The Star: April 18, 2024

Thursday April 18 2024 The Star
THE TUMULTUOUS
final term of Christchurch’s
longest serving local
government politician
has taken another twist,
with Helen Broughton
successfully resigning
as chair of a community
board at the second
attempt.
Broughton’s
stewardship of the
Waipuna Halswell-
Hornby-Riccarton Community
Board has been controversial
for much of the year.
She sought to stand
down as chair in March,
subject to remaining the
board’s spokesperson on
urban planning issues.
That move was
rejected, amid
claims the board
was dysfunctional,
particularly in its
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Broughton’s resignation accepted this time
THE TOP 10 most insured
pets in 2023 and the costliest
pet insurance claims have been
revealed by Southern Cross.
Renowned for their friendly
temperament and loyal
disposition, labradors, cavoodles
and golden retrievers came
out on top as the most popular
canine companions insured by
Southern Cross Pet Insurance in
terms of volume.
Domestic short hair, ragdoll,
and domestic medium hair
cats were also popular, with
their diverse personalities and
distinctive traits.
From January 1 to December
31, 2023, Southern Cross Pet
Insurance paid out a total
of $29.95 million in claims,
with some claims in excess of
$10,000.
Helen
Broughton
handling of contentious safety
improvements to the Church
Corner intersection.
Elected unopposed as chair
for the first time following
the 2022 local government
elections, Broughton faced
criticism in February when
first-term city councillor
and Halswell Ward board
representative Andrei Moore
wanted her role reviewed.
Broughton tendered her
resignation to city council
interim chief executive
Mary Richardson during the
board’s monthly meeting last
Tuesday.
She chairs her final meeting
on May 9, where a successor
will be chosen.
Broughton, who retires at
the end of this term in 2025,
has represented Riccarton on
the board since 1995 and also
served as a city councillor.
Favourite furry friends
Most insured pets and costliest claims
The top 10 pets insured
by number last year
were:
1. Domestic short hair cat
2. Labrador retriever
3. Cavoodle
4. Ragdoll cat
5. Domestic medium hair
cat
6. Golden retriever
7. Miniature schnauzer
8. Labrador cross
9. Labradoodle
10. Border collie
The most expensive
claims paid were:
Pug
Traumatic injury
$14,119
Border collie
Traumatic injury
$13,149
Labradoodle
Cancer (Haemangiosarcoma)
$12,652
Ragdoll
Traumatic injury
$12,023
English springer spaniel
Fracture
$11,444
Golden retriever
Foreign body – ingestion
$11,091
German shepherd
Tumour
$10,733
Leonberger
Kidney stones
$10,202
Dalmatian
Urinary bladder disorder
$10,192
WORTHY: Southern Cross has revealed the top 10 most insured pets in 2023 – and the
costliest pet insurance claims.
PHOTO: SOUTHERN CROSS
NEWS 3
In Brief
Rainbow crossing
decision celebrated
The city council’s decision to
investigate the installation of a
rainbow pedestrian crossing has
been welcomed by Christchurch’s
LGBTQIA+ community after
they launched a petition calling
for the visible sign of inclusion.
Community members were
surprised by councillors agreeing
last week to ask staff about the
likely cost of a crossing and
possible locations. “It sends such
a clear message to the queer
community in Christchurch.
It shows they’re out there, they
care, and want to do something
in response to all this hate,” said
Claude Tellick, who opened
the petition on March 28. It
had collected 1640 signatures
yesterday.
Towels likely to blame
for eatery blaze
A pile of freshly-laundered and
hot tea towels combusting is
believed to be the cause of a fire
which extensively damaged the
kitchen area of The Bridge bar
and eatery in Prebbleton early
yesterday. “At this stage we’re
looking at it being spontaneous
combustion,” said Fire and
Emergency New Zealand
investigator Mitchell Jeffery.
FENZ crews from Lincoln and
Wigram arrived at the Springs
Rd premises about 5am and took
about 40 minutes to bring the
blaze under control. The Bridge
co-owner Melissa Smith said the
business would reopen soon.
Historic drawings to
feature in exhibition
Architectural drawings of the
former State Insurance building
on Worcester St, one of the city’s
iconic landmarks, feature in an
exhibition at Tūranga showcasing
Cecil Wood’s talents. “We have a
variety of original drawings in the
exhibition, with the oldest from
1919 and others from the 1930s.
The plans are often proposals,
so some of the drawings aren’t
actually how the buildings ended
up,’’ said exhibition curator and
Canterbury University library
archivist Erin Kimber. Drawing
Connections runs until May 19.
BRIDIE'S BAR
Breakfast
Two free range eggs
and streaky bacon on
Hand to Hearth artisan
sourdough served with
a Vivace coffee
7am Mon-Fri | 8am Sat/Sun
$
12
BRIDIE'S BAR & BISTRO | 401 WORCESTER ST
PH (03) 260 0325 | WWW.BRIDIES.CO.NZ
We Make Funerals
Simple & Affordable
We pride ourselves on the very highest level
of service. If you are thinking about the future,
we can help you explore pre-payment and
pre-planning options.
Contact us for a Free Information Pack.
PROVIDING GENTLE GUIDANCE
WHEN YOU NEED IT MOST
christchurch.simplicity.co.nz
NINA ANDREWS
Dip FD. Reg FD.
Funeral Director
Christchurch | Corner of Coleridge St & Gasson St, Sydenham | Ph 03 379 0196