North Canterbury News: April 21, 2022

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NEWS 2 The North Canterbury News, April 21, 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 Keeping local government local By ROBYN BRISTOW Marie Black Keepinglocal government local is important,Hurunui MayorMarieBlack says. She fears agradual withdrawal of local inputwill meansystems could become too centralisedinWellington. Mrs Black says with 90 percent of public expenditure beingcontrolled by central government, reponsestolocal government issuesand challenges were tendingtoward atopdown, onesize fits all approach. Mrs Black was responding to questions duringaremote meetingwith those charged with reviewing local government, and how it will lookinthe next30years. She and councillors spoke with Antoine Coffin, and Sarah Polaschek, fromthe review panel which is being chaired by former Waimakaririchief executive officer, Jim Palmer. Mrs Black says localism is acrucial aspect for the ongoingsuccess of local government. The strength of localisminthe Hurunui District, and localgovernment throughout New Zealand, helped to be connected and in tune with their own people. She acknowledged central government had arole to play in local government, but often policies were put in placefor localcommunitieswith little understanding of the localcontext and the needs and wantsofindividuals. ‘‘Weneed to work with acentral government which supports afit forpurpose model,allowing for flexibility and adaptation to change for individual units of localgovernment.’’ Mrs Blackused the Mayors’ Taskforce For Jobs as agreat example of local governmentand central government success, which with its clear objectives has allowed Hurunui District Council to use funds from central government to help young people move from the job seekermarketinto the workforce in their own district. ‘‘But positive examplesofcentral governmentworking collaboratively like this are few and far between for us here in Hurunui.’’ Mayor Black identifiedhealth centres and social housing as examples of successfully meetinglocal community needs. ‘‘The majorityofour health centres being solely owned and funded by the communities,and likewise the ratepayers of this district have funded the entiresocial housing stock, without any assistancefrom central government.’’ Mrs Black, in reference to the angst over proposed Three Waters Reform, which includes central government taking over the delivery of these essential services whichsit with local government. ‘‘Central governmentshould not take away from us what we do well, and part of this is water delivery to our people.’’ She says the lack of trust from central government disables meaningful communication, and this needs to be addressed to enable asuccessful collaborative future. Centralgovernment needed to acknowledge the significant importance of local communities being able to look to theirown councilsfor essential services such as roading, water and welfare, withoutbeing hamstrung by centralgovernment policiesand attitudes that holdlittle connection or relevance to its regions. ‘‘Our communities feel exhausted, tired, and fatigued, but collectively we are committedtoensure localism is retained. Without it, therewill be little lefttogovern. The Review panel filed an interim report last September. Adraft report is due by September2022, with afinal report due in April 2023. It is the first review in more than 30 years since localgovernmenthas been independentlyreviewed. Most councillors to stand again By DAVID HILL Most of Waimakariri’s councillors look set to stand for reelection later thisyear, but noneare planning to take on Mayor Dan Gordon. The Mayor has yet to confirmifhewill seek reelection in October, but it would be asurprise if he did not seek asecond term. Cr Kirstyn Barnett has announced she will retire in October,and Cr Wendy Doody will also calltime on her council career. Cr Barnett was first introduced to political life through her advocacy on the Woodend Bypass. She joined the WoodendAshley Advisory Board in 2008,before being elected to the councilin2010, one month after the September 4earthquake. She remembers ‘‘discussing liquefaction at the swearingin meeting’’. Cr Doody says the highlight of her time at the council was the opening of the MainPowerStadium. DeputyMayor Neville Atkinson is keen for another termafter six termsonthe council and 21 years in local government. ‘‘I would like to be around to see what these government changes are going to bring to local government and to see what happens withthe Three Waters.’’ While he would like to see some ‘‘new blood’’ around the council table, Cr Atkinson says some experiencewill be neededtonavigate the council through the storm clouds looming on the horizon. FellowKaiapoi councillors Al Blackie, PhilipRedmond and Sandra Stewart have yet to announcetheir intentions, but all have projects they want to see progressed. Cr Blackie expects the nextthree years to be ‘‘very tumultuous with all the things they’re chucking at us from Wellington’’. Cr Redmond says three years is short for acouncil term and he would support four years. ‘‘In the first year you’re learning the ropes,then in year two you’restartingto get things under way and then you’ve got Retiring ... Kirstyn Barnett is retiring from the Waimakariri District Council in October. PHOTOS: FILE an election in year three.’’ Withthe various freshwater and biodiversity projects ‘‘just starting to get somelegs’’, Cr Stewartiskeentostick around and see them progress. CouncillorsJoan Ward, NikiMealings, Robbie Brineand Paul Williams will seekanother term, citing unfinished business. Cr Wardiskeen to see the eastern bypass and the Rangiora Airfield runway extension projects progressed, while there is stillmore work to do in the town centres. An eightterm councillor, Cr Brine’s highlights have been opening MainPower Stadium, the council’s Covid response and gettingthe western link running as an alternative to Southbrook Road. While he stoodfor mayor in 2019, Cr Williams has all but ruled out asecond run. ‘‘Atthis stage Ithink Dan is doing a really good job and putting in alot hours.’’ Cr Williams is lookingforwardto meetings returning to the council Considering standing ... Thomas Robson is considering standing for council. chambers and staff being morereadily available, as Zoom is just not the same. OxfordOhoka CommunityBoard deputychairperson and former WaimakaririYouth Council cochair ThomasRobsonran aclose racefor a council seat in 2019 and is ‘‘definitely thinking about’’ standing again. At just 27years of age, he is nearly two decades youngerthan the youngest sitting councillor, Mayor Gordon,who is 46yearsold. ‘‘Juggling council meetings with work would be achallenge. ‘‘I would be abletodoit, but it’sabig commitment and time out of work is abig step,’’ Mr Robson says. Havingservedtwo terms as a community board member, he says the boardsplay an important role in giving a voice to diversecommunities. ‘‘In the OxfordOhoka ward you’ve got Oxford, West Eyreton, Mandeville, Swannanoa and Ohoka,’’ he says. ‘‘It’sdefinitely atricky ward to be a community board memberbecause it’s a big area and there’s such adiverse range of living situations.’’
Ayarn about Hurunui tourism By ROBYN BRISTOW Visit Hurunui is inviting the community to ‘‘have ayarn’’ about the district’s future using adown to earth video as a tool in its campaign. Scotty Bamford, stands on the edge of acliff on his Hurunui Hills farm in the video, trying to engage with amob of sheep below about tourism potential in the district. For obvious reasons, none of his flock respond. The comedy is part of Visit Hurunui’s new initiative, Let’s have aYarn,which is calling on the public to guide the future of tourism in the region. Visit Hurunui has launched the initiative to help guide the creation of the region’s destination management plan (DMP). Through the campaign, the community are being encouraged to submit feedback online or join one of the various inperson sessions being held in the community. The feedback will provide Visit Hurunui withideas and inspirationtobetter meet the needs of bothvisitors and residents. Visit Hurunui marketing manager Shane Adcocksays the DMPisessential to creatingafuturefor tourism, which benefits everyone. ‘‘Visitor numbers to New Zealand were growing at an unprecedented rateprior to the pandemic. ‘‘Asacountry we were facing some real challenges because of this. ‘‘InHurunui,wewere just startingto feelthe impactofthat growth, so we now haveachance to plan ahead and ensure thattourism can grow alongside our communities,’’ says Shane. ‘‘The DMP is about bringing everyone together to find out what we can be doing better to createanepic visitor experience thatbenefitsour communities in every sense, while takingusinto thisnew eraof tourism.’’ In the Let’shave aYarn videos,Scotty Out on the farm ... Local farmer Scotty Bamford stars in avideo asking for people to ‘‘have ayarn’’ about tourism. PHOTO: SUPPLIED interviews local talent at three identifiable locations, includingthe Hurunui rugby grounds, aplaycentre group andhis own farmcalledHurunui Hills, to highlight the need for the public to get their voice out there. In one video Scotty is hollering to his sheep, askingthem what theirdreams are for development, while in another,he stands aloneinthe middle of the Hurunui Rugby Club groundsinterviewingarugby tacklepad to awkward silence. Hanmer Springs playcentre members, Eliza, Hazel and Myra are perhaps the real stars of the show. Whatdoyou loveaboutHanmer Springs and the Hurunui region? Scotty asksMyra. ‘‘The moon,’’ answers the three yearold. Shane says the short videos draw on humour to break up an otherwise fairly serious subject. ‘‘We reallywant our communities across Hurunuitohave ayarn withusinperson, butifthey can’t make one of the dropin sessions,they can spin their own online. ‘‘We’vemade this reallyaccessible becausewedowant thistobeaDMP reflectiveofour communities,’’ says Shane. Formore informationabout the Visit HurunuiDMP and community sessionsgo to visithurunui.co.nz/yarn Subdivisions growing Amberley township The Amberley townshiphas seen significantgrowth with more than eight largesubdivisionsapproved in the past two years. Most of the subdivisions are on the east of State Highway 1. Threeofthe largest developmentsare the Retirement Village at 175 Carters Road with 250 units, Oakfields at 21 Hilton Drivewith 177 lots, and The Clearing at 64 Amberley BeachRoad with 125 lots. The Retirement Village is divided into 11 stages, all of which havebeen consented.Stage 1isnearing an end, in the stagebystageapproach being taken by the developer. Stage one includes seven double units,six single units, and atemporaryoffice/facilitatesbuilding. The Oakfields subdivision is consented throughStages7to11. The building of several houses has started with site works at Stage 8. Chief strategy and policyofficerJudith Batchelorsays with regular developments happening within the Amberley township, and the government's proposed Spatial Planning Act,the council is in the early stages of scoping aspatial planningprojectfor the district. ‘‘The spatial planning process is an opportunity to consider how towns should develop.and to ensure growth occurs in asustainableway, protecting the environment, and providing for the community.Future capacity planning for the required infrastructure is akey componentofthe process.’’ NEWS The North Canterbury News, April 21, 2022 3 PUBLICNOTICEOFINTENTION TO SELLPROPERTY Whānau Āwhina Plunket is entering consultation on aproposal to sell theproperty at 1685 Cust Road,Cust.Asmallnumberof WhānauĀwhina Plunket services operate atthis property.However,ifthe proposal proceeds, they will be relocatedtonearby premises and will otherwisenot be affected. To our best knowledge,wehaveidentified parties who mightbeaffected by this intention to sell.Weask thatanyonewith an interest in this property or anyone whowants to provide feedback can contactWhānau ĀwhinaPlunket at SustainableProperty@plunket.org.nzor PO Box5474, Wellington6140 (Attention: Property)by31/05/2022. MattDoocey MP for Waimakariri Kaiapoi Office 03 3270514•kaiapoi@parliament.govt.nz 137 Williams Street RangioraOffice 03 3107468•waimakariri@parliament.govt.nz Level1Conway Lane,188 High Street Ienjoy holding constituent clinicsinOxfordand in Belfasttobeaccessible; pleasering my officeifyou would liketomeetwith me. Authorised byMatt Doocey, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn. WE NEED YOUR ARTWORK! apply now online kaiapoiartexpo.co.nz CORCORAN FRENCH KAIAPOI ART EXPO 16-17 JULY, 10AM-5PM KAIAPOI CLUB 2471756 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 1890742 2429081v6 INTRODUCING THE NEW WOODSMAN KANAKU The NEW Kanakuis Woodsman’s latest edition to their ULEB (ultra low emission burner) range. Suitable for small to medium areas Only $1799 (Fire only) See us now to arrange you FREE, NO OBLIGATION quote to have yourlog fire fully installed. We manage the whole job, including the council consent. 360 FlaxtonRoad, Rangiora|Ph03 3135563 www.kingsmowersheating.co.nz CDMP Community Driver Mentor Programme BECOME SAFER ON OUR ROADS. Get into Gear -Volunteer Could you help someone achieve their licence? Contact Us Now. Contact: Julia Graham on 021 953 754 e: julia.graham@salvationarmy.org.nz 2403109v2
Page 1: Thursday,April 21,2022 | Issue 992
Page 5 and 6: Three Waters in spotlight By ADAM B
Page 7 and 8: Protectyourself and your whā n a u
Page 13 and 14: NEWS The North Canterbury News, Apr
Page 15 and 16: Longweekend. Longer deals. 69% off
Page 17 and 18: RANGIORA 100% LOCALLY
Page 19 and 20: TIME TO PLANTYOUR WINTER VEG? SORTE
Page 21 and 22: Motoring Guide Motorbike business b
Page 23: RANGIORA MOTOR GROUP 29 Southbrook
Page 26 and 27: RURAL LIFE EARTHMOVING 22 The Nor
Page 28: Rangiora Toyota Challenging the bes
Page 32 and 33: Waikuku Beach 54 Park Terrace Busy
Page 34 and 35: What’s happening in your communit
Page 36 and 37: CLASSIFIED 30 The North Canterbury
Page 38: FREE DELIVERYTOKAIKOURA -OVER300 CA

North Canterbury News: April 21, 2022

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