The Star: October 26, 2023

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The Star Thursday October 26 2023 22 SPONSORED CONTENT AFTER MORE than 20 years in the making, central government policy has set the direction for how we’re going to protect, and improve outcomes for threatened, endangered and significant species and habitats. As someone who has been heavily involved in communityled ecological restoration for more than 20 years in Canterbury, I wanted to share with you what this means for Canterbury, and all of Aotearoa. I’m excited to see the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity (NPS-IB) finally come to fruition. It is a significant step forward for how we better understand, value and manage our biodiversity and the species we share our home with. The NPS-IB was developed in response to the critical and declining state of our unique and indigenous biodiversity – the plants and animals that are unique and native to New Zealand. A Stats NZ report released earlier this year showed that more than 75 per cent of indigenous reptile, bird, bat and freshwater fish species in New Zealand are at risk of extinction. This includes the pekapeka – longtailed bat, kōtuku – white heron and kakī – black stilt, as well as some of our lesser-known species like the Canterbury knobbled weevil and the Lees Valley daisy. The NPS-IB applies to all public and private land in Aotearoa New Zealand. It sets a new standard for the way district councils, with help from regional councils (including Environment Canterbury), identify species and areas that are considered taonga. It outlines the need for all decision-makers to take a precautionary approach when considering adverse effects on our indigenous biodiversity, and requires councils to work in partnership with Māori, who are kaitiaki (guardians) of biodiversity. Simply put, it means councils are required to consider areas and habitats with significant indigenous biodiversity in all planning and decision-making processes. The NPS-IB also requires councils to take steps to ensure activities, like new developments, don’t have a negative impact on Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz A win for biodiversity and endangered species Environment Canterbury Deputy Chair Craig Pauling the population of our indigenous flora and fauna. At Environment Canterbury we’re passionate about protecting and enhancing our indigenous biodiversity and are already investing heavily in this space. We’re currently in the process of updating and revitalising our Canterbury Biodiversity Strategy, which we expect to be able to share with the community in the new year. Between July 2022 and June 2023, we supported almost 200 projects to enhance our biodiversity which has resulted in 45ha of native plantings, over PHOTO: STEVE ATTWOOD THREATENED: The black stilt and the white heron are among the 75 per cent of indigenous species at risk of extinction, according to Stats NZ. 45,000 plants, 41,000m of fencing, 83,000ha of weed control and almost 3000ha of active pest control. While the NPS-IB is a big win for biodiversity outcomes in Canterbury and Aotearoa, it also comes with challenges for us as a regional council as we work to balance competing priorities to maintain the good work that’s being done, with the work we know needs to be done to help future-proof the region. We’ll be exploring how to best do this over the next six months as we turn our attention to developing our next Long-Term Plan, which will guide us on the decisions we make over the next three years. We’ll also be working to develop our Regional Policy Statement, which will include some new biodiversity outcomes to align with the NPS-IB. You have an opportunity to have your say on what you value most, ahead of us having to make some tough decisions that will impact you and your whānau. For more information and to complete a survey that we’ll be running over the coming weeks, visit: ecan.govt.nz/ ourfuture COLLECTORS NEEDED Can you help us raise funds on Friday 10 or Saturday 11 November 2023? Help support one of our biggest events of the year, the Annual Appeal. We are looking for volunteers to collect donations at various locations through Ōtautahi Christchurch. If you can help, please get in touch via the email below to register! Thank you - we appreciate your support. How you can support: Donate! Scan the QR code, or visit: givealittle.co.nz/org/ Dementia-Canterbury Volunteer! Register to volunteer by emailing: appeal@dementiacanterbury.org.nz or phone 03 379 2590 extn 217 Full programme at www.vhc.co.nz
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Thursday October 26 2023 The Star GARDENING 23 Plant pumpkins and prune poppies now Vegetables Given rich soil, zucchini, marrows and pumpkin are easily grown in the home garden. Pumpkins need a hot, dry summer to do well, so this year looks promising for harvest. Bush marrows, such as Cocozelle di Napoli, require less room than the trailing types but zucchini are more popular than marrows, so seed of the latter can be difficult to obtain. Sow the seeds now in pots or seed boxes. Mini greenhouses, a little like an old-fashioned cold frame, are ideal for these tender vegetables, as is a bottomless box, with a square of glass set over the top and placed in the warmest part of the garden. Plants can be put in their permanent place from the end of the month, or once the likelihood of frost has passed. When fruits form, liquid manure will encourage good growth. Watering is needed only when the soil is dry in the plants’ earlier stages. Celery can be sown in the same way as marrows or pumpkins. Trenches can be prepared now for planting out early in December. Dump plenty of manure in the bottom of the trench and top with soil but leave the surface 5cm to 10cm lower than the surrounding garden to help retain moisture, as celery will quickly go to seed if the ground dries out. Flowers Outdoor fuchsias, Californian tree poppy (Romneya coulteri) and willows grown for bark effects can be pruned now. Cut them hard, trimming last year’s growth close to older wood. Young, rooted pieces can be taken from the outside of violet plants and the central portion of old clumps discarded. Violets do best in partial shade with rich, heavy soil. Herbaceous perennials, such as Michaelmas daisies, can still be increased by taking side growths with a few roots attached. Hardy annuals can be sown outdoors this month. Clarkia, Asters, nasturtiums, Calendula and sweet peas are good options. Dwarf sweet peas do not need staking. Little Sweetheart is one of the smallest, growing to 25cm, making it suitable for bedding, pots and hanging baskets. The soil for sweet peas should be welllimed and the ground worked to a fine crumb. Phosphate worked into the soil (30g per sq m) will give the seedlings a good start and a sturdy root system. Lawns that have become patchy because of grass grub damage or the removal of weeds on a large scale can be brought back to order with a dressing now of one part superphosphate, three parts sulphate of ammonia mixed and spread at the rate of 30g per sq m. Apply this mix now and in early autumn as growth restarts after summer. Mossy soil can be dressed with the same mixture, with the addition of a half-part of sulphate of iron to suppress moss. Some damage to the leaves of nearby grass will appear, but recovery is quick. Dwarf annuals for a rockery or the front of garden beds include Phacelia (blue shades), Nemophila (blue), Linum grandiflorum and Limnanthes (yellow). Linaria produces flowers resembling miniature PREPARE: Plants can be put in their permanent place from the end of the month as we near frost-free mornings. Pumpkins can be planted, and poppies – such as the Californian tree poppy – should be pruned now. PHOTOS: GETTY snapdragon on slender stems, 15cm-25cm high. Fruit Tomatoes can be planted now in unheated greenhouses. The ground or container mixture does not need to be over-rich, as fertilisers applied when the fruits set will provide a heavy crop to the ripening stage. The soil must be free from disease, though, and growing tomatoes in pots or bags of new mix each season is recommended. In autumn, put the soil on the vegetable garden. Avoid over-watering young tomato plants during the first few weeks, as this can damage their roots. ORCHID SALE ONE DAY ONLY Saturday 28th October 9am – 5pm Sales from Local & Nationwide Growers Eftpos available for plant sales Admission $2 Cash entry Canterbury Mineral & Lapidary Club Hall 110 Waltham Rd oN sAle Now! Now only $35.80 Plus $5 P&H per copy AvAilAble from stAr mediA: Level One, 359 Lincoln Road Addington, Christchurch Phone 379 7100 Supplying Growers Since 1981 HARFORD DOMESTIC HOME GARDENER RANGE • Galvanised Steel Frame • Treated Timber Base • Single Skin Covers • Head Height 2.4m Options – Kitset ONLY or Constructed by Harford Greenhouses Options - Pickup / Delivered to Site Sizes – 2.6m Wide Range - 4m, 6m or 8m long 3.4m Wide Range - 4m, 6m, 8m, 10m or 12m long CALL US ON 03 385 5150 OR 0508 HARFORDS (0508 427 367) 2589623 Are you ready to grow? For real Kiwi gardeners who like to get their hands dirty. Pay less for your favourite magazine to be home-delivered! Subscribe & save up to 26 % Subscriptions 0800 624 295 kiwigardenermagazine.co.nz
Page 1 and 2: Thursday, October 26, 2023 | Christ
Page 3 and 4: COCHLEAR IMPLANTS have changed the
Page 5 and 6: Latest Canterbury news at starnews.
Page 9 and 10: Thursday October 26 2023 The Star L
Page 11 and 12: Thursday October 26 2023 The Star 1
Page 21: Latest Canterbury news at starnews.
Page 25 and 26: Classifieds Select Services Trades
Page 27 and 28: The Star Classifieds Charitable Tru
Page 29 and 30: , WHAT S ON To add a listing, conta
Page 31 and 32: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2023 www.star

The Star: October 26, 2023

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?