The Star: August 03, 2017

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6 Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday August 3 2017 News The Star Christchurch’s Labour MPs will benefit •From page 1 Christchurch Labour MPs yesterday admitted Mr Little’s departure had been unexpected. But they believe his demise will in fact help them in the polls. “Andrew looked at those numbers and made an assessment of what stability looked like for Labour, and he made that call that it was Jacinda,” Dr Woods said. She said Labour had strong policies on Canterbury issues, including pledges to fund a Christchurch specialist mental health team and put $100m into Rolleston commuter rail, and they would stay the same under the new leadership. But National candidates were equally confident the change would go in their favour. Wigram National candidate David Hiatt said the change reflected badly on Labour’s ability to lead the country. “We’re busy putting up hoardings while Labour is taking theirs down,” he said. Christchurch Central MP Nicky Wagner believed the fact that Ms Ardern was from Waikato and Kelvin Davis, Labour’s new deputy, from Northland, would have an impact. “From a South Island and Christchurch perspective, it’s unfortunate that both leaders are from Auckland,” she said. Dr Hayward said Ms Ardern and Mr Davis were a “powerful duo”. Ms Ardern had appeal, while Mr Davis had strong connections with the provinces and appealed to Maori and entrepreneurial education, she said. Dr Hayward said the change in party leadership meant there was a real shift making way for fresh ideas and new thinking. That would benefit Labour’s current Christchurch MPs and candidates, she said. “We lost a lot with John Key moving away from National leadership. He was from Christchurch. It was replaced with complacency and business as usual.” Voters would see it as a chance for change, and possibly revisiting plans, such as the blueprint, she said. “People will start thinking that change is possible.” Labour’s crisis: What Nicky Wagner Christchurch Central The leadership change may add more fire to the hotly contested Christchurch Central seat. It was always a safe Labour seat – until 2011. That year the race between incumbent Brendon Burns and challenger Nicky Wagner was so close, it was tied on election night. After special votes were counted, Ms Wagner won the seat by 47 votes. In 2014, she increased her margin to a comfortable 2420 votes. Labour candidate Duncan Webb says the leadership crisis has injected interest in the election, and would increase the Christchurch Central 2014 election results •Nicky Wagner, National – 46%, 15,346 votes •Tony Milne, Labour – 39%, 12,926 votes •Party vote: 45% National, 26% Labour, 16% Greens, 7% NZ First turnout. “What I’m finding is a massive sense of excitement from a whole lot of people who were previously bored by the election,” he said. “That will help Labour and it will help me, because unless people are excited by the election they’re not going to turn out and vote.” Ms Wagner Duncan would not be drawn on the leadership crisis: Webb “Labour’s leadership is a matter for Labour,” she said. But she did comment on their background: The fact Jacinda Ardern was from Waikato and Kelvin Davis from Northland, compared with Bill English’s background in Southland. “From a South Island and Christchurch perspective, it’s unfortunate that both leaders are from Auckland,” she said. Wigram 2014 election results: •Megan Woods, Labour – 49%, 14,519 votes •Karl Varley, National – 38%, 11,189 votes •Party vote: 43% National, 29% Labour, 13% Greens, 9% NZ First Wigram The Labour leadership change has given National candidate David Hiatt a new boost of confidence in a tough battle against incumbent Megan Woods. “We’re busy putting up hoardings while Labour is taking theirs down,” he said yesterday. “This shows they can’t even organise themselves, so I didn’t know how that reflects on their ability to run the Megan Woods country,” he said. But Megan Woods, who is Canterbury Issues spokeswoman for Labour and has held the seat since 2011, said she was more confident after the change. “What Jacinda will do is set this campaign alight,” she said. Cashmere View’s communal lounge area Retirement Villages Cashmere View Retirement Village Open to view. Sunday 6 August, 1–3pm Wednesday 9 August, 1-3pm Enjoy the warmth of Cashmere View. Our residents enjoy stylish living, amongst a friendly community. We currently have a range of new one and two bedroom apartments available, priced from $345,000 to $440,000. Our care home is conveniently located right next door. Come along to our open homes or call Rochelle today to find out more. Cashmere View Retirement Village, 72 Rose Street, Cashmere, Christchurch Call Rochelle Moore on (03) 373 8591 or 027 663 2806 bupa.co.nz
The Star Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Thursday August 3 2017 7 they are saying She said Labour had strong policies around things like health funding and commuter rail in Canterbury, and those policies would stay stable under Ms Ardern’s leadership. Christchurch East National list MP Joanne Hayes herself calls Christchurch East a “red seat” – at the last election she fell more than 4000 votes short of incumbent Poto Williams. But the leadership change had added to her confidence, she said. “I think it’s going to make Joanne Hayes it an interesting battle between the parties on the left, while for me I’m going to carry on with my campaign,” she said. Christchurch East 2014 election results: •Poto Williams, Labour – 48%, 15,221 votes •Jo Hayes, National – 35%, 11,148 votes •Party vote: 40% National, 32% Labour, 13% Greens, 9% NZ First She said she had spent the last four years meeting local people and working to help them, and she believed that would also up her chances. But Ms Williams believed the change would go in her favour. She said Ms Ardern was already well-known in the area, and had already spoken at several community meetings as deputy leader about issues like health and children’s issues. She believed Poto Williams it could also increase voter turnout. “I think our change has inspired people to vote Labour,” she said. Port Hills Ruth Dyson has been MP in the Port Hills area since 1993, but this year National list MP Nuk Korako has put up a strong challenge. Ms Dyson said the leadership change would give her a stronger edge. “Not just from young people but from older voters, too, I haven’t had a negative response Port Hills 2014 election results: •Ruth Dyson, Labour – 46%, 18,161 votes •Nuk Korako, National – 41%, 15,933 votes •Party vote: 47% National, 24% Labour, 17% Greens, 7% NZ First yet,” she said. She said Ms Ardern was wellknown and respected in the electorate, and could both keep the Labour caucus united and appeal to voters. “People recognise Andrew Little was working really hard, but he wasn’t making a Ruth Dyson connection with people in the way parties need to,” she said. Mr Korako would not say whether he thought the leadership change would be a positive or negative for his campaign. “For me, all my focus remains completely on my campaign, putting my best foot forward for the people of my electorate, and that won’t change,” he said. •Coverage: Gabrielle Stuart Safety barriers fast tracked by estuary • By Bridget Rutherford and Sarla Donovan THE INSTALLATION of new safety barriers along a stretch of road that has seen two serious crashes within a year has been brought forward to prevent further accidents. New barriers will be installed along part of Main Rd near Shag Rock this month. They were meant to be done in February. City council transport operations manager Aaron Haymes said the risk of further accidents meant they were fast tracked. In March, Maureen Imrie, 73, died when the vehicle her husband Bruce was driving slammed through the wooden barrier near Shag Rock and plunged into the sea. It came a year after repeat drink driver Sarah Arrow crashed through a nearby barrier in Moncks Bay, badly injuring a pedestrian. Mr Haymes said they could not ignore those accidents. He said permanent barriers were being installed as part of current underground infrastructure work at the Shag Rock corner. Temporary ones were in place. They would be extended an additional 100m southwards to cover where the fatal crash occurred, at a cost of $60,000, he said. The city council would also do an assessment of a 160m section between the new barrier and the existing concrete barrier south of the site, costing an extra $92,000, he said. Function Venue Let us host your next event Still trying to get your EQ damage or repair issues sorted A real hidden gem with wrap around views • Private & corporate functions • Full catering options • We welcome everyone to enjoy our bar & cafe, open 7 days. WAIMAIRI BEACH GOLF CLUB 460 Bower Ave, Parklands Phone: 383 0307 catering@waimairibeach.co.nz www.waimairibeachgolf.co.nz new hearing clinic NG CLINIC opening OPENING specials SPECIALS Batteries only $5 Batteries only For $5$40 6 Hearing Aid Batteries 60 Hearing Aid Batteries for $40 id Clean & Check Free Hearing Aid 3 974 1658 Clean & Check call today at: 03 974 1658 HORNBY, CHRISTCHURCH - WWW.HEARAGAIN.CO.NZ shop 125, the hub, hornby, christchurch - www.hearagain.co.nz We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners get what their policy promises. Talk to us about our “no win-no fee” approach. Ph: 03 377 8855 | 127 Ferry Road, Christchurch City E: reception@earthquakeservices.co.nz | W: www.earthquakeservices.co.nz NO WIN NO FEE
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