North Canterbury News: December 16, 2021

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NEWS 4 The North Canterbury News, December 16, 2021 Water reforms pause welcome By ROBYN BRISTOW Hurunui MayorMarieBlack has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will delay a‘‘critical piece’’ of the ThreeWaters Legislation. However, although she sees the decisionaspositive, she warnsitdoesn’t determinethe desired outcome thatmany in localgovernment want. But it was areflection of the solidarity exhibitedbylocal council’s throughout New Zealand in their opposition to the Three Waters Reform. “As one collective voice, a significantlylarge proportion of local councilshave expressedconcerns about the reform.” The Three Waters Entity Bill was to be introduced this month, after the government mandated the reformon October 27. This was despite promisingcouncils they could opt out. Last week the Government decided to pausethe reforms untilanindependent Working Group, has had achance to submit feedback in the new year. The Working Group was created in response to concernsexpressed by the localgovernment sectorabout the proposed model. The working party willexamine the model’s governance, representation and accountability. Mrs Blacksays the council is continuing to unanimously stand by the concernsithad raisedinaletter to Local Government Minister Nanaia MahutaonOctober 1. The letter outlined concerns about the reform notbeingwell designed, not fit for purpose for the Hurunui District,and based on financialmodelling which took awaycontrol from the people.Itwas also too light on details regarding the impact of the futureregulatory environment, theletter said. ‘‘We askedthe government to push pause, and we expect a further pausetoachieve success.’’ The Hurunui District Council has held formal consultationwith its communities over its plans to opposethe government’s proposed Three Waters Reform, with119 submissions received on the matterwhen it closedlast Sunday. Meanwhile Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon,has welcomed the Government delaying introducing the legislation to Parliament. ‘‘Hopefully the Government will slow this reform down, let the new water regulator embed,and get backaround the table and talk to councils. Forcing this through is in noone’s interest,’’ says Mr Gordon. CHRISTMAS AT THE RACES Amberley pool progress ... Despite delays in the delivery of cladding, contractors hope to have 80 percent of it up by Christmas along with the doors and windows. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Pool opening pushed out By ROBYN BRISTOW The opening of the refurbished Amberley Poolisbeing hampered by delays in the delivery of the cladding. Whilethe $2 million refurbishment is making good headway, thereisafive week delay in the manufacture and supply of exteriorcladding materials from an Aucklandbased company. This is despite the cladding beingorderedfour months ago. Hurunui District Council community activator and project leader Roger Hornblow says that this will unfortunately affect the anticipated January opening date. ‘‘These delaysare frustrating for the entire teaminvolvedinthe project, but our contractor and theirsubcontractors are doing everything in their power to make up for lost time,’’ he says. ‘‘They are aiming to have80 percent of the cladding up before Christmas and the windows and doorsinstalled.’’ Mr Hornblow says eventhough it is as revamp, the end product will look likeabrand new pool. ‘‘What we will be offering the communitywill be lightyears aheadofthe old pool in terms of facilitiesand programmes.’’ Kaiapoibased Waghorn Buildershas been contracted to replace the roofing structure. The northeast entrance is also beingrelocatedtoprovide improved access and circulation, direct street approach and appeal. Pool access is beingimproved, the floor is being relevelled, and linedand anew changingarea, Experience the magical tölt of the Icelandic horse! toilets,showers andoffice spaceis beingadded. Mr Hornblow says it is hoped the pool will operate untilEaster once it doesopen, whichshould give the council agood gauge on communitysupport for the new facility. ‘‘We knowcommunity use will be strong to start with, but we needto get through that honeymoon period and see what the normal use will be.’’ The outsidepool will be demolished and the area remodelledwithapicnic area for families. Stage two is expected to add an outside children’s playarea to thesite. Thecouncil has contributed $1.5 milliontowards the project, with$100,000 raised by localgroup Save Our Pooland $400,000 from externalfunders. Horse treks around the Brooklands lagoon, Spencer park beach and forest. Ranging from 1 - 2.5hrs www.icelandichorsetreks.co.nz or contact Inga on 027 505 0542 2410472 Sunday 19th December First Race 12.00pm Loads of entertainment for young and old including Santa, band, kid’s tote, Vaccine pass required -Adult entry $10 First race in the New Year Saturday 1 st January First race 1.00pm Quality Harness Racing action |Kid’s Bouncy Castle Free entry -Country racing at it’s BEST Full Bar and Cafe Service available Vaccine pass required 2440571
Hope for abusy summer By DAVID HILL Kaikoura’s tourist operatorsare hoping the opening of the Aucklandborderwill lead to a busy summer. With Aucklanders abletotravel again from yesterday(December 15), subject to being doublevaccinated or producing a negativeCovid19 test, Kaikoura businesses havebeen gearing up for an influx of visitors. Destination Kaikoura chairpersonand Dolphin Encounter business manager Lynette Buurmansays at last week’s DestinationKaikoura Christmas partythere was akeen anticipationofwhat lay ahead. ‘‘We are just keentosee the future and see some business opportunities beyondwhat we have known for the last 18 months. ‘‘We havecourageand we have hope for the industrytorecover and reignite. ‘‘Next year,hand on heart, should be better.’’ DestinationKaikoura manager Lisa Bond saysthere has been plenty of interest from Aucklanders keen to escape. There is, however, anervous anticipationatthe prospect of the border opening in May to overseas tourists, she says. ‘‘Whenever we post something on social media we get engagement. ‘‘There’s alot of nostalgia about Kaikoura, if you have comehere before you wanttocome back with your kids.’’ With the Sudima Hotel on track to open in September next year, Bring on the summer ...Destination Kaikoura chairperson Lynette Buurman (left) and manager Lisa Bond are ready for abusy season. PHOTO: DAVID HILL there will be opportunities to attractnew business to the town, including conferences and corporate events. Alongside the main attractions such as WhaleWatch Kaikoura, DolphinEncounter and wildlife adventures, the town has a number of wet weather attractions. The Kaikoura Aquatic Centre opened last month and there is The MayfairArts and Cultural Centre,the Kaikoura Museum, Fyffe House and Harmon’s classiccar museumatBernie’s Diner. Ms Bond, who is also a Kaikoura district councillor, says there are so many excitingthings happening in Kaikoura. ‘‘If you look at the Reimagine Kaikoura document we developed afterthe (November 2016) earthquake,all those things we imagined backthen are starting to take off.’’ But there is no escapingthe reality thatthe last two years have been challenging for Kaikoura tourism operators, who have been forcedtorethink their business models, Ms Buurman says. Ratherthan the usual summer boom period, operators have had to adapttoasteady flowof visitors throughout the yearexcept during lockdowns. While overseas tourists typically stick to aset itinerary, New Zealanders are able to take a long weekendatamoment’s notice or waitfor discounts. ‘‘We don’t know what’s normal any more,’’ Ms Buurman says. ‘‘Everything is different and it’s hard to plan ahead,’’ says Ms Bond. NEWS The North Canterbury News, December 16, 2021 5 Illegal paua catch stuffed in suitcases By ROBYNBRISTOW Adiverhasbeencaught with threesuitcases fullofpaua. MPIFisheryofficers patrollingtheKaikoura coastline caught the diver with 249 paua, nearly 50 times the daily limit. Onehundredandeleven (111) of the shellfish were undersize. Thedailylimit is five blackfootpauaper person,withaminimum legalsizeof125mm. Thepaua fisheryopened onDecember1for three months, after being closed forfive years because of the 2016 earthquakes that caused seabedupliftand damage to the marine habitat. On Saturdaymorning, December11, at around5am aFisheryOfficerandtwo HonoraryFishery Officers were patrolling at the top endofthefisheryintheCape Campbell area near Blenheim. ‘‘Ourpeople sawthis diver,alocal manfrom Blenheim,gathering the pua andstashing itinthree suitcases. ‘‘When they approached him athis vehicle, he backed upthevehiclenear the water,dumped thecases in the waterbeforefleeing the scene, says MPIRegional ManagerComplianceFish, HowardReid. Police werecalledinand ❛ Our message to people tempted to steal this precious kaimoana is not to test us.❜ —MPI Regional Manager ComplianceFish,HowardReid. he was pulled overinhis vehicle shortly afterwards. ‘‘The FisheryOfficers recoveredthepaua, which theman admitted gathering, Mr Reid says. The man had beendiving in theveryearlyhours of the morning so had gone to significant effort to evade detection. ‘‘We said whenthe Kaikoura fishery openedfor threemonths that we had officers potentially out and aboutatall hours of the day. Ourmessage to people tempted to steal this precious kaimoana is not to test us,’’ he says. The investigation is continuing, and the man is likely to faceprosecution. MrReid says the longterm future of the fishery is reliantonpeople following theruleswhichare thereto protecttheresource. To reportanysuspicious fishing activity, phone the MPI 0800 4POACHER hotline (08004762 24). More than 200 house plans available catering from residential to lifestyle to duplex living. 3BED -2BATH -2CAR -STUDY -LOUNGE LAKES FACADE RANGIORA OFFICE NOW OPEN at 265 High Street, Rangiora CLUTHA 180 LIVING 3890x3655 optional fireplace LOUNGE • Free Site Inspections • 24hour Quotes • Quality Guarantee • Local Builder • 20years experience Z King St King St High St High St Town Hall Cinemas We are here 265 High St MASTER BEDROOM 3000x4090 K. ENSUITE WIR clothes line BED. 2 3200x3000 D. 1.0x 1.0 shr BATH robe robe WC BED. 3 3200 x3000 D. 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North Canterbury News: December 16, 2021

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