The Star: January 15, 2026

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Thursday, 15 January 2026 | Christchurch’s best read and largest circulating newspaper
Bowls brothers bask
in national glory – page 17
Feedback
sought on
contentious
bus lanes
​BY DYLAN SMITS
Sheraton hotel
milestone a sight
for sore eyes
BY GEOFF SLOAN
The window panels are being
installed this week at one of
city’s most well-known hotels,
which has been sitting derelict
for nearly 15 years.
After being badly damaged
in the earthquakes, the
new five-star Sheraton
Christchurch on Oxford Tce,
formerly known as Noah’s
Hotel in the 1970s and more
recently as Rydges, is slowly
being rebuilt.
The quake-strengthening
work is almost complete and
work is now under way on
the interior design of the $150
million hotel transformation.
The new 240-room Sheraton
will have a strong focus on
food and beverage offerings.
The first two levels of the
14-storey building will
have function rooms and
an array of dining options
overlooking the Ōtākaro Avon
River.
The hotel will also feature
the city’s highest rooftop bar
and a top-floor presidential
suite.
The Sheraton Christchurch
is scheduled to open in
mid-2027.
​The growing pains of a major
route upgrade are being felt by
motorists.
Halswell Rd’s new bus lanes
have resulted in a volley of
complaints to Banks Peninsula
MP Vanessa Weenink.
She told The
Star most days
she is contacted
by residents
concerned about
the danger of
merging ahead
of the bus lane
sections. Some
also questioned
if the bus lanes
should allow
regular traffic to
reduce travel times.
One option suggested to
Vanessa
Weenink
Weenink, to balance the needs
of buses and cars, is turning
some or all of the Halswell
Rd bus lanes into T2 or T3
lanes.
T2 and T3 lanes allow access
to vehicles carrying a minimum
of two or three occupants
respectively.
The lanes would still have bus
access.
The bus lane sections
between Dunbars and Curletts
Rds were added as part of
the wider $60m upgrade to
Halswell Rd, but only the
section between Dunbars Rd
and Augustine Dr operates 24/7.
› Continued on Page 4
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2 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
inside
Give your bus driver a wave.....................................3
Canadian sentenced for child abuse pictures..........5
Chch congestion woes and what can be done..... 6-7
Dedicated Orion operator pulls the plug...................9
Tourism numbers up across the city......................10
Readers’ letters........................................................14
First game looms for S.I United........................ 18-19
Classified...........................................................28-30
Gig guide.................................................................31
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this weekend
Manu Competition –
Te Hāpua Halswell
Summer Pool
Saturday, noon-2pm
Join the manu action to be in with a chance to
become the city’s manu champion. Pack your togs,
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epic afternoon of competition and prizes. Standard
pool entry prices apply.
Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre
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Until April 30, 10am-5pm
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ticket. Adults $39.50, children 5-15 $12.50.
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Sunday, 1-5pm
Enjoy an afternoon
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The line-up starts with
Drummie Dan, followed by indie rock specialists
The Haizys, Hannah Everingham, The Kay
Duncan Band, and Adam Hattaway and The
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Godley House Gardens, Diamond Harbour
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Saturday, 10am-1pm
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starnews.co.nz
NEWS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 3
Noah, Isla still on top in baby name game
For the third year running, Noah
was the most popular name for
boys in New Zealand, with 244
babies being given the
moniker last year.
Isla was back for a
second year as the top
girls' name in 2025, with
179 registrations.
Luca and Charlotte
were in second place,
with Oliver and Amelia
rounding out the top
three.
There were more than 58,000
births registered in 2025, and
BY BILL HICKMAN
Whether you are heading to
work for an important meeting
or coming home with the kids
in tow, there are few things
worse than when the bus drives
past you without stopping.
So do you need to wave out
to the driver to make sure the
bus stops to pick you up? Metro,
which runs the Christchurch
services, tells its passengers
to make sure they are visible
when waiting at
the bus stop.
“And please
give the bus
a wave as it
approaches,”
the Metro
website says.
“This helps
the driver know
Stewart Gibbon
you need their
service, and
they’ll pull over to let you on.”
Environment Canterbury
received more than 550
complaints last year about
buses not stopping – either to
pick up passengers or allow
them to get off.
But ECan public transport
general manager Stewart
Gibbon said that number was
comparatively small when you
consider there are more than 15
million passenger trips a year
Brooke van Velden
19,457 unique names.
Internal affairs minister
Brooke van Velden said it was
clear that while parents
loved individuality,
established names
continued to dominate,
with names like Olivia
and Jack staying in the top
10 since the 1990s.
“These trends give us
fascinating snapshots of
Kiwi culture and how
enduring favourites shape
the names we choose for the next
generation," van Velden said.
Should you have to wave
to make the bus stop?
A man waves down a bus on Lincoln Rd, Addington.
across the region.
“Our drivers do a brilliant
job of balancing the different
demands of the role, including
gauging whether people waiting
at our stops want to get on
board,” Gibbon said.
“A clear signal from a
customer is a great help to
them.
“Our drivers are trained
in many different scenarios,
THE TOP 20 BOYS'
NAMES OF 2025
Noah
Luca
Oliver
George
Theodore
Leo
Charlie
Jack
Elijah
Theo
Arthur
Hudson
James
including when customers may
have their hands full.
“In this scenario, they would
instead be looking at facial
expressions and general body
language.
“It’s worth noting that
sometimes drivers can’t stop,
due to their bus being full.”
So the message is, when in
doubt, put your arm out.
– RNZ
Henry
Cooper
William
Lachlan
Lucas
Archie
Liam
THE TOP 20 GIRLS'
NAMES OF 2025
Isla
Charlotte
Amelia
Hazel
Olivia
Lily
Lucy
Mila
Aria
Mia
Sophia
Sophie
Ella
Ruby
Isabella
Millie
Harper
Freya
Sadie
Ava
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
Commercial development
likely for tavern site
A long-running liquor business
site is set for redevelopment
after being sold for $2.27m.
The property at the corner of
Brougham St and Waltham Rd
traded alcohol for about 160
years under names including
the Brougham Tavern, Waltham
Arms and most recently as a Big
Daddy’s liquor store. When Big
Daddy’s parent company went
into liquidation, the landowner
decided to sell to developer
Xavier Trousselot-Rhodes who
plans to demolish the building
and redevelop the land.
Toilet block caused
beach sewage leak
Bottles put in public toilets are
being blamed for a wastewater
system overflow that closed a
popular beach over the weekend.
A health warning was issued
after raw sewage was detected
at Corsair Bay in Lyttelton.
The city council said the leak
occurred after the septic system
was blocked by items, including
bottles, being put in the public
toilets at Corsair Bay.
Jellyfish-like creatures
swarm beaches
A surge of blue bottles on
Canterbury beaches, particularly
at Taylors Mistake, has led to
warnings. Beachgoers are being
advised to wear footwear to avoid
stings from the small jellyfish-like
creatures. Remedies such as sting
spray and hot water are available
at all surf life saving clubs across
the city. Water temperatures have
been above the 16degC mark,
the point when blue bottles most
often appear.
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4 | The Star, January 15, 2026 NEWS
starnews.co.nz
‘It would be great to hear
what the community thinks’
Food Truck Alley
to go monthly
BY KEES CHALMERS
Diminishing visitor numbers
are behind a weekend food
market’s decision to go monthly.
Food Truck Alley is held at
the Mt Pleasant Community
Centre from 4-8pm on Sundays
during daylight savings. It
offers cuisines from around the
world, with live music in a dogfriendly
environment.
The centre has hosted the
event over the past four years.
Community centre chair
Derek McCullough said its committee
had been deliberating
the change for the past three
months after seeing numbers
start to dwindle this season.
He attributed the decline to
the competition for food trucks
and the current cost of living
crisis.
“It has made it less attractive
for some people to want to take
the family out,” he said.
McCullough said the change
is more financially sustainable
for the community centre, as it
will avoid paying operational
costs every week.
“It's a better deal when we get
big crowds, more trucks, more
people, it's just generally better
for us financially to do it once a
month,” he said.
McCullough would not provide
attendance numbers. He
said the decision to cut back
was formed on a general feeling
rather than specific figures.
“We just have a feel for how
things are going, and that's what
we're basing it on,” he said.
Food Truck Alley will now
operate monthly, coinciding
with its kids day out version.
The event will offer pony
rides, a petting zoo, face painting
and live music.
McCullough said those events
consistently attracted the largest
turnouts.
There will only be three more
Food Truck Alleys – January 18,
February 22 and March 22.
McCullough said the centre
will decide during the offseason
whether to maintain
the monthly schedule next
summer.
› From Page 1
Between Augustine Dr and
Curletts Rd, the bus lane
operates at peak times from
7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm on
weekdays.
Weenink wants to hear public
feedback about the bus lane
design and functions through
an online survey.
“There’s a bus lane that
people are saying is really
potentially quite dangerous
when the traffic is merging. I
don’t think this needs to be all
or nothing. There are options
and it would be great to hear
what the community thinks,”
said Weenink.
When the survey closes in six
weeks, Weenink will present
the feedback to NZTA.
Last month The Star reported
on the merging issue.
There is confusion for some
motorists on approach to the
bus lane near the Dunbar Rd
intersection.
A short distance north of the
intersection, the left-hand lane
becomes a bus lane, forcing
drivers to either rely on the
traffic in the right lane to let
them in or accelerate to reach
the merging lanes first.
Said NZTA system design
regional manager Richard
Osborne: “In our recent correspondence
with Vanessa
Weenink, we stated we would
be interested to hear more
​The approach to the Halswell Rd bus lanes offers little space for merging,
leading to driver concerns.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
about the level of community
support she had noted for different
approaches on the road”.
Osborne said there is no plan
at present to review the current
layout and operation of the
road, but NZTA will consider
any community feedback on
this issue.
He said implementing T2 or
T3 lanes would be a challenge.
"Allowing additional vehicle
types during peak hours would
reduce the effectiveness of the
bus priority and may impact
journey time reliability, particularly
as demand on the corridor
increases with local growth.”
There has been public
concern the bus frequency in
Halswell did not justify the busonly
lanes.
However, Environment Canterbury
did increase the bus
frequency along Halswell Rd
(Halswell to Queenspark) last
April to every 10min from
5.30am to 6.30pm on weekdays
and every 15min outside of
those hours, and on weekends.
Last month, ECan reported
a 7% increase in patronage for
the route.
• The survey can be accessed at:
https://vanessaweenink.nz/survey
• Christchurch’s congestion
woes, pages 6-7
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starnews.co.nz
NEWS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 5
Canadian man sentenced
for child abuse images
A Canadian national caught
with child abuse images and
videos has been sentenced to 10
months' home detention before
being deported.
Joshua Kuyten, 33, previously
pleaded guilty to one representative
charge of possessing
objectionable material.
He appeared for sentencing
before Judge Jane McMeeken
in the district court on Friday
afternoon.
The judge said his thenpartner
found a deleted folder
containing a video of child
exploitation material on his laptop
and questioned him about it
last March.
The next day, he moved a
hidden folder into his laptop's
recycling bin.
She called the police after discovering
the folder, restoring it
and seeing what it involved.
Kuyten was arrested and
his devices were seized with a
search uncovering 2680 images
and 357 videos that were identified
as objectionable.
Close to 600 of them involved
children aged 13 and under.
Kuyten previously admitted
to buying and saving two
separate packages of child
exploitation material about a
year prior, but denied looking at
every video or image.
“Your downloading of this
abhorrent material encourages
its production and fuels its
demand,” Judge McMeekan
said.
She said this type of offending
must always be condemned as
an evil that victimised some of
most vulnerable among us.
In her sentencing remarks,
she noted he was a first time
offender who had taken steps to
rehabilitate himself, including
completing at least 10 sessions
with a clinical psychologist
and having a personalised
safety plan aimed at preventing
reoffending.
A psychologist assessment
found his risk of reoffending
was low and he had expressed
high levels of regret, remorse
and disgust over his offending,
she said.
The judge started with a sentence
of three years and two
months in prison, before taking
off two months for prior good
character, eight months for his
early guilty plea, four months
for his potential for rehabilitation
and four months for his
ongoing health issues.
Judge McMeeken said she
was satisfied that home detention
was appropriate given his
potential for rehabilitation and
the steps he had already taken.
Kuyten was sentenced to 10
months’ home detention with
conditions.
They included that he must
undertake and complete a treatment
programme, not have
contact with under 16-yearolds
unless supervised by an
informed, approved adult, and
not use any device capable of
accessing the internet without
prior approval or supervision.
Kuyten will be deported after
serving his sentence.
She also ordered that the
devices and child abuse
material were destroyed.
– RNZ
​The Brooksfield cottage on Colombo St given to a customer for free in a prize draw.
Prize sees customer
become homeowner
Christchurch developer
Brooksfield Homes has made
a homeowner out of one of its
own customers, giving away a
free house worth $599,000.
The heritage-style cottage
was won by a man who is currently
building a home with the
company, after his number was
drawn during a prize reveal on
Monday.
Brooksfield managing director
Vinny Holloway enlisted a
police officer to select the winning
entry from customers who
purchased a Brooksfield home
between November 2024 and
the end of last year.
The one-bedroom, two-storey
“Gardener’s Cottage” on
Colombo St features the colonial
weatherboard style typical
of Brooksfield homes and sits
within a central-city development
of eight townhouses.
Holloway said he gave the
winner a tour of the property
earlier this week and described
him as feeling “overwhelmed”.
The cottage includes a verandah,
white picket fence and a
small garden.
The giveaway is the latest in
a series of attention-grabbing
campaigns by the developer.
In 2022, amid a slowing housing
market, Brooksfield offered
to pay a year’s mortgage for the
first customer who moved to
Christchurch and bought one of
its townhouses.
Brooksfield has now
built more than 600 homes
nationwide.
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6 | The Star, January 15, 2026 NEWS
starnews.co.nz
Chch congestion worse than Auckland
What streets have the worst
congestion in Christchurch
and what transport projects
could help move the more
than 100,000 extra vehicles
projected to be on roads by
2050? Dylan Smits reports​
Greater Christchurch’s
population is projected to
increase by about 85,000 by
2050, adding 30-40% more
vehicles to the city’s roads.
The population, including
Selwyn and Waimakariri, could
rise from about 560,000 to
about 640,000 in 2050 – or up to
700,000 in higher projections.
As of January, there were
322,078 cars registered in
Christchurch which could rise
to between 420,000 and 500,000
by 2050 based on population
growth projections in the
Christchurch Future Transport
Plan.
Without new transport
infrastructure, the city council’s
long-term transport plan
predicts “severe congestion”
will start between 2038 and
2050.
In national headlines it is
often Auckland that makes the
news for congestion woes, but
Christchurch actually has worse
travel times.
The 2024 TomTom traffic
index shows it takes 21min
51sec on average to travel 10km
​Waltham Rd traffic going on to Moorhouse Ave. The avenue sees 52,646 vehicle on average a day.
at rush hour in Christchurch,
compared to Auckland’s 18min
59sec.
But due to Christchurch’s
much smaller total land size,
the congestion is less obvious
when compared to Auckland’s
long distance commutes.
Christchurch is also a carcentric
city with only about 7%
of Christchurch households
having no vehicle in 2023 and
74% having one or two vehicles.
The rest have more than two
vehicles.
The looming risk of the
city’s roads being clogged up
is the focus for city council
and Government transport
projects, but typically slowmoving
planning and funding
approvals means many projects
have long-term timeframes for
completion.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
The five roads with the highest
average number of vehicles on
a weekday are:
• Moorhouse Ave 52,646
• Brougham St 46,212
• Bealey Ave 42,221
• Main South Rd 38,531
• Blenheim Rd 35,899
Major transport projects
under way
Brougham St upgrade
Status: Construction started
mid-July 2025 with completion
set for January 2030.
Cost: $100m-152m
Impact: The project aims to
ease congestion for cars and
improve access for other transport
options on Christchurch’s
second busiest road. It includes
a pedestrian and cycle overbridge,
intersection upgrades,
T2 lanes, traffic‐signal optimisation,
shared paths, and bus and
freight infrastructure.
Halswell Rd (SH75) upgrade
Status: Construction from
May 2024 to mid-2026.
Cost: $60m
Impact: Bus lanes, cycle and
pedestrian paths, and water
infrastructure to accommodate
growing population.
SH1 Belfast–Pegasus Motorway
and Woodend Bypass
Status: Early works and
design finalisation. Construction
to start early this year and
finish December 2030.
Cost: Could reach $1 billion
Impact: Four-lane motorway
to Pegasus and Woodend bypass
with expected improvements to
freight and commuter flows.
SH1 Rolleston access
improvements
Status: Started in October
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starnews.co.nz
NEWS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 7
– and set to compound
with completion expected in
late 2028.
Cost: $180m-$200m
Impact: A new roundabout at
the Dunns Crossing and Walkers
Rd intersection with State
Highway 1, making it easier to
enter and exit Rolleston.
The motorway will be extended
and intersections removed.
New pedestrian and cycle
access.
Bus network upgrades
Status: Under way, with
further expansion partly
dependent on Government
funding and business cases.
Cost: $90m–120m
Impact: Bus lanes, signal
priority for buses, upgraded
stops on key routes along
Riccarton Rd, Main North Rd,
New Brighton Rd, Ferry Rd,
Sawyers Arms Rd and Lincoln
Rd and Cranford St.
Citywide urban cycleways
programme
Status: Mostly delivered
between 2014-2023 but
ongoing with new routes and
route upgrades. Likely full
completion in early 2030s.
The Nor’West Arc connecting
Papanui, Canterbury University,
Riccarton and Spreydon is still
under construction costing
$35m-50m (including water
infrastructure) with completion
expected mid-year.
Cost: Estimated $380m–$450m
Impact: 13 major cycle
​Christchurch is a car-centric city. Only about 7% of households had no vehicle in
2023 and 74% had one or two vehicles. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN
routes, aiming to form a fully
interconnected, separated city
cycle network.
Wheels to Wings – Papanui
major cycle route
Status: Part of overarching
city cycling network. Project
delayed after cost blowout
with construction now
staggered over time as
funding becomes available.
Harewood Rd improvements,
the first stage, started in
November.
Cost: Estimated $30m–$40m
Impact: Links Harewood
Rd, Bishopdale, Christchurch
Airport and Papanui.
Future projects
Mass Rapid Transit
(bus, light rail)
Status: Approved on the NZTA
national priority list this year
but still in long-term conceptual
phase. Funding not yet approved.
Cost: $3 billion–$4.4 billion
Impact: High-frequency
bus or light rail rapid transit
corridors, major transfer hubs,
wider bus-priority corridors.
Faster regional commuter
routes for Rangiora, Kaiapoi,
and Rolleston. Would connect
Rolleston, Hornby, Riccarton,
CBD, airport, Belfast and
Rangiora.
Christchurch has been named
the most bicycle-friendly city
in the Asia/Oceania region.
​The Copenhagenize Index
is published every two years,
and uses evidence-based
benchmarks to track how
cities around the world are
making cycling safer, more
convenient and mainstream.
Wellington came in third in
Asia/Oceania, behind Taipei.
Fukuoka on the northern
shore of Japan’s Kyushu
Island was ranked fourth,
while Seoul was fifth.
Christchurch also ranked
38th in the world on the
international ranking index.
City Council planning
and delivery transport
manager Jacob Bradbury
said it is a great result which
“recognises how much work
has been put in to make
the city a friendly place for
cyclists”.
“We are pleased to see the
PHOTO: CCC
The most 'bicycle-friendly'
city in Asia/Oceania
investment that has been
made in building cycleways
and education in recent years
is paying off.
“This is also demonstrated
in the statistics we gather
through our ongoing resident
surveys, with cycle use
around the whole of the city
increasing by more than 40%
in the last eight years.”
Data shows that growing
numbers of residents think
that Christchurch is a bicycle
friendly city, Bradbury said.
“Ten years ago, 38% of
people surveyed thought
that it was bicycle friendly
while by 2025 this has grown
significantly to 67%.”
The results echo the 2024
national Quality of Life
survey in which Christchurch
was ranked highest for the
perception of safety on its
local bike network compared
to New Zealand’s seven other
main cities.
Always read the label and take as directed. If symptoms persist contact your healthcare professional. Koru Nutrition, Christchurch
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Three weeks after handing in his
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For 15 years, the 66-yearold
had driven heavy haulage,
commanding a 500hp Scania
truck. It was the kind of career that
becomes a lifestyle. But inside the
cab, his body was telling him to
stop.
Years ago, Terence had crashed
a motorcycle high up in the
Hakataramea Pass, blown off the
road by high winds. He severely
damaged his left knee. Even after
a while, the joint never felt quite
right.
Driving a truck isn’t like driving
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gearbox demands constant work
from your left leg - up, down, up,
down - shift after shift, hour after
hour. For Terence, every push sent
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“I was exhausted,” he admits.
“Loss of mobility, loss of sleep. I
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One stormy night, after a team
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enough. He climbed out of his
truck, handed in his keys, and
walked away from the career he
loved.
“I thought, ‘What do I do now?’”
At home, his wife had been
reading about Koru FX, a natural
cream made in Christchurch. She
ordered him a bottle.
“I wasn’t interested,” Terence
laughs. “I thought it would be like
everything else I’d tried. But she
insisted.”
The bottle sat unopened for days.
Then one morning, with nothing to
lose, Terence applied it to his knee.
The cream absorbed quickly with
a pleasant peppermint scent, not
sticky, not stinking like a rugby
locker room.
“I noticed it took the edge off,”
he says. “But I wasn’t convinced.”
That afternoon, an old mate
rang. Word had got around that
Terence had hung up his keys. His
friend needed someone to cover a
shift and the truck had an 18-speed
Road Ranger gearbox.
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Instead of a complaint, Terence
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8 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
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starnews.co.nz
NEWS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 9
Dedicated Orion
operator pulls
the plug after
four decades​
​BY DANIEL ALVEY
Tony Smith has climbed his final
power pole as he retires from
lines operator Orion after a
41-year career.
The 70-year-old has worked as
a network operator since joining
the company in 1985, when
it was known as the Central Canterbury
Electric Power Board.
“I have loved the job and got
a lot of satisfaction out of it.
People really appreciate the
fact you’re there trying to keep
the power going and get their
power back on for them,” the
Leeston resident said.
After finishing school, Tony,
who is originally from Lake
Hāwea, spent 12 years in Twizel
with the Ministry of Works
where he completed his apprenticeship
and became a qualified
electrician.
As a network operator, he was
often first on the scene to deal
with damaged or faulty powerlines,
frequently being called
out in bad weather and at all
hours of the night.
Tony recalled having to rescue
a couple of lambs from “the
big snow” in August 1992 while
repairing a power line.
“It was a really heavy snowfall,
you could hardly drive
through the roads.
“I had a lineman with me,
Gerard O’Neill – he and I
grabbed these lambs and pulled
them out of the snow and
helped them on their way.
“That was probably one of
the biggest storms we had, and
it caused quite a bit of havoc,”
Tony said.
Alongside extreme weather
events, Tony was also called to
attend car accidents, sometimes
fatal, where power poles had
been struck.
“Some of it is pretty sad
and hard to get over, but
unfortunately, you can’t do a lot
about it. You just have to put it
behind you and carry on,” he
said.
When he first started at the
power board, Tony’s role also
​Retiring Orion network operator Tony
Smith, pictured last week, has been
keeping the power on for 41 years.
PHOTOS: DANIEL ALVEY
included servicing household
appliances.
“Central Canterbury Electric
Power Board originally had a
showroom on the main street
in Leeston, so they used to sell
fridges, freezers and washing
machines, and we used to service
those as well.”
The Smith family’s connection
to Orion will continue, with two
of Tony’s four children working
for the company. Daughter
Elizabeth is in administration,
and his son Thomas is a project
manager.
Apart from keeping up with
lawn bowls, Tony has no specific
plans for retirement.
“It’s a bit frightening, because
I’ve been working since I was
about 16, so it’s going to be completely
different.”
Tony said it will be hard to
stop checking the powerlines
when he is driving around.
“But because you’re so used to
doing it just about every day of
your life, it’s going to be hard to
just put it behind you, that’s for
sure. It will take a bit of getting
used to.”
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10 | The Star, January 15, 2026 NEWS
starnews.co.nz
Tourist numbers up in Chch, South Island,
with Aussies largest overall spenders
BY TIM CRONSHAW
Free-spending Aussies are
leading the charge as an
influx of tourists arriving
in Christchurch spend their
overseas dollars on South
Island attractions.
Tourist operators are reporting
an increase in bookings
from offshore guests.
Christchurch Airport is fielding
15% more international
seats on in-bound flights over
the four-month summer season
with overall capacity increasing
by 139,000 seats.
In a single day 7700 international
passengers landed into
Christchurch on Cathay Pacific,
Emirates, Qantas and Air New
Zealand flights on December 19.
Visitor numbers and takings
are up for Christchurch Attractions’
punting trips on the Avon
River and gondola and tram
rides.
Chief executive Marty Byrne
said passenger numbers were
above last year across the
attractions in an encouraging
summer so far and business
was up on budget.
‘‘With the cruise season really
kicking into full pace in February
with a number of large
vessels we are very encouraged
about the balance of the summer
season as well and great
to see the vibrancy around the
city.’’
He said it felt like
there were more Australians
around this
summer.
‘‘The new direct
Adelaide/Christchurch
flights (by Air New
Zealand) are no doubt
assisting with this
along with other new
connections.’’
KiwiRail bookings are
growing for its TranzAlpine,
Northern Explorer and Coastal
Pacific scenic train journeys.
KiwiRail passenger executive
general manager Tracey
Goodall said the summer season
had started strongly with
passenger numbers continuing
to grow year-on-year across
Great Journeys New Zealand
services.
Tracey Goodall
Visitor numbers and takings are up for Christchurch Attractions’ punting trips on the Avon and gondola and tram rides,
while KiwiRail passenger numbers on the Tranzalpine (below) continue to grow year-on-year.
PHOTOS: CHRISTCHURCH ATTRACTIONS, KIWIRAIL
She said about half of them
were from overseas including
Australia, the US, United
Kingdom, Canada and Europe,
with New Zealanders also
choosing rail as part of their
holiday plans.
‘‘For many people,
rail offers something
you can’t replicate by
car, coach or plane – the
chance to truly relax,
enjoy the journey, and
travel through lesserknown
regions.”
The views appealed to
passengers wanting to
experience the country
rather than get from A to
B, she said.
Goodall said the onboard
service, ‘‘paddock-to-plate’’ food
from areas along the journeys
and the option of an elevated
premium package were further
attractions.
Destination Queenstown and
Lake Wānaka Tourism chief
executive Mat Wood said there
had been strong demand across
Queenstown and Wānaka
over the summer holidays,
particularly through the peak
Christmas to New Year period.
‘‘Feedback from
accommodation providers,
operators and hospitality
businesses has been
consistently positive, with many
reporting a very busy start to
summer and solid forward
bookings continuing through to
Easter,” he said.
Average commercial
accommodation occupancy
across the Queenstown Lakes
District reached nearly 90%
between December 25 to
January 2, up 2.9% on the same
period last year.
Wood said the diversity of
tourists was encouraging.
‘‘Alongside strong domestic
and Australian travel – which
remain our most important
markets – we’re welcoming
visitors from the United States,
China, Europe and India and
elsewhere around the world.’’
He said the strength of the
US and Australian dollars
against the NZ dollar had
supported travel, and the area
was continuing to appeal as the
Southern Hemisphere’s premier
four-season destination.
Natural attractions are a
major drawcard for tourists,
according to Tourism NZ, with
nearly 75% listing landscapes
and scenery as the main
reason they had come. Lakes,
mountains and rivers were high
on their list with 62% visiting a
national park.
About 3.43 million visitors
arriving in the year to last
September contributed $12.3
billion to the economy, up 5.3%
on previously.
Aussie travellers are again
the largest overall spenders
at $3.6b, followed by the US at
$1.8b and China $1.2b.
Longer staying German and
UK visitors are the highest
holiday spenders per trip, but
Indonesian visitors have the
higher daily spend of $485,
followed by the US at $350 and
Taiwan at $314.
The latest Statistics NZ
results show more than 262,700
overseas visitors landed last
October, up 22,500 from a year
ago.
Just under half of them were
from Australia with 9% from
the United States.
On the flipside, local
holidaymakers departing
Christchurch Airport are honing
in on Adelaide and beaches
in Cairns, Gold Coast and Fiji
or further afield to Vietnam,
Phuket, Philippines and Bali.
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starnews.co.nz
The Star, January 15, 2026 | 11
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starnews.co.nz
NEWS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 13 NEWS
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Why business is easier
with the right mentor
​Pest controller Darryl Knauf exterminates an ant nest under a dishwasher, a common damp environment
where ants make a home.
Summer conditions
drive big surge in
insect invasions
​BY DYLAN SMITS
It is the busiest time of year for pest
controller Darryl Knauf, as ant and fly
infestations increase over summer.
The warmer months, amplified by a
changing climate, are good for business
but less welcome for household roofs,
which are increasingly becoming home to
insects.
“It has been a really busy time for us.
We’re seeing huge nest populations. If
you go back five years, you didn’t see that
as much,” Knauf said.
As the owner of Essential Pest Control
Ltd, a family business, his best advice for
people to prevent ant infestations is to
keep lawns watered.
“We’ve actually invented the perfect
environment for them (ants) to
live, but when your lawn dries
out in the summer, the ants can
emerge from your soil and look for
a new place nearby,” he said.
Many of Knauf’s customers discover
ant infestations in their roof
spaces while installing insulation
but other nests are commonly
found in kitchens and bathrooms.
The ants can pose more than a
minor nuisance, sometimes chewing
through plug sockets, light
switches, light fittings, and other
electronics.
Higher than normal rainfall in
December has also driven ants to
look for drier areas inside homes
that still have access to water, such
as roofs and bathrooms.
“It used to be the winter cold
snaps would kill some of their
numbers but we’ve had less of that
recently so they can just multiply more
year-round,” Knauf said.
After 36 years in the business, his other
general advice is to keep homes clean,
cover green bins, and maintain lawns
and gardens.
Although mosquitoes are a summer
problem in the North Island, Knauf said
there are few infestations in Canterbury.
“What we have seen is a lot more
rodents for this time of year. There’s usually
more of that in autumn time, but it
has stayed consistent this year.”
Popular products for killing ant nests
include various gels and liquids such as
Darryl Knauf
Paul Craddock
Warm summer weather is driving ants to seek
shelter inside homes.
PHOTO: GETTY
Exterm-An-Ant, Advion Ant Gel Bait, and
NO Ants gels and liquids.
Worker ants carry the poison bait back
to the nest to eliminate the whole
colony.
To repel flies, certain herbs and
flowers in and outside the home
can be effective.
These include basil, peppermint,
marigold and lavender.
Homemade fly traps and repellents
can be made using everyday
household items.
Mix apple cider vinegar and dishwashing
liquid in a tall glass, cover
with plastic wrap and poke holes in
the top for an attractive fly trap.
Vinegar mixed with sugar can
also lure flies into a homemade
trap.
Another option is to mix cayenne
pepper with water in a bottle and
spray it around your home to repel
them.
Sticky fly strips can also work
well to trap and eliminate flies.
Experts like Knauf can also be called
in for large insect nests and a thorough
extermination.
Pest Management Association of New
Zealand member Dr Paul Craddock said
fly screens are a worthwhile investment
with windows open more often in
summer.
“There’s also airflow – you’ll often
find on a windy day there aren’t many
flies around because they’re all kind of
hiding.”
Ceiling and pedestal fans also create
“artificial wind” and can deter flying
insects in particular, Craddock said.
For Christchurch-based business mentor
Alex Mann, mentoring isn’t about quick
fixes or perfect answers, it’s about
curiosity, connection, and helping
business owners build confidence in their
own decisions.
Mann has spent most of his life in
business, with experience across sales
and marketing and ventures ranging
from window cleaning and fitness studios
to market research and digital marketing.
That breadth of experience now
underpins his work as a business mentor,
supporting small business owners to
navigate growth and challenge with
greater clarity.
“I don’t have a magic formula,” he said.
“But I do bring perspective, curiosity,
and the willingness to ask hard questions.
“Most business owners already know
more than they think – sometimes they
just need someone to challenge and guide
them.”
For Mann, effective mentoring starts
with listening.
“Until I really understand the business,
I won’t offer solutions. Otherwise, you’re
just guessing.”
Having faced investor conflict and
cashflow stress himself, Mann brings
empathy as well as insight.
“Business can be bloody lonely. You
can’t always talk openly with staff, so
having someone who’s been through
it and isn’t rattled can make a huge
difference.”
One example is a graphic designer
mentee who uncovered hidden profit
through print brokering.
For Alex Mann, being an effective business mentor
starts with listening.
“Same skills, same work, but now she’s
making more money with less effort and
attracting higher-value clients.”
Much of Mann’s work focuses on
helping owners shift from technician to
leader, simplify their business, and find
clarity.
“Once people focus on what really
matters, confidence grows – and
everything else starts falling into place.”
With a full year of mentoring costing
just $320, Mann sees it as invaluable.
“It’s an incredible service. Why
wouldn’t you?”
• Are you interested in business mentoring? Visit
www.businessmentors.org.nz to find out more
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14 | The Star, January 15, 2026 NEWS
starnews.co.nz
Owner cleared after greyhound tests positive for meth
BY JEREMY WILKINSON
A greyhound that tested positive
for methamphetamine after
winning its race has left its
owner and racing investigators
baffled about how the dog could
have been contaminated.
Trainer Craig Anderson,
68, was shocked, vehemently
expressing he had never touched
the drug and had no idea how
his dog came into contact with it.
When investigators from the
Racing Integrity Board turned
up at his property for a drug
screening of his six greyhounds,
they found one of the dogs,
Hilton Hustler, tested positive.
The previous afternoon,
the dog had won its race at
Addington, but hadn’t been
swabbed post-race.
Forensic samples were taken
from Anderson and his wife,
the dogs’ kennel area, and
Anderson’s vehicle, which was
used to transport the dogs, and
all returned a negative result.
Hilton Hustler’s test one week
earlier, and another two weeks
after, were also clear.
Anderson has had no prohibited
substance breaches since he
The greyhound, not pictured, had low
levels of meth in its system. PHOTO: GETTY
began racing dogs in 2017.
Anderson told investigators
that other than his dog having
the usual interactions with
kennel staff and other handlers
while at the races, no other
humans had been in contact
with the dog in the two to three
days before the positive test.
Despite the racing investigators
being unable to trace the
source of the drug, a charge was
laid against Anderson before the
Racing Integrity Board.
However, at a hearing held in
December at Addington Raceway,
no penalty was sought for
Anderson due to no evidence of
his being connected to the drug.
Because a source could not be
found, the board opted not to
penalise Anderson.
“The Adjudicative Committee
is satisfied that neither Mr nor
Mrs Anderson was in any way
responsible for the Prohibited
Substances that were found in
the out-of-competition urine
sample that was taken from
their greyhound…”
The board noted the low levels
of meth found and Anderson’s
unblemished racing record.
“Presenting a greyhound
with a prohibited substance
in its system is an offence of
strict liability – that is to say, an
offence is committed even when,
as in this case, no negligence is
found,” the board said.
“However, where no
negligence is found, that finding
can lead to a reduced penalty or
a very small, or no, fine.”
• Sport, pages 17-19
LETTERS
Readers report
near misses
at overgrown
roundabout
I have read the article in The
Star (January 8) concerning
vegetation in roundabouts.
There are several
roundabouts in Christchurch
that have the same problem,
and it is a very real problem.
Some cars cannot be seen
from other cars across the
roundabout. Visibility is of
prime importance, aesthetics
are second at best.
If vegetation is thought
desirable, low ground cover
could be used or trees planted
that have clear trunks for the
first three metres or so.
The vegetation shown in
your photo is not attractive, or
aesthetically pleasing.
On a different subject, but
with similarities. There are
many cases of impractical
planting on river banks.
Again, these plantings are
not attractive, impede the flow
of water and collect rubbish
and vermin. It would be a good
thing if they were removed.
-John Belcher
I have lived in Wigram
Skies for the past 13 years
and use that roundabout
regularly to take our dog to the
Prebbleton dog park and visit
grandchildren in Lincoln.
It is overgrown and limits
visibility from vehicles. We
have had many near misses
from vehicles coming from
Springs Rd wanting to join the
motorway into Christchurch.
It is the same situation when
returning from the dog park or
Lincoln with vehicles coming
from Springs Rd.
They can’t be seen and are
usually going too fast.
-Tom Whitaker
The roundabout at the intersection of Halswell Junction Rd and Springs Rd last
week. The overgrown vegetation obscured this Holden Captiva before it rounded
the bend.
PHOTOS: DYLAN SMITS
The roundabout is dangerous.
We couldn't see a mini coming
around and if my husband
hadn’t jammed breaks on
we would’ve had a bad
accident.
You cannot see to the other
side of the roundabout.
If a cigarette butt was
chucked out there in this hot
weather, it would be an inferno
in seconds.
-Carol Chenery
It’s more dangerous than the
Sockburn roundabout.
The vegetation should be cut
right down so people can see if
anything is coming.
The three lanes coming off
Halswell Junction Rd towards
Shands Rd is also a hazard.
-Wendy Hill
I couldn’t agree more with the
concerns in the article.
It’s terrible to see and I’m
surprised there hasn’t been a
serious accident there already.
I also have seen some near
misses.
We pay rates and taxes so it
should be a priority.
-Nicole Sinclair
We want to hear your views on the
issues affecting life
in Canterbury
Send emails to:
barry@
alliedmedia.co.nz
Letters may be edited or rejected at
Allied Media’s discretion. Letters should
be about 200 words.
A name, postal address and phone
number should be provided.
Please use your real name, not
a nickname, alias, pen name or
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starnews.co.nz
The Star, January 15, 2026 | 15
15 MARCH 2026 COMMUNITY FUN RUN | 12KM OR 6KM WWW.CITY2SURF.CO.NZ
In week 2 you will extend the time of your sessions by a fraction. The challenge is to keep the intensity
controlled. There is no need to get really puffed and tired. Remember the talk test. If you exercise with
others the talk test comes automatically. If it is just you, talk to yourself but perhaps not too loud!….We can
divide what we call the submaximal pace up in 3 zones.
1. Easy: this is a pace where you are not too puffed and the talk test is not even a test. At this stage this
is the zone you spent most of your time in as it will give you some initial conditioning without the risk of
soreness or muscle strain
2. Steady: this is slightly faster than easy; it can also be called a “firm” pace. It takes a bit more effort to talk
but you can still form sentences without having to take an extra breath
3. Moderately hard: this is the pace where you need that extra breath to finish your sentence. You can still
talk and jog at the same time but it becomes more laborious so you tend to shut up and concentrate
more on your rhythm and holding your pace.
WEEK 2: Starting out
LEVEL MONDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY SATURDAY
Beginner
12km Jog/Run
Intermediate
12km
Jog/Run
6km
Walk
6km/12km
30 min
Walk 3 min x 6
Jog 2 min x 6
30 min
Easy jog
20 min
Walk 3 min, Jog 2 min
(repeat 4 times)
6km 14 min (light)
12km 40 min (light)
48 min
Walk 4 min x 8
Jog 2 min x 8
40 min
Easy Jog
30 min
Walk 3 min, Jog 2 min
(repeat 6 times)
6km 15 min (mod)
12km 30 min (light)
40-45 min
Walk
20 min
Easy Jog
40 min
Walk
6km 20 min (mod)
12km 40 min (light)
45min
Walk 3 min x 9
Run 2 min x 9
55 min
Easy Jog
30 min
Walk 3 min, Jog 2 min
(repeat 6 times)
6km 30min (light)
12km 60min (light)
To achieve this goal you need to develop
some awareness around the basic
requirements of exercising for health and
fitness. First and foremost this has to do
with 3 key principles:
1. How often do you train?
To improve your level of health and
fitness you will need to aim for 4 sessions
per week. 2 or 3 sessions per week will
only maintain what you have and
1 session per week is definitely not
sufficient.
2. How long are your sessions?
The duration of your sessions will
generally build towards between 30 and
50 minutes with one longer session of
60-80 minutes.
3. What is the right intensity to train at?
The good thing about the programme
is that all your runs will be done
at submaximal pace, also called
conversation pace. That means a pace
where you can still talk. If you can’t talk
you are going too fast and you are likely
to come to a grinding halt sooner or later.
This programme and accompanying
information are written as a guide only. If you
are concerned about your health at any stage
please undergo a health check with your GP.
TRAINING
PROGRAMME
WEEK 2
TIP
Make sure you have
comfortable footwear. This
will help your enjoyment and
prevent injury. There are a few
specialised sport shoe wear
shops in Christchurch where
the sales people are trained
in assisting you to make the
right choice. Comfort is an
important part of your choice
and only you can feel that. If
you have issues with your feet
you might decide to consult
a podiatrist to get more
professional advice regarding
the best footwear for you.
On behalf of the team at
Sports Clinic
www.sportsclinic.co.nz
15 MARCH 2026
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16 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
15 MARCH 2026
BE IN TO
WIN!
GREAT PRIZES
12KM OR 6KM
CHOOSE YOUR
DISTANCE
ENTER
A TEAM
WWW.CITY2SURF.CO.NZ
SUPPORTING
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starnews.co.nz
SPORT The Star, January 15, 2026 | 17
Bowls win ‘what dreams are made of’
​BY SAM COUGHLAN
Halswell’s ​Ethan and Hamish
Kelleher achieved a boyhood
dream last week when the
brothers sealed their first
national bowls title in the men’s
pairs tournament – two years
after falling short at the same
hurdle.
The brothers, who are 31 and
21 respectively, defeated Gary
Lawson and Tony Grantham
15–14 in the final at Elmwood
Park, avenging their loss to the
same pair in the 2024 final.
Ethan sealed the victory in dramatic
fashion, driving the jack
into the ditch on the final end to
cap a thrilling contest.
“I was standing on the mat
going, ‘oh, man, if I hit this, it’s
going to be nuts’,” he said.
“And then it was like my whole
body just come out of my skin, I
just lost it.
“It’s sort of what dreams are
made of. If you were to play
rugby or something, you want
to kick that winning goal, it’s the
same feeling.”
Hamish said the win was in
honour of their late grandfather
Danny Kelleher, who got them
into the sport as children growing
up on the West Coast.
“He was a great guy, everyone
loved him,” Hamish said.
“There's a lot of times during
the final you’ll find me and Ethan
looking up – we’re always praying
to him, he’s always with us.”
Hamish joined Halswell
three years ago after moving to
Christchurch for university, while
Ethan followed this season to
play in the Canterbury interclub
competition, despite still living in
Greymouth.
​Ethan and Hamish Kelleher with the trophy after winning the national title, flanked by Ethan's partner Maxine Woods and son
Cohen (left) and Hamish's partner Cassidy Bradley.
PHOTO: BOWLS NZ
“I travel over every week to
play for (Halswell), they’re just
such a good bunch of guys, real
supportive,” he said.
“The level here (West Coast)
at the moment is quite low, so to
go to Christchurch, you’re playing
that high level every game
on good greens, and I’m really
enjoying it, which is the biggest
thing as well.”
The trophy is currently at the
Halswell Bowling Club.
Said Hamish: “They definitely
deserve to have that for the
year while we have got it.”
Hamish will play in the
national fours tournament in
the Bay of Plenty next month,
while Ethan’s next major
competition is likely to be the
national inter-centre tournament
in March, where the two
could represent Canterbury
together.
“We're not officially in the
team as of yet, but we should be
pretty close, fingers crossed,”
Ethan said.
Hamish is excited about
what lies ahead for the pair,
who have only been competing
together for two years.
“What we’ve been able to do
has been really special.
“There's so much time, good
things could be just starting,”
he said.
​Ethan Kelleher celebrates his winning
shot in the final of the national men's
pairs competition at Elmwood Park.
Home green glory as Boyd seals 10th title
Elmwood Park bowler Mandy
Boyd has joined an exclusive
club, winning the national
women’s singles competition for
her 10th national title.
Competing on her home turf
on a windy Christchurch day,
Boyd proved too strong for a
determined Leeane Poulson
(Takapuna), winning 21–16 in a
final that went down to the wire.
The victory marks Boyd’s first
national singles title and caps a
stellar week in which she also
won the women’s pairs alongside
Kirsten Edwards.
The 34-year-old has won one
singles title, three in the pairs,
and is a six-time champion in
the fours.
“I’ve lost two national singles
finals in the past so it’s nice to
finally win one,” Boyd said.
“To find some form in the
singles has been awesome, it’s
been a great week and it’s an
amazing way to get to title number
10.”
The win sees Boyd join Millie
Khan and Cis Winstanley as one
of only three Kiwi women to
win 10 or more national titles.
The final was
hard fought,
with Boyd and
Poulson tied at
seven-all after
as many ends.
Boyd then
won four ends
in a row to Mandy Boyd
move ahead
15-7, but Poulson refused to go
down without a fight, producing
pinpoint bowls in blustery
conditions to win six of the next
seven ends and narrow the gap
to 17-16.
Boyd held her nerve in the
following end, nailing a crucial
drive to pick up three shots,
before closing out the match the
next end to secure victory.
“It was a really good final. I
found it quite nice out there to
begin with but I lost my way a bit
as the match went on with the
wind making it tricky. Thankfully
I managed to hold on and get it
over the line,” she said.
“I never expected to get this
far in the singles and I certainly
didn’t think I’d get two titles at the
same event. I’m really stoked.”
In brief
Richards races to 10km title
Christchurch Avon’s Thomas
Richards is the new national 10,000m
champion after winning the national
title at the Lovelock Classic in Timaru
at the weekend, finishing half a
lap clear in a time of 32min 24sec.
University of Canterbury’s Ethan
Smolej won the men’s mile while
Whippets runner Rosa Twyford took
out the women’s mile.
Burnside lead one-day comp
A two-wicket victory over Riccarton
has seen Burnside move to the top
of the 50-over competition after
the second round, the only team
to have won both their games.
They play fifth-place Heathcote
on Saturday, while Old Boys and
Sydenham face Lancaster Park and
St Albans respectively after wins at
the weekend. The other match sees
Riccarton play East Shirley, all games
starting at 10.30am.
Canterbury softballers
impress at U19 nationals
Canterbury players Daniel Ditmer,
Rau Kumeroa, Jayden Potts, Rico
Ratu and Bronson Harper have
been named in the boys’ under 19
softball team of the tournament
after Canterbury’s third-place finish
at the competition last week. The
girls’ team finished fourth at their
tournament, which ran concurrently.
Football clubs to meet in
pre-season tournament
Ferrymead Bays will host a preseason
tournament before the
Southern League starts in late March.
Bays, alongside Cashmere Technical,
Selwyn United and Western AFC
are in Group A with Coastal Spirit,
Nomads, Universities and a to-beconfirmed
team in Group B. Games
will be played on Tuesdays and
Thursdays at Ferrymead Park,
starting February 17.
They said it
“When I was in the bar
you should have seen
it. It was nuts in there –
no-one had showered,
they were in their kits
behind the bar pouring
their own pints.”
– Macclesfield FC coach John
Rooney on the celebrations after
the sixth-tier minnows’ stunning
2-1 FA Cup win over Premier
League side Crystal Palace, the
current cup holders
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18 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
SPORT
First game looms for SI United
South Island United step onto
the OFC Pro League stage on
Saturday against Auckland FC
at Eden Park. Sam Coughlan
speaks to those in charge at
the club about how the dream
became reality
Ryan Edwards estimates he
worked between 80 and 90 hours
a week for nearly a year trying
to get Christchurch United into
the OFC Pro League.
From the league’s announcement
in January last year to the
bid’s acceptance in October – by
which time the team had been
renamed South Island United –
the club’s CEO worked tirelessly
to get the deal over the line.
“It feels like two seasons, two
years of work, to put it that way,”
Edwards said.
The hard work of himself and
several others has paid off, with
United set to take the field on
Saturday at Eden Park in a blockbuster
opening clash with the
other New Zealand side in the
competition, Auckland FC.
“It kind of makes it real,
doesn’t it?” Edwards said.
“All this paperwork and verdict
process, it’s all kind of words
on a page until you actually see
the players start training, and
I think the game will make it
really sink in.”
The bid passed through two
rounds of decision-making, with
United required to prove it could
CEO Ryan Edwards was the driving force behind South Island United’s successful bid for the OFC Pro League, often working
90 hours a week. PHOTO: THOMAS BIRD
meet a range of criteria, including
paying at least 20 players
full-time, employing additional
staff and demonstrating longterm
financial stability.
United is one of eight teams in
the competition alongside teams
from Australia, Papua New
Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tahiti, the
Solomon Islands and Auckland
FC
Edwards said much of the
hardest work came after the bid
was accepted, due to the challenge
of having everything in
place by January.
“I said to the staff, I don’t
know if I’m
more excited
about being
accepted or
more daunted
by the workload
to come.
“The work is
all straightforward
enough, Rob Sherman
getting insurance,
visas sorted, flights,
accommodation, all these sort of
things.
“But when you have a super
condensed timeline, I had conversations
with 30 potential
sponsors in five weeks, 50 plus
phone calls with various players
to get them signed, all those sorts
of things, they add up,” he said.
Attacking midfielder David
Yoo became the club’s first signing
in mid-November, while
defender Christian Gray, the 21st
and final player, was announced
on January 7.
Former Fiji head coach and
New Zealand Football technical
director Rob Sherman has come
on board as head coach.
The Welshman has a clear
vision for how he wants the
team to play.
SOUTH ISLAND UNITED
FIXTURES
• Jan 17 v Auckland FC, Eden Park
• Jan 20 v Bula FC, North Harbour
Stadium
• Jan 23 v Vanuatu United, North
Harbour Stadium
• Feb 1 v South Melbourne FC, Port
Moresby
• Feb 4 v Solomon Kings FC, Port
Moresby
• Feb 7 v PNG Hekari FC, Port
Moresby
• Feb 21 v Tahiti United, TBC
Australia
• Feb 24 v Auckland FC, TBC
Australia
• Feb 27 v South Melbourne, TBC
Australia
• Mar 14 v PNG Hekari FC, Honiara
• Mar 19 v Bula FC, Honiara
• Apr 11 v Vanuatu United, TBC Fiji
• Apr 14 v Tahiti United, TBC Fiji
• Apr 17 v Solomon Kings, TBC Fiji
“All this paperwork and
verdict process, it's
all kind of words on a
page until you actually
see the players start
training, and I think
the game will make it
really sink in.”
Ryan Edwards
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starnews.co.nz
SPORT The Star, January 15, 2026 | 19
after long road to pro league
“I believe in a possessionbased
style, being organised
defensively and collectively
defending, so everyone’s
expected to contribute to that,”
he said.
“Across all areas, both in
attack and defence, I’m reasonably
confident that we can be a
solid side with and without the
ball.”
United is the first-ever professional
football team from the
South Island. Existing professional
clubs Auckland FC and
Wellington Phoenix compete in
Australia’s A-League.
Auckland’s team in the OFC
league functions as the reserve
side for their A-League team.
Defender Riley Grover is one
of several players in the United
squad born and bred in the
South Island, now representing
their home team.
The 21-year-old grew up in
Nelson and spent the past four
years playing for Christchurch
United in the Southern
League after attending school in
Wellington.
“Growing up in the South
Island and being one of many
that moved away to chase that
dream of professional football,
to then coming back and
now being professional, it’s just
incredible,” Grover said.
“There’s a few in this team
who have had a similar path,
like Lewis (Partridge), Haris
(Zeb), David (Yoo), we’ve all
grown up in the South Island,
moved away for that dream,
South Island United defender Riley Grover grew up in Nelson and has spent the
last four years playing for Christchurch United in the Southern League.
and now we’re back here for
that dream.
“To be able to do it in the
South Island is amazing, when
I was a kid I would have never
thought it would be possible,
to be honest, and now it’s a
reality.”
Sherman said it would be
special to be part of the first
professional match for the
South Island side.
“For everyone involved, it will
be ground-breaking.
“I’ve been lucky enough to
be in football all my life, so
actually getting on the pitch,
either as a player or as a coach,
that’s what it’s about. I’m really
looking forward to it,” he said.
Oskar van Hattum
The All Whites winger is the SIU’s
biggest signing, having made 41
A-League
appearances
for Wellington
Phoenix between
2021-25 before
stints playing
for Sligo Rovers
in Ireland and
Valour FC in
Canada. Van
Hattum is the
nephew of
former New
Zealand and Christchurch United
goalkeeper Frank van Hattum.
​
Ryan Feutz
A prolific goalscorer in Australian
domestic leagues, Feutz – who hails
from Ashburton – might well be one of
the most talented players in the team.
The 24-yearold
joins from
Australian
second-tier side
Sydney Olympic,
where he scored
11 goals in 15
games, and
earlier netted 42
times in just 24
league games
for Newcastle
team Edgeworth
Eagles. His father Greg is also a wellknown
name in Canterbury football,
winning the Golden Boot and Mainland
Premier League with Nomads United.
Players to watch
Haris Zeb
Zeb has faced more setbacks than most
in his footballing career, the 24-yearold
forward having broken his foot five
times, requiring
two surgeries to
fix the chronic
weakness.
Growing up in
Christchurch
to Pakistani
parents, Zeb
was due to play
in Finland in
2023 before a
recurrence of his
injury brought
him home. He has since lifted the
National League with Auckland City and
was man of the match in the final, and
played for the Pakistani national team.
​
​
Dauntae Mariner
Samoan midfielder Mariner comes from
rich footballing
heritage – his
uncle Tim Cahill
is Australia’s
all-time leading
scorer. Mariner,
25, has played
at several
Australian clubs
and had stints
in England and
Portugal before
turning out for
Nelson Suburbs in the Southern League
for two years, proving one of their best
players as they finished fourth last year.
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Joining is easy
Simply visit stjohn.org.nz/membership
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November 2025 and are subject to change.
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Please refer to stjohn.org.nz/membership-terms.

20 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
FEATURE
SENIORS’ LIVING LIFE
Dilo Oil – the remarkable skin rejuvenator
Until Rachel Hunter’s popular TV series “TOUR OF
BEAUTY,” Dilo oil was relatively unknown, being one
of the best-kept secrets of the Pacific Islands. It may,
however, be one of the best natural beauty & healing
oils available, as it possesses potent natural skinregeneration
& healing properties.
According to ethnobotanist Chris Kilham,
Dilo (pronounced dee-lo) oil is a powerful skin
regenerator as it is one of the most effective agents
in promoting the regeneration & formation of new
tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing & the
growth of healthy skin.
As early as 1918, French researchers discovered
what the people of the South Pacific Islands have
known for hundreds of years: Dilo oil has a rare &
powerful ability to heal many skin conditions. In
French medical literature, they described how the
oil healed a gangrenous ulcer on a woman’s leg that
was so serious a condition it would have led to an
amputation if the Dilo oil hadn’t completely cured it.
Dilo oil has the unique ability to spur the
formation of new tissue, drastically speeding up
the healing process. Studies show it promotes
cell proliferation & the production of collagen &
glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are essential for
the creation and maintenance of healthy collagen
& elastin. For this reason, Dilo oil is fantastic at
supporting the healing of wounds and scars as well
as smoothing fine lines & wrinkles.
Super-absorbing, it can penetrate all three layers
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offer exceptional cell hydration & regeneration.
In addition, Dilo oil has potent anti-inflammatory,
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Traditionally, Dilo oil is used to keep the skin
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Some of the conditions for which it is considered
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skin eruptions, warts, skin ulcers & sores, nappy
rash & almost any other skin ailment & often with
incredible results. Dilo oil also has a natural SPF and
is a natural insect repellent.
Many beauty & skincare products on the market
today contain unnatural ingredients that can be
toxic & may even contribute to disease. Generally,
the benefits are exaggerated & often only temporary
or camouflage. Marshall’s Dilo oil is 100% pure &
certified organic. It has been cold-pressed from
the Dilo nut & contains absolutely no additives.
Polynesians & Southeast Asians have revered Dilo oil
for centuries, believing it to be a sacred gift of nature
& the Gods. Dilo oil stimulates & supports the skin’s
natural healing process by promoting the growth of
new, healthy skin tissue. I believe it is a remarkable
product & highly recommend it to everyone. A 50ml
bottle is only $19.90 & 100ml bottle is only $32.50.
Further information is available from the
Natural Health Advisers at Marshall’s Health
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Revered for centuries by Polynesians & Southeast Asians for its
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& regeneration. It has a unique ability to stimulate the growth
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Phone: 03 388 5757 • Email: enquiry@marshallshealthshop.co.nz
SHOP INSTORE or ONLINE: www.marshallshealthshop.co.nz
— Knowledge Makes The Difference —

starnews.co.nz
FEATURE The Star, January 15, 2026 | 21
Back to School 2026
Te Aratai College 2026: Pathways for every learner
Kia ora e te whānau. Nau mai, haere
mai ki Te Aratai College – welcome to
another exciting year of learning and
growth in our community.
As we step into 2026, Te Aratai College
continues its proud legacy of serving
the East Ōtautahi community with a
commitment to personalised learning
and strong whānau-kura partnerships.
From our origins as Linwood High School
in 1954 to our transformation into Te
Aratai College in 2022, and our exciting
completion of Stage 2 with the opening
of the new Science and English building,
our kura has always been a place
where young people are supported and
empowered to create their futures. Today,
our 21st-century campus, gifted the name
Te Aratai – Pathway to the Sea by Ngāi
Tūāhuriri, remains an enthusiastic hub of
knowledge and aspiration.
Our learning spaces – from our theatrequality
auditorium Te Puna, to our
spacious student centre and thoughtful
outdoor spaces – reflect our values
of Manaakitanga, Whanaungatanga,
Rangatiratanga, and Tūrangawaewae.
These values are woven through our
curriculum and everyday interactions,
shaping a school culture where identity,
determination, and belonging sit at the
heart of our success.
Yet, more important than buildings
is the strength of our relationships: he
tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata. At Te
Aratai College, every student is known
as an individual. Their culture, language,
identity, and aspirations shape the way
we design learning. Our responsive Year
7–13 curriculum ensures continuity,
deep connections, and age-appropriate
challenges, with diverse opportunities
for leadership, creativity, and community
involvement.
We are proud that our kura continues
to grow, reflecting the confidence our
community has in our direction. Roll
growth has enabled us to move ahead
and complete Stage 2 of our development
plan, with Stage 3 on the horizon. These
future-focused improvements will further
strengthen our ability to offer learning
that prepares students for life beyond
school – whether they pursue further
study, trades, entrepreneurship, or service
to their communities.
Across academics, sport, performing
arts, cultural pursuits, and vocational
pathways, every learner at Te Aratai
College can find their place and make
their mark. We celebrate student
voice, encourage curiosity, and nurture
determination. Our graduates leave as
confident, connected young people ready
for the next steps in their journey.
As we welcome new and returning
learners in 2026, we remain committed to
our purpose: helping our rangatahi affirm
who they are and how they will shape the
world.
We are Te Aratai College – Pathway to
the Sea.
Back to School Dates for 2026
New Enrolments for 2026
Monday, 26th January, the school’s office opens.
New learners to Te Aratai College for 2026 who have
not yet enrolled, please phone the school on (03)
982 0100 from Monday, 26th January, to complete
enrolment forms and arrange an enrolment interview
appointment.
The Uniform Shop Holiday Hours
Monday, 12th - 16th January 2026, open 8 am - 1 pm
Monday, 19th to 27th January (weekdays only)
open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday, 28th to 29th
January, open 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Closed Monday,
29th January and Tuesday, 30th January 2024.
Outside of hours by appointment only phone:
(03) 982 0100 ext 866 or 022 027 3371
Aukaha
Wednesday 28 January – Tuesday 3 February – meet the Aukaha teacher by
appointment. Wednesday 4 February, 8:45 am – 2:50 pm – First school day for
all Aukaha students.
For questions or to make a booking, contact RMC@tearatai.school.nz
Year 12/13 Course Confirmation
Monday 2nd February 2026, anytime between 11:00 am - 2:00 pm or Tuesday
3rd February 2026, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.
These are drop-in sessions.
Aukaha Y12 Student Courses will be confirmed at a later date.
Students MUST attend course confirmation before they attend classes.
Mihi Whakatau
For all new students and their whānau, Monday 2nd February 2026.
Please be here by 8:45 am for a 9:00 am start.
Whanaungatanga will follow until approx 11:00 am
(new students and whānau). Students who have not been tested
(E-asTTle) will need to remain after and be tested. They will finish at
approx 12:30 pm.
Wednesday 4th February 2025, First school day begins for all Year
7-13 students 8:45 am-2:35 pm.
Learners are to be at school by 8:35 am daily. Except Wednesdays
at 8:50 am. Every school day finishes at 2:50 pm except for
Wednesday, which finishes at 2:35 pm.
Waitangi Day Observed (Holiday)
Friday, 6th February, 2026

22 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
FEATURE
Back to School 2026
Kahikatea Kirkwood
Intermediate School
Chisnallwood Intermediate
Established as a Junior High School,
Chisnallwood is specifically designed to
meet the needs of students in their preadolescent
years. This design has been
carefully developed over many years and
is based on the best that has been seen in
New Zealand and Internationally.
By enrolling at this school you are
opening doorways to opportunities that
will prepare you fully for secondary
and beyond. A well-balanced mixture
of specialist and home room teaching in
this highly resourced environment will
capture your interest and attention in a
manner that will ensure your success.
Recognised as a leader in its field,
Chisnallwood is nationally renowned for
its achievements particularly in the areas
of music, the arts, sport and all academic
endeavours. This success is brought about
by the quality of the resources we have
and the commitment of the highly trained
and dedicated teaching staff.
Our values of Respect, Relationships,
Responsibilities and Resilience (Our 4Rs)
enable our students to fulfill our motto
which is to challenge the margins of time
and explore what is beyond.
Kahikatea Kirkwood Intermediate is
a very well resourced school where all
of our practices are based on traditional
educational foundations. We have nine
specialist Technology classrooms, a safe
and vibrant community feel, and stable
professional leadership.
We are an inclusive school with mixed
ability classes, programmes to extend
and enrich all of our children and lots
of opportunities in sport, cultural and
academic areas.
Because we are a state, co-educational
intermediate school, everything we do,
everything we have, and all of our plans
for the future are designed for children
aged 10 -13 years old – our Year 7 and
8 students often called the ‘emerging
adolescent’. These wonderful children
are going through a real growth spurt:
intellectually, emotionally and physically.
The staff at Kahikatea Kirkwood choose
to work with these children, and
recognise the very special attributes
and challenges of this age group. High
standards of behaviour are maintained
and our children are well known for being
respectful, polite and pleasant.
Our children choose to come here
after seeing something about our school
that appeals to them, and I believe our
reputation is second to none. Come and
visit our school and see for yourself what
makes Kahikatea Kirkwood the great
school it is.
Study tips for 2026
Our school year starts
with ‘meet the teacher’ for all students.
Book a 15 minute meeting online, on either
Thursday 29 January or Friday 30 January.
Details are in the Orientation Information
which is emailed to you end of December –
beginning of January.
LATE ENROLMENTS
We will accept in zone enrolments at both
Year 7 and Year 8. Currently we have
limited spaces for out of zone Year 7 and
Year 8 students.
Feel welcome to contact the school office
after 28 January 2026.
Phone 03 348 7718
school.information@kirkwood.school.nz
www.kirkwood.school.nz
Phil Tappenden, Principal
Full Primary Years 1-8
37 Cunningham Place, Halswell 8025
Phone: 03 322 8735
Email: admin@oaklands.school.nz
NEW ENROLMENTS
Wednesday 28th January, 10am – 2pm
Thursday 29th January, 10am – 2pm
PARENT INTERVIEWS
Thursday 29th January, 2pm – 6pm
Friday 30th January, 8am – 12 noon
www.oaklands.school.nz
TERM 1 BEGINS
Monday 2nd February, 8.50am
1. Set academic goals and create a plan to
achieve them.
2. Participate in extracurricular activities
to develop leadership and teamwork
skills.
3. Develop good study habits and manage
your time wisely.
4. Seek help from teachers or tutors
when needed.
5. Stay organized by using a planner or
digital calendar.
6. Develop strong writing and
communication skills.
7. Read widely and critically to expand
your knowledge and understanding.
8. Prepare for university by taking
Te Oraka – Primary Logo – Choice to be made about waterway shown
challenging courses and participating
in preparatory programs.
9. Explore career options and internships
to gain practical experience.
10. Take care of your physical and mental
health by getting enough sleep,
exercise, and relaxation time.
11. Create a study schedule and stick to
it.
12. Find a quiet and comfortable study
space.
13. Take breaks every hour to avoid
burnout.
14. Use flashcards to memorize key
concepts and vocabulary.
15. Rewrite notes to reinforce learning.
CHISNALLWOOD
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL
Chisnallwood Intermediate School
welcomes students to the 2026 school year.
Year 8 Students commence
Thur 29 January at 8:40am
Year 7 Students commence
Thur 29 January at 11:30am
For further information contact:
The Principal
Breezes Road, Christchurch
Phone: 3884-199
E.mail: kgoggin@chisnallwood.school.nz
Website: www.chisnallwood.school.nz
“A school proud of its academic,
cultural and sporting success”
kowhaicreative.co.nz
Wider representation of a
river, to encompass all local
waterways: Waimakariri,
Avon, Heathcote and of
course Horseshoe Lake. –
Representation of
Horseshoe Lake only –
Term 1 2026 Start Dates
Monday 2nd February Meet the teacher day for Year 7 and new to
the school Year 8 students.
Tuesday 3rd February 9am - 2.45pm - Year 7 and new Year 8’s to
the school will spend the day in their new learning base.
Wednesday 4th February 9am - 2.45pm - Whole school begins for
Year 7 and 8.
Our School Office will be open from Monday 26th January
between 10am - 2pm for any new enrolments.
Enrolment forms are on our website.
teoraka.school.nz | 03 385 2229 | office@sis.school.nz
Developing lifelong skills in a thriving environment
Mairangatia te kāwai kia houkura

starnews.co.nz
FEATURE The Star, January 15, 2026 | 23
Back to School 2026
Burnside High School Head Prefects 2026
A new era of student leadership is
officially underway! Congratulations to
Ruby Keith and Alex Gibson, who have
been named our Head Prefects for 2026,
alongside newly appointed Deputy Head
Prefects Minjun Cho and Jess Williams.
Head Prefect Ruby Keith is grateful for
the opportunities Burnside High School
has given her to grow academically, and
as a leader. Her dedication to volleyball
has seen her represent Burnside in both
the Junior and Senior A teams at the
South Island Junior Secondary School
and New Zealand Secondary School
National Championships. This year, she
also coached the Junior Development
Girls Squad. Ruby has immersed herself
in school life through Polyfest, Student
Council, and her roles as a Pasifika Leader,
Arts Leader, and West Division Deputy
Head Prefect. She is passionate about
painting and creativity and is excited to
meet new people in her upcoming role.
Ruby hopes to bring positivity, sincerity,
and confidence to the prefect team. She
encourages students to make the most
of the opportunities at Burnside, saying,
“There’s something at Burnside for
Left to Right: Ruby Keith, Alex Gibson, Jess
Williams, Minjun Cho
everyone, so get involved! The only thing
worse than missing an opportunity is
looking back and wishing you’d taken it.”
Head Prefect Alex Gibson feels
incredibly fortunate to be part of the
2026 prefect team leading our school
student community. He believes that
Burnside’s large roll is one of the school’s
key strengths: “Everyone can find their
people amongst the myriad of subjects,
sports, clubs and extracurricular activities
on offer.” During the last four years
Alex has taken full advantage of these
opportunities, playing saxophone and
piano within the music program and
representing the school in academia and
swimming. He is also one quarter of the
band, Equilibrium - the 2025 winners
of SmokefreeRockQuest. Alex hopes to
support all Burnside ākonga to pursue
their own interests and passions while
gaining the best possible education to
secure their futures. Whether this is in
the classrooms, on the sports field or on
the Aurora Centre stage, he believes that
“everyone at Burnside should have the
chance to fulfil their dreams and make
lifelong friends within this fantastic
school community.”
Deputy Head Prefect Minjun Cho is
forever appreciative of his peers at
Burnside High School. He served as a
class leader from Year 9 before becoming
a West Division Values Prefect for 2025.
Elected last September, he will serve
concurrently as Student Representative
on BHS’ Board through 2026. In school,
he’s involved with Debating and is the
co-reigning Canterbury Schools debating
councils impromptu Champion with
2025 BHS graduate Sam Allan. Minjun
is involved in ModelUN; Environment
Group; and WSC, teamed with Andrew
Wu and Benjamin Wray, determined
for a fourth top-three placing in 2026.
Outside of school, he’s a member of the
Christchurch Youth Council & NZIIA and
a committee member for UNANZ. In 2026,
Minjun is looking forward to helping all
2,600 Burnside students who deserve only
the best.
Deputy Head Prefect Jess Williams
values the opportunities Burnside High
School has provided, from academics to
arts, leadership, and service. She was an
Arts Leader in her junior years, South
Division Head Prefect in 2025, and is
currently a member of Tech Crew and
a singer in the award-winning choir,
Bel Canto. “The school’s vast range of
opportunities in my junior years allowed
me to discover my interests and make
many lasting friendships.” Outside of
school, Jess plays tennis and is involved
in Girl Guiding, having completed her
Queen’s Guide Award and now leading
younger girls. As a prefect in 2026,
Jess aims to create a welcoming and
supportive school environment. “I hope
to inspire students to get involved and
discover new passions.”
Start of the
2026 School Year
School will begin on Monday 2 February 2026. Year levels will be required to attend as outlined below.
From Monday 2 February, all students must be in full, correct school uniform. Year 13 students must be in correct dress code.
*Prefects will be required on Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 January.
Monday 2 February
Tuesday 3 February
8.15am
8.15am
9.30am - 2.40pm
9.30am - 10.00am
8.15am - 2.40pm
Year 9 students assemble near the cabbage trees - Tī Kōuka - for the Mihi Whakatau
Year 10, 11, 12, 13 students NEW to Burnside assemble near the cabbage trees
- Tī Kōuka - for the Mihi Whakatau
Year 9 students Orientation Programme
Year 10-13 NEW students Orientation with the Deans
Full timetable will run for all Year 9 students beginning with form time and
assembly. All Year 9 students to bring devices
Wednesday 4 February 8.15am - 2.40pm Year 9-10 Timetabled classes. All year groups to bring devices. Year 10 begin with
an assembly in the Aurora Centre
Thursday 5 February 8.15am - 2.40pm Timetabled classes for ALL year levels beginning with form time – (Week A)
Friday 6 February
Waitangi Day (School Closed)
Monday 9 February 9.00am - 2.40pm Timetabled classes for ALL year levels (Week B)
School Office
The office is open from 9.00am to 3.00pm
from Monday 12 January 2026. Normal office
hours will resume from Monday 2 February
2026. Please telephone (03) 358 8383 for
all enquiries.
Uniform Shop Hours
The Uniform Shop located at
291 Wairakei Road will be open before
Term 1 starts. Please refer to the following
website burnside.uniformgroup.co.nz
for opening hours.

24 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
FEATURE
Hagley College 2026
Enrolment
Day
9.00am
29
-3.00pm
Year 12, 13 and Adult students
January
Thursday
Contact us for an Appointment
Our Enrolment Centre re-opens
on January 14th at 9.00am.
Please phone us on (03) 364 5156
to find out what you need to bring or visit
www.hagley.school.nz/enrolment/senior-college-enrolments26/
Hagley College Start Dates and Times 2026
2 0 2 6
2
Feb
14
Jan
YEAR 9
Thursday
29 January
At Home
Friday
30 January
9.30am – Gym 2
Year 9 & TRLG Mihi
Whakatau and
Orientation
BBQ Lunch provided
2.00pm – released
Monday
2 February
Year 9
Orientation
Programme
8.30am – 3.00pm
TRLG at home
YEAR 10 At Home At Home At Home
YEAR 11 At Home At Home At Home
YEAR 12,
13, ELL
New Seniors
Enrolment
After3
Classes
Catch Up
College
At Home
At Home
Tuesday
3 February
At Home
New student Mihi
Whakatau
10.00am Gym 2
All Yr10 Assembly
11.00am
(Gym 1)
New student Mihi
Whakatau
10.00am Gym 2
All Yr11 Assembly
11.00am
(Cafe)
New Yr12, 13
& ELL
Mihi Whakatau
& Orientation
10.00am Gym 2
Wednesday
4 February
Tutor Meeting
9.30-11.00am
Timetabled
classes start
11:25am
Tutor Meeting
9.30-11.00am
Timetabled
classes start
11:25am
Tutor Meeting
9.30-11.00am
Timetabled
classes start
11:25am
Tutor Meeting
9.30-11.00am
Timetabled
classes start
11:25am
Thursday
5 February
Timetabled
classes start
at 8.30am
Timetabled
classes start
at 8.30am
Timetabled
classes start
at 8.30am
Timetabled
classes start
at 8.30am
After3 classes start the week of 2nd Feb at 6pm
Friday
6 Feb
Friday 6 February – COLLEGE CLOSED
(Waitangi Day Holiday)
Enrolments from 14th – 20th January.
Please book an appointment time via our online form from 13th Jan
www.hagley.school.nz/enrolment/catch-up-college-enrolments or call 03 379 3090
INFORMATION
EVENING
2026 Year 12 , 13, Adult Students & Pre-Professional Programmes
ENROLMENTS OPEN APPLY NOW
Enrolments close 29th Jan 2026

starnews.co.nz
FEATURE/MOTORING The Star, January 15, 2026 | 25
Back to
School 2026
Welcome back to St
Joseph’s School Papanui
As the new school year approaches,
St Joseph’s School Papanui warmly
welcomes all students and families—both
returning and new—back to our vibrant
school community. The start of a new year
brings fresh opportunities for learning,
growth, and connection.
At St Joseph’s, our structured approach
to teaching and learning continues to
deliver excellent achievement outcomes
for our students. We are proud of the
high levels of progress our children make
across all areas of learning.
Equally important is our commitment
to providing a nurturing environment
where every child feels safe, valued, and
ZOE M AND KATELYN S
The new Merrin School Senior
Playground was a great success story
to go down in Merrin School’s history.
This is all thanks to Auahiroa Year 5/6,
who organised the entire thing, with the
support of their teachers. We started
by researching why playgrounds are
beneficial for children and why we should
get a better playground. Next we made
models of what we wanted it to look like
and decided what equipment to add.
Once we had an idea of what we wanted,
we had to find out who would make our
vision a reality. We reached out to Playco
a true sense of belonging. Our Catholic
faith guides us to care for one another,
celebrate diversity, and work together for
the common good.
We look forward to welcoming
everyone back for another wonderful
year of learning, laughter, and faith at St
Joseph’s School Papanui.
Merrin School Senior Playground
to go down in history
Welcome to 2026
Thursday 29th January
& Friday 30th January
Kanohi ki te kanohi
(face to face meetings)
book online or via the school office
Monday 2nd February
School begins for classes
Friday 6th February
Waitangi Day (school closed)
who gladly accepted our challenge. After
persuading the Board and our Principal,
we fundraised and planned a Move-athon.
The opening ceremony was on the
same day as the Move-a-Thon fundraiser,
where children walked, ran, or biked laps
of the field to raise money for our new
playground. In total, we raised nearly
$10,000! Our new playground is such a
success and all the students are having so
much fun, especially on the basket swing.
Everyone is always looking forward to
being able to go play with their friends
at break-times on the brand new senior
playground!
Catholic Primary School
for Boys and Girls in Year 1-8
Phone: 03 3528779
www.stjopapa.school.nz
Hybrid muscle helps
M5 raise the bar again
Motoring with Bob Nettleton
Improving on the M5 – already one of the
finest high-performance luxury sedans
around – was a tough assignment for
BMW, but they have absolutely nailed it.
The team charged with this challenge
applied serious engineering ingenuity,
trademark Germanic attention to detail
and a healthy dose of plug-in hybrid tech
to create a modern, stylish and immensely
potent successor to its hugely impressive
predecessor. It catapults the already
vaunted M5 badge to even loftier heights –
an extraordinary achievement in itself.
A distinctive styling package features
muscular wheel arches, side skirt extensions,
a sculpted front apron and an
ENTER_TRIGGERS_EMAIL
aerodynamically optimised M rear spoiler,
all finished in high-gloss black.
The nicely proportioned lines give this
M5 its commanding and aggressive road
presence. Joining the exclusive BMW M
club comes at a price, in this case $244,900.
This latest M5 is the third BMW M model
in the current line-up to run the M HYBRID
system from the company’s M Hybrid
World Endurance Championship race car.
The 4.4-litre M TwinPower Turbo V8
delivers 430kW and 750Nm, free-revving
all the way to 7200rpm. The electric motor,
integrated into the transmission, contributes
145kW and 280Nm – but a clever
pre-gearing stage boosts torque at the
transmission input to a staggering 450Nm.
Combined, the system unleashes a colossal
545kW and 1000Nm of torque
All this power is channelled through an
eight-speed auto, the clever M xDrive allwheel-drive
system and an electronically
controlled differential. Together they form
the backbone of this high-end, authentically
luxurious performance express.
The character of this M5 is not solely
defined by the thrum of its V8 exhaust –
though that alone will hook any enthusiast.
It now adds a plug-in hybrid capability,
allowing all-electric running for quieter
solo trips.
A fast-charging cable tailored for public
chargers makes replenishing the high-voltage
battery quick and simple. BMW claims
up to 61km of electric-only range, although
the test car managed just over 40km –
handy rather than groundbreaking.
Not for the faint-hearted are the
Dynamic and Dynamic Plus modes, tailored
specifically for circuit use, with
engine, e-motor and cooling systems configured
to meet track demands.
​Rating out of 10: Performance 9, Handling
9, Build Quality 8, Comfort 7, Space 8,
Styling 8, Fuel Economy; On road test
average consumption, 8.5L /100km, Value
for money 7, Safety, 5 Star EuroNCAP
rating
Price: $244,000
Overall points out of 10: 9
A new Boost mode – activated by a long
pull of the left paddle – delivers extra
punch between 30km/h and 150km/h for
sudden bursts of speed. I found there was
already more than enough thrust on tap,
but some may enjoy having the option.
For such a performance juggernaut, its
ease of use is genuinely impressive.
Considering its size, the M5 is remarkably
well-mannered in urban driving,
happy to potter around without constantly
tugging at the leash. That’s in contrast to
some rivals that seem restless driving anywhere
but the fast lane.
Passenger space is generous front and
rear, with excellent head and shoulder
room, plus a huge, easily accessed boot.
Standout highlights include the light,
airy cabin, a newly designed flat-bottomed
heated steering wheel with lovely tactility,
and the BMW Interaction Bar with M-specific
ambient lighting that greets you with
‘Welcome’ and ‘Goodbye’ animations. The
Merino leather trim looks and feels every
bit as premium as expected.
A centre-console control panel houses
model-specific buttons, including the Setup
switch to tailor the drive system, transmission
logic, chassis, steering, brakes and
xDrive AWD settings – and fine-tune the
M HYBRID modes to your preference. The
large panoramic sunroof is among the best
I’ve seen in a luxury performance sedan.
This latest M5 is loaded with advanced
driver-assistance tech, including Driving
Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant
Professional.
The suspension retains that traditional
taut BMW ride, expertly smoothing out
rough surfaces and minimising noise while
still delivering the road holding you’d
expect from a modern M car.
For me, the M5 remains the benchmark
in its class – its balance, poise and agility
on twisty, undulating terrain deliver a feelgood
factor that’s off the scale.
Much of the credit goes to the superb
chassis and adaptive suspension. BMW’s
latest xDrive AWD system also plays its
part, multitasking to provide traction and
grip while taming the power and torque.
The result – an unforgettable driving
experience.
Enquiries: please contact
Merrin School
03 358 8369
www.merrin.school.nz
First day of school – Wednesday 4 February 2026

EST. 2003
26 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
FEATURE
THE LEGEND CONTINUES . . . TRILLO
All over the country car enthusiasts are
putting the finishing touches on their
new car builds. The reason is that they
are getting ready for “Chapter 36” of
the South Islands largest premier hot
rod events, Muscle Car Madness, due to
invade Rangiora later this month.
Based at the A&P showgrounds,
Rangiora’s population puts out the
welcome mat for the many thousands
of enthusiasts that come to their North
Canterbury town from all over New
Zealand. In addition we have visitors
from Australia, Hawaii, California U.S.A,
and England. This event is tremendous
for the local community and brings in
several million dollars to the area.
With over 1200 cars expected over
the weekend, Saturday is by far the
main day and this year we don’t clash
with the Beer Festival so we can all go
to that the following Saturday. Traffic is
heavy in Rangiora at the best of times so
drive safely and be ever watchful down
Lineside Road. Last year we had major
problems with the EFTPOS machine
crashing for over an hour at the main
public gate so be mindful and carry an
emergency fund of cash in your wallet.
If in doubt walk to the main gate. I
personally think it can be blamed on the
burnout comp being so good everybody
was recording it on their phones causing
overload.
Live bands over the weekend include
19-Twenty from Australia with their
full energy stage show who will play
each day to the public and have an
exceptional history in the past couple
of years. Other bands include the
‘ever popular’ Recliner Rockers from
Auckland, the welcome return of
Bulletproof Convertible from Dunedin
with their one off “swamp” music style,
Level 6, Young Rockers Red Weekend,
Hired guns, and Sign of the Firebird.
We celebrate the ninety year
anniversary of the 1935/36 Ford with a
special display. The Thursday night
‘Real Steel Customs Twin Towns cruise
starts off at the local high school just
before 7pm. heading to Kaiapoi first
then onto Rangiora’ main street then
back to camp.
EARTH
ON SHOW GREATEST
Main Sponsor of
Muscle Car Madness
C U S T O M S
YOUR AMERICAN & AUSTRALIAN
SECOND-HAND PARTS SEPCIALISTS
ENGINES, TRANSMISSIONS, WHEELS, BODY
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LIGHTS AND LOTS MORE
41A SHANDS ROAD, HORNBY CHRISTCHURCH
Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm / Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm
www.aasd.co.nz / 03 344 0067
TRILLO METALS
LIMITEd
SAT 24 TH & SUN 25 TH
JANUARY 2026
Retro
Rockabilly
Pageant
Sat 12 noon
Ladies show off your
best ‘60s attire!
+ Junior division for Girls & Boys
LIVE BANDS
Latest hot Aussie band 19-Twenty.
only south island appearance, play 4
shows at MCM
FEATURING
NZ VAN
NATIONALS!
INCLUDING PARLOUR
VANS AUCKLAND!
9AM–4PM
ADULTS $20
KIDS UNDER 16 FREE!
CHOPPER
CUSTOM MOTORCYCLE
DISPLAY!
Stottle Promotions, PO Box 1, Rolleston, 7643 | Phone Correna 027 545 7877 | musclecarmadnessnz@gmail.com
@ RANGIORA
SHOWGROUNDS
BURNOUT COMP!
Later start 1:30pm each day
0800 TRILLO
Proud Sponsor of MUSCLE CAR MADNESS
Branches in Blenheim and Christchurch

starnews.co.nz
FEATURE The Star, January 15, 2026 | 27
METALS MUSCLE CAR MADNESS #36
A couple of top show cars will be on
show including a 1971 Chevrolet C10
pickup built by Kruizin’ Kustoms in
Palmerston North for Todd and Natasha
Collins. This truck has won many “Best
in Show” awards and was shipped to
America and was a finalist for “Best
Custom truck in the world.” This is it’s
first South Island appearance.
The other car is a tribute re-creation
of the most famous hot rod ever created
in New Zealand, Wild Honey, built in
America by ex patriot kiwi “Starry”
Malcolm and shipped out to New
Zealand for several events. Built in the
style of the original car it was built to
be able to be driven without problems,
using updated parts for safety and
reliability. The original was built by
Roger Devlin from Dunedin in 1967 and
won hundreds of trophies throughout
the sixties and seventies. This show car
is being bought down especially for the
show. One chance to see both these cars.
Plenty to see and do, a large amount
of trade displays, and craft stalls.
The ever popular nostalgic ‘Rockabilly
Pageant’ pageant’ starts at 12 noon
in the big shed. Call for details. Then the
biggest draw card is the Treads Tyres
2 day burnout comp starting around
1.15pm each day. Finals on Sunday.
Public hours are 9am till 4pm each
day. Adults $20, children under 16
go free. A two day pass is also
available at the gate for $30. PUBLIC
HOURS ONLY! For more info contact
mcrod4@xtra.co.nz or phone Correna
at 027 545-7877.
WIN OUR
RETRO
BOWSER
FRIDGE!
EVERY CLASSIC COVER
CUSTOMER IS IN THE
DRAW TO WIN.*
Call 0800 456 254
*Terms & Conditions apply: classiccover.co.nz/terms
STOCKISTS OF
NEW PARTS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES
FROM 1930-2026
• Radiator Hoses • Water Pumps • Wheel Cylinders
• Belts • Electrical Components • Suspension Parts
• Bearings • Specialised Classic Parts
+ 100’s of other parts!
261 Stanmore Road,
Richmond, Christchurch
PH (03) 389 8830
www.butlerautomart.co.nz

28 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
CLASSIFIEDS
Your guide to our LOCAL & TRUSTED
Trades & Professional Services
Call Aaron &
the team today!
Painters and Decorators Ltd
Canterbury Owned and Operated
A husband and wife team
Noel 027-411-3596
or Kim 027 612 6483
noel@kemppainters.co.nz
kemp painters and decorators
. A+ LAWN
MOWING
Christchurch, Mowing
& Weed Whacking.
Ph: 0274 115 744.
Email: m.gillette1234
@gmail.com
PAINTERS
For the
Outdoor
Space
of your
Dreams...
Paving, Irrigation,
Lawns, Planting,
Fences, Pergolas,
Water-features,
Outdoor fires,
Raised Vege beds,
Decks, Artificial
grass, Garden
maintenance &
more...
Phone: 03 347 4422
or 021 542 402
Email: Aaron@theoutdoorspace.co.nz
www.theoutdoorspace.co.nz
TRADES & SERVICES
A CARPENTER Licensed
Building Practitioner no.
100981. All carpentry &
building repairs &
maintenance.
Alterations & property
upgrades. Laundries /
bathroom / kitchens
replaced. Specialising in
replacement of all rotten
timber, fascia boards,
windows, windowsills
etc. John Sandford, Ph
329 4616, mob 027 518
9598
johnsandford2@gmail.c
om
AAA HANDYMAN
licensed carpenter LBP,
all property and building
maintenance, repairs,
bathroom/shower
installations, with free
quotes. 03 387 0770 or
027 245 5226
ciey@xtra.co.nz
To advertise: Phone 379 1100 or email star.class@starmedia.kiwi
ARBORIST qualified.
Copper Beech Tree
Services. Tree removal,
pruning, height BUILDER
reduction, hedge
trimming, shaping, tree
planting, firewood. Free
quote. Contact Angus
Edwards 027 259 6741,
copperbeechtreeservice
s@gmail.com
Specializing in:
• Roof Painting
• Interior/exterior
residential
We offer
free quotes
Quality not
Quantity
TRADES & SERVICES
BEST BATHROOMS Full
renovation specialists,
LBP builder. Free quote,
all building property
maintenance. Ph 387-
0770 or 027 245 5226
ciey@xtra.co.nz
BLOCKED DRAINS Drain
Clearance, CCTV
Inspections, Remedy &
Repair. CDDL Services
Ltd. Ph: 0800 487 453
BRICK & BLOCK LAYING
All restoration work and
new work plus
foundations, Ph 342
9340 or 021 853 033.
BRICKLAYER George
Lockyer, Governors Bay.
UK trained with over 40
years exp. Smaller jobs
& brick repairs preferred.
No job too small. 027
684 4046 E:
georgelockyer@xtra.co.
nz
BUILDER Qualified 50
yrs exp. Bathrooms,
Kitchens, Renovations,
Repairs & Extensions
Free quotes. Discount
for pensioners. Ph Mike
03 980 9771 or 027
2266 930
Semi-retired.
Available for bathrooms,
decks, small projects
and all repair work. Ph
027 326 6114 or
brentew@outlook.com.
Excellent work. Great
rates.
BATHROOM TILER wet BUILDER New builds,
area waterproofing, alterations, decks,
underfloor heating, soap fencing. 30 years in the
boxes, old to new, for trade has given me
best results, call Devon
on 021 375-888 or 03
329 5511
ability to build to a high
standard. Free quotes.
Ph Brent 027 241 7471.
landscaping
25 Years experience
• Landscape construction and
garden maintenance
• Residential & light commercial
• Garden makeovers
For a proFessional job call
ross legg 027 222 0388
email revivelandscaping23@gmail.com
WINDOW TINTING
tintawindow
advanced film solutions
99% uv block
fade protection
heat control
reduce glare
25 Years Experience
Free Quotes Canterbury and Districts
03 365 3653 0800 368 468
ELECTRICIAN A prompt
& reliable registered
electrician with 24 years
experience for all
residential and
commercial work, new
housing and switch
board replacements.
Phone Chris 027 516
0669
FENCING
Quality timber fencing -
gates & repairs. Timber
decking. Ph Ryan 027
951 8892
privacy films
frosting designs
non-darkening films
Workmanship Guaranteed
Lifetime Warranties on Most Films
UV
block
TRADES & SERVICES
BUILDER -
LICENSED
Available for
alterations, additions,
repairs, decks,
bathroom alterations,
aluminium window &
door replacements.
Free quotes. Over 30
years in industry.
Prompt, reliable,
quality workmanship.
Ph Ian on
021 350 509.
BUILDING AND property
maintenance. No job too
small. 40 years
experience. Ph 027 497
8322. david.cartwright@
xtra.co.nz
GARDENER
AVAILABLE
for weeding, pruning,
regular garden
maintenance, rubbish
removed. Experienced
& qualified.
Ph Richard
0274 918 234
GARDENING, lawn
mowing, gutter cleaning
Residential and
commercial work. North
and West CHCH. Phone
Will on 021 140 0977
Gardening Lawns,
weeding, pruning,
garden clean-ups Call
Phil 021 661 246
CARPET LAYING Exp.
HOME SERVICE
Repairs, uplifting,
Artificial Grass Laying,
relaying, restretching.
Kitset Assembly, All
Phone John on 0800
general property repair &
003 181, 027 240 7416
maintenance, Painting.
jflattery@xtra.co.nz
Phone George 021 053
8655
COMPUTERS - TVs -
CCTV Computer -
Repairs, Sales, Virus
Removal, Internet. TV -
Stereo installs, Setup.
CCTV - 35 yrs exp. Ph
Paul 027 405 3888
TRADES & SERVICES
House & Garden
Property services Ltd
Tree & hedge trimming
Gardening
Landscaping
Gutter cleaning
All aspects of
property maintenance
CALL us 03 260 4499
CALL us 021 405 277
TRADES & SERVICES
INDEPENDENT
CARPETS - Huge
selection of quality
carpets at unbeatable
prices to suit every
home. Expert advice.
Visit us today! Call now
03 388-6643 or 027 827
3360
ANNE’S HAIR & BEAUTY
HAIRDRESSER & BEAUTY THERAPIST
Qualified, 25 years Experience.
Registered & Licensed Home Salon
TRADES & SERVICES
INSECT SCREENS,
BLINDS AND SECURITY
DOORS
Custom made security
doors, also flyscreen
windows and doors, and
stylish blinds. Quality
you can trust. We also
repair existing Screens
and doors etc.
Canterbury Blinds and
Screens. Ph 03 3589237
for a free quote.
JCM DIRECT TYRES
provides quality tyres,
both new and used,
expert fitting, and fast,
reliable service. Trusted
to ensure your vehicle’s
safety and performance
with reliable products
and professional care.
8c Birmingham Drive -
call 03 343-0099
PAINTING Interior /
Exterior, Roofs, Decks,
Fences. For a
competitive quote ph
John 0272 242 831
30 years + experience
Older house
restorations:
no problem!
Quotes: FREE!
Rates: Reasonable
Paint supplied at
trade price!
NO JOB TOO SMALL
Light industrial also
Roger Brott
Painter & Decorator
021-1966-311
Hair & Beauty
For an appointment phone
03 310 6890 or
021 298 3957
LANDSCAPING Paving,
Lawns, Irrigation,
Decking, Fencing. Kanga
& small digger services. PAINTING
Check out Squire
Landscaping on
Facebook. FREE
QUOTES. Ph Arthur 347-
8796, 027 220-7014
Edwin 027 220-7154
LAWN MOWING Tom's
Mowing - cutting the
east side of
Christchurch. Ph 021
120 1069
TRADES & SERVICES
ROOF
PAINTING
Competitive rates
Rope n Harness
certified
39 yrs experience
Owner operator
Exterior - Interior
Painting
Phone Mason on
021 233 0378
Email:
mason.wairau@
gmail.com
Website:
masonwairau.com
Exterior
experts. Roof painting.
Ph Paul 022 191 7877
www.swedekiwipainting.
co.nz
EXTERIOR
PAINTING
Ph Paul 022 191 7877
swedekiwipainting
.co.nz
PAINTING
Indoor / Outdoor, over
30 yrs exp, same day
quotes, ph Steve 021
255 7968
PREMIUM TYRES offers
top-quality new and
used tyres, wheel
alignments, vehicle
servicing, WOF's & Oil
changes. Trusted for
reliability, affordability,
and fast service across
Christchurch, 222
Linwood Ave, PH 380-
5020
PLUMBER Friendly,
certified local expert in
plumbing, gas &
drainage. Guaranteed
top-quality work. Call
Waterloo Plumbing 022
630 7639
TRADES & SERVICES
TRADES & SERVICES
Re Roofing
Roof Repairs
• Approved Age Concern
provider
• Over 30 years experience
• Licensed Building Practitioner
N A BARRELL
ROOFING LTD
Ph: 0275 389 415
Email: nabroofing@xtra.co.nz
TRADES & SERVICES
H2O SOLUTIONS
Renovations, New
Houses, Hot Water
Cylinders, Kitchens,
Bathroom Upgrades,
Laundries, General
Maintenance, Water
Filters. Phone Mark 027
869 0026
PLUMBER Do you need
a reliable plumber?
Quality and timely
services. No job too big
or small. Phone V
Plumbing Ltd. 022 351
4125
PLUMBER Highly
experienced Plumber.
Exceptional service.
Ready to help with all
your plumbing needs.
Call today! MJ Plumbing
Ltd 021 109 2397
THE ROOF
SPECIALISTS
CANTERBURY LTD
Established 2005
Protective coatings
10 year guarantee on:
Faded coloursteel
Tiles & iron
Decramastic
Phone NOW 4 FREE
Roof check & report
Scott McKenzie
022 044 3008
ROOF
PAINTING 24/7
Rope & harness
a speciality,
no scaffolding
required,
30 years of
breathtaking
experience.
FREE QUOTES
20% OFF other
roof quotes
Exterior staining,
exterior painting,
water blasting.
Moss and mould
treatment $300.
Phone Kevin
027 561 4629
roof
painting
Colour Steel,
Iron & Decramastic
Roofs
Rope & Harness
Safe Cert
Skilled Tradesman
25 Years Experience
Free Quotes
Call Collin
ph: 021 132 7106
SPOUTING CLEANING
Spouting unblocked,
cleaned out & flushed
out. Call Greg 03 384
2661 or 027 616 0331.
TEAM TURF
For all your artificial turf
requirements.
Residential or
commercial.
teamturf.co.nz
Christchurch installers.
Grow Landscape
021 034 5504
TILING
Floor & walls.
Kitchen & splashback
specialist.
No job too small.
35 yrs exp.
Free quotes
Ph 0274 833 887
TRADES & SERVICES
Have you
got a load of
rubbish
that you want
tidied up?
Phone
0800 473 563
Email
hlschch@gmail.com
TREE SERVICES Free
quotes 20+ yrs exp.
Tree, hedge or shrub -
reduction, shaped or
removed. Ph/text Paul
The Branch Manager
027 431 4720
TREE SERVICES
Pensioner discounts.
Tree & hedge reduction.
Professional advice.
Stump grinding and
branches chipped. Txt or
ring Andrew on 027 20
44 949.
TREE SERVICES
Specialist tree pruning &
shaping. Also hedge
trimming and garden
tidy-ups. Ph Hugh, "The
Little Green Groomer"
021 275 5445
TREES FOR
CANTERBURY:
Specialist Native Plant
Garden Centre. Trees,
Shrubs, Groundcover.
Supporting your
community and the
environment. 42
Charlesworth St,
Woolston. Phone: (03)
982 1028
WANTED
7”, 45’s, singles, eps
records wanted, any
amount top prices paid.
Pennylane Records, 430
Colombo Street,
Sydenham, ring Dave
021 222 6144, 7 days
A+ ALL whiteware
wanted. Same day
service, cash paid for
freezers, fridges,
washing machines,
ovens. Also buying
furniture & h/hold
effects. Anything
considered. Ph Dave
027 66 22 116
A1 ALBUMS, old photos,
postcards, coins, gold,
bank notes, badges,
medals, jewellery,
watches, china, crystal,
books, furs, vintage
clothing, paintings,
furniture, estates &
downsizing. Etcetera
Antiques, 194 Edgeware
Rd, 385 5117.
ALL JAZZ Records
wanted: Kiwi and
overseas artists, Blue
Note, Prestige, Riverside,
ECM, Verve, Impulse,
CTI, Milestone etc; top
prices paid for good
titles. — Please phone
Dave 021-222-6144,
Pennylane Records, 7
days.
CARAVAN wanted with
shower and toilet,
needing repairs ok or
any condition. Ph 027
622 0011
OLD TOYS, Models &
Trains. Tri-ang, FunHo
Matchbox, Dinky,
Hornby, Meccano,
Marklin, Corgi etc. Ph
027 604 1816
toymodelcollectors.co.n
z
PENNYLANE RECORDS
always buying records.
Excellent prices paid.
430 Colombo Street,
Sydenham, 366 3278,
open 7 days

starnews.co.nz
CLASSIFIEDS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 29
WANTED
GARAGE SALES
PERSONAL
PUBLIC NOTICES
TO LET
SITUATIONS VACANT
TOOLS, Garden, garage,
saw benches, lathes.
Cash buyer. Phone 355-
2045.
BOATS & ACCESSORIES
WINDSCREENS Perspex
cut to size and shape,
Fab Plastics ph 366
3634
BOOKS
BOOKS, STATIONERY
cards, gifts - Paper Plus
New Brighton has it all.
Friendly local team,
great prices, supporting
this community. 72
Brighton Mall, New
Brighton. Phone 03 388
1809
CARS WANTED
CARS WANTED
We buy small Japanese
vehicles, must be tidy,
cash paid
Ph: Doug Drake Motors
03 389 1121
or 027 432 9947
ENTERTAINMENT
DELICIOUS all you can
eat buffet at Valentines
Hornby - Fresh seafood,
roasts, desserts and
great service for the
whole family! 7/11
Chalmers Street Hornby
- PH 0800 VAL BUFFET
DELICIOUS all you can
eat buffet at Valentines
Hornby - Fresh seafood,
roasts, desserts and
great service for the
whole family! 7/11
Chalmers Street Hornby
- PH 0800 VAL BUFFET
FOR SALE
PERSPEX, poly
carbonate and other
plastics cut to size and
shape. Fab Plastics
phone 366-3634
GARAGE SALES
Hornby 8a Ariki Place,
Hei Hei, Saturday 17th
January, 9am till 4pm
JAPAN MARKET By
Japanese Society of
Canterbury. Sat 17th
Jan, 9.30am-1pm, Ilam
School. Rain or shine.
Kid's toys, books,
kimono, kitchenware.
Don't miss out!
A THICK LAYER OF
BARK keeps the
moisture in, the weeds
out & looks great in your
garden beds. I will
deliver and lay it for you.
Call Hugh "The Little
Green Groomer" 021 275
5445
PERSPEX Cut to size,
clear and tinted sheets
available. Suitable as
replacement panels in
your glasshouse or as a
windbreak. Fab Plastics
366 3634.
FEET FIRST PODIATRY
provides expert foot
care,
offering
personalised treatments
for pain relief, injury
recovery, overall foot
and lower limb wellness.
Unit 2B, 355 Riccarton
Road. Ph 03 348-7910
www.feetfirst.co.nz
HEALTH Boost your
wellbeing at Marshall’s
Health & Natural
Therapy. Quality health
supplements, herbal
dispensary, natural
skincare, and expert
naturopathic advice.
Visit us today for a
healthier, happier you!
Marshalls Health &
Natural Therapy. 101
Seaview Road, New
Brighton. Ph 03 388
5757. Shop instore or
online:
www.marshallshealthsh
op.co.nz
FUNERAL DIRECTORS
GARDEN SUPPLIES
PERSPEX Cut to size,
clear and tinted sheets
available. Suitable as
replacement panels in
your glasshouse or as a
windbreak. Fab Plastics
366 3634.
HEALTH & BEAUTY
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
WANAKA
ACCOMMODATION
3 bedroom house for
rent from $180 per
night. Ph 03 476 3486.
direct
cremation
(includes committal)
$2,200 GSt
inclusive
0800 27 28 29
www.mainlandcrematorium.co.nz
GENT SEEKS A SINGLE
(with no baggage) 65yr
old or older, slim/petite,
vibrant, can-do special
lady to have as a
possible live-in caregiver
and/or relationship of
convenience. Free rent
and other outgoings.
This
unique
arrangement would be
designed to suit both
parties. Compatibility in
all areas is essential.
Let's
discuss
possibilities 027 659
4425
CARS WANTED
MALE, 64 seeks
intimate lady playmate.
Any age / size. Ph 021
146 8156
PERSONAL
Start the new year
with someone
special!!
There’s no need to
spend another day
alone.
Our experienced
matchmakers can
introduce you to a
genuine partner.
Enjoy real, face-to-face
introductions, carefully
arranged to help you
meet the right partner
sooner.
Speak with one of our
friendly matchmakers
today.
Why choose us?
• Real people — not
computers
• Discreet, private
and personalised.
Phone 0800-446-332.
So
GOOD!
Still
FREE
It’s
FANTASTIC!
Thanks to the
support of our
advertisers
PH 379 7100
www.star.kiwi
CAR REMOVALS
$$CASH PAID$$
CARS, VANS, UTES & 4X4 WANTED
NZ OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 24 YEARS
We use world class vehicle depollution systems
0800 77 80 80
www.pickapart.co.nz
South Rakaia Bach SLEEPOUT HIRE
Owners Association Inc Christmas special, from
Annual general meeting $60pw, free delivery on
will be held at the some sleepouts. Biggest
settlement shed at 2pm range, best prices. Ph
Saturday, January 24th 0274 741 723
2026
nzsleepout.com
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE
Phone for further details
(03) 379 1100
ADD SOME
COLOUR
TO YOUR ADVERT!
Want to
make an
impact in
the South?
Senior Advertising Sales
Consultant
Ashburton Courier
Location: Ashburton | Permanent 40 Hours Per Week
About us:
Allied Media, previously known as Allied Press, has been at the heart of
New Zealand’s media landscape for over 163 years. We’re driven by a clear
mission: to empower and connect the South by championing the people,
businesses, and ideas that shape our island.
Our Values
Creative – We encourage innovation
Collaborative – We work together
Accountable – We own our actions
About the role:
Want to make an impact in Ashburton? Join our sales team and help
businesses grow!
We’re looking for a natural communicator with a knack for creative
problem-solving. Someone that thrives on building relationships and
driving results. Working as the Senior Advertising Sales Consultant for
our Ashburton Courier publication, you’ll work across our print and digital
platforms, delivering creative, impactful campaigns that resonate with
people across the city, the region and the country.
This position is based in Ashburton and a valid driver’s licence is required.
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities:
• 4+ years of successful sales experience.
• Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills; in person,
over the phone and via email.
• A strong focus on accuracy, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Able to think creatively and develop solutions for clients.
• A high level of self-motivation, strong team work ethic, and time
management.
We offer:
• Base salary + Commission scheme + KiwiSaver.
• Ability to purchase additional leave + company laptop + phone.
• Access to Southern Cross Medical Insurance.
• Monday to Friday role, based in Ashburton, no weekend work.
More about Allied Media:
As one of the country’s largest independent media companies, we deliver
trusted local journalism and engaging content across more than 20
newspapers, five magazines, major local events, and a growing digital
network. But our strength lies in more than just what we publish, it is in
the people behind the scenes. From journalists and editors to designers,
developers, videographers and marketers, our team brings stories,
campaigns, and experiences to life across print, digital, and events. Our
flagship publication, the Otago Daily Times, is New Zealand’s most trusted
newspaper (AUT’s Trust in News research), and our digital platform, odt.
co.nz, continues to reach new heights. At Allied Media, we’re proud of our
deep roots, and we’re just as excited about the future. Join us and be part
of a team that’s keeping the South informed, inspired, and connected.
How to apply:
If you believe this role is a good fit for you, please apply via SEEK or reach
out to Mark Julius, Sales Manager, at mark.julius@alliedmedia.co.nz for a
confidential discussion. We will get in touch if you are shortlisted for this
opportunity.
alliedmedia.co.nz/careers

30 | The Star, January 15, 2026 starnews.co.nz
CLASSIFIEDS
WHAT'S ON
AT HORNBY CLUB
CHASE THE
ACE!
THURSDAY 6.30PM
$1200
Holiday Hours
OFFICE HOURS
from now through to 19 January
Sunday to Thursday: 9am-4pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am-8pm
PAVILION CAFE
OPEN Mon, Tue, Wed 8am-4pm; Thu 8am- 6pm;
Fri & Sat 8am-8pm, & Sun 8am-6pm
CHALMERS RESTAURANT
CLOSED. Reopens Sunday 1st Feb
Raffles are back
Every Wednesday to Sunday
from 4pm - 6pm
(Saturday 11am - 1pm).
CRACK THE
CUBE!
FRIDAY 6.30PM
$500
SPECIALS!
THURSDAY THROUGH
TO SUNDAY
Pizza + 12oz Beer
for $25
Burger + 12oz Beer
for $25
Two
Pulled Pork Sliders
for $16
Annual
Picnic
11AM AT
SUN
8TH
FEB
YALDHURST SCHOOL
FAMILY FUN INCLUDING
BOUNCY CASTLE, GAMES,
RUNNING RACES & PRIZES
Come on down!
17 CARMEN RD. PH. 03 349 9026
WWW.HORNBYCLUB.CO.NZ
FOR GREAT VALUE DINING
GET DOWN TO BRIDIE’S!
Summer holidays are here and Bridie’s
has a menu that showcases the best in new
season produce.
Bridie’s Bar & Bistro is an Irish themed
pub that has been a mainstay in the local
community for over ten years.
“Bridie's is associated with some of the
best local suppliers,” said Chef Chris. “We
use grass fed Canterbury meat,
Cumberland Sausages & Deli goods from
the Beckenham Butchery, fresh sour dough
breads by the Hand to Hearth Artisan
Bread Company, and Vivace beans for our
expertly extracted barista craed coffees.”
German-born Chef Christoph (Chris)
Locker took over Bridie’s Bistro in April
2024 and stresses that fresh produce and
quality ingredients are the key to serving
great food.
e menu offers a wide selection of great
value meals. From Starters & Light Meals,
Mains including Bridie’s famous Ribs, Grill
house classics, Gourmet Pizzas, Burgers
through to irresistible Desserts.
SMASHIES HAVE ARRIVED!
As well as their regular Burgers the
menu now features a choice of the latest
burger trend... Smash Burgers, aka Bridie’s
Smashies.
“Smashies are mostly to do with the meat
patty,” said Chef Chris. “Instead of cooking a
traditional hamburger patty, we ‘smash’ a
loose ball of Angus mince beef onto a very
hot skillet creating a patty that is full of
avour, caramelized, crispy on the edges,
and juicy in the centre. Extra llings are
added and we serve it in a so brioche bun.”
Proving hugely popular, Bridie’s Smashies
are priced at only $15 each with a choice of 3
avours.
1. House favourite, e Cheeseburger
Smashie (Patty, American Cheddar, crispy
onions, and Bridie’s famous Burger Sauce)
2. e Firecracker Smashie (Patty,
American Cheddar, Pickles, Jalapenos, Hot
Sauce, and Slaw).
3. e BBQ Bacon Smashie (Patty, Bacon,
American Cheese, crispy Onion, Pickles,
and BBQ Sauce).
e breakfast menu is available daily
until 1pm, however the mains menu is
available all day everyday from opening.
Whether you're meeting mates for a catch
up over drinks or aer somewhere to take
the family for a delicious meal, Bridie's Bar
and Bistro on Stanmore Road is the perfect
spot.
Let's not forget the kids. Bridie's offers
family-friendly dining and the kid's menu
has many choices with something to satisfy
the fussiest eater.
Anniversaries, Birthdays, Family
gatherings, Work Do's. Bridie's can cater to
any event or function at any budget. ey
can provide set menus, platters, and group
catering. Enquire today about hosting your
special event.
Food allergy? Let the staff know. Many of
Bridie's meals can be modied to
accommodate dietary requirements.
Friendly staff and regular entertainment
coupled with amazing family friendly food
and great drinks specials has made Bridie's a
popular destination with patrons across the
city.
Bridie’s Bar & Bistro | 401 Worcester St | Ph 03 260 0323 | www.bridies.co.nz

starnews.co.nz
CLASSIFIEDS The Star, January 15, 2026 | 31
WHAT’S ON
GIG GUIDE
Thursday 15 to Wednesday 21 January 2026
APOLLO PROJECTS STADIUM, 95 Jack
Hinton Dr: Saturday 24th Jan & Sunday 25th
Jan, 5.30pm - Ed Sheeran ‘Loop Tour’.
ARMADILLOS BECKENHAM, 155
Colombo St: Saturday 21st Feb - Level 6.
ARMADILLOS HALSWELL, 29 Ensign St:
Thursday 8pm - DJ Chick Karaoke.
ARMADILLOS ISLINGTON, 670 Main
South Rd: Sunday 3pm - Lino.
A ROLLING STONE, 579 Colombo St:
Thursday - closed. Friday 7pm - Holiday
Karaoke! Come and sing yourself silly, big stage,
great sound, all welcome, free. Saturday 7pm -
Son of Poseidon Theatrical presents 'The
Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical -
Fundraiser Gig' feat The Lightning Thief Band,
starring Archie McCormick, Henry Woods, Ollie
Radburnd, Yonghoon Kim, Alfie Blackadder-
Francis, & Rahil Uddin, playing a powerful night
of blues/pop/funk tunes to raise money for Son
of Poseidon Theatrical, a fresh theatre company
run completely by young students, tix just $10 at
the door for a great cause! Sunday 6pm -
Canterbury Blues Club presents Blues Club Jam
Night, feat Eddie Simon followed by open mic
slots and jam session, sign up on the night, all
welcome, free. Monday 7pm - Believe It or Not
Quiz, table bookings 03-377-4787, all welcome,
dogs included. Tuesday 7pm - Inner City Jam
with Tyler Robbins, sign up on the night for
open mic slots and jams, all levels, abilities &
ages welcome, free. Wednesday - closed.
AVONHEAD TAVERN, 120 Withells Rd:
Friday 7.30pm - Unhinged.
BILL'S BAR, 1 Halswell Rd: Thursday 7pm -
A&J Karaoke. Friday 7.30pm - Flat City
Brotherhood. Sunday 6pm - A&J Karaoke.
Friday 23rd Jan, 8pm - Dynamix.
BRIDIE'S BAR, 401 Worcester St: Friday
4.30pm - DJ Rakinem. Saturday 3pm - N-
didjah-nis.
CASHMERE CLUB, 50 Colombo St:
Wednesday 4th Feb, 7pm - Quiz. Saturday 7th
Feb, 7.30pm - Mainland Big Band, $10 entry.
Friday 27th Feb, 7.30pm - Simmer.
CHCH CASINO, 30 Victoria St: Friday
5.30pm -B&G; 9pm - Four Days Notice.
Saturday 5.30pm - Lissel; 9pm - Spektrum.
CHCH FOLK MUSIC CLUB, Irish Society
Hall, Domain Tce: Thursday 5th-7th Feb -
Waimate Summer Folk Festival.
COASTERS TAVERN, 1 Daniels Rd:
Wednesday 7pm - Quiz.
DARKROOM, 336 St Asaph St: Thursday
8pm - Lewis Parke with support Sleep Deficit
and Off Track. Friday 8pm - Wytones;
Abandoned Carparks; Trouple with Normal.
Saturday 8pm - Horn; Violet French, and special
guests.
FAT EDDIES, 1/76 Hereford St: Thursday
5.30pm - Jack & Rob Duo; 9pm - Good Time
Ska. Friday 4.30pm - Cantora Duo; 8pm -
HeadRush; 11.30pm - House of Groove. Saturday
1pm - Ananda Massa; 4.30pm - Mac & Mates;
8pm - Sound Sensation; 11.30pm - The
Kingsmen. Sunday 5.30pm - Elly Rydge. Monday
6pm - Caitlin Bradley. Tuesday 7pm - Quiz;
7.30pm - Ants Pickard. Wednesday 8.30pm - Eve
Kelly Duo.
GAV’S ENDEAVOUR BAR, 87 Effingham
St: Sunday 3pm - Vila.
GOOD TIMES COMEDY CLUB, 224 St
Asaph St: Friday 8pm - A Damn Good
Comedy Show; 10pm - Live After Hours.
Saturday 6.30pm - Chris Sainton-Clark’s Pub
Tales; 8pm - Big Laughs Pro Comedy. Sunday
4pm - Speed Hate-ing, a Sexy Ghost Fundraiser.
HORNBY CLUB, 17 Carmen Rd: Friday 23rd
Jan, 7pm - Gazza. Sunday 25th Jan, 3pm -
Robbie Drew Birthday Bash.
LIVE AT THE POINT, 4 Waipapa Ave,
Diamond Harbour: Sunday 1pm - DJ
Drummie Dan; 1.15pm - Haizys; 2.15pm -
Hannah Everingham; 3.15pm - The Kay Duncan
Band; 4.15pm - Adam Hattaway & the Haunters.
MAK BAR, 1276 Main North Rd: Saturday -
Free jukebox. Sunday 3pm - Nexus.
MICKY FINN'S, 85a Hereford St: Thursday
7pm - Live band. Friday 10pm - Mac & Mates.
Saturday 7pm - Sionna; 10.30pm - The
Uncovered.
NORTH HAGLEY PARK, 1 Park Tce:
Saturday 31st Jan, 11am - Great Kiwi Beer
Festival.
OAK N FERRY, 608 Ferry Rd: Saturday 24th
Jan, 8.30pm - In the City. Saturday 31st Jan,
8.30pm - Hired Guns.
To add a listing, contact
Jo Fuller 03 379 7100 or
027 458 8590
jo.fuller@alliedmedia.co.nz
OLD PAPANUI TAVERN, 15 Main North
Rd: Saturday 8.30pm - DJ Chick Karaoke.
RACECOURSE HOTEL, 118 Racecourse
Rd: Friday 30th Jan, 7.30pm - RiccStar & Steph.
RICHMOND CLUB, 'The Borough', 75
London St: Friday 7pm - The Meaniez.
Saturday 7pm - Live Music. Sunday 3pm - Tracy
Rockhouse.
ROSE & THISTLE, 24 Main North Rd:
Friday 8.30pm - Annalea & Junior. Saturday
8.30pm - Misconduct.
SHARKEY'S BAR & CAFE, 96 Hoon Hay
Rd: Friday 7pm - Karaoke. Saturday 7pm -
Karaoke. Sunday 4pm - Open Mic & Sharkey.
SPACE ACADEMY, 371 St Asaph St:
Thursday 1 - Repulsie Woman. Friday 23rd Jan -
DARTZ Tiny Summer Tour. Friday 30th Jan -
Sam Cullen. spaceacademy.co.nz/live
SUMMER SUNDAYS SERIES, Botanical
Gardens Archery Lawn, Hagley Park,
Rolleston Ave: Sunday 1st Feb, 1pm -
Fleetwood Mac Tribute (performed by DnD
Showband) & The Rolling Stones Tribute
(performed by Silver Train), free.
TAI TAPU HOTEL, 780 Old Tai Tapu Rd:
Saturday 1pm - Live music. Sunday 1pm - Live
music. Sunday 29th Mar, 1pm - Sign of the
Firebird.
TEMPS BAR, 21 Goulding Ave: Saturday
31st Jan, 8.30pm - Music returns.
THE BLACK HORSE, 33 Lincoln Rd: Friday
7.30pm - Mandi Miller.
THE BOG, 50 Victoria St: Thursday 7pm -
Quiz. Friday 6pm - Willlie McArthur; 10pm - 12
Gauge. Saturday 7pm - Mike Hill; 11pm - Mama
Rock. Sunday 5pm - Mike Hill Monday 6pm -
Sionna. Wednesday 6pm -Sionna.
THE CHURCH, cnr Worcester &
Manchester Sts: Thursday 6.15pm - Laura
Lee & Adam Hattaway; 9.30pm - Jinx. Friday
2.45p, - Alice Tanner; 6.15pm - Black & Gold;
10pm - Brad Staley. Saturday 2.45pm - Wax
Birds; 6.15pm - Zed & Andy; 10pm - Corner
Sounds. Sunday 2pm - Frankie; 5.30pm - Coyote
Pretty; 9.30pm - Tom Lush.
churchpub.co.nz/this-week
THE CRAIC IRISH BAR, 84 Riccarton Rd:
Friday - The Party Singers.
THE EMBANKMENT TAVERN, 181 Ferry
Rd: Friday 7.30pm - Open Mic.
THE FITZ2 SPORTS BAR, 77 Stevens St:
Friday 7.30pm - Cruzen Karaoke.
THE LITTLE FIDDLE, 132 Oxford Tce:
Thursday 9pm - Topia. Friday & Saturday 9pm -
DJ’s. Sunday 4.30pm - Irish Sess; 7pm - Live
music.
THE MILLER BAR, 308 Lincoln Rd: Friday
9.30pm - In the City. Saturday 9.30pm - Flat City
Brotherhood. Sunday 6pm - Karaoke with Rick.
Tuesday 7pm - Quiz. Wednesday 7pm - Karaoke
with Rick.
THE MUD BAR, 174 St Asaph St: Thursday
6.30pm - Quiz. Friday 5pm - Live music; 9pm -
DJ. Saturday 5pm - The Party Singers; 9pm - DJ.
Sunday 4pm - Live music.
THE PAPANUI, 310 Sawyers Arms Rd:
Friday 6.45pm - Becky Mayes.
THE RICCS, 280 Blenheim Rd: Friday
7.30pm - DJ Chick Karaoke. Saturday 7pm -
Dynamix.
THE ROCKPOOL, 85 Hereford St:
Thursday, Friday, Saturday 9pm - DJ's.
THE SIDELINE SPORTS BAR, 331
Stanmore Rd: Thursday 7pm - Jam Night with
Ritchie Gillies & Nick Buchanan. Saturday 7pm -
12 Gauge. Tuesday 7pm - DJ Chick Karaoke.
THE STOCKXCHANGE BAR, 110
Marshland Rd: Saturday 7.30pm - Live music.
Saturday 24th Jan, 7.30pm - Hired Guns.
THE TURF, 6 Inwoods Rd: Thursday 7pm -
Live Music. Tuesday 7pm - Quiz.
WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL, Various
locations across Central Christchurch:
Thursday 22nd January to Sunday 1st February.
worldbuskersfestival.co.nz
WUNDERBAR, Lyttelton: Friday 8.30pm -
Violet Hirst Summer Tour with Madeleine Dove.
RESTAURANT & CAFÉ
‘Famous for our roasts!’
THURSDAY 15TH jan 7PM - 9pm
LIVE BAND
FRIDAY 16TH jan, 10PM - 2AM
MAC & MATES
SATURDAY 17TH jan 7-9pM
SIONNA
10.30PM - 2.30AM
UNCOVERED
$6 MURPHY
PINTS
$12
BREAKFAST
Two free range
eggs, bacon,
sourdough bread,
Vivace coffee
SLAINTE
(Cheers)
$6
MURPHY'S
PINTS
EVERY SINGLE DAY,
ALL DAY LONG!
EVERY SINGLE DAY,
ALL DAY LONG!
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Treat the family!
GREAT KID’S MENU
ACTIVITIES ROOM
KID’S MEALS
ALL MAINS INCLUD
A FREE ICE CREAM
SUNDAE
SENIOR'S SPECIAL
LUNCH & DINNER
$29
TWO COURSES
Soup/Roast or Roast/Dessert
FROM ONLY
$13
The
RACECOURSE HOTEL
& Motorlodge
118 Racecourse Rd, Sockburn,
Christchurch. Ph 03 342 7150
www.racecoursehotel.co.nz
Pool Tables | Function Rooms | 85a Hereford Street | www.therockpool.co.nz
BRIDIE’S BAR
WHAT'S PLAYING
FRI.4PM: DJ RAKINEN
SAT.3PM:
OPEN FROM 7AM MON-FRI & FROM 8AM SAT/SUN
GREAT MENU | 18 MACHINE GAMING ROOM
BRIDIE'S BAR & BISTRO | 401 WORCESTER ST
PH (03) 260 0325 | WWW.BRIDIES.CO.NZ

Purchase any new ASX in January and get
$500 worth of genuine accessories FREE*
The stylish Mitsubishi ASX LS comes
beautifully designed and appointed for
just $28,990+orc. An economical 2 litre
petrol engine delivers 8.5L/100km*, smart
18-inch alloy wheels linked with the
smooth CVT automatic gearbox, active
stability and active traction control,
deliver an assured and enjoyable drive.
Inside you’ll find an 8-inch touchscreen
with smartphone link display audio
enabling AppleCar Play and Android Auto,
along with Bluetooth hands-free and
reversing camera. The ASX LS also comes
backed with our
10-year Powertrain Warranty.
+ORC*
CHRISTCHURCH MITSUBISHI
386 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch
Tel 03 379 0588 | chchmitsubishi.co.nz
* Price listed is for ASX LS and excludes on road costs which includes Registration, WOF, A full tank of fuel and a Tyrewise stewardship
fee. Fuel economy and range figures are based on the ADR 81/02 test for combined urban/extra urban driving. Fuel economy & CO2
figures are calculated to WLT-3P. Please notethat actual on-road fuel consumption will vary depending on traffic conditions, vehicle
load and individual driving styles. Visit www.mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond Advantage Warranty conditions.
Free accessories offer applies to genuine Mitsubishi ASX accessories chosen at the time of sale.
*
Price listed is for ASX LS and excludes on road costs of $800 which includes Registration, WOF, A full tank of fuel and a Tyrewise stewardship fee. Fuel economy
and range figures are based on the ADR 81/02 test for combined urban/extra urban driving. Fuel economy & CO2 figures are calculated to WLT-3P. Please note
that actual on-road fuel consumption will vary depending on traffic conditions, vehicle load and individual driving styles. Visit www.mmnz.co.nz for full Diamond
Advantage Warranty conditions. MIT 2517
Navara runout offer strictly while stocks last. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Pricing includes GST but excludes On Road Costs. Runout price for private and business buyers. Available on new Nissan MY24 Navara models ordered
between 01/01/2026 and 31/03/2026. Sale prices exclude on-road costs (ORC). Premium accessories available at additional cost. Nissan reserves the right to vary, extend or withdraw these offers at any time.
CHRISTCHURCH NISSAN, 392 Moorhouse Avenue, Christchurch
Ph: 03 595 6820 www.christchurchnissan.co.nz
christchurchnissan.co.nz

Thursday, 15 January 2026
Christchurch’s best read and largest circulating newspaper
23 January
– 1 February 2026

Time Flies – An Epic Circus Story!
Clever storytelling, laughs and impressive circus skills in
a joyful family show about bravery and imagination.
Festival Gala
Circus, comedy and magic collide in a star studded
showcase celebrating ten incredible festival days.
All The Things I Wish I Could Be
Two lovable dads launch into mayhem, exploring
dreams, monsters and magic in a vibrant family show.
Cirque Bon Bon – Australia
A slick, high energy fusion of circus, dance and cabaret
delivering skill, glamour and playful edge.
The Bitches’ Box
Country Calendar meets canine mayhem in a clever,
quick fire comedy honouring the legends of the farm.
Mr and Mrs Alexander: Sideshows & Psychics!
A witty, goosebump inducing performance where magic
meets modern mischief in unforgettable style.
Planet Drag Episode 5: The Big Busker Blow Out
A wild drag cabaret rocketing audiences through space,
glitter, gender and glorious intergalactic chaos.
Fiesta City Bus Tour with El Jaguar
Masked Luchador El Jaguar leads a hilarious, fact
bending city tour with comedy and Christchurch pride.
ROADKILL: The Uber-cool Musical
One Uber driver takes you on a hilarious, chaotic and
heartfelt ride in this fast paced musical.
Whakapapa (Jolt)
This moving celebration of whakapapa and culture is
told by dancers with powerful, authentic voices.
Cirque du Solittle
A tiny big top bursting with oversized acts, wild chaos
and hilarious circus mayhem for all ages.
to R mansion – Japan
Mischief and magic combine in an internationally loved
show bursting with creativity and heart.
Mere Mortals
Ancient legends collide with circus in an immersive R18
experience of acrobatics, light and bold storytelling.
Iti Kahuraki
Moving fusion of circus and Te Ao Māori exploring
identity, ancestry and the impact of colonisation.
The Late Night Cabaret
Adults only late night spectacle of daring circus, wicked
burlesque and unapologetic comic chaos.
Kids Gala
The Tiwhas
A fierce takatāpui pop supergroup blending waiata
Māori, pop, kapa haka and flair with electrifying style.
SMASH! Boylesque MKII
A provocative celebration of masculinity featuring bold
boylesque, aerial brilliance and loads of boyish charm.
Baseline Boogie – Silent Disco
Dance around the city with the Fever Queens - great
music, playful antics and full festival energy.
A joyful finale of magic, acrobatics and comedy created
especially for tamariki and their whānau.
Next Gen
Rising stars aged 7 to 17 shine in a vibrant mix of music,
movement and circus skill.
Yoga Shmoga
A not-so-serious yoga class led by a rebel teacher who
guarantees laughs, wobbles, and joy.
Buskers Jam
A vibrant nightly mix of circus, comedy and spectacle
creating unforgettable evenings at the Arts Centre.
Tafatolu (Y|NOT)
Myth, mischief and ancestral energy collide in
a vibrant Pasifika story celebrating friendship and
cultural connection.
Morning People
Early morning dance party that flips your day, bringing
big sunrise vibes and setting you up right.
TOHA Rangatahi Collective Showcase
Celebrate rising Māori and Pasifika talent as
TOHA rangatahi bring fresh energy, bold ideas and
powerful stories.

Hugo Miró – Spain
Physical comedy, acrobatics and charm, Hugo creates
playful, wordless moments that captivate every crowd.
Silver Starlets – Canada
High flying, sparkling and fearless, The Silver Starlets
blend comedy and acrobatics into pure circus magic.
This Maag – Switzerland
Swiss clowning meets wild improvisation, delivering
sharp, high altitude comedy chaos for every crowd.
El Kote – Chile
Acrobatics, juggling and silliness collide as everyday
spaces are transformed into spontaneous circus magic.
Clay Artists – Argentina
A vibrant fusion of breaking, acrobatics and culture that
turns urban space into a impromptu celebration.
Mario Queen of the Circus – USA
Rock ’n’ roll circus energy as Mario delivers powerhouse
juggling, comedy and Queen-fuelled swagger.
Garaghty & Thom – United Kingdom
Mayhem, razor sharp banter and mind blowing tricks
from two masters of comic mischief.
Daredevil Sailor – Switzerland
A seafaring mix of comedy, balance and big personality,
ending with a breathtaking high altitude stunt.
Kozo Kaos
Kozo Kaos delivers technical juggling, big stunts and
hilarious attitude in a gripping street show.
MulletMan & MiM
A fast paced fusion of daring feats, sharp humour and
playful antics from seasoned street pros.
to R mansion – Japan
Dynamic physical theatre mixing mime, dance and
magic into a wildly funny, surreal spectacle.
Tamanu II Performing Arts
High energy Cook Islands performers bringing vibrant
drumming, hula, song, and island mana to Ōtautahi.
Moana Vibes
Welcoming, upbeat and playful, Moana Vibes gets all
ages moving with vibrant Pacific inspired dance.
CHCH Hip Hop Summit Presents
A full-force showcase of Aotearoa’s hip-hop culture.
Hoopsadaisies Street Party
A bright, bold explosion of hoops, humour and high
energy circus that grabs every passerby.
Pacific Underground Presents Drum & Bass
Pacific Underground brings a fresh, high energy Pasifika
jam featuring riff offs, big grooves and irresistible soul.
Summer Studios - SivaSiva and Here, Now, Us
A vibrant fusion of Siva Samoa, dance and wāhine
energy celebrating movement, culture and connection.
Pounamu Ngāi Tahu - Kapa Haka
Ōtautahi’s Pounamu Ngāi Tahu deliver a dynamic,
inclusive showcase celebrating the traditional Māori arts.
Kōkō Tangiwai - Kapa Haka
2024 kapa haka champions Kōkō Tangiwai deliver haka,
poi and waiata celebrating Aotearoa’s spirit.
CAR-A-OKE!
Van based karaoke party inviting everyone to sing loud,
laugh hard and feel famous.
Loopy Tunes
Award-winning sister duo delivering uplifting reorua
waiata that get little ones moving, singing and shining.
Te Pā o Rākaihautū - Kapa Haka
Powerful waiata and haka honour Rākaihautū, sharing
pride and storytelling in a vibrant stage performance.
Masks In the City
A blend of movement, masks and improvisation that
reveals magic in unexpected, everyday places.
8 Days of Play
Interactive pop up experiences inviting everyone to jump
in, play and reimagine our public spaces. Check out the
full programme online to find all the activation details.
Turn the Cap
Watch local artists create live street art, then bid to take
home pieces you love.
Space Buoys – Australia
A high-energy dance collective blending soul, disco,
funk, and gospel for nonstop, floor-filling movement.
23 January
– 1 February 2026

Busking Pitches
Maumahara
Bridge of Remembrance
Cashel Street
Pūtake Aronga
Scott Statue
Cnr Oxford Terrace
and Worcester Boulevard
Whiti-reia
Cathedral Square
Colombo Street
Rollickin Gelato
on Cashel
98 Cashel Street
Festival Venues
Te Matatiki Toi Ora
The Arts Centre
- North Quad
- South Quad
- Great Hall (Buskers Jam
weather alternative)
- Altiora
Worcester Boulevard
Isaac Theatre Royal
145 Gloucester Street
Black Box at Papa Hou
4 Rolleston Avenue
Public Bathrooms
- Bus Exchange, Lichfield St
- Whiti-reia
Cathedral Square
- Te Matatiki Toi Ora
The Arts Centre
All venues are accessible
All venues are smoke and vape free
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