North Canterbury News: January 27, 2022

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NEWS 2 The North Canterbury News, January 27, 2022 Grow customers, salesand profits with North Canterbury’s bestread newspaper Readership: 51,000 weekly Circulation: 30,150copiesdelivered to EVERY farm, RD, lifestyle block and home inWaimakariri, Hurunui &Kaikoura every Thursday. news Robyn Bristow Managing Editor 027 312 1581 robyn.bristow @ncnews.co.nz Reporters David Hill, Shelley Topp. advertising DaynaBurton Sales Manager 027 312 0089 dayna.burton @ncnews.co.nz AmandaKeys Advertising 027 536 6224 amanda.keys @ncnews.co.nz JillianDickie Advertising 022 024 3092 jillian.dickie @ncnews.co.nz getintouch Editorial info@ncnews.co.nz Advertising sales@ncnews.co.nz Graphic Design heather.hood@ncnews.co.nz Distribution/Deliveries 03 314 8335 Rangiora: 03 313 2840 /03314 8335 14 Ashley St, Rangiora Christchurch: 03 364 7460 www.starnews.co.nz OAS multimillion upgrade soon By ADAM BURNS LOCAL DEMOCRACY REPORTER Long awaited multimillion dollar upgrades to OxfordArea School may finally be set in motionafter the prospect of aburgeoning school roll forced arethink. PrincipalMike Hart said construction on the project,whichwas firstconfirmed fouryears ago by the Ministry of Education, was earmarked for the end of 2022,although this was a ‘‘best case scenario’’. The $10 million redevelopment includes thereplacement of 11 prefabricated classrooms, anew library and administrationblockand upgrades to other facilities. The past few years, following the 2018 announcement by Minister of Education Chris Hipkins, have been marked by rebuild scopes, development of an education brief and the completion of along term master plan lastyear. It was previously hoped thatthe construction would begin early this year. However, the end of 2022 is now considered more realistic. Mr Hart sayscatering to the potentialgrowth of pupils duringthe planning phase had possibly slowed the project. ‘‘A positiveprojection of the school North Canterbury events take atumble From Page 1 It is the second time in five years the Kaikoura A&P show has been cancelled — once due to the 2016 earthquakeand once because of the pandemic. Secretary Laura Page says it was a difficult decision. ‘‘We’vegone back and forth for weeks, but we just couldn’t see away to run it safely.’’ ‘‘It’sgutting for us becausewebring peopleinto the area, which our businesses so badlyneed.’’ It is also the secondtime the Oxford show has been cancelled due to the pandemic. Show presidentLeititia Schroeder says it is ‘‘gutting’’ for the committee, exhibitors,community, and local businessesthat the show has had to be cancelled,but the committee could not find an economicway of runningthe annualeventwith alimit of 100 spectators. The committee wants to thank its loyal sponsors, and the many volunteerswho support to the show. It was now focused on looking forward to 2023. The Hanmer SpringsPools and Spa, however, is bringing some welcome news for people wanting to chill out and enjoy getting away from home. The complex will remain open from rollmade us think about the size and perhapshaving something abit bigger thanweoriginally thought,’’ he says. The predicted school roll for 2022 is 545,but the master plan accommodates 800pupils. Detailed design is now the focus for school leaders as headway is sought on the project. ‘‘About threequarters of the year willbespent on (detailed design),’’ Mr Hartsays. He said he was hopefulofthe build getting underway before the end of the year. ‘‘Whether it is some demolition taking place becausewehave to remove some buildingstocreatethe space,’’MrHart says. ‘‘Hopefully someconstruction will takeplace by the endofthis year. ‘‘There's lotsoffactors that determinethat.’’ Catering for Year 113 pupils, Oxford AreaSchool first openedin 1978, replacingthe 100yearOxford District High School. However, mostofthe school's existing infrastructure dated back to the site’s previous incarnation. Mr Hart agreessome of the buildings are now outofdate. ‘‘They're really old and costour school alot of money to updatethem, and to keep them as freshaswecan,’’ Mr Hart says. 10am to 7pm. Vaccine passes are required, along with scanningin, social distancing and masks indoors. However, it may have to close up shop if case numbers and hospitalisations grow in Canterbury. At this stage there no bookingsare required,but check the website as this may change for certain days. The inaugural Waimakariri Country Music Festival, due to be held from February 11 to 13 at the Rangiora Showgrounds, is another victim. The organisers have now turned their attention to bringing the event to Rangiora next February. All TogetherKaiapoi has cancelled its WaitangiDay FamilyCelebration, but coordinatorLinda Dunbar says the Kaiapoi Garden Competitionjudging will go ahead tomorrow(Friday, January 28) as planned. The Waitangi Day race meeting at Rangiora, hosted by the Amberley Trotting Club, has also had the brakes put on its meeting due to the cost of runninga meeting with alimit on spectators to help pay the bills. North Canterburyathletes training for the twoday CoasttoCoast, held annually in February, will be bitterlydisappointed. The twoday event hasbeen cancelled for the first time in 40 years. Organisers are still hopefulofbeing able THE SUMMER HEAT HAS ARRIVED! During summer there are often regional fire bans and water restrictions. Keep an eye on your local council’s website for any water restrictions. For fire restrictions go to www.checkitsalright.nz BE FIRE SMART AND WATER WISE THIS SUMMER Hopeful ... Oxford Area School principal Mike Hart hopes upgrades at the school could get under way by the end of the year. to run the one day Kathmandu Coast to Coast eventand Mountain Run (longest day, longest day age group,one day three person teams,and mountain run). Gone also is aPlanty Affair, an annual marketheld at the Rangiora Showgrounds. The market was earmarked for March 6, and last year attracted hundreds. Big Brothers Big SistersofNorth Canterbury and Fun HQ have postponed The Big Bounce fundraiser. The fundraiser was scheduled to be held in Rangiora's Victoria Park, on Thursday, January 27, but it has now been rescheduled for Thursday, April 28, during the second week of the school holidays. Peoplewho have alreadybought tickets will have them transferred over to the new date. Big Brothers and Sisters programme manager,Ellie Le Gros, says its disappointing to have to postpone the event, ‘‘but obviously we want to followthe rules and do what is best for the community’’. People are able to hang on to their tickets to use for anew date, or alternatively receivearefund. The Rangiora RSA Car and Tractor Rally on February 6, has also been cancelled leavingorganisers and participants disappointed. LAWNMASTERESTATE ESTATE SPECIAL Save $100 on the Lawnmaster Estate range * Check Out These Features: PHOTO: DAVID HILL Was$849 Now $749 • Ball Bearing Wheels ESTATEECO READYSTART • Ready Start Engines (no priming) • Quality Alloy Chassis with LIFETIME Warranty • 5Year Engine Warranty • Oiled &Fully Assembled *Excludes the Estate 400 2187722 360 FlaxtonRoad,Rangiora Ph 03 313 5563 www.kingsmowersheating.co.nz 2419884
4BED -2.5 BATH -2CAR -MEDIA -LOUNGE SCANDI FACADE NEWS The North Canterbury News, January 27, 2022 3 RANGIORA OFFICE NOW OPEN at 265 High Street, Rangiora •Free Site Inspections •24hour Quotes •Quality Guarantee •Local Builder •20years experience CAMBRIDGE 335 Ph Jamie Gwilliam 027 275 4099 www.stroudhomes.co.nz E: christchurchadmin@stroudhomes.co.nz 2445370 109 th Kaikoura A&P Show Smoking hot ... Burnout pad action during the twoday Trillo Metals 32nd Muscle Car Madness Car Show at Rangiora A&P Showgrounds last Saturday afternoon. PHOTO:SHELLEY TOPP Light stays orange for car show By SHELLEY TOPP Rangiora’sannual MuscleCar Madness car shownarrowly avoided ared light underthe Government’s new Covid19 traffic light setting. The event was held at the Rangiora A&P Showgrounds on Saturday and Sundaylast weekend,with atwin town run of the vehicles through the Rangiora and Kaiapoi central business districts last Thursday evening. But, just afew hours after Sunday’s show finished NewZealand went intothe Covid19red traffic lightsystem, which wouldhave put the brakes on the whole show if it had come any earlier. OrganiserCraigSteere was thrilled to be able to holdthe event which once again attracted big crowds on both daysand a largenumber of vehicles on display, including anitromethane powered 472 Hemi racing car ownedbyPete Schimanski, aretired dairyfarmer from Palmerston North. The speedmachine was builtinthe United States duringthe 1980s and is ‘‘good to do’’ speedsupto320 kilometres an hour. Pete said he is still learning to drive the car but he has had it up to 110mph (177 kph) at theMeremere Dragwayin Auckland. Greg Murphy, New Zealand’sfour time winner of Australia’s Bathurst 1000 touringcar race, was aspecialguest at this year’s Muscle Car Madness. It was the first time he hadattended the event and is anew fan, hoping to attend again next year. ‘‘I was invited to thisyear’s eventby StadiumFinancetojudge the burnout competition which theyare sponsoring,’’ he said on Saturday. ‘‘We are also doing some filmingfor Sky Sportwhile we are here,’’ he said. The burnout competition was ahuge hit with the crowd despitethe constant clouds of acrid smokeand earsplittingnoise. Youngvideographer, RileySmart, aged 12, of Woodend, abig burnout fan, who was filming the action with his smartphone on Saturday for his mates, saidthe best part was when the car tyres popped. Largesections of the crowd agreed with Riley, hooting, whistling and roaring their approval everytime atyre popped. Saturday’s Muscle Car Madness Pageant competition, with sections for Miss Pin Up, Miss Retro Classic, MissRockabilly, Miss Teen (916years), Little Miss Cutie(08 years) and Coolest Little Dude, was also a popular competition with entrants attracting enthusiastic supportfrom the crowd. Morephotos pages18and 19 Food banks swamped in lead up to Christmas By DAVID HILL Covid19 uncertainty and therising costof livingsaw NorthCanterbury’sfoodbanks swampedinthe lead up to Christmas. Foodbanksspoken to by North Canterbury News reported ahigh demand for preChristmas food parcels. Community WellbeingNorth Canterbury’s Kaiapoi foodbank supported wellover200 families, while Rangiora’s Hope Community Trust gave out 336 food parcels forthe monthof December. The recently formed Rangiorabased Aroha Project Canterbury, gave out food parcels to 60 familieslast month.The Rangiora SalvationArmy andthe Oxford Community Trust foodbanks also reported abusy lead up to Christmas. Hope Community Trust manager Tracy Piriesays the trust supportedanumber of familieswho were struggling on low incomesdue to reduced hoursasaresult of Covid19. ‘‘Alot of familiesare understresses they maynot openlytalk about. ‘‘Andyou’ve gotthe risingcost of living Ican’tbelieve the house pricesinNorth Canterburyorthe rental prices. Rentals aren’teven affordable. ‘‘Iwould liketothinktherewouldbea littlebit of heart.’’ TheHope trust providesfood parcels to community organisations,schoolsand localagencies, and delivers to residentsin camping grounds. TheKaiapoi Community Supportfood bank had supported 60 familiesin December2020. Coordinator Gabi Barlowcites the impactofCovid19 andthe risingcost of living among reasons for thesurgein demandtomorethan 200families. ShesaysSatisfy Food Rescue is playing avaluablerole in helping the region’s food bankstocontinue to support their communities. 26 th February 2022 CANCELLED It is with the utmost regret that a very hard decision has been made by the Kaikoura A&P committee to cancel the show for 2022, acknowledging that wedonot have the ability to successfully run a show for the whole community under the current government framework. This decision has not been made lightly and was made in the very best interests of the community. We look forward toseeing you back for afantastic show in2023. Caring for North Canterbury Dr John Dehn Full Mole Checks using Dermoscopy Surgical Management and Aftercare Comprehensive, Affordable, Convenient Ph 03 9204060 52 Pegasus Main Street,Pegasus 7612 www.pegasusmedicalcentre.co.nz Southern Cross Affiliated Provider For selected services 2452889 1890742 Kaiapoi Mill, Ranfurly Street, Kaiapoi Ph 03 327 0576 Monday –Friday 9am –5pm Saturday 10am –1pm Closed on Public Holidays and long weekends 2441706
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North Canterbury News: January 27, 2022

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