North Canterbury News: April 18, 2024

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22 North NEWS Canterbury News, April 18, 2024 Locals feature in documentary By SHELLEY TOPP An environmental documentary featuring 13 North Canterburypeople will be screened at Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas. The awardwinning documentary Milk and Water explores the contentious issue of waterway contamination in New Zealand from the perspective of an outsider, the film’s Californianborn director Ian Spilman. The film gives individuals from opposing sides of the waterway contamination debate the opportunity to have their say, providing space for conflicting ideas, and the opportunity to seek common ground. It also explores innovative farming technologies, agrowing divide between urban and rural communities, the detrimental and positive effects of agricultural irrigation and how regulation influences river health. The film is part of the director’s Better Ancestors: Change Makers documentary series. Five additional short films from this serieswill be shown afterMilk and Water has screened. The shortfilms update some of the issues covered in Milk and Water, which was made in 2019, including regenerative dairy farming,the humanhealth impacts of nitrates in drinking water, water bottling legal battles, and the importance of sustainability education in schools. Ian says screeningMilk and Water in Rangiora is especially significant for him because it is near where one of the people featured in the film, Tim Hawke (now retired), farmed at White Rock ‘‘and so kindly showed me the many environmentally focused/regenerative changes he was making’’, on his property. The documentary also features interviews with other North Canterbury people, Sam Mahon,Ben Kepes, George and Marianne McLean, Nick Hamilton, John McCaskey, Paul Daly, Scott Pearson, Amy Duckworth, Rob Flynn, Gen de Spa and Julia McLean. Ian believes that because Rangiora is arural town, much of what is discussed throughout the film will be ‘‘especially poignant to many of itsresidents, whether they are directly affected by the bad water conditions in the rivers making them unsuitable for swimming, or because many of themmay be sourcing their drinking water from rural bores, many of which contain unhealthy levels of nitrate’’. Making Milk andWater and the other Better Ancestors: Change Makers series of films has shown Ian that ‘‘farmers are incredibly resourceful, kind and intelligent people, andthey have the opportunity to, through their work, not only feed people but become champions of sustainability as well’’. However, he believes if serious improvements to New Zealand’s river health are to be made waterway contamination needs to be tackled from every angle. ‘‘We need better regulation for stockingrates and limits on the use of synthetic fertiliser, we need better data collection and presentation methods, collectingfrom more sites and presenting the data in more meaningful ways that show the bigger picture, and we need to positively nurture and encourage the transition towards regenerative farming practices without tearing farmers down.’’ The Milk andWater film evening at Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas will be held on Sunday, April 28, starting at 6.30pm, will also include aquestionandanswer session with Ian after the films. Tickets cost $15 each andcan be purchased at Rangiora Town Hall Cinemas, with 25% of the proceeds going to Aotearoa Water Action. Business breakfast North Canterburybusiness people are invited to have breakfast with one of New Zealand’s leading economists. Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen will be the keynote speaker at a free breakfast on Tuesday, April 30, at MainPower Stadium in Rangiora from 7am to 9am. Mr Olsen is frequently featured as an economic commentator in the media and is passionate about meaningful change at alocal level. He will share his expertise on emerging trends and the evolving landscape of North Canterbury and New Zealand’s business and social sectors, and how population and employment trends will shape the North Canterbury workforce in the years to come. The breakfast is organisation by North Canterbury CanterburyYouth Futures, a partnership between the Waimakariri and Hurunui District Councils, Ministry of Social Development, local secondary schools and ComCol North Canterbury to help bridge the gap between school and careers and training. To register go to ncyf.co.nz or the Humanitix website. Māori reconnecting with the night sky ByDAVID HILL Local Democracy Reporter Mana whenua are rediscovering a connection with the night sky, a Māori astronomer says. Māori never forgot the importance of the celestial sky, but like so many living in an urban environment, their view of the night sky is increasingly obscured by bright lights, says Victoria Campbell. Ms Campbell,who represents three Rūnanga on the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky ReserveTrust board, said her fascination for the stars was reignited while camping in the Mackenzie country. Dark sky movements are under way in Oxford and Kaikōura, while other Canterbury communities are having conversations including in Hanmer Springs, Christchurch and the Selwyn district. ‘‘It hasn’t been forgotten, but it has been impacted by lifestyle changes,’’ she said. ‘‘A lot of us haven’t taken the opportunitytophysicallyconnect with our night sky, but there is agrowing enthusiasm. ‘‘Being acity dweller myself, it wasn’t until Iwent to the dark sky reserve and to dark places in our takiwā (territory) that Irealised the importance of protecting our the night sky.’’ Knowledge of the celestialrealm was traditionally kept at ahapū or local level, but was underpinnedbyiwi values. In the days before calendars, it was used by to mark the seasons and to remind people when to hunt and when to plant crops, Ms Campbell said. The knowledge has been retained in following traditions, such as tītī or muttonbirdhunters. ‘‘From aNgāiTahu perspective, we view things collectively when we look at the natural world and that includes the celestial ream, and we have whakapapa whichconnects us to the stars. ‘‘Engaging with the celestialsky has been important for millennia.Inpre European times there were schools of learning aroundthe night sky for the transmission of knowledge from one generation to another.’’ Thereisagrowing enthusiasmamong Māori to learn more about astronomy and the evolving stars and planets, Ms Campbell said Today Rūnanga are engaging in addressing light pollution and sharing cultural narratives,where capacity allows. The Kaikōura community has been actively working towards dark sky sanctuary status,which is known as the International DarkSky Association’s Connections ... Māori never forgot the importanceofthe ‘‘celestial sky’’, says adark skies advocate. PHOTO: SUPPLIED BY RAUL ELIASDRAGO gold standard. Ms Campbell said Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura has been in regular contact with her as the dark sky movement in the town developed. Protecting the night sky has multiple benefits beyond astronomy and preserving traditionalknowledge, including improving human health, protecting wildlife and boosting local economies. Reducing light pollution can be achieved by turning lights downwards and by shielding light. The ultimate goal is for New Zealand to become adark sky nation. ‘‘It would be abig achievement and it is achievable,’’ Ms Campbell said. ‘‘It would drive tourism and we would have severe mana across the globe.’’ LDR is local body journalism cofunded by RNZ and NZ On Air. LINCOLN UNIVERSITY Postgraduate InformationEvening Thursday 2 May, 5.30pm to 7.30pm Stewart Building, Lincoln University To register scanthe QR code or visit www.lincoln.ac.nz/info-eve SCAN TO REGISTER
NEWS North Canterbury News, April 18, 2024 23 Spotlight on rate rises in council planning By DAVID HILL Local Democracy Reporter Rates are in the spotlight as North Canterburycouncils consult on their Long Term Plans. Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) called the Government last month to return the GST collected on rates to councils in a bid to reduce funding pressures. Ratepayers around the country are facing hefty rate rises due to the cost of living crisis. Hurunui ratepayers are facing an average 12.37 percent rates rise, compared with Waimakariri 8.9%, Christchurch 13.24%, Kaikōura 14.5% and Environment Canterbury24.2%. LGNZ president Sam Broughton said the Government collected $1.04 billion in GST on rates. ‘‘We need arange of levers to address the funding and financing challenges in front of us. Alongside returning GST on rates, we’ve also put an accommodation levy, GST sharing on new builds, congestion charging and tourist levies on the table. ‘‘With homeownersfacing average rates rises of 15%, it is important the Government gives councils more levers to sustainably fund our cities and towns. ‘‘Returning the GST from rates is an excellent place to start.’’ During Environment Canterbury’s recent Long Term Plan deliberations, deputy chairperson Craig Pauling called on the Government to heed the advice from last year’s Future for Local Government panel report. Dan Gordon SPORTSRESULTS ‘‘The local government funding model is broken and we hope the Government reads the report and picks up some of the recommendations. ‘‘Councils have done agood job at keeping rates down, while Government has taken more and more.’’ The report noted councils rates have remained at around 2% of GDP between 1895 and 2015, based on Productivity Commission data. Taxes from central government ‘‘as a percentage of GDP has risen over time’’ from around 7% in 1895 to around 30%, the report says. New Zealand has one of the most centralised tax systems in the world, with central Government collecting 93% of taxes, leaving just 7% shared between the councils. Cr Pauling said allowing councils to Rates rise ... Environment Canterbury is contemplating one of the highest average rates rises in the country, at 24.2%. PHOTO: FILE retain the GST collected on rates and charging rates on Crown land would help to ease the burden. Local Government Minister Simeon Brown said the Government is considering sharing aportion of GST collected on new residential builds with councils, but not the sharing GST on rates. ‘‘It has been alongstanding policy to exempt central Government buildings such as schools and hospitals from paying rates, and this is not something the Government is planning on changing.’’ The Crown does pays rates on Kāinga Ora housing, administrative buildings occupied by the Crown, buildings for emergency and correctional services (police, the courts, corrections facilities, fire services) and defence properties. Hurunui District Council chief executive Hamish Dobbie said his council was keen to receive feedback on the draft Long Term Plan, especially from those who support it. ‘‘People tell us what they don’t want, but we want to hear what they do want. Do they want us to be spending more on roading and to carry on meeting the regulatory standards for Three Waters?’’ Consultation on Hurunui’s draft Long Term Plan closes on April 29, with the Kaikōura District Council’s consultation closing on April 30. Consultation has closed for the Waimakariri District Council’s and Environment Canterbury’s Long Term Plans. RangioraBridge Club Autumn Colours Paris: North/South: Sharyn Rudolph/Sue McIlroy 1, Judy Bruerton/Julie Day 2, Christine Sweeney/ Janene Mussen 3. E/W: Jenny Hassall/ Gaynor Hurford 1, Lynda Cameron/David Rainey 2, Janelle Crawley/Lesley Shipley 3. Rimu Pairs: N/S: Jenny Story/Peter Story 1. Richard Luisetti/Judith Driver 2. Heather Waldron/Veronica Hall 3. E/W: Gaynor Hurford/Lynda Grierson 1, Pam McAllister/Nita Sheasby 2, Robin Hassall/Dawn Simpson 3. Junior Evening: N/S: Kate Whitehead/ Anne Bagrie 1, Julie Smith/Ben Prain 2, Annette Caldwell/Gail Dunlop 3. E/W: Richard Cottrell/Susan Kinley 1, Margriet Dijkstra/Helen Kenna 2, Dani Crotty/Alison Howie 3. Autumn Tournament: N/S: Sue Southen/Pam Tibble 1, Leaonie Tregenza/Mary Banks 2, Bunty Marshall/ Shirley Symns 3. E/W: Jenny Hassall/ Linda Hanham 1, Liz Duke/Jenny Shore 2, Nancy Harris/Maggie Johnston 3. Autumn Pairs: N/S: Penny Fisher/Alan Blackie 1, Robin Hassall/Dawn Simpson 2, Sarah Waldron/Sue McIlroy 3. E/W: Liz Partridge/Marion Lomax 1, Lesley Smith/ Lorraine Tullett 2, Janet Apperley/Mark Apperley 3. Amberley Golf Club April 13: IHolding 69, RLester 70, J Dunlop 70, ARowe 71, KPercy 71, J Morgan 73. Excel Design Build Longest Putt: I Holding. 2’s: BBalderstone, BFitzgerald, RClifton, GDunlop, SHartley. Mid Week Men: J Wigley 41, GD’Aernge 40, J Byrne 39, KGussette 39, J Burrows 39. 2’s:DFlewellen. Longest Putt .K Gussette. Mid Week Women: Pairs stableford:C Burrows and J Murphy 77, DYates and L Willy 73. 2’s:KPepper J Morgan. Longest Put: RLester. LGU winner for April DBanton 67. Moles Trophy: KPercy and BScott. Nine holers: J Evans 32, WChisnall 35, OPatchett 38. Ladies LGU Winner: MCottier 33. V Crooks 36. Rangiora Bridge Club Easter Holiday Pairs: North/South: Sue Solomons/Craig Shannahan 1, Jenny Shore/Murray Messervy 2, Judith Driver Tony Biddington 3. Easter Open Pairs: N/S: Helen Thornburgh/Julie Day 1, Stuart Atkinson/ Wayne Hutchings 2, Marion Lomax/ Pauline Miller 3. E/W: David Rainey/Barry Smart 1, Carol Swailes/Geoff Swailes 2, Tom Rose/ Rona Maslowski 3. Autumn Pairs: N/S: Mark Apperley/ Janet Apperley 1, Trevor Proffitt/ Lorraine Proffitt 2, Diane Findley/Robyn Findlay 3. E/W: Derek Wilson/Kevin Kuch 1, Jean Fahey/Andrea Dempsey 2, Alan Blackie/Murray Messervy 3. Waimakariri Gorge Golf Nett: 18 Holes: KRedwood 67, R Pilbrow –68, NWeavers –72c/b. Nearest to Pin –No4for 2–NWeavers. Longest Putt –No15–MRobertson. 9Holes: J Smith –30, VMackenzie 34. Amberley Golf April 6: SHartley 67, PNaylor 67, H Murray 67, SHeslop 68, J Reardon 68, G Dunlop 68, RHornblow 69, RClifton 69, R Denby 69. Excel Design Longest Putt: KPepper April mid week men: IHolding 45, M Beckwith 43, J Stringleman 42, G D’Avernge 41, GWilliams 41, DSmith 40. Twos: LWiddowson, GWilliams, R Clifton. Longest Putt: RJamieson. April Mid Week Women: Best Nett: K Pepper 65, DBarton 67, BScott 70, J Rouse 72. Fewest Putts: KPepper 27, J Bishop 28. Nine Holers Champs: MCarpenter 29, PGarlick 33, RHayward 35. Stableford: CBrown 23, VCrooks 22, J Coberger 19. Amberley Gun Club KQuigley 99.5, MQuigley 98.5, MBlack 98.3, WParker 98.1, PWisheart 96.4, K Brown 95.1. Amberley club is open and beginners are welcome with all gear supplied. 2647967
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