Nor'West News: February 09, 2023

OPINION
6 North Canterbury News, February 9, 2023
In the Electoratewith
MattDoocey
MP forWaimakariri
Authorised by Matt Doocey MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.
Rain, and ram raids
As Canterbury continues to bask in some
prettywarm summer weather,my
thoughtshave been withthe poor
residents of Aucklandwho have borne the
brunt of therain and flooding at theother
end of thecountry.
Havingspentthe night at Auckland
airportmyself on that stormy Friday, the
wettestday on record,Ihave huge
sympathy forthose affected by the
flooding.
While Iwas abletoreschedule my flight
out of there,and get back hometoclean
dry clothes,the reality for Aucklanders
has been devastating.
Justlooking at thepictures of the
damagetopropertyand hearingthe news
about the number of people displaced by
the floodingisheart­breaking.
The region will be in my thoughts as the
slowcleanupand rebuild starts to take
shape —itwillnodoubt be alongroad for
many.
As local MP Iampassionate about
advocating for thoseinmyelectorate,and
mostpeople willknow I’mcontinuingto
pushfor after­hours health care in
Waimakariri.
Lastyear, after having to go to the
MinisterofHealth foranswers,it
transpired that there are huge failingsin
the process to build an after­hours
facility, with no start or enddateset outin
the contract,meaningthe project could
dragonindefinitely.
HoweverIcontinue to callonTeWhatu
Ora HealthNZtoprovide the services
theypromised to thiscommunity in 2019.
Theycommitted to after­hourshealth
carefrom 2022,soIbelieve theyshould be
honouringthis commitment,not expect
the growingcommunity to wait patiently
for another three years,ifnotlonger.
Irecently attendedthe Canterbury
EmployersChamber of Commerce retail
crime event to hearwhat is beingdone
aboutthe soaringrates of retailcrime.
With ram raids dominating the
headlines andeven reachingRangiora’s
High Street over thesummer, it’s vital
retailoperatorshaveconfidence
something is being done to addressthe
escalating problem.
Ourshopkeepers and other retail staff
deservetofeelsafeatwork, and we are
increasingly hearing theyare feeling
anything but safe.
Some of the stories are heart­breaking
andthe retail sector has rightlyhad
enoughofthis Government’sinaction.
We know all too well thetragic
outcomes antisocial behaviourcan lead
to,aswell as the trauma associated with
violenceand ram raids for thoseworking
in retail.
Localshopkeepershave everyright to
feel letdown by thisGovernment when
they continually readabout safety
measuresbeing rolled out in Auckland
andelsewhereinthe North Island, while
they liveinreal fear aboutwhat is
happening on their owndoorstep.
Thesebusinessowners aresimply
askingfor consequences forantisocial
activities, andsomeresourcestodealwith
them effectivelybeforethings get further
outofcontrol.
Lastlyitwasgood to catchupwith Alan
Turner of the AA at the start of theyear to
talk aboutwhat can be donetoadvocate
forthe Woodend Bypass.
TheAAand Isharearesolutepassion
formaking thisroutesafer, and
preventing the community of Woodend
from beingfurther divided by an
increasingly busy highway.
It’s goodtohavepeople like Alanon
board,and I’m sure we will be working
hard together thisyear to fight forthe
bypass.
Focus on
Waimakariri
with Mayor Dan Gordon
Spotlight on plan
It is already February, whichmeanswe
are well into the year.
The council has been looking closely
at our work programme for the year
ahead, and will be coming to you shortly
with our Draft Annual Plan.
The Annual Plan is our yearly work
programme and is an opportunity for
residents to have asay on the major
proposals affecting the District for the
coming year.
This year we are looking to keeprates
affordable, while ensuring the critical
work we do continues.
You would have seen recently there is
anew Ministerfor Local Government –
the Hon Kieran McAnulty.
The Minister has visitedthe District a
number of times and made apoint of
travelling the countrywhen he was the
Associate Minister of Local Government
to talk to provincial Councils about their
concerns –especially around Three
Waters.
It’s my sincere hope anew Prime
Minister and Minister for Local
Government will mean Three Waters is
paused until amoreacceptablemodel
can be agreed to.
Three Waters reform has been a
shambles from the start.
The sector was told reform was
voluntary,only to find out the decision
had already been made to mandate
participation.
Our feedback has beenignored
throughout, and the Scottish modelthey
have based the reform on isn’t fit for
New Zealand.
That said, it’s not toolate to rescue this
reform.
Communities 4Local Democracy as
well as the Mayors’ Consensus model are
both viable alternatives.
❛This year we are looking to
keep rates affordable, while
ensuring the critical work we
do continues.❜
—Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon
We are confident that our plans are in
line with what the majority of New
Zealanders want.
We’ve presented areform framework
thatisdirectly supported by nearly half
of councils in NewZealand, and is
aligned withthe viewsof the majority of
others.
Ihope the revamped Government
listens.
We will continue to advocate for a
better outcomenonetheless, whetherit’s
withthis Government or the next.
Over the weekend we celebrated
Waitangi Day. This really is awonderful
day for our country, our region, and our
district.
It fillsmewith so much pride when I
see the children of our district puton
suchincredible kapa haka
performances and Iwas lucky enough to
attend celebrations in both Kaiapoi and
Rangiora.
For me personally, Waitangi Day is a
day of reflection and acknowledgement
of the huge sacrifices made bymany to
bringustothe point we are at today.
Ihope you are all settling into the year
well.
As always, Iwelcome contact from
anyone who needs assistance or has an
issuethey may want to discuss.
Email me at dan.gordon@wmk.govt.nz
or phone 021906437. I’m here to help.
Dear Editor,
The current situation in Aucklandand the
Northern region, shouldbeawake up call
for the Hurunui DistrictCouncil.
The state of the Eastern Creekisa
disgrace,particularly from the bridge in
Osborne Street and through to the
Wineberry Bridge.
So totally over grown, you can'teven see
the water.
Same appliestothe over flow drain
This
Week
Sun
Fishing
Guide
Moon
Wind
Good
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday
Feb 9 Feb 10 Feb 11 Feb 12 Feb 13 Feb 14 Feb 15
Rise 6:40am
Set 8:45pm
Best
Times
3:47am
4:07pm
Set 9:35am
Rise 10:28pm
Moderate Sturning
E
Good
Rise 6:42am
Set 8:44pm
Best
Times
4:27am
4:48pm
Set 10:39am
Rise 10:47pm
Moderate E
strengthening
runningbeside the Adriel home driveway.
Attention has been brought to this
situation before, but all the council do is
clear the top vegetation once ayear and
that is only if it is brought to its attention.
Take the bull by the horns,have adigger
clear the drain completely,before, not
after, the district getsahuge amountof
rain.
If the council does not, and
procrastinates onceagain, we face the
Good
Rise 6:43am
Set 8:42pm
Best
Times
5:09am
5:30pm
Set 11:43am
Rise 11:07pm
Moderate E
strengthening
Good
Rise 6:44am
Set 8:41pm
Best
Times
5:52am
6:14pm
Set 12:50pm
Rise 11:29pm
Gentle Sbecoming
moderate E
Good
possibilityofabig flood around the
adjacentproperties, notunlike the current
situation up north.
Please act now,not wait, and say we
didn't know.
Your attention has beenbrought to a
pending forthcoming disaster. Act before
the wet weather arrives.
Yours,
Trevor StanleyJoblin
Amberley.
RANGIORA OCEAN WATCH
Rise 6:46am
Set 8:40pm
Best
Times
6:37am
7:02pm
Set 2:01pm
Rise 11:55pm
Moderate Sbecoming
fresh SE
Good
Rise 6:47am
Set 8:38pm
Best
Times
7:27am
7:54pm
Fresh SE turning
E
Good
Rise 6:49am
Set 8:37pm
Best
Times
8:23am
8:52pm
Set 3:14pm Rise 12:29am
Set 4:28pm
Moderate SE turning
E
The Northern Bulldogs RugbyLeague Club
are hosting aseries of pre­seasongames for
seniors on Saturday February25, starting
at 1pm at DudleyPark in Rangiora. All are
welcome to come alongand play.
The club is alsoholdinganinformation
and session/skills day for youth grades
under13and above, and are also seeking
anyone interestedinplaying in the
women'scompetitiononSunday February
26, from 1pm at Murphy Park, Kaiapoi, the
home of the NorthernBullldogs.
Swell
Pegasus Bay
Tide Chart
3
2
E0.8 m E0.7 m NE 1.0 m NE 1.4 m NE 1.6 m NE 1.8 m E2.0 m
3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9 3 6 9 NOON 3 6 9
1
0
Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows Highs Lows
Waimakariri 8:08am 2.2 1:59am 0.7 8:51am 2.2 2:39am 0.7 9:34am 2.2 3:21am 0.7 10:20am 2.2 4:06am 0.7 11:08am 2.2 4:56am 0.7 11:59am 2.2 5:50am 0.7 12:26am 2.2 6:46am 0.7
Mouth
8:34pm 2.1 2:24pm 0.7 9:17pm 2.1 3:05pm 0.7 10:01pm 2.1 3:47pm 0.7 10:46pm 2.2 4:32pm 0.7 11:34pm 2.2 5:20pm 0.7
6:11pm 0.7 12:52pm 2.2 7:04pm 0.6
Amberley 8:08am 2.2 1:59am 0.7 8:51am 2.2 2:39am 0.7 9:34am 2.2 3:21am 0.7 10:20am 2.2 4:06am 0.7 11:08am 2.2 4:56am 0.7 11:59am 2.2 5:50am 0.7 12:26am 2.2 6:46am 0.7
Beach
8:34pm 2.1 2:24pm 0.7 9:17pm 2.1 3:05pm 0.7 10:01pm 2.1 3:47pm 0.7 10:46pm 2.2 4:32pm 0.7 11:34pm 2.2 5:20pm 0.7
6:11pm 0.7 12:52pm 2.2 7:04pm 0.6
8:17am 2.2 2:08am 0.7 9:00am 2.2 2:48am 0.7 9:43am 2.2 3:30am 0.7 10:29am 2.2 4:15am 0.7 11:17am 2.2 5:05am 0.7
5:59am 0.7 12:35am 2.2 6:55am 0.7
Motunau 8:43pm 2.1 2:33pm 0.7 9:26pm 2.1 3:14pm 0.7 10:10pm 2.1 3:56pm 0.7 10:55pm 2.2 4:41pm 0.7 11:43pm 2.2 5:29pm 0.7 12:08pm 2.2 6:20pm 0.7 1:01pm 2.2 7:13pm 0.6
8:19am 2.2 2:10am 0.7 9:02am 2.2 2:50am 0.7 9:45am 2.2 3:32am 0.7 10:31am 2.2 4:17am 0.7 11:19am 2.2 5:07am 0.7
6:01am 0.7 12:37am 2.2 6:57am 0.7
Gore Bay 8:45pm 2.1 2:35pm 0.7 9:28pm 2.1 3:16pm 0.7 10:12pm 2.1 3:58pm 0.7 10:57pm 2.2 4:43pm 0.7 11:45pm 2.2 5:31pm 0.7 12:10pm 2.2 6:22pm 0.7 1:03pm 2.2 7:15pm 0.6
8:15am 1.5 2:02am 0.4 8:58am 1.5 2:45am 0.4 9:43am 1.5 3:29am 0.4 10:29am 1.5 4:16am 0.4 11:18am 1.5 5:06am 0.4
5:59am 0.4 12:33am 1.6 6:54am 0.3
Kaikoura 8:40pm 1.4 2:32pm 0.4 9:23pm 1.4 3:14pm 0.4 10:06pm 1.5 3:57pm 0.4 10:52pm 1.5 4:41pm 0.4 11:41pm 1.5 5:27pm 0.4 12:09pm 1.5 6:15pm 0.4 1:01pm 1.5 7:06pm 0.3
*Not for navigational purposes. Wind and swell are based on apoint off Gore Bay. Maori Fishing Guide by Bill Hohepa. www.ofu.co.nz www.tidespy.com Graphic supplied by OceanFun Publishing Ltd.
RANGIORA