The Star: August 31, 2023

Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
New way to manage memberships
BOOKING CLASSES and
managing memberships at the
city council’s recreation and
sport centres is now a lot easier.
The city council has
introduced a new and improved
way to book experiences at its
recreation and sport centres on
its new website.
“Our customers have asked
for a way to make online
payments and bookings, and
now they can – anywhere and
A RURAL-minded huntaway
who heads to work in
Christchurch with its owner
has been named a runner-up in
New Zealand’s top office dog
competition.
Koozer, from Amberley,
travels to ‘work’ at Airpark
Canterbury in the city with his
owner Graeme Harris.
“Koozer helps the staff destress.
When I arrive at the
office, the staff first ask, ‘where’s
Koozer?’,” said Harris.
“He has his own bed in
the office and water bowls
everywhere, he attends all the
meetings, and when staff feel
stressed or have anxiety, they
will cuddle him.
“Koozer is at work all day,
every day, and wanders around
the office visiting the staff and
customers.
“He seems to pick up on
people’s energy and knows when
they need love and affection.
His love is unconditional and
non-judgemental, he has this
effect that teleports staff into
his presence and into this deep
connection that takes them away
from their present stresses and
transcends them into a calm
space.”
anytime they like,” says city
council head of recreation,
sports and events Nigel Cox.
“The improvements include
the ability to book group fitness
classes, sign up and manage
memberships, and organise
swimming lessons.”
Other features of the new
system include the ability to
view and change direct debit
details and purchase multi-visit
passes. Parents are also able to
Nearly 400 dogs across New
Zealand, including The Bachelor
star, Christchurch-based Jordan
Mauger’s dog Indiana Bones,
vied for two titles across two
classes. Indiana Bones, and
another Christchurch hopeful,
Emily Steele’s Maximilian,
missed out on the top spots.
The top office dog was Terry
the Terrier from Taupo.
track their child’s Swimsmart
progress.
“The new site allows us
to track the demand for
programmes and activities
– which means we can make
adjustments in real-time, to
make the most of the space
and resources at our facilities
and provide the classes,
programmes and lessons that
our customers want,” said Cox.
• To get started, visit
recandsport.ccc.govt.nz
Top office dog runner-up
Koozer a rural huntaway
ON THE JOB: Koozer with Airpark Canterbury staff Lexi Monaghan Neutze and CJ
Hessels, and with owner Graeme Harris.
Thursday August 31 2023 The Star
NEWS 3
In Brief
Man charged with
causing death
Aaron Wayne Carter, 49, has
appeared in court charged with
causing death of Graham Louis
Rouse, 76, while in charge of a
motor vehicle when his blood
contained evidence of using
a controlled drug. The crash
happened on State Highway 7,
near Culverden, on February 24
this year. Carter was also charged
with injuring Rouse’s wife, Janine
Rouse. His next appearance will
be in the Christchurch District
Court on September 12.
Coroner rules shooting
was justified
Coroner Sue Johnson has ruled
that police officers who fatally
shot Darfield man Donald Ineson
were justified in their actions
as they had an “honest and
reasonable” belief he was a threat
to them and other people. At an
inquest into his death his wife
“questioned” the information
the officers who fired the fatal
shots were given on the day –
claiming there was a “difference”
in what she told a 111 call-taker
and what was passed on to police
who attended. But Coroner Sue
Johnson was satisfied the police
“received sufficient information to
conclude Ineson posed a threat”
and did not act outside the law.
The 56-year-old father-of-two
was killed after police responded
to reports he was threatening
his family with a firearm in
November 2018.
Take A Kid Fishing
cancelled
The annual Take A Kid Fishing
event has been cancelled this
year due to the risk of hatcheryreared
commercial-origin
salmon escaping and mixing
with wild salmon, which
would not be approved under
the revised national policy.
Kids Fishing Charitable Trust
manager Dale Coulter said their
main concern was to “ensure
the safety and happiness of the
thousands of children and their
families” and they would be
working to reinstate the event in
2024.
Time
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