North Canterbury News: February 15, 2024

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4 2 The Get in touch NEWS North Canterbury News, February 15, 2024 Wouldyou like to reachmore customersand grow your profits? With coverage throughoutNorth Canterbury and reaching 64,000 readersevery week, wecan help yougrow! Contactustoday to findout more. Managing Editor Robyn Bristow 027 312 1581 robyn.bristow@ncnews.co.nz Reporters ShelleyTopp 027 404 6137 John Cosgrove 021 195 0284 Advertising Amanda Keys 027 536 6224 amanda.keys@ncnews.co.nz Jo Padgett 027 482 0733 jo.padgett@ncnews.co.nz Phone:03313 2840 or 03 314 8335 14 AshleyStreet, Rangiora www.starnews.co.nz Editorial: info@ncnews.co.nz Advertising: sales@ncnews.co.nz Distribution:deliveries@alliedpress.co.nz WE NEED YOU! Deliverersrequired forthe North Canterbury News To South Island Distribution Manager P: 029 983 2293 E: mark.kelly@mainlanddistribution.co.nz Capturing the magic of nature BySHELLEY TOPP Aphoto of abanded dotterel taken by Don Parish at the AshleyRakahuri River,has won the open section of the inaugural Waimakariri Nature Photo Competition. The judges,Steve Attwood and Tracey Borgfeldt, said the photo capturesa magic moment as the bird is reflected while feeding, tellingagreat story about this bird in its environment. The winning image of the junior section, taken by Olivia Woodcock in North Loburn, alsocame in for high praise from the judges. ‘‘This photo comes through as the winner because it is very strong in terms of story telling. ‘‘The mating damsel flies, and egg laying capturesthis wetlandscene so well.’’ The competition, which attracted about 100 entries, ran during the Christmas/New Year School holidays to promote Pest Free Waimakariri, a Waimakariri District Council greenspace team initiative which was established in October lastyear. Pest Free Waimakariri’s ranger Richard Chambers said manypeople in Waimakariri are working to make the district's natural places better for wildlife, so the aim of the competition was to encourage people to get out over summer and spendtime enjoying them. ‘‘We had alot of photos from the rivers and estuaries of the area, butalsomany from people's own gardenswhich was great,’’ he said. Council greenspace team spokesman Mike Kwant said the public response to the competition was tremendous. ‘‘The photographs reveal the diversity of life that make their home in our district and emphasisethe importance of looking after the natural habitats which they depend on for their survival. ‘‘Where possible we need to look beyond protecting these reserves and take practical steps to enhance and extend them,’’ he said. ‘‘There is alsothe added value of learningabout the plants and animals that live there. ‘‘The experience of visiting our natural greenspacesisthat much more rewarding with that knowledge which justteases curious minds to know more.’’ The judges were pleased to see ahigh standard of entries. ‘‘At the top end, we were really challenged to choosebetween the winner and the runnersup.’’ For this reason afew highlycommendedprizes were added to the competition. They alsosaid they hoped the competition would become an annual event. ‘‘Competitions such as this encourage people to get out and learn what natural treasuresthey have in their own community,’’ Steve said. ‘‘That leads to abetter understanding of what is there and greater awareness leads to more support for reserves and native species conservation so our childrenand grandchildren will still have these beautiful plant and animal species and special landscapes to enjoy.’’ Tracey said it would be great to see the competition become aregular event. ‘‘I would love to see more entries in the youth section. For its first time up, the competition attracted some amazing photos and Ican only see it getting better and expanding and creating that closer relationship between people and the wonderful place we are lucky enough to live in.’’ They also had some words of encouragement for the photographers whose images did not win aprize. ‘‘Join aphotographic club and keep getting out there and taking photos. The more you do, the better you get, and spending time sitting and observing while you wait for that perfect shot is a great way to really engage with the environment.’’ Results were: Open: Don Parish, Banded Dotterel, AshleyRakahuri River 1, Ann Coates, ‘Stepping Up’, Banded Dotterel chick, taken at the mouth of the Ashley Rakahuri River 2, Graham Fisher ‘Stretching My Wings at Sunrise’,Little Egret, Taranaki Reserve, Ashley Rakahuri River 3. Highly commended: Cindy Signal, Royal Spoonbill, AshleyRakahuri Estuary; Graham Fisher, Dragonfly, Kaiapoi Lakes. Youth: Olivia Woodcock, Damsel flies, North Loburn 1, Lyla Powell, Waterside Pukeko, Fernside 2, Ben Woodcock, Young fantail, North Loburn. Hurunui ratepayers to face rate hikes By DAVID HILL LocalDemocracy Reporter Hurunui ratepayerscan expect hefty rate rises over the next two years. Average rate rises of 12.41 percent for this year, and 14.14% for next year (2025/26) have been signalled in the Hurunui District Council’s draft Long Term Plan. Speaking at an extraordinarycouncil meeting on Tuesday, chief financial officer Jason Beck said he expected the rates rise to drop below 5% in 2026/27. He said the proposed rate rises are in line with other councils and reflected the significant cost increases and impacts of regulatory changes the council faced. The council was also continuing to upgradeits three waters infrastructure over the next two years. Deputy Mayor Vince Daly questioned whether ‘‘rates smoothing’’ could be introduced to spread the impact of rate increases over the next three years. ‘‘A lot of people are on fixed incomes, so Ithink we need to look at balancing it out instead of having two big rates increases and then going under 5%.’’ 2413623 INDOOR BOWLS NEW MEMBERS WELCOME Mr Beck said some form of ‘‘rates smoothing’’ was possible by spreading out debt repayments. ‘‘It can be done. It doesn't move the cost, but it moves the funding of the cost from the rates in year one out to years two and three.’’ Chief executive Hamish Dobbie said he was not in favour of ‘‘ratessmoothing’’. ‘‘We’ve done it before and something else always happens, and we end up having to push the rates up to cover extra debt.’’ An expenditureof$368.6 million was proposed over the next 10 years, with roading ($160.8 million) the biggest expense, followed by three waters ($142.6 million) and other capital expenditure including the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools &Spa ($65.2 million). Mr Beck said funding social housing was also proving to be aheadache. The initial budget allowed for a10% yearly rent increase, but this was found to be unsustainable and has been reduced to 5%. Social housing ownership will be reviewed as part of the LongTerm Plan consultation. Starts: t Runs every Monday until end ofSeptember Monday 26 th February 113 Raven Quay, Kaiapoi at 6.45pm For further information, please call Mary Wills on 021 047 4130 or 03 327 8561. 26 65064 2 ‘‘We have asocial conscience, so we want to have the provision of social housing, but we need to lookatwhat our long term commitment is,’’ Mayor Marie Black said. The council’s debt level was expected to peak at $142 million in 2030/31, before dropping back to $116 million in 2033/34. This equates to adebt to revenue ratio of as high as 161.29%, so is dependant on a change in the Treasury policy which limits it to 125%, Mr Beck said. The council will meet again on March 26 to adopt the draft Long Term Plan for consultation. APPRENTICE TRUCK DRIVER LIVESTOCK Class 2or4 We are looking for an Apprentice Livestock driver to join our ruraltransport company.GVT is basedinWaipara, North Canterbury servicinglocalcustomers and travelling throughout theSouth Island.Inreturn we will help you develop your skills andprogress youthrough your truck licences as yourexperience develops. Keycompetencies: •Must have aclean, full car licencefor atleast 6 months(eligible to sitclass 2L) Class 4or5would be beneficial. •Live in North Canterbury •Have some ruralexperience drivingtractors and or animal handling •Training will be given to the right applicant. •Duties will be varied and willdependonthe successful applicant’sexperience Ideally you wouldlive locallyand have some work experience in therural sector. If you are interested in this job pleasesendacovering letter and yourCVtomarco@landline.co.nz or call Marcoon0274965 850
NEWS The North Canterbury News, February 15, 2024 Country music and passionate followers By JOHN COSGROVE Combining her two passions in life — country music and knitting —allows Julie Ridgway to knit alot of items for charities as she attends country music festivals across the country. ‘‘I love sitting here listening to the music and knitting, it helps me relax,’’ she says. Julie was one of nearly 300 keen country music fans who packed the hall at the Rangiora Showgrounds for three days to attend the second Waimakariri Country Music Festival in Rangiora. Organiser Kevin Taylor says it was a perfect event and it was well received by the hundreds who had travelled to the festival. ‘‘They came from the top of the North Island to Invercargill, we even had a visiting Canadian tourist stop in and take part.’’ He says the festival is now part of a circuit which starts in midJanuary in Nelson, and then works its way down to Gore. ‘‘Enthusiasts travel around in motor homes and caravans,wehad 68 of them parked up here over the weekend.’’ Kevin says it’s the friendlinessofall the people and their passion for country music which makes the festival so special. ‘‘We had agood lineup of Canterbury singers on show and the run list for performers was always packed.’’ Terry Johnson of Gore, loves travelling and meeting new people as he travels the My time ... Julie Ridgway knitting for charity during the Waimakariri Country Music Festival in Rangiora. PHOTOS: JOHN COSGROVE circuit shooting videos of performances for friends. ‘‘It’s fun travelling around attending the shows and soon we’re off to Mosgiel for the Silver Peaks show.’’ Kevin says many have rebooked for next year and he knows of alarger 3 My turn soon ... Waiting his turn to play at the festival was Trevor Rigby of Christchurch, who took up country music 10 years ago. contingent planning to come from Gore to next year's country music festival in Rangiora. All Together Kaiapoi brings down the curtain By SHELLEY TOPP Waimakariri District Mayor, Dan Gordon has praised the ‘‘fantastic work’’ done in the Kaiapoi Community by All Together Kaiapoi. His comments come as the group plans to call it aday All Together Kaiapoi made apublic announcement at this year’s Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Family Festival in Trousselot Park that it would be their last. The volunteers, who have organised many events for the riverside town includes chair Jackie Watson, Linda Dunbar, Brent and Shirley Cairns, Sara Green, Kath Adams and Anna Paterson, plus Kaiapoi’s school principals, Jason Miles, Hayden van Lent, Jason Reid and Trish McKendry. Mr Gordon opened the festival and said the event was tinged with sadness as this year’s event would be the last event that All Together Kaiapoi, in its current form, would be holding. ‘‘I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work done in the Kaiapoi Community by All Together Kaiapoi,’’ he said. ‘‘Since the organisation’s inception after the earthquakes, it has held wonderful events and brought the whole town together. ‘‘The success of this group is ultimately down to coordinator Linda Dunbar, chairperson Jackie Watson and the trustees. ‘‘I would also like to make special mention of the late Chris Greengrass who was the initiator of All Together Kaiapoi and responsible for many of the events it held over the years,’’ he said. Mr Gordon hopes there may be interest from other community groups in Kaiapoi to take up the running of these events. ‘‘It is my understanding discussions are under way in this regard.’’ Event organisers ... Members of the All Together Kaiapoi team, from left Shirley Cairns, Jackie Watson, Linda Dunbar, Sara Green and Brent Cairns, during the Kaiapoi Waitangi Day Festival in Trousselot Park on Tuesday last week. PHOTO: SHELLEY TOPP Lot 3, FixedPrice$925,000 FixedPrice Rangiora Packages With Guaranteed BuildTimes AvailableNow. Lot 91, FixedPrice$875,000 House Land Bedrooms 193m 2 469m 2 3 NewHome Design Centre 138 Kippenberger Avenue, Rangiora 021 055 9546 Opening Hours Wednesday-Friday12-4pm, Sunday12-3pm or by appointment House Land Bedrooms 180m 2 435m 2 4
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