North Canterbury News: August 26, 2021

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NEWS 4 North Canterbury News, August 26, 2021 Water reform pressure By ROBYN BRISTOW Pressurecontinues on the Governmenttopauseits Three Water Reforms and reconsider the reformsimpactonrural New Zealand. The Canterbury Mayoral Forum haswritten to the Minister of Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, to formally requestapausetothe reform process. Nationalmeanwhilesaysit willoppose the Water Services Billatits second reading. The Mayoral forum has seriousconcerns aboutthe decisionmakingtimeframes of the reforms, which willsee the deliveryofthreewaters services fromlocal authorities to fourpublic entities across New Zealand,one being most of the South Island. Forum chair, SelwynMayor Sam Broughton,saysthe reform proposals areaonceinageneration decisionfor councils andcommunities, and it is crucial thatcommunities are provided with enough time to engage meaningfullyand genuinely withthe process and betterunderstandthe implicationsofthe proposals. ‘‘Without thispause, we consider thereisaveryrealrisk thatcouncilsand their communities willnot be ableto makeinformed decisions about the impactofthe proposed reform outcomes. ‘‘The MayoralForum urges the pausetocome intoeffect now and remain in place until the newwater service regulator Taumata Arowai is properly established, thereisclarity about the proposed Economic Regulator, andthe standards and approachfromeach is clearlyunderstood. ‘‘Webelievethisisessential in order to properly and authentically engage with our communities on thisincredibly important decision”, Mr Broughton says. The Forum says thereform process is being undertaken at the sametimeasother significantreformprocesses, including areview into the futurefor local government. ‘‘A pause in the three waters reform processwouldallow moretimetoconsider the kind of three waters modelthat might bestsupport thefuture for local government.’’ MeanwhileWaimakariri MP MattDooceysaysNationalcan not support abill that creates yet moreunnecessarycosts and bureaucracy forrural households. ‘‘I’m deeplyconcerned that the compliance costs and administrativeburden thiswill createfor Waimakariri rural property dwellers will be significant,whileany supposed safety gains willbetiny. ‘‘The 4700 properties in Waimakaririservicedby private supplieswillbeexposed to disproportionate bureaucracy,just so theycan continuesupplying water between, forexample, a farmhouse,adairyshedand workers’ quarters. Under theproposals, homeownerswho shareabore, water schemes on subdivisions and some Marae willalso be caught up in abureaucratic nightmare of regulation and costs,’’ Mr Doocey says. National wants water suppliersthatsupply fewer than30endpointuserstobe exempt fromthe Water Services Bill. ‘‘Ruralwatersupplies have an excellenttrackrecordaround safety andquality. If we lookat recentpublic health incidents, these have been withincouncilrun supplies,such as in HavelockNorth and Otago.’’ Mr Doocey says apetition has beenlaunchedbyNational seeking supportfor its exemption, andtotell the Labour Government that they needtostopraining new rules and regulationsonrural NZ. Go to national.org.nz/stoprainingregsonruralnz. Playcentre funday Exploration Day is helping CustWestEyreton Playcentre children to get to know their community, whilehaving fun. The playcentre group gathered at the Loburn Reserve to meet some miniature ponies, explore the forest and the river with family and friendsrecently. The centresays it values getting to know andcelebrating the local areaasan important part of the children growing to love theircommunity. Melinda McGregor from the centre says parents and caregivers are welcome to be part of the centre,asparenting ayoung infant or toddler can be isolating. ‘‘At timeswelook for other people who are in the same boat as us to connectwith, someone to talk to, to share parentingideasand struggles, or justtohave adult conversation with,’’ she says. Melinda saysplaycentreis such aspecial placewhere families and children gain a senseofbelonging through beinginvolved. ‘‘We foster friendships for bothchildren and adults. Children learn through play and interaction with people,placesand things. ‘‘Parents also have the opportunity to learn about childdevelopment, learn about the wonderful journey their children are on, and how they can best support them. ‘‘We work togethertomake it your place,’’ Melinda says. The centrecaters to families with childrenaged up to six years. Sessions run on Tuesday, Adventure ... children explore the forest. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED Special visit ... playcentre children meet aminiature pony. Wednesday and Thursdays 9.15amto12.pm. It offersanaccredited NZQA education programmefor parents lookingatwantingto delveinto familiarising themselves with child developmentand understanding their child. It is $25 per child, per term, to help the centre, based in the Cust Community Centre in Mill Road with running costs. Three free visitsare offered. Nina Ara student to supportyour community If youhaveapassion forsupporting individuals and familiesduring challenging times and adesire to create positive change in your community, Ara’sBachelor of Social Work will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to makeadifference. This highly practical degree has astrong bi-cultural focusand includesextensivework placementsto ensure yougraduatework-ready. TheBachelor of SocialWork starts in February. Check itout today at ara.ac.nz
Covid scuttles farewell NEWS North Canterbury News, August 26, 2021 5 By DAVID HILL Murray Overton's last week at Kaiapoi Borough School was alittle quieter than planned. Last week's Covid19 lockdown saw farewell events postponed as Mr Overton prepared for anew adventure after an eventful eight years as principal at Kaiapoi Borough School. He was due to start his new role on Monday as national director of foreign aid organisation Christian World Service, based in Christchurch. “It's been abusy eight years with lots of exciting things happening. It feels like a great time for someone else to come in with their ideas and energy.” With the lockdown cutting his time in Kaiapoi short, Mr Overton spent his last three days sorting through his emails and making notes for his successor. When Mr Overton took over as principal for the start of the 2014 school year, the school was about embark on its earthquake rebuild. It was finally completed with the opening of the new technology block earlier this year. “Every building has been rebuilt or refurbished, and we've got ascooter track, a new playground and a revamped swimming pool, it's an awesome environment for the students,” Mr Overton says. Murray Overton “It's very satisfying to see where it's at and the teachers and the students are at the heart of everything.” The school roll has been gradually rebuilding in the last couple of years, after falling due to the earthquakes, and will end this year with 400 pupils. Another feature of Mr Overton's time at Kaiapoi is the strengthened relationships with other local schools. “The way that we've been able to build on links with the community and other schools, particularly in Kaiapoi – Trish (McKendry, St Patrick's), Jason (Miles, Kaiapoi North) and Bruce (Kearney, Kaiapoi High School) are fantastic colleagues –it's been great. “We are very grateful for the work Bruce and his staff do. ‘‘Ninety percent of our students now go to Kaiapoi High School, so it's avery important connection for us.” Deputy principal Christine Heenan will step up as acting principal for the remainder of the school year, while the Board of Trustees undergoes arecruitment process. Mr Overton is confident his team will manage without him, after they stepped up when he had heart surgery in term one. He was looking forward to his new role, which will allow him to make adifference in the lives of others. “It's agreat opportunity to do something that's alittle bit different and to follow the passion to help people who don't have the same access to resources that we have. “But it will be sad to leave Kaiapoi Borough School and the wider Kaiapoi community.” Mr Overton and his wife Jacqui previously spent eight years working overseas in Bangladesh and Ethiopia, which has given him ataste of what life is like in less developed countries. He hopes to return to Kaiapoi soon to say aproper goodbye in person. All hands on deck ... Volunteers at the Honda Forest planting day last year. PHOTO: FILE Planting day planned By SHELLEY TOPP Acommunity planting day has been scheduled next month for Kaiapoi’s HondaForest. The Waimakariri District Council will host the planting day on Saturday, September 4, beginning at 10am at the 3.2hectare forest, providingCovid19 lockdown restrictions havebeen lifted. The forest is acollaborationbetween the WDC and the Honda vehicle manufacturer.The first stage of the forest,whichsurrounds the Beswick StormwaterManagementwetlands area by Kaiapoi’s Charles Street dog park,was established during an initial plantingday in May 2019. Councilcommunity greenspace administrator Helen Leslieishoping plenty of volunteers will turnout for next month’s plantingday. ‘‘The plants thatwehave put in to dateare thriving and the areaisattracting a varietyofwildlife,’’ she says.‘‘This time we will be plantingmostly on the Charles Streetside of theHonda Forest so please parkoutsidethe dog park and look for the (Waimakariri District Council)flags, and please bring along yourown gloves ,sturdy boots and aspade,’’she says. ‘‘Even if you are able to plantonly one or two trees, comealong for achatand help grow aforest.’’ The forest’s last planting day of the year is scheduled for September18. Find it all RIGHT ON YOUR DOORSTEP Food and drink spots for socialising Full medical, physical and dental care Hair and beauty care at the local salon VILLAS SELLING FROM $495,000 WOODEND 10 MINS KAIAPOI 3MINS CHRISTCHURCH 20 MINS THE STERLING Retirement Village Site CAFE PHARMACY MEDICAL CENTRE PHYSIO RESTAURANT WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPER MARKET DENTIST HAIR & BEAUTY ENDO - DONTIST SALES OFFICE 3MIN WALK RETIREMENT LIVING in the HEART of the COMMUNITY VISIT us 1/42 Silverstream Blvd, Kaiapoi TALK to us 0508 783 754 hello@thesterling.co.nz LEARN more thesterling.co.nz The Sterling site is render only and subject to change
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North Canterbury News: August 26, 2021

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