming together of cultures. 

“Next, the structure, which will take Main South Road 

traffic up and over the motorway, is made up of 16 locally 

made precast beams, which range from 30 to 35 metres long 

and weigh up to 68 tonnes each.” 

Along with the Main South Road Bridge, the CSM2 team 

have also started constructing the Waterholes Road and 

Trent Road bridges and built two new local roads - Tiptree 

Lane and Manion Road. 

“These new roads will give people access to their homes 

and local businesses, and in the case of Manion Road, allow 

the CSM2 team to carry on with work to create the motorway 

into a four-lane road from Weedons Road towards Curraghs 

Road,” Mr Griffiths says. 

“Meanwhile, at the city end of the project, John Paterson 

Drive is being realigned to join with Halswell Junction Road. 

This work will continue until the end of the year when the 

new alignment is expected to open to traffic.” 

Mr Griffiths says people travelling around the Selwyn 

District, near the project, should expect detours and road 

closures at times as work on the project continues. 

“Traffic will be closely monitored to try to reduce 

disruption and delays, however people should plan ahead 

and allow extra travel time as work continues on the CSM2,” 

he says. 

“We would also like to remind people to obey the traffic 

management signs. The speed restrictions and road closures 

are in place for your safety as well as the safety of our crews.” 

The Christchurch Southern Motorway (Stage One, 

completed, and Stage Two, underway) is expected to halve 

travel time between Rolleston and Christchurch at peak 

times from 30 minutes to 15 and reduce fatal and serious 

crashes by 40 per cent. 

Stage Two is on track to be open to traffic in early 2020. 

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2 


Margaret Mahy’s novel, 

The Changeover, now a movie is thrilling 

CONTACT 

EDITOR 

Christine Deflice 

chrissymt@xtra.co.nz 

COPY 

Jenafor Rollins 

jenaforrollins@gmail.com 

DESIGN 

Denise Crawford 

FEATURE & SUPPLEMENTS 

MANAGER 

Jenny Wright - 03 364 7446 

jenny@starmedia.kiwi 

PUBLISHER 

Star Media 

The Christchurch Star Company Ltd 

Level 1, 359 Lincoln Road, Addington 

Christchurch 

PO Box 1467, Christchurch 8140 

Just saw The Changeover 

Movie which is a darker grittier 

Twilight with creep factor 

- Keeping Up With NZ, 

Twitter 

Incredible, riveting film! Well 

done Miranda Harcourt 

and Stuart Mckenzie - you 

captured the essence of the 

book in a contemporary way, 

and I love that it is set in post 

quake Christchurch too. Go see 

it when it’s out and take the 

kids! (12+ I think) 

- Sarah Catherall, Journalist 

For all enquiries regarding 

advertising please contact Jenny Wright. 

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Media and audience reviews 

are claiming Margaret Mahy’s 

supernatural thriller, The 

Changeover is creepy, thrilling 

and riveting. The award winning teen 

novel set in Gardendale, was inspired by 

Christchurch’s very own Bishopdale and is 

captivating test audiences and media around 

the country. 

The motion picture directed and produced 

by husband and wife duo Miranda Harcourt 

and Stuart McKenzie, loved the novel so 

much, they felt compelled to bring it to the 

big screen. 

The cast includes Timothy Spall (Wormtail 

in Harry Potter) who plays villain Carmody 

Braque and is mesmerising. Heart throb, 

Nicholas Galitzine (Handsome Devil and 

High Strung) plays Sorensen Carlisle teamed 

with New Zealand newcomer Erana James 

(Ngati Whatua Orakei, Waikato Tainui), who 

plays protagonist Laura Chant, the big sister 

willing to give her life for her little brother. 

The cast is rounded out by Lucy Lawless, 

(Xena Warrior Princess) and Melanie Lynsky 

(Heavenly Creatures and 2 ½ Men). 

The world premiere will be held September 

25 at the Isaac Theatre Royal on Gloucester 

Street and opens countrywide on September 

28. Christchurch theatres showing the film 

include Hoyts Riccarton, Hoyts Northlands, 

Reading at The Palms and the Hollywood. 

Take your friends and family to see the film 

adaptation of one of New Zealand’s award 

winning authors. Rate it for yourself. 

Watch for the film countdown and be a part 

of the contests and treasure hunt. 

Mark your calendar for September 28 and 

the opening date of The Changeover. You 

won’t want to miss it. It’s highly suggested to 

bring a friend, just in case you need someone 

to scream with. 

Synopsis 

Sixteen year-old Laura Chant lives with her 

mother and four-year-old brother Jacko in a 

low-rent suburb on the edge of earthquakescarred 

Christchurch, New Zealand. Laura 

is drawn into a supernatural battle with an 

ancient spirit who attacks Jacko and slowly 

drains the life out of him as the spirit becomes 

ever younger. Laura discovers her true 

identity and the supernatural ability within 

her, and must harness it to save her brother’s 

life. 

What a powerhouse film! 

Totally knocked my socks off. 

Performances, freaky dark 

story, Christchurch, and man 

that soundtrack!! 

- Audience, Wg 

Fab film, so different from 

anything I’ve seen in NZ 

cinema… shot! 

- Audience, Akld 

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3 

Husband and wife team 

co-direct The Changeover 

Stuart and Miranda Harcourt 

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I 

read Margaret Mahy’s supernatural teen 

thriller, The Changeover, for the radio 

the year after it was first published in 

1984and fell in love with the story. 

Margaret is the godmother of the young adult 

or YA genre and authors such as Stephenie 

Meyer of the Twilight series are grateful for 

her pioneering efforts.” Co-director Miranda 

Harcourt shares with excitement in her voice. 

“Stuart read the book as well and we both 

knew that one day we wanted to adapt the 

novel for the big screen. Six years ago, we 

secured the rights and we have now nearly 

completed our goal. The film preview 

screenings have shown we achieved our 

desire of creating goosebumps, tension 

and a quest for the audience to think about 

supernatural possibilities.” Harcourt added. 

“This novel has inspired so many young 

BY jENafoR RolliNS 

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adult writers. Margaret was a leader in the 

teen genre, especially with this award winning 

book, The Changeover. It broke barriers and 

was a first to showcase a female teen lead 

with Polynesian ancestry, as Margaret puts 

it. This character Laura Chant is a trailblazer. 

A protagonist who moves the story along 

and we have had an overwhelmingly positive 

response from the screenings, which are 

being embraced by audience and cinema 

goers across the country.” 

“This is the first time Miranda and I have 

directed together after all these years of 

working together, but we felt compelled 

to share this project. We wanted to make a 

film with the backdrop of where I grew up. 

Besides, we work very well together and 

can read each other. The cast and crew felt 

confident there would be no disagreements 

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or dissension on the set. There wasn’t and 

we didn’t have any major concerns off the 

set, either. We shared our vision and know 

each other so well that we can always 

communicate and make it work. We know 

our strengths and expertise. We complement 

each other. It made for a full experience.” 

Stuart added. 

Stuart McKenzie, who grew up in 

Bishopdale where Margaret set her story, 

adapted the screenplay from the multi award 

winning novel by the loved and admired 

Canterbury author. 

“Christchurch is a main character in the 

film, with its unique vibe and provides a 

valuable backdrop for seismic shifts in the 

characters evolution. Coming home to film 

in the city that I love was classic.” 

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6 


UC Academic’s new book 

explores women in horror films 


A 

pop culture expert’s new book is set to make a unique 

contribution in the field of horror scholarship by exploring the 

“privileged place” that women hold in the horror film genre. 

A lecturer in English and Cultural Studies in the University 

of Canterbury’s College of Arts, author Dr Erin Harrington is an expert 

in ‘gynaehorror’, a term she coined and which is the focus of her new 

book, Women, Monstrosity and Horror Film (Routledge, 2017). 

Covering topics ranging from “psychobiddies, grande dames and 

horrific harridans” to virgins and vagina dentata, the academic book 

makes a unique contribution to the study of women in horror film 

specifically, while providing new insights in the broader area of popular 

culture, gender and film philosophy. 

Dr Harrington describes gynaehorror as horror films concerned 

with all aspects of female reproductive horror, 

from reproductive and sexual organs, to virginity, 

pregnancy, birth, motherhood and menopause. 

“Think classic films like Rosemary’s Baby or 

The Brood or even the Alien series, or more recent 

films like The Witch and The Babadook. Horror 

films are a great social barometer as they engage 

with and often directly invoke culturally specific 

and contemporaneous fears and anxieties,” she says. 

“Engaging with these films, as with other forms 

of popular culture, can help us understand and 

interrogate taken-for-granted ideas about what it is 

women ‘should’ do and be.” 

Published in the Routledge series Film Philosophy 

at the Margins, the book features an in-depth analysis 

of the portrayal of women in horror films from the 

1960s until the present day. 

“Women occupy a privileged place in horror film. 

Horror is a space of entertainment and excitement, 

of terror and dread, and one that relishes the 

complexities that arise when boundaries – of taste, of 

bodies, of reason – are blurred and dismantled,” Dr Harrington says. 

Some of the themes explored in Women, Monstrosity and Horror 

Film include: 

· The intersection of horror, monstrosity and sexual difference; 

· The relationships between normative female (hetero)sexuality and 

the twin figures of the chaste virgin and the voracious vagina 

dentata; 

· Embodiment and subjectivity in horror films about pregnancy 

and abortion; 

· Reproductive technologies, monstrosity and ‘mad science’; 

· The discursive construction and interrogation of monstrous 

motherhood; and 

· The relationships between menopause, menstruation, hagsploitation 

and ‘abject barren’ bodies in horror. 

Dr Harrington’s book not only offers a feminist 

interrogation of gynaehorror, but also a counterreading 

of the gynaehorrific, that both accounts 

for and opens up new spaces of productive, radical 

and subversive monstrosity within a mode of 

representation and expression that has often been 

accused of being misogynistic. 

Dr Harrington’s research and academic work 

focuses on horror, embodiment, popular and 

visual culture, and sex and gender, and she also 

has a particular interest in theatre, criticism and 

dramaturgy. She has written for a range of literary 

and academic publications, art catalogues, and 

popular media outlets, and she regularly appears as 

a speaker and panellist. 

Women, Monstrosity and Horror Film by Erin 

Harrington, published by Routledge, 2017: 

288pp. 

For further information please contact: Margaret Agnew, Senior 

External Relations Advisor, University of Canterbury at 369 3631 or 

margaret.agnew@canterbury.ac.nz 

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7 

University of Canterbury welcomes record 

numbers of postgraduates 


The University of Canterbury has 

welcomed more than 1000 fulltime 

equivalent students in masters’ 

programmes and record numbers of 

doctoral students in 2017, with over 700, with 

more expected to enrol before the end of the 

year. 

The University of Canterbury (UC) offers 

a wide range of postgraduate qualifications 

through world-class resources and exciting, 

hands-on research opportunities, according to 

Vice-Chancellor Dr Rod Carr who welcomed 

news of the record numbers of postgraduate 

students. 

“It’s a dynamic environment in which to 

advance yourself learn alongside academics 

and students from more than 100 nations, join 

a vibrant students’ association, and get involved 

in any of 140 clubs.” 

Events are held throughout the year to 

encourage collaboration and networking 

between the postgraduate and UC staff 

community, including: 

University of Canterbury Postgraduate 

Information Evening: Wednesday 20 

September, 5pm-7.30pm, University of 

Canterbury Engineering Core, 69 Creyke 

Road, Ilam, Christchurch 

Thinking of returning to study? Want a change 

of career or need to upskill to get ahead? Come 

to the UC Postgraduate Information Evening 

on Wednesday 20 September, and learn about 

UC’s flexible postgraduate study options at the 

expo and information sessions. You can get an 

overview of flexible study options and how to 

finance, structure and plan your postgraduate 

study. Chat with people from different 

departments and support services about your 

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specific study options and how to balance study 

with your lifestyle and other commitments. 

GradFest 

GradFest is an annual, week-long event of 

lectures and workshops for postgraduate thesis 

writers. At GradFest, held from 30 October to 

3 November this year, students can learn about 

the latest research trends, develop new skills to 

enhance their study, and have the opportunity 

to network with other postgraduate students. 

GradFest brings together different 

departments at UC such as the Postgraduate 

Office, Academic Skills Office, Library, 

E-Learning, Careers and Academic 

Services Group to share their expertise with 

postgraduate students on subjects such as 

Understanding the thesis journey, Applying for 

ethical approval, Smart tools and technologies 

for research, The publication process, Thesis 

structure and planning, and Writing a coherent 

thesis. (Due to its popularity GradFest was also 

held in May this year.) 

UC PGSA - Just Write 

workshop 

In early September, the UC PGSA 

(Postgraduate Students’ Association) hosted the 

Just Write workshop; a chance for postgraduate 

students to get together and ‘just write’. The 

free annual event focuses on removing the 

barriers that prevent students from writing and 

provides inspiration to help polish chapters and 

papers for submission. It’s a great opportunity 

to network with other postgraduate students, 

collaborate and try out new ideas. The event 

also includes seminars throughout the day to 

help students produce quality research outputs. 

Thesis-in-three competition 

The Thesis-in-three competition challenges 

postgraduate students to explain their research 

in three minutes, accompanied by one slide. 

The competition aims to teach effective 

communication techniques between academics 

and those outside their field of study. It also 

promotes collaboration and increases funding 

and employment opportunities. Sponsored 

by the Dean of Postgraduate Research each 

year, Thesis-in-three students first compete in 

College competitions, vying for a place in the 

UC-wide final. The UC final is held in August 

and competitors get the opportunity to compete 

at the international Three Minute Thesis (3MT) 

event in September. 

The winners of 2017’s Thesis in Three UC 

final are: 

· 1st: Philipp Sueltrop from UC Engineering 

($5000 prize) 

· 2nd: Jacq Jones from UC Arts 

($2000 prize) 

· 3rd: Jess McHale from UC Science 

($1000 prize) 

Philipp, who is from Germany and studying 

for his PhD in Electrical and Electronic 

Engineering, will represent UC at the 2017 

Asia-Pacific 3MT Finals, held at the University 

of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, on Friday 

29 September 2017. He will compete against 

representatives from 55 universities across New 

Zealand, Australia and Southeast Asia. 

Find more about postgraduate options 

on UC’s website: www.canterbury.ac.nz/ 

postgraduate/ 

For further information please contact: 

Margaret Agnew, Senior External Relations 

Advisor, University of Canterbury 

Phone: +64 3 369 3631 | Mobile: +64 275 030 

168 | margaret.agnew@canterbury.ac.nz 

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8 


Youth mental health hot topic 


Current Canterbury youth mental health statistics have 

the Labour party swinging into action stating they will 

invest millions into providing much needed services 

and support for Cantabrian children and teens in the 

aftermath of the earthquakes. 

Since 2011 there had been a 73 per cent increase in children 

and young people seeking mental health services in Canterbury. 

Principals from across the city have been dealing with children 

with extreme trauma, anxiety and suicidal intent. Their stories 

are distressing stories. 

“Funding hasn’t kept pace with what’s required down here. 

We’ve been trying to raise the profile of Canterbury’s health 

issues within Parliament for quite some time.” Ardeen stated in 

a recent trip to Christchurch. 

Defining stress, anxiety and resilience 

Anxiety and stress are often used interchangeably. Both are 

reactions involving thoughts, emotions, and physiological 

responses such as a change in heart rate. Anxiety can be defined 

as the anticipation of a perceived threat. Stress is the natural 

human response to resilience, which is defined as sustaining a 

healthy function despite negative experiences and setbacks. 

Types of stress 

• Experiencing anxiety and stress over new experiences is 

normal and expected. For children, this might include staying 

with a babysitter for the first time, giving a speech in class or 

taking a driver’s license test. This kind of stress can be perceived 

as ushering new development and skills, and sometimes is 

referred to as “positive stress.” 

• Complicated stress, such as the loss of a best friend, death 

of a grandparent or a divorce are more challenging experiences 

in the short and long-term, carry a mixture of deeper emotions. 

Most children can adjust to situation development with 

appropriate, consistent and nurturing adult support. Mindset or 

how one perceives and understands the meaning of stressors is 

helpful in managing a response toward being resilient. 

• Chronic or traumatic stress includes children living in 

environmental situations including, school, home, weather 

or geographic conditions, peer pressure, relationships, their 

future, monetary or social conditions such as neglect, abuse, 

or maltreatment. Chronic stress not only feels bad, but leads 

to poor immune system functioning, creating vulnerability to 

stress-related health conditions, mental health disorders and 

school underachievement. 

What children and teens are anxious 

and stressed about 

Young kids can stress about normal developmental fears such 

as strangers, new places, animals, or changes in their family or 

routine. Unpredictable events such as the loss of pet or family 

member. Older kids and teens can stress about appearance, peer 

status, social and romantic relationships, academic performance 

and college acceptance. 

How to know if your child is stressed? 

Emotionally, children of all ages may show an increased 

sense of fragility in their feelings. Vulnerable and negative 

emotions may be closer to the surface like increased sensitivity, 

impatience, anger or crying. Behaviourally, there may be a 

display of new, unproductive or repetitive behaviours. As young 

children are less verbal they may show direct symptoms. Older 

children and teens may be more subtle or secretive in their 

behaviours. Verbally, children and teens may talk about feeling 

overwhelmed or helpless. They may seek validation or become 

conflictual about the primary or a related topic. 

What to do? 

1. Observe and monitor your child’s behaviour. 

2. Acknowledge your child’s anxious or stressed feelings in a 

calm and sensitive manner during a neutral time. 

3. Ask open-ended questions to gain information, and keep 

the lines of communication open. 

4. Reassure your child that their anxious feelings and source 

of stress are temporary and manageable. 

5. Reassure your child that you will support and help them 

through this time. 

6. Let your child know they are not alone in their experience. 

Other children have similar feelings and experiences. Share your 

own experiences and how you manage and overcame them. 

7. Seek professional assistance if anxious behaviours are 

ongoing or your child complains of ongoing distress. Anxious 

behaviours should not interfere with the daily functioning of a 

child or family. 

8. Model positive stress management – children are astute 

observers and take their cues from their parents. 

Decreasing stress in everyday life 

• Have regular conversations with your children to keep your 

pulse on their emotional lives. More effortful leading questions, 

such as “What did you like about XYZ?” communicates more 

parental interest and investment more than the routine “How 

was your day?” 

• Facilitate adequate sleep and sleep habits: 8 to 10 hours a 

night recommended for teenagers, 9 to 11 hours for school-aged 

children, and 10-13 hours for pre-schoolers. 

• Family meals minus electronics communicates people and 

quality conversation are important. 

• Research also supports meaningful family meals are 

beneficial in child development, promotes prosocial behaviours, 

school success skills, good eating habits, well-being, and helps 

children avoid later negative and high-risk behaviours. 

• Prioritize extracurricular activities based on the child’s 

enjoyment, interest, and skill development, not competition, 

parental motivation or “everybody’s doing it.” 

• Provide family leisure time for togetherness and rejuvenation. 

• Provide your child with developmentally appropriate “alonetime” 

to learn to self-manage, self-entertain, and self-soothe - all 

skills important in managing stress.

Fendalton Gazette: September 6, 2017

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