North Canterbury News: June 30, 2022

Cutting the cakes ... Matt Doocey (left), and his father Tom Doocey, celebrate their
milestones.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
Areal Doocey affair
Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey and his
father Tom, aworld­class rugbyrefereein
his day, both celebrated significant
milestones over the weekend.
Matt celebrated his 50th,whileTom
celebrated his 80th.
‘‘It’s not that often you get to celebrate
50th and 80th birthdays at the sametime so
we thought we would combine our
birthday parties,’’ Matt says.
‘‘My kids calleditthe130thparty.’’
Tom Doocey was New Zealand's number
1rugbyrefereefor over adecade before
the gameturnedprofessional.
He was the first southern hemisphere
referee to refereeFive Nationsrugby in
the United Kingdom,and refereedover 30
international testsincluding the All
Blacks.
In 2010Tom was awarded aQueens
Honour, the CNZMCompanions of the
New ZealandOrderofMerit, for his
services to sport.
‘‘My dad Tom has beenahuge
inspirationtomeover my life, so it was
reallyspecialtocelebrate his 80th
birthday and my 50thonthe sameday at a
sharedbirthday party with family,’’ says
Matt. ‘‘What was very special aboutthe day
was familyjoining us from around the
country including Tom’soldest sisterwho
is 92. Tom is the second youngestofeight
children.’’
As an MP apolitical career could
sometimesbehard on his family, says Matt.
‘‘My birthdaywas alovelyopportunity to
acknowledge the sacrificesmywife and
children make so Ican do the job Ilove. I
quite simply couldn’t represent the
Waimakaririelectorate to the bestofmy
abilities without the supportand loveof
my family.’’
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, June 30, 2022
Dan Gordon to stand
Dan Gordon is seeking asecond termas
Waimakariri Mayor.
He confirmed yesterdayheintends
standing for the roleagaininthe October
local bodyelections.
Mr Gordon saysthere are many issues to
focus on overthe coming years,including
the ongoingimpact of Covid­19,managing
developmentand growth in Waimakariri,
the Government’s reform programme,
especially ThreeWaters,and managing
climate change and itseffects on the
Waimakariri District.
‘‘This requires steady,knowledgeable
leadership, and experienced council
managementtoensure the bestoutcomes
for our community,’’ Mr Gordon says.
He saysheenjoys working closely with
the local Waimakariricommunity,
representingit, andbeinganadvocate for
its viewsatlocal, regionaland national
level, and he will continue as astrong
advocate, along withthe council, for afterhours
careattheRangiora HealthHub,
and thereopeningand retentionof
servicesatOxford Hospital.
‘‘Access to qualityhealthcare is
important to ourcommunities,’’ he says.
Avibrantbusinesscommunity is keyin
agrowing district suchasWaimakariri,
saysMrGordon.
‘‘The Council, togetherwithits
economic development agencyEnterprise
North Canterbury (ENC), continues to be
astrong advocate for attractingand
retaining business,’’he says.
He willcontinuetofocusondelivering
LOST AND FOUND PROPERTY
5
the objectives of theWaimakaririDistrict
Councilslong­term plan,creating a
balance betweenprudent and realistic
costs forratepayers,and theneedto
continuetomaintaininfrastructureto
provide the best servicestogrow the
district.
‘‘The communityisatthe centre of
everything we do at the council,’’ saysMr
Gordon.
Standing for council
First term councillorPhilip Redmondhas
alsoconfirmedheisseekingre­electionto
the WaimakaririDistrictCouncil.
He is standing in the KaiapoiWoodend
Wardwherehetopped the pollin2019.
Aformer Kaiapoi­based lawyer, Cr
Redmond has found thathis legal
background, companydirectorships and
previous localgovernmentexperience
haveproved invaluabletohis councillor
role.
He was awarded the Queen’s Service
Medal (QSM) for community service in
2019. As along­time member of the
Institute of Directors (IOD),hehas akeen
interestinlocal governance.
Mr Redmondisopposedtothe Three
Waters Reforms which he considersofno
benefittoWaimakaririDistrict
ratepayers.
He is afirmbeliever in retaininglocal
control of localassetsand of keeping
chlorine outofurban/residential water
supplies.
The following property has been reported to the police as lost in North Canterbury
–have you seen them?
Rosary beads in blue velvet pouch;Toyota car key +3other keys on ring; a
Samsung S20 in red case +black men’s wallet; ablack leather wallet; aTommy
Hilfiger wallet.
Found property: Awhite Lapierre bike (Rangiora); ahearing aid (atSew Proud).
Hurunui WaiauUwha WaterZone
Braidedriver birds getfunding boost
Braided river birds on the Hurunui and WaiauUwha Rivershavebeen
prioritised through amonitoring,island creation and pest control project
overthe last fiveyears.
Environment Canterbury hasworkedwith the previous Hurunui WaiauUwha
WaterZone Committee, Kaikōuraand NgaiTūāhuriri Rūnanga, Hurunui District
Council,the Department of Conservation, community groups andlandownersto
monitor breeding ratesand control weedsand pests on both rivers.
The project aims to protect braided river birdnesting sites for the blackfronted
terns and black-billed gulls.
Afurther $50,000 from Environment Canterbury has recently
been announced, to continue the valuablework this project is
undertaking in the Hurunui WaiauUwha zone. There’splenty
of opportunities for the community to getinvolved.
Want to be apart of this mahi/work? Get in touch by email
at ecinfo.govt.nz or by calling 0800 324 636.
Image: supplied by Wildlife Management International Ltd
To find out more about Canterbury’s water zone committees, go to
www.ecan.govt.nz/myzone E22/8968